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.
$5,960Sale Price|25% Off
Blackened Wood Napoleon the 3d Sofa
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unique sofa is made of blackened wood and fabric. It has a very nice shape. This canape must be re-upholstered (what we can arrange if you wish with fabric of your choice). This is a French work Napoleon the 3...
Fabric, Wood
Napoleon III Canapé with Braided Boudin Crest Rail, Ready for Upholstery
Located in London, GB
A delightful mid-19th century French canapé, dating to the Napoléon III period, circa 1830, showcasing the epitome of Napoleon III decorative vocabulary. The form is defined by its...
Calico, Beech, Upholstery, Cotton, Burlap
French 19th Century Napoleon III Button-Back Salon Canapé or Settee
Located in London, GB
A French salon canapé dating from the Napoleon III period, with a curved, buttoned back and integrated arms, designed for comfort and balance within Second Empire interiors. The ful...
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Beech, Softwood, Pine
$8,400
H 33 in W 44 in D 28 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Upholstered Canapé en Corbeille
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style giltwood canapé en corbeille from the 19th century, with carved flowers and new upholstery. Created in France during the 1...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$18,951
H 40.56 in W 108.27 in D 29.53 in
Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant and impressive large Louis XV style confidante sofa which has been hand carved and gilded using traditional methods and materials to achieve...
Wood, Giltwood
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 2x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 220cm / P96...
Foam, Wool
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Fabric, Sycamore
$1,485Sale Price|61% Off
H 38.5 in W 59 in D 39 in
French Louis XV Style Settee or Canape with Floral Upholstery in Red & White
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely French Provincial Louis XV style settee or canapé recently upholstered in a gorgeous floral red and white fabric with 4 matching pillows two square and two tufted round pill...
Upholstery, Wood
The 'Verneuil' Mohair Sofa by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Verneuil' sofa is the latest addition to our exclusive Design Frères line. inspired by Jean-Michel Frank's timeless Art Deco aesthetic, it is built to the highest standards of c...
Steel
$5,950
H 36.75 in W 60 in D 31.75 in
French Louis XVI Style Painted Canapé with Yellow Damask Upholstery, 20th Cent
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful and refined French Louis XVI style canapé, 20th century, featuring an elegantly carved painted frame and upholstered in vibrant yellow floral damask. The curved, barrel-b...
Wood, Upholstery
Biedermeier Canape
Located in Hudson, NY
An Austrian Biedermeier style small pedestal sofa in fruitwood represents the high point in this design form. Amazing in its day the style is sleek and dramatic and still is to this ...
Wood
Art Deco Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Elegant Art Deco Kidney Sofa. With an iconic kidney shape, this sumptuous sofa offers enveloping comfort in a warm caramel-colored velvet. Its gracefully flowing form features a smooth back and bowed bench seat, with French seams for a distinctive accent. Bronze sabre-style legs elevate its curved wood base, finished in Duty Silver for a touch of luxe. Toss pillows...
Fabric
$3,495
H 42 in W 73 in D 28 in
Early 20th-C. French Louis XV Style Painted Canapé Settee Or Sofa In Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early French carved and painted fruitwood canapé in vintage velvet. The frame has peg construction. There is wear throughout the piece that does not detract from its beaut...
Velvet, Fruitwood
Napoleon III Period Ebonised Canape
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant Napoleon III period French sofa or canape. The ebonised frame with gilded carved details has a corbeille form with down-swept arms and a serpentine front. It has been newl...
Linen, Wood
$1,485Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.7 in W 73.63 in D 25.2 in
Stylized Walnut Sofa from the Early 20th Century with New Upholstery
Located in Opole, PL
Stylized Walnut Sofa from the Early 20th Century with New Upholstery We present you a two-person walnut sofa that resembles Biedermeier furniture...
Upholstery, Walnut
Napoleon III Sofa Corbeille grey oak washed oak France
By Napoléon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and Unique French Corbeille Sofa The Corbeille sofa is a two-seater sofa with a curved profile. It curves slightly inward, almost closing off ...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Oak
Napoleon III Sofa Corbeille grey oak washed oak France
By Napoléon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and Unique French Corbeille Sofa The Corbeille sofa is a two-seater sofa with a curved profile. It curves slightly inward, almost closing off ...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Oak
Napoleon III Period 19th Century Méridienne.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period 19th century méridienne. 19th century Napoleon III period pedestal table. H: 80cm, W: 220cm, D: 71cm
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Giltwood Canape or Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XV giltwood canape or sofa displays the grandeur and opulence of the Rococo style during one of its revivals of the Napoleon III era. The gracious, naturali...
Silk, Giltwood
Sold
H 42.92 in W 60.63 in D 22.45 in
19th French Walnut Armchair White and Black Fabric Armchair Loveseat
Located in Valladolid, ES
Stunning Napoleon III French canapé in walnut wood and newly upholstered with "Cole & Son" Fabric, new collection 2020, in a amazing black and white Art Deco motif giving a timeless ...
Fabric, Wood
Beautiful Napoléon III Period Circular Couch, France, Circa 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful circular couch, completely covered with a “red opera” silk velvet. It consists of three benches attached to a central shaft. Based on gilt wood fluted legs.
Velvet, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III Settees
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of painted and gilded Empire French canapés.
Napoleon III Painted and Gilded Canapé
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of painted and gilded 19th century canapés. Can be sold individually-$3800.
French Napoleon III Upholstered Sofa in Ebonized Wood, circa 1870
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Period French Napoleon III sofa in ebonized wood, with triple hump-camel back and turned and fluted front legs resting on casters, with uphols...
Upholstery, Wood
Napoleon III Canape Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
France, circa 1870. French Canape sofa on small sliding wheels refurbished and upholstered with antique French grain burlap striped linen and the back is upholstered in another more raw looking burlap. Two antique burlap...
Burlap, Wood
Second Empire Recamier, France, circa 1850
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Second Empire fainting couch, circa 1850 de-acquisitioned from Svaneholms castles inventory in 1936. Svaneholms castle is located near Lund in the Provence of Skåne (southern) Sweden...
Mahogany
Antique French Napoleon III Period Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
The artisans who created this Antique French sofa, or canapé, during the waning years of the reign of Napoleon III showed the court's obvious leanings towards Victorian tastes, with...