Skip to main content

Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

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
17
101
1
82
18
8
2
5
2
2
3
1
1
921
618
612
432
189
183
161
108
102
96
87
85
84
79
60
42
27
19
65
44
29
18
18
68
28
100
84
9
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
101
101
101
9
7
6
4
2
Style: Napoleon III
Antique French Watch Vitrine in Bronze & Crystal, 19th century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A so called Coffret or Vitrine Porte Montre à Gousset in French. Made for the display and protection of your watch or pocket watch. It features a bronze framed set with 3 panel of th...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

C19th French Napoleon 111 Liquor Cellar
Located in London, GB
Magnificent French Liquor Cabinet This cabinet opens to Reveal decanters and Crystal Glasses Baccarat Style set within burr Wood Case C1880s
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Amboyna

Antique French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Brass Tortoiseshell Keepsake Box 13
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Napoleon III era French Marquetry Boulle box. Red and black tortoiseshell with foliate brass inlay. Decoration on top includes the monogram LS. Rectangular form ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

French Antique Ormolu and Limoges Enamel Jewellery Box
Located in Newark, England
LIMOGES ENAMEL PANELS From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this French Napoleon III Ormolu and Enamel Jewellery Box. The Jewellery...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Box in Karl Fabergé style, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Box, 19th Century, Depicting Two Muses Holding a Cornucopia in the style of Karl Fabergé. This 19th-century malachite box perfectly embodies t...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Malachite

19th Century Perfume Box - Napoleon III - Crystal Bottles
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique marquetry wooden box for perfume. The box dates from the French Napoleon III period, circa 1880-1890. The box features those original crystal perfume bottles, bea...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Burl

Fake Book Concealing Two Liqueur Decanters, Napoleon III Style, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Fake book concealing a small liqueur cabinet from the early 20th century, Napoleon III style, comprising two liqueur decanters with four small crystal glasses, one decanter broken at...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France
Located in NICE, FR
19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France Antique travel safe in non-combustible cast iron from northeastern France (Gueux, Marne). It is de...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Antique Bauche Incombustible Cast Iron Safe from Northeastern France, 1865
Located in Linkebeek, BE
19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France Antique travel safe in non-combustible cast iron from northeastern France (Gueux, Marne). It is decor...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

French Limoges Hand Painted Gold Trim Trinket Jewelry Box or Candy Dish
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Limoges handcrafted and hand painted gold trimmed trinket, jewelry box or candy dish, circa 1930. Signed, Jammet Seignolles Limoges (history of this maker below). Glazed. Measures: 4 3/8" Diameter x 2 1/4" high. Very good antique condition, no cracks or chips. In 1825, François BAIGNOL moved to LA FABRIQUE, on the edge of the Brigueuil forest and founded...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
An antique round glass box with in the lid a painted miniature from a noble lady Late 19th century The inside of the lid has a mirror The glass box have a frame from gilded brass Dia...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Game Box
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique wooden game box from the French Napoleon III period. The wood is inlaid with a brass emblem and brass piping, this gold color contr...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century French Repousse Brass and Wooden Firewood Box on Wheels
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1920, the antique wood and brass fireplace wood coffer stands on casters; the trunk is decorated with repousse tavern scene motifs in the manner of David Ten...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Rosewood Travel Vanity Case by Peret and Dated 1855
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique jewelry box set was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1855. The box was made by Peret, a Parisian goldsmith, cabinetmaker and leather maker. Peret received a first class medal at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 (see engraving on the front). The box has an engraved crest on top with initials and crown, and several dividers inside. The compartments are outfitted with silver accessories, which include one square cut-glass bottle, two round glass bottles with silver tops and one rectangular cut-glass bottle. Inside the first tray, you'll also find two round powder glass containers with silver top, a long glass brush holder (brush included), a smaller rectangular shaving brush glass holder (brush included), all of them with a silver lid ornamented and finely chiseled with scrolls, shells and foliage, and a rectangular glass soap container with silver top. The next tray underneath features all the necessary for manicure, pedicure, hair cutting...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

19th Century Italian Writing Box with Macassar Veneer and Silver Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique writing slope case. The chest is veneered with Macassar wood. Decorated with silver mounts. The interior is made of birdseed maple...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain romantic scene box napoleon III style Origin france hand painted 19th century circa 1890 with no stamp perfect condition.
Category

1890s European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Walnut Sewing Set Case, Napoleon III Étui, Needle Case
Located in Greven, DE
This dainty yet highly detailed sewing set was crafted in the late 19th century by skilled French artisans. The case, also known as an étui, is made from walnut and has a tapering r...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Marvelous 19th Century French Antique Jewelry Box Napoleon III in Burl Wood
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous Napoleon III 19th century antique Jewelry box in Burl wood from France. Impressive wood grain with slight curved edge on t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Burl

Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period box, 19th century, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mount. H: 14cm, W: 26cm, D: 16cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Box, Sèvres Porcelain and Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box with patinated gilt brass mounting, decorat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Sewing Box by Maison Aucoc, Paris
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century oval sewing box decorated with crowned monogram. The case contains five gold and steel sewing utensils embellished with small flowers. Labeled on the inside: AUCOC A PARIS. Weight: 27.6 g, circa 1860 Dimension: W 4.5 in, D 2.4in, H .8in. Dimension: L 11.5cm, P 6cm, H 2cm. La Maison Aucoc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Steel

Perfumer Baccarat Perfume Box, Ormolu Mounted, Doré Bronze
Located in New York, NY
Perfumer Baccarat Perfume Box, Ormolu Mounted, Doré Bronze Presenting a remarkable fusion of artistry and opulence, the perfumer Baccarat's green op...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Napoleon III Game box with Brass and Burl Wood Marquetry
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique game box from the French Napoleon III period. The box is made of various types of wood marquetry inlaid with brass trims. This box s...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper

Allegories of Art, French 19th Century Large Jewelry Casket After Clodion
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Napoleon III Jewelry Casket In chiseled and silvered bronze, decorated with putti scenes in the style of Claude Michel dit Clodion (...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Decorative Box - Ormolu Gilt Bronze - French Napoleon III
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined Napoleon III period decorative box, made of ormolu gilt casted bronze. Richly ornate floral motifs. It has an illegible signature. The liner inside has been renewed. Includ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Jewelry Box Covered with Blue Moroccan Leather Napoleon 3 Period
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty wooden box covered with blue green leather decorated bookbinders, enhanced with gold leaf. On the lid of the box is represented a wise man in meditation holding a pilgrim...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Leather

Table Cigarette Case enamel and hand-engraved in Napoleon III style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table cigarette case in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with hand-engraved engravings in the Frenc...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century Burr Amboyna Glove Box by Paul Sormani, 114 Rue du Temple, Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine Napoleon III burled amboyna wood glove box with rounded walnut edges and mounted with incised pewter straps with fleur-de-lis terminals, the corners ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pewter

Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box. A Napoleon III period small box, 19th century, in Sèvres blue porcelain, enamelled and gilded, with a gallant scene on t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Wooden and Bronze Liquor Cellar or Liquor Box
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this antique liquor case, a collector's gem! Made in the last quarter of the 19th century, it features stylistic features typical of the Napoleon III period. The case is ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Napolean III gilt bronze mounted burlwood caddy of exceptional quality, having inlaid top with engraved brass monogram and heavily molded body, the interior with gilt-bead trimmed ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Game Box with Burl Wood and Brass
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique game box from the French Napoleon III period. The box is made of book veneer match, inlaid with brass trims. This box shows the fine craftsmanship of the ebenist wh...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Pill box enamel “pastoral”miniature on sterling silver gold plated Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pill box with 2 slightly rounded sides, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a miniature hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni depicting a “pastoral” scene ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, with “paillons” in pure gold on the upper circle, fine fired enamelled miniature with hand-painted floral ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Sèvres Porcelain Casket, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain casket, Napoleon III period, 19th century. 19th century casket, Napoleon III period, Sèvres porcelain and gilt brass mount. H: 13...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Height Airs Swiss Cylinder Music Box, circa 1880
Located in Marseille, FR
Napoleon III music box with 8 bee melodies including 4 complications. Ability to play and replay loops melodies. Possibility to add to engage a resonator and or activate small bees t...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone translucent stripes fired enameled on guillochè and fine hand-engraved on all sides, French Empire Napoleon...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

France box in the shape of books or Tantalo books Liquor set - leather
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing Tántalo or book-shaped leather box concealing a beautiful wheel-engraved crystal set, outlined in gold, consisting of two bottles with their stoppers and four finely engrave...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal

Chest, Box Forming a Cabinet, Orientalist Art, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chest, box forming a cabinet, Orientalist art, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period wood and bone marquetry cabinet box, Orientalist. H: 24cm, W: 31...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood

Napoleon III card holder
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III card holder (card fray) Gilt bronze and enamel Origin France Circa 1900 Gilt bronze and Cloissone enamel with hand-painted Sevres porcelain plate signed by E. Horche Per...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon III card holder
Napoleon III card holder
$1,040 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Bronze and Silver Chest, 19th Century Orientalist Work.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large bronze and silver chest, 19th century Orientalist work. Large 19th century Orientalist bronze and silver box, Napoleon III period. H: 15,5cm, W: 23cm, D: 18cm
Category

19th Century African Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Napoleon III circular enamel box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III circular enamel box Material bronze and Cloisonne enamel Origin France Circa 1870 19th century Excellent quality and excellent condition Natural wear on its patina Its i...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Bronze and Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze and porcelain box, Napoleon III period, 19th century. A 19th century Napoleon III period gilt bronze and Sèvres porcelain box, decorated with garlands and flowers. H: 16cm, W...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Marquetry Sewing Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry sewing box. Made of mahogany with thuya wood top inlaid with brass and mother of pearl. Brass trim frames the lid and the base. The interior is lined in red silk and is fitted with a collection of 15 sewing tools (two are missing) on a velvet lined tray. The inside of the lid has a mirror surrounded by a tufted border. Working lock and small key. The box contains an old embroidery...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Burl Wood Sewing Box
Located in Paris, FR
Varnished, burl wood sewing box, decorated with Greek frieze and brass inlays. The box contains a mirror and sewing utensils made of bone and brass, as...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Sèvres Porcelain Box, Enamelled and Gilded, 20th Century, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, enamelled and gilded, 20th century, Napoleon III style. A 20th century Napoleon III style Sèvres porcelain enamelled and gilt box with gilt brass mounting. H: ...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

A Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Sèvres porcelain case, gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. An important Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period, gilt brass mounting. H: 15.5cm...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Writing Slope or Box, Marquetry, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III box. Marquetry. France, 19th century. Rectangular wooden box with a flat top and supported on circular legs that presents a front opening with a key lock and a hinged ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box, Chateau des Tuilleries, gilt brass mounting. H: 12cm, W: 25cm, D: ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Repousse Silver Plated on Copper Jewelry Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant, antique Napoleon III copper box in your master bath to keep your jewelry safe and organized. Crafted in France circa 1880, the ornate ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate, Copper

Antique French D'Ore Bronze 2nd Empire Box, Napoleon III
Located in North Miami, FL
Antique French dore bronze 2nd Empire stamps box, Napoleon III Era, circa 1850s.
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chased Bronze Jewellery Box, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chased bronze jewellery box, 19th century Chased bronze jewellery box, red silk inside, Napoleon III period, 19th century Measures: H: 7 cm, W: 16 c...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Box, Engraved Blue Crystal Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Box, engraved blue crystal box, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Box, 19th century box, Napoleon III period, engraved blue crystal, mounted with gilt bronze, with its key. H: 12....
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid and Ebonized Wood Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Napoleon III precious wood and marquetry Inlaid and ebonized box. Hinged box top features a central motif of fauna and flowers. Inner box is lined with blue satin padded...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Burl Elm Inlaid Jewelry Box with Drawer & Inside Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant antique box. Created in France circa 1880, the rectangular cabinet is decorated with an elegant floral inlaid star motif on the t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mercury Glass, Elm, Burl

Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Box, Sèvres porcelain box, gilt brass mount, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 7 cm, W: 15 cm, D: 10 cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Porcelain Box, Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain box, late 19th - early 20th century. Porcelain box from the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century, gilded brass, very nice painted scene with gold dec...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Marqueterie de paille Boîte
Located in VILLENEUVE-LÈS-AVIGNON, FR
Marqueterie de paille, boîte en bon état du XIXe siècle
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Straw

Covered Vase with Atlantes, attr. to A. Giroux, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful ovoid-shaped covered vase in patinated bronze with golden highlights, with rich rotating decoration in relief. The lid, symbolizing Night, is decorated with a turtle, a moon, a dragon flying among the clouds ; and the belly, symbolizing the Day, is decorated with a rising sun, mountainous landscapes, and cherry tree branches. The whole, topped with a flamed seed, is supported by three African-type atlantes dressed in a loincloth. Historical and artistic context This work of art combines elements of Japonism and Orientalism, two important movements representative of the taste of the time for exoticism. Indeed, this taste for Chinoiserie was revived at the end of the 19th century following the Franco-English military campaign against the imperial army in China in 1860. Napoleon III’s French troops bring back part of the treasure from the Summer Palace, constituting in 1863 the famous Chinese Museum of Empress Eugénie at the Palace of Fontainebleau. First in painting, the movement quickly spread to decorative arts and furniture. This craze for the Far East is encouraged in France by the diffusion of Chinese ornamental works renewing the interior decoration of the luxurious Parisian residences of a clientele eager for something new. It was also under the Second Empire that the Orientalists were propelled to the forefront. Emperor Napoleon III, aristocrats as well as wealthy bourgeois in search of exoticism fill the order books of the most renowned artists. It is then not the predominantly academic style of the Orientalists that counts but above all the exoticism that they show to a fascinated public. Biography Alphonse Giroux and Company, famous curiosity and luxury goods shop was situated in Paris, at No. 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré and in business from the time of the Consulate until the end of the Second Empire. The company was founded by Francois-Simon-Alphonse and continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). The father became a close associate of the royal family and specialized in the manufacture of refined items for gifts. Kings Louis XVIII and then Charles X were both supplied with gifts for « The Children of France » by Giroux. Making progressively small furniture, they were mentionned for the first time in 1837 in the class « cabinet...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III decorative boxes 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 boxes, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Paul Sormani, and A. Aucoc. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $333 and tops out at $20,970 while the average work can sell for $1,726.

Recently Viewed

View All