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.
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Wrought Iron Balustrade, Window Guard
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period wrought iron Balustrade ~ Window Guard is a stunning work of the metalsmith's art! Hand-crafted during the middle of the 19th century, it feat...
Wrought 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...
Wrought Iron
$14,500 / set
H 37.75 in W 61.25 in D 11.75 in
A Pair French, 19th C. Baroque Style Wrought Iron Wall Console Tables Marble Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare pair of French, 19th century free-standing wrought iron wall console tables. The slender wrought iron bodies surmounted with leave and flower ornaments on an architectural fra...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Reclaimed 19th Century Stained Glass Church Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed stained glass church window dating from the late 19th century with decorative foliate panels within a red glass border. We have a matching shaped panel available under S...
Metal, Lead
$1,195 / set
H 5.75 in W 34.25 in D 10.5 in
Mid-20th Century Hand-Forged Iron Window Grilles With Sculptural Scrollwork-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Striking and sculptural, this vintage pair of wrought iron window grilles features bold scrollwork and a dramatic staggered finial design. Finished in a matte black powder coat, they...
Metal
$2,950
H 34.5 in W 43.5 in D 17 in
Large 19th Century French Wrought Iron Planter, Napoleon III Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking large wrought iron planter dating to the nineteenth century, produced in France during the Napoleon III period. This decorative piece is constructed in hand-forged iron an...
Wrought Iron
Arched Iron Windows, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four large windows with muntin bracing and round-arched iron finial.
Iron
Antique 19th Century Stained Glass Transom Window
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique stained glass transom window in its original wood frame. This is a beautiful antique stained glass window with colors that...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Arts and Crafts Stained Glass Window with Cast Iron Frame
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Arts and Crafts Stained Glass Window This is a pretty and colourful Arts and Crafts Cast iron window, with stylis...
Stained Glass
19th Century French Napoleon III Wrought Iron Outdoor Daybed
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking and sculptural mid-19th century French Napoleon III iron daybed, sourced in the south of France. This piece features beautifully hand-wrought scrollwork with pronounced cu...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Religious Antique Stained Glass Window 19th century
Located in Antwerp, BE
A 19th century antique religious stained glass window depicting two angels. This glass panel tell a story of a larger glass window, a stunning feature piece for a heritage property, ...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
$1,680Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 27.5 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Three 19th Century Stone Barricade Balustrades and Chain Markers
Located in Sheffield, MA
The three French 19th century stone marker or barricade balustrades are carved and have iron hooks for linking the chain. Great to use to indicate house n...
Stone, Iron
19th Century Victorian Stained Glass Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mid-19th century Victorian stained glass panel dating to circa 1870. This antique stained glass window is in good condition having been fully restored. Likely once part of a larger...
Lead
19th Century Roman Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A good condition and richly toned Roman style stained glass window circa 1890 from the studio of Clayton & Bell. This spectacular 19th century stained glass panel details a soldier a...
Stained Glass
Napoleon III Gilded Wood Valance
Located in BARSAC, FR
Exceptional Napoleon III period valance in richly carved gilded wood in the rocaille style decorated with acanthus leaves, scrolls and flowers. Rare model, presented as is with some...
Wood
Sold
H 51.19 in W 44.1 in D 16.54 in
19th Mirror, Architecturalelement, Zinc, Grey Oeil De Boeuf or Mansard
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Oeil de boeuf from a Mansard in a 19th century Napoleón III French building, stunning architectural element of decoration!!!, Its really difficult to find it !! Good co...
Zinc
Sold
H 114.97 in W 44.89 in D 1.97 in
Four Pairs of Original 19th Cent Oak Door Windows from a French Palace
Located in Paris, FR
Four Pairs of double door Windows, 19th century original in Oak, coming from orangeries in a palace in France in large size. Really rare in these high and large dimensions. Made ...
Mercury Glass, Oak
Antique French Window
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Antique French window with applied gold leaf advertising lettering. The window is inspired by 19th century Parisian shop fronts. Napoleonic laurel leaf c...
Glass, Wood
Vintage French Shutters
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully distressed vintage shutters with most of the paint already removed. These shutters are well made with thick framing and stationary louvre...
Iron
French Napoleon Cafe Boulangerie Window
Located in Calgary, Alberta
This antique window has gold leaf lettering and designs applied using original 19th century printing plates.
Wood, Glass