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.
Late 19th Century Wooden Cigar Carrousel with Music
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique wooden cigar carousel, with music. Made in France, late 19th century. When you turn the knob on the top, all panels turn at the same time. The panels are hand-pai...
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
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
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
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
French Antique Ormolu and Limoges Enamel Jewellery Box
By Limoges
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...
Enamel, Ormolu
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
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
$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
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...
Burl
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...
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 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 ...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Vase
Located in Roma, IT
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Vase Beautiful, elegant and rare small jewellery box in crystal and gilded bronze. It has a top opening with a clip closure. The upper part of ...
Crystal, Bronze
$20,230Sale Price|30% Off
A Rare French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillame Diehl and Jean Brandley
By Jean Brandely, Charles-Guillaume Diehl
Located in Long Island City, NY, 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 ar...
Bronze
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
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bombay Wood Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique French tea caddy in Napoleon III style, wit a bended “forme arbalète” lid. The box is veneered with various types of wood, burl wal...
Brass
Table box with mechanical musical movement by Swiss company Reuge S.A Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, 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
$361Sale Price|48% Off
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
$380Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Tea caddy - Napoleon III - Ebonized and Inlayed
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant Napoleon III period tea caddy, finely decorated with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay forming a geometric clover pattern on the lid, framed by delicate brass stringing. The ri...
Brass
Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Marquetry Jewelry Box, Marked Lucie
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This large mid nineteenth century marquetry box from the Napoleon III period features a burl thuya wood field surrounded by a concentric border of intricately inlaid ebonized pearwoo...
Bronze
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
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. Dimensions : ...
Bone, Wood
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
$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
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
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 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
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
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Cigar Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A stylish Napoleon III cigar cabinet, crafted with ebonized wood, brass inlays, and a distinctive medallion at the top, this late 1800s piece reflects the refined style of the Napole...
Brass
Napoleon III Perfume Casket – French – Crystal Perfume Bottles – Brass Inlay
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
This elegant Napoleon III period French perfume casket dates from the second half of the 19th century and retains its three original crystal perfume bottles. The casket is crafted fr...
Brass
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
$2,077Sale Price|25% Off
Card Box, Napoléon III
Located in Paris, FR
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
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 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...
Bronze, 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...
Copper
19th Century Cigar Cabinet - Napoleon III - Burl Wood - Marquetry Inlay
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant antique French cigar cabinet from the Napoleon III period, dating to the late 19th century. Crafted in richly figured burl wood with fine marquetry inlay and ebonized details...
Fruitwood, Walnut, Burl
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...
Wood, Burl
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
$5,113Sale Price|25% Off
Box signed Giroux, Paris
Located in Paris, FR
A box from Alphonse Giroux in Paris The whole is adorned with a finely chased bronze Neo-Gothic-style frame decorated with symmetrical foliage, flowers and scrolls, notably framing t...
Wood
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
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...
Walnut
A Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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. Dimensio...
Brass
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
French Perfume Box in Tulipwood with Sevres Porcelain Plaque
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Antique French perfume box in tulipwood surmounted by a Sevres style porcelain plaque, dating to the mid nineteenth centur...
Silver, Brass
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...
Sterling Silver
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. Dime...
Porcelain
$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
Exceptional 19th C Parquetry Tea Caddy with Serpentine Sides Marked TAHAN Paris
By Tahan Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
An exceptional double chamber tea caddy with geometric parquetry panels with crossbanded edges. Each of the four sides of serpentine form and raised on a conforming plinth base edged...
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
$2,083Sale 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
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
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...
Stunning Little Antique Box with Decorated and Gilt Perfume Bottles Napoleon III
Located in Lisse, NL
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a lady. . .look no further. This magnificent, 19th century box is made of beautiful and mint condition boxwood and it comes with the original, gilt perfume...
Crystal
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
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. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box, Chateau des Tuilleries, gilt brass mounting. Dimensions : H: 12cm,...
Brass
Table Cigarette Box like lapis lazuli stone enamel on guilloche Salimbeni.
By Franco Salimbeni, 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
$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
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