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.
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
$2,636Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
$1,250 / set
H 43 in W 31.5 in D 32 in
Vintage Woodmark Originals Queen Anne Style Mahogany Wingback Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Woodmark Originals Queen Anne Style Mahogany Wingback Chairs - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 43" H x 31.5" W x 32" D x 19.5"...
Mahogany
$3,599Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 43 in W 31.25 in D 32.5 in
1970's Wingback Chairs Refinished & Reupholstered - a Pair
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage pair of wing chairs for sale. They are from the 1970's, and have been professionally restored. The wood bases and legs have been refinished in walnut, and have been reupholstered in new fabric and foam. The fabric is a beautiful linen with textured cotton. The fabric has variations of earthy brown, tan, black, and white. The seats have springs in them, and have a high-quality solid frame. They're in the manner of Henredon wing chairs...
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Georgian Style Wingback Chairs
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Georgian circa 1850 Wingback armchairs with ornately carved cabriole legs and William Morris style flat top arms. The chairs have been recovered in a green mohair fabric. Th...
Mohair, Wood
Pair of Georgian Style Wingback Chairs Upholstered in Linen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Wing Back Chairs in the Style of Georgian. Newly upholstered in Linen with a cord welt to the cushions. A wonderful pair and very c...
Linen, Upholstery, Cord, Wood
Frits Henningsen Style Vintage Leather Wingback Chair
Located in Coronado, CA
A large, vintage, wingback chair in the manner of Frits Henningsen, featuring a high curved back, pointed arms, button tufting, and tall curved legs with carved detail. This unique, ...
Leather, Wood
$5,323 / set
H 43.12 in W 31.5 in D 31.11 in
Pair of Lovely George III Style Wingback Armchairs with Kilim Pattern Uphosltery
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Kilim fabric upholstered wingback armchairs in lovely condition throughout. A well-made and decorative pair of armchairs w...
Upholstery
$2,584Sale Price|55% Off
H 42.5 in W 32 in D 30.5 in
George III Wingback Armchair, Upholstered Wood, English, Circa 1800
Located in San Francisco, CA
An excellent example of a early Georgian wingback armchair. Having shapely wings and arch top backrest with swooping arms, standing on a pair of Queen Anne legs with pad feet on the front and very typical round...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42.92 in W 31.11 in D 25.79 in
A Pair of Vintage French Style Solid Timber Wingback Chairs
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of Vintage French Style Solid Timber Wingback Chairs Description: This striking pair of French-style wingback armchairs features bold, black-and-white zebra-patterned upholst...
Wood
$1,200
H 41.34 in W 32.29 in D 35.04 in
Large Vintage English-Style Sheepskin Leather Wingback Armchair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheepskin leather wingback armchair is the perfect addition for lovers of English-style furniture. Its warm cognac color exudes ...
Leather, Sheepskin
$4,595 / set
H 42.5 in W 32 in D 30.5 in
Pair Vintage Louis XV-Style Carved Wingback Chairs with New Upholstery
Located in Troy, MI
This pair of Louis XV-style wingback chairs features an elegant contrast between their ebonized frames and neutral, textured upholstery. The carved hardwood frames showcase classic R...
Linen, Hardwood
$5,800 / set
H 41.5 in W 34 in D 34 in
Pair of English Georgian Style Ruby Red Leather Wingback Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning pair of mid-century leather wingback chairs or wing chairs featuring a dramatic ruby red leather upholstery. Made in the grand English Georgian taste with a mahogany hardwoo...
Brass
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
H 41 in W 33 in D 35 in
Classic Georgian Chippendale Black Leather Wingback Library Gentlemans Armchair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 43 in W 33 in D 35 in
French 1870s Napoleon III Period Wingback Bergère Chair with Carved Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period painted wingback bergère chair from the late 19th century, with carved decor and new upholstery. Created in France at the end...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 41 in W 33 in D 40 in
Reclining Napoleon III Style Wingback Library Armchair in Burgundy Leather
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a touch of nobility to your space with this reclining Napoleon III style leather wingback fireplace armchair by Bradington Young, a quality manufacturer in North Carolina for over 30 years. This handsome reclining lounge chair is upholstered in a quality deep burgundy colored patent leather which has a slightly glossy look to it, adding more vibrancy to the leather. The contours of the chair's arms are punctuated with nailheads. Note, in some of the images there is an orange colored reflection on the side. This is simply due to the reflective surface of the shiny patent leather and there is not any color issue there on the chair as you can see on other pictures. The patent leather is quite nice and looks beautiful in person, but in photos will pick up a lot of reflection due to the glossiness of it. This regal recliner armchair would be a great addition as part of a Classic or contemporary living room, den, man (or woman!) cave, family room, office or bedroom. It would also be an Apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique hotel lobby, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, executive office or in a luxe clothing emporium. Perfect for a smoking lounge or library. Condition: Good vintage condition with wear commensurate with age and use...
Leather
French Napoleon III Giltwood Wing Chair, circa 1870s
Located in Kastrup, DK
A French Napoleon III carved and giltwood wing chair, circa 1870s, with an arched carved top, curved wigs raised on scrolled supports, carved and curved frieze raised on cabriole leg...
Napoleon III Wingback Chair, France circa 1860
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large elegant and decorative wing chair, wood carved and with the original gilding. Napoleon III, France 1860-1870. Reupholstered with fabric from Rubelli in vintage damask pattern i...
A Pair of Napoleon III Fauteuils
Located in Washington, DC
A Pair of Napoleon III Fauteuils. Seats and Body reconditioned. Covered in Antique Linen
Paint, Wood, Upholstery