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Napoleon III Furniture

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
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Exotic Wood, Ormolu and Marble Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, ormolu, marble and exotic wood cabinet. The cabinet is raised by elegant topie shaped feet with fine foliate ormolu bands. T...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Napoleon III Style Upholstered Armchairs, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Napoleon III style pair of light blue tartan upholstered easy arm chairs or "fauteuil crapaud" with buttoned spoon backrest. In good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Table Box Sterling Silver Striped Paillons in pure Gold and flowers Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, with “paillons” in pure gold on the upper circle, fine floral miniature fired enamelled by the painter Ren...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold

Pair of Processional Lanterns in Golden Woods
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
Large pair of processional lanterns from the mid-19th century in gilded wood, Napoleon III style. The capitals rest on beaded sticks joined on a tarred base. Small golden pompoms ado...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vases in Black Marble and Parts in Polished Brass Napoleon III France
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of vases in black marble and parts in polished brass Napoleon III France Base cm.12x12.
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century French Gilt Bronze Urn Form Compote Attributed to Barbedienne
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This finely detailed gilt bronze compote features a border of vintage motif including grapes and grape leaves. The compote is mounted on a verde antique marble base.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III Folding Armchairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A pair of 19th century folding armchairs in carved and blackened wood in the imitation of bamboo with gold palmettes decorations. Reupholstered in red velvet. Napoleon III period. La...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Velvet

19th Century French Mirror
Located in Godstone, GB
19th century French wall/mantel mirror, circa 1870. All in original condition with untouched gilding and beautiful gesso carved floral pattern all over the frame. Original mercury gl...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Era Pocket Watch Display Casket Box Hunt Theme Boar
Located in Miami, FL
Napoleon III Era Pocket Watch Display Casket, Box Hunt Theme Dogs, Boar, Hounds and Men riding Horses in Action. Jewelry Module, Box having a beveled Glass Display Lid with embossed edges. Art Nouveau Style Ring Container...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Side Table, France, 1860-1870
Located in Belmont, MA
Napoleon III side table, France, 1860-1870. This unusual Napoleon III side table has an exquisite kingwood veneer and marquetry. Parts of the outside are ebonized and the top has a c...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Kingwood

Napoleon III Style French Mirror with "Repoussé" Crafted Brass Inserts
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. Eleg...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Napoleon III Style Armchairs in Faded Green Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A classic pair of Napoleon III-style armchairs. Crafted in the late 19th century, these elegant chairs feature cabriole legs with added casters on the front legs to provide a beautif...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Upholstered French Napoleon III Bergères with Carved Dolphin circa 1870
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Napoleon III bergères in walnut with carved dolphins as armrests, turned and carved legs and upholstery on seat & scrolled back with finials along corners of frame. Newly u...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

French 19th Century Gilded Center Table with Marble Top
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very charming oval-shaped Napoleon III period gilt wood center table with marble top. This ornate table stands on four shapely cabriole legs linked by an X-shaped spacer and ending...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Napoleon III Jardiniere or Planter
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century Napoleon III bronze mounted marquetry jardiniere, or planter, with inlaid veneer of kingwood. Decorated with two hand-painted Se`vres porcelain medallions, one with a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Zinc

Bronze Statue, Young Boy Fishing
Located in Beaune, FR
Bronze with brown patina representing a young barefoot boy in the water engaged in fishing. Good condition, circa 1950.
Category

20th Century European Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th century, Napoleon III, Exotic wood coffee table with jasper marble top
Located in PALERMO, IT
French Napoleon III side table made of exotic fine wood with Sicilian Jasper marble top.The marble top is set between gilded bronze elements in a leaf motif. The undercounter band of...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Period Gueridon or Occasional Table
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very ornate Mid-19th century 'e´tage`re', or occasional table, featuring three circular tiers – each one encircled by an intricate gallery of openwork bronze. Each tier is beautifu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Enameled Porcelain, Gilt Bronze and Onyx Vases
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Enameled Porcelain, Gilt Bronze and Onyx Vases. Pair of vases in the Théodore Deck taste in enameled porcelain, original gilt bronze mounting, onyx plaque on the base, lat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Cup in Bohemian Overlay, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cup in Bohemian Overlay, Napoleon III period. Napoleon III period cup, 19th century in Bohemian Overlay, silver mounting. H: 30cm, D: 38cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Bronze Lamp from Vienna, Orientalist, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze lamp from Vienna, Orientalist, 19th century. Orientalist lamp by Bergman, 19th century, Vienna bronze. Dimensions: h: 34cm, w: 21cm, d: 14cm.
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Opaline Overlay Bottles, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Opaline Overlay bottles, Napoleon III period" Lovely pair of 19th century Napoleon III period flasks in Overlay opaline.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

Napoleon III Period Vanity Table or French Travailleuse
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty Napoleon III period three-tier 'travailleuse', or work table, fitted out for use as an elegant vanity unit. The top tray opens with a hinged lid to reveal a mirrored ba...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Enameled Silver Card Case, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Enameled Silver Card Case, Napoleon III period" Enameled silver card case, 19th century, Napoleon III period, with pencil.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silver

Antique French Neoclassical Black Lacquer Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden table made in France, circa 1900. This table is composed of four stacked shelves, supported by carved cylindrical legs which resemble Roman columns. An indication of its age...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Bronze Sculpture of an Injured Lioness, by Charles Valton, France
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Large bronze animal sculpture with brown patina representing an injured lioness. Exceptional quality, magnificent patina, in perfect condition. Signed "C.VALTON" on the terrace, stam...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Napoleon III Armchairs in Floral Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning pair of French Napoleon III armchairs, upholstered in lavish blue and gold velvet, intricately designed with enchanting floral and bird motifs. These exquisite chairs embo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of French Napoleon III Slipper Chairs in Light Blue Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A charming pair of French Napoleon III slipper chairs, adorned in an exquisite light blue velvet fabric that instantly captivates the eye. These delicate pieces boast a classic Frenc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III Opera Chairs in Ebonized Wood
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gorgeous pair of 19th century Napoleon III opera chairs in ebonised wood, each with a wonderfully ornate spindle back and a gilded decoration of flowers and foliage on the top rail...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Raffraichissoir Odiot in Silver, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Raffraichissoir Odiot in silver, Early 19th century" Odiot (1763-1850) silver raffraichissoir from the early 19th century, h: 7cm, l: 10cm, p: 6cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of 20th Century Painted Sheet Metal Pyramids
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of 20th century Painted Sheet Metal Pyramids" Important pair of painted sheet metal pyramids from the 20th century, highly decorated.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

Napoleon III Style Upholstered Spoonback Bergeres
Located in New York, NY
Napoleon III style upholstered skirted armchairs or bergeres, each with rounded back and sloping scrolled arms above a drop in seat cushion, with heavy tape and fringe to base, cover...
Category

Late 20th Century Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Chenille

Antique French Bronze and Marble Mantel Set Clock Cherub Putti Napoleon III
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III French clock named "The hour will ring" (visible inscription) signed by the sculptor Lorenzo Vergnano with stamp and number 553 on the back. It represents a building p...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Armchair Fauteuil Napoleon III Upholstery and Beech French 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of fauteuil armchair French Napoleon III, circa 1880 Antique, late 19th century, Sound and solid It can be recovered if you wish but the velvet is clean and in good conditio...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Napoleon III Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III inkwell gilt bronz and champleve enamel Origin France perfect condition circa 1860. The Napoleon III style had its heyday during the 1850s and 1880s. Emperor Napoleon wa...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Enamel

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, these chairs...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Napoleon III Fan in Mother-of-Pearl, Gold and Silver Leaf
Located in VERSAILLES, FR
Magnificent fan from the Napoleon III period. Note its very beautiful frame in white mother-of-pearl finely pierced, and applied with gold and silver leaf decorated with flowers and ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silver

1870 Napoleon III Pair of Hand-Carved Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres
Located in Catania, Sicilia
These Sicilian Torcheres combines the opulence of the Napoleon III era with the craftsmanship of Sicilian artisans. The gilt wood is in original good conditions, the backside is not ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Sicilian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

Pair Miniature Flower Vases, White Porcelain, Bronze, Napoleon III, 1890, France
Located in Wien, AT
Outstanding pair of porcelain vases, so-called miniature vases, made around 1880-1900, late napoleon III, country of origin: France. These nice objects are out of white porcelain wit...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Palisander Writing Box with Boulle Brass Inlaid, Napoleon III
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Boulle work is a type of rich marquetry process or inlay perfected by the French cabinetmaker André Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 – 28 February 1732). It involves veneering furniture with tortoiseshell...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

MAITLAND SMITH French Napoleon III Ebonized Reverse Painted Coffee Table
Located in Charlotte, NC
A French Napoleon III style oval coffee table by Maitland Smith. Solid wood painted an ebony color with gold painted trim, reverse painted top with inset glass cover, gold painted ga...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Oval Trinket Box by Limoges
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage tall oval trinket box by Limoges, France. Royally decorated with the "N" for Napoleon and his icon Napoleonic Bee on the lid and reverse. Porcelain & gilt brass. Painted by h...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

XIX Secolo, Napoleone III, Antica Credenza in Legno Intarsiata, Bronzo Dorato
Located in PALERMO, IT
Antica servante con sportelli a vetrina laterali, ralizzata in legno ebanizzato con tarsie in legno di frutto. Adornata con elementi in bronzo cesellato e dorato. Francia - Napole...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Jewelry Box in Cloisonné and Gilded Bronze and Micromosaic
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jewelry Box in Cloisonné and Gilded Bronze and Micromosaic. Box of the XIXth century in gilded and cloisonné bronze with upper decoration in micromosaic, signed Maison Guithon Bor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Water Service of the XIXth Century, Blue Opaline
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Water Service of the XIXth Century, Blue Opaline. Water service in blue opaline from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, set in perfect condition. Dimensions: h: 24cm, d:24cm.
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze and Marble Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a console or a mantel with this elegant pair of antique candlesticks. Crafted in France circa 1870, each candelabra stands on three scrolled feet over an integral tripod bas...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Paul Sormani - Table or Desk in Marquetry and Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III Period
Located in NONANCOURT, FR
Table or desk opening with a frieze drawer in rosewood and violet wood diamond marquetry. Ornamentation of finely chiseled bronzes. The four fluted legs are joined by a very beautifu...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Potpourri in Sèvres Porcelain and Gilt Bronze, Mounted Vase, Napoleon III Period
Located in NONANCOURT, FR
Potpourri in blue Sevres porcelain enhanced with gilding with a gilt bronze mount decorated with faces of women, fruits, linens and the base with goats' hooves. The removable lid is ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Clock with Chariot and Love Towed by a Dragon, Attributed to François Linke, Gil
Located in NONANCOURT, FR
Rare clock of rockery shape with love on a chariot pulled by a dragon. Work in gilded bronze and patinated bronze from the Napoleon III period. Model attributed to François Linke who...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Ewers in Gilt Bronze with Bunches of Vines, Grapes, Napoleon III Period
Located in NONANCOURT, FR
Pair of large ewers or hanap in gilded and chiseled bronze decorated with vines and grapes at the handles and the base. The pansies are decorated with scenes in low relief with putti...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Napoleon III Armchairs in Pink Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
A wonderfully proportioned pair of French 19th century Napoleon III armchairs, exuding timeless elegance and sophistication. These stunning chairs are upholstered in vintage pink vel...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Louis XVI Style Panelling with Louis XVI Period Mantel and Trumeau
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare Napoleon III style paneled room in blackened wood (stained beech) with its fireplace in stucco in imitation of porphyry. The fireplace, which is the centerpiece of this paneled...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large and Important Pair of Sèvres Porcelain Vases
Located in Alba, IT
Period: Second half of the 19th century. Large and important pair of Sèvres Porcelain vases. Large and important pair of mounted Sèvres Porcelain vases with rich gilt bronze decora...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

"Bacchante and Bacchant", Exceptional Pair of Terracotta Statues, circa 1880
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These exceptional terracotta statues, made to slightly overlook the spectator, are typical of the Napoleon III style . They evoke the festive spirit of the Second Empire, which saw t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Napoleon III Champleve Lamps
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A pair of Napoleon III champleve lamps Champleve enamel and ronce bedside lamps electrified 220 w 19th century, circa 1870 origin France. The Napoleon I...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Enamel

French Napoleon III Period 19th Century Leather Sewing Kit with Bronze Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
French 1850s Napoléon III period leather case sewing kit with bronze hardware and blue velvet interior. Take a step back into the lavish world of the mid-19th century with this Frenc...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Baccarat. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $3,601.

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