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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
French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, Napoleon III Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fire fender made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period andirons made of wrought iron and brass. The andirons are in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

20th Century French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III Style andirons made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Period Fireplace Log Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireplace grate. The andirons are made of cast iron and a recently forged steel grate. The grate is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Small Napoleon III Fireplace Tools or Fire Irons, Early 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period set of two tools made of polished steel. The set is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, Victorian Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fire fender made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Period 'Jezus' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fireback depicting Jezus. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The co...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century Napoleon III Period Companion Set
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel, and stand. Made of cast iron and wrought iron. It is in good condition and is full...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Period 'Boy with Dog' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
18th - 19th century Napoleon III Period French fireback with a piper and his dancing dog. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black/pewter color. It is in good condition an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French 'Roman Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, Napoleon III Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireback with a Roman scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina. It is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century Gilded Wood Planter
Located in Charmes, FR
fully gilded wooden planter, 19th century, interior painted green, minimal chips and lack of gilding, due to wear and tear, in good house condition
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireplace grate. The grate consists of two Napoleon III period andirons, made of cast iron, and a recently forged grate, made of wrought iron. The basket is in a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Period 'Cupids' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with three cupids. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. It i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Louis Napoleon III Style 'Arms of France' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Louis Napoleon III style fireback with the arms of France. This is the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major ...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Small Antique French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Small 19th century French fireback. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon req...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique Fireback Showing the Crimean Battle
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Nice square cast iron fireback displaying a wounded soldier during the Crimean war between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Excellent condition and usable size. This fi...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons. The stand is made of polished brass and the tools are made of wrought ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel and stand. The tools are made of wrought iron and the stand of brass. The set is in...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Amerongen, Amerongen
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

Large Antique French Fireplace Tongs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tongs made of wrought iron. The handle is decorated with brass. The fire tongs are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III 'Pillars of Freedom' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with two pillars of freedom. The pillars symbolize the value liberty, one of the three values of the French revolution. The date of producti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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, Wrought Iron, Iron

Antique French 'Grandy Fils' Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-century French Napoleon III period fireplace set. The tool set consists of thongs, a shovel and a stand. The tools are made of wrought iron with polished brass handles and the s...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique French 'Grandy Fils' Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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

Pair Mid-19th Century French Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Framed Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair mid-19th century French hand-forged wrought iron framed panels were painstakingly crafted by an obviously talented metal smith out of red-hot iron to create an artistic window accent that also happens to be exceedingly secure! Hand-forged during the Napoleon III Period which was the beginning of the heydays of the Belle Epoque, each panel is constructed using rivets which is difficult, tedious, and requires considerable skill, but results in a finished work that literally transcends time itself! The classically-inspired architecture of the works are undeniable, as is the subtle French touch in the elegant scrollwork and curvatures. Each is mounted in its original solid pine framework, and because they are hand-forged, are very slightly different in size which is only immediately apparent when they're placed right next to each other. Perfect for adding a timeless Old World touch to your interior or exterior decor...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Napoleon III Display Pedestal Att. to A-G Fourdinois, France, Circa 1865
By Alexandre-George Fourdinois
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Napoleon III display pedestal with curved front, in wood veneer and chiseled and gilded bronze ornamentation. Topped by a rotating circular top underlined by a frieze of laurels...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Large French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools, 19th-20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th-20th century French fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of a shovel, and fire poker. The tools are made of wrought iron and brass. The set is in a good condition and...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Log Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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

Antique French Napoleon III 'Pillars of Freedom' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with two pillars of freedom. The pillars symbolize the value liberty, one of the three values of the French revolution. The date of producti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period French Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period andirons. The andirons are made of cast iron and are in a good condition. .
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Fine Original Patina Large Brass French Napolean III Andirons
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Solid brass original Napoleon III andirons in excellent condition exuding character. Stately and well proportioned with exquisite brass work and "feathered egg" finials. Will shimmer...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Antique French Napeleon III 'Year' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Napoleon III 'Pillars of Freedom' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with two pillars of freedom. The pillars symbolize the value liberty, one of the three values of the French revolution. The date of producti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French 'Year' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 'Man' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket, fire basket 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

19th Century French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Amerongen, Amerongen
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

19th Century French 'Marie Leszczyńska' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with Marie Leszczynska, queen of France and wife of king Louis XV. The fireback is made of cast iron...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

White/ beige Marble Pedestal Basin, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large white / beige marble basin on foot, 19th century? Some small chips, a natural crack in the marble Height 38cm diameter 38.5cm
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th-20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons. Made of wrought iron, brass and cast iron. It is in a good...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass

Antique French Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons. Made of wrought iron and brass. It is in a good condition and is fully functi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Brass

19th Century German Napoleon III 'Flower Basket' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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

19th Century Dutch Fireplace Trammel or Pot Hanger
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century Dutch Napoleon III period fireplace trammel. The trammel is made of wrought iron, with polished brass and a wooden handle. The tramm...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Brass

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional. The total width of the front of...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought 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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

French Napoleon III 'Dancers' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III style fireback with two dancers. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at n...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Stand for a Roasting Jack, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period stand for a roasting jack. The stand is hand forged and made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III 'Roman Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

19th Century Napoleon III Brocatelle Marble Column
Located in Paris, FR
Brocatelle marble display column with sculpted and gilt bronze cap and base. The capital is embellished with ovals and fluting, and the base is decor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large French Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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

French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Polished Brass French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-20th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set made of polished brass. The tool set consists of a stand and two fireplace tools. The condition is good.   
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

French Napoleon III Style 'Man' Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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

French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-20th century French Napoleon III style andirons. The andirons are made or wrought iron and have a natural brown patina.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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.

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