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.
19th Century Porcelain Dinner Service from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous dinner service from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie, a manufacturer of high-quality porcelain founded in 1818. Each piece is hand-painted with a delicate rose- pink bo...
Porcelain
Creil and Montereau, circa 1880 Terre De Fer Signed France
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This plate demonstrates the attractiveness of French ceramists from the second half of the 19th century aesthetics and Far Eastern culture. Fascinated by its colors, shapes, artists redouble their ingenuity to give new aesthetic to their ceramics. This plate was realized by the Manufacture of Creil Montereau - Terre de Fer...
Ceramic
Series Of 12 Plates From The Personal Service Of Wilhelm II
Located in Charmes, FR
series of 12 plates from the personal service of Wilhelm II for the imperial palace of Strasbourg. some have signs of wear and tear from time and use, as well as small original defec...
Ceramic
French 1850s Majolica Asparagus Plate with Scalloped Edge, Two Available
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period majolica asparagus plate from the mid-19th century, with scalloped edge, turquoise and chartreuse style tones. We currently have three plates available, priced and sold individually. Created in France at the beginning of the reign of Emperor Napoleon III, each of these three majolica plates features four asparagus with purple heads, resting on a luscious green leaf. A turquoise scalloped edge surrounds a chartreuse toned wicker style ring. With their elegant decor...
Majolica
19th Century French Napoleon III Black and White Hunt Scenes Plates, Set of 10
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of ten antique plates was crafted in Sarreguemines, France, circa 1870. Each hand painted plate features an illustrated hunt scene. Every black and white ceramic plate has French writing narrating the event including the first one which reads: "Bien des chasseurs se vantent du gibier qu'ils ne tuent pas: lui au contraire en tue beaucoup et ne se vante pas". They are: "Chasse aux Canards Sauvages", "Chasse aux Faisans", "Battue aux Chevreuils", "Chasse aux Cailles...
Ceramic, Faience
Sarreguemines France "La Vie Militaire" Set of 12 Military Ceramic French Plates
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
French Sarreguemines Faience Plates set Set of 12 "La Vie Militaire". Set of antique look Sarreguemines plates featuring exquisite black and white lattice and foliate borders, comple...
Ceramic
Six French Chateau Sevres Porcelain Pink Ground Painted Plates
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Tarzana, CA
A very fine set of twelve (12) French Sevres pink ground porcelain painted and jeweled plates. Each with a gold and pink border with a central painti...
Porcelain
French Napoléon III Porcelain de Paris Plates with Floral Décor, Sold Separately
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Napoléon III period Porcelaine de Paris plates from the late 19th century, with floral décor. The plates are sold individually $145 each, the large platter is priced $225. Cre...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Sèvres Porcelain Plates with Hand-Painted Pastoral Scenes
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Set of 12 Sèvres porcelain plates with hand-painted pastoral scenes French, c. 1864 Plates: Height 3cm, diameter 23cm Case: Height 10cm, width 76cm, depth 52cm Originating from the...
Porcelain
Porcelain Royal Crown Derby Plate in Pinxton Roses Pattern, 1940s
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Lovely white Royal Crown Derby dinner plate with pink roses and gold painted edges on a white background. Marked at bottom with Royal Cro...
Porcelain, Paint
French Majolica Oyster Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica oyster plate Sarreguemines, circa 1890. 6 Shells and space for the lemon on the center.
Ceramic
19th Century Blue & White Dessert Plate Flora Creil & Montereau
Located in Austin, TX
19th century blue & white dessert plate flora signed Creil & Montereau.
Ceramic
19th Century Set of Mason's Plates
Located in High Point, NC
19th century set of four English ironstone plates, signed Mason's over a crown and banner. The plates are transfer decorated in a pattern of florals ...
Ironstone
$875 / set
H 4 in Dm 9 in
Wonderful Service 12 Chinoiserie Hand Painted Porcelain Lunch Dessert Plates
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Service Of 12 Chinoiserie Hand Painted Porcelain Lunch / Dessert Plates
Porcelain
$595
H 1 in W 8.38 in D 8.38 in
Antique 19th Century Spode English Porcelain Pink Ducks Pattern Desert Plate
By Spode
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain desert plate. By Spode. In the "Pink Ducks" pattern. Depicting a chinoiserie scene of two mandarin d...
Porcelain
French Majolica Asparagus Plate Sarreguemines circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Asparagus Plate signed Sarreguemines circa 1900.
Ceramic
Set of 12 English Raised Gilt Porcelain Dinner Service Plates
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A regal set of 12 elaborately gild service plates, by Royal Worcester. The set with delicate broad gilt borders with a white porcelain background. The mark on the back from 1950.
Porcelain
Giraud & Brousseau Limoges, Set of 12 Plates from Francoise Adnet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Giraud & Brousseau Limoges, set of 12 plates from Francoise Adnet.
Porcelain
French Majolica Asparagus Plate Salins, circa 1890
By Salins
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica asparagus and artichoke plate Salins, circa 1890.
Ceramic
$850 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.5 in
Set of 12 Elaborate Noritake Hand Painted Bone China Service Dinner Plates
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of 12 elaborate Noritake hand painted bone China service dinner plates. 10 1/2" in diameter. Beautifully decorated. I found just very minor g...
Porcelain
French Majolica Asparagus Plate Orchies, circa 1890
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica asparagus plate Orchies, circa 1890. 8 plates are available.
Ceramic
19th Century French Majolica Plate
By Orchies
Located in Austin, TX
Lovely colorful French Majolica plate with flowers and acanthus leaves Orchies, circa 1890.
Ceramic
Dinner set limoges porcelain by Theodore Haviland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Execptional dinner set limoges porcelain bear the mark of haviland and retail by MAISON EMILE BOURGEOIS , grand depot 21 rue drouot a Paris he sell on...
Porcelain
Set of 6 Porcelain Dinner Plates from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous set of 6 plates from the Maison Charles Pillivuyt et Cie, a manufacturer of high-quality porcelain founded in 1818. Each piece is hand-painted with a delicate rose- pink b...
Porcelain
Creil and Montereau plates circa 1880 Signed France Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This plates demonstrates the attractiveness of French ceramists from the second half of the 19th century aesthetics and Far Eastern culture. Fascinated by its colors, shapes, artists...
Ceramic
Pair of Sevres Porcelain Plates of Napoleon III and Eugenie
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Sevres Porcelain Plates of Napoleon III and Eugenie" Pair of plates representing Napoleon III and Eugenie in Sèvres Porcelain, 19th ...
Porcelain
Series of Sèvres Porcelain Plates from the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Series of 6 plates in Sèvres Porcelain with cartouches of floral painting and romantic scenes on a gilded decoration. Signed Sèvres on the bottom of the plates. Measures: Diameter o...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.75 in Dm 10.25 in
Set of 12 Sevres Turquoise Hand Painted Cabinet Display Plates, Gilt Accents
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A full suite of 12 beautifully painted and detailed French plates by the world re known porcelain maker Sevres. Based on an original design created for Marie Antoinette and meticulou...
Gold, Enamel
19th Century French Napoleon III Black and White Paris Scenes Plates, Set of 10
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of ten antique plates was crafted in Montereau, France, circa 1870. Each hand painted plate features an illustrated scene of Paris; the landscapes include silhouette...
Ceramic, Faience
French Majolica Flowers, Strawberries and Butterflies Plate, circa 1860
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Majolica strawberries, flowers and butterfly plate from the mid-19th century. Born in France during the third quarter of the 19th century, this lovely Majolica plate feature...
Majolica
19th Century French Napoleon III Black and White Paris Scenes Plates, Set of 10
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of ten antique plates was crafted in Montereau, France, circa 1870. Each hand painted plate features an illustrated scene of Paris; the landscapes include silhouette...
Ceramic, Faience
Sold
H 1 in Dm 9.5 in
Exceptional Set of Five Royal Vienna Jeweled Porcelain Portrait Plates by Wagner
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Exceptional set of five Royal Vienna Jeweled porcelain portrait plates by Wagner, circa 1880. Each finely painted with portraits of female beau...
Porcelain
Exquisite Set of 12 Sevres Porcelain Royal Dinner Plates with "R" Monogram
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exquisite set of 12 French Sevres white and cobalt blue porcelain royal dinner plates with "R" monogram, 19th century. With extremely fine raised gold borders of swans and crow...
Porcelain
Set of Four Baccarat Millefiori Plates
By Baccarat
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A Fine set of four Baccarat millefiori plates with star cut base.
Glass