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.
A Napoleon III Period Table Mirror in Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Enamelled Porcelain
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Napoleon III period gilt bronze and Sèvres enamelled porcelain table mirror, 19th century. Dimensions : H: 37.5cm, W: 23cm, D: 4cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm av...
Bronze
$2,310Sale Price|40% Off
Napoleon III period chased gilt bronze table mirror.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period chased gilt bronze table mirror . Napoleon III period table mirror in chased and gilded bronze, beveled glass, 19thcentury antique. H:50cm, W: 30cm, D:2cm Contac...
Bronze
$1,878Sale Price|30% Off
Silver Plated Bronze Table Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A silver plated bronze table mirror, 19th century A silvered bronze table mirror with mercury glass, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Contact us before ordering to confirm product...
Bronze
$2,450Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Napoleon III Champlevé Enameled Gilt Bronze Standing Mirror
Located in Paris, FR
Small standing mirror with ormolu, or gilt bronze, frame covered in an exquisite design of champlevé enameling, with delicate interlacing and flo...
Bronze, Enamel
$1,464Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Gentleman's Vanity or Table Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An antique gentleman's vanity toilet mirror, or 'Psyche', dating from the 19th century and beautifully crafted from gleaming mahogany. This tilting table-top mirror is full of charac...
Fruitwood
c.1870–1885 Napoleon III French Ormolu Opaline Vanity Mirror, Paris, 13in
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Exceptional French Napoleon III vanity mirror dating from circa 1870–1885, crafted in Paris during the height of the Second Empire. This luxurious toilette de dame piece features fin...
Marble, Bronze
Auguste Moreau - Bronze Toilet Mirror
Located in Beaune, FR
Exquisite Rococo-style dressing mirror signed Auguste Moreau. Beveled glass and griotte marble base. Dimensions: Height 30.5cm, Width 14cm, Depth 11cm
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Table Mirror in Chased and Gilt Bronze on wood.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period table mirror in chased and gilt bronze on wood. Napoleon III period table mirror in chased and gilt bronze on wood, bevelled glass, 19th century antique. Dimens...
Bronze
Rocaille-style Silver-Plated Metal Table Mirror, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th-century Rocaille-style silver-plated metal table mirror, Napoleon III period. Napoleon III period table mirror, 19th century, Rocaille style, silver-plated metal. H: 31 cm, W: ...
Silver Plate
Set of Mirrors, Triptych Mirrors and a Pair of Mirrors, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of mirrors, triptych mirrors and a pair of mirrors, 19th century. Set of mirrors, a triptych mirror and a pair of mirrors in gilt metal and wallpaper decorations, 19th century, ...
Metal
Large French Napoleon III Period Table Mirror With Drawer, circa 1880
Located in Paris, FR
Large antique French Napoleon III period blond fir table mirror with storage drawer. Modern glass mirror. Wood back. Drawer dimensions 42 x 16 cm / 16.53 x 6.29 .in Glass dimensions...
Mirror, Wood
$1,960Sale Price|30% Off
Important Vanity Mirror in Bronze Patine from the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important vanity mirror in bronze patine from the 19th century with original bezeled mercury mirror. Measures: 60cm x 37cm x 4 cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product avai...
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
$613
H 7.88 in W 5.91 in D 2.37 in
Mid-Century Modern Bronze Table Mirror and Frame, Europe, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Organic table mirror pivots into a picture frame by touch. The bronze has been cast into a relief of natural lines inspired by Art Nouveau depicting a landscape and sunset. The frame...
Bronze
Art Deco Dressing Table Mirror or Vanity Mirror from France
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French free-standing vanity mirror or dressing table mirror of chrome and mirrored glass from the Art Deco era, with a swiveling square mirror surface and felt back, supported...
Chrome, Metal
Napoleon III Period Gilt French Mirror Circa 1860
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Napoleon III period gilt French Mirror, circa 1860. Repetitive motif borders - beading along the mirror plate followed by a flat border to a modified acanthus leaf border and boldly ...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
French Art Deco Vanity Mirror with Drawer, 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
A French vanity mirror from the 1930s–1940s, sourced in the South of France and capturing the late Art Deco spirit. Its triptych design allows the arched side wings to fold inward, f...
Metal
$6,450Sale Price|40% Off
H 26.5 in W 21.5 in D 11 in
19th Century Antique Chinese Turtle Shell Vanity Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a rare and unusual antique, Chinese vanity mirror presented in a turtle shell. The mirror is in a mahogany frame, expertly carved with lo...
Marine turtle
19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very wide, heavily carved frame with a reversed cove toward the back. Beautiful beveled mirror in original glass. The impression of what appears to be a makers mark is visible in t...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Indian Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in Topanga, CA
A charming teak tabletop vanity mirror with scrolled side supports, original arched top mirror frame and a drawer at the bottom. The mirror surface reveals the passage of time with a...
Glass, Wood
$1,511
H 10.24 in W 9.06 in D 1.58 in
Victorian Standing or Wall Mounted Vanity Mirror in Pewter, 19th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Victorian table or wall mounted vanity mirror composed of richly detailed pewter. It was manufactured in either France or England during the...
Pewter
Sliver Plate 'Plateau' mirror, Late 19th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very finely cast silver plated frame 'plateau' with floral decoration, showing beautifully detailed fruit and flowers. Fitted mirror glass, this would also make a stunning picture ...
Silver Plate
Antique Vanity Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and rich antique vanity or dressing table mirror, circa early-20th century. Mirror is rectangular with directional flexibility (north and ...
Mirror, Wood
Antique French Empire Vanity Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th Century Empire-style swivel vanity mirror with compartment shelf. Measurements: Height: 34.5" Width: 24" Depth: 10".
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 11.42 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in
Napoleon III-era Table Mirror with Silver-Plated Metal Frame on Velvet.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III-era table mirror with silver-plated metal frame on velvet. Napoleon III-era table mirror, 19th century, silver-plated metal on velvet. H: 29 cm, W: 23 cm, D: 2 cm Plea...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 15.75 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in
Table Mirror in Silvered Bronze, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Table mirror in silvered bronze, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period silver plated bronze table mirror, decorated with musical instruments, bevelle...
Bronze
Sold
H 11.03 in W 8.67 in D 1.19 in
Table Mirror and its Two Vases, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Table mirror and its two vases, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A table mirror and its two enamelled and cloisonné bronze vases, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Vases: H: 23c...
Bronze
Sold
H 2 in W 15.75 in D 11.75 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Footed Mirror Plateau Tray
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb 19th Century French Napoleon III period gilded bronze mirrored table plateau footed tray with ornate handles, foliate and floral details, ...
Bronze
Sold
H 11.03 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
An Enamelled Bronze Table Mirror, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An enamelled bronze table mirror, 19th century, Napoleon III period. An enamelled bronze table mirror, bevelled mirror, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 28cm, W: 22cm, D: 2cm
Bronze
Sold
H 66.93 in W 51.97 in D 28.75 in
Napoleon III style dressing table in black lacquered wood and 3 mirrors
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Napoleon III style dressing table in black lacquered wood and 3 mirrors Wear consistent with age and use. Antique Furniture - Napoleon III Measures : 132cmx61cm H top:73cm TH:170...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 10.5 in W 18.5 in D 1 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Wall Fan Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall, a vanity, or dresser with this intricate fan mirror. Crafted in France, circa 1880, and unique in shape, this heavy bronze features finely ...
Bronze
Napoleon III Cobalt and Clear Glass Table Mirror
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular beveled mirror plate bordered by clear dots on a blue ground surround, mounted with daisy form glass appliques. With easel form back.
Glass, Wood
Вronze and Enamel Сloisonné Decorative Mirror
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ?ronze and enamel ?loisonné decorative mirror, 19th century, Napoleon III period Measures: Height: 33,5 cm Width: 21,5 cm.
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Mirror and Porcelain Plates
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gilt bronze mirror and porcelain plates Late 19th century. Measures: height: 42 cm Width: 33 cm.
Bronze
Table Mirror, End of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Table mirror, end of the 19th century, Napoleon III period, silver. Restoration on the lower right. Measures: H: 37 cm, W: 27 cm, D: 2 cm.
Silver
Sold
H 55.5 in W 40.5 in D 20 in
Antique Napoleon III Classical Revival Mahogany & Ormolu Dressing Table c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Napoleon III Classical Revival dressing table offers mahogany construction with oval mirror having flanking column supports with flame finials over table with singl...
Ormolu