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Napoleon III Daybeds

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
Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add glamour and style with this Napoleon III cast iron lounging day bed to any room. Create your own 24" x 74" seating area with a mattress, seat cushion and decorative pillows to ma...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench with Burgundy, raspberry pink, off-white upholstery. Magnificent meridian from the Napoleon III - Second Empire period with a wide...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth
Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth

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 Daybeds

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 Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Napoleon III Period mahogany wall bed is a superbly well-preserved example of French style and ingenuity from the Second Empire! Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahoga...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Napoleon III mahogany day bed is a masterful study in classical architecture melded with timeless French craftsmanship and an understated elegance that will trans...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
This daybed or sofa was made originally in France circa 1870 in the Napoleon III style and is constructed of walnut and burled walnut veneers used to dramatically show off the wood selection and grain patterns. Large profiles and massive flat or concave and convex long grained area of regular walnut have been used to border complex very figured areas of veneered burl walnut Boldly scaled and very masculine the original rail on one side has been removed and a permanent rail with a notched upper area in the head and foot boards to accommodate an upholstered wooden back which was clearly just screwed in in the past allowing for the use as a sofa in a guest room also used as a sitting room. The head and foot boards are finished on both side so its clear that it was always meant to be seen form an alcove bed...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Burl

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa

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Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful and important sculpturakl form brass single bed or day bed circa 1958-1963 by Osvaldo Borsani for 'Arredamento Borsani', Varedo , Italy. The small series of Borsani beds designed were produced in several different designs ,each in very limited numbers and all hand made by the Arredamento Borsani in Varedo, italy. This series of beds never went into serial industrial production , a fact confirmed to me by the Arredamento Borsani archives. Beginning in the late 1950s,Osvaldo Borsani went on to collaborate with many great artists such as Lucio Fontana, Fausto Melotti, Agenore Fabbri, Aligi Sassu and Arnaldo Pomodoro, amongst others entrusting each to provide decorative elements to his designs. The brass headboard features a series of heavy cast solid brass interlocking geometric elements each featuring a beautiful organic three dimensional surface finish creating a supremely elegant and timeless repetitive motif . The bed still retains all its original decorative brass nuts ,bolts and finials which feature the same three dimensional decorative finish as the decorative sculptural forms contained in the headboard. We have had a new bespoke mattress and bolster pillow made with a natural latex foam surface as they would have originally had which also has the benefit that latex breathes. The mattress has an opulent decorative buttoned finish . Botht the mattress and pillow have been finished in 100% wool 'PLOEGWOOL' fabric by the high quality Dutch fabric manufacturer DE PLOEG. MATTRESS DIMENSIONS : Width 100cm x length 200cm / 3ft 3.37inch x 6ft 6.74inch BOLSTER PILLOW DIMENSIONS: Width 100cm diameter 24cm / 3ft 3.37inch x 9.45inch The mattress is supported on a 20mm ( 0.75 inch ) thick plywood board ,with breathing holes, which spans across the transverse brass plated steel frame elements. When used as a day bed SEATING...
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1950s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958
Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958

Sculptural form brass day bed by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamento Borsani, circa 1958

H 48.04 in W 42.13 in D 81.11 in
French Early Modern Style Fully Adjustable Campaign Daybed or Chaise Longue
Located in New York, NY
A rare 19th century French wrought iron Campaign bed circa 1870 having folding capacity and a replaced burlap platform. Comfortable and composed ...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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French Early Modern Style Fully Adjustable Campaign Daybed or Chaise Longue
French Early Modern Style Fully Adjustable Campaign Daybed or Chaise Longue

French Early Modern Style Fully Adjustable Campaign Daybed or Chaise Longue

H 24 in W 78 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood Dimensions at layout: Height:41cm, depth:84cm, width:186cm Original condition.
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1960s Czech Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Fabric, Wood

Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's
Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's

Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960's

H 29.53 in W 73.23 in D 25.99 in
Superb Studio Craft Teak Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed or Twin Bed Frame
By George Nakashima Studio
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Custom Studio Craft Handmade midcentury Solid teak sofa or daybed or twin bed frame in teak wood with slatted frame backrest. No Cushions and no side arms or back rest cushions. Use ...
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Mid-20th Century Unknown Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Teak

Superb Studio Craft Teak Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed or Twin Bed Frame
Superb Studio Craft Teak Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed or Twin Bed Frame

Superb Studio Craft Teak Mid-Century Sofa or Daybed or Twin Bed Frame

H 31.5 in W 77 in D 40.5 in
19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
Located in Savannah, GA
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1820s American Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed

19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed

H 48 in W 52 in D 78 in
Marcel Breuer Style Daybed
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing Marcel Breuer style daybed. Tubular chrome at both ends. Bed has hinges which allow it to be lifted, allowing for storage underneath. Great piece ...
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1940s Austrian Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Chrome

Marcel Breuer Style Daybed
Marcel Breuer Style Daybed

Marcel Breuer Style Daybed

H 23 in W 80 in D 39 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s
Located in Prato, IT
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1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Daybeds

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Bamboo, Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s

H 27.17 in W 36.23 in D 81.11 in
Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed
Located in Markington, GB
1950s Danish 3-seat sofa or daybed Lovely 1950s part wood framed sofa in very good condition, it has blanket storage underneath and folds down into a very useful daybed Measure...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Napoleon III Daybeds

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Fabric, Teak

Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed
Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed

Original 1950s Danish 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed

H 32.29 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Barcelona Daybed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic Barcelona daybed from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe originally designed in the 1930s and remade for Knoll International in the 2000s, this daybed is timeless. The daybed or cou...
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Early 2000s American Napoleon III Daybeds

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Stainless Steel

Barcelona Daybed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
Barcelona Daybed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll

Barcelona Daybed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll

H 25 in W 39 in D 78 in
A Gianfranco frattini leather & wood day bed
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in London, GB
A stunning daybed in Dark oak with caramel leather upholstery and wool boucle on the other side . C1960s . Gianfranco frattini . Italy
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Mid-20th Century Italian Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Leather, Bouclé, Wood

A Gianfranco frattini leather & wood day bed
A Gianfranco frattini leather & wood day bed

A Gianfranco frattini leather & wood day bed

H 18.51 in W 76.78 in D 34.65 in
Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Queen Size
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
This bed is designed to accommodate a contemporary aesthetic. This design is carefully handmade, featuring detailed construction and traditional technique which utilizes the interloc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Ash

Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Queen Size
Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Queen Size

Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Queen Size

H 10 in W 85 in D 64 in
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Boat" bed in carved mahogany wood, 19th century. Head and feet of the same height, are decorated with a circular molding, while the rear, by harmony, follows the lines of the front...
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19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century

Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century

H 59.85 in W 85.83 in D 50.4 in
Previously Available Items
Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe Fond peint en trompe l’œil à l’imitation du bois Pieds à décor zoomorphe représentant des dauphins Stable et en bon ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Sheet Metal

Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe
Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe

Lit en tôle peinte à décor de fleurs, richement ouvragé, fin XIXe

H 59.85 in W 43.31 in D 77.96 in
1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A wonderfully worn circa 1860 Napoleon lll cast iron daybed, features curved sides with intricate floral scroll work figures and faces with a nod to t...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Iron

1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style
1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style

1860 Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo Style

H 77.96 in W 35.44 in D 38.19 in
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Napoleon III daybed offers mahogany frame with carved scroll swan neck arms and raised on paw feet, floral cushion and roll bolster pillows included, c1880. Meas...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany

Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880

Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880

H 40.25 in W 83 in D 35.5 in
Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish daybed from the end of 19th century from the Napoleon III time also called in Sweden the Oskarian period from the name of the Regent king Oskar II. Please note that this d...
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Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed
Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed

Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed

H 34.65 in W 24.41 in D 66.93 in
Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Napoleon Sleigh daybed is Costantini's contemporary take on a Classic. Shown here in natural Argentine rosewood with Savel elegance velvet fabric....
Category

2010s Argentine Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood

Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini
Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini

Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini

H 30 in W 78 in D 31 in
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue
Located in Hastings, GB
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue Wonderful Shaping, Rarer Right Arm Facing (Raf) Horse Hair/Seaweed Filling, Cotton Calic...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue

Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue

H 35.04 in W 68.9 in D 29.14 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century French Napoleon III period daybed features a cast iron frame detailed with central cartouche and masque flanked by scrolling branches and leaves that extend out to ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed

H 34 in W 83 in D 31.5 in
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed
By Napoléon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and beautiful black cast iron or wrought iron daybed, it can be folded in half Ideal for a porch, covered garden, large terrace or even a beautiful room, In a very good con...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed

H 35.83 in W 82.68 in D 37.01 in
French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
French 19th century iron bed upholstered with tufted red velvet.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet
French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet

French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet

H 40 in W 75 in D 38.5 in
French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed
Located in Atlanta, GA
Entirely constructed of cast iron, the frame of "sleigh" form with the head taller than the foot, the centre section with bobbin form supports, raised on circular tapering legs, lack...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed
French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed

French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed

H 36.25 in W 74.5 in D 31.5 in
French Day Bed
Located in London, Park Royal
Hand-painted daybed, French, 19th century. Mattress size: 2ft6 x 5ft9' or 76 x 176cm Beautiful hand-painted wood panels in vivid colors on a black lacquer background. Neat size...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood

French Day Bed
French Day Bed

French Day Bed

H 43.31 in W 33.86 in D 73.23 in
Antique French Daybed Circa 1880
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Antique French Louis Philippe-style daybed in solid walnut. 19th century. These make great sofas, too. Offers invited.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Daybed Circa 1880
Antique French Daybed Circa 1880

Antique French Daybed Circa 1880

H 39 in W 77 in D 39 in

Napoleon Iii daybeds for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III daybeds for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage daybeds created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III daybeds made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia 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 daybeds differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $999 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $3,000.

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