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Napoleon III Torchères

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
Huge pair of torcheres figurative, bronze and marble
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Huge pair of torcheres figurative bronze and marble representative cherub surmonted by candelabras nine lights, the base are in giltwood and marble this set is of a very high qual...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Huge pair of torcheres figurative, bronze and marble
Huge pair of torcheres figurative, bronze and marble

Huge pair of torcheres figurative, bronze and marble

Pair of Gueridon Tripods in Mahogany Wood Napoleon III 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Gueridon Tripods in mahogany wood Napoleon III 19th century with marble top and finely chiseled and gilded bronze finishes. Napoleon III period....
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gueridon Tripods in Mahogany Wood Napoleon III 19th Century
Pair of Gueridon Tripods in Mahogany Wood Napoleon III 19th Century

Pair of Gueridon Tripods in Mahogany Wood Napoleon III 19th Century

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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 Torchères

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy
19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy

19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy

H 5.91 in W 10.63 in D 5.91 in
19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Candle Sconce with Female Face
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period bronze sconce features a beautifully detailed face with the features of a realistic countenance. Its three candleholders include their original removable bronze bobeches to protect from dripping wax...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Candle Sconce with Female Face
19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Candle Sconce with Female Face

19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Candle Sconce with Female Face

H 11 in W 11.5 in D 5 in
Pair of French Charles X Patinated Bronze and Gilt Figurative Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of figurative candelabras in the form of a patinated bronze cherub running with a gilt torchiere in each hand. The cherubs stand on a...
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Early 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of French Charles X Patinated Bronze and Gilt Figurative Candelabras
Pair of French Charles X Patinated Bronze and Gilt Figurative Candelabras

Pair of French Charles X Patinated Bronze and Gilt Figurative Candelabras

H 16.5 in W 7 in D 3.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels, Napoleon III Period
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels hail from the Napoleon III Period, and feature stunning angels on elaborately detailed tripod bases acting as caryatids for the cand...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels, Napoleon III Period
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels, Napoleon III Period

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels, Napoleon III Period

H 27 in W 15 in D 9 in
Antique French Napoleon III Spelter Candlestick, late 19th Century
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique French Napoleon III period candlestick made of bronzed spelter, late 19th Century. This antique candleholder features a design draped with chains and is supported by a three-...
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1890s French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Spelter

Antique French Napoleon III Spelter Candlestick, late 19th Century
Antique French Napoleon III Spelter Candlestick, late 19th Century

Antique French Napoleon III Spelter Candlestick, late 19th Century

H 11.82 in Dm 5.52 in
Pair of Baccarat Cut Crystal Candelabra, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
By Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Baccarat cut crystal candelabra, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A pair of Baccarat cut crystal 2-light candelabra, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 33cm. W: 23,5cm,...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Baccarat Cut Crystal Candelabra, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Pair of Baccarat Cut Crystal Candelabra, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

Pair of Baccarat Cut Crystal Candelabra, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.

H 13 in W 9.26 in D 5.12 in
Pair of Antique French Floral Bronze Torcheres
Located in New Orleans, LA
These floral torcheres are nearly three feet high and very graceful. You will not be disappointed if you add these to the antique pieces to your collection!
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique French Floral Bronze Torcheres
Pair of Antique French Floral Bronze Torcheres

Pair of Antique French Floral Bronze Torcheres

H 33 in W 12 in D 4 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks A pair of early 19th century gilt bronze candlesticks having nozzles wit...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks

19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks

H 8.27 in W 4.14 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Monumental French Antique Marble and Bronze Candelabra Torcheres
Located in London, GB
This pair of fine candelabra torcheres take form on a monumental scale, each of them standing almost two and a half metres tall. The casting is superior in its quality and could be attributed to one of the 19th century masters, such as Deniere or Barbedienne. Each torchere is formed of a fluted veined marble column set...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Monumental French Antique Marble and Bronze Candelabra Torcheres
Pair of Monumental French Antique Marble and Bronze Candelabra Torcheres

Pair of Monumental French Antique Marble and Bronze Candelabra Torcheres

H 95.67 in W 22.05 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Italian Brevettato Black Marble and Bronze Candelabras
By Brevettato
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite pair of Italian Brevettato candelabras blends Baroque and Rococo influences with masterful Italian craftsmanship. Known fo...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Italian Brevettato Black Marble and Bronze Candelabras
Pair of Italian Brevettato Black Marble and Bronze Candelabras

Pair of Italian Brevettato Black Marble and Bronze Candelabras

H 27 in W 11 in D 10 in
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of 19th century bronze candlesticks, Napoleon III period" Pair of small bronze candelabra, 19th century, Napoleon III period. h: 21cm, w: 22cm, d: 12cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks, Napoleon III Period
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks, Napoleon III Period

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks, Napoleon III Period

H 8.27 in W 8.67 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These exceptional, large pair of red marble and gilt bronze candelabra is opulently decorated finely-cast neoclassical style decorations. Each candelabrum is formed as a red marble vase...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra

Pair of Large Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra

H 48.04 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Previously Available Items
1870 Napoleon III Pair of Hand-Carved Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres
Located in Catania, Sicilia
These Sicilian Torcheres combines the opulence of the Napoleon III era with the craftsmanship of Sicilian artisans. The gilt wood is in original good conditions, the backside is not ...
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Mid-19th Century Sicilian Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Giltwood

1870 Napoleon III Pair of Hand-Carved Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres
1870 Napoleon III Pair of Hand-Carved Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres

1870 Napoleon III Pair of Hand-Carved Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres

H 29.93 in Dm 7.49 in
Antique French 2nd Empire Napoleon III Bronze Urn Form Censer, c1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Second Empire Napoleon III censer offers cast bronze construction in narrow and fluted urn form having flame finial and fl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Bronze

Antique French 2nd Empire Napoleon III Bronze Urn Form Censer, c1870
Antique French 2nd Empire Napoleon III Bronze Urn Form Censer, c1870

Antique French 2nd Empire Napoleon III Bronze Urn Form Censer, c1870

H 10.5 in W 6.75 in D 5.5 in
19th Century Napoleon III Ceramic and Chiseled Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique floor lamp in green ceramic and finely chiselled gilded bronzes with figures. Originally the lamp worked in oil, the electrical system was made in the early decades...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Ceramic and Chiseled Bronze Floor Lamp
19th Century Napoleon III Ceramic and Chiseled Bronze Floor Lamp

19th Century Napoleon III Ceramic and Chiseled Bronze Floor Lamp

H 63 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Monumental Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabra
By Henry Dasson
Located in New York, NY
A monumental pair of French gilt and patinated bronze and rouge marble five-light candelabra / torchère / lamps, circa 1870. Attributed to Henry Dasson, Paris. Depicting two ch...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Torchères

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Marble, Bronze

Monumental Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabra
Monumental Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabra

Monumental Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabra

H 42 in W 18 in D 10 in

Napoleon Iii torchères for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III torchères for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage torchères created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III torchères made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original torchères, popular names associated with this style include and Europa Antiques. 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 torchères differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,990 and tops out at $4,990 while the average work can sell for $4,990.

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