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 Gilt Faux Bamboo Stool Gold Carved Wood
Located in High Point, NC
This charming 1880s French Napoléon III gilt faux bamboo stool exemplifies the period’s fascination with exoticism and decorative refinement. Crafted in carved wood and finished in a...
Faux Bamboo, Giltwood
$2,895 / set
Pair of 19th Century French Upholstered Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops. The seats are newly upholstered in linen and have nail head trim decoration. The frames of the stools are...
Abalone, Oak
$3,695 / set
Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops in linen finished with a single welt. The frames have hand-turned barley twist legs, joined by matching stretc...
Linen, Oak
Pair of 19th Century French Walnut Upholstered Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century walnut stools from France with newly upholstered seats in linen, and finished with a single welt. The seats are supported on lovely walnut frames, which have wo...
Linen, Walnut
$1,295 / set
Pair of French Turned Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of turned oak stools from France, circa 1900. The seats have beveled edges and follows down to simple aprons and hand turned splayed legs, joined by simple stretchers with mold...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Turned Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak stool from France. The seat has a wide molded edge, surrounding a banded seat with a handle I the center for easy portability. The seat measures 12.88 inches x 12....
Oak
$3,400
Napoleon III Stool
Located in Chireno, TX
Napoleon III stool, circa 1870-1889: ebonized frame newly covered in white linen. Note: Regional differences in humidity and climate during shipping may cause antique and vintage wood...
Linen, Wood
French Napoléon III 1870s Walnut Upholstered Stools with Scrolling Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoléon III walnut stools from the late 19th century, with scrolling accents and new upholstery. Created in France at the end of Emperor Napoléon III's reign, each ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Napoleon III Stool, Upholstered Walnut, France, Circa 1880
Located in Schwerin, MV
Antique stool / piano stool, likely from France, circa 1880. The stool has a frame made of 4 turned legs. The legs are held together at the bottom by decorative braces. Wood presumab...
Organic Material, Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Piano Stool with Mustard Velvet Upholstery
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Napoleon III piano stool from the 19th century, crafted from solid wood and upholstered in mustard velvet. A rare decorative gem. This tripod piano stool embodies the elegance and...
Upholstery, Chestnut
20th Century Napoleon III Style Lacquered Rope Twist Upholstered Tabouret
Located in Dallas, TX
Napoleon III style stool or ottoman with twisted rope design after the model by A.M.E. Fournier, circa 20th century. Lacquered, the piece has a fabric circular seat on rope-twist molded seat-rails on knotted rope legs...
Upholstery, Wood
Theodore Alexander Bar Stools Napoleon III Mahogany Scoop Back Brown Leather
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Theodore Alexander bar stools Inspired by Napoleon III and Louis XV styling. Features a hand carved mahogany scoop back, a padded brown/co...
Leather, Mahogany
Modern Sculptural Stool with Twisted Rope Base after AME Fournier 21st Century
Located in Troy, MI
Sculptural rope leg stool by Ballard Designs 21st Century production A modern adaptation of the 19th Century Napoleon III tabouret stool by A.M.E. Fournier Twisted and knotted rope ...
Linen, Beech
$6,300 / set
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.
Linen, Walnut
$562Sale Price|41% Off
Napoleon III Walnut Piano Stool French, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
Piano stool height-adjustable to be recovered. Circa 1880, French, of the period Napoleon III Good condition. Shipping: L35 P35 H49 7,2 kg.
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,319Sale Price|20% Off
Napoleon III Black Lacquer Piano Stool, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Napoleon III black lacquer refinished piano stool from the 19th century, crafted from solid wood and upholstered in mustard velvet. A rare decorative gem. This tripod piano stool ...
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Oak Stool, Leather Upholstery, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century oak stool, leather upholstery, Napoleon III period. 19th century oak stool, leather upholstery, Napoleon III period. H: 38cm, W: 73cm, D: 43cm
Leather, Oak
Children's Stool in the Style of Thonet, circa 1880
By Thonet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Children's stool in the style of Thonet, circa 1880.
Cane, Beech
1920s French Victorian Upholstered Piano Stool with Turned Legs
Located in High Point, NC
This 1920s French Victorian upholstered piano stool features a beautifully carved wooden base with turned legs connected by elegant stretchers. The stool’s black finish has acquired ...
Upholstery, Wood
Fantastic Pair of 18th-19th Century Gold Gilt French Stools
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic pair of 18th-19th century French gold gilt wood stools in attractive upholstery from an estate in the residence side of the Carlyle in ...
Gold Leaf
$2,400
H 20 in W 12.5 in D 11.25 in
English Turned Oak 19th Century Stool on Casters with Oval Upholstered Seat
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Victorian period oak stool from the 19th century with oval upholstered seat, turned legs resting on casters. Step into the charm and craftsmanship of the 19th century with...
Upholstery, Oak
French Egyptian Revival Bamboo Faux Painted Thebes Stool 1930s
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A 1930s French saddle top bamboo Thebes stool. The temple seat is curved on all four sides, the legs are gently flared with a flat foot and the piece is wonderfully faux painted.
Bamboo
Italian Gilt Bamboo Leopard Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Italian gilt iron bamboo stool with leopard velvet upholstery.
Iron
19th Century French Petit Point Stool
Located in Winter Park, FL
A small 19th century Louis XIII style stool with solid walnut frame and carved medallion detail. Wool verdure petit point upholstery fabric is in good condition with vibrant color. D...
Tapestry, Wool, Walnut
Midcentury Oak Stool with Turned Wood Legs, 1960s, France
By Charles Dudouyt, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a fantastic midcentury wooden stool, crafted in France during the 1960s. This piece is constructed without the use of hardware, boasting an elegant round seat and gracefu...
Oak
19th Century Gothic Revival Oak Stool
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century Gothic revival oak stool, the shaped rectangular top above Gothic supports and stretcher, circa 1860.
Oak
Pair Of 19th Century French Louis XIII Style Stools
Located in High Point, NC
This charming pair of 19th century French Louis XIII style stools exemplifies the robust yet refined character associated with the period. Crafted in solid wood, each stool features ...
Wood
French 19th Century Oak & Upholstered Bench
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French, 19th century rectangular turned oak footstool with (more recent) printed canvas upholstery on the seat. Perfect to use as a small bench or vanity stool, the cushioning is d...
Upholstery, Oak
$400
H 6 in W 15 in D 12 in
Antique Footstool circa 1880s Hand Needlepoint Floral Tapestry + Carved Wood Foo
Located in Portsmouth, VA
There’s something magical about the little things—like this petite antique footstool, quietly carrying over a century of stories. Dating to the late 1800s, this heirloom piece featu...
Fabric, Walnut
$1,525Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 17.72 in D 12.21 in
Pair of Antique Oak Stools Carved and Turned Around 1850
Located in Hannover, DE
These rare, exclusive seats are crafted from oak. The craftsmanship is masterful: the stool legs are perfectly turned and the ornate center sections are hand-sawn and beautifully fin...
Oak
Late 19th Century Pair of French Walnut Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century pair of French walnut stools with rush seats. The seats are hand-woven from rush, and are supported on gorgeous walnut frames with hand turned legs, joined by sim...
Rush, Walnut
Antique Upholstered Piano Chair from France, circa 1880
Located in Schwerin, MV
Antique French Piano Stool, Swivel Stool - Napoleon III, circa 1880 Discover the charm and elegance of this antique French piano stool: The stool...
Metal
A French Belle Époque Curule Stool circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A French Belle Époque Curule Stool with armrests Gilded wood richly carved with scrolls, shells and acanthus leaves Red damask upholstery in perfect condition Louis XV Style Circ...
Silk, Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century French Walnut Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of lovely turned 19th century walnut stools from France. The seats have been newly upholstered in linen and finished with a single welt, for added design interest. The seats a...
Linen, Walnut
French 19th Century Mahogany and Velvet Footstool
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French mahogany and velvet-upholstered Campaign footstool made in the 1800’s with modern appeal to use anywhere around the home. This comfortable seat is wrapped in a chartreuse ve...
Textile, Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Style Adjustable Curule Stool
Located in Burton, TX
This 19th Century Napoleon III Style Adjustable Curule Stool or Bench was crafted by French artisans in the late 1800's. The piece features a newly upholstered top resting on a hand ...
Berlin Iron, Iron
Antique Piano Chair, 1880
Located in Schwerin, MV
Antique piano stool - hand-turned swivel stool, around 1880. This exquisite piano stool from the Napoleon III era combines historical elegance with o...
Metal
Sold
H 44.5 in W 25 in D 21.5 in
3 Theodore Alexander Napoleon III Mahogany Scoop Back Red Leather Bar Stool
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of 3 An Evening At Ease by Theodore Alexander. Inspired by Napoleon III and Louis XV styling. Features a hand carved mahogany scoop back, a padded red leather upholstered seat,...
Brass
Napoleon III Giltwood Bamboo Silk Velvet Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Napoleon III gilt bamboo stool newly upholstered in a verde green striated silk velvet with loose down feather seat cushion.
Silk, Velvet, Bamboo
Sold
H 13.78 in W 36.23 in D 36.23 in
Antique French 19th C Mustard Velvet Napoleon III Stool or Foot Bench
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Delight in the charm of this French 19th-century Napoleon III style stool or foot bench, featuring an elegant mustard velvet upholstery. The vintage velvet upholstery has been clean...
Cotton, Velvet
Antique French 19th C Napoleon III Style Stool or Foot Bench
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Refined 19th Century Napoleon III Style Stool or Foot Bench with a distinctive blue linen upholstery, ca. 1880. This exquisite stool serves as a comfortable complement to any sofa, ...
Linen, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops in linen finished with a single welt. The frames have hand-turned barley twist legs, joined by matching stretc...
Linen, Oak