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.
19th Century French Napoleon III Giltwood Wall Mirror with Mercury Glass
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine rectangular Napoleon III full length mirror, in gilded wood and moulded plaster, which can be positioned horizontally or vertically. This characterful old mirror has intricate...
Giltwood, Mirror
French 19th Century Napoleon III Cushion Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French répoussé cushion mirror of the Dutch tradition, punched from a metal plate to high relief for exciting dimension with mythical sea serpents and dense foliate pa...
Metal
Napoleon III wall mirror with coat of arms, carved and gilded wood, France
Located in Valladolid, ES
Technical data Style: Napoleon III Materials: Carved and gilded wood, mirror Period: Napoleon III era (1852 – 1880) Country of origin: France Good condition considering its age and u...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Hand-Carved Eagle Mirror from France
Located in High Point, NC
19th century GORGEOUSLY hand carved mirror in the form of an eagle. The quality of this carving is stunning. The eagle is so realistic, he looks like he could come to life! In his...
Mirror, Fruitwood
Napoleon III Style French Mirror, Bronze Ormolu Frame, Antique, 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Mirror from France in the Napoleon III style. This piece is made of finely cast bronze ormolu, hand embossed, with intricate décor throughout. The frame features stylized flowers, cr...
Metal
French 19th Century Massive Oval Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A lavish and intricately carved French 19th Century Napoleon III style giltwood oval mirror that will instantly transform any wall or mantel. This amazing mirror has a highly decorat...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Napoleon III Period French Gilt Wood Mantel Mirror with Mask
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century French Napoleon III period giltwood mirror features its original mercury glass and a central cartouche with a female mask flanked by scrolling leaves at t...
Mercury Glass, Giltwood
19th Century French Mirror with Carved and Giltwood Frame, Napoleon III
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century giltwood mirror of Napoleon III époque decorated with flowers and shells, France, circa 1860.
Giltwood
20th Century Napoleon III style mirror in wood with facet cut mirror, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1950 / mirror / wood, mirror / Mid-century / Napoleon III Rectangular Napoleon III style mirror in white and gold lacquered and carved wood. The of white and gold decorated...
Mirror, Wood
Napoleon III Period, Embossed Brass and Faux Tortoiseshell Ebonized Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, 19th Century Embossed Brass And Faux Tortoiseshell Mirror having beveled glass. This striking Continental wall mirror is constructed as an architectural, stepped compositio...
Brass
Napoleon III Giltwood Parclose Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
France, Mid 19th Century An exceptionally fine Napoleon III parclose Mirror, with its original bevelled mercury glass mirror plate. The design is extremely decorative, its crest fea...
Mirror, Giltwood
$2,390Sale Price|20% Off
Mirror with Closed Pares in Repoussé Copper Decorated with Garlands of Flowers
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful and interesting mirror with closed pares is made of mirrors and repoussé copper decorated with garlands of Ffowers and topped with the effigy of the Sun King. This is...
Mirror
Large 19th Century Mirror - Netherlands
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb, large 19th-century mirror with glazing beads from the Netherlands Very beautiful mirror that stands out for its large size and fine quality All mirrors are beveled a sign of ...
Brass
19th Century French Rococo Giltwood Mirror in Napoleon III Style
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite 19th century French mirror captures the timeless elegance of classical design and the refined craftsmanship of the period. The rectangular frame is richly adorned with...
Gold Leaf
French Massive Napoleon III Giltwood Oval Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A lavish and intricately carved French 19th Century Napoleon III style giltwood oval mirror. This amazing mirror hand-crafted in France during the reign of Napoleon III has a highly ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Wall Mirror, Large size, Oxidized Glass, 1950s Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This wall mirror is inspired by a mirror found in an old hotel on Rue Montmartre from the 1950s. A floral wallpaper had been placed under the tile mosaic, and natural oxidation over...
Glass, Mirror
Large Antique Napoleon III Giltwood French Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
A 19th-century French wall mirror in Napoleon III style. This large mirror features a rectangular giltwood frame with floral corner ornamentation, a warm gilt finish, and a bevelled ...
Wood, Giltwood
French 19th Century Large Cushion Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An extraordinary cushion mirror from 19th century France, the reflection is secondary to the artistry of gilded, repoussé metal decoration cascading from the pediment to surround the...
Metal
Labarge Napoleon III Style Patial Gilt and Ebonized Wall Mirror
By LaBarge
Located in Germantown, MD
A Labarge Napoleon III Style Patial Gilt and Ebonized Wall Mirror Measures 32.5" in width, and 54" in height.
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood
$4,080Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Repusse Mirror
Located in Huntington, NY
19th century French Repusee mirror, matte finish for photo purposes only.
Brass
$2,000Sale Price|69% Off
Italian Napoleon Mirror, 1800s Carved Gilt Acanthus, Shell, Palladian Top, Green
Located in IT
This stunning 19th-century Italian Napoleon mirror features an elegant Palladian top, beautifully carved and gilded with intricate acanthus leaf scroll...
Mirror, Wood
French 19th Century Petite Brass Cushion Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic cushion mirror in répoussé brass on wood backing, from the 19th century. This petite mirror features ornate pressed brass decoration for lovely contrast against the flat ...
Brass
Late 19 Century Napoleon III Rococo Style Gilt Wood and Gesso Framed Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare and highly unusual French Napoleon III carved wood, gesso and gilded frame with a modern mirror in it. The frame is decorated with cartouches and is further embellished with...
Gesso, Giltwood, Mirror
French Napoleon III Brass Repousse Rectangular Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
An elegant Napoleon III mirror made with central glass and four rectangular glasses joined between them by decorative brass repousse foliage floral patterns, an elegant filigree repo...
Brass
Ebonised & Giltwood Mirror Napoleon III Second Empire
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Ebonised & Giltwood Mirror Napoleon III Second Empire Sourced from the Basque region of South West France, this handsome mirror features a raised crest with elegant acanthus leaf an...
Mirror, Pine
Napoleon III Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Napoleon III gilt wood (gold leaf) mirror, circa 1870. With a foliate shaped pediment, gadrooned outer border and a beaded inner border.
Gold Leaf
19th Century Carved Cushion Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
19th century wonderfully hand carved cushion mirror which came out of the grand house Locksley Hall in Staffordshire. The outer frame is hand carved and has a glorious pattern of le...
Mirror, Oak
Napoleon III Style Antique French Mirror, Ormolu Frame, 1880, France
Located in Austin, TX
Mirror from France in the Napoleon III style. This piece is made of finely cast bronze ormolu with intricate décor throughout. The frame features stylized acanthus leaves, “godrons”,...
Ormolu
Napoleon III Baroque Period Gold Leaf Wall Mirror, France, 1860
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Original Napoleon III period wall mirror, France, 1860. black lacquor and gold leaf. Plaster on wood. Facet mirror.
Gold Leaf
Large Café Mirror in Murano Style with Oxidized Glass, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This large café mirror is a faithful reproduction of the mirrors that decorated Parisian brasseries in the 19th century. It is made of oxidized glass, with a patina created naturally...
Metal
Venetian Mirror In Blue And Colourless Murano Glass
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Venetian Mirror In Blue And Colourless Murano Glass
Glass, Giltwood
Antique Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror from France, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… The giltwood frame of this French mirror is delicately embellished with foliate vines that are interrupted in the corners by much larger carved leaves....
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Sunburst Mirror, Gold-Plated Metal and Convex Mirror.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sunburst Mirror, Gold-Plated Metal and Convex Mirror This mirror, with its radiant sunburst silhouette, exudes timeless beauty. Inspired by the radiant motifs that adorned the main ...
Metal, Gold Plate
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
Antique Napoleon III Mirror, Bronze Ormolu Frame, Crown Design, 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Mirror from France in the Napoleon III style. This piece is made of finely cast bronze ormolu with intricate décor throughout. The frame features stylized acanthus leaves, “godrons”,...
Metal
Napoleon III Overmantel Parcel Gilt Mirror
Located in London, GB
A large Napoleon III antique mirror in parcel gilt, the bound laurel border to the frame is picked out in cream, as are the fine beads whi...
Gesso, Giltwood
Antique French Black & Giltwood Mirror from the Napoleon III Period, circa 1880
Located in Paris, FR
Antique mirror from the Napoleon III era offering a striking contrast (black and gilt). The blackened stucco frame is richly decorated with gilded and patinated leaf scrolls. The edg...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Murano-Style Hand-Aged Café Mirror – Napoléon III Inspiration
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This Murano-style café mirror is a faithful reproduction of 19th-century Parisian “café mirrors.” Inspired by the mirrors that once adorned the grand brasseries and cafés of Paris du...
Metal
19th Century Monumental French Napoleon III Carved Painted & Parcel Gilt Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century French painted and parcel gilt mirror with beautiful elements is realized in carved and giltwood. The style is Napoleon III, the frame is 19th century with a newer ...
Mirror, Wood
Rare Antique French Giltwood Oval Mirror With Pediment, circa 1890
Located in Paris, FR
Rare antique French giltwood wedding mirror, ornament pediment with dove and flowers, arrows and torch. Re-gilding to the leaf. Antique frame width: 6.5 cm / 2.55 in. Modern glass mi...
Giltwood, Mirror, Stucco
$2,541Sale Price|34% Off
19th Century French Grand Gilt Wood Crystal Mirror from Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
19th Century French crystal mirror in grand stucco and gilded wood frame decorated with a putti holding a quiver and a torch on the top. Very goo...
Stucco, Wood
Small Antique French Black & Giltwood Mirror, Napoleon III Period, circa 1870
Located in Paris, FR
Rare small French antique mirror from the Napoleon III period, circa 1870. Antique black and gilded mirror frame decorated with stylized vegetal friezes typical of the Napoleon III s...
Wood, Giltwood, Mirror
$2,103Sale Price|20% Off
Large Repoussé Copper Pareclose Napoleon III Mirror, France, 1890
Located in Brussels, BE
Very decorative large Napoleon III "repoussé copper" pareclose wall mirror. Mounted on a wood base. Decorated with leaves, flowers ,foliage and putti. Around 1890-France.
Copper
French Napoleon III Split Plate Giltwood Mirror
Located in Kent, Dover
A fine French Napoleon III carved gilt wood mirror with acanthus and trophy decoration. The original split mercury plate.
Mirror, Giltwood
Exceptional Napoleon III Carved And Giltwood Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved giltwood mirror having a molded surround with a pierced crest in the form of a fruit-filled urn flanked by putti ending in foliate scrolled vines. An outer leafy surround and ...
Giltwood
Gilded mirror, France, 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Gilt mirror, France, 19th century, a superb antique piece with authentic charm. It is distinguished by its richly molded circular frame, adorned with beaded and finely sculpted motif...
Glass, Mirror
$1,147Sale Price|20% Off
Walnut mirror from the Napoleon III period, France, circa 1870
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Walnut mirror. Napoleon III period France, circa 1870 Good condition. Dimensions: height 127 cm width 81 cm depth 8 cm
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Very large mirror with floral motifs and small pediment H. 204 cm - W. 130 cm
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Very large gilded wood mirror carved with a wide border of floral motifs, small pediment. Beautiful original gilding, silver-plated mirror and wood parquet flooring. Napoleon III per...
Wood, Giltwood, Mirror
Antique French Louis-Philippe Mirror, Black & Silvered Patinated, circa 1880
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French black and silvered wood wall mirror in the spirit of Napoleon III style. Louis Philippe style shape antique frame, re-silvered with leaf, decorated with scrollls fol...
Silver Leaf
19th Century French Napoleon III Repousse Cushion Brass Beveled Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in France, circa 1870, the elegant antique mirror is decorated with intricate repousse scroll work motifs including a large cartouche at the pediment featuring a center fruit...
Brass
Mid-Century French Rope-Form Giltwood Mirror with Black Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room, entryway, or bedroom with this elegant two-tone vintage mirror. Crafted in France circa 1960, the shaped frame features a blackened border embellished with a ...
Gold Leaf
Large Oval Mirror In Gilded Wood, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large oval mirror in gilded wood, with reserves, with a richly carved pediment of winged dragons evolving in a foliage decoration. The reserves have a gilded painted decoration a...
Wood
Exceptional Carved Giltwood Mirror, France, Circa 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
An important carved and gilded wood mirror, with a very fine decoration made of flower garlands wrapped around the moulded frame, sculpted with acanthus leaves. A large foliate shell...
Mirror, Giltwood
Napoleon III Style Wall Mirror, Black & Silver Frame, France, 1910
Located in Austin, TX
Excellent mirror from France in the Napoleon III style with a black and silver leaf frame. There is also an inner frame of gold leaf beading. Hand-carved into the silver frame is a l...
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
19th Century Fine French Oval Giltwood Mirror with Cherubs on the Top
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century oval mirror of Napoleon III period. Carved wood, covered with gesso and gold leaf finish. This piece has beautiful ornaments and couple of cherubs on the top and it wear...
Giltwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Repousse Brass and Pine Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in France, circa 1890, the elegant antique wall mirror is decorated with intricate repousse decor including a very large cartouche at the pediment featuring a center floral v...
Brass
$2,772Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Mirror in Gilded Carved Wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Italian mirror in gilded carved wood, bevelled glass, Napoleon III period. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability. Measures: H: 110 cm, W: 79 cm, D: 7 cm
Wood
Monumental antique wall mirror, Napoleon III, Paris, gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental antique wall mirror, Napoleon III, Paris, gold Solid wood, gold plated. Double frame with rich decoration of rocailles, flowers and a crowning cartouche with an inscribed flower tree. leaf feet. An absolute eye-catcher. High quality and decorative French fireplace mirror...
Mirror, Wood
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Napoleon III Gilded French Oval Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th century Napoleon III gilded oval mirror with elaborately carved crest. In good condition with bright gilt. Wear consi...
Giltwood
Antique French Napoleon III Style Gold Gilded Oval Wall Mirrors - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Gold Gilded Oval Wall Mirrors - Set of 2 This exquisite pair of Antique French Napoleon III oval mirrors exemplifies the opulence and craftsmanshi...
Mirror, Plaster