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.
1880s French Napoleon III Style Ebonized Side Table With Floral Inlay
Located in High Point, NC
This 1880s French Napoleon III–style ebonized side table is a refined example of late 19th-century decorative artistry, blending elegant curves with richly detailed ornamentation. Th...
Wood
$3,146 / set
Side Slipper Bedroom Chairs
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
French pair of Napoleon III slipper chairs A pair of low back upholstered side chairs, nicely wide seated design with beautifully polished ebonized legs. Fully reupholstered in this ...
Birch
$9,600 / set
Pair of Napoleon III Giltwood Slipper Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A striking pair of Napoleon III giltwood chairs on casters, newly upholstered in a woven block chain velvet, chocolate leather trim, nailhead detail, and a lofty down seat cushion. F...
Giltwood
$716Sale Price / set|29% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Chairs Fabric and Painted Wood, French, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Pair of Napoleon III, circa 1880. Black painting with gilded vegetal motifs Antique, late 19th century. It can be recovered with the fabric of your choice to suit your inte...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Side Chairs, Carved Wood & Blue Leather
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fabulous pair of 19th century Napoleon III carved wooden side chairs, each with a delicate spindle back and ornately shaped top rail. The se...
Leather, Fruitwood
$621Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Chair with Turned Beech and Velvet for Child French, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III French chair for child late 19th century Turned beech, with patina, The fabric in a good quality. Two marks in the velvet, nothing dist...
Beech, Velvet
Charming Napoleon III Period Chair, in Blackened Pear and Velvet
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Charming Napoleon III period chair, in blackened pear and velvet. Good general condition, including velvet and padding.
Velvet, Pearwood
Napoleon III Style Slipper Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The slipper chair reflects the Napoleon III style of the mid-19th century with gold brocade fabric with deep cushion affect and exuberant fringe. Fr...
Fabric
$2,339 / set
Pair French Side Chairs
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Wonderful pair of French Napoleon 111 side chairs, with turned ebony legs, newly upholstered in linen fabric, upholstered in the traditional methods, with deep bullion fringing, supe...
Ebony
Handsome Pair of Period French Napoleon III Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of Napoleon III black french antique chairs having original paint and frame. Front legs have original casters. Bought in Avignon, Fra...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique French Napoleon III High Back Chair, Upholstered, 1890
Located in Stamford, CT
One High, curled back French Napoleon III chair, upholstered Cowtan and Tout cotton stripe. Only one chair is available.
Fabric, Wood
Antique Parlor Chair with Nobilis Floral Fabric
Located in Munich, DE
1950s European Parlor Chair refurbished and done with a floral pattern from the firm Nobilis. This chair fits well with a wide array of settings.
Fabric, Wood
Pair Of Black 19th Century Side Chairs, Original Upholstery - FR ca. 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Outstanding pair of black late 19th century French Napoleon III side chairs with original upholstery in incredible condition. Artfully handcrafted in the period around 1870 in France...
Fabric, Beech
Napoleon III Electric Blue Silk Giltwood Bamboo Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Napoleon III gilt wood side chair newly upholstered in an electric blue silk seat with orange silk trim welt and medallion.
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century George Jacob Continental Brass Inlaid Mahogany Side Chairs, a Pair
By Georges Jacob
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare pair of continental mahogany and brass inlay upholstered side chairs attributed to the famous French cabinet maker Georges Jacob. Very firm, reupholstered seats with springs. ...
Brass
Set of 4 Empire Style Black Lacquer and Blue Silk Dining Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 4 Contemporary Empire-style black lacquer dining chairs with a sleigh design open back with a cream & blue shot raw silk upholstered seats.
Brass
$2,950 / set
Vintage Papier Mache Cane Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This rare pair of Victorian papier-mâché side chairs represents the height of 19th-century decorative opulence. Traditionally associated with the Napoleon III and English Victorian e...
Gold Leaf
$5,200 / set
Pair of Napoleon Style Slipper Chairs
Located in East Hampton, NY
Pair of Louis style, Napoleonic slipper chairs newly upholstered midnight blue linen with coordinated bullion fringe.
Linen, Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Rosewood Salon Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Rosewood salon chair is an elegant example of Fine French craftsmanship using exotic imported wood from the Americas. Sometimes called Kingwood, rosewood is known for its natural beauty, color, hardness, and ability to last for eons. This example combines elements of the Louis Philippe form with accents from the Louis XVI style, with a graceful shield-shaped seatback carved with flowing ribbon at the top of the arched crown. The remainder of the seatback follows tailored lines accented with scrolls for a tailored opulence. The seat itself is beautifully contoured and upholstered in mohair, and features gracefully scrolled legs, with the front legs molded for added visual appeal while retaining an austerity of form that is the essence of understated elegance. If you act fast, a twin chair...
Mohair, Rosewood
Napoleon III Folding Chair
Located in New York, NY
More sculpture than furniture, this finely-carved 1860s folding chair has a gilded and gessoed wood frame, and the original cut-silk-velvet upholstery material that was woven to fit....
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Hand-Painted Napoleon III Chairs - France, 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exquisite pair of ebonized side chairs, hand-painted with a decor of birds, butterflies and foliage. Original deep pink satin seat cover...
Wood
Set of Six 19th Century Directoire Style Carved Wood Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful set of six 19th century Directoire style chairs, each crafted in carved wood and resting on elegant sword legs. The square backs are adorned with finely detailed carving,...
Wood
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 18.9 in
Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Fruitwood Side Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of beautifully honey colored fruitwood Biedermeier side chairs, with gently curved rectangular backs, the top and side inlaid with banding, the splat carved with a stylized flower head, on sabre legs. Newly upholstered in black Prussian horse hair fabric...
Fruitwood
French Napoleon III Crapaud (Tub) Chair circa 1860's
Located in London, GB
An excellent example of a Napoleon III French Crapaud (Tub) Chair, with a low rounded back and integrated arms in keeping with the proportions of the period. Seating from this perio...
Brass
$8,995 / set
H 35 in W 18.25 in D 13.5 in
Set of Eight English 1880s Oak Dining Room Side Chairs with Spindle Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English set of eight oak dining room side chairs from the late 19th century, with spindle motifs and wooden seats. Created in England during the last quarter of the 19th century, ...
Oak
$16,838 / set
H 27.56 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Pair of Gerrit Rietveld Steltman chairs - Netherlands, 1963
Located in London, GB
Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964) was a key figure in the De Stijl movement, known for his radical use of geometry, line, and primary colour. A trained cabinetmaker, he brought a sculptura...
Pine
Late 19th Century French Carved Mahogany Side Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique, late 19th century French Belle Epoch, intricately hand carved mahogany accent/side chair, with the most graceful, double scrolled, Cabriole legs. The Belle Epoch period i...
Mahogany
$4,200 / set
H 33.5 in W 19.25 in D 16.5 in
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Chairs
By Georges Jacob
Located in Houston, TX
Fabulous pair of Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI style giltwood side chairs. These highly detailed French gilt chairs have beautifully detailed identical front and rear legs (super...
Giltwood
$2,389 / set
H 29.53 in W 16.54 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Art Nouveau Beech Wood and Striped Velvet Austrian Chairs, 1910
Located in Roma, Lazio
Very elegant appearance due the use of not common fabric, coming from particular Italian silk factory, this gentle upholstery gives these armchairs a very luxurious appearance. The ...
Beech, Velvet
Napoleon III Style Slipper Chairs, Associated Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Associated Pair of Napoleon III Style Upholstered Slipper Chairs, tan velvet with braided fringe, smaller with front legs on casters. Larger: 30" H x 21" W x 21" D; seat: 15" H. Pr...
Upholstery, Velvet
Napoleon III slipper chair, 19th century
Located in MILL, NL
Napoleon III slipper chair 19th century, slipper chair / chair. Ready for reupholstering. Sturdy and solid. Stands on elegant black legs with brass castors. Dimensions: 50W x 80H x...
Textile, Wood
$6,650 / set
H 37.5 in W 27.5 in D 22.75 in
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XV Style Giltwood Chairs
By Louis Delanois
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th century French Louis XV Style Giltwood Chairs. This large pair of Louis Delanois inspired antique French Louis XV style chairs, armchairs, side chairs or fauteuils have a lovely aged patina to the gilt wood finish. Usable upholstery but easily reupholstered if desired. Generously sized for the U.S. market! Louis Delanois (1731–1792) was a Parisian menuisier who specialized in seat furniture...
Giltwood
$768Sale Price|30% Off
H 46.86 in W 23.23 in D 19.69 in
Antique Pair of Gothic Pitch Pine Throne Side Hall Bedroom Chairs
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique quality pair of Gothic pitch pine throne, side, hall, or bedroom chairs C1900. Solid and heavy, with no loose joints and no woodworm. Overall maximum dimensions: 59c...
Pine
Sold
H 35.75 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Upholstered Dining Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Forney, TX
A rare set of four period Napoleon III Second Empire dining chairs, hand-crafted of solid fruitwood in France in the third quarter of the 19th century. Finished in luxurious Pari...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Sold
H 37.25 in W 20.25 in D 18 in
Napoleon III Style Faux Rope Painted Side Chairs in Cream Fabric - A Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
A beautiful pair of Napoleon III-style accent side chairs sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly hand-carved with intricate faux rope details along the legs and seat frame,...
Linen, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 37.5 in W 20 in D 22 in
Pair of Antique French Napoleon Ebonized Oval Back Salon Chairs 19th Century
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant pair of oval back black ebonized chairs with ivory striped upholstery and stunning brass mounts and nailhead trim. Front legs have castors. Age appropriate wear which is to...
Brass
Sold
H 33.47 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Pair of Opera Chairs in Ebonized Wood and Cane Seats, Napoleon III Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite pair of side chairs, dating back to circa 1860-1880, embodies the elegance of the Napoleon III era. Expertly crafted from ebonized wood, these chairs feature intricate...
Fruitwood, Cane
Napoleon III Period Pair of Ebonized Wood Opera Chairs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This is a pair of antique chairs from the Napoleon III period. Crafted from beautifully ebonised wood, these chairs are beautifully decorated with intricate gold detailing. The elega...
Fruitwood
Napoleon III Provincial Walnut Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Napoleon III period provincial walnut chairs, with oval backs with palm-form splats above shaped seats on cabriole legs, with drop in ...
Fabric, Walnut
Two Napoleon III Caned Beech Chairs, French, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Two french chairs Napoleon III, made circa 1880. Beech and cane in faux-bambou style. Antique, late 19th century. Sound and solid. Shipping: L42 / H 89 / P 55 cm 13 kg.
Cane, Beech
Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III Opera Chairs in Ebonized Wood
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous pair of 19th century Napoleon III opera chairs in ebonised wood, each with a wonderfully ornate spindle back and a gilded decoration of flowers and foliage on the top rail...
Wood
Four Napoleon III Caned Beech Chairs, French, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Four french chairs Napoleon III, made circa 1880. Beech and cane in faux-bambou style. Antique, late 19th century. Sound and solid. Shipping:...
Cane, Beech
Pair of French NAP III Armchairs in Gold Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning pair of French Napoleon III armchairs. These French 19th century Napoleon III armchairs are simply beautiful. Upholstered in a rich gold velvet with contrasting bullion fr...
Upholstery
Gold Lacquered Cabaret Chair with Vase Backrest
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elaborate and very attractive Napoleon III period cabaret, or lounge, chair, in sculpted and gold-lacquered wood. Slightly reclining in angle, the backrest is highly ornate, with ...
Velvet, Wood
Napoleon III Duchesse Brisee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original two part Duchesse Brisee. Arm chair and Ottoman. In solid condition with a linen upholstery and nail heads. Air chair dimensions are W: 26" D: 29" H...
Linen, Bentwood