Napoleon III Urns
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.
to
1
7
1
8
Height
to
Width
to
100
53
33
24
12
11
11
10
5
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
8
8
8
1
8
8
8
8
8
Style: Napoleon III
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns.
Offered is an extra large pair of 19th century French cast iron garden urns with large exaggerated handles.
Our French Napoleon III iro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Garden Urns Attributed to Alfred Corneau
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century French cast iron Garden urns attributed to Alfred Corneau.
This rare pair of Mid-19th Century French cast iron garden urns are adorned with well detailed griffin handles are heavy weight and in very good condition.
Our outstanding pair of 19th century French cast iron urns is attributed to Corneau Charleville...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of 19th-century French cast iron urns, exuding classical elegance and fine craftsmanship. These decorative urns feature intricately designed scalloped rims that creat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
19th Century Green French Urn with Handles
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century French cast iron urn with decorative twin handles
Bottle green with orangey colored undertones, stunning shape,
58cm width, 39cm depth, 32cm height.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of Napoleon Cast Iron Urns
Located in Washington, DC
A pair of Napoleon cast iron urns.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Napoleon III Urn, Charleville Design
Located in Washington, DC
Napoleon III Urn, Design, Charleville Design
Cast Iron
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of large 19th Century green painted Napoleon III urns with handles
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Garden Urns. This is an extra large pair of 19th century French cast iron with large decorative exaggerated handles. This pair would work w...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Iron Garden Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Iron Garden Urns still show the aged forest green painted finish that was popular during the era, along with a century and a half of pati...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Related Items
Terra Cotta Urn
Located in Dallas, TX
Handcrafted in France
Category
Early 20th Century Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Terracotta
Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns and Pedestal Bases, American, Mid-20th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
Painted cast iron garden urns and pedestal bases,
American,
mid-20th century.
A pair of white painted cast iron metal urns on square pedes...
Category
1950s American Vintage Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
H 33.5 in W 17.5 in D 17.5 in
19th Century French Cast Iron Urn
Located in Ongar, GB
A very decorative French 19th century cast iron urn which is decorated with a pair of Lion heads. It has a beautiful patina with ol...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
French Garden Urn or Planter Pot of Cast Iron in the Classical Style
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French campana urn or garden planter pot of cast iron in the Classical style, with everted dentil rim, quarter-lobed body, and flared masked handles on reeded round foot.
Pe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Metal, Iron
Wonderful French Iron Garden Urn
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Wonderful French Iron Garden Urn. Very heavy 20" tall and 20" handle to handle. Nice old surface condition with some original paint.
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century English Medici Urn Planters on Petite Square Bases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English iron Medici urn planters from the 19th century, with flaring lips and gadroon motifs. Created in England during the 19th century, eac...
Category
19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
French 19th Century Cast Iron Garden Urn with Dragon Handles
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
A 19th century heavy cast iron tazza shaped French garden urn. It has a fluted body that is placed upon a square pedestal base. The rim is decorated in an egg and dart pattern and wi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of French Gray Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French gray-painted cast iron garden urns circa 1910. They feature an unusual, whimsical shape, beautifully decorative rims and a rich patina. Sold together and priced $4,400...
Category
1910s French Vintage Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
French Pair of Petite Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This captivating pair of Neoclassical cast iron garden urns from the 19th century exhibits all the elegance and grandeur of the period. Painted in a blue-grey, these urns feature iconic and timeless details–perfect for adding a touch of traditional sophistication to your interior or patio. The heavy iron construction is designed to weather the elements, proven by the time-worn patina adding character and charm to the exterior. Ideal for both decorative and functional use, these urns are a fantastic addition to any setting, offering a blend of history and cultivated style. Please view the detailed images. Sold as a pair...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Large 19th Century French Biot Pottery Jar or Planter
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large early 19th century French terracotta pottery Biot jar in classic shape with aged patina and a few large drips of ochre glaze. Interior and rim have pale yellow glaze with min...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Pair of Black Cast Iron Urns
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of black cast iron urns with baluster pillars and unusual cabbage leaf tops sitting on solid tapering squared bases. The detailed leaf patterns decorating these urn...
Category
19th Century Irish Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Antique Pair of Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Manchester, GB
Antique pair of small mid-Victorian cast iron garden urns with fine decoration. Primed ready for painting.
Overall 15.5" (39.4cm) diamete...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Previously Available Items
Dragon Handled French Green Cast Iron Tazza Urns
Located in Hastings, GB
Finely cast pair of Dragon handled French cast iron Tazza Urns.
Dating to circa 1860, France.
Exceptionally well cast heavy iron urns, dragons adorn either side, each with wings ou...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
19th C Corneau Frères Charleville Silver Grey Cast Iron Urn
Located in Hastings, GB
Dating to circa 1860 this stunning heavy cast iron urn by the Corneau Charleville Foundry is in superb condition.
This piece is in it's raw iron...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
19th Century Corneau Frères Charleville Cast Iron Urn
Located in Hastings, GB
Dating to circa 1860 this stunning heavy cast iron urn by the Corneau Charleville Foundry is in superb condition.
Height 40.5 cm x Width 47cm (h...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Large 19th C Corneau Frères Charleville Grey Cast Iron Urn
Located in Hastings, GB
Dating to circa 1860 this stunning heavy cast iron urn of large proportions by the Corneau Charleville Foundry is in superb condition.
Measures:...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
19th Century Large French Cast Iron Jardinière Planter
Located in Hastings, GB
19th C large French cast iron jardiniere / planter.
This large size antique jardiniere is stunning highly decorative in design with a flut...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Planter in Gilt Bronze and Copper Patina Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Planter in gilt bronze and copper patina bronze, the Napoleon III period, 19th century.
Measures: H 22 cm, W 42.5 cm, D 20 cm.
Category
1970s European Vintage Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Ormolu and Marble Urns Signed Sanglan, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Exquisite 19th century pair of French Napoleon III ormolu-mounted green marble urns, signed “SANGLAN.”
The foliage decorated ormolu lid is topped by resting bee above an ovoid-shaped marble, flanked by vine and foliate handles, centred by lovebirds, all resting on an octagonal marble and gilt bronze base.
Ernest Sanglan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Urns or Jardinieres
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful pair of cast iron jardinieres, so-called 'Vases Chambord' on shallow fluted feet, with gadrooning at the lower body, a leave rim and scrolled foliate handles. Remains of gr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of Large French 19th Century Terracotta Vases
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of great vases, Napoleon III era, made in terracotta with decoration of vegetable motifs.
The vases can be disassembled into three parts.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century antique Pair of French Zinc Urn Finials on plinths
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid 19th Century, Impressive pair of zinc finials decorated with swags, leaves and topped with a pomme de pin. The draped urn finials originate from a chateau located in the Loire re...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Zinc
Pair of French Napoleon III Cast Iron Jardinieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful pair of French Napoleon III period cast iron Jardinieres. The pair retains the original black painted finish. A lovely addition to any interior or exterior setting.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Iron
Pair of Cassolettes N3 Green Marble and Bronze Snakes
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of pots covered in green veined marble and gilded bronze snake decor , good condition , circa 1880
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Urns
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon Iii urns for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III urns 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 urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III urns made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include Alfred Corneau, Corneau Freres, J.L. Mott Ironworks, and Val D'Osne 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 urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,000 and tops out at $43,200 while the average work can sell for $3,300.