Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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
French 1850s Napoléon III Framed Architectural Panel with Allegory of the Arts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period framed architectural oil on canvas panel from the mid 19th century, with Allegory of the Arts and rinceaux motifs. Created in France at the beginning of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Two Dormer Windows in Cast Iron from the 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Two 19th century polychrome cast iron dormer windows
in very good condition
Beautiful patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Stately and Tall Pair of French Napoleon III Zinc Roof Finials
Located in San Francisco, CA
each tall finial with pointed spire above a lobed baluster-form mid-section resting on a graduated square base; the whole on later ebonized wooden plinths
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Zinc
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.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This monumental stone fountain canopy was made identical to the fountain of the Chateau of the Black Prince in Lormont. Dated from the 20th century, four columns with grooved barrels crowned with ionic capitals with flowers and stylized foliage are supporting the imperial stone roof which is carved as an imitation of the tortoiseshell slate. A domed frieze carved with foliage is surmounted by a denticulated cornice and a frieze decorated with Greek waves...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique Terracotta Lucarne Window Dormer from a Chateau in France, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a beautiful example of a French lucarne, which was recently salvaged from a Chateau in the Ile-De-France region (near Paris). Pieces like this were built into the sides of a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Terracotta
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...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
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.
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal, 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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
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Late 19th Century Antique Arched Stained Glass Window in a New Wood Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful 19th century antique stained glass window with an arch top in a new square wood frame. This window is full of color with a turquoise center...
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Late 19th Century American Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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H 28.5 in W 30 in D 1.25 in
Pair of Polychrome Terra Cotta Architecturals or Wall Consoles, France, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
Recently discovered in a secluded private chapel nestled within the enchanting Loire Valley in central France, this remarkable pair of mid-19th century polychrome terra cotta archite...
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H 21 in W 20 in D 12.5 in
Pair of white marble columns late 19th century
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Pair of columns in white marble with natural gray veins, ideal for setting white marble sculptures. French work from the late 19th century.
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Carved Stone Architectural Ornament, France Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in France, circa 1850, this unique limestone architectural is reminiscent of an antique reliquary. Its intricate design features a central niche flanked by volutes, above...
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English 19th Century Pair of Barley Twist Columns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This pair of English 19th century barley twist columns are a wonderful architectural antique to add an extra level of authenticity to your interior...
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Arched Iron Windows, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four large windows with muntin bracing and round-arched iron finial.
Category
19th Century Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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Antique console with stone top, France, late 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Console with stone top from around 1890, France.
Dimensions: height 67 cm / width 55 cm / depth 24 cm
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Stone
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Terracotta Beaux Arts Architectural Facade Block Tile
By Stanford White, Louis Sullivan
Located in Garnerville, NY
American terra-cotta Beaux Arts architectural block tile. The academic architectural style taught at the Ecole des Beaux Arts incorporates French Neo-classicism with Renaissance and Baroque elements. This architectural piece is made of cast white glazed terra-cotta. Exquisitely detailed scroll and leaf pattern that can function incorporated into a building facade or a garden element. Good overall condition with some chips and overall crazing to the glaze, but structurally sound and sturdy. No structural cracks to compromise the integrity of the block tile.
One of two architectural tiles offered here. This piece was found in the garden of a mansion in Poughkeepsie, NY. The tile came off of a building in downtown NYC...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Terracotta
Modernist Translucent Architectural Panel with Repeating Curlicue Field Motif
By Jasper Johns
Located in New York, NY
Groovy architectural panel constructed of translucent plastic with embedded wood curlicue elements repeating throughout. I believe this panel was originally a room divider, or some s...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Beautiful Stately and Carved French Limestone, 18th Century, Louis XIV
Located in Made, NL
Beautiful stately and carved French limestone chimney from the 18th century in the style of Louis XIV. The front section has beautiful lines. These lines have also been applied in th...
Category
18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Limestone
20th Century Art Nouveau Style Iron Spiral Staircase
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
20th Century Art Nouveau style spiral staircase from Spain in good condition and easy to assemble.
This stair belonged to an old Factory in Spain, that closed at the end of the 2...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Previously Available Items
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...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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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...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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Wood
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...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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Marble
H 42.13 in W 55.12 in D 14.57 in
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...
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Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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Iron
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
H 26.75 in W 22.75 in D 1 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
H 4.5 in W 52.75 in D 12.5 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Canvas, Wood
H 25 in W 61.25 in D 1.75 in
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.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
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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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Complete Wrought Iron Interior Grills
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Complete wrought iron interior grilles, 20th century
Measures: H 180, W 90 cm.
Category
1940s French Vintage Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Berlin Iron
Pair of French 1850s Napoleon III Hand Painted Panels with Fruits and Flowers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoleon III period hand painted wall panels from the mid-19th century, with fruits and flowers and gilded frames. Born in France at the beginning of Emperor Napoleon III's reign, each of this pair of wall panels...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
H 64.25 in W 22.25 in D 2 in
Napoleon Iii architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III architectural elements 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $453 and tops out at $130,926 while the average work can sell for $4,525.