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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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Napoleon III
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

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

Napolean III Gilt Bamboo Stool
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing this truly exquisite piece – the Napoleon III Gilt Bamboo Stool with a rich terracotta-colored suede seat, a testament to timeless design and d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Suede, 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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood

Wonderful French Giltwood Knotted Rope Round Ottoman Tabouret Silk Upholstery
By Napoléon III
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French Napoleon III giltwood knotted rope round ottoman / tabouret / pouf silk stripe upholstery on casters.  
Category

1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Damask

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

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

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...
Category

1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fruitwood

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21st Century and Contemporary Asian Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Tufted Leather Round Ottoman
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Antique French Oak Barley Twist Bench Stool Ottoman Seat Embossed Leather C.1900
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Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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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...
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20th Century French Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Upholstery, Giltwood

French Ottoman Pouf Beech and Red Skai Louis XV Style, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pouf or ottoman, Louis XV style beech and red skai Good condition with minor marks of use French midcentury Shipping: 39/57/57 cm 13 kg.
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1960s French Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Midcentury Tito Agnoli Rattan and Bamboo Italian Pouf Stools Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous pair of French Riviera poufs in curved bamboo and rattan. These fantastic and rare poufs were designed by Tito Agnoli and made in Italy during the 1960s. The craftsmanship...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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EXQUISITE VICTORIAN CiRCA 1860 TAN BLACK LEATHER OTTOMAN STOOL FOOTSTOOL STORAGE
Located in GB
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

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Pair of Modern Upholstered Ottoman Stools on Casters
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Modern Upholstered Ottoman Stools on Casters. Unique marble like linen fabric with folded pleaded corners. Thick upholstered cushioning with r...
Category

1990s American Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Custom Upholstered Pouf Ottomans in Gray or COM
Located in New York, NY
New production. Made to order. Designed and made in NYC, each ottoman is handcrafted with in NYC and has unique attributes. One day delivery available in NYC. 3 to 4 week lead tim...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Fabric

Unusual 1930s Art Deco Wood and Mohair Ottoman / Foot Stool
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual 1930s Art Deco Wood and Mohair Ottoman / Foot Stool..Great form and proportion. Wonderful stylized cut mohair patterned upholstery,, Minor loss / wear to original fabric (see...
Category

1930s American Vintage Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Bleached French Os De Mouton Tabouret Stool, White Cotton Upholstery, C. 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
Easily recognized by its highly shaped legs and stretchers, os de mouton is an elegant style of carving that was first seen during the reign of Louis XIII. Although typically used fo...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century French Louis XVI Style Pink And Gilt Venetian Ottomans / Stools - 2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century Venetian Louis XV style ottomans. They are painted pink with gilt floral accents and trim. Sadly, the upholstery is in need of replacing. They are unmar...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Upholstery, Poplar

Pair of Vintage Art Deco Style Green Moroccan Upholstered Stools
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Art Deco Style jade green and gold Moroccan style stools. Pair of modern Contemporary round Moroccan Moorish style stool in lime green fabric upholstery in 1970s style. Art...
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20th Century American Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Fabric

Previously Available Items
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.
Category

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

Materials

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.
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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.  
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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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

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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

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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

Materials

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...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

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

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Napoleon III Giltwood Rope Stool
Located in New York, NY
The tufted round seat upholster in apple green velvet, raised on rope carved legs joined by an X-form stretcher centered by a knot, on casters.
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Velvet, Giltwood

19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Bamboo Footstool Original Embroidered Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-19th century French Napoleon III period giltwood footstool features faux bamboo legs and its original embroidered cushion detailed with flowers and leaves. Its Classic look ...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Ottomans and Poufs

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Upholstery, Giltwood

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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