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.
19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee, Napoleon III Style
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century French Giltwood Petite Settee Guilloche Carving and Fluted Tapered Legs Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Giltwood
French Patio Wrought Iron Chaise Longue
Located in Sheffield, MA
The undulating black patio metal garden chaise loungeis relatively light weight for easy movability. The seat peaks where the knee bends making it extremely comfortable. The mesh cou...
Wrought Iron
Napoleon III Period Armchair, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period armchair, 19th century. Napoleon III period armchair, 19th century, to reupholster, fabric stained, need to be reupholstered. Dimensions : H: 80cm, L: 88cm, D: ...
Fabric
$1,238Sale 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
French Empire Mahogany Armchair with Bronze Mounts, Leather Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
French Consulat / Empire Mahogany and Bronze Mounted Armchair having a splayed leg design ending with claw feet and upholstered in brown leather
Mahogany
Pair of Napoleon III 19th Century French Giltwood Crapaud (toad) Chairs
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional and highly decorative pair of late 19th-century French Crapaud (Toad) chair, masterfully marrying classical European opulence with a contemporary, curated aesthetic. T...
Giltwood
$2,918Sale Price|30% Off
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Silk Satin Sofa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The sofa has the original silk satin covering and two bands embroidered in half stitch and applied to the fabric, the backrest...
Satin, Silk, Beech
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
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...
Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Walnut
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, carved bamboo legs, a centered English turned finial with cross-stretchers in gilt-wood, and soft terracotta sued...
Wood, Suede
$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
$1,432Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier 'Silver Cast Bronze Legs'
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 upho...
Bronze
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
$952Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Faux Bamboo and Caned Children’s Chair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming Napoleon III-era children’s chair is a delightful blend of craftsmanship and elegance, dating to the mid-to-late 19th century. Its design reflects the refined taste of ...
Cane, Lacquer, Faux Bamboo
Napoleanic French Carved Walnut Louis XV Style Window Boudoir Bench Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Napoleonic French carved walnut Louis XV style boudoir bench from circa 1920 is a timeless piece that embodies elegance, craftsmanship, and refined decorative appeal. Beautifull...
Walnut
1970s French Napoleonic Style Carved Maple Rope Bergere Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of 1970s French Napoleonic style carved rope bergere chairs. The seafoam embroidered is vintage, and there is a spot. Both chairs are in very good condition and unmarked.
Upholstery, Maple
19th Century French Breton Oak Footstool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century French oak footstool from the Breton region of France. The top has been newly upholstered in linen and finished with a single welt. The frame of the footstool has wond...
Linen, Oak
$3,556Sale Price / set|29% Off
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
$6,400Sale Price|54% Off
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
Napoleon III Style Leather Wingback Recliner Library Armchair
By Hancock & Moore, Bradington Young
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
$2,358 / 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
$4,586Sale Price / set|30% 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
Pair of French 19th C. Armchairs with Carved Fruitwood Frames
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant pair French Napoleon III armchairs inspired by the Louis XV period with elaborately carved fruitwood frames with floral motives. The chairs have been stripped down to the ...
Fabric
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
French 19th Century Petal-Back Armchair, Circa 1850
Located in London, GB
A generously proportioned French Second Empire / Napoleon III petal-back armchair, circa 1870, designed with comfort as much as elegance in mind. The softly scalloped back and enve...
Brass
Napoleon III Faux Bamboo Painted Cane Low Chair, 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in , this charming French Napoleon III Ebonized Faux Bamboo Painted Low Chair, with a cane seat. This chair is what is called a fireplace chair. This chair is painted over the b...
Wood
French Napoleon III Chaise Longue XIX eme
Located in Mouscron, WHT
French Napoleon III chaise longue. good general condition, unfortunately the fabric is torn on the seat
Upholstery, Beech
French Scrolled Back Napoleon III Slipper Chair with Fringe
Located in Buchanan, NY
This lovely 19th century French Napoleon III slipper chair features a gracefully scrolled back, and has been upholstered in an elegant fabric with an abstract leafy design with birds...
Upholstery
European Napoleon III Striped Velvet & Fringe Boudoir Chair
By George Smith
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Lovely, petite velvet boudoir chair in the style of George Smith with stripe velvet upholstery, fringe and nailheads. Small scale yet comfortable for adult use. Not marked or signed.
Upholstery, Wood
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
19th century Napoleon III low chair, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A graceful Napoleon III low chair from 19th‑century France, newly reupholstered yet retaining the charm and character of its original craftsmanship. This elegant piece combines the s...
Fabric, Wood
$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
'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
$275Sale Price / set|81% Off
Ebonized Hand-Painted Napoleon III Chaise, France, c.1848-1860
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
French Napoleon III Slipper Chair in Floral Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning French Napoleon III slipper chair. This slipper chair is a truly unique piece, with its vintage floral fabric and bullion...
Fabric
$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
$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
Napoleon III Tufted Chaise Longue, France, 19th Century
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
This 19th century Napoleon III antique 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
$762Sale Price / set|20% Off
Napoleon III Chairs in Ebonized Wood and Pink Velvet, France, circa 1870
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Pair of side/lounge chairs in ebonized and carved wood. The seats and backs are covered in pink velvet fabric. The chairs are mounted on wheels. Napoleon III style, France, circa 18...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Paint
Napoleon III French Deep Button-Back Crapaud Chair, Pierre Frey Velvet
Located in London, GB
A finely proportioned French deep button-back 'Crapaud' chair of the Napoleon III period, circa 1850–60, exhibiting the enveloping comfort and sculptural upholstery characteristic of...
Textile, Upholstery, Velvet, Natural Fiber, Hardwood, Coconut
$2,026Sale Price / set|30% Off
Napoleon III Ebonized Charivari Chairs, Velvet, France, Circa 1850
Located in Malibu, CA
Original Napoleon lll ebonized charivari chairs. Made in France, circa 1850's. Reupholstered in a warm rich taupe crushed velvet. Seat height: 17.75 in (45 cm) One of the pair is sl...
Gesso, Velvet, Hardwood
19th Century Napoleon III Style Toilet Chair, Chaise Percée or Commode, Throne
Located in Madrid, ES
A fun and decorative curiosity, this late 19th century French Napoleon III (nephew of Bonaparte I) or Second Empire style "throne" is a fine example of elegant furniture making meeting functional necessity. Known as a "Chaise...
Metal
19th Century French Window Seat
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak window seat from France with an exquisitely hand carved back, depicting a central carved face surrounded by acanthus leaves. The arms are hand turned and are attache...
Oak
French Scrolled Back Slipper Chair with Embroidery
Located in Buchanan, NY
A lovely 19th century French Napoleon III slipper chair. This magnificent French slipper chair features a scrolled back, and has been upholstered in a light fabric, with an embroider...
Upholstery
$1,635Sale Price|24% Off
19th Century French Hand Carved Wooden Piano Swivel Chair Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
Very delicate and rare hand carved wooden piano swivel chair made in mid 19th century during Napoleon III period. Having no restoration so far the chair i...
Wood
$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 upholstery has been completely replaced with new materials. The contrasting small back pillows are in a custom Ralph Lauren Paisley fabric...
Brass
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
$3,172 / 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
Set of 4 Contemporary Empire-Style Black Lacquer Dining 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
'La Somme" Slipper Chair by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom Chair from BoBo Atelier. Custom Wood Finishing and Upholstery Work included in the price of each chair. Customer provides fabric (COM).
Cotton, Oak
4 Vintage French Garden Folding Dining Bistro Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Say it with style with this set of 4 vintage French folding bistro style dining chairs. Leave them out or fold them up to save space. Great dinin...
Iron
French 19th Century Chaise with Wooden Arm Details
Located in Buchanan, NY
Classic French 19th century Napoleon III tufted chaise lounge with exposed wooden details on the arms. The chaise has been stripped down to the muslin and is ready to be upholstered....
Upholstery
French Napoleon III Armchairs with Original Ebonized Frames, circa 1880
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant French Napoleon III armchairs dating from the late 19th century. Featuring ebonized wood frames, tufted backs, decorative passementerie, and older patterned upholstery with a...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Napoleon III Ebonized Bobbin-Turned Chairs with Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
A handsome pair of French Napoleon III ebonized bobbin-turned side chairs, dating to the late 19th century. Crafted from turned wood with a rich black lacquered finish, each chair fe...
Velvet, Wood
Set of Six Napoleon III Style Faux Rope Cerused Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing set of six hand-carved faux rope Spanish dining chairs made in the Napoleon III taste. The set consists of four side chairs and two host armchairs measuring 23.5 inches wide ...
Fabric, Beech
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
Large French Late Napoléon III Slipper Chair/Chauffeuse, Circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A remarkably generous French transitional Napoleon III to Belle Époque period chauffeuse, circa 1880. This piece is distinguished by its uncommonly grand proportions and a deep, comf...
Brass
Garonne Primo Chaise Lounge by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier 'Silver Cast Bronze Leg'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This version of our classic Garonne chaise lounge has 5 white bronze legs and white velvet upholstery. From every angle, you see its distinctive elegant curved lines. The bronze legs...
Bronze