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Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

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
Exquisite Napoleon III French Ormolu Figural Basket Centerpiece, Circa 1880
Located in Queens, NY
An exquisite Napoleon III French ormolu figural basket centerpiece, Circa 1880, Attributed to Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley. Depicting four mercury-gilded bronze ormolu cherubs holding a basket, the base with trophies and scrolling. This monumental centerpiece...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ormolu

A Large Sèvres Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Bowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A large Sèvres porcelain and gilt bronze bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Sèvres porcelain and ormolu bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 31cm, W: 42cm, D: 24cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

A Sèvres Style Porcelain Covered Bowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Sèvres style porcelain covered bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Sèvres style porcelain covered bowl decorated with a gallant scene, gilt bronze mounting, 19th century, N...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

Ferdinand Barbedienne, a French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870
Located in Queens, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

A Painted Porcelain Centrepiece, Gilt Bronze Mounting, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A painted porcelain centrepiece, gilt bronze mounting, 19th century. A Napoleon III period gilt bronze centrepiece and porcelain bowl painted with a gallant scene on a turquoise blu...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Porcelain Bowl and Aperitif Stand, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
20th century porcelain bowl and aperitif stand, Napoleon III style. H: 10cm, D: 33cm
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20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

A 19th Century Crystal and Ormolu Bowl, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century crystal and ormolu bowl, Napoleon III period. A 19th century gilt bronze and crystal bowl, Napoleon III period. H: 13cm, W: 36.5cm, D: 21cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870
Located in Queens, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Sèvres Porcelain Bowl, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain bowl, Napoleon III period, 19th century. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain bowl with a gilt bronze and cloisonné frame. H: 30.5cm, W: 11cm, D: 11cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Bow Vide Poche, Chinese Characters, Gold Color France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Papier mâché Napoleon III bowl or vide poche. Gilt color, Gold. With Chinese Characters. 19 th Century.
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Paper

19th Century Small Dish Hand Painted Enamel and Ormolu Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant small footed dish. Made of gilded bronze with an enameled, hand painted dish in the centre. The dish is in good condition. Dimensions: 17 x 9 cm and 9 cm tall. Made in Fra...
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1890s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Turquoise Blue Opaline Bowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Turquoise blue opaline bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. 19th century opaline bowl, Napoleon III period, in turquoise opaline. H: 13cm, D: 28cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Opaline Glass

Bronze cup Barbedienne
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze cup Barbedienne Bronze gilt stripper Barbedienne Foundry Excellent condition with no restorations Origin France Circa 1940 Napoleon III style Founded by former Parisian wallpa...
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1940s French Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Gilt Bronze Putti and Marble Centerpiece
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze putti and marble centerpiece The centerpiece stands on a triangular, fluted base with arched feet; on th...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Cup with Cherubs attr. to A. Giroux, France, Circa 1870
Located in PARIS, FR
Charming oval-shaped cup, in gilded bronze and polychrome enamel with arabesque decoration. The leafy handles are surmounted by doves, and it rests on a polylobed base topped with le...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Pair 19th C. Christofle Silvered Bronze Putti & Crystal Centerpieces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair 19th C. Christofle Silvered Bronze Putti and Crystal Centerpieces France, circa 1875 Highlighting the extraordinary skill of Christofle’s makers, this exquisite pair of 19th-ce...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French porcelain centerpiece, mid-19th century Sevres.
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
France, mid-19th century, Sevres, gilt bronze base, two stylized swans, carrying a leaf-shaped porcelain bowl, stylized leaf handles on the sides, painting of a cupid on the mirror, ...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 19th Century Bowls - Chinese Porcelain - Family Rose - Bronze Gilt Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of Chinese "Family Rose" Bowls, in a French ormolu gilt pedestal mount with side handles. The bronze mounts are made in France, 1870-1880. The pair is in good condition. No c...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French large set toilet Pitcher basin ceramic Jules Viellard Bordeaux
By Jules Viellard
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
Large antique French washbasin and its pitcher from the manufacture Jules Viellard Bordeaux (JVB). The model is Rouen. Rare to find ! Important pitcher and its basin in polychrome enamelled earthenware, model "Rouen", with decoration of lambrequins and vegetal scrolls, marks on the reverse in blue and marks in hollow «BH». Work of the end of the XIXth century. In 1835, this factory was bought by the Irish David Johnston. He then produced pieces inspired by the very competitive fine English earthenware of Staffordshire. His company will employ up to 700 workers. In 1844, Jules Vieillard, an employee of David Johnston, bought the factory in financial difficulty. It was renamed Jules Vieillard & Cie in 1845. Production is industrialized and refocused only on fine earthenware. This quality earthenware will be awarded at the Universal Exhibitions. - The pitcher : high : 33 cm / 13" length : 25cm / 9,9'' In good condition - The basin diameter : 41,5cm / 16,2'' high : 14cm / 5,5'' restored with the antique technique. You can see staples that were put on the bottom of the basin. It is a 19th century repair technique that we no longer know how to repair...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Faience

2 Cut Crystal Bowls, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Two oval cut crystal bowls, from the 19th century Small chips and a few bubbles Height 10.5cm 21 x 13.5 cm These cups can be kept as is, but also set in mounts: base dimensions 17...
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19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Marble Bowls, 20th Century, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of marble bowls, 20th century, Napoleon III style. Pair of grey marble bowls from the 20th century, Napoleon III style. H: 24 cm, D: 35 cm
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Marble

Marble Bowl, 20th Century, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble bowl, 20th century, Napoleon III style. A 20th century grey marble bowl in the Napoleon III style. H: 24cm, D: 35cm
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20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Marble

19th Century Cut Crystal Bowl on a Gilt Bronze Pedestal with Putti Motifs
Located in NICE, FR
We present this cut crystal bowl, elegantly poised on a gilt bronze pedestal adorned with a charming, seated putto, serving as a stem and holding the bowl on top his head. The base f...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Paris Porcelain Compote
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century French Paris porcelain compote of bold form. Blue and gilt Rococo decoration. Good large scale centerpiece, circa 1860.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Bronze Cup by Barbedienne, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze cup by Barbedienne, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: H: 21 cm, W: 33 cm, D: 20 cm, D: 12 cm.
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Porcelain Allegorical Charger
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French porcelain Allegorical charger. Stunning 19th century French hand decorated, artist-signed allegorical porcelain charger. This b...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain, Faience

Gilded Brass and Crystal Bowl, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilded brass and crystal bowl, Napoleon III period, 19th century. 19th century bowl, Napoleon III period, in crystal and gilded brass. H: 17 cm, L: 40 cm, D: 16 cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Bohemian Crystal Overlay Bowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bohemian crystal Overlay bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period crystal bowl, 19th century, in red and white Bohemian Overlay crystal. H: 24.5cm. D: 23.5cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal

ClassiCon Bowl for firewood, mod. 1191
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant polished steel bowl for firewood with curved surface and cylindrical feet. Stamped on the rim ClassiCon 1191.
Category

20th Century Italian Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Steel

Napoleon III Style Porcelain Bowl.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III style porcelain bowl. A Napoleon III style gilt and painted porcelain bowl from the late 19th century or early 20th century, with beautiful and rich decoration. H: 20cm...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

An important Cut Crystal Bowl with Gilt Bronze Mounting, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An important cut crystal bowl with gilt bronze mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century cut crystal bowl with ormolu mounting, Napoleon III period. H: 31.5cm, W: ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

1880s Victorian Bronze Tazza Centerpiece Fruit Bowl Cherub Sea Creature Napoleon
Located in Hyattsville, MD
An unpolished patinated French 19th century cast bronze Tazza bowl supported by three seated cherubs in fine details, on a tripod of sea creatures; fish and turtles. Very heavy. Proc...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

A gilt bronze and violet crystal square bowl, 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A gilt bronze and violet crystal square bowl, very fine chasing of the bronze, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 7 cm, W: 18 cm, D: 15 cm
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1870s European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Napoleon III Porcelain Basket
Located in New Orleans, LA
A delightful French basket mounted in doré bronze which provides the framework for the six panels veneered in mother-of-pearl and set with French porcelain plaques...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Bowls

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii decorative bowls for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III decorative bowls for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative bowls created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III decorative bowls made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative bowls, popular names associated with this style include Ferdinand Barbedienne, Albert Marionnet, Baccarat, and F. Barbedienne 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 decorative bowls differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $387 and tops out at $100,000 while the average work can sell for $3,162.

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