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
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
19th Century Napoleon III Walnut Veneer and Brass Marquetry Liquor Cellar
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice Napoleon III liquor cellar made with walnut veneer and beautiful brass marquetry on the top.
Carafe and glasses made with Saint Louis Crystal and in very good condition. ...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th-Century Black Rosewood Liquor Case in the Style of Napoleon III
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Black Rosewood Liquor Case in the Style of Napoleon III
We present you this set (incomplete) composed of two decanters and eight glasses. All...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
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
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 inter...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Important Berlin Porcelain Covered Pot
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important Lidded Pot In Berlin Porcelain.
Beautiful Lidded Pot in Berlin Porcelain, Manufacture KPM of the 19th century.
Dimensions: H: 40,5cm, D: 33,5cm.
Category
19th Century German Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Jewelry Box Napoleon III 19th Century Thuya & Burl Wood Inlaid
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Charming French antique 19th century Napoleon III Jewelry box in Thuya & burl wood.
Marvelous inlaid details with amazing wood !
This Lovely jewelry box comes with its original l...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
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
Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III woven gilt bronze handled basket -weave table box
France, circa 1875
A whimsical, yet intricately woven of a handled basket weave table ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Jewellery Box, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jewellery box, 19th century
A 19th century black ebony and Sèvres plate jewellery box.
Measures: H: 20 cm, W: 48cm, D: 28cm.
Category
19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique French tea caddy from the end of Napoleon III. The box is beautifully inlaid with different types of wood and brass, outside around ...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
Box of Sevres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
sevres box
circa 1900
perfect state
cobalt blue with gold hand painted
origin france.
The Manufacture nationale de Sèvres is one of the most important and w...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
French Champlevé Onyx Box
Located in Newark, England
Fine 19th century French champlevé and onyx jewellery casket. The casket of rectangular form with four corner pillars, hinged lid and painted panel. The casket decorated extensively ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
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 European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
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
Napoleon III Handcrafted Nutwood Cigar Humidor Box with Brass Edging and Inlay
Located in Lisse, NL
Good quality and excellent condition antique box.
This straight lined cigar box is another one of our timeless items that will also make a great gift for someone who has never owned...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Wooden Travel Box with Green Opaline Bottles, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wooden travel box with green opaline bottles.
19th Century.
Measures: H: 14cm, W: 26cm, D: 15cm.
Ref 2934.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Opaline Glass
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
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
French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pupil suitcase in pine.
This kind of suit case was used by the boarding students to transport their school equipment.
In the style of Napoleon III
Shipping:
L 39,5 P17 ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Cave a Liqueur or Tantalus
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-19th century French Napoleon III period black lacquer cave a liqueur (liqueur caddy) or tantalus features bronze and tortoiseshell inlaid cartouches on the lid and doors. Ad...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene 'Lux'
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain chest romantic scene (Lux)
signed Lux
19th century crica 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Sewing Box by Maison Aucoc, Paris
By A. Aucoc
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
Limoges Porcelain Lidded Candy Dish Trinket or Jewelry Box French
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand painted Limoges porcelain candy dish, trinket, or jewelry box.
This gorgeous French jewelry box is adorned with traditional decor...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
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
Toilet Service, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bohemian toilet service, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
Measures: Small carafe - H: 16 cm, D: 6 cm
Perfume bottle - H: 13 cm, D: 5.5 cm
High box ...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Gilt Bronze Box with Enamel Portrait of Beautiful Lady on Four Raised Feet
Located in Boston, MA
Bronze box with an enamel artist signed portrait of a beautiful lady on four raised feet. It is artist signed L. C. The box has a rose velvet interior. It is from the late 19th centu...
Category
1890s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
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
Rare Napoléon III Game Box in Boulle Style Marquetry, France, 1880s
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Napoléon III game box circa 1880 made in Boulle Marquetry style with its game chips.
The outside is in blackened fruitwood with materials as brass decoration lines and a Horn...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
White Enameled Opaline Perfume Flask Holder
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
White enameled opaline perfume flask holder, brass frame, crystal bottles, 19th century, Napoleon III period
Size: H 21cm, W 17cm, D 11cm.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Repousse Brass and Wooden Box with Sailboats Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1920, the antique wood and brass coffer is decorated on the top with a repousse sail boat scene in the manner of Claude Vernet. T...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
French Silver Mounted Mother of Pearl Engraved Box, circa 1800
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and fine antique French silver mounted mother of pearl box and with an exquisitely carved ducal with a maiden holding a coronet, elaborate monogram and a rod of Caduce...
Category
1790s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
19th Century Napoleon III Liquor Cellar in Ebony with Brass Inlay
Located in Paris, FR
Liquor cellar in brass inlaid ebony with crystal glassware. The top of the box is engraved with the initials of the owner. Front and top sides are decorated with golden rinceau, foli...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
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
Antique & Unique French Satinwood and Nutwood Jewelry Box with Brass Inlay 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and all handcrafted antique box.
The ideal gift for a lady with an eye for quality, because this stunning box is truly fabulous and it will look great, no matter where you decide to have it on display. This can only be the work of a master carftsman, because the choice of materials and colors and also the design of the patterns is right up there with the best we have ever seen. You can use this object of virtue...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Jewelry Box with the Portrait of Madame de Sévigné
Located in Paris, FR
Louis-Philippe jewelry box crafted of crystal and gilt bronze. The ormolu lid chiseled with garlands of roses, is decorated with a miniature featuring Madame de Sévigné. Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné (1626-1696) was a French aristocrat and writer, one of the great icons of French 17th century literature. The crystal body of the box is highlighted with ormolu garlands of flowers and ribbons. The bottom of the box is carved with a radiant pattern. The jewelry casket rests on three feet embellished with foliated scrolls and shells. The miniature is signed Marc (for Marc-Louis Arlaud?).
circa 1840
Dimensions: W 5.9 in, D 5.1in, H 3.1in.
Dimensions: L 15cm, P 13cm, H 8cm.
Literature
Marc-Louis Arlaud (1772-1845) was a Swiss portrait...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique French D'Ore Bronze 2nd Empire Box, Napoleon III
Located in East Hampton, NY
Antique French dore bronze 2nd Empire stamps box, Napoleon III Era, circa 1850s.
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Sevres Style Casket
Located in London, GB
19th century French Sevres style ormolu and porcelain casket having
light blue ground, painted with panels of romantic scenes.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ormolu
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
Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Paris, FR
Sizeable rectangular, wooden coffer with its key. The blackened wood is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and brass. The lid and the main face of the box are r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Liqueur Box with Bronze Inlay
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Made of palissander, this lovely Napoleon III period liqueur box is lacquered in black, a method which became popular during Napoleon III's reign. The rose...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer, Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
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
Antique Wooden Casket, Covered Impressed Paper
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
Sèvres Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Sèvres porcelain box, Napoleon III period, 19th century. "
Sèvres porcelain box, signed, gilt bronze mounting, rich decorations inside and out, Napoleon III period, 19th century.
...
Category
19th Century 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.
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