Napoleon III Decorative Objects
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
Napoléon III Sèvres, Style Three-Piece Garniture Set, French, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoléon III gilt-bronze mounted Sèvres style garniture set. Comprising a centrepiece and a pair of vases with lids, by 'Robert'.
Each pai...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Candleholders, Greek Female Figures
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Bronze Candleholders, Greek Female Figures. Grand Tour or Napolean III style/ period
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Carlsbad Bohemian Hardstone Inlaid Rosewood and White Metal Casket Box
Located in London, by appointment only
Bohemia, circa 1870.
This exceptional 19th century antique casket originates from Carlsbad, a spa town in the west Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The town is officially known as Karlovy Vary and gained fame as a destination during the 19th century.
Its piping hot springs drew tourists from across Europe to 'take the waters' and their health benefits. The highly figured stones used on this exceptional box were locally sourced and are specific to the hot mineral rich springs of Carlsbad. Close inspection will reveal layer on layer of fine mineral...
Category
1880s Czech Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Agate, Marble
Column and Vase in Gold Cobalt Blue Ceramic and Decals, 1920s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Vase with glazed ceramic column and pure gold decoration. The base and vase are designed together and feature a classic, elegant and sinuous design. The decoration starts from bottom...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold
Cut Crystal Cup or Small Vase
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A cut crystal cup or small vase, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
Measures: H: 18 cm, D: 11 cm.
Category
19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Pair of French 19th Century Napoleon III St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and charming true pair of French 19th century Napoleon III st. patinated bronze and ormolu tazzas. Each tazza is raised by a square ormolu base with concave corners and a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Ormalu Pair of Candleholder
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique French Ormalu Pair of Candleholder. Beautiful piece, fine detailing. Must see photos.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$1,600 / set
Carved Napoleon III Oak and Velvet Mirror, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Large and gorgeous frame, with hand-carved thistles motifs applied to a deep teal blue velvet background. The wood is oak. New mirror.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Velvet
Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Double-Faced Clock. French, c 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare Napoléon III gilt bronze double-faced clock.
The white enameled dial signed 'Julien Le Roy A PARIS'.
This rare Rococo style figural clock h...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Candelabras by Victor Raulin
Located in Tarzana, CA
A very fine pair of 19th century French gilt bronze Napoleon III figural candelabras by Victor Raulin.
Each modeled in a form of a standing putti supporting a branch with a seven-a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Bronze Clock XIXth
Located in Beaune, FR
Large clock in gilded and patinated bronze from the Napoleon III period dating from the 19th century. This clock is of very high quality, complete and in very good condition.
Dimens...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Four-Branch Figural Candelabras
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Pair of large 19th century Napoleon III French Gilt Bronze Four-branch Figural Candelabras. One candelabra with surmounted figure of a boy and the other with a figure of a girl.
...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Three-Light Candelabra by Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Napoleon III Neo-Etruscan Style Gilt-Bronze three-light candelabra by Henri Picard.
Stamped to the underside of one foot 'H. PICARD'.
Each candelabrum having a finely cast amphora-shaped body with angular supports,oval portrait masks of a maiden, and a baluster stem issuing three candle arms with circular drip trays and sconces embellished with suspended chains, surmounted by playful amorini and raised on tripod bases terminating in hoof feet.
French, Circa 1870.
Henri Picard
The important fondeur and doreur Henri Picard worked in Paris from 1831 to 1884, most notably for the Emperor Napoléon III. He was based in Paris at 6 rue Jarente from 1831 to 1839, before moving to 10 rue de la Perle...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Restoration Period Gilt-Bronze Figural Groups. French, circa 1830
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An exceptional pair of restoration period gilt-bronze figural groups, allegorical of hunting and fishing.
Each group is set on a naturalistically modelled base and finely modelled...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Portico Barley Twist Clock Napoleon III
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Portico Barley Twist Clock Napoleon III
A beautifully detailed Portico Clock from the 19th century with ebonised and floral inlay.
The clock features intricate bronze work...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Enamel, Bronze
French Opaline Blue Glass Vanity Set with Gilt Bronze, 19th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
A refined 19th-century French vanity set crafted in vibrant opaline blue glass, richly adorned with ornate gilt bronze mounts in the Rococo Revival style, typical of the Napoleon III...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire planter with bronze mount 19th Century
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Empire planter with bronze mount 19th Century
Antique cut glass planter with a gilt bronze mount with a neoclassical design with 4 ladies, two on each side with ribbons and ornaments...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique and Unusual Pair of Gilt and Silvered Bronze, Inlaid Marble 6 Sconce Can
Located in London, GB
Antique and unusual pair of 6 sconce candelabra. The 8 sided marble base set on four winged paw feet. The base has a silvered bronze collar decorated w...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair French Ormolu Candle Holders "Grape Pickers"
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair French Ormolu Candle Holders "Grape Pickers". Beautiful set, must see photos.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Cut Crystal and Ormolu Vase
Located in New York, NY
In the early 19th century the typical, but fine flower vase was made of porcelain. The better ones were mounted in gilt bronze. But the most fashionable were of cut crystal and gilt ...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal
Regulate Pocket Tray , XIXth century
Located in Beaune, FR
Regulate pocket tray supported by pierrot, harlequin and polichinelle. Good condition.
Dimensions
Height 15cm
Width 24cm
Depth 12cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
By C. Detouche
Located in Queens, 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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Napoleon Iii decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Ferdinand Barbedienne, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Europa Antiques, and Baccarat. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $167 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $3,368.
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