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Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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
Napolean III Gilt Bamboo Stool
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This elegant giltwood stool features a plush terracotta-colored suede seat, trimmed with brass nailhead detailing. The base is crafted in a faux bamboo style with a rich gilt finish,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Suede, Wood

Pair of French Armchairs in Muslin with Matching Ottoman
Located in Buchanan, NY
This striking trio of French armchairs and an ottoman from the 1920s is the embodiment of timeless elegance. The chairs and ottoman are a testament to fine artistry, with intricately...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Napoleon III French Giltwood Twisted Rope Ottoman/Stool. Tan Mohair Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Napoleon III carved giltwood "Rope" stool or ottoman. Tan Mohair upholstery on wooden base carved into a knotted rope. Fournier style pouf with gold finish. Please see pics f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Mohair, Giltwood

French Napoleon !!! Upholstered Ottoman on Caster
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this charming French Napoleon !!! Upholstered Ottoman on Caster. The casters a fully functional, the fabric is Silk and in wonderful to excellent condition. This settee is t...
Category

1880s Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Silk, Wood

Napoleon III Giltwood Rope Tabouret
Located in Essex, MA
Circular with new muslin upholstery, conforming carved rope legs and stretchers ending on tassel feet, casters. Completely regilded with 23-karat gold leaf.
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Other

Pair of Walnut French Napoleon III Style Stools
Located in New York, NY
Pair of walnut French Napoleon III style stools /ottomans. Upholstered in a linen-blend.
Category

1950s Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Linen, Walnut

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Rosé Art Deco Stool / Tabouret / Pouf / Ottoman, Vienna, Austria, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Art Deco tabouret, stool or footstool from the 1930s, handcrafted in Vienna, Austria, in the style of Jindřich Halabala. It features a charming round shape with four dark...
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1930s Austrian Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Fabric, Wood

Franco Albini Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Round Ottoman Stool, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century round bamboo & wicker stool. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf features a beautiful combination of curved bamboo, rattan a...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker

Wicker Ottoman Upholstered Seat
Located in New York, NY
A round wicker ottoman with an orange-burnt orange upholstered seat cushion and blackened iron base. Ottoman or stool has a black iron base with four legs, tan wicker exterior around...
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2010s American Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Iron

Wicker Ottoman Upholstered Seat
Wicker Ottoman Upholstered Seat
$1,650
H 14.5 in W 21.75 in D 21.75 in
Twisted Rope Design Iron Pouf, France, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual Curule-base stool/ottoman, with a gilt-iron twisted rope base (previous green paint visible beneath), adorned with rosettes. Upholstered in vintage yellow and red rope-design...
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Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Iron

Twisted Rope Design Iron Pouf, France, circa 1950s
Twisted Rope Design Iron Pouf, France, circa 1950s
$3,319
H 18.9 in W 20.48 in D 17.33 in
Upholstered Ottoman
Located in Madison, MS
This lovely upholstered ottoman features black, white, and tan stripes and four black painted legs. It is in great shape and seems practically new...
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20th Century English Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Fabric, Wood

Upholstered Ottoman
Upholstered Ottoman
$3,300 Sale Price
20% Off
H 15 in W 47.5 in D 23 in
Art Deco Vintage Red Lavender Blossom Pouf Stool Tabouret, Austria, 1930s
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage stool ottoman pouf from red coral fabric and lavender cords designed and manufactured Austria 1930s. A high quality textured t...
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1930s Austrian Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

EXQUISITE VICTORIAN CiRCA 1860 TAN BLACK LEATHER OTTOMAN STOOL FOOTSTOOL STORAGE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Victorian black leather and mahogany ottoman stool Please note the delivery fee listed...
Category

1860s English Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

EXQUISITE VICTORIAN CiRCA 1860 TAN BLACK LEATHER OTTOMAN STOOL FOOTSTOOL STORAGE
EXQUISITE VICTORIAN CiRCA 1860 TAN BLACK LEATHER OTTOMAN STOOL FOOTSTOOL STORAGE
$1,574 Sale Price
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H 18.51 in W 23.43 in D 18.9 in
French Decorative Napoleon III Style Giltwood Rope Stool with Animal Fabric
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A French decorative Napoleon III style giltwood rope stool in the manner of A.M.E Fournier, with a circular seat upholstered in a modern jaguar vel...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Giltwood, Upholstery

French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Footstools, Green Silk Damask Upholstery
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Pair of French ottomans, upholstered, padded and buttoned, with separate top cushions, Napoleon III Style, often referred to as "Le Style Rothschild...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Damask, Silk, Giltwood

Oval Upholstered Tufted Ottoman
Located in Dallas, TX
Oval tufted ottoman with fringe detail at skirt. Upholstered in Robert Allen Dewdrop Fern Fabric
Category

20th Century Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Oval Upholstered Tufted Ottoman
Oval Upholstered Tufted Ottoman
$1,800
H 17 in W 56 in D 40 in
Vintage Yellow Upholstered Ottoman with Casters
Located in Morristown, NJ
Vintage 20th c., small upholstered ottoman in yellow with dainty white floral print, on turned mahogany legs, ending on casters, unmarked, The solid wood legs with turned details a...
Category

1980s American Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass

Franco Albini Pouf Stool in Curved Rattan, Bamboo and Wicker, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century French Riviera pouf in curved rattan, bamboo and hand-woven wicker designed by Franco Albini and made in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf is in fabulous co...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Previously Available Items
19th Century French Rope Pouf in a Gilt Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A French gilt wood Napoleon III pouf in carved wood in the shape of a tied rope. This ottoman is very decorative and is original state. It has a needlepoint top that can be used bu...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Ottomans, Upholstered, Padded and Buttoned, Napoleon III Style
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Pair of French ottomans, upholstered, padded and buttoned, with separate top cushions, Napoleon III Style, often referred to as "Le Style Rothschild...
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Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Damask

Tufted Silk Ottoman
Located in New York, NY
The tufted seat covered in an arabesque patterned woven silk; with bullion fringe and skirt; on dark wood square tapering feet.
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20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Silk, Wood

Tufted Silk Ottoman
Tufted Silk Ottoman
H 18 in W 37 in D 37 in
French Napoleon III Style Armchair with Ottoman
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French Napoleon III armchair with ottoman offers timeless and luxurious style that will bring a touch of elegance to your home. These pieces have been hand-carved from f...
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1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fruitwood

Late 19th Century Set of Two Napoleon III Lacquered Wood Italian Poufs
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of italian pouf hand-crafted and lacquered in the late 19th century. The white and blue lacquer with gold finishing it's in good conditions, the pink fabric on the seat it's o...
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Fruitwood, Lacquer

Pair Napoleon III Style Giltwood Rope Stools
Located in Houston, TX
Fournier Napoleon III style giltwood rope stool newly upholstered in a luxurious creamy ecru alpaca.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Giltwood

Napoleon III Giltwood Bamboo Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Napoleon III giltwood bamboo stool newly upholstered in a Yves Klein blue silk with orange welt detail.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Napoleon III Giltwood Bamboo Stool
Napoleon III Giltwood Bamboo Stool
H 15 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
​​Conversation Settee or Borne Settee from the Napoleon III Period
Located in Paris, FR
A central seat, also called “borne” from the Napoleon III period, circa 1860. Painted white wood frame, upholstered with "moiré" blue fabric.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Conversation Settee or Borne Settee from the Napoleon III Period
Located in Paris, FR
A central seat, also called “borne” from the Napoleon III period, circa 1860. Gilt wood frame, upholstered with beige rose satin silk fabric.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

French 19th Century Napoleon III Armchair and Ottoman
Located in Buchanan, NY
An armchair and matching ottoman in the French Napoleon III style, referred to in French as a “duchesse brisée”. Both pieces have been stripped down to the muslin and are ready to be...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Fabric

French Napoléon III Carved Rope Stool Attributed to A.M.E Fournier, circa 1875
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French Napoléon III carved blackened wood rope rare and large stool Rope stool in blackened wood, decorated with trimmings twisted feet in the shape of a pompon finished by caster...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Weiman Napoleon III Rope Armchairs and Matching Ottoman in Zebra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare pair of Napoleon lll carved rope and tassel chairs and matching ottoman by Weiman The frames are in black lacquer with zebra upholstery - all hand carved and in great conditio...
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20th Century Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Fabric, Wood

Napoleon Iii ottomans and poufs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III ottomans and poufs 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.

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