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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.

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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Napoleon III
French 19th Century Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Inlay Wall Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning 19th century wall clock, diamond in shape, with rippling clock frame of ebony-painted wood. mother of pearl astral and filigree designs is inlaid in differently stained ma...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

French 19th Century Napoleon III Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Wall Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 19th century clock is stunning with its diamond shaped rippling clock frame of ebony painted wood. Mother-of-pearl floral and foliate designs are inlaid in differently stained m...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Hardwood, Mahogany, Porcelain, Mother-of-Pearl

French Napoléon III Carved Walnut Long Case Clock with Brass Farming Scene
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period carved walnut antique long case clock from the mid-19th century, with bonnet top, farming scene and scrolling motifs. Create...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Wall Clock, Enamel Face and Wood Marquetry
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century French Napoleon III Wall Clock, Enamel Face and Wood Marquetry Offered for sale is a 19th-century French Napoleon III wall clock acquired in the Pyrenees region of Fr...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Metal, Enamel

19th Century Napoleon III French Wall Clock
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III wall clock with "oeil de boeuf" shaped glass paned door, ebonized wood frame and clock surround with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. Paper face w...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass

Antique French Napoleon III French Rouge Marble & Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique 19th Century mantel Clock. Made from Rouge marble with bronze ormolu. Ornately designed with gold filigree face, a stepped base, footed over downswept legs. Features ornat...
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19th Century Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Blue and White Enamel Napoleon III Period Wall Clock
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique French Blue and White Enamel wall clock, Napoleon III Period, late 19th c. The clock features an enamel dial with raised cartouches, Roman numeral hour markers, faint retaile...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass

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...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

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...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock. circa 1810 clock Napoleonic Empire Bronze Dore. La Liseuse" clock after Reiche, by Claude Galle & Grand Girad.  Signed in Paris
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III White Carrara Marble Mantel Clock Set by Bondat France
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century Napoleon III white Carrara marble mantel clock set by J. Bondat France is a stunning and rare timepiece of French craftsmanship. The set is hand-carved wi...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century AD Mougin Parisian Napoleon III Clock & Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent, large, and original, French three piece mantel set from the late 19th century. The Napoleon III Second Empire period, Neoclassical style antique clock having an urn form finial with sculptural gilded bronze mounts, over architectural case made of the most beautiful variegated specimen marble, with various shades of salmon pink and white, black and silver veining, pierced flower blossom ormolu mounted columns flank the hand enameled fancy dial with Provincial figural scene, signed Guinchard & Martin, Castres, glass door with beaded gilt brass bezel, housing the high-quality eight day time and strike movement stamped AD Mougin...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Napoleon III French Wall Clock
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III wall clock from Avignon with "oeil de boeuf" shaped glass paned door, ebonized wood frame and clock surround with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. Enamel face with roman numerals and brass trim. Ten day movement, chiming on the hour, two minutes...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass

French, Napoleon III Bronze and Marble Clock Garniture, C. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
An outstanding Antique French Napoleon III three piece bronze and marble clock garniture set, c. 1880, with a bronze surmount of a putto playing a bagpipe, over a drum clock...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Brass

Pair of Bronze Candelabras, France, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of bronze candelabras, France 19th century. The Historicism candelabras have 7 candleholders. They are decorated with rocaille, lattice...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Marble, Ormolu and Bronze Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period black Belgian marble, ormolu and patinated bronze garniture set. The three pi...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Boulle Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period ormolu, tortoiseshell, and brass inlaid Boulle clock. The clock is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet with acanthus le...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Exceptional French Ormolu-Mounted Turquoise Jeweled Sevres Porcelain Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional French bronze ormolu mounted turquoise jeweled Sèvres Porcelain clock set by Raingo Fres, Paris, circa 1880. Comprising of...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Clock by Beurdeley
Located in New York, NY
The mantel clock with a seated putto and birdcage. Maker: Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (French, 1847-1919) Origin: French Date: 19th century Dimension: 26 in. x 13 1/2 in.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French, Napoleon III Boulle Clock, 19th Century, S. Marti & Cie
Located in Belmont, MA
French Napoleon III Boulle clock, Paris second half of 19th century. The clockwork was made by the famous company Samuel Martin & Cie, circa 1870-1890. (Makers Mark on the back). The cases beautifully designed with bronze details and Boulle technique inlays. A detailed sculpted bronze victory...
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1880s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Mother of Pearl Inlay and Painted Wall Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
This colorful antique wall hanging clock was crafted in France circa 1870; oval in shape, the time keeper has a two-tone black and wood painted around the perimeter, the time keeper ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Enamel

19th Century French Antique, Round Wooden Clock, Napoleon III Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French large dimensional clock face with its original clock made of hand painted wood from the Napoleon III period. In good condition, enhanced by detailed carvings....
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Metal

19th Century, French Napoleon III Hand Painted Wall Clock with "Églomisé" Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique "fixe sous verre" (or églomisé glass) wall clock was created in France, circa 1850. This clock features a painted pastoral scene with boat...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Glass, Wood

Monumental Ormolu Bronze Clock Mantel by Maison Marquis Movement by Languereau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and monumental 19th century French ormolu bronze mantel clock by Maison Marquis. The movement by Languereau. Paris, Circa 1855 The dial signed 'Marquis A Paris...
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1850s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Napoleon III Ebony Painted Wall Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique wall hanging clock was crafted in France circa 1870, oval in shape, the clock is ebony hand painted around the perimeter, the time keeper features colorful hand ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Ormolu Figural Clock by Monbro Aine, Jacquier & Henri Picard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Imposing 19th century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze striking Mantel clock. Flanked by two sitting cherubs and another two cherubs on top, this is another example of a fine French m...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Napoleon III Hand Painted Wall Clock with Hunt Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique clock was crafted in France, circa 1870, the black and gilt wall time keeper depicts a hand painted bird hunting scene at the top under the original glass door. ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Brass, Iron

Monumental Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mantel Clock by Maison Marquis
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite monumental antique French Louis XVI style Napoleon III ormolu mantel clock by Maison Marquis, the Movement by Languereau, Paris, 1860: surmounted by an urn i...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Enamel, Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Fire-Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This beautifully detailed Napoleon III fire-gilt bronze figural mantel clock is from France, circa 1860-1880. Featuring a graceful maiden in classical dress seated upon a boulder. Th...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine large 19th century French gilt bronze mantel clock modeled in form of a classical lady wearing a toga sitting amidst broken columns as she is looking up while holding an angel...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Neoclassical Gilded Bronze and White Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Miami, FL
A fine 19th Century French Neoclassical White Marble and Gilded Bronze Mantel Clock Set with its original and exceptional movement. Bears the makers mark, Finot a Versailles. The dial supporting a reclining bronze classical muse on a rectangular white Carrara marble base decorated by a row of gilt bronze beads, the set rests on four feet. The cross in the hand of the bronze muse can be removed (see photos). This 19th Century figurative clock is very decorative, interesting for its technicality of the dial and provenance. The bronze feminine muse and its shape has a perfect patina and is a remarkable conversational piece. The garniture set are a pair of fine neoclassical bronze vases with brown and golden patina that rest on white Carrara marble embellished with gilt bronze figural handles...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

French Annular Dial Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important Napoleon III annular dial mantel clock is distinguished by its pendulum movement–a feature rarely seen in annular dial clocks. The pe...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Fine Napoleon III Bronze Dore Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautifully detailed 19th century bronze dore clock with the figure of cupid on the top.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
Located in New York, NY
A palatial, extremely rare, and important Napoleon III French ormolu and patinated bronze regulateur de parquet clock, by Louis-Constantin Detouche, Paris, circa 1850. The clock case made form the finest French ormolu, with 2 very large patinated bronze seated putti The white enamel dial Signed C. DETOUCHE/ PARIS. The clock movement is numbered 7064 and stamped with maker’s stamps C. Detouche RUE st. MARTIN and C. DETOUCHE 158 R. St MARTIN 160, with medaille d’argent stamp, on a serpentine part ebonized mahogany plinth. At over six feet tall, the present clock is impressive in scale and rare in Detouche’s oeuvre. While other large clocks were produced by the firm, few of this scale are so overtly decorative and usually incorporate greater mechanical complication. For example, a gilt bronze astronomical regulator clock...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Important Cercles Tournants Rotary Clock set by Deniere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Large Important and Rare Napoleon III Period Ormolu And Patinated Bronze Sculptural rotary 3-piece clock set ("Pendule A Cercles Tournants") compr...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Bronze

French Rouge Marble Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock by Alfred Beurdeley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Napoleon III Period Rouge Marble Gilt & Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley Movement marked: J. Lefebvre Fils Paris & Numbered1938 Movement stamped: Medaille De Bronze J. Marti & Cie & Numbered 92 Dial signed: A. Beurdeley Fila, Paris France, Circa 1875 Dimensions: Height: 24" (61cm), Width: 22" (56cm) Depth: 11" (28cm) Excellent Working Condition Biography French — Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley was a Parisian cabinetmaker who specialized in the manufacture of luxurious French furnishings...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

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.

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