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.
$3,749Sale Price / set|20% Off
1940s, Pair of Swedish Napoleon III-style Club / Armchairs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Pair of 1940s Swedish Napoleon III–style armchairs, upholstered in rich brick-red (brique) velvet jacquard fabric. These elegant lounge chairs feature a beautifully sculpted backrest...
Velvet, Beech
$1,890 / item
Alma Napoleon Style Accent Chair in Velvet
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing the Alma Accent Chair – a timeless piece crafted for comfort and style. Upholstered in a faux mohair style velvet, the color is chestnut, a warm rich chocolate brown. Res...
Metal
Antique Armchairs Reupholsted Chauffeuse Napoleon III French late 19th Centuty
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chauffeuse little armchair French of the Napoleon III period circa 1880. The feets are in wood, the fauteuil has been recently reupholstered and recovered. Antique, 19th century. Sol...
Upholstery, Beech
Fine Antique French Style Chaise With Custom Fabric
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Antique Chaise with sinuous lines, strongly carved cabriole legs, rolled back, pierced and carved wood frame and custom upholstery. The fabric treatment is a Champagne tone nu...
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Black Lacquer Prayer Chair or Prie Dieu
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid nineteenth century French Napoleon III period black lacquer prayer chair, or prie-dieu in French, features a central medallion with Madonna and child in mother of pearl inla...
Mother-of-Pearl, Mohair, Lacquer
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed is a superbly well-preserved example of French style and ingenuity from the Second Empire! Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahog...
Mahogany
1860S French Fireside Chair and Matching Footstool
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pretty Napoleon III fireside slipper chair, with deep-buttoned back rest, luxurious yellow velvet upholstery and a plush sprung seat. Dating f...
Wood, 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
19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Lounge in Golden Yellow Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th century French Napoleon III chaise longue, sourced in Provence. Carefully revised by our workshop for structural integrity, it retains its authentic character w...
Velvet, Hardwood, Paint
$1,942Sale Price / item|20% Off
1940s, Swedish Napoleon III–style Club / Armchair
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1940s Swedish Napoleon III–style armchair, upholstered in rich brick-red (brique) velvet jacquard fabric. This elegant lounge chair feature a beautifully sculpted backrest with deep ...
Velvet, Beech
'Atelier' 1860s French Napoleon III Double Spoon Seduction Chaise in Moss Velvet
Located in London, GB
1860s French "Atelier" Love Seat — A Study in Seduction & Construction An exceptionally elegant and large-scale French Napoleon III period piece, circa 1860 - the construction s...
Mohair, Burlap, Velvet, Wood
$20,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
A Pair of French Napoleon III Armchairs, C. 1860.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant pair of French Napoleon III–period armchairs dating to circa 1860. Each chair features a rounded back with gracefully outstretched arms and a generously proportioned, deep cu...
Upholstery, Wood
French 19th Century Bench
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming long bench is covered with a beige color fabric with dark mahogany feet.
Mahogany
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
French Napoleon Velvet Chauffeuse chair from Ann Getty's antiquity collection
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique French Napoleon III tufted velvet and needlework chauffeuse chair owned by Ann and Gordon Getty. Part of their personal antiquity collection (they) purchased at Butterfield a...
Upholstery, Velvet
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
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
Antique 1800's Napoleon III gilt bamboo stool from Michael S. Smith installation
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Circa 1800’s Parisian Napoleon III Aesthetic Movement Stool with carved (faux) bamboo legs, a centered English turned finial with cross-stretchers in gilt-wood, and soft terr...
Suede, Wood
Vintage English Napoleon III Style Blue Button Tufted Fan Back Club Chairs, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage English Napoleon III Style Blue Button Tufted and Pleated Fan Back Club Lounge Chairs - a Pair. Item features solid mahogany wood frames with "antiqued" finish, polished bras...
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Fabric, Walnut
Napoleon III Style Velvet Crapaud Armchair, Provence, 1940
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant French mid-20th century Napoleon III style crapaud armchair, sourced in Provence, France. The chair presents the enveloping silhouette typical of the style, with a rounded...
Velvet, Hardwood
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 legs. Crafted with a solid hardwood fram...
Fabric, Silk, Hardwood
French 20th Century Napoleon III Style Bergere Chair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous French early 20th century arm-or lounge-chair in the style of Napoleon III, with a tall seatback of gentle recline rising above petite rolled arms. The current upholstery ...
Velvet, Wood, Trimming
19th Century Button-Tufted Slipper Chair with Turned Beech Legs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant slipper chair dates from the 19th century and reflects the refined taste of Napoleon III seating furniture. The chair features a generously cushioned seat and a graceful...
Velvet, Beech
French Wrought Iron Daybed, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
French Wrought Iron Daybed, 19th century, atop casters. 46.5" H x 74.5" W x 40.25" D. Provenance: From the Collection of Laura and Lewis Kruger.
Wrought Iron
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
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
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
19th Century Set of Four French Red Leather Dining Chairs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Introducing a set of four exquisite precious wood chairs, embodying the timeless elegance of Napoleon III era, circa 1880. Crafted from rich wood, these chairs boast a captivating me...
Leather, Fruitwood
19th Century Confident / Conversation Seat / Tête-à-tête
Located in Paris, FR
19th century confident in rosewood. France, circa 1860.
Rosewood
French Circa 1860 Original Painted Green Napoleon lll Cast Iron Daybed Rococo
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A wonderfully worn circa 1860 Napoleon lll cast iron daybed, with a intricate floral scroll work design with a nod to the rococo style Original green paint, faded, chipped, scratc...
Iron
Antique French Louis XVI Pair Of Armchair, 19th Century
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Superb pair of Louis XVI carved walnut armchairs, frame in very good condition, antique wool velvet fabric worked in diamond shapes finished with braid. The armrests rest on a carved...
Velvet, Walnut
$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
19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Lounge W/ Red Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
A traditional late 19th-century Napoleon III chaise or daybed lounge sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid wood, it features elegant oval-back frames with...
Velvet, Wood
$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
French Napoleon III Marquise Chair in Tropics "Leopard' Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful antique French Napoleon III marquise chair This extremely rare 19th century antique French Napoleon III marquise chair, also affectionately called 'The Queens' chair sit...
Cotton, Wood
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
Pair Of 1880s French Napoleon III Upholstered Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
This handsome pair of 1880s French Napoleon III upholstered armchairs reflects the era’s emphasis on comfort, elegance, and refined domestic design. Featuring generously rounded back...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Clarence Chairs by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Clarence Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier is a timeless piece inspired by the classic Napoleon III design. These side chairs are made to order, allowing customers to provide the...
Linen
$3,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Napoleon III Slipper Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic pair of c. 1870 Napoleon III Slipper Chairs that have been brought into the 21st century with a linen in French multi-striped blues and greens. The internal upholstery has been completely replaced with new materials. The contrasting small back pillows are in a custom Ralph Lauren Paisley fabric...
Brass
Pair Of 1880s French Napoleon III Chairs With Floral Embroidery
Located in High Point, NC
This pair of 1880s French Napoleon III chairs exemplifies the elegance and decorative richness characteristic of the late 19th century. Crafted in wood and finished in a dark, time-s...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Napoleon III Style Side Chair
By Napoléon III
Located in Trenton, NJ
Refined and full of charm, this vintage Napoleon III style side chair embodies the decorative grace of the late 19th century. Its petite size and fine detailing make it both a visual...
Fabric, Wood
$275Sale Price / set|81% Off
Pair of Ebonized Hand Painted Napoleon III Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Napoleon III period chaise chauffeuse with hand painted floral and scroll designs, c.1848-1860. The chaise chauffeuse was a chair that sits low to be near the warmth of the fire in...
Hardwood, Paint
Small Armchair Designed as a Dog Bed
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional small French armchair designed for a dog. This small armchair is not just a chair - it's a piece of history. Constructed in the 1920s, with French craftsmanship and qu...
Wood
$4,047Sale Price / set|40% Off
Antique French 19th Century Napolean III Armchair and Footstool Bullion Fringe
Located in London, GB
Antique French 19th century Napolean III armchair and footstool Bullion Fringe Excellent condition commensurate with age. Chair: h78/40 w79 d85 Footstool D43 h42.
Upholstery
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Empire Daybed with Gilt Accents
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century French Empire daybed, also known as a ‘chaise lounge,’ is crafted from rich reddish-brown mahogany and mahogany veneer. It features an upholstered mattress and two ...
Mahogany
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 19th Century Chaise in Muslin
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French Napoleon III chaise longue in muslin is classic and timeless. Its sophisticated "chapeau de gendarme" shape is one of its most distinctive features, evoking a sen...
Upholstery
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
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 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
$3,890 / set
French Antique Napoleon Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of charming antique Napoleon chairs. New upholstery, and the wood legs are a dark mahogany finish and in great condition. Fabric is a linen and cotton blend. France, 1930.
Fabric, Wood
Napoleon III Style Faux Rope Mahogany Gondola Dining Chairs - Set of 12
Located in Astoria, NY
A grand and elegant set of twelve late 20th century dining chairs in the transitional Napoleon III style, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly hand-carved with intricate faux rope...
Fabric, Cotton, Mahogany
French Napoleon III Armchair in White Boucle
Located in Chireno, TX
French Napoleon III Armchair upholstered in off-white boucle circa 1865-1884. New casters on front legs. An excellent near-pair with a second Napoleon III chair similarly upholstered...
Brass, Steel, Iron
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
Garonne Chaise Lounge by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our Classic Garonne chaise lounge has five Napoleon III style turned wooden legs. From every angle, you see its distinctive elegant curved lines. This piece is perfect for cuddling up with a good book in front of the fireplace or simply lounging around after a long day. Covered in a mint green velvet...
Velvet, Oak
Pair of French Napoleon III Tufted Arm Chairs in Gold Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A handsome pair of French Napoleon III armchairs from the late 19th century, offering both comfort and style in abundance. Upholstered in a stunning vintage gold fabric...
Upholstery
Pair of French Napoleon III Chairs
Located in Haywards Heath, GB
Pair of French Napoleon III chairs with original upholstery. Good strong, sturdy condition.
Fabric
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