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Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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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Style: Napoleon III
Limoges Porcelain Coffee Service Mid 20th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
SET OF 10 COFFEE CUPS AND SAUCERS IN WHITE PORCELAIN WITH RED AND GOLD DECORATION. A COFFEE POT, A SUGAR POT AND A MILK JUG. THESE PIECES BEAR THE STAMP “Limoges S J France” Origin: ...
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Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Period Bronze and Glass Liquor Cellar
Located in LEGNY, FR
Liquor cellar in bronze and glass from the Napoleon III period. This cellar includes four carafes fitted with blue stoppers and sixteen engraved glasses (a few different glasses). ...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

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...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Exquisite Antique French Ormolu & Sèvres-Style Porcelain Centerpiece (Mid-1800s)
Located in London, GB
A very good quality antique French ormolu and porcelain center piece dating from the mid 1800’s. Very much in the Sèvres style this center piece boasts both quality and grandeur. Won...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Ceramic Pharmacy Jar
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Ceramic Pharmacy Jar. Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photo or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Large French vase in the Sèvres style. Late 19th century
Located in Brescia, IT
Description Porcelain and gilt bronze. Decoration with gallant scenes and landscapes. Mark: pseudo Sèvres mark with the letters L and P, initials of Sovereign Louis-Philippe d'Orlea...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

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.
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19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Walker & Hill Silver Plate Sardine Box
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Walker & Hill Silver Plate Sardine Box. Beautiful.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Silver Plate

Opaline Bowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Opaline bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Opaline and gilt bronze bowl and basket, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Dimensions: H: 38cm, W: 38cm, D: 18cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality Match Pair of Napoleon III Silvered and Gilt Bronze Figural Tazza
Located in New York, NY
Supported by three seated cherubs in fine details on a fish figure and supported by three turtles. Date: 19th century Origin: French Dimension: 13 1/2 in x 11 3/4 in.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Late 19th Century Pair of Serving Platters in Paris Porcelain
Located in NICE, FR
We are delighted to present you with this unique find- an exceptional pair of Parisian porcelain serving bowls/platters, boasting an intriguing design with eels gracefully coiling ar...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Silversmith Odiot - Cruet / Vinegar In Solid Silver/Crystal Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oval-shaped solid silver cruet/vinegar, terrace mounted on four spinning tops, comprising four crystal bottles, a sprinkler and a mustard bottle surrounded by a frame decorated with...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century, Italian Polychrome Paper Painted Centerpiece
Located in IT
This centerpiece, or surtout de table, was made in the Tuscany, Italy, in neoclassical era at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The top, under glass, has a fine painting on p...
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19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Paper

19th Century Blue Porcelain Cup in Sevres Style
Located in Paris, FR
Oval blue porcelain cup with polychromatic decoration composed of a large cartouche with gilt-decorated borders depicting a man and a young woman in a landscape, sitting on the grass...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

1900 ‘Pair of Presentation Baskets in Silvered Metal from Parisian Palace
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of silver metal baskets in braided metal used for the presentation Goldsmith hallmarks on the back. Measures: Length: 49cm Width: 29cm Height: 27cm Length excluding handle: ...
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Early 1900s European Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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...
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1880s French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Crystal, Silver

BALLEROY & Co., Joseph Albert PONSIN, Pair of Plates Adorned with Portraits
By Balleroy Freres
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This Pair of Ornamental Porcelain Dishes Was Crafted by the Company Balleroy & Cie in Limoges and Decorated by Joseph Albert Ponsin, Likely in 1876 Both dishes bear the mark of the ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Sèvres Style Paris Porcelain Round Box
Located in London, GB
A Sèvres style Paris porcelain round box with ormolu mounts, hand-painted with a romantic scene of two children playing with a bird. The borders are elaborately decorated with gilded...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century French Hand Painted Barbotine Jardinière
Located in Sofia, BG
A very finely hand painted French barbotine ceramic jardinière Napoleon III period. France, circa 1870.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Ewers
Located in Paris, FR
Important pair of Napoleon III ewers in chased gilt bronze with rich decoration in relief of stylized foliage, friezes of palmettes, and vine branches framing a frieze of putti reali...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

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...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Opaline Glass

Silver Plated Metal Centrepiece with a Decor of Vine Branches, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver plated metal centrepiece with a curve shaped plate adorned with a vine branches frieze on the edge, standing on four small curved legs with a ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Silver Plate

19th century French Silver and Mother-of-pearl Cheese Knives Box, 1850s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Magnificent box Napoleon III in lacquered wood and gold with hors d'oeuvres or cheese in silver and mother-of-pearl handle with monogram. Hallmark of the master goldsmith Touron in P...
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1850s French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Silver

Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Crystal Centerpiece, Circa 1885.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Napoleon III ormolu mounted crystal centerpiece, circa 1885. Lovely etching.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

A Pair of 19th Century Gilt and Silvered Bronze and Crystal Goblets.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of 19th century gilt and silvered bronze and crystal goblets. A pair of Napoleon III period gilt bronze and silvered crystal goblets, circa 1880. H: 24cm, D: 26cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Goldsmith A. Aucoc Suite Of Four Cups In Sterling Silver Nineteenth
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Model mounted on a round pedestal decorated with a laurel leaf and surmounted by a poly-lobed cup whose inner edge is chiselled and pierced with grooves and surrounded by a laurel fr...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Plated Liquid Measure, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver plated liquid measure, 19th century. 19th century silver plated liquid measure. h: 6,5cm, d: 4cm
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of Six Paris Porcelain Fruit Plates with Hand-Painted Scenes of Animals
Located in Pembroke, MA
Set of six Paris porcelain scalloped plates with hand-painted scenes of birds and animals set in fanciful or pastoral environments, some with castles....
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Goldsmith A. Aucoc - Sterling Silver Oval Tray 19th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Large oval scalloped platter in solid silver with a belt of strong threads radiating decoration, in the center a stylized cartridge with an interlaced "MC" monogram. Hammer mounted. ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-19th Century Serving Dish with Dolphin in Polychrome Porcelain
Located in Paris, FR
19th century porcelain serving dish, exquisitely hand painted in polychrome with gilt accents. It is decorated with flowers, foliages and rinceau on white and blue background. The se...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Porcelain Samovar
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and very unusual jewelled porcelain samovar, Sèvres porcelain from the 18 century but decorated in the first quarter of the 19th century, probably in the workshop of Emil...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Goldsmith Roussel - Rafraichissoir In Sterling Silver XIXth
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Solid silver cooler mounted on an ogee pedestal. The plain body is decorated with applique seashells, flanked on either side by a zoomorphic grip represented by a lion's head holding...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silversmith Souche Lapparra - Solid Silver Basket Circa 20th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oblong silver basket, hemmed edge, body decorated with pierced braces, has a plain cartouche on each side and rests on a molded base. Dimensions: length 30 cm - width 20 cm - height...
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Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silversmith Roussel - Centerpiece In Its "Dormant" In Silver XXth
By JME Roussel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Centerpiece in solid silver composed of a large covered soup tureen mounted on a pedestal and encased in its tray, octagonal in shape, the set is bordered with gadroons and engraved ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in London, GB
A gilt bronze centrepiece, with two crisply cut bowls on fruiting vine centre supported by two putti on oval base.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

Late 19 Century Ormolu and Glass Centerpiece
Located in London, GB
A wonderful ruby red glass and ormolu gilt centrepiece, the bottom part modelled on the fountain at the old Chateau de Marly, of four bronze horses rising up through the waves.    
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Bronze

1900 Pair of Silver Metal Refreshers in the Style of Napoleon 3
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of silver-plated coolers, medicis-shaped vases, brand with horse-fish decor, circa 1900, good condition of use.
Category

1890s European Antique Napoleon III Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Napoleon Iii serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage serveware, ceramics, silver and glass created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III serveware, ceramics, silver and glass made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, popular names associated with this style include Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Franco Salimbeni, Haviland & Co., and Porcelaine de Paris. 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $126,500 while the average work can sell for $2,444.

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