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.
$752Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Napoleon III French 19th C. Ebonized Mother of Pearl Inlaid Wall Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 19th Century Napoleon III Era French wall clock by Sarda Besancon. Features an oviform with serpentine ebonized wood and a glass face. The beautiful clock face is enameled porcel...
Porcelain, Glass, Hardwood
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...
Porcelain, Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood, Mahogany
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 the stained mahogany...
Brass
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...
Mother-of-Pearl
19th Century French Boulle Inlaid Wall Clock Signed Jean Combe
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring color and character to a kitchen, hallway, or study with this elegant antique wall clock, crafted in France circa 1880. Shaped in a graceful oval silhouette, the clock features...
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...
Brass
Large Carved Wooden Clock Signed By Paul Mazaroz
Located in Charmes, FR
large clock, carved wooden cartel in good condition, signed on the back, no guarantee on the operation of the mechanism, the pendulum is missing
Wood
19th Century French Ripple-Frame Wall Clock with Mother-of-Pearl Detail
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring charm and artistry to a hallway or living room with this vibrant 19th century French wall clock, crafted in France circa 1870. The...
Mother-of-Pearl, Porcelain, Wood
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Round Wooden Clock - Napoleon III Large Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This impressive round antique French clock face dates to the Napoleon III period, circa 1890, and is a rare surviving example of 19th-century French craftsmanship. Beautifully hand-c...
Metal
$975Sale Price|22% Off
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...
Metal, Enamel
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
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
19th-Century Pendulum Wall Clock
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this chain pendulum clock with a gravity winding mechanism with a single weight. The case bears normal traces of long years of use. It is intended to be renovated. ...
Brass
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century 50cm x 26cm x 15cm good condition
Bronze
French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.
Ormolu
Porticus Clock - Napoleon III - 19th Century
Located in Porto, PT
This elegant Porticus clock, dating to the 19th century, exemplifies the French Napoleon III style, characterized by rich materials and ornate decorative details. Crafted from darken...
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Longcase Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French boulle inlaid longcase clock, having wonderful scrolling gilded ormolu mounts, an ebonised case wit...
Brass
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
$1,095
H 13 in W 6.75 in D 5.5 in
Antique 19th Century Vincenti & Cie French Boulle Style Mantle Clock
Located in Victoria, BC
A lovely antique 19th Century French Boulle Style Mantle Clock. Recently serviced and working well, this clock features a faux tortoise shell veneer and bronze gilded accents around the entire clock. Enamel roman numerals are featured on the clock face overlaying a nicely detailed gilded face. Signed "LEPAUVRE ROUEN" on face. Some minor loss to the veneer as seen in the pictures. Some of the gilded overlay is peeling up in some minor areas as seen in the pictures. The Lepauvre Rouen enamel...
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
$6,800
H 73.5 in Dm 73.5 in
19th Century French Antique Round Wooden Clock - Napoleon III Large Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This impressive round antique French clock face dates to the Napoleon III period, circa 1890, and is a rare surviving example of 19th-century French craftsmanship. Beautifully hand-c...
Metal
19th Century French Boulle Mantle Clock In The Louis XIV Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine 19th century Louis XIV style ormolu and brass Boulle style mantel clock, in the manner of Martinot of Paris, the eight day movement striking the half hours on a bell, with key...
Brass, Ormolu
$975Sale Price|22% Off
H 24 in W 18.75 in D 5.5 in
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...
Metal, Enamel
$17,722
H 12.21 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
French Napoleon III Bronze Peacock Mantel Clock Viot & Cie, 19th C.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
An exceptional French mantel clock by Viot & Cie, dating to the Napoleon III period, circa 1860–1880. The sculptural composition features a finely cast peacock supporting the circul...
Marble, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Cartel
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Louis XVI style cartel clock in finely chiseled gilt bronze with rich decoration of plant garlands, fire pot and mascaron depicting a female face. Work of quality, Napoleon II...
Bronze
French white marble Buy eye Watch wood Brass.París .Napoleón III
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Frenchn wall Clock PARIS. circa 1870 , Napoleón III. Precious wood box. Wooden front with Floral inlaid mother of pearl .White marble dial with floral garland painte...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 35.04 in W 13.39 in D 5.12 in
An Gilt Bronze and Chased Cartel, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An gilt bronze and chased cartel, 19th century, Napoleon III period. An gilt bronze cartel from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, decorated with a knot and a cornucopia. H: 89...
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...
Metal, Brass
French 19th Century Napoleon III Style Wall Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 19th century clock is stunning with its shaped frame of ebonized wood. Mother-of-pearl floral designs are inlaid in brilliant mother-of-pearl, surrounding the porcelain clock fa...
Metal
Gilt bronze clock, 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilt bronze clock, 19th century Large original gilt bronze clock, decorated with garlands of flowers and two hull heads to the right and left of the...
Bronze
Boulle Style Clock Bronze Europe XIX Century
Located in Milano, IT
Boulle style clock in wood decorated with faux turtle. Gilded bronze frames with winged dragons, cherubs, vases, male busts, gallant scene in the ce...
Bronze
Large 19th Century Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Wall Clock
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A rare Napoleon III "Oeil De Boeuf" wall mounted cartel clock. The case is made black ebonized pine wood. Fine quality Boulle style marquetry inlay with brass. The glass door can be ...
Alabaster, Brass
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...
Brass
Sold
H 24.02 in W 18.9 in D 5.52 in
French Napoleon III Oeil De Boeuf Wall Mounted Pendulum Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III Oeil de boeuf wall clock South West of France Ebonized wood The French movement is in good working order The case is in very good condition with only very minor sign...
Wood
Wall Clock Century French, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Wall clock Century French -Napoleon III. 19th Century Darkened wooden box. Applications and sculpture in bronze "Putto", dial in relieved and gilded metal with enamel numbering...
Gold, Bronze
Sold
H 24.25 in W 18.75 in D 5.5 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Painted Wall Clock with Swan and Flamingo Decor
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; it features colo...
Enamel