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.
$840Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Set of 10 Ruby Gilt Wine Glasses, Antique French Circa 1900. Fleur de Lis
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vibrant set of ruby red and interesting gilt wine goblets featuring a fleur de lis design. Nice and tall and in very good antique condition. We attribute to one of the finer French...
Crystal, Gold
Baccarat Malmaison Set of 12 Crystal Wine Glasses
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic set of Baccarat crystal Malmaison wine glasses, no longer in production, and timelessly elegant. Complete sets are rare!
Crystal
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
Baccarat Crystal Butter Dish, Early 20th Century, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Baccarat crystal butter dish, early 20th century, Napoleon III style. Baccarat crystal butter dish from the early 20th century, Napoleon III style...
Crystal
French Ewer wine service, cut Crystal handle ornate chiseled solid silver 19th
By Henri Soufflot 1
Located in Paris, FR
19th-century French twisted and hand-engraved crystal ewer with sterling silver mount. The handle is beautifully adorned with stylized acanthus leaves, while the upper part of the mo...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$11,613 / 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
Salt and Pepper Set and Butter Dish in its Box, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Salt and pepper set and butter dish in its box, 20th century. Early 20th century Napoleon III style salt and pepper set and butter dish in its box, silver-plated metal and crystal. ...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Crystal and Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in Paris, FR
Red and transparent crystal centerpiece composed of a flared vase and cup. They are engraved with leafy rinceau, grape vines, and scrolling foliage. Gilt bronze mounts are decorated ...
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
$1,405 / set
Mid-19th Century White Opaline Water Set
Located in Paris, FR
White opaline water set highlighted with golden stripes, garlands of plants, and small flowers. The set is composed of a round tray, a glass, a sugar bowl, a...
Opaline Glass
Engraved Bohemian Crystal Oil and Vinegar Set, a Small Salt Shaker, Napoleon III
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oil and vinegar set and small salt cellar in engraved Bohemian crystal, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Oil: H: 24cm, D: 11cm Vinegar: H: 22.5cm, D: 8cm Salt cellar: H: 4cm, D: 4...
Crystal
Napoleon III Liquor Cellar
Located in Beaune, FR
Lovely Louis XVI trumeau - Directoire in lacquered wood, old mirror and oil on canvas. 18th century period. The canvas is in its original state on a period wooden frame. The subject ...
Art Glass
Liqueur Set, In Its Original 19th Century Baccarat Box From The Napoleon III Era
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Liqueur set, in its original 19th-century Baccarat box from the Napoleon III era. 19th-century liqueur set from the Napoleon III era by Baccarat, in its original box, consisting of ...
Crystal, Bronze
Petite French 1860s Napoleon III Period Crystal Toiletry Bottle with Silver Neck
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period petite crystal toiletry bottle from the mid-19th century, with silver neck. Born in France during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III, this lovely toiletry...
Crystal, Silver
$120Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Pair of French Hand Blown Slice Cut Crystal Flutes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French cut crystal stemmed flutes. The cutting style around the top is thumbprint while the body is slice cut. This pair would service well as toasting glasses...
Crystal
Important Cup in Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important cup in gilt bronze and cut crystal, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: H 25 cm, W 34 cm, D 24 cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Crystal, Bronze
Twisted Crystal Element for a Bouquetière, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Twisted crystal element for a bouquetière, 19th century. Element for a 19th century twisted crystal bouquetière in crystal. H: 17cm, D: 16.5cm Contact us before ordering to confirm...
Crystal
$15,233 / set
Suite of 4 Ewers in Silver and Crystal, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Set of four ewers in crystal cut with twisted ribs and silver mount. Every ewer has a relief wave design at the neck, a shell beak and twisted handle. The hinged lid is decorated wit...
Crystal, Silver
$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
19th Century Gothic Cut Crystal Irish Footed Bowl
Located in Hudson, NY
This Gothic revival cut crystal bowl is of a good size and simple yet impressive design. One of the major export elemnts from Ierland in the 19th century, cut crystal from this count...
Crystal
Vintage Waterford Set of 4 Hock Wine Glasses Ashling
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of 4 hock wine glasses was made by Waterford in Ashling pattern, with 2 sets available at the time of the listing. Ashling pattern is de...
Crystal
$40,896 / set
H 6.3 in Dm 3.31 in
Baccarat. Louis XVI style 43-piece gilt glassware set, France, mid-19th century
By Baccarat, Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
43-piece French glassware set from Baccarat, 19th century. According to references from the 1916 Baccarat catalogue, this glassware is in the Louis XVI style, similar to models 11582...
Crystal, Gold
$2,150
H 10 in W 13 in D 10 in
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
12 Venetian Wine Glasses in Ruby
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1930s, Venice, Italy. These hand-blown Venetian wine goblets feature ruby glass with applied ruffled details on their fluted stems. Alternat...
Glass
Vintage Waterford Alana Crystal Wine Glasses, Set of 4
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The set of 4 wine glasses in Alana pattern is in very good vintage condition. Alana pattern is now retired; it was manufactured from 1952 to 2022. It is characterized by cut cross hatch with multi-sided stem. The glasses are standing xx" tall; they are signed in etching on the bottoms with Waterford logo.
Crystal
Cut Crystal Glass Set of 2 Tumblers Barware Handcrafted in Italy
By Corinna Warm, WARM
Located in Santa Monica, CA
The 'Well' collection was conceived to elevate and celebrate drinking water in a vessel worthy of its importance. In collaboration with Italian crystal company Mario Cioni, Designer Corinna Warm created a unique, handcrafted, mouth blown, cut crystal water carafe...
Crystal
Mid-Century Baccarat Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac Crystal Decanter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand-blown Baccarat Remy Martin Louis XIII crystal decanter bottle with stopper, circa 1957-1967. This piece is an exact replica of a rare decanter us...
Crystal
$18,500 / set
H 11.5 in Dm 5 in
Six-Piece Cut Crystal Liquors Set Four Decanters, Claret & Pitcher, 19th Century
By Baccarat
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and exceptional 19th century crystal drinks set attributed to Baccarat. The service consists of four matching decanters, a claret jug and a matching water pitcher. Eac...
Crystal
$23,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 16 in Dm 6.5 in
20th Century Nine Crystal Decanters and Nine Georg Jensen Sterlingsilver Labels
By Georg Jensen, Baccarat
Located in North Miami, FL
This remarkable collection of crystal decanters, dating from the 20th century, comprises nine exquisite pieces, each paired with a corresponding Danish silver decanter label, skillfu...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$2,432Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.83 in W 14.77 in D 11.82 in
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
Set of Ten English Cut Crystal Wine Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful set of ten mid-20th century English Stuart crystal wine glasses with wheel and panel cut design including thumbprint impression...
Crystal
19th Century Blue Opaline Perfume Bottle with Enamel Decoration
Located in Paris, FR
Mid-19th century blue, opaline crystal set composed of a small flask, its stopper and a small, flower-shaped cup. The perfume bottle and flask are decorated with enameled and silver ...
Opaline Glass
French Opaline Vaseline Glass Scent Perfume Bottle 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An exquisite antique French perfume bottle dating to the second half of the 19th century, most likely from the reign of Napoleon III (1852–1870). Crafted from delicate pale pastel gr...
Art Glass
Sold
H 9.06 in W 6.3 in D 3.94 in
Impressive Aperitif Set in 24-Carat Gold-Plated Metal and Crystal, Napoleon III.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Impressive aperitif set in 24-carat gold-plated metal and crystal, 19th century, Napoleon III period. 19th-century aperitif set in 24-carat gold-plated metal and crystal, Napoleon I...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Metal
20th Century Bohemian Crystal Ice Bucket, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
20th century Bohemian crystal ice bucket, Napoleon III style. 20th century Napoleon III style Bohemian crystal ice bucket. H: 26cm, W: 26cm, D: 20cm
Crystal
Pair of Baccarat Crystal Photofores, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Baccarat crystal photofores, 20th century. Pair of Baccarat crystal photofores, Napoleon III style, 20th century. H: 50cm, D: 15cm
Crystal
Sold
H 3.55 in W 25.2 in D 15.36 in
Large Aperitif Set in 24 Carat Gold Plated Metal and Crystal, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large aperitif set in 24 carat gold plated metal and crystal, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period 24 carat gold metal and crystal aperitif set comp...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Sold
H 7.88 in W 11.82 in D 9.06 in
Aperitif Display in Silver Plated Metal and Crystal Goblet, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Aperitif display in silver plated metal and crystal goblet, 20th century, Napoleon III style. A Napoleon III style silver plated metal and crystal goblet aperitif display stand from...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Spice Set in Silver Plated Metal and Crystal, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Spice set in silver plated metal and crystal, 19th century. A Napoleon III period spice set with its two covered pots, 19th century in crystal and silver-plated metal. H: 23cm, W: 2...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 3.94 in
Oil and Vinegar Cruet in Silver Plated Metal and Crystal, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oil and vinegar cruet in silver plated metal and crystal, 19th century. Napoleon III period oil and vinegar cruet, 19th century in crystal and silver plated metal. H: 25cm, W: 25cm,...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 11.03 in W 9.45 in D 3.94 in
Oil and Vinegar Cruet in Silver Plated Metal and Crystal, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Oil and vinegar cruet in silver plated metal and crystal, 19th century. Napoleon III period oil and vinegar cruet, 19th century in crystal and silver plated metal. H: 28cm, W: 24cm,...
Crystal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 11.82 in W 5.52 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Carafes and Ewers in Cut Crystal and Silvered Metal, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of carafes and ewers in cut crystal and silvered metal, late 19th century or early 20th century. A pair of Napoleon III style cut crystal and silvered metal ewers and decanters...
Crystal, Silver Plate
BACCARAT Crystal Oil and Vinegar
By Baccarat, Christofle
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Oil and vinegar set by Cristalleries de BACCARAT, France, 1900s. Base, Oil, Vinagar, Mustard, Salt & Pepper. Two little spoons by CHRISTOFLE. Height: 7.9"(20cm), Diameter: 7.9"(20cm)...
Crystal, Silver Plate