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
$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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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
$3,589Sale Price|20% Off
H 84.26 in W 18.9 in D 10.63 in
Antique George III Mahogany Eight Day Painted Face Grandfather Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany eight day painted face grandfather clock having a swan neck pediment with a glazed arch door and flanked by ...
Mahogany
$6,890
H 82.3 in W 24.8 in D 12.6 in
French Rococo Revival Carved Wooden Grandfather Clock with Cherubs
Located in BŘECLAV, CZ
Exceptional Italian grandfather clock in the French Rococo Revival style, dating to the early 20th century, masterfully crafted from richly stained wood and adorned with highly elabo...
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
19th Century Napoleon III Marquetry Box, Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry box, hand-crafted of walnut and burl veneers with ebonized trim. Fine mother-of-pearl and brass inlay medallion on lid, perfect for monog...
Brass
$22,836
H 23.63 in W 13.98 in D 5.12 in
Rare and large ormolu mounted malachite mantel clock signed Manière
Located in London, GB
Rare and large ormolu mounted malachite mantel clock signed Manière French, 19th Century Height 60cm, width 35.5cm, depth 13cm With an enamel dial signed 'Maniére / A Paris', th...
Malachite, Enamel, Ormolu
Napoleon III Table Clock by Claude Galle, France, Circa 1810
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
$2,011Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 5.91 in D 14.97 in
Antique French Bronze & Marble Three-Piece Mantel Set Clock Napoleon III
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III French two marbles mantel clock late 19th century circa 1890. Set of a clock and two pedestals. Mercury pendulum The French movement of the clock will be checked befor...
Marble, Brass
$2,183 / set
H 14.57 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Antique Ormolu French Cartel Clock on its Stand, Mantle Clock, Napoleon III Era
Located in Bochum, NRW
Antique Ormolu French Cartel Clock on its stand, Napoleon III Era. This is a good-sized French mantel clock dating from around 1880. It has a waisted case with applied brass decoration and brass and tortoiseshell-style inlaid panels. The white enameled dial has fancy pierced brass hands and a beaded bezel. It is hand-painted with Arab numerals and decorated with garlands of flowers and leaves. The clock has a center window showing the pendulum shaped like a fairy. It drives the movement that seems to strike the hours and halves on a bell. This gorgeous antique cartel clock...
Brass
Napoleon III Chimney Table Clock, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Napolean III period mantel chimney clock with a mark on the letterhead of the mechanism «horlogerie suisse 23 Rue d'Alsace Lorraine Toulouse» in French Rococo Revival style. Mech...
Metal, Brass, Enamel, Pewter
$1,500
H 12.25 in W 15.5 in D 6 in
Sessions Clock Co. American Victorian Bronze Column Wooden Case Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian mantel clock with an ebonized wood case and white enamel & brass clock face flanked by bronze columns topped with a red faux marble...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Enamel
Hand-Carved Wall Clock Signed B. Strid, Västervik, 1945
Located in Vienna, AT
Softwood bord hand-carved with zodiac decoration. Fitted with a battery movement. Signed B. Strid, Västervik, 1945.
Softwood
$3,850
H 19 in W 9.25 in D 6 in
French Napoleon III Bronze & Glass Mantel Clock By Vincenti & Cie Circa 1870
Located in Long Branch, NJ
rench Napoleon III Bronze & Glass Mantel Clock By Vincenti & Cie Circa 1870 Dimensions : 19" Tall X 9.25" Wide X 6" Deep This stunning clock was made Vincenti & Cie in the late 19t...
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 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