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Napoleon III Chairs

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
Color:  Brown
19th Century French Napoleon III Prie Dieu or Prayer Chair.
Located in Labrit, Landes
Prayer chair or Prie-Dieu of the period Napoleon III, French, 19th century Exotic wood and velvet with golden braid. Can be recovered to suit your interior. Good antique condition.     
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Napoleon III Chairs in Blackened Wood
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice pair of Napoleon III style chairs. The structure of this chair is made of blackened wood. The uprights are made of turned wood. The seat ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Napoléon III Low Chairs to Cover
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Napoléon III low chairs to cover.
Category

1830s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Beech

'La Somme" Slipper Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom Chair from BoBo Atelier. Custom Wood Finishing and Upholstery Work included in the price of each chair. Customer provides fabric (COM).
Category

2010s American Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Oak

19th Century French Hand Carved Wooden Piano Swivel Chair Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
Very delicate and rare hand carved wooden piano swivel chair made in mid 19th century during Napoleon III period. Having no restoration so far the chair i...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Painted Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III painted chair, France, 1850s.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Chaise Gondole Napoléon III En Bois Et Papier Mâché Laqué Noir Et Burgauté
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Chaise gondole Napoléon III en bois et papier mâché laqué noir et burgauté décors de fleurs, assise cannée en bon état garnie d’un coussin en tissu rouge capitonné Plusieurs petit...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Charming Napoleon III Period Chair, in Blackened Pear and Velvet
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Charming Napoleon III period chair, in blackened pear and velvet. Good general condition, including velvet and padding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Pearwood

Napoleon III Ebonized Slipper Chair
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched back upholstered in gold cut velvet raised on turned tapered fluted legs.
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Paint

2 Original Chiarivari Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 Original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s. Wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Napoleon III Red Chairs Upholstered French, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III French red chairs late 19th century The chair have been re-upholstered. The chairs are similar but one is bigger than the other. Chair 1: D 18.1 in ; (46 cm) W 16.5 i...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Armchair Fauteuil Napoleon III Upholstery and Walnut French 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Fauteuil armchair French Napoleon III, circa 1880 Antique, 19th century, Sound and solid to be recovered Very comfortable. Shipping: L76 P75 H96 19,3 kg.  
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Beech, Upholstery

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Rosewood Salon Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Rosewood salon chair is an elegant example of Fine French craftsmanship using exotic imported wood from the Americas. Sometimes called Kingwood, rosewood is known for its natural beauty, color, hardness, and ability to last for eons. This example combines elements of the Louis Philippe form with accents from the Louis XVI style, with a graceful shield-shaped seatback carved with flowing ribbon at the top of the arched crown. The remainder of the seatback follows tailored lines accented with scrolls for a tailored opulence. The seat itself is beautifully contoured and upholstered in mohair, and features gracefully scrolled legs, with the front legs molded for added visual appeal while retaining an austerity of form that is the essence of understated elegance. If you act fast, a twin chair...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Rosewood

small Napoleon III lounge circa 1930/1950 good condition
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
small Napoleon III lounge circa 1930/1950 good condition including 1 sofa and two armchairs    
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

2 Napoleon III Chairs, France, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 Napoleon III armchairs, France, circa 1930.    
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

2 Original Napoleon III Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 Original Napoleon III Chairs, France, 1850s
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Beech

Vintage Pair of Walnut Chairs "Chauffeuse" French, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chauffeuse French Napoleon III, circa 1880. The feets are in walnut Antique, 19th century. It can be recovered with the fabric of your choice to suit your interior. Sound and sol...
Category

1960s French Vintage Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Napoleon III Exotic Wood and Velvet Chairs French, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III French upholstered pair of exotic wood and velvet chairs late 19th century. The backs are very finely sliced. The chairs can be used as it stands for more authenticity...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century Napoleon III Caned Child Chair
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III Period child chair made in blackened beech and cane. Used condition.
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Cane, Beech

2 Original Chiarivari Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Pair of Straw Chairs, France 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Very charming wood and straw Napoleon III pair of straw chairs, low seating, in a good condition. France 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood, Straw

Rare Suite of 9 Napoleon III Period Chairs in Blackened Beech
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare suite of 9 Napoleon III period chairs in blackened beech.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Eight Italian Giltwood Faux Bois Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime set of eight Italian dining chairs featuring hand-carved faux bois gilt wood frames. Crafted in the old world style from beech frames covered in layers of gesso (plaster), ro...
Category

20th Century Italian Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Gesso, Fabric, Giltwood

Set of Six Napoleon III Style Faux Rope Cerused Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing set of six hand-carved faux rope Spanish dining chairs made in the Napoleon III taste. The set consists of four side chairs and two host armchairs measuring 23.5 inches wide ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Hand Painted Tole Fireside Chair
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Called a chaise chauffeuse or fireside chair in English due to its low seat height of 15 inches, this mid-nineteenth century French Napoleon III period hand painted tole chair...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Wood

Antique Parlor Chair with Nobilis Floral Fabric
Located in Munich, DE
1950s European Parlor Chair refurbished and done with a floral pattern from the firm Nobilis. This chair fits well with a wide array of settings.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century French Napoleon III period mahogany chairs reflects the stately classically-inspired architecture of the ancients, accentuated by bronze castings of rosettes and li...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Italian Comini & Modonutti Carved Knotted Rope Chairs, Set of 8
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Napoleon III style dining chairs. Featured in a solid wood with a light white washed wood finish. Each having frames carved to resemble rope, with knots on arms and above eac...
Category

20th Century Italian Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

2 Original Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

2 Original Napoleon III Ebonised Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonised chairs, France, 1850s wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Pair of Carved Sapele Wood Bedroom Chairs
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Particular pair of...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Sapele Wood

Napoleon III Faux Bamboo Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III faux bamboo chair, France, 1850s.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Folding Chair Wooden and Azure Velvet
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Antique French Napoleon III folding chair gilded wooden and azure velvet in its original state, circa 1865.
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Original Napoleon III Ebonized Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original Napoleon III ebonized chair, France, 1850s.   
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 Chairs

19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood French Pair of Armchairs by Frederic Quignon
Located in Roma, RM
A superb pair of gilt armchairs, France, Napoleon III period, signed Quignon. Frederic Gustave Quignon, son of Napoleon Quignon, was born in ...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century French Antique Hand Carved Low Back Chair Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany low back chair with tapestry upholstery decorated with Louis XV style flowers. France, 1860 Napoleon III period. Measures: 63 x 46 x 45 cm.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Tufted Chauffeuses
Located in Washington, DC
a pair of tufted Napoleon III period chauffeuses - low chairs for sitting by the fire. covered in light plum linen.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Wood

Napoleon III Folding Chair
Located in New York, NY
More sculpture than furniture, this finely-carved 1860s folding chair has a gilded and gessoed wood frame, and the original cut-silk-velvet upholstery material that was woven to fit....
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Antique Pair of Napoleon III Slipper Chairs Reupholstered in Lavender Velvet
Located in Toronto, ON
A pair of elegant 19th century antique French Napoleon III slipper chairs adorned with rich bullion fringe, rope and rosettes from Samuel & Sons. Beautifully restored and upholstered by a master upholsterer, who has been diligent to maintain the integrity of the original antique construction...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Metal

Pair Napoleon III Slipper Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb pair of period Napoleon III Chauffeuses or Slipper Chairs that date to c. 1860-1875. The chairs feature arched back crests with tightly upholstered seats and backs. ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Chairs

Materials

Brass

Napoleon Iii chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, 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 chairs 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 $41,810 while the average work can sell for $1,980.

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