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.
Austrian Porcelain Coffee Service, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Austrian porcelain coffee service, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A beige and gold porcelain coffee service with enamelled bird decorations, Napoleon III period, 19th century, c...
Porcelain
Napoleon III Style Porcelain De Paris Coffee/Tea Service For 12 People-28 Pieces
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Valuable and particular served in fine French porcelain in Napoleon III style; it is composed of 12 cups with a plate, a milk jug, a sugar bowl without a lid in the shape of a small cup so that it can contain sugar cubes or cookies, and two round trays with handles...
Porcelain
French Porcelain Tete a Tete Tea Set Circa 1875
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant 19th century porcelain in white gold and crimson raspberry. The teapot with lid, sugar bowl with lid, creamer, two tea cups with tray. The tray measures 17 wide, 12.75 deep a...
Porcelain
Sarreguemines Porcelain Minton Tea/Coffee Set, End 19th C.
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
This beautiful Minton-pattern tea and coffee set by Sarreguemines captures the charm and elegance of late-19th-century French ceramic artistry. Made in France at the end of the 1800s...
Porcelain
41-Piece 19th Century Vieux-Paris Coffee & Tea Service
Located in Dallas, TX
41-Piece 19th century Vieux-Paris coffee & tea service is a stunning collection that will let you entertain in style! Each piece is carefully crafted from fine porcelain, then hand-p...
Porcelain
$1,847 / 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
$851
H 4.34 in W 5.32 in D 2.96 in
George III period 19th century sterling silver cream jug - London 1806
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1806, this handsome, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Cream Jug, stands on four ball feet, and features a gadroon border around the rim, and a gilt interio...
Sterling Silver
$331Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 5.71 in
Karolina Porcelain Coffee Service, Poland, 1950s / 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain coffee set, a rare design of the Karolina set from the mid-twentieth century. The service includes a jug, milk jug, sugar bowl, 6 cups and 6 saucers. One saucer has more...
Porcelain
$1,250 / set
H 12.5 in W 11 in D 5.5 in
Fabergé Porcelain Tea, Coffee Cups Set of Four in a Velvet Case
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fine porcelain set of four Fabergé original porcelain coffee or tea cups, service for four. Enjoy the start to your day with the classical sophistication only from Faberge. These s...
Porcelain
Tiffany Sterling Silver Classical Style Four Piece Tea / Coffee Service
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this Exquisite early 20th-century Tiffany Sterling Silver Classical Style Four-Piece Tea/Coffee Service. Each piece is a testament to Tiffany's re...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee or Tea Set, 1960s
$1,592Sale Price / set|20% Off
Raynaud Limoges 23-Piece Porcelain Tea & Coffee Service with Gold Trim
By Limoges
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This 23-piece tea and coffee service by Raynaud & Cie embodies the elegance and artistry for which Limoges porcelain is renowned. Each piece is crafted from fine, translucent porcela...
Porcelain
$199Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 3.35 in
Amami, Tea Set with Six Contemporary Porcelains with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Inspired by the coral reef of the Amami Islands in Japan, the Amami collection features tropical fishes and beautiful seaweed. A perfect choice for every spot near the seaside. Tea ...
Porcelain
$199Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 3.35 in
Las Palmas, Tea Set with Six Contemporary Porcelains with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Las Palmas Porcelain Collection owes its name to the city of Palmas, in Brazil. It is a true tribute to palm trees, whether it is their leaves, the whole plant, or even the lands...
Porcelain
19th Century English Tableware Tea/Coffee Service
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century English Sheffield silver plate tableware five pieces tea/coffee service. The coffee/tea features intricate exterior floral details and paw. The set include a tall ...
Silver Plate
Set of porcelain de Paris coffee & tea service
Located in Washington, DC
Set of porcelain de Paris coffee & tea service - eighteen (18) pieces. Made famous during the Napoleon Period 1795 - 1830
Coffee pot - W - 8"; H - 10"
Te...
Porcelain
$704 / set
H 8.27 in W 10.24 in D 2.76 in
Art Deco Tea, Coffee, Dessert Set, Porcelain, Victoria, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Delightfully angular pure Art Deco porcelain tea / coffee and dessert serving set for 5 by Victoria, Czechoslovakia. Comprising: jug, sugar bowl, milk jug, serving plate, 5 cups wi...
Porcelain
$27,387Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.3 in Dm 3.31 in
Baccarat. Louis XVI style 43-piece glassware, 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
19th Century Napoleon III Period Solid Silver Tea Service.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century Napoleon III period solid silver tea service. Napoleon III period solid silver tea service from the 19th century. Samovar: H: 19cm, W: 18cm, D: 12cm Milk jug: H: 7cm, W...
Silver
Boin Taburet - Set Tea/Coffee In Silver Xixe
By Boin-Taburet
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Set TEA / COFFEE 4 pieces silver Regency style, in its original box, consisting of a teapot, a coffee maker, a milk jug, and a sugar bowl, the handles are wooden. Dimensions: box :...
Sterling Silver
A. Aucoc - Tea/coffee Service 6 Pieces In Silver And Its Tray - Nineteenth
By A. Aucoc
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Important TEA/COFFEE service in solid silver, model with a flat bottom, with pinched ribs, each piece is chiseled with a berain decoration, interlacing on amati background and gadroo...
Sterling Silver
Tête-à-tête, Tea Service, Sèvres Porcelain, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Tête-à-tête, Tea service, Sèvres porcelain, Napoleon III period. Tea service, tête-à-tête in 19th century Sèvres porcelain, Napoleon III period, rich painted and gilded decoration o...
Porcelain
Sold
H 5.91 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Service "Tête à Tête" in 19th Century Sèvres Porcelain, Napoleon III Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Service Tête à Tête in 19th century Sèvres porcelain, Napoleon III period. Service Tête à Tête in Sèvres porcelain, portrait of French royalty, Napoleon III period, 19th century. ...
Porcelain
Limoges Porcelain Coffee Service, Early 20th .
By Limoges
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Limoges Porcelain Coffee Service, Early 20th . Limoges porcelain coffee service in its box, early 20th century, Napoleon III style. Dimensions: Box: h: 12cm, w: 35cm, d: 34cm
Porcelain
Beautiful Limoges Porcelain Mug by Jean Pouyat
By Jean Pouyat
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Beautiful Limoges Porcelain mug by Jean Pouyat" Beautiful Limoges porcelain cup, by Jean Pouyat, Napoleon III period, XIXth Century Measures: D: 1...
Porcelain
Coffee Service, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Coffee service, early 20th century Coffee service in its box in porcelain with gold and red decoration on a white background, early 20th century, perfect condition. Measures: Box -...
Porcelain
Porcelain Service and Its Meissen Tray, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain service and its Meissen tray, 19th century Porcelain service and its Meissen tray in its box composed of a cup, sugar bowl, milk jug, teapot...
Porcelain
Christofle Large Samovar, 19th Century
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Christofle large samovar, signed, 19th century Measures: H: 57 cm, W: 35 cm, D: 30 cm.
Metal
Tea and Coffee Set in Porcelain, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Tea and coffee set in porcelain, 19th century" Coffee service head to head in Sevres porcelain in its original box, 19th century, Napoleon III pe...
Porcelain
Sèvres Porcelain Tea Service, 19th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Tête-à-tête, Sèvres porcelain tea service, 19th century, Napoleon III period, Royal Blue decoration.
Porcelain