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.
French Portico Barley Twist Clock Napoleon III
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Portico Barley Twist Clock Napoleon III A beautifully detailed Portico Clock from the 19th century with ebonised and floral inlay. The clock features intricate bronze work...
Metal, Enamel, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Tarzana, 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...
Bronze
Large Clock Representing Diana the Huntress with a Putto, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large clock representing Diana the Huntress with a putto, 19th century, Napoleon III. 19th century clock, Napoleon III period, gilded and patinated bronze representing Diana the Hun...
Bronze
French Pendulum Clock / Mantel Clock, Boulle Style Paris, circa 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
French pendulum clock / mantel clock, Boulle style Paris, circa 1870. Paris, circa 1880 The waisted case, veneered with red tortoiseshell and...
Bronze
Christophe FRATIN (1801-1864) rare Asian elephant clock, in gilded and patinated
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
France, circa 1870 Gilded and patinated bronze, modern marble base. Signed « Fratin » on the bronze base This beautiful elephant clock was made in the 19th century by the Animalier ...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Clock, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock, Napoleon III period, 19th century in gilt bronze. H: 32cm, W: 36cm, D: 18cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm
Bronze
$2,795Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Mantel Clock with Red Marble, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Napoleon III mantel clock featuring a dynamic sculpture of a Revolutionary French peasant woman. Made from high-quality metal and adorned with rich red marble accents, this timep...
Marble, Metal
Clock and 2 Candlesticks Table set Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni.
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table set made up of a clock and 2 candlesticks in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone translucent stripes fire-enamelled on guillochè and fine hand-engravings. The cl...
Amethyst, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$3,588 / set
Clodion, Gilt Bronze Fireplace Set, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Gilt bronze mantelpiece set, composed of a clock and two candelabras, on a green marble base This set presents the theme of bacchanalia and autumn, loves celebrate the vine and wi...
Bronze
19th Century, Napoleon III Style Bronze Pendulum Chimney Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
Great empire pendulum / chimney clock, circa 1830-1840 bronze. Bronze, fire-gilt partially dark brown patinated. Staggered rectangular base on elaborat...
Bronze
French, Sevres Style, Gilt Bronze, Porcelain, Mantle Clock by Vincent & Cie
Located in New York, NY
An antique Napoleon III arched mantle clock, featuring pink porcelain panels with hand painted portraits of Marie Antoinette and courtship. A hinged door p...
Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Clock of a Victorious Crusader Knight in Battle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast gilt bronze figurative clock showing knight crusader stranding on rocky terrain after battle. The knight has a spear in one hand, a battle axe in the other, his helmet ...
Bronze
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. ...
Brass, Iron
19th Century Napoleon III Pendulum Clock Regulateur De Parquet
Located in Berlin, DE
Museale Pendulum clock "Regulateur de parquet" after Jean-Henri Riesener Napoleon III, Paris, circa 1850-1880. A model by Jean-Henri Riesener ...
Bronze
Bronze Fireplace Trim, Agriculture And Industry, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Bronze mantelpiece with brown patina and green and white marble. It is composed of a clock with the allegory of agriculture and industry, and 2 candelabra, 5 lights each Wear and te...
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Marble Clock
By Napoléon III
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Gilt and Patinated Bronze and White Marble Clock, circa 1870, of rounded rectangular form, the circular white enamel dial signed "Gros A Lyon", the movement strike on be...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze Clock.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century gilt bronze clock. A gilt bronze clock from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, clock movement to be overhauled. Dimensions : H: 51cm, W: 37cm, D: 12cm Contact us ...
Bronze
Small Ormolu French Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Small French Ormolu Cartel clock in a finely decorated case. Enamel dial with Roman numerals and original gilded hands. Eight day Fr...
Ormolu
Mantel Set with Clock and Two Candelabras, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Garniture de cheminée en bronze doré et marbre, XIXème siècle, époque Napoléon III. Pendule: H: 36cm, L: 15cm, P: 18cm Candélabres: H: 26cm, L: 17cm, P:...
Marble, Bronze
Napolean iii French White Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Stunning Napolean III French Ormolu and white marble clock with gilded Baccanalian frieze decoration to the base and seated a classical lady standing on six gilded button feet. Enam...
Marble
Important Napoleon III Period Cartel, 1870, Dial Signed by Gorini Daleau
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important Cartel d'époque Napoléon III, 1870, cadran signé par Gorini Daleau, à Poitiers. Bronze d'or original Measures: H 91cm, L 44cm, P 20cm. Contact us before ordering to confir...
Bronze
Empire Clock Napoleon III 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire Clock Napoleon III 19th Century in blackened wood, ormolu and stamped brass, circular bronze dial with Arabic numerals signed "BOULLE à Verneuil", movement with blade suspens...
Bronze
Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in gilt and patinated bronze, period Napoleon III, 19th century. Good working condition Contact us before ordering to confirm product ...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Putti Clock
By Jules Allard et Fils
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Napoleon III ormolu and porcelain putti mantel (fireplace) clock in gilded bronze with inset painted porcelain plaques. The central painted ov...
Bronze
$3,386Sale Price|20% Off
Bronze Lady Playing Harp Pendulum Mantel Clock on Marble Base, 1900s
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French mantel clock from the early 20th century (c.1905–1920), featuring a bronze sculpture of a lady playing a harp atop a black and siena marble base. This clock evokes classical...
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel
Massive French Clock of Baccanalian Maiden Lying Naked on Lion's Skin
Located in London, GB
French patinated bronze and Sienna marble mantel clock of massive proportions. The subject being of a naked maiden lying down on a lion's pelt and leaning against the clock. The subj...
Siena Marble, Bronze
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.
Bronze
French Ormolu and Blue Porcelain Four Seasons Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French ormolu and blue porcelain mantel clock. The blue porcelain with blue ground and decorated with baskets of flowers, fruit and doves, ...
Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Mantel Clock Paul and Virginia by Charles Cumberworth
Located in Marseille, FR
Rare and spectacular bronze mantel clock taking up the theme of the most famous 18th century novel "Paul and Virginia" written by Henri Bernardin de Saint Pierre and powerfully describes the feelings of love and the nostalgia of paradise lost. The model presented here is a very rare model, it represents a passage from the book, "Le passage du torrent", we find no trace of this model only in Pierre Kjellberg's book "Les Bronzes du XIXème siècle;" Metman points out Le passage du torrent, first cast by Boyer and also edited by SUSSE" There are two Creole slaves as double patina chandeliers...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
19 Century French Clock Featuring an Oriental Warrior Archer on Horseback
By Feuchere
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine quality Napoleon III mantle clock with a case of gilded, silvered, and patinated bronze. The base of the clock is in chased gilded bronze with elaborate moldings. The patinate...
Bronze
AMAZING GARNITURE SÉVRES 19th Century Napoleon III
Located in Madrid, ES
GARNITURE SÉVRES 19th Century Napoleon III French, composed of a clock and a pair of seven-light candelabra, in cobalt blue Sévres style pocella. C...
Bronze
$1,866Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Louis XVI portal clock, Paris, circa 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique French Louis XVI portal clock, Paris, circa 1880 White marble, bronze, and gilt. Two square baluster columns, crowned with a sloping roof, support ball feet and a recessed ba...
Marble, Bronze
Fine Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock – French, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant and richly detailed Napoleon III, this exceptional French mantel clock dates to the 19th century and is crafted in finely cast gilt bronze. The composition features a classic...
Bronze
Griotte Marble Mantel Clock with Bronze Bust After James Pradier, 1880
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast gilt bronze clock base mounted with of a classical patinated bronze bust of a maiden after a model by James Pradier. The maiden has her curly haired head turned demurely to one side resting on her bare shoulders, and hands clasped across her partly exposed breasts...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock
By Claude Galle
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
Bronze
$1,837Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Louis XVI portal clock, Paris, circa 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique French Louis XVI portal clock, Paris, circa 1880 White and black marble, bronze, gilt. On gyratory feet and a recessed base, two angular baluster columns crowned with vases a...
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
A Large French Rouge Marble Gilt Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock by A. Beurdeley
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Tarzana, 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...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Portico Clock, Rosewood & Satinwood, Mid-19th Century
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique and elegant French clock, with bronze details and fine inlaid wood, perfectly working. Perfect in a studio room. It's the typical clock of European noble houses...
Wood
19th Century French Mantel Clock, by 'Monbro Aine, Paris'
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality, large French 19th century gilded ormolu and white marble mantel clock, signed; 'Monbro Aine, Paris'. Having an urn of grapes with semi...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Napoleon III Fire-Gilt Fireplace Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
Fire-gilt fireplace clock, Rokokodekor sign. Ansonia New York, 19th century. Bronze-gilt. Four-sided glazed housing on base with reliefed seed beads, leaves and flowers. Approved roof trim. Digits sheet email with Arabic numerals. Brocothemia. Steel filled, formerly mercury pendulum...
Bronze
Sèvres Style Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock by Kreisser
Located in London, GB
This gilt bronze mounted mantel clock is formed about a beautiful sky-blue, parcel gilt Sèvres style porcelain vase. The enamel dial is mounted within a gilt bronze drum that is drap...
Ormolu, Bronze
French Porcelain and Bisque Mantel Clock by Miroy Freres, Paris
By Miroy Frères
Located in Norwich, GB
French Porcelain and Bisque pottery mantel clock with floral decoration and gilded garlands supporting a French Nobleman and his mistress. Beautifully decorated with an enamel dial and Roman numerals to the French eight day movement with outside countwheel strike signed ‘Miroy Freres...
Porcelain
Napoleon III Period Neoclassical Style Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III Period neoclassical style three-piece clock set. French, 19th century Dimensions: Height 58cm, width 47cm, depth 19cm Comprised of a mantel clock and two flanking c...
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock by 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...
Malachite, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock by Wilson & Gander, London
By Wilson & Gandar
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilded ormolu mantel clock with blue hand painted floral porcelain panels (the panels all separately signed ‘Creilliet Montereai, Medaillon D’or, ...
Ormolu
French Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock Stamped in Bronze H. Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
French Ormolu and porcelain mantel clock of Classical design dating from the mid-19th century stamped in the mint and original Ormolu H. Picard. Numbered in the bronze, 1297. The original ormolu is in quite pristine and totally original condition. The case inset with painted porcelain panels with fruit and floral decoration in the classical style. The clock surmounted by a Bacchanalian mask and two handled vase with grapes, standing on six vase shaped feet on a velvet plinth...
Ormolu
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...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Marble
Napoléon III Marble Mantle Clock by James Pradier, France, Circa 1860
By J. Pradier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoléon III Marble Mantle Clock With A Patinated Bronze Figure of 'Phryné' by James Pradier. France, Circa 1860. Surmounted by a finely cast pa...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III, Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Imposing and magnificent fireplace gilded bronze and blue porcelain vases. The clock is decorated with putti representing the 4 seasons. It is su...
Bronze
Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
By C. Detouche
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Palatial and Extremely Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Regulateur de Parquet Clock by Louis-Constantin Detouche, Paris, Circa 1850 An exceptional testament to the grandeur and technical mastery of 19th-century French horology, this palatial and extraordinarily rare Napoleon III ormolu and patinated bronze Regulateur de Parquet clock stands as a crowning achievement of the renowned Parisian horologist Louis-Constantin Detouche. Created circa 1850, this monumental timepiece exemplifies the perfect synthesis of artistic opulence and mechanical precision, distinguishing itself as one of the most impressive works from Detouche’s illustrious oeuvre. At over six feet tall, this clock’s imposing scale and decorative grandeur make it an object of immense historical and aesthetic significance. The case, crafted from the finest French ormolu, features two majestic patinated bronze seated putti, serving as allegorical figures and underscoring the artistic sophistication characteristic of the Second Empire style. The white enamel dial, elegantly signed "C. Detouche/Paris," affirms its prestigious maker, while the movement, meticulously numbered 7064 and bearing the stamps "C. Detouche RUE St. MARTIN" and "C. DETOUCHE 158 R. St MARTIN 160," speaks to the highest standards of 19th-century horological craftsmanship. Further distinguishing this piece is the medaille d’argent stamp, a testament to the numerous accolades and awards bestowed upon Detouche for his innovations in timekeeping. A Masterpiece of Horological Artistry: Louis-Constantin Detouche was not merely a clockmaker; he was a visionary whose contributions to horology redefined precision and complexity. This particular regulator clock...
Bronze, Ormolu