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Napoleon III Lacquer

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
Set of 3 Chinese Crumb brushes Napoleon III Red Black Victorian 19th France
Located in Antwerpen, BE
This set of three crumb brushes, date from the reign of the last emperor of France, Napoleon III. His wife, Empress Eugenie, had a major influence on fashion and decorative style dur...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

Materials

Wood, Paper

Set of 3 Chinese Crumb brushes Napoleon III Red Black Victorian 19th France
Set of 3 Chinese Crumb brushes Napoleon III Red Black Victorian 19th France

Set of 3 Chinese Crumb brushes Napoleon III Red Black Victorian 19th France

No Reserve
Lacquered and Gilded Rocaille Planter, 19th Century
Located in Marseille, FR
Exceptional entrance planter with its bevelled glass all lacquered gilded in Venetian rockery style very close to the Louis XV style of the 19th century. This planter is perforated o...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

Lacquered and Gilded Rocaille Planter, 19th Century
Lacquered and Gilded Rocaille Planter, 19th Century

Lacquered and Gilded Rocaille Planter, 19th Century

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19th Century Lacquered Box Black Octogonal Chinese Export Gilded Floral
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Immerse yourself in the allure of the 19th century with our exquisite lacquered box, a stunning testament to Chinese export craftsmanship. Crafted in an elegant octagonal shape and a...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

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19th Century Lacquered Box Black Octogonal Chinese Export Gilded Floral
19th Century Lacquered Box Black Octogonal Chinese Export Gilded Floral

19th Century Lacquered Box Black Octogonal Chinese Export Gilded Floral

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Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
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This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

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Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century

Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century

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Late 19th Century Lacquer and Bamboo Betel Box, Burma
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Betel Box, Kun It Burma Late 19th/early 20th century Bamboo, lacquer H: 7.5 in x D: 8.5 in :: 19 cm x 21.5 cm Intricately painted motifs (including chili seed pattern, Nga Y...
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Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

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Late 19th Century Lacquer and Bamboo Betel Box, Burma
Late 19th Century Lacquer and Bamboo Betel Box, Burma

Late 19th Century Lacquer and Bamboo Betel Box, Burma

H 7.5 in Dm 8.5 in
Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood; 19th century The lid is decorated with a landscape with a bird, trees and a setting sun. The inside of the box is covered with a lacque...
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Late 20th Century Napoleon III Lacquer

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Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century

H 2.17 in W 3.35 in D 5.71 in
Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood. The lid is decorated with golden herons and flowering tree branches and signed by the artist. Black flowers are painted around the box. ...
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Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century
Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th century

H 2.6 in W 7.25 in D 5.91 in
Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Japanese box in red lacquered wood. The lid is decorated with flowering magnolia branches and signed by the artist. The inside of the box is covered with a paint loaded wit...
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Late 19th Century Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

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Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th Century
Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th Century

Japan Red Lacquered Box 19th Century

H 2.76 in W 8.67 in D 6.7 in
Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty Japanese lacquered box decorated with birds and foliage. signed Lacquered inside and outside Late 19th century Without key Nice lock Ideal for storing jewelry.
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

Materials

Wood

Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century
Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century

Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century

H 1.38 in W 2.17 in D 5.04 in
19th Century Golden Black Lacquer Chinese Tea Caddy
Located in Brea, CA
19th century lift-lid gilt-decorated goldenblack lacquer Chinese tea caddy, small and beautiful piece.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Golden Black Lacquer Chinese Tea Caddy
19th Century Golden Black Lacquer Chinese Tea Caddy

19th Century Golden Black Lacquer Chinese Tea Caddy

H 5 in W 5.5 in D 8 in
19th Century Chinese Lacquered Wooden Plate
Located in New York, NY
19th century Chinese Lacquered Wooden Plate. Rare antique Chinese Lacquered Wooden plate depicting a Folklore scene. Gilt painting of a Folklore story si...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

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Elm

19th Century Chinese Lacquered Wooden Plate
19th Century Chinese Lacquered Wooden Plate

19th Century Chinese Lacquered Wooden Plate

H 2 in Dm 13.5 in
19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Lacquer Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Japanese chinoiserie painted gold lacquer. chest with brass handle. Chest depicts Japanese countryside and mountains in raised chinoi...
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Early 20th Century Japanese Napoleon III Lacquer

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19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Lacquer Chest
19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Lacquer Chest

19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Lacquer Chest

H 9.5 in W 10.75 in D 7 in
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated all over beautifully with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box

No Reserve
H 6 in W 11 in D 14 in
19th Century Lacquer Flower Basket
Located in New York, NY
An unusual, intact willow and lacquer flower basket with original cast iron hanger. From Shanxi Province, c. 1850. BT369
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Napoleon III Lacquer

Materials

Willow, Lacquer

19th Century Lacquer Flower Basket
19th Century Lacquer Flower Basket

19th Century Lacquer Flower Basket

H 26 in Dm 10 in

Napoleon Iii lacquer for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III lacquer 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 lacquer created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, lacquer and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III lacquer made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France 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 lacquer differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $194 and tops out at $6,530 while the average work can sell for $194.

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