Napoleon III Seating
NAPOLEON III STYLE
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.
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Style: Napoleon III
Hollywood Regency Style Rope & Tassel Chair with Matching Ottoman in Blue Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Rope and tassel chair with matching ottoman in blue velvet. The chair has a carved wood rope style frame with beautiful, newly upholstered, velvet upholstery.
Chair measures: 27.5 W...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
2 Original Chiarivari Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s
wear and lack of gilding.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs with Leather & Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century French Empire Mahogany armchairs with leather & bronze mounts are ideal for the Conference Room, an office environment, a large game table...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Hand Painted Tole Fireside Chair
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Called a chaise chauffeuse or fireside chair in English due to its low seat height of 15 inches, this mid-nineteenth century French Napoleon III period hand painted tole chair...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Wood
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...
Category
20th Century Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Napoleon III Pair of Carved Sapele Wood Bedroom Chairs
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Particular pair of...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Sapele Wood
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany armchairs reflects the stately classically-inspired architecture of the ancients, accentuated by bronze castings of rosettes and...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Napoleon III Style "Chaise Percée" Toilet / Throne, a Curiosity
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Metal
Pair of Napoléon III 1850s Painted and Upholstered Armchairs with Carved Flowers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoléon III period painted wood armchairs from the mid 19th century, with carved floral and foliage décor. Created in France at the beginning of Emperor Napoléon III's reign, each of this pair of fauteuils features a slightly slanted back, adorned with carved flowers and foliage on the crest. Two open arms with splaying extremities rest on a seat measuring 28" W x 21" D x 15" H. The seat, back and arms' upper section have been reupholstered with a neutral toned fabric complimenting the lines beautifully. Each fauteuil is raised on four cabriole legs decorated with flowers on the knees, and connected to one another through a curving apron, carved in the front. Painted in a soft color, this pair of Napoléon III French armchairs...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Pair of French Upholstered Armchairs in Red Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A striking pair of 19th century French Napoleon III armchairs. Skillfully crafted and luxuriously upholstered in a vivid red ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Salon Suite Reupholstered
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century Napoleon III ebonized salon suite, sourced from Paris and reupholstered in 'Limerence' velvet,
circa 1860.
Measures: Sofa
H 107 x W 136 x D 55cm
Seat height 45cm
Chai...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Hardwood
French Armchair / Armchair / Bergère Napoleon III
Located in Berlin, DE
French armchair / armchair / bergère Napoleon III
Solid wood, carved, painted in gold.
Slightly curved frame on fluted legs. Slanted, fluted, slightly rising armrests. Curly, bac...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Cotton, Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Needlework Footstool
Located in Birmingham, AL
A lovely French Napoleon III period footstool handcrafted of walnut in Normandy having a beautiful floral needlework seat embellished with a velvet trim and brass nailheads, circa 18...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Walnut
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Napoleon III Upholstered Armchairs in Ebonized & Burl Walnut, circa 1870
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful pair of Napoleon III armchairs with walnut frame with burled walnut and ebonized details. Shield-back has carved laurel leaves with a cartouche over the crest rail with f...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Burl, Walnut
Napoleon III Faux Bamboo Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III faux bamboo chair, France, 1850s.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
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.
Category
1950s Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Linen, Walnut
2 Original Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
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. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon II...
Category
2010s American Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood, Velvet
Antique French Napoleon III Folding Chair Wooden and Azure Velvet
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Antique French Napoleon III folding chair gilded wooden and azure velvet in its original state, circa 1865.
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood, Velvet
Set of Eight Chairs, Antique Patina, Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, France
This set of eight chairs with round seats and antique patina is dated to the late 19th century or early 20th century. This model of chairs with small, t...
Category
1890s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
2 Original Napoleon III Ebonised Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonised chairs, France, 1850s
wear and lack of gilding.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
Jacob & Josef Khon, 2 Canapés 101 / C, circa 1902, Napoleon III Style Original
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacob & Josef Khon, 2 Canapés 101 / C, circa 1902, Napoleon III style
Original fabric.
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Small Bench Napoleon III Period, Being Restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small bench Napoleon III period, being restored, upholstery and under fabric (a little dirty) changed.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
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,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
Handsome Pair of Period French Napoleon III Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of Napoleon III black french antique chairs having original paint and frame. Front legs have original casters. Bought in Avignon, Fra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Napoleon Style Slipper Chairs
Located in East Hampton, NY
Pair of Louis style, Napoleonic slipper chairs newly upholstered midnight blue linen with coordinated bullion fringe.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
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...
Category
2010s American Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Napoleon III Giltwood Slipper Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A striking 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. Fabric is...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Napoleon III Giltwood Rope Tabouret
Located in Essex, MA
Circular with new muslin upholstery, conforming carved rope legs and stretchers ending on tassel feet, casters. Completely regilded with 23-karat gold leaf.
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Other
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.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Cane, Beech
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.
Category
1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood, Satin
Jacob Et Josef Khon, 4 Fauteuils 101/f, circa 1902, Set of Four Napoleon III
By Thonet, J.&J. Khon 1
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacob Et Josef Khon, 4 Fauteuils 101/f, circa 1902,Set of four Napoleon III curved and blackened wood armchairs,
Original fabric.
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bentwood
1950-1970 Pair of Stools Gilded Brass Style Rope in the Style of Maison Baguès
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of stools in brass tray iron, amounts in the shape of rope with spacer and node, circa 1950-1970, Good condition.
Category
1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mohair and Silk Striped Sofa's
Located in Spencertown, NY
The upholstery with studs, gimp and fringe, with velvet back and sides.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Mohair, Silk
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...
Category
20th Century Unknown Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
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...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Napoleon 3 Style "Crapaud" Armchair, Covered with Satin, circa 1950, Baroque
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon 3 style "crapaud" armchair, covered with satin, circa 1950, baroque
and its footrest, all covered with yellow satin, slightly discolored satin, and small spots.
Category
1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Satin, Wood
1880s French Napoleon III Green Velvet Reading Chair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional French 19th century Napoleon III reading chair. This unique chair is upholstered in an elegant green-gold velvet, featuring intricate braided detailing, and elaborate ...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
19th Century Napoleon III Giltwood French Pair of Armchairs by Frederic Quignon
Located in Roma, RM
A superb pair of gilt armchairs, France, Napoleon III period, signed Quignon.
Frederic Gustave Quignon, son of Napoleon Quignon, was born in ...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Set of Four Napoleon III Ebonized Salon Side Chairs, France, circa 1870
Located in Miami, FL
Set of four Napoleon III ebonized salon chairs with balloon-back, cabriole legs, upholstered back and seat. France, circa 1870. Beautifully restored frames with original ebonized woo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Leather Reclining Armchair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic 19th century French Napoleon III period leather reclining armchair or lounge chair. Features a mahogany frame covered with rich, d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Metal
Rope Twist Napoleon III Style Suite Seating Armchair & Settee Chesterfield Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
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...
Category
Early 20th Century English Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French Napoleon III Style Giltwood Rope Stool with Circular Red Velvet Seat
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An elegant Napoleon III style giltwood rope stool with a circular padded seat upholstered in a red velvet fabric. Gorgeous gathers adorn the outer ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Giltwood, Upholstery
Napoleon III Armchair, France Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A Napoleon III armchair on s-shaped legs with a curved frame. The high, rounded backrest as well as the seat and armrests are upholstered. The golden patinated frame is decorated wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Hand Carved Low Back Chair Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany low back chair with tapestry upholstery decorated with Louis XV style flowers.
France, 1860
Napoleon III period.
Measures: 63 x 46 x 45 cm.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Tufted Chauffeuses
Located in Washington, DC
a pair of tufted Napoleon III period chauffeuses - low chairs for sitting by the fire. covered in light plum linen.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Set of Four Napoleon III Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Upholstery, circa 1880
Located in Miami, FL
A very beautiful set of four Napoleon III dining chairs in mahogany with upholstered back and seat, cabriole front legs, and a carved lily on the arched and pierced crest rail, and o...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Napoleon III Carved and Paint Decorated Fauteuils
Located in Bridgeport, CT
In cream paint with a shaped crest rail with leafy finials, reeded arms with acanthus leaves and raised on tapering cylindrical reeded legs with floral tops. In a striped pink floral...
Category
19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Napoleon III High Back Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
High, curled back French Napoleon III chairs newly upholstered Cowtan and Tout cotton stripe.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Four Painted and Gilt Napoleon III Fauteuils
Located in Washington, DC
A set of four painted and gilt napoleon III fauteuils, seat and back are reconditioned and covered with new cotton and silk fabric. Wonderful pat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Pair of Tufted and Scrolled Back Chairs in Printed Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning pair of 19th century French tufted and scrolled armchairs, reflecting the distinguished Napoleon III style. These sophisticated and elegant chairs have the potential to el...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Pair of 19th Century French Louis V Style Fruitwood Armchairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th century French Louis V Style Fruitwood and Cane armchairs.
Napoleon III Period circa 1860's
having the original brown leather on the arms
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Napoleon III Seating
19th Century French Giltwood Aubusson Tapestry 7-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fine French Napoleon III period Louis XV style 7-piece parlor set. This beautiful carved giltwood set is richly upholstered in handwoven Aubusson Floral Tapestry. Comprising a Canape...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Giltwood, Tapestry
French 19th Century Tufted Armchair and Ottoman
Located in Buchanan, NY
A wonderfully proportioned 19th century French tufted armchair with a matching ottoman, upholstered in light blue silk damask with matching bullion fringe. This elegant armchair and ottoman is the perfect addition to your traditional decor, infusing a touch of vintage charm into your space. Both pieces are in very good vintage condition, providing the perfect setting for a cozy seating area where you can relax in ultimate style and comfort. The dimensions of this magnificent set are as follows: Chair: 38"H x 30"W x 32.5"D with a 16" seat height, and Ottoman: 17.5”H x 26.5”W x 26.5”D. Unleash your creativity and surround yourself with elegance as you indulge in this sophisticated 19th century French tufted armchair and ottoman...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
Napoleon Iii seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, J.&J. Khon, Aubusson Manufacture, and Baker Furniture Company. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $373 and tops out at $41,810 while the average work can sell for $3,247.
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