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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.

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Style: Napoleon III
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

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 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 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

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

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

Napoleon III Urn, Charleville Design
Located in Washington, DC
Napoleon III Urn, Design, Charleville Design Cast Iron
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Urns

Materials

Iron

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19th Century French Iron Garden Urn
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Pair of French Gray Painted Cast Iron Garden Urns
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French 19th Century Cast Iron Garden Urn with Dragon Handles
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Mid-19th Century Water Vesssel
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Pair of Early 20th Century White Cast Iron Urns
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Early 20th Century European Napoleon III Urns

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Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Urns on Marbleized Pedestals
Located in Hudson, NY
This lovely pair of Campania form urns on painted and marbleized bases are from the 19th century. The urns show more wear and surface than the pedestals and both were used indoors as...
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Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Garden Urns Attributed to Alfred Corneau
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Pair of Swedish Louis Seize Cast Iron Blue Oval Planters, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Napoleon III Urns

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Previously Available Items
Dragon Handled French Green Cast Iron Tazza Urns
Located in Hastings, GB
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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...
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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...
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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.
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1970s European Vintage Napoleon III Urns

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Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Urns or Jardinieres
Located in Berlin, DE
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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.    
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Mid-19th Century antique Pair of French Zinc Urn Finials on plinths
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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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.
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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
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Napoleon III Pair of Gilt Bronze and Alabaster Cassolettes
Located in Encino, CA
Very fine pair of Louis XVI style Napoleon III ormolu bronze and white alabaster cassolettes of ovoid form. A pine cone finial crowns the top. The pine cone finial lifts the alabas...
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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.

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