$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 43 in W 83 in D 14 in
19th Century French Ebony and Boulle Bookcase/Vitrine
By François Linke
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A handsome bookcase or china cabinet made in France in the last half of the 19th century.
Wood
18th Century Boulle Marquetry Bookcase
Located in Paris, FR
Boulle marquetry bookcase, opening with two glass doors richly inlaid with scrolls and acanthus leaves on red tortoiseshell background.
Pewter
French Napoleon III Boulle Bibliotheque ‘Bookcase’
Located in Suffolk, GB
A mid-19th century superb quality French Napoleon III gilt bronze-mounted boulle marquetry bibliotheque (bookcase) in excellent condition.
Wood
Napoleaon III Boulle Bookcase
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Montreal, QC
An exquisite bookcase done in the distinctive brass and tortoise shell inlay work inspired by Andre Charles Boulle.
Big Boulle Bookcase Vitrine Napoleon III, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Big dimension of this beautiful Boulle bookcase vitrine presenting 2 doors with a very elegant gilt bronze decoration and 4 shelves inside.
Brass, Bronze
Stunning Big Boulle Bookcase Vitrine Napoleon III, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Important big size Boulle Bookcase vitrine 2 doors deux Napoléon 3, with beautiful gilt bronze ornementations.
Brass, Bronze
Antique Victorian Ebonised Boulle Bookcase Cabinet 1860
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning French antique Boulle bookcase / display cabinet, circa 1860 in date and in the fabulous Louis XVI manner.
Sold
H 71.66 in W 44.89 in L 71.66 in
Napoleon III Sèvres Porcelain Versace Boulle Bookcase Vitrine, France 19th Cent
By André-Charles Boulle, Versace Home Collection
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning Napoleon III Boulle Vitrine bookcase 2 doors with a beautiful Sèvres Porcelain plate in a gorgeous and rare display case with 4 glass facades, with rich ornamentation of gil...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 103.15 in W 102.37 in D 20.48 in
Castle Boulle Bookcase Vitrine Showcase Napoleon III, France 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Large castle Boulle Marquetry style Napoleon III impressive and important showcase or library with 3 doors coming from a castle in Bordeaux. Cornice dented, 3 doors with marquetry c...
Bronze
French Boulle Bookcase or Desk with Bronzed Marquetry
Located in Houston, TX
Boulle desk in rich color with bronze inlay. The upper structure is a bookcase having doors that lock.
Wood
Napoleon III Boulle Vitrine Bookcase, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III bookcase vitrine with two doors in Boulle Marquetry style in brass ball marquetry and tortoiseshell, with interlacing patterns and scrolls.
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Vitrine Bookcase Cabinet, France, 1865
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare bookcase Vitrine in Boulle style marquetry in brass nets with one door 1 door in marquetry with brass nets and gorgeous ornamentation of gilded bronzes with Bacchus mask, spandr...
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Vitrine Bookcase, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III vitrine bookcase in Boule style Marquetry with gorgeous ornamentations in gilded bronze, one drawer, 4 shelves changeable in height, France, circa 1865. Restored by our...
Bronze
Sold
H 79.93 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
Rare Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Cabinet Bookcase Cupboard Dresser, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare and very elegant tall size bookcase library or dishes, crystal dresser cupboard in two parts and glass doors in Boulle style decorated with brass and bronze ornementations with ...
Bronze, Brass
Sold
H 106.3 in W 102.37 in D 19.69 in
Napoleon III Rare Large Bookcase Cupboard in Boulle Marquetry, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive, rare and large Napoleon III bookcase or cupboard with 4 doors in Boulle marquetry.
Brass, Bronze
French Boulle Brass inlaid Napoleon III Ebonized Bookcase Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Very Fine 19th century Boulle brass inlaid French bookcase in the Napoleon III style with ebonized finish, gilt bronze mounts including masks, acanthus leaf and other neoclassical mo...
Brass, Bronze
Elegant Napoleon III Bookcase Vitrine Cabinet, France, 1875
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Bibliotheque, showcase, bookcase vitrine cabinet in Napoleon III style. Blackened wood decorated with Boule style marquetry with brass filets with two glass doors. High qual...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 72.84 in W 42.52 in D 15.36 in
Napoleon III Tall Impressive Boule Vitrine Bookcase Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III vitrine bookcase display cabinet in Boulle style marquetry opening with 2 doors, blackened wood and marquetry with brass threads and brass band on red tortoiseshell on t...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 68.51 in W 68.51 in D 19.3 in
Black Bookcase Vitrine Napoleon III Boule Style, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Large Vitrine, bookcase, showcase 3 doors in Napoleon III Boule style large showcase or library. This bookcase is sold by itself, but it can also be sold with the corresponding desk...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 94.49 in W 71.66 in L 94.49 in
Large Black Vitrine Bookcase in Boule Style Napoleon III, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Very Large, impressive Boulle style black Vitrine Bookcase presenting 3 doors display case with rich ornamentation of gilded bronzes such as ingot molds, high and low falls, angles, ...
Bronze
Boulle Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Boulle Display Cabinet Ebonized mahogany with ormulu mounts Circa 1860-1870
Bronze, Brass
Sold
H 108.27 in W 57.88 in D 22.45 in
Extremely Rare, Tall Impressive Boule Befort Jeune Bookcase Cabinet
By André-Charles Boulle, Befort Jeune
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare Napoleon III attributed to Befort Jeune, its huge impressive size, very tall cabinet bookcase in two pieces elegant and unique. In ebony veneer and Boulle style marqu...
Bronze
Sold
H 108.27 in W 57.88 in D 22.45 in
Extremely Rare, Tall Impressive Boule Befort Jeune Bookcase Cabinet
By André-Charles Boulle, Befort Jeune
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare Napoleon III attributed to Befort Jeune, its huge impressive size, very tall cabinet bookcase in two pieces elegant and unique. In ebony veneer and Boulle style marqu...
Bronze
Sold
H 108.27 in W 57.88 in D 22.45 in
Extremely Rare, Tall Impressive Boule Befort Jeune Bookcase Cabinet
By André-Charles Boulle, Befort Jeune
Located in Paris, FR
Extremely rare Napoleon III attributed to Befort Jeune, its huge impressive size, very tall cabinet bookcase in two pieces elegant and unique. In ebony veneer and Boulle style marqu...
Bronze
Sold
H 53.5 in W 35 in D 14 in
French Napoleon III Style Ebonized Ormolu Bookcase Display Cabinet, 20th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A touch of maroon is introduced in the boulle work bringing harmony between the case and the red silk finishing the inside of the cabinet.
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Vitrine Bookcase, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Napoleon III 2 glass doors Vitrine in Boulle style marquetry in brass nets in all facades and white Carrara marble top. The inside part has 3 adjustable shelves and gorgeou...
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Big Bookcase Vitrine Napoleon III Boulle style, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Big vitrine bookcase with 3 glass facades, 2 doors, Boulle style, Napoléon 3.
Brass, Bronze
Vitrine Bookcase in Boulle Marquetry Napoleon III, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Vitrine Bookcase in Boulle style marquetry in brass and tortoise shell, with motifs of foliage, volutes and tracery.
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 93.31 in W 74.81 in D 16.93 in
Impressive Huge Hercules Bookcase Vitrine Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive Hercules huge Bookcase vitrine Napoléon III with 3 doors in Boulle style Marquetry.
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 53.15 in W 41.74 in D 18.51 in
Impressive Bacchus Vitrine Bookcase Boulle Marquetry, Napoleon III France, 1869
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive and really rare 'à la Reine' Boulle Marquetry vitrine bookcase, one door, composed of geometric ornamentations of brass and Mother of Pearl.
Brass, Bronze
Mathieu Befort Jeune Napoleon III Showcase Vitrine, France, 1860
By Mathieu Béfort, André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare showcase vitrine bookcase by Befort Jeune. With 2 doors, Boulle style marquetry with brass inlay on brown horn background.
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 78.75 in W 39.38 in L 78.75 in
Rare Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Vitrine Bookcase, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Vitrine Bookcasei in Boulle style brass marquetry, interlaced patterns, foliage, scrolls and flower urn. Ornamentations in gilt bronze with falls, ingot molds, apron, spand...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 47.25 in W 38.19 in D 17.33 in
Napoleon III Rare Bookcase Cupboard Cabinet in Boulle Marquetry, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Napoleon III Boulle vitrine showcase cupboard cabinet by Pretot with support height in red tortoise shell , pewter, copper and brass marquetry, signed by Hyppolite Edme-Pretot, ...
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Sold
H 78.75 in W 51.19 in D 15.75 in
Vitrine Bookcase Napoleon III Boulle 19th Century Black Glass Gilt Bronze
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Very elegant Large Boulle Showcase Or Library 2 Doors Napoleon III Period bookcase or display case with marquetry of brass nets, and including beautiful ornamentation of gilded bronz...
Bronze, Brass
Sold
H 74.41 in W 46.46 in D 16.15 in
Rare and Huge Vitrine Bookcase Boulle Style, Napoleon III, France, 1865
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare and huge vitrine bookcase 2 doors in ebony veneered marquetry in Boulle style in Brass filets and Brass and Burgau Mother of Pearl stars inlay.
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 45.28 in W 36.62 in D 16.54 in
Vitrine Bookcase Napoleon III Boulle 19th Century Black Glass Gilt Bronze
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Very elegant Display Cabinet Or Bookcase 2 Doors in Boulle Marquetry style Napoleon III Rare two-door display case in brass threads, very refined model with rich ornamentation of g...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 63 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Boulle Style Marquetry Napoleon III Vitrines Bookcases, France, 1855
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III pair of vitrines bookshelves in Boulle style, each one has 2 front doors in beautiful Boulle style brass marquetry on an ebony veneer. The marquetry is made with fine po...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 74.02 in W 41.74 in D 15.75 in
Vitrine Bookcase Napoleon III Boulle 19th Century Brown Wood Glass Gilt Bronze
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful French Showcase Or bookcase with Two Doors in Napoleon III and Boulle style.
Bronze
Sold
H 86.62 in W 55.91 in D 18.12 in
Big Vitrine Bookcase "the Strength of Hercules' Napoleon III, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Imposing big size vitrine bookcase with 2 glasses doors, in blackened fruitwood with a rich gilt bronze ornamentation and Hercules mask on the doors. Napoleon III, France, 1870. ...
Bronze
Boulle Secretaire Bookcase Cabinet
Located in London, GB
This magnificent and superb quality Boulle secretaire bookcase cabinet feature heavily detailed and adorned brass work on the bottom door panels and a wide border around the top glas...
Brass
Napoleon III Boulle Music Style Vitrine Bookcase, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Vitrine bookcase in Boulle Marquetry, Napoleon III style.
Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Bookcase
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Vancouver, BC
A fine mid 19th century French Boulle bookcase of nice proportion; two partially glazed doors open to reveal a shelved interior; the carcass decorated with gilded bronze mounts; the ...
Brass
Small Showcase in Boulle Marquetry, Period 18th Century
Located in Manduel, FR
Small showcase in Boulle marquetry. Period 18th century. Perfect condition Furniture with a dance scene on her tray. Sides decorated with brass chiselled. Door with a more...
Brass
French Napoleon III Boulle Style Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Natchez, MS
French Napoleon III Boulle style secretaire bookcase with a "butlers secretary drawer" and glazed doors in the upper cabinet and two boulle paneled doors on lower.
Sold
H 70.87 in W 34.65 in D 23.63 in
Wonderful Bookcase Desk Richly Bronzed in Brass Marquetry Napoleon 3 Period 19th
Located in Manduel, FR
Bookcase desk in brass marquetry. Period Napoléon III -Perfect condition. Incredible golden bronze caryatids. Richly decorated with gilded bronze. On the high, two doors with ori...
Brass
$10,625
H 42 in W 102 in D 60 in
Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Victorian corner parlor sofa featuring serpentine walnut frame with S scroll carved and padded arms. Features queen anne legs and tufted upholstery. Circa 1870s 102" W ...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,500
H 39 in W 69 in D 25 in
Antique American Empire Figural Carved Mahogany Recamier Gold Chaise Lounge Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Figural Carved Mahogany Recamier Gold Chaise Lounge Sofa. Item features a carved face to lower crest ands further carved wooden frame throughout raised on paw...
Fabric, Mahogany
$2,791Sale Price|37% Off
H 36 in W 59 in D 20 in
Heavily Carved Vintage Louis XIV Style Giltwood Console Table
Located in Nantwich, GB
Heavily carved Vintage Louis XIV style Giltwood Console table. This very attractive piece came from a European Consulate where it was in daily use for 30 years.
Marble
$16,500 / set
H 26.25 in W 22 in D 23 in
Restored Antique Baltic Biedermeier Armchairs, Mahogany, Circa 1830
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique pair of Baltic Biedermeier armchairs made of hand crafted polished Mahogany, in good condition. The particularized veneered carved side chairs have a w...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Mahogany
$27,500
H 46.46 in W 101.58 in D 20.28 in
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega Decorative Fireplace Mantel
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega, decorative fireplace mantel, lacquered wood, plaster, glass, iron, Italy, 1930s This striking decorative fireplace mantel, presumabl...
Iron
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.91 in W 33.86 in D 19.3 in
Biedermeier Corner Cabinet, 19th Century, Fully Renovated
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Biedermeier corner cabinet from 19th century. It comes from France most probably. It is made of pine wood, veneered with beautiful pyramidal mahogany. It features two shelves and a d...
Pine
$25,313
H 94.49 in W 53.55 in D 25.99 in
Antique Walnut Dutch Marquetry Bureau Cabinet Bookcase 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an important antique Dutch walnut and marquetry bureau bookcase, circa 1780 in date. It has been made from the finest burr walnut with fabulous marquetry decoration depicti...
Walnut
19th Century Ormolu and Amboyna Cabinet
By Holland & Sons
Located in London, GB
A High Quality Amboyna and Fire Gilt Bronze Vitrine in the manner of Holland Rising from a rectangular stepped plinth with everted corners, in well figured Amboyna; the glazed doo...
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Regency Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An outstanding Regency sofa in neoclassical taste. The couch is supported by Curule form legs with gilt edges. The arms of the piece exhibit eagle armrests and lion masks. The headra...
Velvet, Wood
Large Estate Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase. Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the Harcourt Amphora vase, but la...
Crystal, Bronze
19th century French Empire dressing table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Early 19th century French Empire mahogany dressing table, the oval mirror frame with swans heads terminals,To the well figured top over a large freeze drawer. All raised up on scroll...
Wood
The Helmsley Grand Tour Bookcase
By Jonathan Sainsbury
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine Regency Grand Tour architectural open bookcase. The upper section is open fronted without doors and flanked by three classical half columns and has adjustable shelving. The pe...
Mahogany
$65,650
H 50.4 in W 71.66 in D 25.99 in
Louis XVI Style Mahogany Side Cabinet by Henry Dasson, French, circa 1880
By Henry Dasson
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted mahogany side cabinet with a Brèche Violette marble top, by Henry Dasson. Stamped to the top of the carcass ‘Henry Dasson’. Thi...
Bronze
19th Century Italian Florentine Giltwood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous 19th century Italian Florentine carved wood and water gilt gold mirror.
Wood, Giltwood
Hardstone, Ormolu and Boulle Mounted Ebonised Wood Sideboard
Located in London, GB
Hardstone, ormolu and Boulle mounted ebonised wood sideboard French, Late 19th Century Height 114cm, width 178cm, depth 50cm This splendid sideboard, carved from ebonised wood, stan...
Stone, Other, Ormolu
Monumental Pair Pietra Dura Cabinets, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A monumental pair antique Pietra Dura inlaid ebony veneered pier cabinets. Have the original black marble tops, wonderful gilded ormolu mounts and inlaid foliate decoration to the do...
Marble, Brass
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.
Whether you proudly shelve your books in regal mahogany or behind glass cabinet doors, an antique bookcase — or perhaps more than one — is essential to creating a cozy nook for any book lover.
As long as curious people have collected stories, we have needed a place to stow them away and preserve them. When auction houses and book dealers proliferated by the late 17th century, the bibliophile was born. And, of course, as with any treasured decorative objects or collectibles, a book lover’s volumes were suddenly worthy of a luxurious display — enter the bookcase.
Americans of means during the 19th century took to amassing art as well as rare books, and bookcases of the era — rife with hand-carved decorative accents and architectural motifs — were ideal for displaying their handsome leather-bound wares.
Although our favorite titles may change over the years, the functionality and beauty of their home within our home is timeless. Even those who don’t covet the perfect home library can benefit from an attractive display case, as bookcases can easily double as charming étagères.
Contemporary and customizable options make it easier for you to find the perfect bookcase for your style and stacks. If you don’t wish to fill your storage piece so that your collection is snug within its confines, incorporate extra space to allow for additional displays and decorative objects. And by introducing a striking dark wood Art Deco bookcase or low-profile mid-century modern design by Paul McCobb into your living room, your signed first editions won’t be the only items making a statement.
Find barrister bookcases, Globe Wernicke bookcases, bookcases with doors and other vintage and antique bookcases on 1stDibs now.