Napoleon III Clocks

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.

Style: Napoleon III

Creator: Ferdinand Barbedienne

19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set

By Ferdinand Barbedienne

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set A fine 19th Century French three piece clock garniture set. Comprising of a clock and pair of candelabra, ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set

19th Century Bronze Three Piece Garniture Clock Set by Barbedienne

By Ferdinand Barbedienne

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Unusual monumental clock set in Griotte marble signed Barbedienne and on the top of the clock you have a bronze made by one of the famous bronze m...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Bronze Three Piece Garniture Clock Set by Barbedienne

Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Inlay Napoleon III Period Clock Set by Barbedienne

By Ferdinand Barbedienne

Located in London, GB

Gilt bronze and hardstone inlay Napoleon III period clock set by Barbedienne French, 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 50cm, width 23cm, depth 16c...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Stone, Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Inlay Napoleon III Period Clock Set by Barbedienne

Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock by Barbedienne

By Ferdinand Barbedienne

Located in London, GB

This stunning clock expertly showcases the ingenuity of its maker, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and its smart styling in the opulent Napoleon III style will make it an excellent addition t...

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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Malachite, Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock by Barbedienne

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century French Enamel Clock Set

H 18.9 in W 9.85 in D 6.7 in

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble figural Clock Garniture Set

Located in Dublin 8, IE

19th century French gilt bronze and marble figural clock garniture set in the manner of Rollin of Paris depicting a pair of putti playing on naturalistic base raised on oval, white s...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble figural Clock Garniture Set

H 20 in W 11.5 in D 8 in

Napoleon III Bronze Clock XIXth

Located in Beaune, FR

Large clock in gilded and patinated bronze from the Napoleon III period dating from the 19th century. This clock is of very high quality, complete and in very good condition. Dimens...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Bronze Clock XIXth

H 23.63 in W 31.5 in D 7.09 in

19th Century French Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set

Located in London, GB

A fine quality three-piece French gilt red marble and bronze clock set comprising two three branch candelabra and a mantel clock. The clock has a whi...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set

H 17 in W 12 in D 5 in

19th Century Louis XVI Style Champleve Enamel Clock Set

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality, 19th century French gilded ormolu and champleve enamel clock garniture. The clock has a cherub on either side, an urn with swags to the top, 'C' scroll and folia...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Louis XVI Style Champleve Enamel Clock Set

H 15.75 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Portico Mantel Clock

Located in Dallas, TX

Keep time in your office, study, or atop your mantel with this elegant antique potico clock. Crafted in France, circa 1860 and standing on bun feet over a rectangular base, the sophi...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Portico Mantel Clock

H 20.5 in W 10 in D 5.5 in

French Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set, Japy Freres, circa 1870

By Japy Frères

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

An impressive French Renaissance Revival style clock garniture comprising a mantel clock and a pair of matching vases, circa 1870, gilt bronze with ornate champlevé enameling. The rectangular break arch clock...

Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

French Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set, Japy Freres, circa 1870

H 16.5 in W 8.25 in D 6.5 in

19th Century Enamel And Bronze Napoleon Clock

Located in Hoddesdon, GB

A Handsome 19th century, French Napoleon III mantle Clock of fine quality. Black enamel & Gilt bronze case , lion masks to the sides sitting on claw feet . The clock and striking bel...

Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Enamel And Bronze Napoleon Clock

H 13.78 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in

French Napoleon III Equestrian Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

Located in Kastrup, DK

French pendulum fireplace mantel clock in chiseled gilded and patinated bronze. The upper part with rock formation depicting an equestrian statue of Emperor Napoleon I on horseback o...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Napoleon III Equestrian Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock

H 21.26 in W 14.18 in D 5.52 in

19th Century French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Philippe Mourey

Located in Winter Park, FL

A 19th century Napoleon III French doré bronze mantel clock by Philippe H. Mourey. Fine casting of a braconnièr, or poacher, leaning casually with his rifle and powder horn in a wood...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

19th Century French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Philippe Mourey

H 11.5 in W 9 in D 4 in

Very Large 19th Century Clock Garniture

By Napoléon III

Located in London, GB

A wonderful garniture in marble and ormolu, the central clock face engraved in ormolu and surrounded by enameled numerals. The clock is adorned by two amorous ormolu figures of an an...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Very Large 19th Century Clock Garniture

H 27.56 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in

Napoleon III Goddess Diana Mantel Clock, 19th Century

Located in Lisbon, PT

A complete and in working order metal mantel clock with an esteemed figure of the Roman Goddess Diana the Huntress with a nymph by her side, with Carrara marble details and a functio...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble, Metal

Napoleon III Goddess Diana Mantel Clock, 19th Century

H 27.17 in W 13.39 in D 7.09 in

Previously Available Items

Ferdinand Barbedienne, Museum Quality French Ormolu Champleve Enamel Clock Set

By Ferdinand Barbedienne

Located in New York, NY

Ferdinand Barbedienne, A Museum Quality French Ormolu Champleve Enamel three-piece Clock Set Garniture. Comprising of a clock and a pair of Candelabra, with the highest quality Fren...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Ferdinand Barbedienne, Museum Quality French Ormolu Champleve Enamel Clock Set

H 25 in W 12 in D 8 in

Napoleon Iii clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III clocks 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 clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Raingo Frères, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Henri Picard. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $706 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $8,006.