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.
Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood Oval 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
French 19th Century Napoleon III Repoussé Cushion Mirror, Metal & Wood
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
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
Antique Napoleon III Wall Mirror, Whitewashed Frame, France, 1880s
Located in High Point, NC
Here is a mirror, its whitewashed carved frame, arched top the first thing to catch the eye. The piece dates to 1880s, sourced from France, and carries the hallmarks of period crafts...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Brass Repoussé Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Napoleon III brass repoussé mirror featuring floral and foliage motifs at the corners and along the border.
Brass
$1,326Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Napoleon III Style Gilded Wood and Stucco Mirror, Early 20th Century
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique Napoleon III Style Gilded Wood and Stucco Mirror, Early 20th Century Enhance your decor with the timeless magnificence of this antique Napoleon III style mirror, boasting a ...
Wood
Large Vintage Giltwood Wall Mirror – Napoleon III Style, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Vintage Belgian gildwood mirror in Napoleon III style, with a wide wooden frame and subtle shoulders at the corners. The gold finish has developed a natural patina, giving it a warm ...
Wood, Giltwood
$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
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
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 19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood Oval Mirror, 1852-1870
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
French Antique Giltwood Wall Mirror, Napoleon III, Louis XV Revival, c.1870
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
An elegant French giltwood wall mirror dating from the Napoleon III period, circa 1870, designed in the refined Louis XV Revival style. The rectangular frame is richly decorated wi...
Mirror, Pine
$2,286Sale 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
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
19th Century French Cushion Mirror, Gilded Metal, Napoleon III Style
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
$1,097Sale Price|20% Off
French Stucco Mirror with Bronze Patina Vegetal Patterns, Napoleon III c. 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
French bronze patina stucco mirror Beautiful frame with an ornamentation on the top with two birds on a vegetal decor Plant decoration on the stucco...
Mirror, Stucco
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
Antique Napoleon III Wall Mirror, Dark Wood Frame, France, 1880s
Located in High Point, NC
This mirror makes its impression through dark wood frame with gilt crest, ornate. It was made in France during 1880s, a lineage that shows clearly in its detailing. Crafted primarily...
Glass, Wood
$1,486
Gold Frame / Gold Mirror
Located in Beaune, FR
Superb gilded plaster frame from the Napoleon III period - 19th century. Originally, this frame was intended to hold a painting and it was transformed into a mirror. It is rectangula...
Plaster
$2,057Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$2,430Sale 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
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
Antique Napoleon III Wall Mirror, Dark Bronze Frame, France, 1880s
Located in High Point, NC
A mirror whose dark bronze ornate carved frame with crest gives it real character at first glance. It was made in France during 1880s, a lineage that shows clearly in its detailing. ...
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room, entryway, or bedroom with this elegant antique Napoleon III giltwood wall mirror crafted in Burgundy, France, circa 1870. The rectangular frame features richl...
Giltwood
Napoleon III Chateau Wall Mirror, Gold Leaf & Gesso, Circa 1850
Located in High Peak, GB
K0467 An unusual French 19th-century wall mirror featuring an elegant cream and water-gilded gold leaf frame. The shaped and beaded border is crowned by an elaborate, deeply carved o...
Gold Leaf
$860Sale Price|19% Off
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
Antique Napoleon III Wall Mirror, Dark Wood Frame, France, 1880s
Located in High Point, NC
This mirror makes its impression through dark carved wood frame with foliate crest. Originating in France during 1880s, it shows the construction techniques typical of the time. The ...
Glass, Wood
Large Chippendale Mirror, Carved Black Lacquered Wood, Bevelled Mirror.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Chippendale mirror, carved black lacquered wood, bevelled mirror, 20th century. Mirror, Chippendale style mantelpiece mirror from the 20th century in carved black lacquered wo...
Wood
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...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
19th Century French Giltwood Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
French giltwood camel crested mirror with carved interwoven rope and floral design flanked by cove inner frame with beeded edge. Original glass.
Giltwood
$33,502 / set
Napoleon III French oval mirrors
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large pair of handed Napoleon III French oval mirrors. The cresting carved in wood and representing the arts with sheet music and instruments.
Wood
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
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 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
$18,800Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Gold Leaf Mirror, Hand-Carved Wood, France, Circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Grand mirror from France’s Napoleon III period. This piece is from the 19th century, circa 1880. The frame is made of hand-carved wood with elaborate, rich décor of Acanthus leaves t...
Gold Leaf
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
$2,423Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Mirror, carved and gilded wood, fine gold, France
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind French mirror in the Napoleon III style and period, crafted from carved and gilded wood with burnished gold and agate stone. It features a rectangular profile. An exqu...
Crystal, Gold Leaf
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
Mid/Late 19thC French Napoleon III Ebonized and Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An elegant 19thC French ebonized wood mirror with gilt decorative banding around the frame with the top frieze accented by a lion's head at either end and frolicking putti at the ce...
Wood
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
19th Century Napoleon III Champlevé Enameled Gilt Bronze Standing Mirror
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Small standing mirror with ormolu, or gilt bronze, frame covered in an exquisite design of champlevé enameling, with delicate interlacing and flo...
Bronze, Enamel
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
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
Exceptional French Napoleon III Giltwood Oval Mirror with Original Mercury Glass
Located in Casteren, NL
An exceptionally rich French oval mirror dating from the second half of the 19th century, executed in the refined and highly decorative vocabulary associated with the Napoleon III pe...
Gold Leaf
$2,011Sale 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
Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Black and Gold Oval Wall Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate any space with this striking pair of antique French oval mirrors. Crafted in France circa 1880 during the Napoleon III period, each mirror features a molded frame finished in...
Silver Plate
Wood and gilded plaster "Noeud d'Amour" Oval mirror
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wood and gilded plaster "Noeud d'Amour" Oval mirror Wear consistent with age and use Antique - Decoration - Napoleon III style Measures : 62cm x 16cm H:83cm
Mirror, Plaster
A 19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Mirror.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century Napoleon III period bronze mirror. A 19th century Napoleon III period bronze mirror. Dimensions : H: 116cm, W: 69cm, D: 12cm Contact us before ordering to confirm pr...
Bronze
French Antique Napoleon III Wall Mirror with Gilt Brass Frame, 1860
Located in Belmont, MA
French Napoleon III Mirror with Gilt-Metal Mounts, France, Circa 1860–1880 This exceptional French Napoleon III mirror combines elegant proportions with richly sculpted gilt-brass or...
Brass
Very Large Engraved Venice Mirror, 260 Cm, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large Venice mirror (2.60m) to hang or place, in glass and mirror engraved with floral motifs; the pediment composed of several pieces reminiscent of the petals, is in its central pa...
Glass, Mirror
$2,652Sale 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
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
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
Late 19th Century Gilt Mirror with Sparkling Mercury Glass
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Elegant Smart Late 19th century Gilded Mirror. Faded Gilding, excellent condition with sparkling mirror plate. France, Circa 1890
Giltwood
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
Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Oval Marginal Frame Mirror
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III Carved giltwood oval Marginal frame mirror. This finely carved giltwood and gesso mirror has an oval bevelled mirror plate, marginal borders and an exuberant a...
Giltwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Hand-Crafted 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
Venetian Baroque Wall Mirror, Ornately Gilded, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Venetian Baroque Wall Mirror, Ornately Gilded, 19th Century The frame is made of hand-carved wood, finished with gold leaf. It features an original beveled edge. The wall mirror is...
Mirror, Wood
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
19th Century French Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Alluring French Napoleon III giltwood mirror with lovely carved frame and egg and dart trim. Having wonderful aged gilt finish, of desirab...
Mirror, Giltwood