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Napoleon III Daybeds

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
Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs
Located in Honnelles, WHT
"Daybed, Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs" Red velvet daybed, recamier or sofa
Category

20th Century European Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs
Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs

Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench with Burgundy, raspberry pink, off-white upholstery. Magnificent meridian from the Napoleon III - Second Empire period with a wide...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth
Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench

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 Daybeds

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed

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 Daybeds

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
This daybed or sofa was made originally in France circa 1870 in the Napoleon III style and is constructed of walnut and burled walnut veneers used to dramatically show off the wood selection and grain patterns. Large profiles and massive flat or concave and convex long grained area of regular walnut have been used to border complex very figured areas of veneered burl walnut Boldly scaled and very masculine the original rail on one side has been removed and a permanent rail with a notched upper area in the head and foot boards to accommodate an upholstered wooden back which was clearly just screwed in in the past allowing for the use as a sofa in a guest room also used as a sitting room. The head and foot boards are finished on both side so its clear that it was always meant to be seen form an alcove bed...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Burl

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add glamour and style with this Napoleon III cast iron lounging day bed to any room. Create your own 24" x 74" seating area with a mattress, seat cushion and decorative pillows to ma...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed

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Poltrona Frau sofa bed upholstered in Green Velvet. 1980s. Measurements: 118x183 h seat 28 cm.
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Late 20th Century Italian Napoleon III Daybeds

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Velvet

1980s Green Velvet Sofa Bed by Poltrona Frau
1980s Green Velvet Sofa Bed by Poltrona Frau

1980s Green Velvet Sofa Bed by Poltrona Frau

H 35.44 in W 46.46 in D 72.05 in
19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
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1820s American Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
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H 48 in W 52 in D 78 in
Italian Hand Carved & Painted Floral Day Bed . Circa 1780
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1780s Italian Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Italian Hand Carved & Painted Floral Day Bed . Circa 1780
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H 39 in W 78.25 in D 31.25 in
Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed
Located in Markington, GB
1950s Danish 3-seat sofa or daybed Lovely 1950s part wood framed sofa in very good condition, it has blanket storage underneath and folds down into a very useful daybed Measure...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Napoleon III Daybeds

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Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed
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H 32.29 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Modern White Velvet Upholstered Bench with Black Wenge Legs Gold Stainless Steel
Located in Porto, PT
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21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Napoleon III Daybeds

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Modern White Velvet Upholstered Bench with Black Wenge Legs Gold Stainless Steel
Modern White Velvet Upholstered Bench with Black Wenge Legs Gold Stainless Steel

Modern White Velvet Upholstered Bench with Black Wenge Legs Gold Stainless Steel

H 17.72 in W 68.9 in D 19.69 in
Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful and important sculpturakl form brass single bed or day bed circa 1958-1963 by Osvaldo Borsani for 'Arredamento Borsani', Varedo , Italy. The small series of Borsani beds designed were produced in several different designs ,each in very limited numbers and all hand made by the Arredamento Borsani in Varedo, italy. This series of beds never went into serial industrial production , a fact confirmed to me by the Arredamento Borsani archives. Beginning in the late 1950s,Osvaldo Borsani went on to collaborate with many great artists such as Lucio Fontana, Fausto Melotti, Agenore Fabbri, Aligi Sassu and Arnaldo Pomodoro, amongst others entrusting each to provide decorative elements to his designs. The brass headboard features a series of heavy cast solid brass interlocking geometric elements each featuring a beautiful organic three dimensional surface finish creating a supremely elegant and timeless repetitive motif . The bed still retains all its original decorative brass nuts ,bolts and finials which feature the same three dimensional decorative finish as the decorative sculptural forms contained in the headboard. We have had a new bespoke mattress and bolster pillow made with a natural latex foam surface as they would have originally had which also has the benefit that latex breathes. The mattress has an opulent decorative buttoned finish . Botht the mattress and pillow have been finished in 100% wool 'PLOEGWOOL' fabric by the high quality Dutch fabric manufacturer DE PLOEG. MATTRESS DIMENSIONS : Width 100cm x length 200cm / 3ft 3.37inch x 6ft 6.74inch BOLSTER PILLOW DIMENSIONS: Width 100cm diameter 24cm / 3ft 3.37inch x 9.45inch The mattress is supported on a 20mm ( 0.75 inch ) thick plywood board ,with breathing holes, which spans across the transverse brass plated steel frame elements. When used as a day bed SEATING...
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1950s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Brass

Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958
Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958

Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958

H 48.04 in W 42.13 in D 81.11 in
Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood Dimensions at layout: Height:41cm, depth:84cm, width:186cm Original condition.
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1960s Czech Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's
Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's

Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's

H 29.53 in W 73.23 in D 25.99 in
Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or Daybed
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Located in BROOKLYN, NY
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Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or Daybed
Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or Daybed

Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or Daybed

H 28 in W 94 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's
Located in Praha, CZ
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1970s Czech Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's
Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's

Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1970's

H 29.14 in W 80.32 in D 31.5 in
Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bronze and caramel color leather daybed or bench, designed by Nicos Zographos, American, circa 1960s. Retains warm original patina to the bronze.
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1960s American Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Metal, Bronze

Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos
Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos

Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos

H 16 in W 72 in D 24.25 in
A French 1950's Solid Elm Bed by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French midcentury solid elm bed by Pierre Chapo.
Category

1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Elm

A French 1950's Solid Elm Bed by Pierre Chapo
A French 1950's Solid Elm Bed by Pierre Chapo

A French 1950's Solid Elm Bed by Pierre Chapo

H 55.71 in W 83.47 in D 63 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of bamboo and wicker sofa beds or single beds. The beds need a mattress of cm. 85 x 190 (Standard Italian single bed size).   
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1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Bamboo, Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s

H 27.17 in W 36.23 in D 81.11 in
Previously Available Items
Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe Fond peint en trompe l’œil à l’imitation du bois Pieds à décor zoomorphe représentant des dauphins Stable et en bon ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Sheet Metal

Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe
Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe

Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe

H 59.85 in W 43.31 in D 77.96 in
1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A wonderfully worn circa 1860 Napoleon lll cast iron daybed, features curved sides with intricate floral scroll work figures and faces with a nod to t...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Iron

1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style
1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style

1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style

H 77.96 in W 35.44 in D 38.19 in
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Napoleon III daybed offers mahogany frame with carved scroll swan neck arms and raised on paw feet, floral cushion and roll bolster pillows included, c1880. Meas...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany

Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880

Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880

H 40.25 in W 83 in D 35.5 in
19th Century Ebonized Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary Mid 19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Daybed that has been finely handcrafted out of mahogany wood with fabulous bronze mounted details and has a newly ebonized lac...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Brass

19th Century Ebonized Daybed
19th Century Ebonized Daybed

19th Century Ebonized Daybed

H 33.5 in W 80 in D 45 in
Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish daybed from the end of 19th century from the Napoleon III time also called in Sweden the Oskarian period from the name of the Regent king Oskar II. Please note that this d...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed
Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed

Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed

H 34.65 in W 24.41 in D 66.93 in
Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Napoleon Sleigh daybed is Costantini's contemporary take on a Classic. Shown here in natural Argentine rosewood with Savel elegance velvet fabric....
Category

2010s Argentine Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood

Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini
Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini

Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini

H 30 in W 78 in D 31 in
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue
Located in Hastings, GB
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue Wonderful Shaping, Rarer Right Arm Facing (Raf) Horse Hair/Seaweed Filling, Cotton Calico Overlay Elegant Carved Ebonised Legs With A Ca...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue

Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue

H 35.04 in W 68.9 in D 29.14 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century French Napoleon III period daybed features a cast iron frame detailed with central cartouche and masque flanked by scrolling branches and leaves that extend out to ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed

H 34 in W 83 in D 31.5 in
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed
By Napoléon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and beautiful black cast iron or wrought iron daybed, it can be folded in half Ideal for a porch, covered garden, large terrace or even a beautiful room, In a very good con...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed

H 35.83 in W 82.68 in D 37.01 in
French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
French 19th century iron bed upholstered with tufted red velvet.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet
French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet

French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet

H 40 in W 75 in D 38.5 in
French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed
Located in Atlanta, GA
Entirely constructed of cast iron, the frame of "sleigh" form with the head taller than the foot, the centre section with bobbin form supports, raised on circular tapering legs, lack...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed
French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed

French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed

H 36.25 in W 74.5 in D 31.5 in
French Day Bed
Located in London, Park Royal
Hand-painted daybed, French, 19th century. Mattress size: 2ft6 x 5ft9' or 76 x 176cm Beautiful hand-painted wood panels in vivid colors on a black lacquer background. Neat size...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood

French Day Bed
French Day Bed

French Day Bed

H 43.31 in W 33.86 in D 73.23 in

Napoleon Iii daybeds for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III daybeds 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 daybeds created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III daybeds made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia 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 daybeds differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $999 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $3,000.

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