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Napoleon III Jars

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
19th C. Pair of French Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jars
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A beautiful pair of antique 19th-century French porcelain lidded apothecary or pharmacy jars, with elegant hand-painted decoration and lettering, and maker's mark on the base. A depiction of the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates is emblazoned on the front of each, together with images of the iconic serpent that is so often associated with apothecaries, in homage to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Porcelain

19th C. Pair of French Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jars
19th C. Pair of French Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jars

19th C. Pair of French Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jars

Gien, Pair of Covered Jars Decorated in Pink on a Cream Background
By Gien
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Gien. Pair of covered jars decorated in pink on a cream background called "purple Saxony". The handles depicting the heads of Cachet rams and LP monogram under the base. circa 18...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Ceramic

Gien, Pair of Covered Jars Decorated in Pink on a Cream Background
Gien, Pair of Covered Jars Decorated in Pink on a Cream Background

Gien, Pair of Covered Jars Decorated in Pink on a Cream Background

Pair of Regence Gilt-Bronze Green Glazed porcelain Mounted Celadon Lidded Vases
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of Regence gilt-bronze mounted celadon lidded vases, Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722), in the manner of Yuan dynasty, and circa 1720. Each turquoise colored lidded vase / urn ...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Regence Gilt-Bronze Green Glazed porcelain Mounted Celadon Lidded Vases
Pair of Regence Gilt-Bronze Green Glazed porcelain Mounted Celadon Lidded Vases

Pair of Regence Gilt-Bronze Green Glazed porcelain Mounted Celadon Lidded Vases

Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar
Located in Houston, TX
Lidded porcelain apothecary jar, with hand-painted Latin label "elec: salomon," from 19th century France. Three jars are available, but sold individua...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Ceramic

Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar
Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar

Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar

Mid-19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'SAPO ANIM:'
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-19th century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmaceutical jar with lid - 'SAPO ANIM:' By: Langlois (in the style of) Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Technique: ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Enamel

Mid-19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'SAPO ANIM:'
Mid-19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'SAPO ANIM:'

Mid-19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'SAPO ANIM:'

19th Century French Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:'
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-19th century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmaceutical jar with lid - 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:' By: Langlois (in the style of) Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel T...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Enamel

19th Century French Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:'
19th Century French Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:'

19th Century French Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:'

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'EXT: QUINA R:'
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-19th century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmaceutical jar with lid - 'EXT: QUINA R:' By: Langlois (in the style of) Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Techniqu...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Enamel

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'EXT: QUINA R:'
19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'EXT: QUINA R:'

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'EXT: QUINA R:'

Set of Neoclassical Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jars Signed by Langlois
Located in North Miami, FL
Set of french Neoclassical hand-crafted glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmacy jars with lids signed by Langlois By: Langlois Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Technique: mo...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Enamel

Set of Neoclassical Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jars Signed by Langlois
Set of Neoclassical Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jars Signed by Langlois

Set of Neoclassical Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jars Signed by Langlois

Pair of large porcelain vases with "Valentine blue" background
Located in Paris, FR
Important pair of porcelain vases of baluster form with high neck, of Napoleon III period. The cobalt blue background called "Valentine's Blue" highlights a large cartouche of polych...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair of large porcelain vases with "Valentine blue" background
Pair of large porcelain vases with "Valentine blue" background

Pair of large porcelain vases with "Valentine blue" background

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: SIMPLEX'
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-19th century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmaceutical jar with lid - 'CERAT: SIMPLEX' By: Langlois (in the style of) Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Techniq...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Enamel

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: SIMPLEX'
19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: SIMPLEX'

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: SIMPLEX'

Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Ewers
Located in Paris, FR
Important pair of Napoleon III ewers in chased gilt bronze with rich decoration in relief of stylized foliage, friezes of palmettes, and vine branches framing a frieze of putti reali...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Ewers
Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Ewers

Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Ewers

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H 13 in Dm 6.5 in
Art Nouveau Nude Decorated Lidded Porcelain Jar, Limoges, French, Circa 1905
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H 8.5 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
French 19th Century Green Glazed Ceramic Confit Jar
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H 12.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Madrid, ES
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Large French Crystal Basket Napoleon III end 19th Century
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Make-up Set Composed of a Poudrier and 4 Flacons, XIXth Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
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Make-up Set Composed of a Poudrier and 4 Flacons, XIXth Century.
Make-up Set Composed of a Poudrier and 4 Flacons, XIXth Century.

Make-up Set Composed of a Poudrier and 4 Flacons, XIXth Century.

H 4.34 in Dm 5.12 in
Blue Opaline Ewer, 19th Century. Blue Opaline Ewer, Silver Enamelled.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
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Blue Opaline Ewer, 19th Century. Blue Opaline Ewer, Silver Enamelled.
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Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar
Located in Houston, TX
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Ceramic

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Bronze

Sèvres Ceramic Vases with Blue Monochrome Decoration Attributed to Paul Milet
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Sèvres Ceramic Vases with Blue Monochrome Decoration Attributed to Paul Milet

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Metal, Bronze, Ormolu

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Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Pot Pourri 19th Century

Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Pot Pourri 19th Century

H 4.73 in W 5.24 in D 3.35 in
Pair of Napoleon III Goblets
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Napoleon III goblets. Material: Marble, bronze and enamel. Origin France Circa 1900. It has a restoration on the corner of its base (Onix). Very well done.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Napoleon III Goblets
Pair of Napoleon III Goblets

Pair of Napoleon III Goblets

H 17.72 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Pair of 19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vases
Located in London, GB
A pair of mid-19th century Decalcomania glass vases of baluster form, internally decorated with hand-painted polychrome chinoiseries upon a stone wh...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

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Blown Glass, Paint

Pair of 19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vases
Pair of 19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vases

Pair of 19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vases

H 11.25 in Dm 5.5 in
Fine Mid-19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vase and Cover
Located in London, GB
A charming mid-19th century lidded Decalcomania glass vase, the cover and body internally decorated with hand coloured chinoiseries upon a light sto...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

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Blown Glass, Paint, Paper

Fine Mid-19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vase and Cover
Fine Mid-19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vase and Cover

Fine Mid-19th Century Decalcomania Glass Vase and Cover

H 15 in Dm 8.5 in
Two Ewers and a Bowl in Gilt and Brown Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Two ewers and a bowl in gilt and brown bronze, the set of three-pieces are chiseled and decorated with foliage; style Napoleon III, XIXth century. Diam...
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19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Jars

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Bronze

Two Ewers and a Bowl in Gilt and Brown Bronze
Two Ewers and a Bowl in Gilt and Brown Bronze

Two Ewers and a Bowl in Gilt and Brown Bronze

H 21.66 in Dm 13.39 in
Antique 19th Century Stoneware Bisque Pug with Bow Tobacco Jar
Located in New York, NY
Antique 19th century stoneware bisque pug with bow tobacco jar. Measure: 10" H. Great for use as a cookie jar!! Signed- Bernhardt BLOCH, Carlin
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Stoneware

Antique 19th Century Stoneware Bisque Pug with Bow Tobacco Jar
Antique 19th Century Stoneware Bisque Pug with Bow Tobacco Jar

Antique 19th Century Stoneware Bisque Pug with Bow Tobacco Jar

H 10 in W 6 in D 12 in
Set of 7 Apothecary Jars, 19th Century, French
Located in Doylestown, PA
A set of French 19th century apothecary jars with painted tin lids and labels affixed under the glass. Hand blown glass, circa 1870.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Jars

Materials

Glass

Set of 7 Apothecary Jars, 19th Century, French
Set of 7 Apothecary Jars, 19th Century, French

Set of 7 Apothecary Jars, 19th Century, French

H 10 in Dm 4 in

Napoleon Iii jars for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III jars for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage jars 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 ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III jars 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 jars, popular names associated with this style include and Gien. 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 jars differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $650 and tops out at $31,419 while the average work can sell for $3,670.

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