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.
$2,432Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Walnut and Glazed Liquor Cabinet or Tantalus
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Step into the elegance of 19th-century France with this magnificent antique liquor cabinet, likely crafted from fine walnut wood. Known for its ...
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Napoleon III Liquor Cabinet "Cave à Liqueur" with Crystal Interior
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful Napoleon III period "Cave à liqueur" liquor cabinet with inlaid brass en fruitwood veneer. The cabinet contains four carafes and 12 glasses on a wooden stand with bronze ...
Brass, Bronze
Exquisite Baccarat "Elephant" 'Cave A Liquor' - Exposition Universelle 1878
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
The Magnificent Baccarat Elephant Cave A Liquor: A Majestic Exploration of a Timeless Masterpiece from the Exposition Universelle of 1878. The Bacca...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Napoleon III French Liquor Cellar/ Liqueur Box/ Glass Decanters / 1830
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Exquisite Napoleon III cave à liqueur, crafted in France during the second quarter of the 19th century. The ebonized case is richly inlaid with brass and mother-of-pearl, showcasing ...
Metal, Brass
19th Century French André-Charles Boulle Style Cave à Liqueur
Located in Dallas, TX
The incredibly intricate brass inlay that embellishes the lid and front façade of this cave à liqueur is reminiscent of the technique utilized by Andre-Charles Boulle while hand-craf...
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Cave à Liqueur - Marquetry Wood - Crystal Decanters and Glas
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined 19th century French cave à liqueur, beautifully decorated with intricate marquetry in various woods. The hinged lid is inlaid with the word Liqueurs in elegant script, surr...
Crystal
19th Century French Napoleon III Tantalus with Crystal Decanters and Cordials
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this exquisite antique cave à liqueur (Tantalus). Crafted in France circa 1870, this refined portable bar is built of ebonized mahogany with brass inl...
Bronze
19th Century Cave à Liqueur - Napoleon III - Crystal & Marquetry - Complete Set
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Exquisite French Napoleon III cave à liqueur featuring superb marquetry work in a warm blonde tone, adorned with elegant brass trim. This complete set includes 16 crystal glasses and...
Brass
French Napoleon III Period Ebonized Crystal Cave a Liqueur Service Set
Located in Forney, TX
A charming period Napoleon III Second Empire (1852-1870) brass accented ebonized wood and crystal French cave à liqueur. France, mid-19th century, an object of practical use as well as beauty, add a touch of sophisticated elegance and refinement to your next dinner party with this scarce antique cave à liqueur (petite liquour caddy), featuring an ebonized wooden box-form case inlaid with brass string banding, the locking case opens by turning the original key to release the latch lock mechanism then gently lifting the hinged top and front panel, revealing a richly figured mahogany fitted interior, housing a lovely assembled etched crystal liqueur service, including a pair of hand blown crystal decanters decorated in elegant flowing fiolate vine etchings with matching stoppers, accompanied by eight stemmed cordial drinking glasses with geometric etching patern; the folding panels can stay in the up/open position when in use or for display, or press the hinge mechanism to close the panels, then you can lock it and remove the key to secure the contents, the case is finished on all sides so it can be placed anywhere in the room, all raised on short turned feet. circa 1860 Dimensions: (approx) Closed: 10" High, 8.25" Wide, 7 7/8" Deep; Open: 15.25" High, 8.25" Wide, 10" Deep; 5.5lbs Total **Additional photos available upon request** CONDITION REPORT: Good antique condition with nicely aged warm worn patina and desirable unrestored original finish. Wear consistent with 160 years of age, use, handling and exposure, including retaining antique character marks and charm throughout, worn distressed original ebony finish, with scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches, rough spots and very minor chippy paint losses. The imperfections not noticeable in most lighting or at most angles, however we went way out of our way to make sure to capture the flaws in the photos to try and be as transparent and upfront as possible. Please be sure to inspect all the photos. Overall a wonderful assembled set, sturdy, stable, structurally sound, all crystal intact with typical wear but no cracks or damage. Overall a wonderful example, with nothing that detracts from the aesthetics or functionality but only adds to the sophisticated elegance, warmth, antique character, classic refinement, and rich historical depth that can only be acquired over very long periods of time! Keywords: cave a liqueur serving set tantalus bar...
Crystal, Brass
$1,400Sale Price|78% Off
Napoleonic Tantalus Liquor Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Presenting an exquisite antique French Tantalus liquor cabinet that transports you back to the elegance of the mid to late 1800s. This remarkab...
Brass
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Bronze / Crystal Bottle Cooler on Stand
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This early 20th century French Napoleon III style two-handled bottle cooler, dating to circa 1900, is an exceptional example of gilt-bronze and cut crystal craftsmanship. The cooler ...
Crystal, Bronze
$11,651 / set
19th Century French Ormolu and Crystal Drinks Set
Located in London, GB
A drinks set of the Napoleon III Period The ormolu rectangular frame, rising from swept feet, with a running arcaded gallery, fitted with a mirror plate base houses a suite of four lead glass crystal stoppered decanters of square form, with floral gilt highlights, and a suite of eight stemmed spirit glasses...
Crystal, Ormolu
Baccarat crystal cup, royal crown engraved and gilt, original paper sticker
By Baccarat
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Baccarat crystal cup, scarce version enhanced with fine gold on the edges, an engraved and gilt crown of king on the side. Antique cup not signed (before 1936), but the original pape...
Crystal
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Drinks Box with Decanters and Glasses
Located in London, GB
A Napoleon III Inlaid Cave à Liqueur A decorative and convivial object of the 19th century, the casket finely veneered with walnut, bois noirci, the bevelled glass sides and top wit...
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Glass Complete "Cave à Liqueur"
Located in Dallas, TX
Create a bar area with this elegant antique cave à liqueur. Created in France circa 1870 and built of bronze with floral decor in each corner, the decorative liquor box stands on cur...
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Brass and Glass Complete "Cave a Liqueur"
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bar area with this elegant and colorful antique liquor cave. Created in France circa 1880, the bar essential sits on small scrolled feet over a ...
Brass
19th Century Napoleon III Crystal Liqueur Cabinet ‘Cave À Liqueur’
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A French "Cave à Liqueur" liqueur cabinet with antique crystal carafes and glasses. The cabinet contains four crystal carafes and ten glasses,...
Crystal, Brass, Zinc
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mother-of-Pearl and Marquetry Drinks Box
Located in London, GB
A Fine Napoleon III Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid and Marquetry Drinks Box Of serpentine rectangular form, veneered primarily with burr yew, and tulipwood crossbanding, thuya wood, ebony and mother-of-pearl inlays, the hinged lid set with a mirror on the inside; a mechanism allowing the glass drinks set to rise in tandem with the lid, with four engraved and gilt decanters...
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Tulipwood, Yew
TANTALUS 1860 French Napoleon IIII Liquor Cabined In Precious Woods And Glass
Located in Miami, FL
A French Napoleon III liquor tantalus box. This is a fantastic liquor tantalus cased-box for liquors created in Paris France during the Napoleon III period, back in middle of 1860. ...
Crystal, Gold, Brass
$24,850
Baccarat Cave à Liqueur
Located in New Orleans, LA
This striking and rare Napoleon III-period cave à liqueur is masterfully modeled to represent the Cirque d'Hiver, or Winter Circus. Built in Paris in 18...
Crystal
Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pagoda Decanter Set, Attributed to Baccarat
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pagoda Form Cave à Liqueur, Attributed to Baccarat. The shaped gilt bronze case finely cast with egg and dart moulding, acanthus fronds and musical tr...
Ormolu
Antique Napoleon III French Liquor Cellar/ Liqueur Box/ Glass Decanters / 1830
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Exquisite Napoleon III cave à liqueur, crafted in France during the second quarter of the 19th century. The ebonized case is richly inlaid with brass and mother-of-pearl, showcasing ...
Metal, Brass
$5,472Sale Price|20% Off
Impressive Boulle Napoleonic Tantalus Liquor Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive Boulle Napoleonic Tantalus Bar Cabinet, 19th Century Very nice and decorative Boulle Tantalus Cabinet. Elaborately crafted cabinet with the so...
Brass
Set of Four Napoleon Brandy/Cognac Snifters with Silver Plated Brandy Warmer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of four Napoleon brandy or cognac snifters. The classic Napoleon letter “N” surrounded by a classical laurel wreath. The letter N, laurel wreath a...
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Liqueur Box with Bronze Inlay
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Made of palissander, this lovely Napoleon III period liqueur box is lacquered in black, a method which became popular during Napoleon III's reign. The rose...
Lacquer, Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
19th Century French Napoleon III Burl Walnut Inlaid Complete "Cave a Liqueur"
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this complete antique Cave à Liqueur, a refined example of Napoleon III period craftsmanship. Made in France circa 1870, this exquisite tantalus set f...
Brass
$956Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Brass & Wood 'Cannon' Wine Trolley
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Brass & Wood 'Cannon' Wine Trolley France, Circa 1870s Experience the grandeur of the 1870s with this exquisite Napoleon III Brass & Wood 'Cannon' Wine Trolley from F...
Brass
Set of 2 Old Christofle Coaster Silver Plated, circa 1880
By Christofle
Located in Paris, FR
A very nice and high-quality set of 2 Old Christofle silver-plated, world-famous French factory, each bottle coaster, 19th century. Measures: D 16 cm, H 2.5cm. In 1852 Napoleon II...
Silver Plate
$2,115Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11
Located in Opole, PL
Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11 Step into the opulence of 19th-century France with this stunning Napoleon III-style liquor case, a tr...
Glass, Rosewood
19th century French Napoleon III Silver Plate Syphon Bottle, 1870s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful 19th century siphon in silver metal in good condition. Napoleon III style. Embossed floral decoration ring. The top unscrews to let the liquid pass and there is a loc...
Silver Plate