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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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bench, Black Wood, Napoleon III Period-2nd Half of the Nineteenth
Located in LES LILAS, FR
Pretty Napoleon III period bench with a seat in excellent condition and very comfortable. This piece of furniture is sold as it is. It could be reupholstered. There is a minor st...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Bentwood

Bench, Black Wood, Napoleon III Period-2nd Half of the Nineteenth
Bench, Black Wood, Napoleon III Period-2nd Half of the Nineteenth

Bench, Black Wood, Napoleon III Period-2nd Half of the Nineteenth

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

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

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French 19th Century Oak Louis XVI-Style Bench with Cane Seat
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H 20.38 in W 35.5 in D 15.5 in
French Louis XV Style Fruitwood Bench
Located in Buchanan, NY
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H 17 in W 42 in D 15 in
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H 37.5 in W 53 in D 19.25 in
19th Century French Bench
Located in Nashville, TN
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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H 17 in W 83 in D 9 in
19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
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19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet
19th Century French Neo-Gothic Carved Oak Hall Bench Cabinet

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H 75.25 in W 38.5 in D 22.25 in
Antique Italian Bench Settee Entry Hall Foyer Renaissance Revival Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Benches

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Antique Italian Bench Settee Entry Hall Foyer Renaissance Revival Oak 19th C
Antique Italian Bench Settee Entry Hall Foyer Renaissance Revival Oak 19th C

Antique Italian Bench Settee Entry Hall Foyer Renaissance Revival Oak 19th C

H 61.5 in W 71.5 in D 19 in
Louis XV Style Walnut Caned Bench, French Mid 20th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Made of a walnut frame with a caned seating area, this walnut bench has cabriole legs with scroll feet separated by a stretcher. Beautiful designs are carved into the wood of the bench along the sides and legs. The French piece dates back to the mid 20th century and is embellished with carvings classic to the Louis XV style. The piece is part of the collection from The French Antique Shop...
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Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Benches

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Louis XV Style Walnut Caned Bench, French Mid 20th Century
Louis XV Style Walnut Caned Bench, French Mid 20th Century

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H 18.5 in W 39.5 in D 18 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

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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...
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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

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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

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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...
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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...
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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 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
Bronze Pony Skin Small Piano Bench Napoleon III, 1900s
Located in Florence, IT
Bronze pony skin small bench Napoleon III, originally born as a piano bench can be used in many other ways, it is very resistant even if it has a small sitting.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Benches

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Pony Skin Small Piano Bench Napoleon III, 1900s
Bronze Pony Skin Small Piano Bench Napoleon III, 1900s

Bronze Pony Skin Small Piano Bench Napoleon III, 1900s

H 16.15 in W 19.3 in D 13.39 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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