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.
19th Century Napoleon III French Stool, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th century French Napoleon III stool with a refined profile and timeless decorative appeal. The frame retains the graceful proportions and craftsmanship associated with qua...
Fabric, Wood
Antique 1800's Napoleon III gilt bamboo stool from Michael S. Smith installation
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Circa 1800’s Parisian Napoleon III Aesthetic Movement Stool, carved bamboo legs, a centered English turned finial with cross-stretchers in gilt-wood, and soft terracotta sued...
Suede, Wood
French Napoleon III Style Giltwood Rope Twist Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
French Napoleon III style giltwood rope-twist tabouret (stool or ottoman). The design is famous for its intricate gesso and giltwood frame carved to realistically resemble knotted an...
Gesso, Fabric, Wood
Susan Osbourne Contemporary Napoleon III Style Capitonné Round Pouf Ottoman
Located in London, GB
An elegant statement piece from our limited studio production range, this magnificent round pouf ottoman represents the pinnacle of made-to-order cr...
Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Natural Fiber, Hardwood, Beech
$6,300 / set
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.
Linen, Walnut
George Smith Zebra Hide "Fender" Stool, 2000s
By George Smith
Located in Coronado, CA
A gorgeous "Fender" stool produced by George Smith in England in the 2000s. This example features the original custom ordered zebra hide upholstery. This low, long stool is meant fo...
Zebra Hide
$1,402
H 14.57 in Dm 16.15 in
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...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Antique classic oak stool, Germany, 19th. Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique classic oak stool, Germany, 19th. Century Solid wood, square shape. Seat standing on four legs connected to a central bridge. Blue floral seat cover with elaborate innerspr...
Oak
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...
Iron
Pair of Silk Parsons Ottomans or Stools
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Silk Parson Ottomans or stools. Gingham silk upholstery covers the pair. very good condition. In the Billy Baldwin style with button top. This ...
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
1880s French Napoleon III Gilt Faux Bamboo Stool Gold Carved Wood
Located in High Point, NC
This charming 1880s French Napoléon III gilt faux bamboo stool exemplifies the period’s fascination with exoticism and decorative refinement. Crafted in carved wood and finished in a...
Faux Bamboo, Giltwood
A Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
A refined pair of 19th century French library chairs in the Napoleon III taste, distinguished by their elegant proportions and classic turned leg...
Fabric, Silk, Hardwood
$4,064
H 35.04 in W 32.68 in D 35.04 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Armchair in Calico, Ready for Re-Upholstery
Located in London, GB
A classic 19th-century French Napoleon III armchair, circa 1870. This elegant library or lounge chair features its original proportions with a comfortably raked back and scrolled a...
Cotton, Calico, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
$906Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in W 17 in D 21 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Gold Gilded Twisted Rope and Tassel Bench or Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A gold gilt bench featuring a rope and tassel motif from Italy, dating back to the 1960s. This versatile and decorative piece can enhance any room in the house, showcasing fine vinta...
Metal
$675
H 36.23 in W 30.71 in D 24.81 in
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Armchair Upholstered in Neutral Fabric
Located in London, London
An elegant upholstered armchair with a gently curved, enveloping form, likely dating to the 19th century. The chair features a high, softly shaped back that flows into rounded arms,...
Fabric
$490Sale Price|50% Off
H 16 in Dm 20 in
Scandinavian Rattan and Bamboo Tripod Stool or Ottoman 1950s Sweden
Located in Toronto, CA
A striking sculptural Swedish rattan and bamboo stool featuring a rounded, drum-like silhouette and finely handwoven wicker construction. The tightly woven spiral top transitions bea...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
French 19th Century Louis XVI Giltwood Stool / Upholstery Seat
Located in Carmine, TX
Elegant 19th-century French Louis XVI stool, beautifully crafted with a carved and giltwood frame featuring classic fluted legs, floral rosettes, and a decorative cross stretcher. Th...
Bronze
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...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 20 in W 21 in D 16.5 in
19th-C. French Neoclassical Painted & Giltwood Stools / Ottomans - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These have a great look! This is a pair of French 19th century stools with Neo-classical and Empire influences. The carved laurel and hooves are show stoppers. The legs are black lac...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique French Napoleon III Low Foot Stool Ottoman
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique French Napoleon III Foot Stool A charming antique French foot stool. The stool is sprung with a horse hair filled cushion top which requires upholstery. It has a hardwood fr...
Fruitwood
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...
Silk, 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...
Mohair, Giltwood
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.
Silk, Wood
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...
Wood
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...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
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...
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.
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.
Silk, Giltwood
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.
Fabric, Wood