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.
A French 19th century hand painted majolica dish from the Gien factory C 1875
Located in Central England, GB
This most impressive large twin handled table centrepiece is stunning in its fine hand painted detail. It was made in France at the Gien Faience Pottery Works and bears the early fac...
Majolica
Napoleon III-era French ceramic oil and vinegar cruet set by Gien France
Located in Valladolid, ES
An exquisite oil and vinegar cruet set made of French ceramic by the Gien manufactory, featuring an all-over floral pattern hand-painted in a soft antique pink hue against a cream-co...
Crystal
$122Sale Price|65% Off
H 11.5 in W 8 in D 4 in
1890s Antique French Salins Creamware Cruet Set Oil and Vinegar Set- 3 Pieces
By Salins
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Antique French Salins Creamware Cruet Set Oil and Vinegar Set Circa 1890, Beautiful. Unusual to find an original a set, in this condition and complete. This is truly a lovely piece ...
Crystal
19th Century Rustic Glazed Jug, Earthenware from Dordogne, France
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty petite glazed jug originating from the Dordogne region of south-west France and dating from the 19th century. Originally conceived for the storage and preservation of n...
Earthenware, Terracotta
Alain Maunier 1960s French Ceramic Coffee Set
By Vallauris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible ceramic coffee set made by French ceramic maker Alain Maunier in Vallauris, 1960's. Set includes 1x large coffee pot with lid, 1x sugar bowl with lid, 1x creamer pot witho...
Ceramic
Antique 19th Century French Majolica Floral Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique French majolica floral plate, circa 1890. This beautiful French country style plate has hand painted pink flowers and leaves on a ligh...
Majolica
French Rustic Terracotta Pitcher, Hand-Painted Glaze, 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming French provincial pottery pitcher dates from the late 19th-century and beautifully captures the rustic elegance of traditional country ceramics. Hand-thrown in earthenw...
Earthenware, Ceramic, Terracotta
Majolica Plate by Sarreguemines, Faience 19th Century, France
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Plate is a Majolica plate made in the Sarreguemines Manufacture. This glazed Faience, is in yellow and green color. It has been done in the 19th century.
Faience
19th French Green Majolica Leaves Plate Gien
By Gien
Located in Austin, TX
19th French Green Majolica leaves plate signed Gien. Measures: 7.5" inches diameter.
Ceramic
19th Century French Pottery Cider Bottle from Normandy
Located in Austin, TX
French pottery cider bottle from Normandy, end of 19th century. 13 bottles available, sold separately. Different sizes.
Pottery
$708 / set
H 8.67 in W 7.49 in D 4.34 in
Mid-Century Italian Ceramic Oil & Vinegar Cruet Set by Franco Pozzi, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique wood & vinegar ceramic set with tray in a vibrant purple and orange color combination. This delightful set was produced by Ceramiche Franco Pozzi in Italy during...
Ceramic, Beech
$5,000
H 2 in Dm 19.5 in
19th Century Minton’s Art Pottery Studio Kensington Gore Hand-Painted Charger
By Minton
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This large hand-painted charger was made by Mintons Art Pottery Studio of Kensington Gore, London. The studio traces its origins to the renowned earthenware and fine bone china factory Minton, located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire England. Colin Minton Campbell, descendant of founder Thomas Minton, took over company management in 1858 and went on to establish Mintons Art Pottery Studio in 1871 for the purpose of hand decorating pottery and tiles. The studio initially operated under the direction of painter and book illustrator William Stephen Coleman and drew upon the talents of artists studying at the Kensington's National Art Training School, now known as the Royal College of Art, as well as those of well-regarded Continental artists. The company was short lived as it was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1875 and was not rebuilt. This large earthenware charger has been hand-painted in polychrome enamel and depicts two young children at play in the nursery. The scene includes multiple colors and textures and features a cherubic toddler seated upon a bed alongside a young girl standing on a blue footstool...
Pottery
$895Sale Price|28% Off
H 9.5 in W 13.5 in D 0.5 in
Large 19th Century Spongeware Platter from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic coloration and form 19th century spongeware platter from PA. The style of the pattern is in a real abstract form. The condition is mint.
$495
H 3.5 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
French 19th Century Pottery Covered Baking Dish with Brown Blotched Glaze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pottery covered baking dish from the 19th century, with brown glaze and lateral handles. Created in France during the 19th century, this pottery baking dish features a circu...
Pottery
$375
H 3.25 in W 13 in D 9 in
French 19th Century Glazed Pottery Serving Dish with Terracotta and Gold Glaze
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French glazed pottery serving dish from the 19th century, with terracotta and gold glaze. Created in France during the 19th century, this pottery dish features a circular body ador...
Pottery
19th Century Hand Painted Majolica Platter from Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
From Italy, this hand painted Majolica platter has two areas of ornamentation. The outer circle has busts of two different men, one on the top of the platter and one at the bottom. T...
Majolica
Vallauris - a French Majolica Pottery Fish Dish, Mid-20th Century
By Vallauris
Located in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Vallauris - a French Majolica Pottery Fish Dish, Mid-20th Century A striking hand-painted French majolica pottery fish dish, modelled in the form of a carp with richly moulded scal...
Pottery
French 1850s Green Glazed Pottery Jardinière with Lateral Handles
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French green glazed pottery jardinière from the mid-19th century, with lateral handles. Born in France during the reign of emperor Napoleon III, this charming jardinière planter fe...
Pottery
French 1850s Green Glazed Olive Jug with Four Handles and Weathered Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French green glazed pottery olive jug from the mid-19th century, with spout and handles. Born in France at the beginning of Emperor Napoleon III's reign, this jug charms us with it...
Pottery