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Napoleon III Benches

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
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench

$8,500
19th Century French Long Window Seat
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak long window seat from France. The seat is made from a single board. The apron is also hand carved in a nulling pattern and the bench is supported on hand turned legs...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Long Window Seat
19th Century French Long Window Seat

19th Century French Long Window Seat

$3,695
19th Century French Window Seat
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak window seat from France with an exquisitely hand carved back, depicting a central carved face surrounded by acanthus leaves. The arms are hand turned and are attache...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Window Seat
19th Century French Window Seat

19th Century French Window Seat

$2,975
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Hall Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period walnut hall bench is the ideal choice to greet your visitors and guests in style! Designed to provide a comfy waiting area for friends and cal...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Hall Bench
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Hall Bench

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Hall Bench

$3,400
Napoleanic French Carved Walnut Louis XV Style Window Boudoir Bench Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous carved walnut window bench which could be considered Louis XV or Napoleonic in style. It is beautifully carved and the design is iconic. How often have you seen th...
Category

1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Walnut

Napoleanic French Carved Walnut Louis XV Style Window Boudoir Bench Circa 1920
Napoleanic French Carved Walnut Louis XV Style Window Boudoir Bench Circa 1920

Napoleanic French Carved Walnut Louis XV Style Window Boudoir Bench Circa 1920

$2,295
20th Century Napoleon III Style Lacquered Rope Twist Upholstered Tabouret
Located in Dallas, TX
Napoleon III style stool or ottoman with twisted rope design after the model by A.M.E. Fournier, circa 20th century. Lacquered, the piece has a fabric circular seat on rope-twist molded seat-rails on knotted rope legs...
Category

20th Century Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

20th Century Napoleon III Style Lacquered Rope Twist Upholstered Tabouret
20th Century Napoleon III Style Lacquered Rope Twist Upholstered Tabouret

20th Century Napoleon III Style Lacquered Rope Twist Upholstered Tabouret

$5,350
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wood Knot Base Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fantastic and very decorative French Pouf Ottoman with an intricate Gilt Wood Knotted Rope base. With good size and a high Cushion custom upholstered in a William Morris type Leaf ...
Category

20th Century Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Fabric, Wood

French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wood Knot Base Ottoman
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wood Knot Base Ottoman

French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wood Knot Base Ottoman

$2,295
Napoleon III chest bench in walnut, France, circa 1860
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Walnut chest bench, Napoleon III circa 1860. Good condition. Dimensions: height 102 cm width 135 cm depth 45 cm Seat dimensions: height 41 cm, width 111 cm, depth 35 cm
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Napoleon III chest bench in walnut, France, circa 1860
Napoleon III chest bench in walnut, France, circa 1860

Napoleon III chest bench in walnut, France, circa 1860

$1,684 Sale Price
20% Off
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This is a 19th century French farm table bench, beautiful patina at age these are great for tables but so many times they're used in mudroom or hallways. DIMENSIONS 83ʺW × 9ʺD × 17ʺH
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1840s French Antique Napoleon III Benches

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Hardwood

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17th Century Style Joint Stool
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Napoleon III Benches

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Wood

17th Century Style Joint Stool
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H 18 in W 22 in D 12 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Long Bench
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant 19th Century Swedish Gustavian long bench epitomizes the refined simplicity and timeless charm of Gustavian design. Crafted from high-quality wood, the bench features cl...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Napoleon III Benches

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19th Century Swedish Gustavian Long Bench
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$9,250
H 20 in W 60 in D 20.5 in
1970s Black Leather and Chrome Steel Daybed Bench
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This oversized bench is more like a daybed, you can use it as either really. Would be beautiful on a focal wall with a massive piece of deserving art pl...
Category

20th Century Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Steel

1970s Black Leather and Chrome Steel Daybed Bench
1970s Black Leather and Chrome Steel Daybed Bench

1970s Black Leather and Chrome Steel Daybed Bench

$3,200
H 22 in W 82 in D 29 in
19th Century French Provencal Walnut Sofa Bench With Rush Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming 19th-century French Provencal sofa bench is a timeless example of rustic elegance and fine craftsmanship. Made from solid walnut, the bench features a gracefully curved...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Rush, Walnut

19th Century French Provencal Walnut Sofa Bench With Rush Seat
19th Century French Provencal Walnut Sofa Bench With Rush Seat

19th Century French Provencal Walnut Sofa Bench With Rush Seat

$4,950
H 31 in W 59 in D 18 in
19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent 18th century French Louis XV period daybed. The bed needs a reupholstered , we can do it with the color velvet you choose.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed
19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed

19th Century French Louis XV Period Carved Walnut Daybed

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H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 34.26 in
French 19th Century Empire Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A graceful 19th-century French Empire daybed, expertly carved from solid mahogany with curvaceous swan motif. Featuring a sleigh-like profile and perfectly symmetrical, allowing the ...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

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French 19th Century Empire Daybed
French 19th Century Empire Daybed

French 19th Century Empire Daybed

$4,995
H 28.75 in W 72.75 in D 24.25 in
19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique Gothic Revival French hand-carved oak hall bench with original nicely aged dark warm rich patina. circa 1870 Hand-crafted in France in the late 19th century, high-quality solid wood construction, rare form, having a tall double-door cabinet with carved tracery panels, iron slide bolt...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet
19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet

19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet

$3,500
H 75.25 in W 38.5 in D 22.25 in
French 19th Century Bed or Daybed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Daybed is nicely carved garnished with a red velvet fabric. Easy to place anywhere at home.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Bed or Daybed
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French 19th Century Bed or Daybed

$2,680
H 36.25 in W 79.25 in D 31.25 in
Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Exquisite 19th century French daybed, Louis XV style. As the stairways of houses and apartments in France are narrow, they build ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

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Fabric, Walnut

Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed

Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed

$14,500
H 43 in W 78.5 in D 55.5 in
Italian Louis XV Style Small Carved Walnut Upholstered Bench, Early 20th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
Fantastic, petite Louis XV style bench of figured walnut, newly reupholstered, made in Italy, circa 1920. Delicate, hand-carved details follow the graceful lines of this versatile, ...
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Early 20th Century Italian Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Italian Louis XV Style Small Carved Walnut Upholstered Bench, Early 20th Century
Italian Louis XV Style Small Carved Walnut Upholstered Bench, Early 20th Century

Italian Louis XV Style Small Carved Walnut Upholstered Bench, Early 20th Century

$1,200
H 16 in W 32 in D 10.75 in
19th Century French Walnut Bench
Located in High Point, NC
19th century carved walnut bench from France with a newly upholstered seat in linen and finished with welted decoration. The upholstered seat is scalloped and is enclosed in a molded...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

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Linen, Walnut

19th Century French Walnut Bench
19th Century French Walnut Bench

19th Century French Walnut Bench

$3,295
H 20.5 in W 44.5 in D 16.5 in
Previously Available Items
French Oak Bench, Mid-19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A sturdy oak hall bench, French Napoleon III period circa 1850, with 6 turned legs with stretcher.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

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Oak

French Oak Bench, Mid-19th Century
French Oak Bench, Mid-19th Century

French Oak Bench, Mid-19th Century

H 18 in W 78 in D 12 in
French 19th Century Long Bench
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Amazing long bench with a wonderful needlepoint in a very good condition.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Tapestry, Wood

French 19th Century Long Bench
French 19th Century Long Bench

French 19th Century Long Bench

H 18 in W 79.5 in D 16.5 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Cane Bench
Located in Burton, TX
Found in the Burgundy region of France, this Napoleon III bench was crafted in the 19th century from old growth walnut and finished with a cane seat. The piece features two open air...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Cane, Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Cane Bench
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Cane Bench

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut and Cane Bench

H 27 in W 53 in D 15.25 in
Napoleon III Ebonized And Giltwood Bench
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular upholstered seat in used condition and a trestle base with carved details and center turned stretcher.
Category

1870s European Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Napoleon III Ebonized And Giltwood Bench
Napoleon III Ebonized And Giltwood Bench

Napoleon III Ebonized And Giltwood Bench

H 19 in W 47.25 in D 20 in
Important Pair of Blackened Wooden Benches of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Important Pair of Blackened Wooden Benches of the XIXth Century, Great Decoration" Very decorative pair of benches of the Napoleon III period in blackened wood, neoclassic decora...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Tapestry, Wood

Important Pair of Blackened Wooden Benches of the 19th Century
Important Pair of Blackened Wooden Benches of the 19th Century

Important Pair of Blackened Wooden Benches of the 19th Century

H 44.1 in W 75.6 in D 23.63 in
Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops in linen finished with a single welt. The frames have hand-turned barley twist legs, joined by matching stretc...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools
Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools

Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools

H 21.5 in W 16.75 in D 18 in
19th Century French Long Window Seat
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak long window seat from France. The back is hand scalloped and carved over a seat which is made from a single board. The apron is also hand...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Long Window Seat
19th Century French Long Window Seat

19th Century French Long Window Seat

H 27 in W 72 in D 14.38 in
French 1850s Napoléon III Period Painted Iron Benches with C-Scrolls, Sold Each
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoléon III period painted iron garden benches from the mid 19th century, with C-scroll motifs and nicely weathered appearance. We are selling them separately for $...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Iron

French 1850s Napoléon III Period Painted Iron Benches with C-Scrolls, Sold Each
French 1850s Napoléon III Period Painted Iron Benches with C-Scrolls, Sold Each

French 1850s Napoléon III Period Painted Iron Benches with C-Scrolls, Sold Each

H 31.75 in W 46 in D 19 in
Large Round White-Linen Upholstered Banquette
Located in Houston, TX
Large round white-linen upholstered banquette dating to the late 19th century. Newly upholstered in white linen, with diamond tufted back. Raised...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Linen, Wood

Large Round White-Linen Upholstered Banquette
Large Round White-Linen Upholstered Banquette

Large Round White-Linen Upholstered Banquette

H 33 in Dm 56 in
Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Carved and Painted Six-Leg Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Complete your entryway or living room with this pair of antique painted benches. Crafted in France, circa 1880 and rectangular in shape, each lon...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Carved and Painted Six-Leg Benches
Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Carved and Painted Six-Leg Benches

Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Carved and Painted Six-Leg Benches

H 21 in W 69.25 in D 17 in
19th Century French Oak Settee
Located in High Point, NC
19th century French settee made from oak. The back is carved and has three vase shaped carved panels, following down to a seat with a bevelled edge along the front, and turned arms. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Oak Settee
19th Century French Oak Settee

19th Century French Oak Settee

H 36.63 in W 41.88 in D 15 in
19th Century Pair of French Stools
Located in High Point, NC
19th century pair of wonderfully hand turned stools with newly upholstered seats in linen and supported on hand turned barley twist legs and matching stretchers.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Linen, Oak

19th Century Pair of French Stools
19th Century Pair of French Stools

19th Century Pair of French Stools

H 23 in W 17.75 in D 15.5 in

Napoleon Iii benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III benches 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 benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France 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 benches 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 $8,500 while the average work can sell for $2,777.

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