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.
$2,578Sale Price|50% Off
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The sofa has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade. France...
Brocade, Beech
Large French Napoleon III Carved and Gilt Beechwood Settee, circa 1860
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Elegant French Napoleon III period settee dating to circa 1860, featuring a substantial carved beechwood frame with a deep ebonized finish and delicate gilt highlights. The generous...
Beech
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, Classic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been upholstered in a traditional style instead of our contemporary version. . It is the perfect conversation piece. This...
Wood, Cotton
Pair of Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Armchairs
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of 19th century armchairs, Napoleon III period. The armchairs have been restored and the upholstery has been replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade...
Brocade, Beech
Small Scale French Napoleon III Settee in Red Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A magnificent small scale 19th century French Napoleon III “chapeau de gendarme” style settee in red velvet with contrasting bullion fringe. This lovely small scale French Napoleon ...
Upholstery
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier Conversation Sofa
Located in Wiscasset, ME
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon III...
Linen, Wood
19th century demi-borne / Half seat in rosewood
Located in Paris, FR
Very unusual 19th-century demi-borne in rosewood and damask fabric with an attached planter in the back. France, circa 1860
Damask, Rosewood
$8,200 / item
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon II...
Velvet, Wood
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier 'Silver Cast Bronze Legs'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. We have used white bronze legs and added a modern touch to the upho...
Bronze
19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee, Napoleon III Style
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Late 19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee Guilloche Carving and Fluted Tapered Legs Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Giltwood
$52,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Aubusson Salon set comprising one sofa and six armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Superb and rare Napoleon iiistyle living room in Aubusson tapestry including six armcahairs and a sofa the sofa depicts a picnic scene from this period where the children play and d...
Tapestry, Giltwood
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century Vintage French Napoleon III Settee Reupholstered White Linen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Period French Napoleon III sofa in ebonized wood, with decorative brass filet (strip) and turned and fluted front legs resting on brass rings,...
Wood
1870's Antique French Giltwood Aubusson Salon Set, Settee and Fauteuils
Located in Dallas, TX
Take a timeless, bespoke design, mix in a dash of romantic connotations to get this worn-in bucolic charm aesthetic. Invite the beauty of Louis XV style into your home with this Giltwood Aubusson Tapestry three piece salon suite from the French Napoleon III period. Upholstered with hand-woven Aubusson tapestry and carved giltwood, this Late 19th Century three piece salon suite includes a settee and two matching armchairs. The settee and Fauteuil (armchair) are supported by turned tapering legs, padded armrests, and cartouche-shaped backs. Please take into consideration these pieces are from the 1870's as a result some frame work and reupholstery may be required. All facets of this 3-piece set collectively entwine to form the striking and grand charm of a textile that is worthy to depict the tender, emotive, and vibrant details of humans and histories, no longer known. The historic worth far exceeds any damage that comes with centuries of wear. In any event, it is simply amazing. If you adore timeworn treasure, this antique parlor set...
Wool, Tapestry, Giltwood
$8,200 / item
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the perfect conversation piece. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon II...
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Salon Suite Reupholstered
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century Napoleon III ebonized salon suite, sourced from Paris and reupholstered in 'Limerence' velvet, circa 1860. Measures: Sofa H 107 x W 136 x D 55cm Seat height 45cm Chai...
Hardwood
Antique French Parlour Settee in Tropics 'Fan Palm' Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
A very rare antique French Parlour Settee, upholstered in our exclusive Tropics 'Fan Palm' fabric This exceptional French settee dating from around 1...
Cotton, Wood
$7,800
H 37 in W 87 in D 28.75 in
Large Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Récamier Settee in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet
Located in Nashville, TN
And of unusual ( rare ) large dimensions. Matching bolsters for each end. Well worn gilt and paint finish and losses to frame. Well worn paint and gilded finish. Oxidation to the gi...
Giltwood
Rive Gauche Armchair, by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With its deep seat, this chair is inviting and comfortable. The brass casters add the finishing touch. This chair is sold COM 8 yards-no repeat. Custom finishes available on the alde...
Upholstery
$3,850
H 41 in W 75 in D 33.5 in
Refined and Chic French Louis XV Carved Walnut Settee Sofa Canape Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This refined French Louis XV carved walnut settee, circa 1920, embodies the elegance and sophistication of classic French design. With its graceful serpentine back, scrolled arms, an...
Walnut
$2,805
H 29.93 in W 66.93 in D 26.38 in
French Restauration Bench Seat Wood Sofa Banquette Fabric of Your Choise 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French Restoration-Period Chaise Longue on wheels, 19th Century Louis Philippe Period, France circa 1840 An elegant French chaise longue dating from the Restoration period, ...
Upholstery, Wood
$671
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
Vintage French Louis XVI style Carved Gilt Settee C. 1960's
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 38.5 inches high x 65.75 inches wide x 32.5 inches deep. Seat Height 21 inches A refined expression of neoclassical elegance, this vintage French Louis XVI style settee...
Wood, Upholstery
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
$4,043
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
19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee, Napoleon III Style
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Late 19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee Guilloche Carving and Fluted Tapered Legs Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Giltwood
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
French Late 18th Century Louis XVI Style Velvet Settee
Located in Louisville, KY
What interesting secrets this settee must possess. Imagine this piece in a bedroom of an historic French chateau in the countryside. Petite, yet bold in character from the design to ...
Brass
Bel Air Bench by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegance at its finest. This bench will add a perfect finishing touch to your homes sophistication, it will certainly be a focal point in the room. This bench with it cast bronze X b...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 42.52 in W 73.63 in D 35.44 in
Large Antique Settee Carved Walnut, Floral Upholstery, France Circa 1880
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exceptional French antique sofa is a striking example of 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring a beautifully sculpted walnut frame and an ele...
Walnut, Upholstery
A French Napoleon III Settee, C. 1860.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a straight back and elegantly turned legs fitted with casters. Recently restored, the frame is structurally sound and ready for customization with upholstery of your choosi...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Settee W/ Blue Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th-century French Napoleon III settee, sourced directly from Provence, France. This beautifully hand-crafted piece features a solid wood frame with an elegantly ca...
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
Unusual French Napoleon III upholstered settee. 19th century.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This settee is truly a rare form with a double chairback over a single wide seat with rolled arms supported by ebonized turned legs terminating in casters. This piece has been newly ...
Upholstery, Wood
French Napoleon III leather settee, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Napoleon III settee, 19th C. upholstered in leather. The leather on this settee is in overall fantastic condition (note image for cracked area). Both the color and the patina ...
Leather, Wood
19th Century Carved Conversation Borne Settee Tête-à-tête
Located in Culver City, CA
Step into the enchanting world of opulence with this exquisite Borne Settee, a resplendent blend of timeless elegance and whimsical charm. Upholstered in the finest white button tuft...
Hardwood, Walnut
French Napoleon III Style Settee in Gold Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French Napoleon III settee is upholstered in a plush floral patterned gold velvet with tassel adornments and matching bullion fringe. The beautifully curved back and bui...
Upholstery
French Napoleon III Style Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
A handsome small French sofa or settee in the Napoleon III style. The classic “chapeau de gendarme“ shape of the back balances perfectly with the gen...
Upholstery
19th Century Confident / Conversation Seat / Tête-à-tête
Located in Paris, FR
19th century confident in rosewood. France, circa 1860.
Rosewood
French Napoleon III Round Scroll Back Small Scale Sofa
Located in Stamford, CT
Petite French Napoleon III round scroll back sofa, circa 1880s. Turned black legs with original castors. Recently upholstered in Manuel Canovas 'Marius' in Ciel (light blue and white...
Linen, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 51.97 in D 32.29 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Curved Sofa, Newly Upholstered Bouclé fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Two-seat curved settee from the late 19th Century. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat. Front legs raised upon brass casters. This sofa has been fully restored and newly ...
Brass
French 19th Century Settee in Muslin
Located in Buchanan, NY
A captivating small-scale French 19th century settee from the Napoleon III period. Its gracefully rounded back and built-in lumbar support offer exceptional comfort, making it the pe...
Upholstery