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.
Pair of Italian Marble Fruit Paperweights, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Charming pair of 19th-century Italian white marble paperweights, each topped with finely carved and hand-tinted marble fruit. Beautifully crafted, these decorative objects showcase t...
Marble
$1,166Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Baccarat Paperweight Landscape with Mountains
By Baccarat
Located in Oirlo, LI
Antique Baccarat Paperweight Landscape with Mountains, A Rare Specimen Additional information: Dimensions: 5 W x 5 D x 4 H cm Period o...
Art Glass
Saint Louis Encased Overlay Upright Bouquet
By Saint Louis
Located in Steyning, West sussex
Saint Louis encased overlay upright bouquet.
Glass
Stylized Frog Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized frog sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the unders...
Crystal
Italian Artist Piero Dorazio Paper weight for Saint Louis France
By Saint Louis, Piero Dorazio 1
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Artist Piero Dorazio Paper weight for Saint Louis France. Signed and Numbered: Saint Louis France 62/350 Dorazio
Glass
An Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...
Belgian Black Marble
Grand Tour Inlaid Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.
Marble
Baccarat Rare Concentric Close Pack Mushroom Glass Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare antique French glass paperweight containing a close pack mushroom design by renowned glass makers Baccarat and dating from around 1850. The large and heavily made paperweight ...
Glass
$1,440
H 3.55 in W 4.93 in D 0.4 in
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in Norwich, England
19th Century Italian micro mosaic grand tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870. Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset ...
Slate
Stylized Starfish Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized starfish sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the un...
Crystal
Stylized Sitting Cat Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized sitting cat sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on the...
Crystal
Hafod Grange 1997 Dandelion Paperweight – Nature Encased in Crystal Sphere
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite 1997 Hafod Grange paperweight beautifully encases a delicate dandelion seed head within a perfectly clear crystal sphere, creating a stunning display of nature's fragi...
Resin
Stylized Sitting Bunny Rabbit Sculpture / Paperweight by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous stylized bunny rabbit sculpture / paperweight by Baccarat, circa 1990s. The piece is in excellent condition with no visible imperfections and has great clarity. Signed on th...
Crystal
Lucite Encased Dandelion Flower Decorative Object Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
A Lucite or acrylic encased 'Dandelion' flower seed-head decorative object or paperweight in the Organic Modern style, circa late-20th century. Art meets nature meets technology. A p...
Plastic, Acrylic
Baccarat French Blue Crystal Paperweight Decorative Object
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful multifaceted French paperweight in sapphire blue and clear crystal from luxury Maison, Baccarat, circa late-20th century, France. This clear crystal and sapphire blue pap...
Crystal
Circa 1860 French Sulfide Portrait Paperweight of Empress Eugenie
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A circa 1860 French sulfide portrait on confetti ground paperweight table pillar, Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III). 3 1/2" dia., 6 1/2" h. Whitehall Antiques is a family busin...
Glass
Antique Baccarat Millefiori Gridel Chruch Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : An Antique Baccarat Millefiori Gridel Chruch Paperweight 1848 Date : 1848 Origin : France Features : Three gridel canes, goat, horse and cockerel within a close pack of com...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Sold
H 3.15 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
French 19th Century Silver and Quartz Paperweight "La Mort du Chevalier Bayard"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
La Mort du Chevalier Bayard A Silver and Quartz Paperweight The Famous "Sans Peur et Sans Reproche" Bayard Knight wounded, laying down and watched by an Angel Dedicated " Le Duc de C...
Quartz, Silver
Sold
H 3.94 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
19th Century Napoleon III Bronze Ormolu Cuffed Hand on Marble Paperweight
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very nice little Napoleon III paperweight or presse papier. Bronze gilt elegant ruffled shirt cuffed and ringed ladies hand on a black marble. Could also be used as ring holder or ...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 9.45 in W 12.6 in D 6.3 in
Marble and Bronze Gilded Letter Holders 'Original Gilding', Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble and bronze gilded letter holders (Original Gilding), Napoleon III period, 19th century Measures: H 24cm, W 32cm, P 16cm.
Marble, Bronze
Set of Four Baccarat Millefiori Plates
By Baccarat
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A Fine set of four Baccarat millefiori plates with star cut base.
Glass
Baccarat 1848 Closepack Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Steyning, West sussex
Baccarat 1848 closepack paperweight.
Glass
Saint Louis Mushroom Paperweight
By Saint Louis
Located in Steyning, West sussex
Saint Louis mushroom paperweight.
Glass
19th Century French Bronze "Nature Morte"
Located in New York, NY
19th century French bronze sculpture of a deceased bird, wings spread, lying prone on its back. Mounted on marble base.
Marble, Bronze
Saint Louis Pink Dahlia Paperweight
By Saint Louis
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A Saint Louis pink dahlia paperweight.
Glass
Saint Louis Paneled Jasper Paperweight
By Saint Louis
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A Saint Louis Paneled Jasper Paperweight
Clichy Spaced Millefiori Paperweight on Clear
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A Clichy spaced millefiori paperweight on clear.