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Napoleon III Garniture

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
Pair of Magnificant Large French 19th Century Original Painted Tole Flowers
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of French 19th century painted tole flowers in gilt painted wooden urns. The centers of the tole flowers shows there were small lights at on...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

Tôle

Three pieces gilt bronze mounted Sevres style vase and center Sevres pieces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This three pieces garniture,,centered by a large jardinieres for flowers isfinely mounted with gilt-bronze mounts. This type of white ground decorative porcelain vases was very popu...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

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 Garniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Bronze Pedestals, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Pair Of Bronze Pedestals, Italy, 19th Century
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Columns Decorated With Fragments Of Earthenware And Porcelain
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Pair Of Columns Decorated With Fragments Of Earthenware And Porcelain, Art Populaire About 1900
Category

20th Century Italian Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

Marble

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 Garniture

Materials

Bronze

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Small Danish earthenware vase horn-decorated with green leaves on white a base
Located in DK
This small earthenware vase by Herman A. Kähler is horn-decorated with green leaves on a white base. Executed by Herman A. Kähler, Denmark, ca. in the 1940s When Herman H. C. Kähler...
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1930s Danish Vintage Napoleon III Garniture

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Pair of 19th Century Bronze Urns
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A beautiful pair of gilt bronze urns. They have great details.
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Pair of 19th Century Bronze Urns
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$895 / set
H 8.75 in Dm 5.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Japanese bronze vases depicting scenes with different birds. These would make a wonderful pair of lamps.
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Early 20th Century Japanese Napoleon III Garniture

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of light green marble cassolettes with gilded bronze ornamentation: garlands of flowers and leaves, putti heads, pine cone lids Some wear and scratches, old restorations to the...
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Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
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$4,629 / set
H 20.08 in W 7.49 in D 9.06 in
19th Century Pair of Cassolettes in Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this set of exquisite cassolettes from the Napoleon III period. Crafted from Pyrenean marble, specifically the Bénou Breccia kind, and enhanced with gilded bronze...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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19th Century Opaline Glass Center Piece Vase - Bronze Base
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique centerpiece vase. The base is made of bronze, there are three insertable chalices, made of vaseline glass. The glass has a beautiful gradient color, from pink to ...
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1890s British Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Bronze

19th Century French Louis XV Bronze Silver Plated Oval Jardinière Center Piece
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant bronze silver plated jardinière was created in Paris, France, circa 1870. The oblong antique planter sits on small curved feet and leaves, over a scalloped apron decorat...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Silver Plate, Bronze, Zinc

Blue White Chinese Porcelain Vase Decorated With Lotus Flowers
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Ovoid blue white porcelain jar decorated with duck and lotus flowers. China republican period
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Early 20th Century Chinese Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of red marble cassolettes, with bronze ornamentation: rams' heads, pearl threads, pine cones Cassolettes late 19th century, in good general condition, note some scratches on th...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
$3,848 / set
H 19.69 in Dm 11.03 in
19th Century Limoges Gilt Porcelain Pitcher Set
By Giraud, Limoges
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th Century hand painted and gilt gold porcelain decorative tableware pitcher with under-plate service by Giraud Limoges . The pieces are in great antique condition . Minor wear app...
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1830s French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

Materials

Gold

French Samson Porcelain Chinese Export Style 4-Piece Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Samson Porcelain Chinese Export Style 4-Piece Garniture Set France, Circa 1950s Consisting of four pieces, each one decorated in the Chinese Export style with hanging baskets of flowers in vignettes with floral surrounds, painted in a subtle palette of reds, blues and gilt decoration. The two covered vases with resting lion lids...
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20th Century French Napoleon III Garniture

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Porcelain

French Samson  Porcelain Chinese Export Style 4-Piece Garniture Set
French Samson  Porcelain Chinese Export Style 4-Piece Garniture Set
$1,196 Sale Price / set
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Previously Available Items
Pair of Athenian Women in Gilt Bronze and Patina, Empire Style, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Athenian women in gilt and patinated bronze, Empire style, mid-20th century. H: 47cm, D: 29cm
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Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Cassolettes, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Cassolettes, Napoleon III period, 19th century. " Pair of cassolettes in Sèvres porcelain, gilt bronze mount, rich decorations, Napoleon III period, 19th ...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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19th Century Tazza Cup in Gilt and Patinated Bronze by Levillain and Barbedienne
Located in PARIS, FR
Ferdinand Barbedienne and Ferdinand Levillain tazza bronze cup with a neoclassical Greek landscape decor in gilt and patinated bronze. This work by Ferdi...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Very Fine 19th C French Empire Gilt Bronze Plateau with Mirrored Center
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Empire decorated plateau. Mirrored center panel. Fine gilt bronze decorated detail with leaf and Empire details.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Pair of Period Sèvres French Porcelain Vases and Gilded Bronze
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful pair of cobalt blue porcelain vases with gilded bronze applications. Sévres production from the second half of the 19th century Louis XVI style Every item of our Galle...
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Pair of Large Sèvres Porcelain and Bronze Covered Vases
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of large Sèvres porcelain and gilt bronze covered vases, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 64 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 22 cm.
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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19th Century Gilt Bronze Two-Piece Mantle Urns
Located in Warsaw, PL
19th century gilt bronze two-piece Garniture after Claude Michel Clodion. Late 19th century gilt and patinated bronze two-piece garniture. After Claude Michel Clodion. Consisting of ...
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Set of Vases with Pompeian Decoration, 19 Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A covered potpourri vase with Pompeian decoration, cloisonné enamel, 19th century. BARBEDIENNE A. H. Constant Sevin. Measures: H: 54 cm, W: 36 cm A pair of Pompeian vases, cloi...
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1860s European Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Bronze

Pair of Pompeian Decorated Vases
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of Pompeian decorated vases, cloisonné enamel, 19th century. Barbedienne A. H. Constant Sevin. Measures: H: 44 cm, W: 19 cm.
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1860s European Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Bronze

Pair of Napoleon III Period Bronze and Marble Cups
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of Napoleon III period gilt bronze and Griotte marble cups, 19th century. Measures: H: 33 cm, W: 34 cm, D: 27 cm.
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Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Marble, Bronze

Important Pair of Bohemian Crystal Bowls Napoleon III
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bohemian crystal cupscut, rose on stand, with golden floral and vegetal decoration, beautiful quality. Late 19th century, Napoleon III Period Measures: H 46cm, D ...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Crystal

Important Pair of Vase in Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important pair of Sèvres porcelain vases, 19th century period, Napoleon III Measures: Height 70 cm, width 26 cm.   
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Garniture

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Bronze

Napoleon Iii garniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III garniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage garniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III garniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 garniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $850 and tops out at $108,252 while the average work can sell for $7,008.

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