With the ascension of Napoleon III in 1852, Second Empire France had a revival of court life. The stability of the new imperial regime and a buoyant economy brought exhibitions, grand balls, and stage productions to the forefront of Parisian lifestyle. An increased interest in the arts paved the way for a variety of aesthetic experimentation in the decorative arts, particularly in jewelry, giving rise to a new, opulent and eclectic style, grounded on a varied mix of revivals of historical styles