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.
Pair of 19th Century French Balcony Corbels in Carved Pierre de Villebois Stone
Located in Dallas, TX
Recently salvaged from an important French building in the Lyon area, this pair of balcony corbels are from the Napoleon III period (sometimes called Second Empire style). Each corbel was hand-carved in pierre de villebois stone, which is a very hard limestone used...
Limestone
19th Century French Cast Iron Water Pump Fountain
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental 19th century French water pump fountain made by Louis Jonet. This large cast iron piece would have been mounted above a large stone trough to catch water. Reminiscent of t...
Iron
Pair Of Cast Iron Wall Lights, Based On Models From The Pont Alexandre III
Located in Charmes, FR
Beautiful pair of cast iron wall lights with bronze patina made after models from the Pont Alexandre III in Paris. This pair of lanterns was designed in the 20th century as part of t...
Iron
Pair of Marble Obelisks, 20th Century, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of marble obelisks, 20th century, Napoleon III style. Pair of grey marble obelisks, 20th century, Napoleon III style. H: 41cm, W: 9cm, D: 9cm
Marble
Door Lock, Large Decoration, 19th Century, with Key
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Door lock, large decoration, 19th century, with key Measures: H 17 cm, W 11 cm, P 3 cm.
Metal
Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Bras De Lumière Sconces or Lantern Holders
Located in Dallas, TX
Known as bras de lumière (“arm of light”), this pair of French cast iron sconces from the 1800’s features a magnificent rinceau of foliage wit...
Metal, Iron
$4,260 / set
Pair of Ceramic Columns, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of ceramic columns, late 19th century Pair of ceramic columns, imitation Griotte marble, late 19th century. H: 99 cm, d max: 45 cm, d min: 28.5 cm.
Ceramic
19th Century French Wrought Iron & Brass Star Door Knocker
Located in Ross, CA
19th century rustic wrought iron door knocker with a cast brass star attachment and door plate made in France.
Brass, Wrought Iron
French Gilt Bronze Curtain Tiebacks or Curtain Holders Signed A.D., Set of 3
Located in Barntrup, DE
French gilt bronze curtain tiebacks or holders signed A.D., set of 3 A lovely set of three antique gilt bronze curtain holders or tiebacks featuring elegant Napoleon III-style decora...
Bronze
$16,569 / set
Four ornamental columns, France, circa 1850
Located in Paris, FR
Four wooden columns covered with white, tinned and gilded iron plates. The diamond-shaped plates are alternately decorated with a fleur-de-lis or acanthus leaves and are held in plac...
Iron
Pair of Gilt Bronze Bases, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilt bronze bases, 19th century, Napoleon III period, original gilding. Measures: H 7cm, D 13cm.
Bronze
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Column Capital
Located in Austin, TX
A stately and well carved marble Corinthian column capital, 19th century, Italy. Presented and displayed inverted, with a typical decorative motif of acanthus and volute. Perfect f...
Marble
Vintage Carved Marble Fountain or Planter, India, 20th Century
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Fantastic one of a kind carved marble architectural piece, can be used in deferent functions as fountain, planter or table top with the right bas, beautifully carve in India in whi...
Marble
18th Century French Cast Iron Fireplace Back or Fireback
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French cast iron fireplace back or fireback. Handsome rare themed 18th century French cast iron fireback or fireplace back or fireplace screen with Etruscan theme. Can be used in a fire place, in a kitchen as a backsplash, mounted behind a stove or outdoors in a Summer kitchen.
Iron
19th Century Carved Oak Console Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak console table from England with a wonderfully detailed hand carved backsplash over the top of the table, which has a beveled and car...
Oak
Pair of Cast of Iron Architectural Roses on Square Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of vintage ornaments in cast iron with great patina. These would look fantastic on a coffee, console or side table as well as a bookshelf.
Iron
$4,355Sale Price|20% Off
H 89.38 in W 43.31 in D 3.15 in
Antique Entrance Door with Frame, Walnut Wood, 19th Century, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Ancient entrance door, main door, with original frame, original knocker and knob still present, hand carved in precious patinated walnut wood, fascinating period that makes it very b...
Walnut
Impressive Pair of Ormolu Mounted Marble Obelisks
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of large marble obelisks. Made from solid Verde Antico marble with bronze neoclassical style decorative mounts on all four sides.
Marble, Bronze
George & The Dragon Cast Iron Fireback
Located in London, GB
A large decorative cast iron fireback featuring George and the Dragon. English, 20th century. Height: 788 mm 31" Width: 838 mm 33"
Iron
Large Water Fountain in Ceramic Mineral Finish
Located in Madrid, ES
Water fountain in hand painted ceramic. Decorative ceramic fountain antique finish.
Ceramic
$6,400 / set
H 136.5 in W 85 in D 1.38 in
Pair of Large Antique French Door Shutters from a Chateau, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
These monumental arched antique door shutters were salvaged from a 19th century French chateau. They would have been on the ground floor, attached...
Iron
$3,995
H 34.5 in W 60.25 in D 17 in
Late 19th Century French Hand Forged Iron Balcony Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Originally part of a French balcony, this late nineteenth century hand forged iron console table with beveled marble top was acquired from a chateau in the Loire Valley. The iron bas...
Marble, Iron
$8,900 / set
H 70 in W 13 in D 13 in
Pair of Monumental Pietra Dura Grand Tour Marble Obelisks, 19th Century
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of large marble "Grand Tour" Pietra Dura specimen marble obelisks Each in Italian specimen marble on bases.
Marble
Sold
H 39.97 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Antique Column in Green and Yellow Marble
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer you this splendid antique column in Italian marble, dating back to the end of the 19th century during the Napoleon III period. A perfect column to become the centerpiece of ...
Marble
19th Century French Bombe Wrought Iron Balcony Rail ~ Baluster Rail
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Bombe Wrought Iron Balcony Rail ~ Baluster Rail is a marvel of the metalsmith's art! Meticulously forged from red-hot iron, it features a convex form called bomb...
Wrought Iron
Antique French Painted and Giltwood Overdoor, circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
The reign of Napoleon III, often referred to as “The Second Empire”, featured an amalgamation of styles from previous regimes, ranging from the light and airy Rococo of Louis XV to the more stoic Neoclassical trophies of Louis XVI. Our painted giltwood overdoor from circa 1850 is in the vein of a Regence or Louis XV adaptation of the Napoleon III period. The piece is adorned with flowing motifs inspired by nature, such as the curled leaves, scalloped shell, and deep carvings seen on the overdoor. A main principle of Napoleon III furnishings was to utilize every inch available, as noted by the gadrooned leaf and rinceaux that emanate from behind the center medallion, forming a sprawling border. The medallion features an amazing high relief carving of a floral bouquet surrounded by curled leaves with scrolled tendrils and raised, asymmetrical panels. At the top is a scalloped shell, which is mimicked by a pair of parted leaves set at an angle in each of the upper corners. All of the carvings are presented in giltwood, which pairs nicely with the cream colored background that is enveloped in a quarter round molding (also gilded). The entire grouping is presented as a raised carving, with a thin board behind it that has tas de sable (sandpit) pilasters topped with block finials flanking the overdoor. Unique to most other antique overdoors...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Napoleon III Style Paneled Room with Fireplace and Mirror
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Piece of woodwork in the Napoleon III style made in the 19th century in carved walnut wood from the living room of a Parisian mansion. This piece of paneled furniture includes a mirror fireplace...
Wood
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H 42.13 in W 55.12 in D 14.57 in
Portoro marble fireplace from the 19th Century in Style of Napoleon III
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful antique fireplace of Portoro marble from Italy. A very exclusive and special type of marble that has been extracted from Italian quarries since the 16th century. The marble...
Marble
Pair of Antique Cast Iron Bollards from La Ciotat, France, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
Bollards in their original form were short posts along a wharf’s edge designed to secure boats. Eventually, bollards were adapted for use along roadways, serving as methods of controlling traffic and protecting pedestrians. Our pair of cast iron bollards...
Iron
Sold
H 26.75 in W 22.75 in D 1 in
Four French Napoléon III 1870s Carved Panels with Hunt and Harvest Allegories
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four French Napoléon III period carved panels from the late 19th century, with allegories of the hunt and of harvest. Created in France at the end of Emperor Napoléon III's ...
Wood
Sold
H 4.5 in W 52.75 in D 12.5 in
French Napoléon III 1860s Lemon Wood Carved Panel with Angel and Cornucopia
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period lemon wood carved panel from the mid 19th century, with angel, cornucopia and scrolling leaves. Created in France during emperor Napoléon III's reign, th...
Wood
Sold
H 25 in W 61.25 in D 1.75 in
Pair of French Napoléon III 1860s Oil on Canvas Overdoors with Floral Garlands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoléon III period oil on canvas overdoor panels from the mid 19th century, with floral garlands and ribbon-tied musical instruments. Created in France during the third quarter of the 19th century, each of this pair of oil on canvas overdoors features a delicate hand-painted décor showcasing floral garlands in the upper section, connected to large rinceaux. A ribbon-tied lyre on one of them and a tambourine on the other occupy the center of the composition. Set inside nicely distressed wooden frames, this pair of Napoléon III French overdoors...
Canvas, Wood
Exceptional Set of Three-Gilded and Painted Pairs of Interior Doors
Located in New Orleans, LA
3 sets of 19th century Italian gilded and painted interior doors-some with original hardware.
Wood
French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Lion Flag Holder
Located in Stamford, CT
The lion is seated on his haunches sitting on a raised circular plinth. He can hold a small flag or banner of your choice in his front paws. A very good bronze cast with a nice gilde...
Bronze
Complete Wrought Iron Interior Grills
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Complete wrought iron interior grilles, 20th century Measures: H 180, W 90 cm.
Berlin Iron