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 French Tea Caddy with Lock and Key
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a 19th-century French double-compartment tea caddy, likely created during the Napoleon III or late Louis-Philippe periods. In the fashion of the time, it features a disti...
Bronze
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 French Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).
Crystal, 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
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The burgundy / brown lacquer is decorated with gold depicting figures and buildings in a landscape. The caddy stands on four carved wooden feet in the shape of claws. The interior contains a single pewter canister...
Paper
English Shagreen Tea Caddy 19th with Bone Finial
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique English shagreen cased six sided wooden tea caddy with nice silver mounts, bone finial and undivided interior. Comes with small silver pin to ...
Silver
English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver Inlay and Ball feet
Tortoise Shell
19th Century English Penwork Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Penwork Tea Caddy
Wood
Antique English Georgian Tea Caddy with Tea Plant Inlay
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Georgian tea caddy with tea plant inlay dating to circa 1790, of octagonal form veneered in harewood and decorated with finely executed marquetry throughout...
Wood, Boxwood, Harewood
Antique Georgian Tea Caddy With Crossbanding. English C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A fine Georgian tea caddy. Two compartments internally with original lids Tropical hardwood with cross banding to the top Fabulous grain particularly on the top Free UK shipping
Wood
19th Century French Louis XIV Style Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century French rectangular boulle tea caddy. Tea caddy has original double tea compartments with covers. Outer portion of tea caddy features beau...
Wood
19th Century English Serpentine Front Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Serpentine Front Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Tortoise Shell
$4,000
H 4.14 in W 5.52 in D 3.35 in
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
19th Century English Tunbridge Ware Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A well-made antique, circa 1830, English tea caddy with stunning marquetry inlays, warm coloring, superb detailing, and luminous rich patina! When tea first arrived in Europe in t...
Brass
$2,500
H 5.5 in W 13 in D 10 in
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
Antique English Georgian Harewood Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Georgian harewood tea caddy of elongated oval form, veneered in harewood with inlaid decoration and fitted interior. The exterior is finished in harewood, f...
Wood, Harewood
Circa 1870 Napoleon III French Tea Caddy
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870 Napoleon III French Tea Caddy. Fine quality with Old Paris Porcelain fittings - 2 tea caddies & a sugar caddy. The box is inlaid with engraved brass. Each porcelain ca...
Brass
French Louis XV Boulle Dome-top Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Louis XV Boulle Box By Tahan Of Paris. Dome shaped rectangular hinged box is veneered in red and gold faux tortoiseshell with brass accessories. Interior is lined...
Tortoise Shell
Sold
H 5.52 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Boulle marquetry tea box, Napoléon III period, late 19th century signed Vervelle
By Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Beautiful Boulle marquetry and blackened wood tea box / tea caddy, brass pattern inlaid, mahogany veneer inside. Mid 19th century circa 1840 - 1850, typic...
Brass
Napoleon III Tantalus, 19th Century
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III period mother of pearl inlaid Tantalus, opening to reveal fitted interior, fully stocked with four carafes and sixteen liqueur glasses. 11" H x 14" W x 10" D (approx)
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
19th Century Petite Tin Tray
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very charming antique toleware tin tray, beautifully hand-painted with sprays of wild roses and a laurel frieze. The tradition of applying paint...
Tin
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Rosewood Tea Box
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century Napoleon III period tea box or tea caddy features marquetry of rosewood in an inlaid chevron pattern. Bronze edging around the top lends strength as well ...
Brass
Sold
H 5 in W 10.25 in D 6 in
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Palisander Marquetry Tea Box, Bronze Trim
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century Napoleon III period tea box or tea caddy features marquetry of palisander in an inlaid chevron pattern. Bronze edging around the top and base outer edges ...
Bronze
Sold
H 10.63 in W 13 in D 9.45 in
Napoleon III French Wooden, Blown Cut Glass with Gold Filigree Travel Decanter
Located in Valladolid, ES
Stunning and one of a kind French travel decanter, Napoleon III, circa 1860, 19th century. Wooden box with inlaid brass that opens front and side doors...
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Wood Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Paris, FR
19th century tea caddy, the box is crafted of ebony and boasts intricate inlay of brass accented by mother of pearl. Inside, the wooden-lined interior includes two containers for tea...
Brass
Sold
H 7.09 in Dm 7.09 in
Candy Box, Napoleon III Period, 1870, Painted and Gilded Porcelain Gilded Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Candy box, Napoleon III period, 1870, painted and gilded porcelain, gilded bronze Measures: H 18cm, D 18cm.
Bronze
Sold
H 4.75 in W 9.5 in D 5 in
Napoleon III Period Rosewood Marquetry Tea Caddy Bone Inlay Bronze Detailing
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century, Napoleon III period teabox or tea caddy features marquetry of walnut and rosewood in an intricate hexagram pattern surrounded by a delicate line of bone inlay whic...
Bronze
Napoleon III Brass Inlaid Tea Caddy with Baccarat Canisters
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A richly grained mahogany box with inlay of brass and mother of pearl. The brass edges are complimented with brass wire and medallions on the top and the escutcheon.The pair of glass...
Brass