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 Pair of Louis XVI Medallion Giltwood Armchairs with Blue Damask
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant pair of Louis XVI medallion armchairs perfectly captures the refinement of 19th-century French neoclassical design. Crafted i...
Damask, Silk, Giltwood
Pair of Napoleon III Style Slipper Chairs, Upholstered in Jasper Dutch Stripe
Located in London, GB
A charming pair of French slipper chairs in the Napoleon III style, newly upholstered in our Notting Hill workshop in Dutch Stripe in Rust by Jasper. Each chair takes the scrolled, r...
Burlap, Cotton
French Napoleon III Crapaud Armchair in Red and White Ticking Stripe, Circa 1860
Located in London, GB
A late 19th-century French Napoleon III crapaud armchair, circa 1870. The beechwood frame is traditionally constructed with sound hand-joinery and retains its excellent, original lo...
Iron
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Armchair Upholstered in Neutral Fabric
Located in London, London
An elegant upholstered armchair with a gently curved, enveloping form, likely dating to the 19th century. The chair features a high, softly shaped back that flows into rounded arms,...
Fabric
Pair of Small Scale French Napoleon III Armchairs with Diamond Tufting
Located in Buchanan, NY
gently curved backs with diamond tufting. These lovely small scale French Napoleon III armchairs feature lovely turned legs, and gracefully curved arms. The classic “chapeau de gend...
Upholstery
Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III High Back Armchairs, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Impressive pair of 19th century French Napoleon III armchairs featuring elegant high backs and beautifully balanced proportions. These substantial chairs embody the refined style and...
Wood
$5,153Sale Price / set|50% Off
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa and Two Armchairs
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa and two armchairs from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The whole set has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade...
Brocade, Beech
Napoleon III French Deep Button-Back Crapaud Chair, Pierre Frey Velvet
Located in London, GB
A finely proportioned French deep button-back 'Crapaud' chair of the Napoleon III period, circa 1850–60, exhibiting the enveloping comfort and sculptural upholstery characteristic of...
Textile, Upholstery, Velvet, Natural Fiber, Hardwood, Coconut
A Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
A refined pair of 19th century French library chairs in the Napoleon III taste, distinguished by their elegant proportions and classic turned leg...
Fabric, Silk, Hardwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Armchair in Calico, Ready for Re-Upholstery
Located in London, GB
A classic 19th-century French Napoleon III armchair, circa 1870. This elegant library or lounge chair features its original proportions with a comfortably raked back and scrolled a...
Cotton, Calico, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
French Napoleon III Armchair in White Boucle
Located in Chireno, TX
French Napoleon III Armchair upholstered in off-white boucle circa 1865-1884. New casters on front legs. An excellent near-pair with a second Napoleon III chair similarly upholstered...
Brass, Steel, Iron
Pair of Clarence Chairs by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Clarence Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier is a timeless piece inspired by the classic Napoleon III design. These side chairs are made to order, allowing customers to provide the...
Linen
Antique French Napoleon III 'Crapaud' Tub Chair in Moss Green Velvet
Located in London, GB
France, 1860s. Attributed to a Parisian Atelier, Faubourg Saint-Antoine District. This exceptional mid-19th-century Crapaud (toad) chair is a quintessential example of Second Empire French upholstery. Known for its low-slung, enveloping silhouette, it features a deep-buttoned back and original documentary moss-toned velvet. The piece is richly detailed with traditional French passementerie, including hand-twisted rope piping and a substantial bullion fringe. Supported by ebonized turned legs on original brass and ceramic castors, this chair perfectly captures the faded elegance of a Parisian salon. The olive-drab velvet has aged with remarkable grace, now worn to a distressed, matte, suede-like finish. This authentic age-tone and surface wear lend the piece a stately home provenance and a quiet depth that modern reproductions cannot replicate. A masterfully hand-crafted piece featuring traditional bench-made joinery. The chair utilizes hand-tied coil springs and hand-tufted deep-buttoning, showcasing the labor-intensive artisanal techniques of the 1860s. the quality of the ebonized turnings and the precision of the hand-tufting suggests the work of a premier Parisian 'tapissier' (upholsterer). The design is closely aligned with the 'confortable' style popularized by Maison Fournier...
Brass
Pair of Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Armchairs
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of 19th century armchairs, Napoleon III period. The armchairs have been restored and the upholstery has been replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade...
Brocade, Beech
Pair of French Louis XV Style Walnut Fauteuils, circa 1880
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant pair of French carved fauteuils embodies the timeless sophistication of the Louis XV taste, executed in the 19th century with graceful proportions and richly sculpted de...
Walnut
19th Century Napoleon III French Lyre Back Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant French Napoleon III period armchair dating from the 19th century, crafted from carved and turned stained beechwood and distinguished by its particularly decorative lyre-sh...
Beech
French 19th Century Petal-Back Armchair, Circa 1850
Located in London, GB
A generously proportioned French Second Empire / Napoleon III petal-back armchair, circa 1870, designed with comfort as much as elegance in mind. The softly scalloped back and enve...
Brass
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, Classic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been upholstered in a traditional style instead of our contemporary version. . It is the perfect conversation piece. This...
Wood, Cotton
19th Century French Napoleon III chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant 19th cent French Napoleon III chair featuring graceful lines and beautifully balanced proportions characteristic of classic French design. The softly curved frame and refi...
Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Leather Reclining Armchair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic 19th century French Napoleon III period leather reclining armchair or lounge chair. Features a mahogany frame covered with rich, d...
Metal
Susan Osbourne French Late 19th Century ‘Teddy Bear’ Armchair
Located in London, GB
This French 19th-century Teddy Bear Chair, originaly created as a comfortable drawing room chair. Its generously rounded arms and softly enveloping profile give the piece its distin...
Brass
Large Armchair in the Henry II Style, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large armchair in the Henry II style, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Large armchair in the Henry II style, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : H: 100cm, W: 67cm, D:...
Wood
Antique Velvet Pouf, Napoleon III Style, France, Circa 1880, 110 cm
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Large velvet pouf with trimmings, around 1880 center fabric replaced
Fabric
19th C French Salon Chair & Ottoman in Meadow Flower by Christopher Hodsoll
By Christopher Hosdoll
Located in London, GB
A particularly generous and deeply upholstered French Napoleon III salon chair with matching ottoman, newly upholstered in Christopher Hodsoll's Meadow Flower fabric in Citrus, in co...
Walnut, Beech, Cotton, Wood, Upholstery, Linen
Carved, gilded, and painted wooden bench, Italy around 1880, 510cm long
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Palace bench in carved, gilded, and painted wood, Italy around 1880, 510 cm long, three sections, 3 benches available
Wood
$1,832 / item
Pair of Napoleon III armchairs, restored
Located in Mouscron, WHT
pair of Napoleon III armchairs, restored a bench seat is offered in another ad
Wood
20th Century Empire Style Napoleonic Swan Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Napoleonic pavilion armchair in Empire style. Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on plastically carved legs e...
Wood
Pair of Napoleon III Chairs by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Clarence Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier is a timeless piece inspired by the classic Napoleon III design. These side chairs are made to order, allowing customers to provide the...
Linen
French Napoleon III Marquise Chair in Tropics "Leopard' Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful antique French Napoleon III marquise chair This extremely rare 19th century antique French Napoleon III marquise chair, also affectionately called 'The Queens' chair sit...
Cotton, Wood
French Empire Mahogany Armchair with Bronze Mounts, Leather Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
French Consulat / Empire Mahogany and Bronze Mounted Armchair having a splayed leg design ending with claw feet and upholstered in brown leather
Mahogany
Napoleon III Period Armchair, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period armchair, 19th century. Napoleon III period armchair, 19th century, to reupholster, fabric stained, need to be reupholstered. Dimensions : H: 80cm, L: 88cm, D: ...
Fabric
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier 'Silver Cast Bronze Legs'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. We have used white bronze legs and added a modern touch to the upho...
Bronze
$8,200 / item
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon II...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Upholstered Armchairs in Red Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A striking pair of 19th century French Napoleon III armchairs. Skillfully crafted and luxuriously upholstered in a vivid red ...
Fabric
French Napoleon III Armchair in White Boucle
Located in Chireno, TX
French Napoleon III Armchair upholstered in off-white boucle circa 1865-1884. New casters on front legs. An excellent near-pair with a second Napoleon III chair similarly upholstered...
Brass, Steel, Iron
Pair Of Napoleon III Style Carved And Pair Decorated Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. earlier 20th c. Elaborately carved frames in Pistachio Green paint overall. The carved leaf and berry crest rails with shaped leafy finials. Ribbon twists on the outer frames and...
Other
$3,962Sale Price / set|40% Off
Antique French 19th Century Napolean III Armchair and Footstool Bullion Fringe
Located in London, GB
Antique French 19th century Napolean III armchair and footstool Bullion Fringe Excellent condition commensurate with age. Chair: h78/40 w79 d85 Footstool D43 h42.
Upholstery
19th C. Pair French Napoleonic Style Armchairs, giltwood & blue upholstery
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 44.75 inches high x 29.25 inches wide x 29.25 inches deep. Seat Height 17 An exceptional pair of vintage Louis XVI style armchairs, beautifully crafted to reflect the ...
Textile, Wood, Upholstery
Pair of French 19th C. Armchairs with Carved Fruitwood Frames
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant pair French Napoleon III armchairs inspired by the Louis XV period with elaborately carved fruitwood frames with floral motives. The chairs have been stripped down to the ...
Fabric
Two bears from Bern or Brienz, known as Black Forest bears, forming a bench, 19t
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Two bears from Bern or Brienz, known as Black Forest bears, forming a bench, 19th century
Wood
Pair of French Napoleon III Tufted Arm Chairs in Gold Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A handsome pair of French Napoleon III armchairs from the late 19th century, offering both comfort and style in abundance. Upholstered in a stunning vintage gold fabric...
Upholstery
$2,498
French Leather Chair
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
French Leather Chair from the 19th century. Excellent condition and very comfortable. Very rare chair in leather.
Leather
19th Century Napoleon III Style Toilet Chair, Chaise Percée or Commode, Throne
Located in Madrid, ES
A fun and decorative curiosity, this late 19th century French Napoleon III (nephew of Bonaparte I) or Second Empire style "throne" is a fine example of elegant furniture making meeting functional necessity. Known as a "Chaise...
Metal
Suite of Three Large Louis XV Style Armchairs in Carved Walnut
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful suite of three large Louis XV style armchairs in carved walnut. Dossier à la reine. Very comfortable seats. French work from the Napoleon III period around 1850. ...
Walnut
Hollywood Regency Style Rope & Tassel Chair with Matching Ottoman in Blue Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Rope and tassel chair with matching ottoman in blue velvet. The chair has a carved wood rope style frame with beautiful, newly upholstered, velvet upholstery. Chair measures: 27.5 W...
Velvet, Wood
$6,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Napoleon III French Crapaud Armchairs Boucle Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Napoleon III French Tufted Crapaud armchairs. Walnut frame fully restored, newly upholstered in bouclé.
Bouclé
AMAZING PAIR OF LARGE ARMCHAIRS French, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF LARGE ARMCHAIRS French, 19th century, carved and gilded wood. Velvet seats and backs. Dimensions: 129 x 74 x 66 cm Good condition
Wood
Pair of French Great Quality Black Leather 19th Century Armchairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A large and very comfortable pair of Napoleon III antique French library armchairs. Quality black leather and studded on the front & back edges,...
Brass
$5,313 / set
19th CENTURY PAIR OF BERGÈRE ARMCHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant pair of Bergère armchairs, made of gilded pine wood and finely carved with mastery. The armchairs are decorated on the structure with wood carvings of geometric, scroll and f...
Fabric, Wood
Adjustable Napoleon III Campaign Chair, France, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very fine iron Campaign-style armchair with adjustable positions, from upright to horizontal. Raised on casters. Newly upholstered with vintage fabric. Dimensions provided below ...
$632Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Chair Fauteuil Crapaud Toad Chair Napoleon III Style French circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Fauteuil Crapaud French Napoleon III, circa 1960 This little arm chair wil be perfect in a dressing or a bedroom. Atypical form Red skai Shipping: 49 / 45 / 72 cm 6.4 kg.
Faux Leather
Venetian “Grotto” armchair in polychrome, silvered, and gilded carved wood, 1890
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Venetian “Grotto” armchair in polychrome carved wood, silvered and gilded, featuring a large open shell and marine creatures, attributed to Pauly & Co., Venice, around 1890
Wood
French Napoleon III Armchairs, Walnut, Cream Velvet, Circa 1840-1849
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Those wonderful large armchairs are richly carved and have been refinished. The fabric is cream velvet.
Walnut
$3,345 / set
Pair Napoleonic Painted and Carved Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Louis XVI style painted armchairs embodies the timeless sophistication and refined craftsmanship that have made French neoclassical furniture one of the m...
Wood
French Napoleon III Library Chair Resting on Ebonized Turned Feet, C. 1860
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This exquisite French Napoleon III library chair, dating back to circa 1860, showcases a timeless blend of comfort and mid-19th-century elegance. The piece features a beautifully con...
Fabric, Wood
Accent chair, trimmings, and small stitches by Jacques Garcia
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Accent chair, trimmings, and small stitches by Jacques Garcia. A few buttons missing and weakened
Fabric
Pair of 19th Century French Louis V Style Fruitwood Armchairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th century French Louis V Style Fruitwood and Cane armchairs. Napoleon III Period circa 1860's having the original brown leather on the arms
Antique French 19th Napoleon III Toad Armchair In Velvet
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
The armchair is extremely comfortable, thanks to its wide armrests, its enveloping backrest and its wide seat. The perfect armchair for a reading corner where you won't want to give ...
Velvet
19th Century Napoleon III Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Napoleon III armchair.
$8,200 / item
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon II...
Velvet, Wood