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
Picture Frame Pocket for 2 photo Sterling Silver Enamel Napoleon III Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated with two-tone translucent fired enamels on guilloché, with hand-engraved edge. Napoleon III Empire style. Hinged octagona...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Cast Iron Safe Strong Box by Bauche
By Bauche
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Cast Iron French Safe or Strong Box From our Boxes collection, we are pleased to offer this French Safe Cast Iron Strong Box by Bauche. The Safe of rectangular form made from cast iron with extensive riveting and twin loop handles. The safe has two escutcheon covers to the front, the left is the genuine lock which turns to reveal the keyhole and the right is a dummy for symmetry. The top of the box is fitted with a plaque that reads in French Incombustible Systeme Bauche Brevete S.G.D.G usine A Gueux Marne (Incombustible System Bauche Patented S.G.D.G factory A Gueux Marne). The interior of the safe has been lined in a gunmetal grey cushioned velvet to give cushioning to your most treasured objects. Has Key and fully working lock. The French Safe dates to the second half of the 19th century during the reign of Napoleon III circa 1865. Henry Bauche Bauche Safes...
Iron
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
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
$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
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ by Clesinger and Barbedienne, 15" High
By Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, Ferdinand Barbedienne
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
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
Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket & Limoges Miniature 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique Napoleon III gilded ormolu and Limoges enamel jewellery casket, Circa 1870 in date. The hinged lid having a beautiful finely painted miniature Limoges en...
Ormolu
$400Sale Price|36% Off
19th Century French Porcelain Vase, Gilt Floral Design, Napoleon III
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite vase, dating from the late 19th in France, showcases a stunning floral design embellished with luxurious gold accents. The intricate craftsmanship highlights the elega...
Porcelain
$2,032Sale 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
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Cigar Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A stylish Napoleon III cigar cabinet, crafted with ebonized wood, brass inlays, and a distinctive medallion at the top, this late 1800s piece reflects the refined style of the Napole...
Brass
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 clock blue enamel Swiss mechanical skeletal movement. Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, 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
$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
$3,411Sale Price|20% Off
Picture Frame Green and pink enamel Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table photo frame in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with translucent two-tone striped enamels fired on guilloche and hand-engraved ornaments. Late Empire Napoleon ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
An Exquisite French Silver and Malachite Bust of Napoleon, By Emile Pinedo
By Émile Pinedo
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An Exquisite French Silver and Malachite Bust of Napoleon, By Emile Pinedo This exquisite French silver and malachite bust of Napoleon, masterfully crafted by the esteemed sculptor ...
Malachite, Sterling Silver
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
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
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
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
Pair Napoleon III Fire-Gilt Ormolu Curtain Tiebacks with Classical Female Busts
By Palais Royal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III Fire-Gilt Ormolu Curtain Tiebacks with Classical Female Busts, Palais Royal, Paris, 1870s An exquisite pair of French Napoleon III ormolu curtain tiebacks, dati...
Ormolu
A. Giroux, Pair of trumpet Vases, France, Circa 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed Mon ALPH. GIROUX PARIS Elegant pair of trumpet-shaped vases with flare neck in engraved crystal decorated with leafy interlacing and beads friezes. Removable, they are enclos...
Crystal, Bronze, Enamel
$320Sale Price|60% Off
Sienna Marble Urn / Vase w/ Nero Portoro Marble Base & Brass Ball Feet, c.1880's
Located in Ross, CA
Late 19th century French Napoleon III Urn / Vase. Made of sienna marble and brass ball feet, mounted on on a square Nero Portoro marble base.
Siena Marble, Brass
Allegrain - Barbedienne, Venus At The Bath, Signed Bronze, 19th Century
By Christophe-Gabriel Allegrain
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large bronze sculpture with a brown patina representing the famous sculpture Venus at the Bath, after Allegrain. It bears on the back the signature Allegrain GC Fecit 1767, and the s...
Bronze
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
Tall cobalt blue Baccarat crystal vase, gilt ivy pattern, 19th century
By Baccarat
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine tall Baccarat crystal vase, Napoléon III period, mid 19th century circa 1850. The pattern is known as the vase decorated with a molded ivy garland. It is listed in the a refer...
Crystal
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
Table cigarette box Silver Sterling Enamel two-tone striped guilloché Salimbeni.
By Salimbeni, Giorgio 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
A Pair of Imari Porcelain Vases with Gilt Bronze Mounts, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of 19th century Napoleon III period Imari porcelain vases with gilt bronze mounts. Dimensions : H: 25.5cm, D: 11cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability.
Bronze
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Gilt Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a wonderful Napoleon III ormolu mantle clock from the estate of a Los Angeles collector from around 1860. There is a zaftig little boy perched at the top of the clock, and f...
Brass
A Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock, By Jean-François Denière
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock, 'Pendule à Cercles Tournants', By Jean-François Denière, Paris. Of imposing scale, surrounded by four winged putti and garlands of flowers ...
Bronze
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
Pair Of Large Louis XVI Style Cassolettes In Belgian Royal Marble And Gilt Bronz
Located in BARSAC, FR
Superb pair of large cassolettes in Belgian royal marble, featuring a striking gilt and chased bronze ornament depicting intertwined serpents. A very elegant and high-quality pie...
Marble, Bronze
19th century non-combustible cast-iron travel strongbox by Bauche-Fichet, France
Located in NICE, FR
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 de...
Iron
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
Amendola, Bronze Sculpture Of An Antique Woman, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large bronze sculpture with a brown patina, representing a naked woman, sitting in an armchair, a pencil in one hand, a vase in the other, surrounded by antiques. Signature of the...
Bronze
F. Barbedienne, A Suite of Three French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardinieres
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, An Exquisite Suite of Three French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardinieres / Garniture C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. Comprising of t...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Allegories of Art, French 19th Century Large Jewelry Casket After Clodion
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Napoleon III Jewelry Casket In chiseled and silvered bronze, decorated with putti scenes in the style of Claude Michel dit Clodion (...
Bronze
Baccarat Opaline Vases, Art Nouveau, Pink Accents, 19th Century Pair
By Baccarat
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This stunning pair of Baccarat Style opaline vases is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the Art Nouveau period. Dating back to the end of 19th century, these vases are a...
Opaline Glass
Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Marquetry Jewelry Box, Marked Lucie
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This large mid nineteenth century marquetry box from the Napoleon III period features a burl thuya wood field surrounded by a concentric border of intricately inlaid ebonized pearwoo...
Bronze
19th Century Small Dish Hand Painted Enamel and Ormolu Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant small footed dish. Made of gilded bronze with an enameled, hand painted dish in the centre. The dish is in good condition. Dimensions: 17 x 9 cm and 9 cm tall. Made in Fra...
Bronze, Enamel
French Boulle Boxes Opposing Pair Napoleon III
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Opposing Pair of Boulle Boxes From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to bring to market this pair of opposing French Boulle B...
Brass
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
$3,700 / set
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set, circa 1870, comprising: a clock surmounted by two-handled urn with a circular dial inset with enameled numerals, with acanthus scrolls...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze 3-Light Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
The appeal of the Napoleon III style (sometimes referred to as the Second Empire) stems from the fact that art and furniture from the mid-1800s incorporated elements from previous Fr...
Metal, Bronze
Pair of French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Cassolettes
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking and highly decorative pair of large French Napoleon III cassolettes, crafted in the late 19th century. Each piece features finely cast and chiseled ormolu (gilt bronze) m...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ by Clesinger and Barbedienne, 12" 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
Baccarat, Pair Of Red Baluster Vases, Golden Decor, 1880
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, a magnificent pair of small opaline Baluster Vases Cross by Lorraine Baccarato, gold decoration, very beautiful pieces. Napoleon III period 19th century. With...
Crystal
$3,820Sale Price|20% Off
1890 French Antique Napoleon III Signed Baccarat Candelabrum/Candle Holder Large
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Grand Scale c1890's French Napoleon III Baccarat Crystal 3 Light Candelabra. Massive piece! Hand painted floral decor with 24K shades. Floral painted bells. Please look closely at pi...
Crystal
19th Century Italian Writing Box with Macassar Veneer and Silver Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique writing slope case. The chest is veneered with Macassar wood. Decorated with silver mounts. The interior is made of birdseed maple...
Sterling Silver