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Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

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
Color:  Gold
19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Candle Sconce with Female Face
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period bronze sconce features a beautifully detailed face with the features of a realistic countenance. Its three candleholders include their original removable bronze bobeches to protect from dripping wax...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Wall Lights in Gilt Bronze and Wedgwood, Napoleon III in Beurdeley Style
Located in NONANCOURT, FR
Pair of large sconces with three sconces in chiseled and gilded bronze, decorated with flowers, foliage, vines and ribbon. They are decorated with Wedgwood plaques representing Apoll...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Style Gilt Bronze Sconce By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
In this Napoleon III Style Gilt Bronze Sconce By Gherardo Degli Albizzi You can appreciate both hunting and vegetal motifs in the form of a boar and oak leaves that create a sinuous ...
Category

2010s Italian Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Gilt Bronze Lyre Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of 19th century gilt bronze Lyre sconces, Napoleon III period, 3 lights. Measures: H: 47 cm, W: 35 cm, D: 24 cm.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Napoleon III Wall Appliqués
By Pierre Gouthiere
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of Napoléon III gilt and patinated bronze Louis XVI style three-Branch Wall Appliqués, After a Design by Pierre Gouthière. French, Circa 1880.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Rococco Revival/ Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Baltimore, MD
Four-arm Ges Gesche electrified wall sconces, circa 1905. Interesting, pull-on push off switches. Original, mellow surfaces. Wiring inclusive. 3 available. Germany $925 each.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Late French Empire Patinated and Gilded Sconces
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A mid-late 19th century pair of wall sconces in the late French Empire/Restauration style. The gilded bronze back plate supports one patinated bronze arm from which four arms and a c...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Large Napoleon III Period French Bronze Wall Sconce of Classical Female Figure
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period bronze sconce features a classical female figure standing atop curling acanthus and flowers. Two candle arms extend from the floral base. The unusual large s...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Late 19th Century Empire Style Sconces
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine pair of gilded bronze sconces each having four arms which are decorated with palmettes. The arms are attached to a decorated central 'well' similar to a lidded reservoir which...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Appliqué in Gilt Bronze with Crystal Roses, Napoleon III
Located in Sofia, BG
Applique Napoleon III in gilt bronze with three arms of lights decorated with ribbons and flowers. Measures: H. 70 cm France, circa 1870.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Three Wall Lamps Has Three Arms of Light, Crystal of Murano, Straws of Gold
Located in Paris, FR
Set three wall lamps three arms, four falling leaves, two rising flowers, three rising leaves, lower cone ending in bell, good condition, circa 1950-1970.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Putti Wall Appliques or Sconces, Bronze Gilded, Paris, 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of putti wall appliques or sconces, bronze gilded. Paris, 1870 Bronze patented, partially fire-gilded. Hand holding a cornucopia. Unique pair of applique, fire-gilded. In th...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Pair of late 19th century gilt bronze sconces.
Located in New York, NY
Pair of late 19th century gilt bronze seven-light sconces. Each backplate decorated with a bearded male mask, followed by three tiers o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Nice Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Five-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century gilt bronze five light sconces with foliate-scrolled arms and backplate, centered by a female mask and five tiered lights.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of George III Style Wall Lights
Located in Steyning, West sussex
A fine pair of English George III style two-light cut-glass and ormolu-mounted wall lights the central spire surmounted by van dyke canopy and moon crescent finial . The main contain...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of George III Style Wall Lights
Pair of George III Style Wall Lights
H 20.08 in W 14.97 in D 9.06 in
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Nine-Light Candelabra, Emblematic of Hunting
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Large Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Nine-Light Candelabra, Emblematic of Hunting. Each conceived in the Louis XV style with rocaille stem supporting assymetrically modelled sc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu

Set of Four Fine French Louis XVI Period Gold Doré Bronze Candle Wall Sconces
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
An extremely elegant and high quality set of four Louis XVI period candle wall sconces of doré bronze (fire-gilded bronze), wonderfully elaborate in fine and precise detail, decorate...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Set of Four Louis XVI Style Jasperware and Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
These exquisite wall lights were created in the late 19th century by the famous bronzier, Henri Vian (French, 1860-1905). These wall lights are stamped ‘HV 955’ for Henri Vian, along with ‘BY’ for the prestigious Beurdeley furniture-making workshop (French, founded 1818). Vian purchased several bronze models that were created by Beurdeley when the company closed in 1895. These lights were most likely cast from a Beurdeley model. Typical of both Beurdeley’s and Vian’s work, these lights are designed in an 18th century Louis XVI (Neoclassical) style. The wall lights feature gilt bronze (ormolu) backplates which are designed to look like ribbons, tied in bows and ending in tassels. These ribbons support gilt bronze oval frames...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Napoleon III Pair of Candelabra, Gilt Bronze, Cloisonné Enamel
Located in PALERMO, IT
Elegant pair of finely chiseled and gilded bronze candelabra with cloisonné enamels. Cloisonné, also called Byzantium luster, is an artistic enamel decoration technique.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Set of Four Rococo Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These sconces (wall lights) are wonderful examples of the 18th century Louis XV style, which was fashionably revived in the 19th century. The style was characterised by its rocaille ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Dutch Pair of Brass Three-Candle Wall Sconces, Turn of the 18th & 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Dutch pair of brass three-candle wall sconces from the turn of the 18th and 19th century. This antique pair of wall decorations from the Netherlands have been created in brass with an ornate decor...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Midcentury Maison Arlus Plaster Wall Appliques
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Rare pair of Maison Arlus plaster wall appliques, makers marks to the reverse. Arlus was a French lighting manufacturer active in Paris since the earl...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Plaster

Pair of 19th Century Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
Pair of double arm gild bronze candle wall sconces that have been professionally electrified.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Five Antique Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
These beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) wall sconces (lights) are designed in an elegant Rococo style after decorative arts of the Louis XV period (1715-1774). Characteristic of this st...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Previously Available Items
Pair of Gilded Bronze Sconces, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilded bronze sconces, 19th century. Pair of gilt bronze sconces, signed G.D. from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, decorated with ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilded Bronze Sconces, 19th Century
Pair of Gilded Bronze Sconces, 19th Century
H 16.93 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in
Pair of Antique Bronze Friezes
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Rare pair of antique bronze friezes, from some large antique furniture, may be even from a bookcase: in fact I would put them on the uprights of ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Bronze Friezes
Pair of Antique Bronze Friezes
H 15.36 in W 3.75 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Gilt Bronze Sconces, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze sconces, 19th century. A pair of gilt bronze sconces, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 65 cm, W: 33 cm, D: 20 cm Ref 3120.
Category

1860s European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Appliques in Gilt Bronze and Cloisonne Enamel, End of 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of appliques in gilt bronze and cloisonne enamel, end of XIXth century" A pair of gilt bronze and cloisonné enamel sconces forming a pendant with a dragon sculpture on the ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Gilt Bronze Sconces, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze sconces, very good quality of chasing, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 49 cm, W: 33 cm, D: 13 cm.  
Category

1860s European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Mirrored Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th century two light French wall sconces with an acquired patina featuring oxidized mirrored backplates with stylized cut floral designs. Wired for electricity.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilt bronze sconces, Napoleon III period, 19th century Measures: H: 43 cm, W: 30 cm, D: 19 cm.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilt Bronze Sconces
Pair of Gilt Bronze Sconces
H 16.93 in W 11.82 in D 7.49 in
Set of 4 Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 4 gilt bronze wall lights Louis XIV style, late 19th century 3 branches lights Measures: Height 45 cm Width 31 cm.
Category

1880s European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Set of 4 Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
H 17.72 in W 12.21 in D 5.91 in
Pair of Bronze and Cloisonné Enamelled Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bronze and cloisonné enamelled sconces in the Japanese style with a dragon motif, 2 arms of lights, 1 wick missing. Measures: H: 40 cm, W...
Category

1870s European Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Wall Sconces in Gilt and Porcelain, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of wall sconces in gilded and chiseled bronze composed of two sconces adorned with cherubs. Porcelain adorned with pink and white flowers. Bobèch...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Porcelain Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze and Sèvres porcelain sconces, Napoleon III period, 19th century. H: 49 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 14 cm
Category

Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Porcelain Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze and Sèvres porcelain sconces, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: H: 49 cm, W: 28 cm, D: 14 cm.
Category

Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii wall lights and sconces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III wall lights and sconces 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 wall lights and sconces, popular names associated with this style include Baccarat, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Gherardo Degli Albizzi, and Maison Baguès. 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 wall lights and sconces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $650 and tops out at $34,687 while the average work can sell for $3,213.

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