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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.

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Style: Napoleon III
French Napoleon III Period Brass Inlaid Rosewood and Walnut Lap Desk
French Napoleon III Period Brass Inlaid Rosewood and Walnut Lap Desk

French Napoleon III Period Brass Inlaid Rosewood and Walnut Lap Desk

$1,150

French Napoleon III Period Brass Inlaid Rosewood and Walnut Lap Desk

Located in San Francisco, CA

A very pretty French Napoleon III period brass inlaid rosewood and kingwood lap desk of fine quality. This portable writing desk is centered by a beautifully painted landscape scene....

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century
Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century

Antique round glass box with miniature painting, late 19th century

$534

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

Napoleon III Style French Walnut Table Box, Inlaid, Circa 1870-1880
Napoleon III Style French Walnut Table Box, Inlaid, Circa 1870-1880

Napoleon III Style French Walnut Table Box, Inlaid, Circa 1870-1880

$1,058

Napoleon III Style French Walnut Table Box, Inlaid, Circa 1870-1880

Located in Prato, Tuscany

We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Eleg...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut, Paper

19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket
19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket

19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket

$675

19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket

Located in Dallas, TX

This antique coal scuttle was created in France, circa 1870. Built of cast iron, and shaped as a shell with foliage repousse decor, the patinated bucket stands on escargot feet over ...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Antique French Walnut Sewing Set Case, Napoleon III Étui, Needle Case
Antique French Walnut Sewing Set Case, Napoleon III Étui, Needle Case

Antique French Walnut Sewing Set Case, Napoleon III Étui, Needle Case

$499

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

Jewelry Box Covered with Blue Moroccan Leather Napoleon 3 Period
Jewelry Box Covered with Blue Moroccan Leather Napoleon 3 Period

Jewelry Box Covered with Blue Moroccan Leather Napoleon 3 Period

$836Sale Price|20% Off

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

Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box
Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box

Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box

$240Sale Price|51% Off

Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

19th Century Napoleon III period black lacquer jewelry or trinket box features an intricate lid. Intricately decorated lid highlights this beautiful trinket box, circa 1860's. The pe...

Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy
Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy

$3,900

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

Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni
Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni

Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni

$5,827

Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni

By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Rectangular table box in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with fine hand-engraved ornaments in late Napoleon III Empire style and transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engrave...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver

Bronze and Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Bronze and Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.

Bronze and Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.

$3,328

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. Dimension...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.
Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.

Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.

$2,615

Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

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

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni

$4,807

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco 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

Porcelain Box, Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Porcelain Box, Late 19th-Early 20th Century

Porcelain Box, Late 19th-Early 20th Century

$772

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 decor...

Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque
Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque

Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque

$1,545

Antique French Napoleonic Style Bronze Box with Sévres Attr. Inset plaque

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Dimensions - H: 4 1/2 in W: 6 3/4 in D: 4 1/2 in This exquisite Antique French Napoleonic Style bronze box captures the imperial grandeur and refined craftsmanship associated with ...

Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box

$6,500

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A most elegant French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, ormolu, and brass box. The box is raised by fine ormolu ball feet below a lovely wrap around mottled band. Each ebony si...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Napoleon III circular enamel box
Napoleon III circular enamel box

Napoleon III circular enamel box

$1,200

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

Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century
Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century

Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century

$1,069

Antique French Decorative Box, Napoleon III Style, Late 19th Century

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

French wooden casket, covered with colored and impressed paper with ancient processing system - Suitable for Your photos hanging around waiting to be fix...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Parchment Paper, Wood

Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

$3,328

Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Pumpkin-shaped candy box in opaline, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period candy dish, 19th century, in white opaline, forming a pumpkin. Dimensions : H: 16cm, D...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Opaline Glass

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

$903Sale Price|49% Off

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

Located in LEGNY, FR

Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...

Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style, Salimbeni
Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style, Salimbeni

Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style, Salimbeni

$3,088

Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style, Salimbeni

By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni

Located in Firenze, FI

Rounded rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with beautiful fire enamelled miniature hand-painted by the painter Renato Dainelli of a basket with flowers, in ...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Correspondence Box Napoleon III
Correspondence Box Napoleon III

Correspondence Box Napoleon III

$1,842

Correspondence Box Napoleon III

Located in Madrid, ES

Correspondence box, Napoleon III period, composed on the top of two flaps. Their facades are embellished with Square and Rectangle Marquetry. In add...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene
Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene

Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene

$560

Early 20th C. French Repoussé Brass and Wood Slant Lid Box with Sailboat Scene

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate a desk, library table, or console with this charming antique French decorative box, crafted circa 1920. The rectangular coffer features a slant lid clad in repoussé brass, b...

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period
Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period

Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period

$1,069

Game Box in Wood and Glit Brass, Napoleon III Period

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Game box in lacquered wood marquetry and gilt brass, with tokens inside. Gilding on the extremities of the spiral shape box. Work realized under Napoleon III (1852-1870).   

Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box
Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box

Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box

$2,009

Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box

Located in London, by appointment only

Bohemia, circa 1870. ​This exceptional 19th century antique casket originates from Carlsbad, a spa town in the west Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The town is officially known as Karlovy Vary and gained fame as a destination during the 19th century. Its piping hot springs drew tourists from across Europe to 'take the waters' and their health benefits. The highly figured stones used on this exceptional box were locally sourced and are specific to the hot mineral rich springs of Carlsbad. Close inspection will reveal layer on layer of fine mineral...

Category

1880s Czech Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Agate, Marble

19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box
19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box

19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box

$2,950

19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Signed by maker on lock. Paris, France. Bronze/brass mounted.

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, 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.

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