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.
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
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa and Two Armchairs
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa and two armchairs from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The whole set has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade...
Brocade, Beech
Napoleon III Period Ebonised Canape
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant Napoleon III period French sofa or canape. The ebonised frame with gilded carved details has a corbeille form with down-swept arms and a serpentine front. It has been newl...
Linen, Wood
French Antique Sofa, Hand-Carved Walnut, Floral Upholstery, 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
$20,000 / set
Pair of Mohair and Silk Striped Sofa's
Located in Spencertown, NY
The upholstery with studs, gimp and fringe, with velvet back and sides.
Mohair, Silk
Napoleon III corner bench in gilded wood
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of the Napoleon III era with our corner bench seat and its curved mercure mirror. Originating from Montmar...
Mirror, Wood
Napoleon III sofa , restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III sofa restored two chairs are offered in another ad
Velvet, Beech
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
French Napoleon III Style Curved Sofa in Floral Jacquard Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite French mid-20th century curved sofa in the style of Napoleon III, sourced in Provence, France. The solid wooden frame is crafted in a graceful crescent form with a conti...
Jacquard, Velvet, Hardwood
Napoleon 3 Style Sofa Covered with Satin, circa 1950, Baroque
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon 3 style sofa covered with satin, circa 1950, baroque all covered with yellow satin, slightly discolored satin, and small spots.
Satin, Wood
French Napoleon III Settee with Ebonized Arms
Located in Buchanan, NY
An unusual French 19th Century Napoleon III Tufted Sofa with ebonized arms. This stunning small scale Napoleon III sofa is a true testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the e...
Upholstery
$2,224Sale Price|20% Off
Second Empire Fine Mahogany & Gilt Bronze Canapé—Napoleon III, 1860
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fine and well preserved mahogany & gilt bronze canapé from the Second Empire Period under the reign of Napoleon III. Absolutely wonderful condition, seat cushion has been redone in...
Bronze
Large French 19th C Napoleon III Tufted Sofa
Located in Buchanan, NY
A large scale French 19th century Napoleon III high backed sofa with cabriole legs. The back of this sofa is heavily tufted as are the rolled arms - adding grandeur and sophisticatio...
Upholstery
French Napoleon III Settee in Muslin
Located in Buchanan, NY
A wonderfully proportioned small French settee from the Napoleon III period with a gracious curved back. This late 19th century settee has been stripped down to the original muslin l...
Fabric
A pair of French Napoleon III sofas with continuous backs circa 1860.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
What a find! A rare pair of French Napoleon III sofas featuring continuous upholstered backs that flow seamlessly into the arms, creating an elegant and cohesive silhouette. Raised o...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,007Sale Price|25% Off
Blackened Wood Napoleon the 3d Sofa
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unique sofa is made of blackened wood and fabric. It has a very nice shape. This canape must be re-upholstered (what we can arrange if you wish with fabric of your choice). This is a French work Napoleon the 3...
Fabric, Wood
Small Scale French 19th C Napoleon III Settee in Muslin
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French late 19th century small scale Napoleon III settee features a gracious curved back with built-in lumbar support and rolled arms that are typical of seating during ...
Upholstery
$8,000
Style Napoleon III Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unsual french settee, the settee is heavily tufted and trimmed with matching tassels and contrasting fringe, very good condition, sold as is.
Fabric
French Napoleon III Sofa With Painted Frame
Located in Buchanan, NY
An unusual French 19th Century Napoleon III sofa with decorative and painted frame. The pièce de résistance of this exquisite settee lies in its ebonized arms, which exude an air of...
Upholstery
LOVELY ANTIQUE NAPOLEON III CIRCA 1890 BERGERE WiNDOW SEAT BENCH SETTEE SOFA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1890 Napoleon III Louis XVI style bergère settee which is part of a suite Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price This sofa comes with a matching pair of parlour armchairs...
Upholstery, Oak
Rope Twist Napoleon III Style Suite Seating Armchair & Settee Chesterfield Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of Napoleon III style early 20th century Rope Twist seating A stunning little suite, the armchairs come up for sale occasional...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,216Sale Price|36% Off
Napoleon III Style Sofa in Black Lacquered Wood and gold details. Mid-Century
By Napoléon III
Located in Palermo, IT
Two seater sofa in the style of Napoleon III, extraordinarily beautiful. The sofa is made of black lacquer and the carving is gilded, decidedly bright and shiny. Today adaptable to a...
Silk, Wood
Small Scaled French 19th Century Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant French early 20th century small scale settee in the Napoleon III style. This French settee is a timeless piece of furniture that embodies classic elegance. Its gracious cu...
Upholstery
$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
$15,555
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$8,175 / set
H 43.31 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Seating Set of Baroque Sofa and Two Armchairs, Budapest, 1870s
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful baroque seating set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs. Extraordinary workmanship of the woods made according to the canons of the ti...
Velvet, Wood
$2,552 / set
H 36.62 in W 27.56 in D 29.14 in
Antique Armchair Fauteuil Napoleon III Upholstery and Beech French 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of fauteuil armchair French Napoleon III, circa 1880 Antique, late 19th century, Sound and solid It can be recovered if you wish but the velvet is clean and in good conditio...
Upholstery, Wood
Cassina Soriana Mohair Sofa designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Cassina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An iconic labeled Italian modern "Soriana" sofa, made by Cassina and designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The 20th century sofa features the iconic "soft-architecture" construction, co...
Metal
$6,891
H 39.38 in W 74.81 in D 33.86 in
Large Louis XVI Sofa / Daybed in Rechampi and Gilded Lacquered Wood
Located in BARSAC, FR
Magnificent Louis XVI sofa in the style of the ottomans in gray lacquered wood and green, blue and gold rechampi with rich carved decoration of scrolls, wrapped foliage, resting on f...
Wood
Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Sofa with Cream Damask Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant Louis XV style sofa features a hand carved walnut frame with graceful curves, floral accents, and a deep serpentine front, true to the Rococo spirit of 18th-century Fren...
Walnut
Danish Modern, Corner Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Danish Mid Century Modern, Curved Corner Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Denmark, 1950s A large modernist corner sofa designed and produced in Denmark in the middle of the 20th century. This ex...
Fabric, Wood
1920's Antique French Art Deco Carved Walnut Sofa / Settee
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 1920's French Art Deco Carved Walnut Sofa / Settee. Beautifully carved & detailed. Please look closely at pictures as the details are phenomenal. The upholstery is original and ...
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
Red Mohair Sofa and Convertible Daybed, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dramatic mid-century red mohair sofa that converts to a daybed in a great size. Asymmetric with dog-bone shape, a popular style in the 1950s.
Mohair, Wood
Kaare Klint Large Striped Sofa
Located in London, GB
Oak framed Classic sofa designed by Kaare Klint and made by Mastercabinetmakers Rud Rasmussen. Beautiful crisscross frame-work. Original upholstery which will make a statement in any...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$25,024 / set
H 34.45 in W 77.96 in D 36.23 in
PAIR OF GEORGE SMiTH SOMERVILLE CHESTERFIELD MOHAIR VELVET SOFAS
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of George Smith Somerville Mohair Velvet Chesterfield tufted sofas RRP £30,130 Please no...
Velvet, Hardwood
19th Century Napoleon III Scroll Back Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century Napoleon III scroll back deep seated sofa. Ready for re-upholstering.
Upholstery, Wood
Napoleon III French Button Backed Sofa
Located in Cirencester, GB
A classic Napoleon III French button back sofa - late 19th Century. Timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship. The sofa features a beautifully shaped, deep button backrest and gent...
Calico, Beech
French Napoleon III Style Settee in Vintage Gold Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French Napoleon III style settee is upholstered in a plush floral patterned gold velvet with tassel adornments and matching bullion fringe. The beautifully curved back a...
Upholstery
Dark Grey Velvet Bourne, Round Sofa
Located in Stamford, CT
A stunning dark grey velvet four section custom made bourne. The base is hexagonal in shape with a luxurious inverted pleated flat valance. Four shaped and curved back supports creat...
Velvet, Wood
French Napoleon III checked blue fabric Sofa wood
Located in Valladolid, ES
Exquisite corbeille canapé made around 1900 in France. It follows the Louis Slightly galvanized legs and incisions carved into the wood run throughout the piece of furniture and high...
Fabric, Wood
Large French Tufted Napoleon III Sofa with Extended Arms
Located in Buchanan, NY
This unique and stately large scale French 19th century Napoleon III sofa features gracefully extended arms that contrast the low back and give this sofa a distinctly elegant appeal....
Upholstery
A French Napoleon III sofa resting on ebonized turned feet C 1860.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Napoleon III sofa resting on ebonized turned feet C 1860.
Upholstery, Wood
French Napoleon III Sofa in Pale Orange Velvet and White Fringe
Located in Buchanan, NY
This stunning French high-back sofa, designed in the opulent Napoleon III style, is the embodiment of luxury and elegance. Upholstered in a pale orange tangerine velvet, the back and...
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
Sofa and Bergere " Retour d'Egypte " Napoleon III 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Sofa and Bergere " Retour d'Egypte " Napoleon III 19th Century Napoleon III sofa, "Retour d'Egypte" in green lacquered, carved and gilded wood with Aubusson upholstery with animals....
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 Chireno, 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