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Napoleon III Religious Items

NAPOLEON III STYLE

Under Napoleon III’s rule, Paris underwent a great rebuilding overseen by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, which created grand avenues and lavish landmarks like the Paris Opera. Antique Napoleon III–style furniture was flamboyant and eclectic. It was also known as Second Empire style since it followed and referenced the Empire style of his uncle Napoleon I.

Developing from 1852–70, Napoleon III furniture was plush and ornate, matching the fashion for masked balls and socializing in salons. It borrowed freely from earlier French styles including Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI as well as aesthetics from around the world, from antiquity to Asian art. As writer Gustave Claudin remarked in 1867, the country’s architects worked in “a style which one would be tempted to call neo-Greco-Gothico-Pompadour-Pompeian.”

Napoleon III chairs were completely covered with velvet and lined with tassels; pouf footstools invited people to put up their feet. Sofas were upholstered with tapestries, and beds were adorned with gilt bronze and theatrical canopies. The addition of conservatories to homes led to new indoor-outdoor furniture, while the spirit of hygiene promoted by Baron Haussmann inspired bright, floral motifs.

Although the most ostentatious designs were for the elite, as seen in the Napoleon III apartments preserved in the Louvre, where red velvet, gilding and chandeliers create a cacophony of luxury, these trends influenced homes across classes as manufacturing made design increasingly accessible. Papier-mâché furniture allowed for elaborate shapes that would have been difficult to carve in wood. The malleable material was painted with chinoiserie patterns and decorative designs. It was mass-produced by factories such as Jennens and Bettridge with varnishing and mother-of-pearl inlays creating an effect reminiscent of Asian lacquer. (Surfaces that had been “japanned” — a specialty of Jennens and Bettridge — were intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia.)

Find a collection of antique Napoleon III decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Napoleon III
Large Stained Colored Glass Window Under Lead, Circa 1880
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Large stained glass window in colored glass, diameter 127cm, Adveniat regnum tuum fortitu dode
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Stained Glass

19th Century French Napoleon III Prie Dieu or Prayer Chair.
Located in Labrit, Landes
Prayer chair or Prie-Dieu of the period Napoleon III, French, 19th century Exotic wood and velvet with golden braid. Can be recovered to suit your interior. Good antique condition.     
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Iconostasis door depicting the Annunciation, Balkans? 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Carved and gilt wood door from an iconostasis representing the Annunciation to Mary by the archangel Gabriel. The word "iconostasis" comes from the Greek εἰκονοστάσι(-ον) (eikonostás...
Category

1880s Balkan Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Mahogany Prayer Bench with Green Velvet
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique prayer chair in a bedroom for your daily devotions! Crafted in France, circa 1870, the traditional mahogany kneeler sits on...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

19th Century Russian Icon from the Moscow School, depicting "Our Lady of Kazan"
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this exquisite and extremely rare Russian icon adorned with a gilt silver oklad, bearing the marks of both the silversmith and the assayer, and measuring 31.5 x 26.5 c...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Holy Water Font Crucifix Shell and Silver French Napoleon III
Located in Labrit, Landes
Holy water font crucifix Napoleon III, French, 19th century Benitier crucifix holy water wall font late 19th century. The crucifix is cut from th...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Silver

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Prie Dieu ~ Prayer Kneeler
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Prie Dieu ~ Prayer Kneeler is a stunning example of devotional art! Rendered from exotic imported mahog...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Crucifix Representing Roman and Vatican Monuments, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Crucifix adorned with a micro mosaic of colored glass Chromed brass Around the Christ on the cross, you can see monuments of Vatican and of Rome ( Saint Peter's Basilica, Pantheon...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Brass, Chrome

French Original Cased Pair Silver Baptismal Oil Containers
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and scarce French pair silver Baptismal oil containers in its original leather fitted travelling case dating from 1850. The two cylindrical shaped oil containers are conjoined and both have tight fitting covers mounted with crosses. The oil containers have engraved initials OC and SC probably denoting oil and incense which would have been used in the baptismal ceremony. The identical lids too are similarly marked to ensure that these are not mixed up. The containers appear to have a slightly gilded finish to the interior and the oil containers are engraved to the bases and date 1850. They come in their original leather case with a small brass hook...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Wall Plaque Sculpture Medallion Woman Figure Signed B. Feinberg, Late 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Terracotta woman figure medallion, wall plaque Signed by Bernanowitch Hirsch Feinberg, Russian artist with an international carrier between Good condition with good patina due to ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Terracotta

French Virgin and Child Chromo-Lithograph, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Virgin and child chromo-lithograph, French, late 19th century Golden frame Good antique condition For shipping: 5 x 31.5 x 47.5 cm 0.8kg.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Wood

French Crucifix Vitrine and Oval Frame, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Crucifix in its oval vitrine, French, late 19th century Golden frame Good condition For shipping: 9/51/60 cm, 3.3 kg.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Crucifix Vitrine and Frame, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Crucifix in its vitrine, French, late 19th century Golden frame Good condition For shipping: 46/38/8 cm 2.4 kg.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Brass

Antique Sevres Style plaque - "The last Supper"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large Antique French Sevres Style Porcelain Hand Painted Plaque Depicting "The Last Supper" after Leonardo da Vinci, within an exceptional Onyx and Champleve enamel frame. Circa 18...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Picture "St Jerome and the Lion" in Fabric - France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unique and exquisite picture representing the biblical episode of Saint Jerome removing the thorn from the Lion's paw. The picture is made entirely of fabric, and is in relief. The scene is set in an oasis in the desert...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Related Items
17th/ 18th Century Italian Baroque Marble Holy Water Font or Stoup
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful Baroque marble holy water font or stoup, Unique and original period piece. Italy, circa 1650-1750. Weathered condition. Measures: H:10,5cm W:21,5cm D:19-26cm.
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Marble

Russian Tempera Icon Unusual Depiction of Jesus Christ 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
This scarce depiction of Jesus Christ was painted presumably in Moscow in early 19th century. The icon is painted in the author's (improvisational) manner, which differs from the rec...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Wood

Antique Russian Wall Relief, Icon in Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small yet heavy wall relief - Russian icon in cast bronze. It depicts a seated Virgin Mary holding a very young Jesus and an Angel holding a crucifix. It w...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Late 18th Century Spanish Silver Baroque Holy Water Font with Gilt Virgin Mary
Located in Madrid, ES
This highly decorative silver holy water font or stoup, is stamped with hallmarks placing its manufacture in Aspiazu, Bilbao, Spain during the l...
Category

Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Silver

19th Century French Brass & Champleve Cross with Holy Water Font on Green Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
This colorful marble and brass cross with holy water recipient was created in France, circa 1880. The antique cross features beautiful, intricate cloisonné work with enamel, stone an...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Marble, Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Napoleon III mahogany day bed is a masterful study in classical architecture melded with timeless French craftsmanship and an understated elegance that will trans...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Napoleon III Period mahogany wall bed is a superbly well-preserved example of French style and ingenuity from the Second Empire! Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahoga...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Spanish Colonial Our Lady of Guadalupe Retablo
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare Spanish Colonial Our Lady of Guadalupe retablo painting with beautiful patina, displayed in an altarpiece shrine. Handcrafted...
Category

19th Century North American Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Tin

French Late 19th Century Bronze Armillary Sphere Depicting the Titan Atlas
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French bronze armillary sphere depicting Atlas carrying the world from the late 19th century with verdigris patina. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th century, this bronze armillary sphere showcases a mythological theme depicting the famed Titan Atlas, condemned to carry the sky on his shoulders for eternity. How appropriate then, to choose him to carry effortlessly this armillary! Casually placing his left hand on his waist, Atlas raises the sphere made of various connecting rings...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Holy Water Font with Virgin Mary and Jesus Child in wood, Gilded 1980s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A wood carved holy water font. Attributed to an Italian or german wood carver. Made probably in the 1970s - 1980s. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. A nice addition to y...
Category

1980s German Vintage Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Wood

Russian Silver Icon, Our Lady of Kazan 1886
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Russian Silver Icon, Our Lady of Kazan 1886 Bearing numerous Russian Silver hallmarks of d.c., in a rectangular 1 hallmark of 1886 and silver content hallmark of ’84 ‘ A fine exam...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Sterling Silver

18th Century Silver Russian Icon
Located in Pomona, CA
18th-century silver Russian icon.
Category

18th Century Russian Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Silver

18th Century Silver Russian Icon
18th Century Silver Russian Icon
H 6 in W 4.5 in D 1 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Blackened "Prie-Dieu" Prayer Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant feminine antique prayer chair in your bedroom for daily devotions. Crafted in France, circa 1890, the traditional, fruitwood kneeler sits on turned feet over a sim...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Mahogany and Velvet Prayer Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique "Prie Dieu" (or prayer chair), was crafted in France circa 1870, and probably comes from a private chapel. Built of mahogany, the tracery religious prayer kneeler stands...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Mid 19th Century Napoleon III Bronze Holy Water Font
By Léonard Morel-Ladeuil
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A fine French holy water font made of casted bronze, mounted on a black Belgian marble. Signed by Léonard Morel-Ladeuil. Depicting the 'Agony ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

French Walnut Inlaid Wall Crucifix, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French 1880 wall crucifix Walnut and Mother-of-pearl Good antique condition. Shipping: 1/25.5/50 cm 0.45 kg.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Walnut

French Porcelain Bust of Virgin Mary, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Virgin Mary Bust Porcelain on wood, circa 1880 Very good condition Measures: For shipping: 24 x 24 x 15 cm 1.6 kg.
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Set of Two Chromo-Lithographs Sacred Heart Jesus Immaculate Heart Mary, 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique Sacred Heart of Jesus Immaculate, Immaculate Heart of Mary, France. Switzerland late 19th century Chromo Lithographs To frame Very...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Paper

Antique Napoleon III Era French Chalice Ciborium Veil Gilt Metal Embellishment
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This is a stunning ecclesiastical hand worked chalice veil. The exquisite gold metallic embroidery and beadwork on cream colored silk make it a very fine ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Beads, Silk

French Crucifix on Pedestal, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Crucifix on pedestal for altar French late 19th century Golden copper (please see photos) Around the christ on the cross, you can see the four evangelis...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Copper

French Crucifix on Pedestal, Late 19th Century
French Crucifix on Pedestal, Late 19th Century
H 29.14 in W 13.59 in D 9.45 in
Antique Holy Water Font Crucifix Champleve Onyx French Napoleon III
Located in Labrit, Landes
Holy water font crucifix Napoleon III, French, 19th century French champleve enamel Benitier crucifix holy water wall font late 19th century. Mo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Onyx, Enamel

Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional French patinated realistic bronze bust of Jesus Christ, 1858. Signed: J CLESINGER. Rome. 1858 with F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, with the Red...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A French Miniature patinated bronze bust of Jesus Christ on a round wood base, 1858. Signed: J CLESINGER. Rome. 1858 with F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEU...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Tall Table Gilt Bronze Cross, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Napoleon III tall table cross entirely in gilded bronze, original gilding very well preserved. Nice patina. France 19th century, circa 1855.
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii religious items for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III religious items for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage religious items created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III religious items made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for religious items differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $270 and tops out at $18,000 while the average work can sell for $1,374.

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