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Napoleon III 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
19th Century French Napoleon III Floral Inlaid Rosewood Decorative Jewelry Box
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 elegant floral inlaid work in each corner an...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century French Napoleon III Floral Inlaid Rosewood Decorative Jewelry Box
19th Century French Napoleon III Floral Inlaid Rosewood Decorative Jewelry Box

19th Century French Napoleon III Floral Inlaid Rosewood Decorative Jewelry Box

$1,700
Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Jewelry Box Inlaid Brass Pearl Thuya
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous & luxurious ! This most rare 19th century French antique Napoleon III jewelry box. Great large size jewelry box that can be used to store your jewelry in style! Very rar...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Jewelry Box Inlaid Brass Pearl Thuya
Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Jewelry Box Inlaid Brass Pearl Thuya

Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Jewelry Box Inlaid Brass Pearl Thuya

$1,424
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.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene 'Lux'
Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene 'Lux'

Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene 'Lux'

$1,600 Sale 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 ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box
Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box

Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box

$380 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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

$2,131
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 Boxes

Materials

Other

Napoleon III Writing Slope or Box, Marquetry, France, 19th Century
Napoleon III Writing Slope or Box, Marquetry, France, 19th Century

Napoleon III Writing Slope or Box, Marquetry, France, 19th Century

$2,742
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 Boxes

Materials

Metal

French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900
French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900

French Boarding Student Suit Case Napoleon III Style Pine, circa 1900

$467 Sale Price
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...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11
Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11

Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11

$2,098 Sale Price / set
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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Box of Sevres
Box of Sevres

Box of Sevres

$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jewelry Box Signed Fichet Paris
By Fichet
Located in Dallas, TX
Keep your valuable safe and organized in this elegant antique jewelry box. Crafted in Paris France by Maison Fichet circa 1860, the colorful casket stands on small bracket feet. The ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain, Walnut

19th Century French Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jewelry Box Signed Fichet Paris
19th Century French Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jewelry Box Signed Fichet Paris

19th Century French Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jewelry Box Signed Fichet Paris

$1,900
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 Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chased Bronze Jewellery Box, 19th Century
Chased Bronze Jewellery Box, 19th Century

Chased Bronze Jewellery Box, 19th Century

$1,907
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. H: 10cm, W: 36cm, D: 26cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood

Paul Sormani Marquetry Token Box, 19th Century.
Paul Sormani Marquetry Token Box, 19th Century.

Paul Sormani Marquetry Token Box, 19th Century.

$4,649
19th Century Napoleon III Guillaume Diehl Cigar Boxe
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful Cigar humidor, stamped by Charles Guillaume DIEHL (1811 - 1885), in ebony with inlaid decoration of friezes of scrolls, fleurons and lanceolate leaves, inside with five dra...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Guillaume Diehl Cigar Boxe
19th Century Napoleon III Guillaume Diehl Cigar Boxe

19th Century Napoleon III Guillaume Diehl Cigar Boxe

$3,338 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Boxes

Materials

Iron

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
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 Boxes

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century French Repousse Brass and Wooden Box with Sailboats Decor
Early 20th Century French Repousse Brass and Wooden Box with Sailboats Decor

Early 20th Century French Repousse Brass and Wooden Box with Sailboats Decor

$625
Gilded Bronze Jewelry Box with Painting under Glass, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Gilded bronze jewelry box with Painting under Glass, 19th century" 19th century Gilt Bronze and under glass painting jewelry box, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 9cm, D: 13,5cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Gilded Bronze Jewelry Box with Painting under Glass, 19th Century
Gilded Bronze Jewelry Box with Painting under Glass, 19th Century

Gilded Bronze Jewelry Box with Painting under Glass, 19th Century

$1,669
19th Century Napoleon III Period Jewelry Box
Located in Austin, TX
This 19th Century Napoleon III Period Jewelry Box is a true testament to the elegance and sophistication of its era. Crafted with meticulous attention...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Period Jewelry Box
19th Century Napoleon III Period Jewelry Box

19th Century Napoleon III Period Jewelry Box

$659 Sale Price
25% Off
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 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

$536
Rare Box with a Hand-Painted Medallion of a 19th Century Man, Napoleon III
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Rare box with a hand-painted medallion of a 19th century man, Napoleon III period." Miniature box decorated with a hand-painted portrait from the 19th century, Napoleon III period....
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

Rare Box with a Hand-Painted Medallion of a 19th Century Man, Napoleon III
Rare Box with a Hand-Painted Medallion of a 19th Century Man, Napoleon III

Rare Box with a Hand-Painted Medallion of a 19th Century Man, Napoleon III

$2,265
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. H: 16cm, D: 23cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Opaline Glass

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.

$3,338
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 Boxes

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe

$906 Sale Price
49% Off
Important Berlin Porcelain Covered Pot
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
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 Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Important Berlin Porcelain Covered Pot
Important Berlin Porcelain Covered Pot

Important Berlin Porcelain Covered Pot

$4,649
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.
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain, Walnut

French Jewelry Box with Sevres-Style Porcelain Mounts in a Walnut Case
French Jewelry Box with Sevres-Style Porcelain Mounts in a Walnut Case

French Jewelry Box with Sevres-Style Porcelain Mounts in a Walnut Case

$2,925 Sale Price
35% Off
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 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

$2,742
Paul Sormani Fruitwood Box Dedicated to Marie, Dated 1868
By Paul Sormani
Located in New York, NY
Our fruitwood jewelry chest with bronze mounts and plaque dedicated to Marie comes from the esteemed Parisian cabinet maker, Paul Sormani (1817-1877). Signed and dated on the brass.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Paul Sormani Fruitwood Box Dedicated to Marie, Dated 1868
Paul Sormani Fruitwood Box Dedicated to Marie, Dated 1868

Paul Sormani Fruitwood Box Dedicated to Marie, Dated 1868

$4,000
19th Century French Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Travel Vanity Trinket Case
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful, antique jewelry box set was crafted in France, circa 1870. The box has a mother of pearl crest on the top and front, and reveals several dividers inside while the com...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century French Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Travel Vanity Trinket Case
19th Century French Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Travel Vanity Trinket Case

19th Century French Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Travel Vanity Trinket Case

$1,400
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 Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon III card holder
Napoleon III card holder

Napoleon III card holder

$1,040 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Napoleon III Rosewood Jewel Box with Silver Inlay Circa 1860-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Napoleon III rosewood jewel box with fabulous silver inlay, circa 1860-1870.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Silver

Antique French Napoleon III Rosewood Jewel Box with Silver Inlay Circa 1860-1870
Antique French Napoleon III Rosewood Jewel Box with Silver Inlay Circa 1860-1870

Antique French Napoleon III Rosewood Jewel Box with Silver Inlay Circa 1860-1870

$3,500
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 Boxes

Materials

Parchment Paper, Wood

Antique Wooden Casket, Covered Impressed Paper
Antique Wooden Casket, Covered Impressed Paper

Antique Wooden Casket, Covered Impressed Paper

$852 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

Correspondence Box Napoleon III
Correspondence Box Napoleon III

Correspondence Box Napoleon III

$1,848
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 Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl

Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl

$7,749
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 Boxes

Materials

Agate, Marble

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

$1,996
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 Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Sevres Style Casket
19th Century Sevres Style Casket

19th Century Sevres Style Casket

$4,681

Napoleon Iii boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III 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 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 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 boxes, popular names associated with this style include Franco Salimbeni, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Europa Antiques, and Paul Sormani. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $179 and tops out at $1,000,000 while the average work can sell for $1,726.

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