Napoleon III Lighting
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
Pair of French Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Wall Lights Sconces
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Victorian style (1929s) wall sconces with a gilt bronze frame having intricate designs of acanthus leaves and ribbon on the body and a scalloped canopy with cascade of...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French, Napoleon III, bronze, mirrored candle sconces. Circa late 1800's
Located in CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, FR
This utterly gorgeous pair of antique French, Napoleon III, solid bronze, mirrored wall sconces, depicting cherubim and stylized Mascaron, possibly of Marianne, certainly make an imp...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal Napoleon III Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Napoleon III style chandelier with rope twist arm having a bronze dore frame ornate with clear, "fumee" and amethyst color hand cut pendalogues ...
Category
1890s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Porcelain Table Lamp Sevres Style, Early 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Napoleon III Sevres styled table lamp with vibrant color painted porcelain, showcasing the spirit of the Baroque Revivalist style of the 1900s. Features a romantic pastoral scene, ...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Brass, Bronze
$1,454 Sale Price
27% Off
19th Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Putti
Located in Marseille, FR
19th chandelier in gilt and silver bronze with putti decoration, Louis XVI style. Outstanding quality of carving and gilding.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique French Bronze Wall Sconce Napoleon III
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Large antique French bronze wall sconce Napoleon III (19th Century).
This large decorative wall sconce in bronze features o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Period Louis XIV st. Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and monumentally scaled pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Period Louis XIV st. Ormolu sconces. This exceptional pair of sconces are centered by an Ormolu gadroon...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Lamp in Porcelain and Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lamp in porcelain and gilt bronze, baluster shape adorned, on the belly, with leaves and flowers on a white background. Belly ornamented with two cartouches on both sides. Base and m...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Crystal Pendant, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilt bronze and crystal pendant, very nice decoration, Napoleon III period, 19th century, 3 lights.
Measures: H: 34 cm, d: 33 cm.
Category
1860s European Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Table Lamps in Patinated Bronze, Porcelain and Granite, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of table lamps with cherubs in patinated bronze, porcelain and granite, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
A pair of 19th century Napoleon III period patinated bronze, porcelai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Granite, Bronze
Paris Porcelain Pink and Gold over White Glazed Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in London, by appointment only
Paris Porcelain Pink and Gold over White Glazed Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp
Paris Porcelain monochrome pink pigment underglaze depicting bucolic...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Beautiful Standing Lamp in Wrought Iron with Gold Gilded Accents
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Beautiful standing lamp in wrought iron with gold gilded accents from the beginning of the 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Porcelain Table Oil Lamps on Bronze Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant antique "Lampes a Petrole" (or oil lamps) were crafted in France, circa 1870. The fixtures, converted into table lamps, sit on gilded bronze platform ending with sculpt...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of French Napoleon III Period Vase Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Napoleon III period opaline glass vases with hand-painted beadwork decoration, mounted as lamps with hand-carved wood bases with scalloped edges, painted to match. F...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Opaline Glass, Wood
$2,800 / set
Pair of Torchères, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of torchères, Napoleon III period, 19th century.
Pair of bronze torchères with mahogany base, Napoleon III period, 19th century.
H: 188...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vases Mounted Table Lamps
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of two-handled vases / lamps in classic French Napoleon III style bronze and gilt ormolu of very good quality, each with a foliated plant decoration in bronze, the ormolu orna...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Napoleon III Floor Lamp, in Bronze, Brass and Marble, Variable Height
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III floor lamp, in bronze, brass and marble.
Variable height.
Metal wear.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Romantic Brass and Ebonized Black Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking vintage chandelier in black and gold having circular base with 4 extending brass arms with candle lights, suspended from handsome gold chains. Body of fixture has brass cres...
Category
1930s American Vintage Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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 Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,782 / set
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...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Matching Pair of Figural Patinated Bronze Flame Torcheres after Clodion
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A beautifully cast matching pair of patinated bronze figural torcheres in the manner of Clodion modeled as classically draped young girls with garlands of flowers in their hair and h...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Chandelier in Gilded Bronze France Third Quarter 19th Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Napoleon III chandelier with eighteen lights arranged in double order, France third quarter 19th century. Gilded bronze structure, distinguished in the central shaft by the presence ...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Napoleon III Oil Lamp
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine French Napoleon III Oil Lamp, now electrified. Opaline glass container decorated with Maidens in Classical robes. France, circa 1860.
Dimensions: Height 36" Diameter 17"
CW5174
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Bras De Lumière Sconces or Lantern Holders
Located in Dallas, TX
Known as bras de lumière (“arm of light”), this pair of French cast iron sconces from the 1800’s features a magnificent rinceau of foliage wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Metal, Iron
Paris Porcelaine Chandelier with Flowers, France, circa 1890
Located in PARIS, FR
Charming painted porcelain chandelier with a blue background, in the shape of a basin with a flared and openwork border decorated with foliage on a platinum background alternating wi...
Category
1890s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Huge chandelier in bronze and glass, XXth century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Imposing chandelier in patinated bronze and frosted glass, comprising 13 lights, 12 of which are distributed on the arms. Each light is contained within a frosted glass tulip, accent...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Medici Shaped Opaline Lamps, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of Napoleon III style Medici shaped opaline lamps with gilt bronze mounts, early 20th century.
h: 39cm, d: 15cm
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Gilt Bronze Wall Lights With Winged Putti, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of gilded bronze wall lights, with 8 light arms each: rich leaf decoration on the arms and the sockets, winged puttis on the part fixed to the wall
Old restorations, one wing w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Lamp with blue porcelain and gilded bronze handles. Circa 1880.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis XVI style lamp in blue porcelain and gilded bronze, with its handles ending in leaves, the top of the frame decorated with a gadroon and an openwork gallery decorated with bunc...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
French Napoleon III Bronze and Cobalt Porcelain Lamp Base
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Napoleon III bronze and cobalt porcelain lamp base.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
1920-1940 Bohémian or Baccarat Crystal Chandelier 6 Arms
Located in Paris, FR
Chandelier crystal with bell with six arms and rings and 6 crosiers
Measures: Height 60 cm without chain
78 Cut crystal prisms with Baccarat model throttles
Good condition,
...
Category
1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal
Napoleon III Lustre De Fete Crystal Chandelier
Located in Stamford, CT
Crystal chandelier meant for sunlit garden parties. Used without candles or lights but sunlight. It can be illuminated by dropping a bulb into the center of it.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Wire
Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Candelabra Lamp
Located in NYC, NY
A bronze and gilded bronze five-light candelabra, in the Napoleonic Empire style with two-bulb cluster.
A Classic lamp with good patina and scale.
Ex. Christies Auction...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Porcelain Brass and Painted Glass Table Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant antique oil lamps made into table lights were crafted in France, circa 1880. The tall "Lampes a Petrole", stand on intricate round brass bases decorated with leaf motif...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century French Porcelain & Brass Table Oil Lamps with Floral Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant antique oil lamps were crafted in France, circa 1870. The "Lampes a Petrole", converted into table lamps, sit on round brass bases, and feature the original flame regul...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Brass
Three Pairs Of Three-Light Sconces LOUIS XVI STYLE GILT BRONZE
Located in SAINT-JEAN-CAP-FERRAT, FR
ITEM: THREE PAIRS OF THREE-LIGHT SCONCES
SPECIAL FEATURES: LOUIS XVI STYLE
MATERIAL: GILT BRONZE
NAPOLEON III PERIOD
DIMENSIONS: HEIGHT 70 CM, WIDTH 38CM
Louis XVI furniture is char...
Category
19th Century Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Other
Pair of lilac porcelain of Paris lamps, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Lilac colour Paris porcelain lamps standing on a piedouche shape base mounted in gilt bronze. The upper part of the vase is decorated with a white background frieze with a fl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Stacked Cut Crystal Three Bulb Table Lamp - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage brass and stacked cut crystal table lamps. Each lamp has three sockets all functioning with their own pull chain. Gorgeous hexagon pedestal base with intricate edg...
Category
Early 20th Century American Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Iridescent Celadon Porcelain Lamps, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bottle shapped iridescent celadon porcelain lamps. Chiseled and gilt bronze mount on an openwork circular base decorated with cartouches and swirls, two openwork handles and ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1890s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique Bathtub Lions Claw Foot Changed into a Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique bathtub lions claw foot changed into a lamp, 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Metal
$1,276 Sale Price
20% Off
Napoleon III Period Gilded Bronze Chandelier, 6-Light
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period gilded bronze chandelier, 6-light
Measures: H 83cm, D 52cm.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Solid Brass Dutch Style Chandelier from the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Solid brass Dutch style chandelier from the 19th century with five arms and five candles.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Chandelier of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chandelier of the 19th century, Napoleon III period in golden bronze and crystal, 14 lights, very beautiful chiseling of golden bronze with floral design.
Measures: H 110 cm, D 64 cm.
Category
1870s European Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Brass & Painted Tole Three-Light Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a lady's desk with this elegant antique "Lampe Bouillotte". Created in France, circa 1920, the table lamp sits on a brass round base decorated with three candle arms over a ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Brass, Tôle
19th Century Napoleon III Hand Painted Faience & Bronze Converted Oil Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Hand Painted Faience and Bronze Oil Lamp has been converted into an electric table lamp. Crafted in France, circa 1880s, the hand painted porcelain "...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Repousse Brass Oil Table Lamp with Tavern Scenes
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique oil lamp made into table lamp was crafted in France, circa 1870. The tall "Lampe a Petrole", stands on three paw feet over a round repousse base decorated with a...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Brass
Napoléon III 1870s Six-Light Chandelier with Scrolling and Twisted Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period six-light iron chandelier from late 19th century with scrolling accents and twisted patterns. Created in France at the end of emperor Napoléon III's reig...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair of Lamps in Valentine Porcelain and Gilt Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Baluster shape pair of lamps in Valentine porcelain. Decor of flowers in white background cartouches, on a cobalt blue background with gilt geometrical motifs. They are framed by two...
Category
1880s European Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Napoleon III Bronze Candlestick, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III bronze candlestick, measures high: 25 cm.
Very good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Napoleon III Bronze Sconce
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic pair of French Napoleon III nickel-plated 3-light sconces. Having fine detailed castings of ribbon, cornucopia, swag, and acanthus motifs. A great pair of sconces to suit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
$3,379 Sale Price / set
29% Off
Pair of Lamps in Tin, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of lamps in tin with a fluted shaft. Decor of frieze of beads on the base and the top of the mount. Gilt cartouche embedded on the base mentioning "Lampe modérateur T & G brevet...
Category
1880s European Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Tin
Pair of Neoclassical Style Porcelain Lamps, Napoléon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of neoclassical style porcelain lamps, baluster shaped, with a blue mat background. Black piedouche base and inner edge of the neck. On the body, decor of central medallion on one side representing a polychrome characters antique style dressed...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Bronze D’Ore Chandelier with Cherub and Acanthus Leaves
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite French 19th century Napoleon III chandelier features an intense and beautiful bronze d’ore. The piece is adorned with acanthus leaves; note the movement on the arms, growing to the top, and the flower bulb like candle cups. Lastly, a bronze d’ore cherub is seen in the center holding a sickle, a symbol of bounty in harvest.
Each piece in our shop is professionally rewired and in working order. Each chandelier comes with a vintage canopy...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Gold
Transparent Blown and Pinch Glass Chandelier Decorated with Crystals, Austria
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Glass and crystal chandelier on three levels, 16 sconces.
Category
20th Century Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Glass
Very Fine Napoleon III Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Napoleon III style chandelier having a gilt bronze frame with "S" curve arms ornate with "Fumee" purple pendalogues and beaded swags. 8 Lights.
France, circa 1900. Dimen...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1970′ Pair Of Patinated Bronze Floor Lamps Maison Charles Palm Tree Model
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of height-adjustable bronze floor lamps,
condition of use vintage,
Circa 1950/70, screwed elements, the shaft decorated with a palm tree rests on a tripod base decorated with l...
Category
1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
1880 Chandelier in Bindweeds with Blue Opaline and White Opaline Flowers
Located in Paris, FR
Chandelier in bindweeds with bowl in opaline blue and flowers in opaline white, frame brass and bronze, six candlesticks, condition of use, circa 1880-1900.
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Chandelier with knights, in the style of E. Viollet-le-Duc, France, circa 1880
By Eugène Emmanuel Viollet Le Duc
Located in Paris, FR
French « chevaliers » chandelier, circa 1880, in polished bronze.
Originally gas-fired, it has recently been electrified.
The height is given without the suspension chain.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large impressionist ceramic, mounted as a lamp (pierced bottom) XIXème
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large impressionist ceramic, mounted as a lamp (pierced bottom) with decoration of boats and flowering trees, late 19th century
currently presented with a large patinated plaster can...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Napoleon III Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Napoleon Iii lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include Baccarat, Ferdinand Barbedienne, Europa Antiques, and OMBRES ET FACETTES. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $233,178 while the average work can sell for $3,389.