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Napoleon III Dinner Plates

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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Napoleon III
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 pla...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Porcelain Royal Crown Derby Plate in Pinxton Roses Pattern, 1940s
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...
Category

1940s English Vintage Napoleon III Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

Six French Chateau Sevres Porcelain Pink Ground Painted Plates
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

French 1850s Majolica Asparagus Plate with Scalloped Edge, Three 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, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Dinner Plates

Materials

Majolica

Set of 12 French Sevres Pink Ground Porcelain Painted Plates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine set of 12 French Sevres pink ground porcelain painted and jeweled plates. Each with a gold and pink border with a central painting depict...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Dinner Plates

Materials

Porcelain

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French Faïence Salins Barbotine Majolica Asparagus & Artichoke Plate
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Mason's Ashworth's Ironstone Large Dinner Plate in Flying Bird Pattern, Ca 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Mason’s ironstone large dinner plate produced at the time when Mason's was owned and controlled by George L Ashworth and Brothers after the bankruptcy of C J Mason in 1848. This large plate is decorated in a the striking chinoiserie pattern called "Flying Bird" pattern, as illustrated on Page 121 of "A Guide to Mason's Patent Ironstone Patterns" published by The Mason's Collectors' Club. The pattern would have been transfer printed then boldly hand enameled with good detail. The plate also has a mid-brown / ochre hand painted outer rim simulating the Chinese plates of the time and earlier periods. The base carries a blue transfer printed mark Ashworth Brothers...
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Pair of Royal Crown Derby Olde Avesbury Pattern Candlesticks & 8 Dinner Plates
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
These tall candlesticks and dinner plates were made by the renowned English porcelain maker, Royal Crown Derby. The candlesticks and plates are done in their 'Olde Avesbury...
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Insect Set of 4 Porcelain Dessert Plates
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
What is more colorful than a colorfulr insect? Butterflies, dragonflies, beed and ladybugs will make your table sparkle.
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Royal Crown Derby Dessert Service with Cobalt Blue, Gold & Hand-Painted Flowers
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This 15 piece Royal Crown Derby dessert set consists of 11 9" plates, two square bowls and two lozenge shaped footed serving pieces which are classic and versatile. Each piece is han...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Black and White Paris Scenes Plates, Set of 10
Located in Dallas, TX
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French Majolica Flowers, Strawberries and Butterflies Plate, circa 1860
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19th Century French Napoleon III Black and White Paris Scenes Plates, Set of 10
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Exceptional Set of Five Royal Vienna Jeweled Porcelain Portrait Plates by Wagner
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Exquisite Set of 12 Sevres Porcelain Royal Dinner Plates with "R" Monogram
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Napoleon Iii dinner plates for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III dinner plates 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 dinner plates created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III dinner plates made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original dinner plates, popular names associated with this style include Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Creil et Montereau, Lebeuf Milliet & Cie Creil Montereau, and Charles Pillivuyt & Cie. 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 dinner plates differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $19,112 while the average work can sell for $413.

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