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.
Lantern, attributed to Maison Millet, France, Circa 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful lantern in double patina bronze and crystal. The central shaft is engraved with a Greek frieze centered on a star. The whole is suspended from a openwork crown decorated wi...
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Aesthetic Seven-Light Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
A 19th century French gilt bronze and crystal Aesthetic seven-light chandelier France, circa 1880 Perfectly working and ready to be hung.
Crystal, Bronze
Iron Lantern French, Napoleon III Black with Stained Glass Panels, circa 1910
Located in Verviers, BE
Studio multicolored stained glass hanging pendant. Studio stained glass hanging lamp. Featuring stained glass pieces with enclosing blue,...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$2,380Sale Price|20% Off
19thc French Napoleon III Suspended Lantern Dore Bronze/ Crystal Signed Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze with Crystal Suspended Ceiling Lantern. The crystal shade and the bronze body are both signed by Baccarat France. This is a unique fixture and h...
Bronze
French Napoleon III Style Giltwood Lantern By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
A French Napoléon III–style gilt lantern, hand-carved in wood and finished in gold leaf by the master craftsmen at La Maison London. The design is inspired by a late 19th-century bespoke monumental...
Glass, Hardwood
Gilded Elegance: 19th Century Venetian Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite 19th Century Carved and Gilt Wood Venetian Lantern. Crafted with meticulous artistry, this lantern's intricate carvings and lustrous gilt finish exude timeless elegance. It...
Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Iron Lantern with Fleur de Lis
Located in New Orleans, LA
A distinguished Napoleon III black iron lantern adorned with fleur-de-lis motifs and intricate scrollwork, showcasing the era’s imperial elegance and finely detailed French craftsman...
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Iron Lantern with Painted Stained Glass Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
For a unique lighting feature, look no further than this beautiful, antique Gothic style lantern. Created in France circa 1870, the colorful lantern is decorated with four painted, s...
Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Black Iron Antique Lantern
Located in New Orleans, LA
A striking Napoleon III black iron lantern featuring intricate scrollwork, glass-paneled sides, and a gracefully tapered form—blending 19th century French industrial craftsmanship wi...
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Napoleon III Round Iron Lantern with Stained Glass Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
For a unique lighting feature, look no further than this beautiful, antique Gothic style lantern. Crafted in France circa 1870, this vibrant lantern features seven stained glass pane...
Iron
Napoleon III Style Bronze Lantern with Acid-Etched Glass, Circa 1900
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Napoleon III style bronze lantern circa 1900 acid-etched glasses
Metal
$3,495Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Magnificent Floor Lamp, Bronze, Gold Napoleon III
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique magnificent floor lamp, bronze, gold Napoleon III. Voluminous body with curved bronze arms. Lavishly with crystal curtains. Solid gilt bronze base with curved volutes in Louis XV style. Finely cast and chased bronze elements, gilded. Lampshade frame...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Iron and Tole Metal Lantern
Located in North Miami, FL
This extra large scale black tole metal and frosted glass lantern with 6 lights to interior, is designed in the Napoleon III style. Charming details such as metal florals, tassels a...
Metal
19thc French Napoleon III Red Crystal Hanging Electric Lantern Signed Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Very Rare Form 19thc French Napoleon III Ruby Red Crystal Electrified Oil Lantern Signed by Baccarat. What makes this example very rare is the panel scenes of Birds/ Ducks/ Flying Ge...
Crystal
c1880 French Napoleon III Crystal&Gilt Bronze Ceiling Fixture / Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1880 French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze / Cut Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant Ceiling Fixture. The quality of this piece is amazing! The crystal is very, very thick and heavy. Attributed t...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Hand Painted Porcelain and Bronze Oil Lanterns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century hand painted porcelain and bronze oil lanterns are exquisite works of art executed in amazing detail and vibrant color by hand, then glazed to preserve the beaut...
Bronze
A Napoleon III pentagonal ormolu hanging lantern
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Napoleon III pentagonal ormolu hanging lantern, the five shaped glass plates set within ornate frames comprising swags, urns and acanthus leaves, retaining traces of the original g...
Ormolu
Opaline Lanterne with Gilded Bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Opaline pink lantern with bronze style Napoleon III. This lantern is part of the high French decoration decorated and hand painting. These colors for thi...
Bronze
Brass Lantern with Faceted Glass, circa 1960
By Emil Stejnar, Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Lyrical mid-century brass lantern with faceted glass. Very intricate design with a solid hexagonal brass structure, which is partially enameled in white, and six faceted glass elemen...
Brass
Iron and Glass Lantern Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Simple and elegant iron and glass pendants. Glass globe shaped as an octagon with inlaid iron with in clear glass. Oil rub bronze hardware. Newly re-wired. One available.
Pair of 19th Century Tole Lanterns
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of painted tole lanterns.
Tôle
19th Century Baccarat Crystal Chandelier Five-Light Chandelier
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A lovely antique Baccarat crystal electrified chandelier, gilt brass beautifully decorated with several tiers of large pendaloques in different shapes and sizes, finishing at the bot...
Crystal, Brass
French Iron and Tole Glass-Paneled Lantern
Located in Chireno, TX
French iron and tole glass-paneled lantern circa 1870-1899. Unwired. Two lanterns are available but sold individually priced $3,800 each (see last image and...
Brass, Iron, Tin
Classic Design Antique Bronze D'ore Lantern, circa 1890-1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Nice design elements on this classic lantern.
Bronze
Antique Fine Gold Bronze Hall Lantern, circa 1890-1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique fine gold bronze hall lantern, circa 1890-1910. LAN127.
Bronze
$3,465Sale Price|30% Off
H 27.5 in W 17.25 in D 17.25 in
A Rare French Baroque Style Wrought-Iron Stained Glass Hall Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French 19th-20th century Baroque Revival style wrought iron and four-color vitreaux stained glass single-light hall lantern, the rounded four stained glass...
Wrought Iron
Wonderful French Bronze Crystal Neoclassical Empire Ormolu Lantern Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French bronze and diamond cut crystal neoclassical or Empire ormolu-mounted Lantern chandelier with three candelabra lights. In the manner of Baccarat. Measures: 21" H x...
Crystal, Bronze
Wrought Iron and Stained Glass Ceiling Lantern Lamp, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Antique wrought iron and stained glass ceiling lantern lamp Old outdoor lantern lamp with wrought iron ceiling and colored glass. Wrought i...
Metal
French Handcrafted Wrought Iron Glass Lantern Indoor or Outdoor
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A four-sided Arts & Crafts wrought iron lantern with yellow glass panels for indoor and outdoor use, France, 1920-1930. Brass and porcelain E27 light socket for a large sized bul...
Wrought Iron
French Louis XVI Style Bronze Lantern
Located in Houston, TX
French Louis XVI Style Bronze Lantern. Offered is a superb large scale antique French Louis XVI style bronze lantern with curved glass panels and three interior lights (candelabra so...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Italian Glass Paneled Lanterns
Located in Chireno, TX
Pair of antique Italian glass paneled lanterns circa 1900-1910. Cast brass with soft, natural green-verdigris patina. Sold together and priced $10,...
Brass, Iron
French Art Nouveau Stained-Glass Lantern, 1890-1900
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Nouveau Stained-Glass Lantern, France, 1890-1900. This exquisite French Art Nouveau stained-glass lantern dates from 1890-1900 and showcases masterful craftsmanship in sta...
Iron
Set of Three French Verdigris Bronze Three-Light Ceiling Lanterns
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress an entryway, hallway, or covered patio with this exceptional set of three antique lanterns. Crafted in France circa 1990, each hanging lantern is composed of a finely bronze fr...
Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Iron Lantern with Stained Glass Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
For a unique lighting feature, look no further than this beautiful, antique Gothic style lantern. Crafted in France circa 1870, this vibrant lantern features four stained glass panel...
Iron
Sold
H 29 in W 11 in D 11 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Iron Lantern with Painted Stained Glass Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
For a unique lighting feature, look no further than this beautiful, antique Gothic lantern. Created in France circa 1870, the lantern is decorat...
Iron
Mid-Century French Napoleon III Bronze and Glass Four-Light Ceiling Lantern
Located in Dallas, TX
Light up your entryway with this elegant brass lantern fixture; crafted in France circa 1970, the tall round lantern is decorated with the four brass dividers decorated with foliage ...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 10.5 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
19thc French Antique Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Heavy Pagoda Lantern
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Napoleon III Heavy Gilt Bronze Japonisant, Chinoiserie Lantern with Original thisk Art Glass Shade. This lantern is ultra high quality.
Bronze
Sold
H 26 in W 15 in D 15 in
19th Century French Gothic Black and Gilt Iron Three-Light Hexagon Lantern
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1880, and hexagonal in shape with slant roof form top, the antique light fixture features pierced ornate, decorative scrolls throughout and embellished with a...
Iron
1980s Italian Tole Candle Sconces, a Pair
Located in Marietta, GA
Wonderful pair of tole candle lanterns , with curved seeded glass. The lanterns are Napoleonic in style, with hand painted gold embellishments. In very goo...
Tin
French Hanging Lantern
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fantastic 19th century French verdigris copper hanging lantern with chain. This is a fabulous 19th century French fully glazed convex verdigris lante...
Glass
Sold
H 29 in W 18 in D 18 in
French 1870s Napoléon III Period Copper Four-Light Lantern with Verdigris Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III copper lantern from the late 19th century, with four lights and verdigris patina. Created in France during the last quarter of the 19th century, this copper lan...
Copper
Antique Napoleon III Bronze and Etched Glass Lantern, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Napoleon III bronze and etched glass lantern, Circa 1890.
Bronze