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.
Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket & Limoges Miniature 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique Napoleon III gilded ormolu and Limoges enamel jewellery casket, Circa 1870 in date. The hinged lid having a beautiful finely painted miniature Limoges en...
Ormolu
Antique Napoleon III Ebonized Jewelry Box - French Decorative Object
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Napoleon III jewelry box, crafted in France during the mid 19th century. Made of ebonized wood with Boulle marquetry on the lid and finely chiseled gilt bronze ornamentation ...
Bronze
Museal Tahan-Paris Perfume Box, Herringbone Pattern Veneer and Crystal Bottles
By Tahan Paris
Located in Bochum, NRW
Highly Collectible Perfume Casket, Napoleon III Period (pre-1882), with Expertise. A rectangular perfume box veneered in rare wood, featuring a finely executed herringbone pattern. T...
Brass
Important, Rare French Ormolu Sevres Style Porcelain Jewelry Box on Bronze Table
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A rare and important French ormolu/bronze and Sevres style turquoise porcelain jewelry box casket on matching French ormolu/bronze table with Sevres style porcelain plaques. Of palatial / monumental size! "The Marie Antoinette Jewelry...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Thuya Burl Jewelry Box with Brass Inlay, Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Thuya Burl Jewelry Box with Brass Inlay, Late 19th Century A fine late 19th-century French jewelry box, circa 1880–1900, veneered in richly figured Thuya burl with decorative...
Brass
$395Sale Price|20% Off
Limoges Porcelain Lidded Candy Dish Trinket or Antique French Jewelry Box
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...
Porcelain
French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Single Tea Caddy Compartment From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to bring to market this Antique French Boulle Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy o...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box, hand-crafted of walnut and burl veneers and ebonized panels. Fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay decoration of birds, butterflies a...
Brass
French Boulle Boxes Opposing Pair Napoleon III
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Opposing Pair of Boulle Boxes From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to bring to market this pair of opposing French Boulle B...
Brass
Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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. Dimensions : H: 14cm, ...
Brass
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...
Iron
19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box, hand-crafted of walnut and thuya burl wood veneers with ebonized trim. Fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay with center medallion on...
Brass
Early 20th Century French Repoussé Brass Fireplace Wood Box on Casters
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring character and function to your hearth with this antique French firewood box crafted circa 1920. Built with a wooden carcass clad in richly patinated repoussé brass panels, the coffer is decorated on all sides with lively tavern scenes in the manner of David Teniers, depicting peasants gathered around tables in moments of music, drink, and conversation. The detailed relief work adds depth and narrative, making the piece as decorative as it is practical. The slanted hinged lid, fitted with an interior chain support, opens to reveal ample storage for kindling or firewood. Raised on discreet rolling casters, the box is easy to move and ideal for placement beside a fireplace, while also working beautifully as a small accent chest...
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Box of Sevres
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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...
Ceramic
Napoleon III Floral Globe de Mariée under Original Glass Dome
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exceptional Napoleon III Globe de Mariée, dating from the second half of the 19th-century (circa 1860–1880), preserved beneath its original hand-blown glass dome. These romantic F...
Metal
$1,470Sale Price|25% Off
NAPOLEON III Paris 1860 Travel Foldable Writing Desk Box In Precious Woods & Aba
By Napoléon III
Located in Miami, FL
An antique Napoleon III traveler portable writing-desk box. This is a gorgeous portable writing desk-box, created in France during the period of emperor Napoleon III, circa 1860. Th...
Leather, Shell, Wood
French Black Shellac Jewelry Casket with Gilt Bronze Mounts, Circa 1850
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
A beautiful jewelry casket with gilded metal decorations, made in France around 1850. The rectangular case has a black polished shellac surface enriched with fine brass inlays that f...
Brass
Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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. Dimensions : H: 7 cm, W: 15 cm, D: 10 cm Co...
Brass
19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Rosewood & Brass Inlay
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box made of rosewood veneer with fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay. The interior is lined in paper and the inside of the lid has a mir...
Brass
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 ...
Brass
Table box with mechanical musical movement by Swiss company Reuge S.A Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large oval table box with mechanical musical movement by the Swiss company Reuge S.A. in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and on fine ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Napoleon III Jewelry Box Lacquer Wood Mother-of-Pearl, circa 1880
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Napoleon III style jewelry box in black lacquered wood with beveled glass inlaid with mother-of-pearl and brass trim. French work. Circa 1880 Additional Information: Material: Wood,...
Glass, Wood
$5,960Sale Price|20% Off
Perfumer Baccarat Perfume Box, Ormolu Mounted, Doré Bronze
By Baccarat
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...
Ormolu
French Napoléon III Black Lacquer Box with Boulle-Style Cartouche
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite French Napoléon III black lacquer box is a fine 19th-century desk accessory distinguished by its elegant proportions and Boulle-style decorative cartouche. Crafted wit...
Brass
Napoleon III Ebony Box Stamped "TAHAN Supplier to the Emperor", with Expertise
By Tahan Paris
Located in Bochum, NRW
Napoleon III Period Ebony Luxury Box by TAHAN, Paris, with Expertise. Stamped “TAHAN Fr de l’Empereur” — official purveyor to the Emperor. A rare and impeccably preserved example of ...
Brass
19th Century French Silver Plated over Bronze Jewelry Box with Repousse Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant, antique Napoleon III silverplated box in your master bath to keep your jewelry safe and organized. Crafted in France circa 1870, and built of bronze, the rectangular casket with raised top, sits on small scrolled feet, and is dressed with lion face handles on both sides. All sides including the top are decorated with detailed repousse floral and leaf motifs in high relief throughout; the top is decorated with a oval medallion featuring Poseidon, one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and mythology...
Silver Plate, Bronze
$2,727
Card Box, Napoléon III
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Napoleon III-period papier-mâché and wood marquetry card box with original key. The lid is richly decorated with a polychromatic bunch of flowers in a central medallion with gilt fra...
Paper
French Limoges Hand Painted Gold Trim Trinket Jewelry Box or Candy Dish
By Limoges
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...
Porcelain
Early 20th century French Wood and Brass Musical Cigar Boxe, 1920s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Magnificent Napoleon III style musical cigar humidor dating from the beginning of the 20th century in lacquered wood and garland of brass beads. A lyre adorns each door. By turning t...
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 ...
Other
Bohemian Cut Crystal Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bohemian cut crystal box, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Bohemian cut crystal box, brass mounting, late 19th century, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : H: 15cm, W: 19cm, D: 11c...
Crystal, Brass
Large Antique French Boulle Napoleon III Marquetry Box
By Audige
Located in Vilnius, LT
Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and tortoiseshell and red silk textile inside. Including key. Signed: Aud...
Brass
$2,051Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11
Located in Opole, PL
Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11 Step into the opulence of 19th-century France with this stunning Napoleon III-style liquor case, a tr...
Glass, Rosewood
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
Amboyna
19th C. French Rosewood Vanity Case by Perret with Silver Fittings Dated 1855
Located in Dallas, TX
Travel in style with this exceptional French antique vanity case, crafted in Paris circa 1855 by the esteemed maker Perret, a renowned goldsmith, cabinetmaker, and leather specialist...
Silver
$1,040Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Bronze, Enamel
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...
Lacquer, Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Table cigarette box Silver Sterling Enamel two-tone striped guilloché Salimbeni.
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Exceptional table cigar or cigarette box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated, and decorated with translucent two-tone striped fired enamels over guilloché engraving. Finely hand...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 19th Century French Black Forest Rose Carved Walnut Box & Perfume Bottle
Located in England, GB
A rare and beautifully detailed Black Forest carved antique walnut box dating to the late 19th century (circa 1870–1890) together with scent bottl...
Glass, Walnut
Important Box, Sèvres Porcelain Box, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important box, Sèvres porcelain box, Napoleon III period. Sèvres porcelain box, jewelry box, decorated with gallant scenes, signed, gilded brass mount, very nice quality, 19th centu...
Brass
19th Century Sewing Box by Maison Aucoc, Paris
By A. Aucoc
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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...
Gold, Steel
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 ...
Silver Plate, Copper
Antique 19th Century Porcelain Apothecary Jar 'Ong: Egyptiac' Palm Trees Snakes
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant apothecary lidded jar is made out of porcelain and was made in France in 1870 ca. The apothecary jar is hand painted and hand gilt. It is decorated with two palm trees b...
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 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...
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Velvet Casket By Maison Alphonse Giroux, Paris
Located in England, GB
A 19th century French casket, jewellery box made during the Napoleon III period and bearing the engraved signature “Alph. Giroux à Paris”. Maison Alphonse Giroux was one of the most ...
Silk, Velvet
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene 'Lux'
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain chest romantic scene (Lux) signed Lux 19th century crica 1900.
Porcelain
Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, 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 ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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...
Wood
19th Century Burr Amboyna Glove Box by Paul Sormani, 114 Rue du Temple, Paris
By Paul Sormani
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 ...
Pewter
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Unusual 18th Century French Boulle & Brass Inlaid Snuff Box w/ Candleholder
Located in Atlanta, GA
This diminutive yet opulent 18th or 19th-century French snuff box exemplifies the Boulle-style, renowned for its intricate gilt and inlaid brass decoration against a tortoiseshell ba...
Brass
Table Cigarette Box like lapis lazuli stone enamel on guilloche Salimbeni.
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular with rounded corners table box for cigarettes in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent enamels on a radial guilloché an...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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...
Brass
Pill box enamel “pastoral”miniature on sterling silver gold plated Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco 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 ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Champleve Inlaid Gilt Bronze Table Casket / Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
French Napoleon III gilt bronze jewelry box with elongated octagonal shape and raised medallions and feet inlaid with champleve enamel designs in black, blue, white, pink, yellow and...
Bronze
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. Dimensions : H: 15,5cm, W: 23cm, D: 18cm C...
Silver, Bronze
$1,700
Jewelry box Napoleon III
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jewelry box Napoleon III Materials gilt bronze and ceramics Origin France Circa 1880 No Restorations Excellent condition Materials gilt bronze and ceramics ALL CERAMIC PLATES ARE PER...
Bronze
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...
Wood
$2,925Sale Price|35% Off
French Jewelry Box with Sevres-Style Porcelain Mounts in a Walnut Case
Located in Houston, TX
Walnut veneered case with ebonized trim and set with Sevres-style polychrome plaques decorated With children and trophies, set into brass bezels, the interior fitted as a jewelry box.
Porcelain, Walnut
A Rare French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillame Diehl and Jean Brandley
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Rare Wood and Silvered Bronze French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillaume Diehl and Jean Brandely, C. 1860, Paris This extraordinary cigar humidor, crafted by the esteemed French ...
Bronze
Paul Sormani Marquetry Token Box, 19th Century.
By Paul Sormani
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Paul Sormani marquetry token box, 19th century. Precious wood and bone marquetry token box, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Dimensions : H: 10cm, W: 36cm, D: 26cm Contact us be...
Bone, Wood