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Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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
French Bamboo & Rattan Doll's Bedroom, Playhouse, ca.1900
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French bamboo & rattan doll's bedroom, playhouse, France, ca.1900. Bamboo, rattan, wicker & fabric. The set consists of a bed, a table, an armchair and a chaise longue. It is in very...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

19th Century French Napoleon III Child's Bed
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III Period child's bed made of solid cherry wood, with column form supports and iron curtain rails. Beautiful book matched...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Child Armchair with Tray and Potty Hole
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring royalty and elegance to your home with this antique baby chair, and treat your child like a king! Crafted in France circa 1870, the mahogany a...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Early 20th Century Enamel Miniature Dollhouse Furniture
By Napoléon III
Located in London, GB
Enamel Dollhouse furniture, consists of table, settee and four chairs, decorated with single figures and romantic scenes.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Napoleon III Children's Furniture

Materials

Enamel

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Midcentury French Riviera Rattan and Bamboo Italian Rocking Chair, 1970s
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A vintage Persian tribal style Hamadan throw rug in square format handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 2' 2" x 2' 7".
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Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
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Mid-19th century Benchmade child’s grain painted Miniature chest of drawers. A country piece in the American Empire style, with a step-back drawer and backsplash, above the case with...
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19th Century Hand Painted Corner Child's Armchair by "Winsor and Newton"
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Small corner child's armchair in the "Chinese" style, with floral decoration painted on a black background. There is "Winsor and Newton" lab...
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Midcentury Riviera Rattan and Bamboo Italian Rocking Chair for Children, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant rocking chair for children, manufactured in Italy during the 1950s. The chair is in folded rattan, with beautiful details and in very good c...
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20th Century Vienna Secession Single Bentwood Headboard
Located in Miami, FL
20th century midcentury Vienna Secession single bentwood bed in the style of Jacob and Josef Kohn.
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Early 20th Century Austrian Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Napoleon III mahogany day bed is a masterful study in classical architecture melded with timeless French craftsmanship and an understated elegance that will trans...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Napoleon III Period mahogany wall bed is a superbly well-preserved example of French style and ingenuity from the Second Empire! Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahoga...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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American 19th Century Lambert Hitchcock's Child Chair with Black and Gold Tones
Located in Atlanta, GA
An American Lambert Hitchcock's child's chair from the 19th century, with black and gold finish and grape motifs. Created by American furniture manufacturer Lambert Hitchcock during ...
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Vintage Scottish Rattan Bassinet, Early-Mid 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Scottish Rattan Bassinet, Early-Mid 20th Century Offered for sale is a vintage early to mid-20th century woven Scottish rattan bassinet that...
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20th Century Scottish Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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Mid-Century Bamboo Children's Baby Doll Stroller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century delicate hand crafted baby doll stroller. This beautiful children's toy stroller is made from bamboo with hints of green and red binding...
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1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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French Napoléon III Period 1850s Miniature Walnut Armoire with Molded Cartouches
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French 1860s Napoléon III Period Cherry Wood Crib with Carved Scrolling Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period cherry wood crib from the mid 19th century, with carved accents. Created in France during the reign of Emperor Napoléon III, thi...
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19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Iron Baby Craddle with Canopy
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique crib on swinging stand was crafted in Paris, France, circa 1870. The Classic, fruitwood infant bed features an intricate black iron base with a scrolled design, an elegant iron canopy with a center crown at the top, and a removable carved walnut crib...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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Collection of 3 French Boules
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique handmade collection of 3 Italian bocce balls or French “boules” with wonderful green patina finish. The Italians call these balls bocce balls and...
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French Faux Bamboo Child"s Side Chair with Rush Seat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French child's hand turned faux bamboo side chair with rush seat and six stretchers. (Adorable) . Also useful in a powder room to hold towels, magazines, etc. Structurally very stro...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Children's Furniture

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Mahogany Swinging Cradle, Napoleon III, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
On four "S" shaped legs joined and secured with a "chambrana", the two supports are raised: one, higher, has grooves in its shaft and an extension to place a canopy; the other does n...
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Upholstered Wood Napoleon III Child's Arm Chair from France, circa 1890
Located in Houston, TX
Antique, carved-wood, all original black painted child's arm chair with floral upholstered seat and brass nail heads. Excellent condition for it's age. Light fixture shown in photo #...
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Napoleon Iii children's furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III children's furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage children's furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III children's furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 children's furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,600 and tops out at $3,500 while the average work can sell for $2,350.

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