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.
Pair of Napoleon III Style Slipper Chairs, Upholstered in Jasper Dutch Stripe
Located in London, GB
A charming pair of French slipper chairs in the Napoleon III style, newly upholstered in our Notting Hill workshop in Dutch Stripe in Rust by Jasper. Each chair takes the scrolled, r...
Burlap, Cotton
19th Century French Duchesse Brisée Bergère and Matching Ottoman
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant French Duchesse Brisée dates from the 19th-century and is a beautiful example of refined French seating furniture. Comprising a comfortable bergère armchair and its matc...
Brass
$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
19th Century Napoleon III Scroll Back Slipper Chair, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III slipper chair featuring an elegant scroll back and refined proportions characteristic of the period. The frame displays graceful lines and ...
Fabric, Wood
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
19th Century Pair of Louis XVI Medallion Giltwood Armchairs with Blue Damask
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant pair of Louis XVI medallion armchairs perfectly captures the refinement of 19th-century French neoclassical design. Crafted i...
Damask, Silk, Giltwood
$2,558Sale Price|50% Off
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 Child’s Velvet Armchair with Decorative Fringe
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Charming 19th-century French child’s armchair upholstered in a warm terracotta velvet, adorned with a refined bullion fringe and traditional nailhead trim. This delightful piece perf...
Velvet, Elm
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 u...
Oak, Cotton
Pair of Antique Faux Bamboo Giltwood Chiavari Chairs with Fortuny Fabric Seats
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique faux bamboo Chiavari side chairs. Featuring a classic spindle back silhouette detailed to replicate bamboo nodes. The ...
Fabric, Giltwood
$3,126Sale Price / set|50% Off
19th Century Exclusive Napoleon III Living Room Sets
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Exclusive French Napoleon III living room set from the late 1800s, the set is composed of seven pieces, a cm sofa: (L185 x D74 x H95 x S45), two cm armchairs: (L67 x D73 x99 x S42), ...
Satin, Silk, Beech
$2,850 / set
Pair Napoleon III Painted Side Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of period Napoleon III side chairs with cane seats, hand turned, exquisitely carved fluting at front legs and beautiful hand painted detailing. New down feather dark moss green ...
Cane, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III High Back Armchairs, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Impressive pair of 19th century French Napoleon III armchairs featuring elegant high backs and beautifully balanced proportions. These substantial chairs embody the refined style and...
Wood
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
$1,816Sale Price / set|38% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Period Crimson Velvet Bergere Chairs with wheels
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite pair of Napoléon III period bergère armchairs epitomizes the elegance and craftsmanship of 19th-century French design. Dating from the late 19th century, these chairs ...
Brass
19th Century France Deep Aubergine Plum Upholstered Slipper Side Chair
Located in High Point, NC
Upholstered slipper side chair in Deep Aubergine Plum. Finished in deep aubergine plum, this upholstered slipper side chair is distinguished by high tapered back in plum wool, turned...
Fabric, 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
$1,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Pair French Napoleon III Style Rope Twist Upholstered Stools / Ottomans
Located in New York, NY
Pair of finely crafted button-back upholstered stools in the French Napoleon III style with rope twist gilt wooden frames each measuring 25 inches across and 19 inches tall.
Wood
19th Century Upholstered Flemish Arm Chair from France
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut Flemish arm chair from France. This is a lovely Flemish armchair made from walnut and newly upholstered in linen. The arms are gracefully shaped and terminate ...
Linen, Walnut
$3,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Napoleon III Slipper Chairs, French Upholstery, Multi-Striped, c. 1870
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 upholst...
Brass
Antique Floral Chintz Tufted Chaise Longue, France, 19th Century, Napoleon III
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
This antique 19th century Napoleon III chaise longue is defined by its sculptural silhouette — a scrolled, deeply button-tufted crest at one end that rolls down into a low, open foot...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Napoleon III Style Leather Wingback Recliner Library Armchair
By Bradington Young, Hancock & Moore
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Add a touch of nobility to your space with this reclining Napoleon III style leather wingback fireplace armchair in the manner of Bradington Young and Hancock & Moore. This handsome ...
Brass
$5,841Sale 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
$5,290
Alma Chair - Leather
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Introducing the Alma Accent Chair – a timeless piece crafted for comfort and style. Upholstered in Fargo Dark Brown Italian leather. Resembling a classic French Napoleon style chair,...
Metal
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
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wood Knot Base Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fantastic and very decorative French Pouf Ottoman with an intricate Gilt Wood Knotted Rope base. With good size and a high Cushion custom upholstered in a William Morris type Leaf ...
Fabric, Wood
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
19th C French Salon Chair & Ottoman in Meadow Flower by Christopher Hodsoll
By Christopher Hosdoll
Located in London, GB
A particularly generous and deeply upholstered French Napoleon III salon chair with matching ottoman, newly upholstered in Christopher Hodsoll's Meadow Flower fabric in Citrus, in co...
Walnut, Beech, Cotton, Wood, Upholstery, Linen
Pair of Small Scale French Napoleon III Armchairs with Diamond Tufting
Located in Buchanan, NY
gently curved backs with diamond tufting. These lovely small scale French Napoleon III armchairs feature lovely turned legs, and gracefully curved arms. The classic “chapeau de gend...
Upholstery
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
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Armchair Upholstered in Neutral Fabric
Located in London, London
An elegant upholstered armchair with a gently curved, enveloping form, likely dating to the 19th century. The chair features a high, softly shaped back that flows into rounded arms,...
Fabric
19th Century Napoleon III Square Back Armchair with Matching Footstool
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th century French Napoleon III armchair accompanied by its matching footstool, presenting a sophisticated silhouette characteristic of the Second Empire period. The chair f...
Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Armchair in Calico, Ready for Re-Upholstery
Located in London, GB
A classic 19th-century French Napoleon III armchair, circa 1870. This elegant library or lounge chair features its original proportions with a comfortably raked back and scrolled a...
Cotton, Calico, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
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
French Napoleon III Armchair in Calico, Ready for Re-Upholstery, Circa 1870
Located in London, GB
A refined 19th-century French Napoleon III armchair, circa 1870. This specific example features a more slender and slightly shallower profile than traditional library lounge chairs, ...
Other
French Napoleon III Crapaud Armchair in Red and White Ticking Stripe, Circa 1860
Located in London, GB
A late 19th-century French Napoleon III crapaud armchair, circa 1870. The beechwood frame is traditionally constructed with sound hand-joinery and retains its excellent, original lo...
Iron
$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
French Napoleon III Chaise Longue with Turned Legs, C. 1860
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An elegant French Napoleon III chaise longue dating to circa 1860, distinguished by its graceful chapeau de gendarme crest and classic serpentine silhouette. Embodying the refined co...
Fabric, Wood
Large French Napoleon III Carved and Gilt Beechwood Settee, circa 1860
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
Elegant French Napoleon III period settee dating to circa 1860, featuring a substantial carved beechwood frame with a deep ebonized finish and delicate gilt highlights. The generous...
Beech
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
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
1870s French Napoleon III Floral Striped Velvet Crapaud Armchair
Located in London, GB
An exceptionally elegant French Napoleon III Crapaud (toad) armchair, circa 1875, designed in the distinctive style of the celebrated Parisian workshop Maison Krieger. This beautiful...
Brass
$5,140Sale Price / set|50% Off
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
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, part of Gordon and Ann Getty's personal antiquity collection, the Getty's acquired at Butterfield and Butt...
Upholstery, Velvet
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
French Napoleon III Style Giltwood Rope Twist Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
French Napoleon III style giltwood rope-twist tabouret (stool or ottoman). The design is famous for its intricate gesso and giltwood frame carved to realistically resemble knotted an...
Gesso, Fabric, Wood
$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
Antique Giltwood Napoleon 111 Style Rope and Tassel French Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Napoleon 111 Style Carved Giltwood Rope=Twist Stool. This piece was highly popular in the late 19th Century. Heavily inspired by A.M.E.Fournier, a renowned Parisian House. Th...
Giltwood
Pair of French Napoleon III Style Mahogany Upholstered Storage Benches
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant and highly decorative pair of French Napoleon III style benches, crafted in solid mahogany and dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, circa 1900. Each bench featu...
Brass
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 leg...
Fabric, Silk, Hardwood
'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
French 19th C. Chaise Longue with Carved Fruitwood Frame
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French Napoleon III chaise longue is classic and timeless. Inspired by the Louis XV period, this 19th century chaise features an elaborately carved fruitwood frame that ...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
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
Set of Six French Napoleon III Dining Chairs, Oak and Cane, 1860
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Paris, France, this set of six French Napoleon III dining chairs dates to the mid-19th century. Crafted in solid oak, each chair features a tall caned back with a gently r...
Cane, Oak
$1,843 / item
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
$12,900 / set
Set of 10 Louis XVI Style Painted and Gilded Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
A set of 10 painted and gilded Napoleon III dining chairs in the Louis XVI style. The set includes 2 armchairs and 8 side chairs. A set of 10 matching chairs is certainly very rare e...
Wood
19th Century Napoleon III French Stool, Ready to Upholster
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th century French Napoleon III stool with a refined profile and timeless decorative appeal. The frame retains the graceful proportions and craftsmanship associated with qua...
Fabric, 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
1880-1889 France Deep Aubergine Plum Tufted Barrel-Back Accent Chair
Located in High Point, NC
Tufted barrel-back accent chair in Deep Aubergine Plum. Its deep aubergine plum finish sets off button-tufted plum upholstery, turned mahogany legs on brass casters, a hallmark of of...
Fabric, Mahogany