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.
$1,552Sale Price / set|38% Off
19th Century Pair of Hand-Painted Paris Porcelain Urns
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine pair of antique French urns in 'Porcelain de Paris', and dating from the early 19th century. These sensational vases are decorated w...
Porcelain, Paint
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Napoleon Third Style Vases
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Par de Floreros estilo Napoleon tercero bronce, enamel y onyx midcentury XIX PERFECTO ESTADO ORIGEN FRANCIA. The Napoleon III style had its heyday during the 1850s and 1880s. Emperor...
Enamel
$1,650Sale Price|20% Off
Inkwell of the XIXth Century in Gilded Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze" Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze, 19th century. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability. H: 15cm, W: 21...
Bronze
French Louis XV1 Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Montreal, QC
This luxurious encrier de bureau is raised on scrolling and leafy feet mounting a malachite-finished base. The tray itself is modelled as a shell rising to a spring-loaded pen holder...
Malachite, Bronze
19th Century French Porcelaine de Paris Hand Painted Swan Motif Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a console, mantel, or center table with this elegant antique porcelain vase crafted in France circa 1880 by Porcelaine de Paris. The baluster-form body rises to a tall, flared neck, creating a refined and balanced silhouette typical of fine Parisian porcelain...
Porcelain
$6,601
Box signed Giroux, Paris
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
A box from Alphonse Giroux in Paris The whole is adorned with a finely chased bronze Neo-Gothic-style frame decorated with symmetrical foliage, flowers and scrolls, notably framing t...
Wood
Monumental Antique French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Mantel Clock by Maison Marquis
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite monumental antique French Louis XVI style Napoleon III ormolu mantel clock by Maison Marquis, the Movement by Languereau, Paris, 1860: surmounted by an urn i...
Enamel, Bronze
A Bronze Statue of "Boy with Rooster " after Adriano Cecioni ( 1838-1886)
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A bronze statue of a young boy standing and holding a tethered rooster with wildly flapping wings in his arms. The boy is presumably in a farmers' market and his expression shows him screaming at the top of his lungs trying to sell the rooster. The boy is leaning against a standing wooden wheelbarrow...
Bronze
$5,981Sale Price / set|20% Off
A 19th Century French Gild Bronze Lily Candelabra Pair - 19th Century Ormolu
Located in England, GB
An exceptional pair of 19th-century French bronze ormolu candelabra, each masterfully crafted as a lily flower bouquet emerging from elegant two-handled urns. These stunning five-lig...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Napoleon III Marble Mantel Clock by Adolf Fraaier, Amsterdam
Located in Antwerp, BE
A distinguished Napoleon III marble mantel clock, retailed by Adolf Fraaier of Amsterdam, dating from the late 19th century. The elegant architectural case is crafted from finely fig...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Napoleon III Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock, France, 1870
By Napoléon III
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Gilt and Patinated Bronze and White Marble Clock, circa 1870, of rounded rectangular form, the circular white enamel dial signed "Gros A Lyon", the movement strike on be...
Marble, Bronze
Porcelain vase, late 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain vase, late 19th century Porcelain vase, late 19th or early 20th century, Napoleon III style. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability. H: 33 cm, d: 22 cm
Porcelain
$1,741Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Candelabra in Napoleon III Style Italy Mid 1900s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of two-light candelabra in gilt and chiseled bronze. Arms with leaf volutes resting on fruit basket held by putto in dark patina bronze. The putto rests on a vase-shaped sphere ...
Bronze
19th Century Neoclassical Marble and Gilt Bronze Figural Mantle Clock
Located in Dublin 8, IE
A fine 19th century neoclassical statuary white marble and gilt bronze figural mantle clock, the finely cast patinated classical female in seated pose juxtaposed to gilded bronze clo...
Marble
Pair 19th century candelabra styled in the form of medieval knights
Located in Wijnegem, BE
Pair 19th century Napoleon III gilded - and silver-plated bronze candelabra styled in the form of medieval knights in armor on hexagonal marble bases. France c. 1870s Dimensions: H...
Marble, Bronze
$1,741Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Napoleon III Candlesticks Bronze & Bronze Firegilt by A. Daubrée
Located in Salzburg, AT
Pair of French Napoleon III candlesticks in bronze and bronze fire gilt designed, manufactured and signed by Alfred Daubrée, Nancy. The cast bronze body...
Bronze
Pair of Bud Vases, Cristal and Gold Gilt Bronze and Gold Leaf
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bud vases, crystal and gold gilt bronze and gold leaf, 19th century Napoleon III. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Crystal, Bronze
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. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Crystal
$3,208Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Napoleon III Guillaume Diehl Cigar Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful Cigar humidor, stamped by Charles Guillaume DIEHL (1811 - 1885), in ebony with inlaid decoration of friezes of scrolls, fleurons and lanceolate leaves, inside with five dra...
Brass
$6,160Sale Price|30% Off
19th Century Bronze Statue of a Nymph by A. Carrier
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very fine cast and chased bronze showing a beautiful standing nude nymph, parting and emerging from between tall bull rushes at the edge of a stream. At her feet is a water jug. Th...
Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine
Located in London, GB
The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris. Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set A fine 19th Century French three piece clock garniture set. Comprising of a clock and pair of candelabra, ...
Bronze, Enamel
Large 19th-century Venetian Mirror Wall Clock And Music Box
Located in Charmes, FR
A beautiful, large antique octagonal wall clock, richly decorated in the Napoleon III style The circular alabaster dial is adorned with blue enameled Roman numerals and black metal ...
Murano Glass
Porcelain "Dove" Planter by L'Escalier de Cristal, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Inscribed HA et Cie and numbered 403 Signed in red Escalier de Cristal Paris Beautiful planter in gilded and painted porcelain. The rounded belly with a platinum background is decor...
Porcelain
Fine Sevres and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, by appointment only
France, circa 1870. A fine late 19th century ormolu and porcelain mounted mantel clock, the painted dial above a courting couple scene, the whole mounted with a Krater vase and ra...
Ormolu
Picture Frame emerald enamel for two photo Empire Style 925 Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold-plated with translucent fired enamel on a guilloche pattern and laurel ornaments around the two photos, French Empire Napole...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair 19th Century French Gilt Spelter Vases on Marble Bases with Vine Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel or a wine room with this elegant pair of antique vases related to vine and grapes. Crafted in France circa 1880 and made of spelter (or white metal), the vases stan...
Marble, Spelter
Royal fire-gilded mantel clock/Pendule Napoleon III, 1870, Paris, signed Lantier
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal fire-gilded mantel clock/Pendule Napoleon III, 1870, Paris, signed Lantier A fantastic masterwork of perfection with beautiful fire-gilded bron...
Bronze
Pair of French Napoleon III Porcelain Vases with Gilt Decoration, 19th C.
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant and highly decorative pair of 19th-century French porcelain vases dating from the Napoleon III period, displaying the rich and eclectic ornamentation so characteristic of ...
Porcelain, Paint
Achille Bloch Porcelain Figurine French Figural Group Nobleman 19th Century
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Old Paris porcelain sculpture figural group Depicting a French noble man sitting besides a table with a bottle and a book on it Very expressive piece Hand crafted and enameled with lively colours A sculpture fully handmade, distinguishes itself from other porcelain figurines...
Porcelain
Royal Vienna Porcelain Portrait Vase, 24K Gold & Raised Enamel, Signed Wagner
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental Royal Vienna Porcelain Portrait Vase Signed Wagner with 24K Gold Decoration and Raised Enamel. The covered vase has a slender ovoid body raised on a shaped pedestal bas...
Enamel, Bronze
Massive French Clock of Baccanalian Maiden Lying Naked on Lion's Skin
Located in London, GB
French patinated bronze and Sienna marble mantel clock of massive proportions. The subject being of a naked maiden lying down on a lion's pelt and leaning against the clock. The subj...
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Wedding Globe with Gilt Metal & Beveled Mirrors
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exceptional French 19th-century wedding globe (globe de mariée), beautifully preserved beneath its original hand-blown glass dome and presented on a classic ebonized wooden base. ...
Metal
A Pair of Napoleon III style giltwood and gesso picture frames, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Pair of Napoleon III style giltwood and gesso picture frames, 19th C. having oval openings and relief branch and leaf embellishments on frames.
Gesso, Giltwood
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Enamel Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Champleve Enamel Mantel Clock retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co paired Champlevé and Gilt-bronze Five-light Candelabras A black and maroon enamel ornamente...
Bronze, Enamel
Rare Old Paris Porcelain Jewelry Box Casket Bisque Parian Sculpture Top
By Old Paris
Located in Austin, TX
Amazing one of the kind Old Paris porcelain box with parian figural sculpture group on the top. The box features a mix of hand painted and transferred gold detailing accented by la...
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XV Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A beautiful pair of French bronze candlesticks dating from the Napoleon III Period, mid-19th century, featuring elegant proportions and finely worked details inspired by the Louis XV...
Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Burl Walnut Marquetry and Bronze Plant Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a room with this elegant antique jardinière. Created in France circa 1870, and oval in shape, the planter stands on cabriole legs decorated with acanthus leaf motifs at the ...
Bronze
Pink Hand-Blown Opaline Glass Bud Vase, France Circa 1860
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant 19th-century French opaline glass bud vase, distinguished by its charming pink coloration and refined hand-blown craftsmanship. The vase features a softly bulbous body dec...
Opaline Glass, Blown Glass
"The Mother", Brown Patinated Bronze, Sculpture by Paul Dubois
By Paul Dubois
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"The mother", sculpture by Paul Dubois in brown patinated bronze, foundry Barbedienne (1829 - 1905) Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability. Measures: H: 66 cm, W...
Bronze
19th Century Paris Porcelain Vase by Porcelaine de Paris, Rococo Style
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This very pretty Paris porcelain vase dates from the 19th century, and features a beautiful enamelled floral design of wildflowers, surrounded by rococo style moulding embellished wi...
Porcelain
One Hour of the Night Bronze Sculpture by Joseph Michel Pollet
By Joseph Pollet
Located in NANTES, FR
"One hour of the night" Bronze sculpture with black brown patina depicting a stretching woman. It rests on an oval base imitating the rock. Signed on the terrace "Pollet". Signature of the founder "Gautier & Cie". Total height: 35.5 cm. 13.9in width: 25cm. 9.8in depth: 13cm 5.1in Weight: 3.5 Kg In very good condition, note a small patina wear on the elbow. Joseph-Michel-Ange Pollet born in Palermo on March 11, 1814 and died in Paris on January 1, 18711 is a French sculptor. Born in Palermo to French parents, Joseph-Michel-Ange Pollet studied sculpture in Italy with Bertel Thorwaldsen, Valerio Villareale and Pietro Tenerani. He came to Paris in 1836, then stayed in Ghent in 1838. After another stay in Italy from 1843 to 1845, he settled permanently in Paris and exhibited for the first time at the Salon of 1846. He won a medal of third class in 1847, a second class medal in 1848 and a first class medal in 1851. In 1855 he was awarded a second class medal at the Universal Exhibition. He was named Knight of the Legion of Honor by decree of June 14, 18563. Of neoclassical formation, the work of Pollet oscillates between this current and that of romanticism. In 1840, for the bicentenary of his death, he produced the bust of Rubens, the original plaster of which is kept at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. In 1848, he presented at the Salon a large plaster statue...
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Bridal Cushion Under Glass Dome, Late 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exceptionally decorative late 19th-century French Napoleon III bridal cushion displayed beneath its original blown glass dome. This charming ceremonial piece was traditionally cre...
Metal
French Antique Ormolu Mantel Clock by Leroy Commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte
By LeRoy
Located in London, GB
This fine mantel clock is cast entirely in ormolu by celebrated Parisian clockmaker Leroy and commemorates the return of Napoleon's ashes to France in 1840. The clock is set on a rectangular, tiered base with four decorative feet. The lower tier is centred with a sleeping lion above a plaque showing the scarf, sword and hat of Napoleon. There is a relief plaque above the lion showing a ship off St Helena (the location of Napoleon's exile) and to either side further decorations formed as martial trophies. To the top of the plaque is a portrait medallion of Napoleon with winged cherubs and the letter 'N'. The circular dial of the clock, signed 'Leroy a Paris', is set to the centre above the base within an ormolu border and flanked by the figures of France and an eagle to either side. Between them they hold an urn, which bears the inscription 'Ste Helene / 5 Mai 1821'. The figure of France holds a flag inscribed 'France 1840.' This clock was produced in 1840 by Parisian clockmaker Leroy et fils...
Ormolu
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks A pair of early 19th century gilt bronze candlesticks having nozzles wit...
Bronze
19th Century Yellow Floral Porcelain Trinket Dish, circa 1890
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A charming late 19th-century porcelain vide-poche, circa 1890, distinguished by its wonderfully vibrant yellow ground and delicate hand-painted floral decoration. The softly squared...
Porcelain, Paint
Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Jewellery Box on Stand Attributed to Giroux
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine transitional style gilt-bronze and Sèvres style porcelain mounted Jewelry box on stand, attributed to Alphonse Giroux. This exquisite pe...
Porcelain, Wood
Large French Art Nouveau Polychrome Terracotta Water Carrier Sculpture by Dupond
By Dupond
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Large Art Nouveau polychrome terracotta sculpture depicting a water carrier, created by Dupond in France circa 1890. This elegant female figure perfectly embodies the refined aesthet...
Terracotta
Victor Evrard French Bronze “Femme à l’Antique” with Gilt-Brown Patina, c. 1860
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Elegant 19th-century French bronze sculpture titled Femme à l’Antique, created by French sculptor Victor Evrard (1807-1877), circa 1860. The sculpture depicts a standing female figu...
Bronze
Bronze Of Joan Of Arc With Silver Patina, Barbedienne 19th Century
Located in Charmes, FR
Joan of Arc at Domrémy listening to the Voices. Bronze with silver patina (rare) F. BARBEDIENNE Founder. Signed by Chapupastille of mechanical reduction by Collas. Based on the marbl...
Bronze
Napoleon III Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze clock set by Picard French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 72cm, width 46cm, depth 27cm Candelabra: Height 78...
Malachite, Ormolu
Edme Anthony NOEL French Art Deco Bronze Retiary Sculpture, 1875
By Edme Anthony Paul Noel
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French 19th-Century Bronze Sculpture of a Retiarius by Edmé-Anthony-Paul Noël (Tony Noël), France, circa 1875. This powerful and finely modeled French bronze sculpture depicts a Ret...
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Fire-Gilt Fireplace Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
Fire-gilt fireplace clock, Rokokodekor sign. Ansonia New York, 19th century. Bronze-gilt. Four-sided glazed housing on base with reliefed seed beads, leaves and flowers. Approved roof trim. Digits sheet email with Arabic numerals. Brocothemia. Steel filled, formerly mercury pendulum...
Bronze
BARBEDIENNE - Pair of 19th Century Bronze Torchières by DUBOIS & FALGUIERE
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This pair of bronze torchieres with double brown and gold patina is represented by two women in an antique draped dress, one in the left arm and the other in the right arm a seven-li...
Bronze
Pair of 19th C. Paris Porcelain Vases with Gilt Handles and Floral Painting
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This magnificent pair of French porcelain vases, most likely produced in one of the renowned Parisian porcelain workshops of the 19th century, embodies the elegance and artistic refi...
Porcelain, Paint
SÈVRES Manufacture, Pair of Chameleon Vases of the Persian Bottle Model
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
The “Persian bottle vase” model, created at the Sèvres manufactory in 1874 based on a Persian metal prototype, exists in several versions that vary in c...
Porcelain
Second Empire Period Patinated and Gilt Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This three-piece mantel clock set contains a clock and two candelabra. The set was produced circa 1860, during the Napoleon III period, and demonstrates the eclecticism typical to de...
Ormolu, Bronze
Stunning Little Antique Box with Decorated and Gilt Perfume Bottles Napoleon III
Located in Lisse, NL
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a lady. . .look no further. This magnificent, 19th century box is made of beautiful and mint condition boxwood and it comes with the original, gilt perfume...
Crystal
Pair of Terra Cotta Orientalist Busts of a Woman and a Man
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of 19th century French Orientalist busts crafted in terra cotta and expertly paint decorated with a striking realism.
Terracotta
19th Century Bronze Statue: Bacchante
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This statue featuring a Bacchante is crafted of patinated bronze. In Roman mythology, Bacchae, or Bacchantes, were the female followers of Bacchus. They were often depicted in the co...
Griotte Marble, Bronze