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.
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
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
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. We have used white bronze legs and added a modern touch to the uphols...
Bronze
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
19th Century Confident / Conversation Seat / Tête-à-tête
Located in Paris, FR
19th century confident in rosewood. France, circa 1860.
Rosewood
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
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
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
Napoleon III French Settee
Located in Houston, TX
Napoleon III French settee upholstered in off-white ticking and burlap. Ready to be re-covered in your own fabric. Constructed circa 1870-1889 with wood and iron frame, turned and eb...
Brass, Steel, Iron
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee
Located in Scottsdale, 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
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...
Iron
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
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
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
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
$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
$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
$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
19th Century Louis XV Settee
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century French Louis XV style sofa or bench painted in a French blue-grey, with floral motives en relief. Newly reupholstered in a tan tight weave muslin. Measures: Arm height ...
Wood
$37,500 / set
H 37 in W 63 in D 23 in
Beautiful Late 19th Century Five-Piece Carved Giltwood Aubusson Parlor Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style 5 Piece Carved Giltwood Aubusson Tapestry Parlor Set Comprising of a settee and four armchairs. Each with an oval upholstered back co...
Fabric, Giltwood
Wavy Back Sofa Upholstered in Lelievre Wool Boucle
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant modern scallop back sofa upholstered in Lelievre Lama Naturel wool boucle. Also available in COM - please enquire. Fast shipping worl...
Fabric, Wood
Austro-German 19th Century Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Biedermeier style settee from 19th century Bavaria made from exceptionally beautiful, solid maple in a sheltering design like a banquette to enclose the upholstery. Some a...
Upholstery, Maple
19th Century Gustavian Sofa Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Gustavian sofa bench with original paint. Exquisite carving on the front and side panels and along the perimeter of the upholstered a...
Wood
$3,060Sale Price|26% Off
H 29.93 in W 66.93 in D 26.38 in
French Louis Philippe Bench Seat Wood Sofa or Banquette French 19th Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
Louis Philippe banquette or sofa on wheels Carved with floral decorations and canelures. France circa 1840 Good seating with springs. The fabric can be...
Upholstery, Wood
French Napoleon III Armchair with Tufted Back
Located in Buchanan, NY
A handsome French 19th century armchair with diamond tufted back and scrolled arms. This elegant armchair from the Napoleon III period captures the intricate details and romantic bea...
Upholstery
$1,650
H 38 in W 52 in D 30.5 in
Vintage French Hollywood Regency Barrel Back Upholstered Loveseat Settee Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Hollywood Regency Curved Frame Barrel Back Loveseat Sofa. Item features a distressed finish, shapely cabriole legs, gold accents, b...
Mahogany
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
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Settee In The Manner Of Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern armless settee in the style of Florence Knoll. Chrome base with angled rear legs and tufted black vinyl upholstery.
19th Century French Oak Window Seat
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak window seat from France with a carved and beveled edge around the seat and half applied turnings on the top. The apron is hand scallop...
Oak
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
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
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
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
Napoleon III Style Ebonized "Indiscret" Armchair
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III style three-seater armchair or "Indiscret," the frame in a Neoclassical form and on shaped tapering legs, now upholstered in a graphic black and gray pattern. Dimens...
Fabric, Wood
French Tufted Napoleon III Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
French Tufted Napoleon III Settee A wonderfully proportioned small French settee from the Napoleon III period having a gracious curved back with exquisite tufting. The settee has bee...
Fabric
Low-Profile Napoleon III French Banquette
Located in Houston, TX
Low-profile Napoleon III French banquette, or settee, circa 1860-1879. Turned, ebonized legs front legs set into brass casters. Ebonized, hand-carved ...
Brass
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Armchair
Located in Puglia, Puglia
19th century armchair, Napoleon III period. The armchair has been restored and the upholstery has been replaced with a beautiful Italian brocade. Franc...
Brocade, Beech
Small French Settee with Rounded Back
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant French early 20th century small scale settee in the Napoleon III style. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any room, this small scale settee is a great choice. It has a gracious curved back with built-in lumbar support - typical of seating during this period, and rolled arms. It needs to be reupholstered (see photos). Once done, this settee will be amazing. Sold as is. We always recommend reupholstering vintage seating...
Fabric