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Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

NAPOLEON III STYLE

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.

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Style: Napoleon III
Sculpture in Gilt Bronze and Marble Base by Paul Ducuing, 19th Century.
By Paul Ducuing
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in gilt bronze and marble base by Paul Ducuing, 19th century. Sculpture by Paul Ducuing, foundry F.Barbedienne Paris, in gilt bronze and marble...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Sculpture in Gilt Bronze and Marble Base by Paul Ducuing, 19th Century.
Sculpture in Gilt Bronze and Marble Base by Paul Ducuing, 19th Century.

Sculpture in Gilt Bronze and Marble Base by Paul Ducuing, 19th Century.

Sculpture in Regula Representing a Poulbot, Circa 1900-1920.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in regula representing a Poulbot, circa 1900-1920. A regule sculpture of a Poulbot, a newspaper seller, circa 1900-1920, Napoleon III style. h: 53cm, w: 23cm, d: 23cm
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Composition

Sculpture in Regula Representing a Poulbot, Circa 1900-1920.
Sculpture in Regula Representing a Poulbot, Circa 1900-1920.

Sculpture in Regula Representing a Poulbot, Circa 1900-1920.

Nineteenth-Century Porcelain Sculpture, Elegant Woman at her Writing Table
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Nineteenth-century porcelain sculpture, Elegant woman at her writing table" Nineteenth-century porcelain, Napoleon III period, representing an elegant woman at her writing table wr...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Nineteenth-Century Porcelain Sculpture, Elegant Woman at her Writing Table
Nineteenth-Century Porcelain Sculpture, Elegant Woman at her Writing Table

Nineteenth-Century Porcelain Sculpture, Elegant Woman at her Writing Table

Bronze Sculpture of Artemis by Edouard Henri De Le Salle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture of Artemis by Edouard Henri De Le Salle Bronze sculpture of Artemis by Edouard Henri De Le Salle from the end of the 19th century Dimensions: H: 41cm, W: 13cm,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture of Artemis by Edouard Henri De Le Salle
Bronze Sculpture of Artemis by Edouard Henri De Le Salle

Bronze Sculpture of Artemis by Edouard Henri De Le Salle

Carved Marble Figure of Napoleon Bonaparte with hand in waste coat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A white carved marble figure of Napoleon Bonaparte standing with one hand in his jacket, raised on a gilt bronze mounted white marble pedestal. Overall height: 75" Sculpture height...
Category

Early 20th Century Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Carved Marble Figure of Napoleon Bonaparte with hand in waste coat
Carved Marble Figure of Napoleon Bonaparte with hand in waste coat

Carved Marble Figure of Napoleon Bonaparte with hand in waste coat

Porcelain Group, The Music Players
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain group, The Music Players, 19th century. Measures: H 37 cm, D 24 cm,
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Group, The Music Players
Porcelain Group, The Music Players

Porcelain Group, The Music Players

Small 19th Century Bronze Figure of Allegory of Manufacture
Located in Berlin, DE
Small 19th century patinated female bronze figure of the allegory of manufacture featuring a spindle, a hammer and a gear-wheel. The female figure holding up her light tunic and look...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Small 19th Century Bronze Figure of Allegory of Manufacture
Small 19th Century Bronze Figure of Allegory of Manufacture

Small 19th Century Bronze Figure of Allegory of Manufacture

Bronze Figure of Young Psyche by Paul Duboy
By Paul Duboy
Located in Paris, FR
This brown and gold patinated bronze figure was crafted by the French sculptor Paul Duboy. It features a little girl, psyche, standing on a naturalistic base. The bronze sculpture is set upon a round marble plinth...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Bronze Figure of Young Psyche by Paul Duboy
Bronze Figure of Young Psyche by Paul Duboy

Bronze Figure of Young Psyche by Paul Duboy

"Blind Love" Patinated Bronze Statuette of Cupid Seeking Love Blindfolded
Located in Marseille, FR
Blind love bronze 19th century symbolized by a cupid seeming to play hackney jersey with brown patina on gilded bronze base. Note a difference in patina between the upper part and th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

"Blind Love" Patinated Bronze Statuette of Cupid Seeking Love Blindfolded
"Blind Love" Patinated Bronze Statuette of Cupid Seeking Love Blindfolded

"Blind Love" Patinated Bronze Statuette of Cupid Seeking Love Blindfolded

Bronze Sculpture Femme Aux Colombes by Charles-Alphonse Gumery
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture with brown patina by Charles-Alphonse Gumery, featuring a smiling young woman with doves. This bronze statuette is signed: Gumery ROME. Charles Gumery most probably ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Sculpture Femme Aux Colombes by Charles-Alphonse Gumery
Bronze Sculpture Femme Aux Colombes by Charles-Alphonse Gumery

Bronze Sculpture Femme Aux Colombes by Charles-Alphonse Gumery

19th Century Italian Carved Marble Figure of a Young Girl by Caroni
By Emanuele Caroni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely 19th century carved Carrara marble figure of a young girl waving her right hand as a dove rests on her dress, she is standing aside a basket with a ball of string and a gar...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

19th Century Italian Carved Marble Figure of a Young Girl by Caroni
19th Century Italian Carved Marble Figure of a Young Girl by Caroni

19th Century Italian Carved Marble Figure of a Young Girl by Caroni

Very large terracotta, Provence 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Very large terracotta ( 1.70m) depicting a young woman raising her garment slightly with her left arm to climb down from a rock. The right arm close to the body, the hand must have b...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Very large terracotta, Provence 19th century
Very large terracotta, Provence 19th century

Very large terracotta, Provence 19th century

Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
By C. Detouche
Located in New York, 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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche

Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche

Napoleon Iii figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage figurative sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III figurative sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original figurative sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Mathurin Moreau, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, and Marcel Debut. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for figurative sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $670 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $4,771.

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