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 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...
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Hardwood, Porcelain
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
Antique 19th Century French Japy Frères Sunburst Wall Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in England, GB
A magnificent French giltwood sunburst wall clock dating from around 1890, fitted with a Japy Frères movement, one of France’s most renowned clock manufacturers. This impressive deco...
Wood
$658Sale Price|30% 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
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
Sculpture - Napoleon III wall clock - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Sculpture - Napoleon III wall clock - 19th century. French, 19th century; made of painted wood lacquered in black with mother-of-pearl inlay. Glass dial. Dimensions: 60x50 cm.
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass
Antique French Clock Face, Painted Wood, Napoleon III, Circa 1890
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 ...
Metal
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 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
19th Century French Napoleon III Hand-Painted Wall Clock with Hunting Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Rich in character and decorative detail, this antique Napoleon III wall clock combines traditional French craftsmanship with a charming hand-painted hunting scene. Crafted in France ...
Brass, Iron
Large Carved Wooden Clock Signed By Paul Mazaroz
By Jean-Paul Mazaroz 1
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
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
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
Antique French Clock Dial Face by Japy Frères Industrial Fully Working
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely painted metal clock dial with original hands by Japy Frères. Recovered by our buyer from a crumbling and forgotten French industrial building, it bares the scars of a hard l...
Metal
Japy Freres Louis XVI Antique French Gilt Bronze Clock Set
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful, classically designed antique French gilt bronze clock set by Japy Frères. It features oval panels to the sides showing Fortun...
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
$8,000
H 21 in W 13 in D 7 in
19th Century Meissen Porcelain & Gilt Bronze Clock by Japy Frères Grand Med
By Japy Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classical Meissen porcelain and gilt bronze clock by Japy Frères Grand Med D'Honneur. Made in France, 19th Century. *Each porcelain has its correspondent stamp / signed. Dimensions:...
Bronze
Gilt Swedish Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Washington, DC
A gilt Swedish cartel wall clock.
Metal
$2,100
H 14.75 in W 7 in D 6.25 in
Antique French Japy Freres Brass Champleve Enameled Cloisonne Mantel Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Dayton, OH
Antqiue late 19th Century French Japy Freres gilt brass enameled mantel clock featuring neoclassical styling with polychrome champleve enamel accents, four columns with spire finials, beveled glass sides and trophy vase topper. Stamped with Japy Freres Medaille D'honneur stamp. Eight day striking movement. 9470. Made in France. Japy Freres was founded in 1806 by Frédéric and his sons.. Japy Freres manufactured their clocks and watches in one place on a production line using machines...
Brass, Enamel
Japy Frères Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Antique French Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning original antique French gilt bronze clock by the renown maker Japy Frères. Of architectural form, the case finely cast in gilt-bronze with neoclassical ornament, surmounte...
Bronze
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
Gilt Wood Framed Swedish Wall Cartel Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 20th century giltwood framed Swedish hanging wall cartel clock. This clock is good vintage working condition. Minor wear consistent with age / use. Maker's mark inscribed. The cl...
Brass
A Louis XVI Style Ormolu Cartel Clock
Located in Sheffield, MA
With a circular white enamel dial, surmounted by swags and ending with a woman’s face. Morbiere Movement
$911
H 3.5 in Dm 11.5 in
Antique French TOLE Clock Dial Face by Japy Freres, Industrial, Fully Working
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Evoking the quiet poetry of abandonment, this early 20th century wall clock blends timeworn elegance with raw industrial character. Made from painted steel to mimic wood grain, the t...
Steel
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 Denver, 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
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
Napoleon III French Wooden Clock
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden clock from 1860s France. A classic circular shape, evocative of French Bistro style, with a wide wooden rim painted a stylish black. Roman numera...
Metal