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.
Baccarat, Green Opaline Snake Vase, France, 1880
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, high-end antique crystal vase made by Baccarat. The vase in green opaline and gold net decorated with a snake in white and gold encircling the neck. Dimensions...
Crystal
$6,650Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of French Paris Porcelain Hand Painted Vases for the Orientalist Market
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of French Paris porcelain hand painted Vases for the orientalist market, circa 1870. Each vase is beautifully hand painted with scenes of Sultan and Sultana, and the tops a...
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 differently stained m...
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Hardwood, Porcelain
EUTROPE BOURET 1870 Napoleon III French Sculpture of Cupid In Gilded Bronze
Located in Miami, FL
Sculpture of cupid by Eutrope Bouret (1833-1906). This is a fantastic sculpture created in Paris France during the Napoleon III period, by Eutrope Bouret, back in 1860-1870. The scu...
Gold, Bronze
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Crown, France, Circa 1870 A rare and unusual Napoleon III patinated bronze and ormolu crown from France, circa 1870. This distinctive work fea...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,016Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
Late 19th Century Wooden Cigar Carrousel with Music
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique wooden cigar carousel, with music. Made in France, late 19th century. When you turn the knob on the top, all panels turn at the same time. The panels are hand-pai...
Brass
Important, Rare French Ormolu Sevres Style Porcelain Jewelry Box on Bronze Table
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A rare and important French ormolu/bronze and Sevres style turquoise porcelain jewelry box casket on matching French ormolu/bronze table with Sevres style porcelain plaques. Of palatial / monumental size! "The Marie Antoinette Jewelry...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Table clock blue enamel Swiss mechanical skeletal movement. Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table clock in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fire enamel on guilloché and fine hand engravings. The clock has a base of cm. 4 x 10 and is rectangular cm. 8 x...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century Wall Sconces - Napoleon III - Ormolu Gilt Bronze - Candle Sconces
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant and richly detailed set of French ormolu wall sconces dating from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. Executed in finely chased...
Bronze, Ormolu
Table cigarette box Silver Sterling Enamel two-tone striped guilloché Salimbeni.
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Exceptional table cigar or cigarette box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated, and decorated with translucent two-tone striped fired enamels over guilloché engraving. Finely hand...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Museal Tahan-Paris Perfume Box, Herringbone Pattern Veneer and Crystal Bottles
By Tahan Paris
Located in Bochum, NRW
Highly Collectible Perfume Casket, Napoleon III Period (pre-1882), with Expertise. A rectangular perfume box veneered in rare wood, featuring a finely executed herringbone pattern. T...
Brass
$45,180Sale Price|40% Off
Palatial French Ormolu-Mounted Sevres Porcelain Hand-Painted Vase and Cover
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A palatial french ormolu-mounted Sevres Porcelain hand-painted vase and cover, circa 1838. This monumental Sevres porcelain vase stands 56" high, and is beautifully hand-painted with classical scenes of lovers and cupids, in teal / turquoise blue ground porcelain. Made with very fine quality figural bronze handle, the vase turns to a full 360 degree angle and is mounted on a solid bronze base with fine detail. Painted with beautiful flowers throughout the entire vase, leading up to the cover, which is adorned with an acorn bronze...
Bronze
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ by Clesinger and Barbedienne, 15" High
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A French Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Circa 1858, Signed J. Clesinger, Rome 1858 & F. Barbedienne Fondeur This French bronze bust of Jesus Christ, crafted circa 1858, stan...
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Jardinière or Planter
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry jardinière, or cache pot, made of mahogany with burl of elm veneer, various wood inlay and ebonzied trim. Bronze-mounted with two handles...
Zinc
Napoleon III Ebony Box Stamped "TAHAN Supplier to the Emperor", with Expertise
By Tahan Paris
Located in Bochum, NRW
Napoleon III Period Ebony Luxury Box by TAHAN, Paris, with Expertise. Stamped “TAHAN Fr de l’Empereur” — official purveyor to the Emperor. A rare and impeccably preserved example of ...
Brass
Exquisite Napoleon III French Ormolu Figural Basket Centerpiece, Circa 1880
By Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exquisite Napoleon III French ormolu figural basket centerpiece, Circa 1880, Attributed to Alfred Emmanuel Louis Beurdeley. Depicting four mercury-gilded bronze ormolu cherubs holding a basket, the base with trophies and scrolling. This monumental centerpiece...
Ormolu
Antique Napoléon III. Inkwell from Bronze and Porcelain, Paris, France, 1839
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional antique Inkwell with rich bronze ornaments and three porcelain vessels. The ink jars are painted in a beautiful rich green and embellished with gold colour. France, 1839. On the lid is written "ENCRIER BOUQUET" "MEDAILLE D´ARGENT...
Bronze
French Antique Ormolu and Limoges Enamel Jewellery Box
By Limoges
Located in Newark, England
LIMOGES ENAMEL PANELS From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this French Napoleon III Ormolu and Enamel Jewellery Box. The Jewellery...
Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Brass Tortoiseshell Keepsake Box 13
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Napoleon III era French Marquetry Boulle box. Red and black tortoiseshell with foliate brass inlay. Decoration on top includes the monogram LS. Rectangular form ...
Brass
$26,025Sale Price|25% Off
Extremely Rare Pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Vases
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An extremely rare, museum quality pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne ormolu and champlevé enamel vases, circa 1870, certainly designed by Louis Constant Sevin...
Enamel, Ormolu
C19th French Napoleon 111 Liquor Cellar
Located in London, GB
Magnificent French Liquor Cabinet This cabinet opens to Reveal decanters and Crystal Glasses Baccarat Style set within burr Wood Case C1880s
Amboyna
Fantastic quality Napoleon III Marquetry inlaid eight day longcase clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fantastic quality Napoleon III Marquetry inlaid eight day longcase clock having a quality bombe shaped case finely inlaid with boulle marquetry work of cut brass arabesque and enrich...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Table clock Sterling Silver fired Enamel on a sunburst Guilloché Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Table clock in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on a sunburst guilloché, with various ornaments in Napoleon III Empire style, late 19th century. The...
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
Lyre-Shaped Clock in Marble and Gilt Bronze, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century Napoleon III period Lyre-shaped clock in white marble and gilt bronze in the Louis XVI style. H: 59cm, W: 28cm, D: 20cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm ...
Marble, Bronze
Shell-Shaped Catchall or fruit bowl – France - Napoleon III Era
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A superb boiled cardboard catchall or fruit bowl from the Napoleon III era. Its refined scallop shell shape, adorned with delicate golden tile motifs on a black background, perfectly...
Other
$395Sale Price|20% Off
Limoges Porcelain Lidded Candy Dish Trinket or Antique French Jewelry Box
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand painted Limoges porcelain candy dish, trinket, or jewelry box. This gorgeous French jewelry box is adorned with traditional decor...
Porcelain
Ferdinand Barbedienne, a French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Valentine Manufacture, Elegant pair of Vases, France, circa 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of baluster-shaped vases in hard-paste porcelain, resting on a molded circular foot and flaring toward a neck with a flat rim highlighted by a gilt line. Each vase is fitted wit...
Porcelain
Contenot, Joan Of Arc, Signed Bronze, Late 19th-early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze sculpture representing Joan of Arc in armor, brandishing her sword Sculpture signed Contenot on the base (Henri Daniel) Joan is a young French woman of peasant...
Bronze
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 Perfume Box - Napoleon III - Crystal Bottles
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique marquetry wooden box for perfume. The box dates from the French Napoleon III period, circa 1880-1890. The box features those original crystal perfume bottles, bea...
Burl
Antique French Porcelain Centerpiece or Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty 19th century French porcelain centerpiece decorated in blue, white and gold, having an extravagant composition with cherubs and mythological cats joined by a brass chain around...
Brass
Meissen Porcelain Sculpture, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Meissen porcelain sculpture, 19th century, Napoleon III period. 19th-century sculpture from the Napoleon III period, titled: “I Wound and I Heal,” Meissen porcelain, triangular base...
Porcelain
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece of nineteenth-century French elegance is sure to be the envy of any collector. The Napoleon III gilt bronze inkwell is a prized find, crafted in circa 1840 France with int...
Metal, Bronze
Pierre Jules Mene "LOUIS XV VALET DE CHASSE" Bronze Sculpture
By P.J. Mêne
Located in High Point, NC
Wonderfully large "LOUIS XV VALET DE CHASSE" Bronze Sculpture by PJ Mene, Signed and dated in cast 1869. This is a large sculpture made of solid bronze, which weighs over 175 lbs....
Marble, Bronze
19th century Petite ‘Sèvres’ Jardinière with Gilt Bronze Mount, France, c. 1870
Located in London, GB
A very beautiful antique petite-size French ‘Sèvres’ jardinière, planter, cachepot or table centerpiece bowl, made in France in the Napoléon III era ...
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Game Box with Burl Wood and Brass
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique game box from the French Napoleon III period. The box is made of book veneer match, inlaid with brass trims. This box shows the fine craftsmanship of the ebenist wh...
Brass
Monumental Royal Vienna Iridescent Porcelain Portrait Vase and Cover, Wagner
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A monumental Royal Vienna Iridescent porcelain portrait vase and cover, Wagner, circa 1880. This Royal Vienna Urn features an exceptional iridescent ...
Porcelain
Antique Bauche Incombustible Cast Iron Safe from Northeastern France, 1865
Located in Linkebeek, BE
19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France Antique travel safe in non-combustible cast iron from northeastern France (Gueux, Marne). It is decor...
Iron
19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique French tea caddy from the end of Napoleon III. The box is beautifully inlaid with different types of wood and brass, outside around ...
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Mantel Clock or Console 180s Black Marble and Solid Brass Sculpture
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Napoleon III Mantel Clock or Console 180s Black Marble and Solid Brass Sculpture
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Vase
Located in Roma, IT
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Vase Beautiful, elegant and rare small jewellery box in crystal and gilded bronze. It has a top opening with a clip closure. The upper part of ...
Crystal, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Large Tôle Jardinière with Gilded Brass Accents
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare Napoleon III period large tôle jardinière with its original black lacquered metal finish, gilded brass accents, and fitted tin liner. The tall rectangular form has a refined ar...
Brass, Steel, Tin
$20,230Sale Price|30% Off
A Rare French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillame Diehl and Jean Brandley
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl, Jean Brandely
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Rare Wood and Silvered Bronze French Cigar Humidor by Charles Guillaume Diehl and Jean Brandely, C. 1860, Paris This extraordinary cigar humidor, crafted by the esteemed French ar...
Bronze
19th Century French Brass Oval Jardinière with Pierced Design & Lions Heads
Located in St. Louis, MO
French 19th Century brass boat - shaped Jardinière with pierced gallery rail around the top and cast bronze lion head handles with ring pulls. Perfect for displaying flowers, fruits...
Brass
$2,930Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Porcelain Figurines Guitar Player & Singer, 19th Century, France
By Jean Gille
Located in Lisbon, PT
A large pair of French polychrome and gilt painted biscuit figurines of a mandolin player and a singer. The woman is wearing a green sack-back gown with white flowery etched inner dr...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Sculpture, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Meissen porcelain sculpture, 19th century, Napoleon III period. 19th-century sculpture from the Napoleon III period, titled: *I Make Them Light*, Meissen porcelain, triangular base....
Porcelain
Porcelain De Paris Napoleon III Style Pair of Shaped Vases Hand Decorated
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Part...
Porcelain
19th Century Parakeet Perch Inkwell Candlesticks: Ink 'n' Perch Delight!
Located in New York, NY
These exquisite 19th-century bronze parakeet on perch candlestick inkwells showcase the fine craftsmanship of the era. Each inkwell features a beautifully designed parakeet with a hi...
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Napoleon III Bronze Vases by Cahieux & Barbedienne
By Henry Cahieux and Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A fine pair of French ormolu and patinated bronze vases, baluster shaft with relief decoration of swallows and vegetation. Both artist names are signed, Henry Cahieux (1825-1854) and...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Velvet Casket By Maison Alphonse Giroux, Paris
Located in England, GB
A 19th century French casket, jewellery box made during the Napoleon III period and bearing the engraved signature “Alph. Giroux à Paris”. Maison Alphonse Giroux was one of the most ...
Silk, Velvet
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bombay Wood Marquetry Tea Caddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique French tea caddy in Napoleon III style, wit a bended “forme arbalète” lid. The box is veneered with various types of wood, burl wal...
Brass
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
Table box with mechanical musical movement by Swiss company Reuge S.A Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large oval table box with mechanical musical movement by the Swiss company Reuge S.A. in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and on fine ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$361Sale Price|48% Off
French Limoges Hand Painted Gold Trim Trinket Jewelry Box or Candy Dish
By Limoges
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Limoges handcrafted and hand painted gold trimmed trinket, jewelry box or candy dish, circa 1930. Signed, Jammet Seignolles Limoges (history of this maker below). Glazed. Measures: 4 3/8" Diameter x 2 1/4" high. Very good antique condition, no cracks or chips. In 1825, François BAIGNOL moved to LA FABRIQUE, on the edge of the Brigueuil forest and founded...
Porcelain
$3,822Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Patinated Bronze Patina 5-Light Candelabra, France C 1870s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III Patinated Bronze Patina 5-Light Candelabra France Circa 1870s A exquisite pair of Napoleon III patinated bronze candelabra, crafted in France during the 1870s. Standing at an impressive 30 inches tall, these candelabra are a true testament to the opulence and craftsmanship of the era. Each candelabrum features a central figural sculpture of a bird holding a serpent, perched upon a tortoise. This intricate sculpture showcases the attention to detail and artistic skill of the bronze sculptor. Above the sculpture, a five-light bobeche candelabrum adds a touch of grandeur and elegance to the piece. Supported on a fluted column, the candelabra rest on triparte acanthus leaf and lion caryatids with paw feet. These decorative elements add a regal and classical aesthetic, reflecting the influence of the Neoclassical style during the Napoleon III period. In their recent use, the candelabra were adapted as lamps, and as a result, the bird finials are now removable. They were previously used as lamp finials...
Bronze
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III woven gilt bronze handled basket -weave table box France, circa 1875 A whimsical, yet intricately woven of a handled basket weave table ...
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Tea caddy - Napoleon III - Ebonized and Inlayed
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant Napoleon III period tea caddy, finely decorated with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay forming a geometric clover pattern on the lid, framed by delicate brass stringing. The ri...
Brass