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Napoleon III Armchairs

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
Pair of French armchairs / fauteuils
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Great pair of 19th century gilt and painted armchairs Nice large proportions , need reupholstering but the frames are solid / firm Height 39 inches or 99 cms Width 27 inches or 69 cm...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Paint

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Antique Pair of Napoleon III circa 1890 Bergere Armchairs & Matching Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original circa 1890 Napoleon III Louis XVI style bergère armchairs with matching occasional table These chairs come with ...
Category

1890s European Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

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...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Wood

19th C French Armchair and Footstool in 'Fan Palm’ Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
A beautiful 19th century French Napoleon lll armchair and footstool, upholstered in our exclusive Tropics 'Fan Palm' fabric. This stunning Armchair and Footstool dating from around 1860, have been painstakingly covered in the luxurious Fan Palm fabric from our Tropics range, designed in-house. The Armchair and Footstool were made as a pair, the curved shaping on the front edge of the Armchair sits together perfectly with the curved shape of the footstool. The frame retains the roots of it's history, the patina of the turned mahogany legs bearing testament to its' 160 year life. 100% organic cotton gabardine, piped with designers guild 'Varese' grey velvet. Dimensions: Armchair 80cm width, 88cm height, 40cm seat height, seat depth 50cm Footstool 67cm width/depth, 40cm height The armchair and footstool are being sold as a set, the price is for the armchair and footstool, we cannot sell separately All of our antique pieces have been especially hand picked by us and reupholstered in either our own exclusive luxury fabrics designed in house, or in a sumptuous fabric that has been exclusively chosen for the item. Ensuring that every piece from our Antiques Collection is a true one off that cannot be found anywhere else. Our pieces of furniture are genuine antique/vintage pieces and therefore can have some signs of age related use or wear, this adds to the character and uniqueness of each of them. All of our hand picked antique furniture pieces...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

19th Century Napoleon III Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Napoleon III armchair.
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Napoleon III Armchair, France Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A Napoleon III armchair on s-shaped legs with a curved frame. The high, rounded backrest as well as the seat and armrests are upholstered. The golden patinated frame is decorated wit...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Giltwood

Pair 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs with Leather & Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century French Empire Mahogany armchairs with leather & bronze mounts are ideal for the Conference Room, an office environment, a large game table...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Carved French Oak Salon Throne Chair, Original Pictorial Upholstery
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved French Oak Salon Throne Chair, Original Pictorial Upholstery This lovely old High Back chair retains its original hand made pictorial fabric back rest, this is in muted sha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Oak

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,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Brass

Original Napoleon III Armchair, Blackened
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original Napoleon III armchair, blackened wood,
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Napoleon 3 Style "Crapaud" Armchair, Covered with Satin, circa 1950, Baroque
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon 3 style "crapaud" armchair, covered with satin, circa 1950, baroque and its footrest, all covered with yellow satin, slightly discolored satin, and small spots.
Category

1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Satin, Wood

Jacob Et Josef Khon, 4 Fauteuils 101/f, circa 1902, Set of Four Napoleon III
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacob Et Josef Khon, 4 Fauteuils 101/f, circa 1902,Set of four Napoleon III curved and blackened wood armchairs, Original fabric.   
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Materials

Bentwood

Set of Four Painted and Gilt Napoleon III Fauteuils
Located in Washington, DC
A set of four painted and gilt napoleon III fauteuils, seat and back are reconditioned and covered with new cotton and silk fabric. Wonderful pat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

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
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Napoleon III Armchairs

Napoleon Iii armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, J.&J. Khon, and Frederic Gustave Quignon. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $373 and tops out at $42,246 while the average work can sell for $3,800.

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