Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
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 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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble
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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Crystal
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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair 19th Century French Verdigris Spelter Vases on Marble Bases Signed Moreau
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel, console or buffet with this elegant pair of antique vases. Crafted in France circa 1880 and made of spelter (or white metal), the vases stand on a square red marbl...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Covered Cup in Marble from the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Covered cup in marble from the 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble
$2,357 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Pair Paris Porcelain Pedestal Vases
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair Paris Porcelain Pedestal Vases. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Royal Vienna Porcelain Jeweled Iridescent Portrait Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful antique Royal Vienna hand painted "Jeweled" porcelain portrait vase. The vase is painted with a portrait of a young lady wearing flowers in her hair.
The iridescent red ...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
A Napoleon III Period Cut Crystal and Ormolu Vase with Bronze Dragon Decoration.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Napoleon III period cut crystal and ormolu vase with bronze dragon decoration, 19th century.
A cut crystal and gilt bronze vase, 19th century, Napoleon III period, attributed to B...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Parisian Hand Painted Porcelain and Brass Vases, Set of 3
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a kitchen counter or a shelf with this elegant set of "Vieux Paris" antique porcelain vases. Crafted in Saint Denis, France circa 1860, each colorful vase sits on an ornate ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass
Pair of silver and porcelain sevres vases, 19th century
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Pair of silver and porcelain sevres vases, 19th century
Beautiful pair of sevres porcelain vases in blue and white with gold floral details, with silver neck, mouth and base. Texture...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Paris porcelain vase in the shape of an épergne
Located in London, GB
An unusual antique Paris porcelain vase in the shape of an épergne with a large central flower holder and two smaller ones on either side....
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair Gilt Bronze French Ewers Jug Vases Napoleon III Cherub
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning pair of French Napoleon III silver gilt bronze jugs or ewers
Perfect left and right of this highly decorative pair
Large handle surmounted by the winged cupid
So much intric...
Category
1880s Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Painted and Gilt "Porcelaine de Paris" Vase with Swan Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique vase was created in France circa 1880 by "Porcelaine de Paris" factory. Round in shape with a long and wide neck, the colorful porcelain vessel is decorated with a hand painted outdoor scene featuring swan, lily pads and reed motifs. The decor is further embellished with gilt accents throughout, including around the rim. This tall fluted vase is in excellent condition, and adorns soft colors in the green, blue, and cream color palette, with gilt accents; it would make a nice addition on a table, mantle, or a console.
Porcelaine de Paris is a French porcelain manufacturing company, founded by Jean-Marx Clauss theApril 11, 1822. Jean-Marx Clauss wanted to draw inspiration from the great Parisian porcelain...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Of Mercury Eglomisé Glass Vases, 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
A pair of mercury glass églomisé vases with their old patina in good condition.
Height each 19.5 cm, diameter from the top 10.5 cm.
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Glass
French 19th century Napoleon III Period Wood, Porcelain and Ormolu planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III Period Louis XVI st. Tulipwood, Kingwood, Sévres Porcelain and Ormolu Jardinière planter. This impressive three section j...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Onyx Pomp Jug/Vase Bronze Silvered Napoleon III
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century French onyx pomp jug/vase bronze silvered Napoleon III
Carcass made of onyx with rich silvered bronze elements. Egg-shaped soffit, retracted neck and round, profiled pe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Onyx, Brass
French porcelain vase, Sevres, with Cloisonne bronze
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
French porcelain vase, Sevres, with Cloisonne bronze
French porcelain vase with gilt base, with gilt bronze handles with a painted landscape on one side and a couple of children insi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
Ceramic Vase Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ceramic vase Napoleon III period.
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Antique Glazed Biscuit Porcelain Figural Vases
Located in London, GB
Each of trumpet shape with applied allegorical figures of Napoleon III.
These beautiful porcelain vases are distinctive for their bright, fresh color palette and trumpet shaped ne...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Pair of Blue Bresse Enamel Jardinières
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century pair of jardinières in blue enamel from Bresse. Multicolored medallions depicting delicate flowers are framed by white and red enamel beads and gilded arabesques. E...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Gold
Pair of Napoleon III Moroccan Burr Thoya Wood Urns
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Napoleon III Moroccan burr thoya wood urns, turned from the solid, each in the form of a slender urn and cover on a shaped base, with an ormolu flame finial, beading and la...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Napoleon III Period Ormolu Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of French mid 19th century Napoleon III period ormolu tazzas. Each tazza is raised on an ebony mottled base with a Boulle tortoiseshell and etched brass inlay column ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Pair of Small Old Sèvres Blue Porcelain Vases
Located in Marseille, FR
19th century pair of small old Sèvres blue porcelain vases 19th century gilt bronze frame.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Severe Style Vases
Located in London, GB
A pair of severe style bleu celeste baluster vases and domed covers with winged handles, supported on square foot bases. Very finely painted with fruit and flowers with gilt cartouches.
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Painted Porcelain Vase Royal Cobalt Blue, Nast Manufactory
By Nast
Located in Lisbon, PT
This exquisite 19th century French porcelain vase features a striking royal cobalt blue glaze and a hand-painted pink dress motif. Attributed to the Nast manufactory, this unique pie...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
An antique French champlevé enamelled vase with a polished gilt metal body
Located in London, GB
An antique French champlevé enamelled vase with a polished gilt metal body upheld by two putti in gilt bronze on a white marble base, the border decorated with a turquoise champlevé...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A pair of antique French Sèvres vases dating from the Napoleon III era
Located in London, GB
A pair of antique French Sèvres vases dating from the Napoleon III era.
Decorated in the eighteenth century style with its blue enamel body and highlighted in gold leaf with hand e...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ormolu
An unusual pair of French vases hand painted in bright enamel colours
Located in London, GB
An unusual pair of French vases hand painted in bright enamel colours of scenes of putti drinking and having fun . Decorated on a dark background with allegorical emblems on the bac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon Iii vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III vases and vessels 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 vases and vessels created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with enamel, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III vases and vessels made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases and vessels, popular names associated with this style include Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Ferdinand Barbedienne, Porcelaine de Paris, 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 vases and vessels differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7,500 and tops out at $245,000 while the average work can sell for $32,000.