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.
Set of Four Napoleon III Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Upholstery, circa 1880
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
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...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique French 19th Napoleon III Toad Armchair In Velvet
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
The armchair is extremely comfortable, thanks to its wide armrests, its enveloping backrest and its wide seat. The perfect armchair for a reading corner where you won't want to give ...
Velvet
19th Century Rust Wood Napoleon III Upholstered Armchair
Located in High Point, NC
A sofa whose rust/terracotta chenille upholstery gives it real character at first glance. The piece dates to 19th Century, sourced from France, and carries the hallmarks of period cr...
Fabric, Wood
Gold finished contemporary rope twist seat /bench in Fortuny "Pergolesi"
Located in Bristol, RI
Contemporary gold finish rope twist bench. The padded seat is covered in Fortuny "Pergolesi" with a complimentary green brush fringe border.
Metal
$1,781Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Giltwood
A Set Of 6 Napoleon III Period Chairs
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely set of 6 napoleon III period chairs with attractive arched backs with openwork bars Very beautiful set of superb quality that rests on arched legs the flowing silhouette bring...
Mahogany
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...
Hardwood
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
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
Napoleon III French Ebonized Side Chair with Gilt Decoration and Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French side chair was crafted in the Napoleon III style, circa 1880. Executed in finely turned wood with a deep black ebonized finish, the chair is richly decora...
Giltwood, Paint, Leather
A Superb Pair of French Napoleon III Gilt Salon Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb Pair of French Napoleon III Gilt Salon Chairs These Elegant Chairs have been re upholstered in a fine linen Toile de Jouy fabric, they have a deep serpentine shaped front a...
Giltwood
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
LOVELY ANTIQUE NAPOLEON III CIRCA 1890 BERGERE WiNDOW SEAT BENCH SETTEE SOFA
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1890 Napoleon III Louis XVI style bergère settee which is part of a suite Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price This sofa comes with a matching pair of parlour armchairs...
Upholstery, Oak
$3,295 / set
Napoleon III Style Wingback Chairs Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Mahogany, Cotton
Royal Louis XV or Rococo Tapestry Sofa and Chairs, Gold, Napoleon III, 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Louis XV tapestry / tapestry suite, Napoleon III, circa 1880. Genuine gold leaf on solid wood. Hand-carved wooden body. Very old and decorative French sofa set...
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...
Upholstery, Wood
Rare Suite Of 20 + 2 Gilded Wood Chairs, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Rare set of 20 gilded wooden and wood chairs, frame models (seats and backs), with lion paw-shaped front feet. Seats and backs are covered with red fabric. 20 chairs as is, most of...
Wood
Suite Of Four Napoleon III Chairs In Blackened Wood, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Suite of four Napoleon III chairs in blackened wood Elegant suite of four Napoleon III period chairs in blackened wood, resting on finely turned legs linked by an X-shaped brace, ty...
Velvet, Wood
Set of 3 Napoleon III Ebonized Side Chairs with Cane Seats and Gilt Chinoiseries
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of three side chairs was crafted in France during the Napoleon III period, circa 1870. The chairs feature an ebonized wood finish highlighted with intricate gilt an...
Tapestry, Giltwood, Paint
Antique French Napoleon III High Back Chair, Upholstered, 1890
Located in Stamford, CT
One High, curled back French Napoleon III chair, upholstered Cowtan and Tout cotton stripe. Only one chair is available.
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Faux Rosewood Voltaire Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century French Voltaire Armchair with a faux rosewood painted finish. This imposing lounge chair has a wide well-sprung seat pad sitting on pl...
Wood
Original Napoleon III ebonized chair, France, 1850s.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original Napoleon III ebonized chair, France, 1850s.
Wood
$4,197Sale Price|40% Off
Pair of Napoleon III sliper chairs with original 1850 Jacquard upholstery.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Napoleon III sliper chairs with original 1850. The original Jacquard tapestry fabric depicts a pastoral scene featuring a couple from the 18th century. The man is dressed in ...
Jacquard, Ebony, Fabric, Mahogany
$2,315Sale Price|20% Off
Reupholstered Napoleon III Bergere Chair, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
This bergere chair is a truly one-of-a-kind piece. It has undergone a comprehensive restoration in terms of its seating and padding to enhance its comfort and functionality. The addi...
Textile, Wood
$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
Antique Pair of Napoleon III circa 1890 Bergere Armchairs & Matching Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original circa 1890 Napoleon III Louis XVI style bergère armchairs with matching occasional table These chairs come with ...
Upholstery, Oak
Carved French Oak Salon Throne Chair, Original Pictorial Upholstery
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved French Oak Salon Throne Chair, Original Pictorial Upholstery This lovely old High Back chair retains its original hand made pictorial fabric back rest, this is in muted sha...
Oak
19th Century Napoleon III Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Napoleon III armchair.
2 Original Napoleon III Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Mouscron, WHT
2 Original Napoleon III Chairs, France, 1850s
Beech
Napoleon III Period Fireside Chair, Fully Restored
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Napoleon III period fireside chair, fully restored this chair has been recently restored. if the fabric does not please there is just the fabric to ch...
Walnut
$13,200 / set
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...
Napoleon III Folding Chair
Located in New York, NY
More sculpture than furniture, this finely-carved 1860s folding chair has a gilded and gessoed wood frame, and the original cut-silk-velvet upholstery material that was woven to fit....
Velvet, Wood
$514Sale Price / item|20% Off
Napoleon III Chiavari Solid Wooden Hand-Crafted Gold Leaf Chairs, France, 1960
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of 50 chairs, sold by units. Napoleon style solid wooden hand-crafted chairs. With turned bars in the back and turned legs. Gold leaf finished.
Gold Leaf
Pair of Hand-Painted Napoleon III Chairs - France, 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exquisite pair of ebonized side chairs, hand-painted with a decor of birds, butterflies and foliage. Original deep pink satin seat cover...
Wood
Maison PERET et VIBERT (att.à) deux chaises et une table pliante circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Maison PERET et VIBERT (attribué à) deux chaises et une table pliante à plateau amovible circa 1900
Wood
$1,687Sale Price|20% Off
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