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Napoleon III Vitrines

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
Period: 19th Century
Vitrine Bookcase Napoleon III Boulle 19th Century Brown Wood Glass Gilt Bronze
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful French Showcase Or bookcase with Two Doors in Napoleon III and Boulle style. Two-door display case in fruit wood veneer and curling, significant ornamentation of gilded bro...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

Small Liquor Cellar, Blackened Wood, Brass Fillets, Period: 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Lovely and small liqueur cellar in blackened wood with inlaid brass threads on four pretty ball-shaped feet, completely restored, in the rules of the art, by the TWS Workshops (Calai...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Wood

1880s Napoleon III Black Patinated Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden vitrine made in France, circa 1880. Two sets of glass-paned doors swing outwards, granting access to four spacious and adjustable shelves, above which sit four drawers. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Period Burl Walnut Vitrine or Bookcase
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-19th century French Napoleon III period vitrine or bookcase is constructed of burl walnut and features clean simple lines. Providing an elegant contrast, the piece is trimme...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Pearwood, Walnut, Burl

19th Century, Napoleon III, Pair of showcases with bronzes
Located in PALERMO, IT
Elegant pair of display cases made of rosewood with fruitwood inlays. Adorned in the round with finely chiseled and gilded bronze elements. France - Napoleon III Measurements: H 17...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

Pair of Wood, Bronze and Glass Showcases Vitrines, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood, bronze and glass showcases vitrines. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

Showcase Domed Louis XV Style Napoleon III Period, Vernis Martin, 19th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Late 19th century Louis XV style domed showcase in painted wood. It presents a magnificent gallant decor of a man and a woman meeting in an undergrowth. Floral ornaments are visible ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Showcase Napoleon III, Paris, Around 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
Louis XVI showcase Napoleon III, Paris around 1870. Fine veneer on solid oak, veneered and paneled with ebony inlays. Straight, single-door body (solid oak) with white, grey-brown veined marble top. Three-sided glazing with rounded corners. Partly cross-veneered with recessed fields of marquetry...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Black Bookcase Vitrine Napoleon III Boule Style, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Large Vitrine, bookcase, showcase 3 doors in Napoleon III Boule style large showcase or library. This bookcase is sold by itself, but it can also be sold with the corresponding desk...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Vitrine Table, C. 1880
Located in New York, NY
A French Louis XVI style Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Vitrine Table, C. 1880, attributed to Paul Sormani. Very good quality, nice ormolu mounts throughout, presents very well. Measures: 30" high x 27" wide x 21" deep Good condition, no damages noted.. Glass appears intact without cracks or loses, the glass has been replaced with modern panels...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Exquisite Quality French Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Commode Cabinet, C. 1880
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite quality French Ormolu-mounted vitrine commode cabinet, C. 1880, attributed to Paul Sormani. A very elegant vitrine / commode cabinet with exquisite jewel-quality ormo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Boulle Cabinet Vitrines
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most impressive pair of French 19th century Napoleon III period Ebony, Tortoiseshell, brass, ormolu, and black Belgian marble Boulle cabinet vitrines. Each vitrine is ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

Exquisite French Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany and Glass Vitrine Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite French Ormolu-mounted mahogany and glass vitrine cabinet, attributed to Francois Linke, circa 1880. Although unsigned, the jewel-like quality ormolu bronze mounts throughout, especially the corinthian columns, and the best mahogany and craftsmanship of the period, confirms our attribution to Francois Linke, who was almost certainly one of best furniture makers of the Belle Epoque period alongside Paul Sormani, Henry Dasson, Alexandre Chevrie...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Large Second Empire Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Large second Empire gilt bronze and marquetry display cabinet French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 271cm, width 235cm, depth 52cm This magnificent display cabinet exemplif...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Napoleon III Tulipwood and Ormolu Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and extremely high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period Kingwood, Tulipwood, and ormolu cabinet vitrine. The two door, one drawer vitrine is raised by elegant...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Napoleon III Style Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Delicate French vitrine in transition or Napoleon III style, circa 1870. solid wood. High-rise, one-door, cambered and three-sided glazed body. On curly feet scalloped out. Three-...
Category

19th Century German Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

19th Century, Marquetry & Gilt Bronze Vitrine Louis XV Style
Located in Beaune, FR
Wonderful marquetry and gilt bronze vitrine style Louis XV - Napoleon III. There are two doors with shelves inside. Fish-shaped bronzes. French wo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Ebony and Boulle Bookcase/Vitrine
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A handsome bookcase or china cabinet made in France in the last half of the 19th century. The case is in ebonized wood (including the top), and is curved at each side. There are three front doors with...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Wood

Pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ebony Cabinet Vitrines
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and extremely decorative pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Napoleon III period, ebony, bone, giltwood, ormolu and glass cabinet vitrines. Each striking vitrine is raised by charming bun feet. Leading up each side are striking square and circular columns with ormolu foliate plinths and capitals, fine inlaid bone fillets and beautiful giltwood flutes. The door retains its original glass pane and is framed within a lovely beaded ormolu band. The ebony frame has fine inlaid bone fillets and intricately carved giltwood rosettes, which is repeated at each side of the cabinet. Inside are three upholstered shelves...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

Maison Thuillier Paris, Pair of Planters/Vitrines Period Napoleon III, XIXth
Located in Beaune, FR
Exceptional pair of planters also serving as vitrines. Napoleon III period but dating from the 19th century. These planters are UNIQUE pieces because they are part of a special order...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Louis XIV Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Louis XIV Bookcase is a masterpiece of the genre, with bold styling creating a magnificent presence for any setting! The amazing triple arche...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Oak

French Bronze Dore Mahogany and Parquetry Vitrine on Stand
Located in London, GB
A fine quality piece with superbly cast ormolu mounts against dark mahogany wood. Of rectangular form, the vitrine with oak leaf cresting, above a conforming frieze centred with a bow and quiver...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Wood

19th Century Napoleon III Style Bois-Satine Vitirne
Located in Berlin, DE
Vitrine in the style of Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880 Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round surface-covering mirror veneer on solid softwood. High-rectangular, one-door, camb...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

Second Empire Period Gilt Bronze and Kingwood Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Second Empire period gilt bronze and kingwood display cabinet French, c. 1860 Measures: Height 218cm, width 128cm, depth 42cm This fine displ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of French 19th Century Napoleon III Boulle Pedestal Vitrines
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Boulle ebonized fruitwood, ormolu, and brass pedestal vitrines. Each vitrine is raised on scalloped support with a fine wrap-a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

French Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bonheur Du Jour, Attributed to Henry Dasson
Located in New York, NY
A French Ormolu Mounted mahogany Bonheur Du Jour, attributed to Henry Dasson, circa 1870. Very fine quality French ormolu mounts throughout, with marble top, two doors revealing t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

Extraordinary 19th Century Carved Cabinet by Maison Guéret of Paris
Located in London, GB
An Important Napoleon III Exhibition-Quality Ormolu-Mounted Carved Cabinet By Maison Guéret of Paris A tour-de-force glazed boxwood cabinet celebrating the art of woodcarving, the monumental vitrine of slight breakfront proportions, with rounded corners, all surfaces carved with the most exquisite designs and refined detail with ormolu banding, the base of tripartite design, the central cupboard door with a carved roundel depicting a triumphant muse, flanked by two doors with carved musical trophies enclosing a single adjustable-shelved interior, the frieze incorporating a further three drawers with slides above; the superstructure with three glazed casements separated by carved and fluted pilasters with ionic capitals; enclosing a red velvet-lined and shelved interior; the tripartite pediment each with rounded cornices, the central tympanum carved with laurel leaves and instruments of the arts & wisdom topped with a carved finial and a draped lambrequin below, the flanking entablatures with cartouches depicting Bacchus and Ariadne below urn finials with carved Vitruvian scrolls and ribbon-tied cascading bunches of laurel leaves, the symbol of triumph. Signed on the cartouche "Guéret Frères...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Napoleon III Style Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic French vitrine Napoleon III in transition style Paris. Rich in extremely finely chiselled, fire-gilt decorative bronze fittings. Mahogany on solid softwood. High-angled, o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Style Kingwood Vernis Martin Paul Sormani Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Kingspilander on solid oakwood. High-rectangular, one-door, curved and three-sided glazed corpus. On curly feet scalloped out. Inside life with orig. Velvet covered and two entrances...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Napoleon III Period Boulle Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb French 19th century Louis XVI style Napoleon III Period Boulle cabinet vitrine. The ebony cabinet is raised on a scroll carved base, with an ormolu top border, centered by a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Bookcase ~ Vitrine
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany Bookcase ~ Vitrine is a marvel of fine artisanry, with elegantly arched crown festooned with hand-carved floral and foliates cascadin...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Vitrine Cabinet, Signed Pretot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most unique French 19th century Napoleon III Period ebony, ormolu, tortoiseshell, brass, pewter, Lapis Lazuli, mother of pearl, and black Belgian marble vitrine cabinet, signed Pretot. The four door buffet is raised by a beautiful scalloped shaped base with most elegant scrolled movements. The base is adorned with striking richly chased ormolu mounts of lovely rosettes, foliate Rinceaux designs, and a most impressive central mask of a bearded man amidst large acanthus leaves, all set on an ebony background with fine brass fillets. The two central doors are decorated with stunning masterfully executed scrolled foliate brass designs with intricately detailed maiden's faces, birds, and central pewter and colorful pietra dura urns above an exceptional lattice design with a Lapis Lazuli background and a bottom mother of pearl palmette all set on a superb tortoiseshell background. Each outer door retains its original glass pane set within a foliate ormolu band and a sensational inlaid frame with additional brass designs of interlocking geometric patterns, lovely scrolled foliate movements, finely detailed palmettes at each corner, and striking most charming pietra dura inlaid floral reserves. All four doors display foliate ormolu keyhole escutcheons and open to reveal two adjustable upholstered shelves...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Pewter

Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mounted Cabinet by Louis Grade
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period gilt bronze and porcelain mounted cabinet by Louis Grade French, circa 1860 Measures: Height 160cm, width 82cm, depth 4...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Napoleon III Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Vilnius, LT
French antique Napoleon III vitrine cabinet is after renovation. Wood is decorated with inlaid brass and bronze details. Inside there are two glass shelves. Side parts are with perfe...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair of French Ebony and Ormolu Vitrines, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century French ebonized display cabinets, having classical gilded ormolu mounts. Adjustable glass shelves and mirror backs within, raised on plinth bases ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu

Showcase Napoleon III En Lac Signed G.durand, Paris
Located in charmes, FR
Napoleon III period showcase, completely lacquered with Japanese decoration, in very good condition, usual wear on the gilding of the lacquer It has a glass shelf in the window part but it can accommodate several signed on a copper plate inside the door: G.Durand PARIS...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Napoleon III Style Bois-Satine Vitirne
Located in Berlin, DE
Vitrine in the style of Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880 Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round surface-covering mirror veneer on solid softwood. High-rectangular, one-door, cambe...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Walnut

19th Century antique Napoleon III Style Mahogany Vitrine, Paris Mahogany bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic French vitrine Napoleon III in transition style, Paris. Rich in extremely finely chiselled, fire-gilt decorative bronze fittings. Mahogany on solid softwood. High-angled, on...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century French Ebonised Boulle Cabinets
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good pair of 19th century Victorian ebonized Boulle cabinets. Each cabinet has a brass gallery to the top, with a single glazed door below. Each door is surrounded by i...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Display Cabinets by Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
A remarkable pair of display cabinets By Henri Picard of Paris Constructed in mahogany, with extensive and superlative ormolu decoration. The cabinets of rectangular form, rising...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Fine Napoleon III Period Ormolu Mounted Boulle Vitrine
Located in London, GB
In the Louis XIV style, the tortoiseshell and brass inlaid ebonized wood body, with three wooden shelves, the front with glazed doors, surmounted with a white marble top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century Napoleon III Vernis Martin, Kingwood and Mahogany Cabinet by Linke
By Maison Grimard
Located in London, GB
A fine cabinet of the Napoleon III period Retailed by Grimard of Paris Almost Certainly by François Linke   Constructed in Kingwood and mahogany, with extensive decoration of high qu...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Gilt Bronze Guèridon. Napoleon III, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Gueridon showcase in polychromed and gilded bronze, France, Napoleon III, about the third third of the 19th century. The small circular table shows a top panel in transparent glass, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Bronze

Large gilt bronze mounted ebonized wood and Boulle work antique vitrine cabinet
Located in London, GB
The stunning cabinet in the Napoleon III style and of the sam period, featuring inlaid Boulle work panels of brass and fine scarlet tortoise shell, with cast ormolu mounts depicting ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Boulle Ebonized Vitrine Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III Boulle ebonized two door vitrine cabinet. An ebonized rectangular wooden top, over a brass inlay frieze decorated in a floral and scroll ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vitrines

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Napoleon Iii vitrines for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III vitrines for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage vitrines created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ormolu and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III vitrines made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vitrines, popular names associated with this style include and Hippolyte-Edme Pretot. 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 vitrines differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $18,900 and tops out at $68,500 while the average work can sell for $38,150.

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