Napoleon III Building and Garden 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
Bouhon Frères Fireplace Tool Set, Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set - fire irons made of brass. Bouhon Frères were prominent French producers of fireplace tools in the 19th century. The firm partici...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III period fire fender made of brass and wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III period fire fender made of brass and wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century French 'Mercury' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with the god Mercury. God of commerce.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Soest, NL
Large 19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel and stand. The tools and stand are made of wrought iron, cast iron and brass....
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Soest, NL
Large 19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs and shovel. The tools are made of wrought iron with brass handles. The set is in a go...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Steel
Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III fire fender made of brass and wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Antique Dutch Fireplace Tool Set, Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century Dutch Napoleon III fireplace tool set consisting of a hanger and three different kitchen tools. From left to right the kitchen tools include a copper with wrought iron baking tin, a brass...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Copper, Wrought Iron
Antique French Napeleon III 'Year' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
18th century French Louis Napoleon III fireback. The date of production, 1848, is cast in the fireback. The pillars refer to the club of Hercules and symbolize strength and the unkno...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French 'Grandy Fils' Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th-century French Napoleon III period fireplace set. The tool set consists of thongs, a shovel and a stand. It is made of wrought iron and cast iron with brass details. The set is ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron, Iron
Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Gridiron
Located in Soest, NL
Large 19th century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique French Napoleon III 'Man' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no extra cost. The condit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French 'Diana' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with the goddess Diana. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She experienced great ple...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Large French Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
Large 19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set consisting of fireplace tongs and a shovel. The fire irons are made of wrought iron. They are in a good condition and are fu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Three-Piece Fireplace Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a hunting lodge with this fine antique fireplace tool set. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the "Serviteur" features a hunting theme including a horn at the top, a gun and a r...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Napoleon III 'Diana' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireback with the goddess Diana. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She experienced great pleasure in hunt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th C. French Napoleon III Fire Companion Set
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel, poker and stand. Made of brass. The set has one minor loss but is otherwise in a good con...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace andirons or fire dogs, made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Napoleon III 'Apollo with Lyre' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback with Apollo with his lyre. God of light, sun, truth, prophecy, music and joy. Also the saving God, both i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace grate, made of cast iron and wrought iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Width at front is 64.5 cm (25.4 inch...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
19th C. French Napoleon III Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Soest, NL
Beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III fireside companion set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel and stand. The tools and stand are made of forged iron and are finely decora...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique French 'Cupid' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with a cupid. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black or pewter. The condition i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Napoleon III 'Fortuna' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Fortuna, goddess of fortune and fate. Fortuna stands on a sphere, symbolizing the uncertainty of eart...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Andirons, Fire dogs
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III andirons made of wrought iron. They are in a good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th C. French Napoleon III Fire Companion Set
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of thongs, shovel and stand. Made of cast iron and wrought iron. It is in a good condition and is fully fun...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period French Andirons
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period andirons. The andirons are made of cast iron and are in a good condition.
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Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash Depicting Young Bacchus, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III fireback with the Roman god Bacchus. God of agriculture, wine and fertility.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of cast iron and polished brass with a recently forged grate. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Log Grate
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace grate. The andirons are made of cast iron and the grate of steel. The grate is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel, Iron
Decorated French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel, and a stand. The exceptionally decorated tools are made of wrought iron and the stand of cast iron. Th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron, Iron
French Napoleon III Fireplace Log Grate, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace grate. The andirons are made of cast iron and the grate of steel. The grate is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel, Iron
19th Century German Napoleon III 'Flower Basket' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century German Napoleon II period fireback with a flower basket.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good condition, no cr...
Category
19th Century German Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Pair of Cast Iron Urns or Jardinieres, Late 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful pair of cast iron jardinieres, so-called 'Vases Chambord' on shallow feet, with gadrooning at the lower body and a leave rim. With beautiful cast detail and a weathered pat...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century French 'Bocca della Verità' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with the Bocca della Verità or Mouth of Truth. It is a sculpture representing the God of Sea outside a chu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
French Napoleon III Style 'Man' Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
19th-20th century French Napoleon III style andirons made of cast iron. The condition is good.
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French 'Year' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireback. The date of production, 1878, is cast in the fireback.
The fireback has a natural brown patina and can be made black/pewter upon request at no extra c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III andirons. The andirons are made or wrought iron and have spit hooks to grill food. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Napoleon III Style Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III style fireback.
The fireback is made of cast iron. It is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French 'Marriage' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
French fireback produced in honour of the marriage of Jackob and Mariana in 1826.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good con...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French 'Pomona' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Pomona, goddess of fruitful abundance. The fireback is made of cast iron. It has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no cra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Napoleon III 'Diana' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireback with the goddess Diana. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She experienced great pleasure in hunt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
French Decorated 18th Century Louis XV Period Gridiron
Located in Soest, NL
18th Century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a trivet...
Category
18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Antique French Napoleon III 'the Pub' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with a pub scene.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. It is in a good condition a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireplace basket with period andirons and new grate. The fire basket is made of cast iron and wrought iron. The basket is in a good condition ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique French Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III fire fender made of brass and wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
French Wrought Iron Napoleon III Fireplace Tool Set, 19th C.
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tools. The tool set consists of tongs and shovel. Made of wrought iron. It is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Circa 1850 Napoleon III Cast Iron Vases from Le Jura, France
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of period Napoleon III cast iron vases, which date to circa 1850, recently graced a wonderful property in Le Jura, in eastern France. The vases have a dark brown hue, with...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique French Napoleon III 'Roman Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with a Roman scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. It is in a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace basket with period andirons and new grate. The fire basket is made of cast iron and wrought iron. The basket is in a good condition ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The fireback is in a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fire fender made of brass. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, Dated 1840
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireback with the goddess Diana. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She experienced great pleasure in hunt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Fireplace Tongs, Fire Tongs, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tongs. They are made of wrought iron with a polished brass handle. The condition is good.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass
Antique French Napoleon III Period Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with the year of production casted on the top side.
The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket, fire basket made of wrought iron and brass. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron, Brass
Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Napoleon Iii building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Netherlands pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Bouhon Frères, Alfred Corneau, Corneau Freres, and Antoine Durenne Foundry. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $111 and tops out at $1,886,228 while the average work can sell for $716.