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.

Style: Napoleon III

Creator: Vincenti et Cie

Napolean iii French White Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock

By Vincenti et Cie

Located in Norwich, GB

Stunning Napolean III French Ormolu and white marble clock with gilded Baccanalian frieze decoration to the base and seated a classical lady standing on six gilded button feet. Enam...

Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Napolean iii French White Marble and Ormolu Mantel Clock

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Sevres Porcelain and Ormolu Antique French Clock

H 10.25 in W 8.75 in D 4.5 in

Antique French Napoleon III French Rouge Marble & Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock 20"

Located in Dayton, OH

An antique 19th Century mantel Clock. Made from Rouge marble with bronze ormolu. Ornately designed with gold filigree face, a stepped base, footed over downswept legs. Features ornat...

Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Napoleon III French Rouge Marble & Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock 20"

H 20 in W 12.5 in D 5.5 in

Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Clock - Cherubs

By Vincenti et Cie

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

A beautiful original antique French clock modelled in the Louis XVI style as two charming cherubs carrying the clock on laurel wreaths. The pendulum with applied musical motifs, swin...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Clock - Cherubs

H 10.5 in W 8.5 in D 5.25 in

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 French Bronze and Marble Mantel Set Clock Cherub Putti Napoleon III

H 26.78 in W 11.82 in D 9.06 in

19th century French ormolu and marble figural mantel clock

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century ormolu and marble figural mantel clock circa 1870. Parisian made mantel clock with 'foy a paris' marked on the white enamel clock face. Military themed clock with figu...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th century French ormolu and marble figural mantel clock

H 18 in W 12.25 in D 6 in

French Ormolu Marble Mantel Clock, 19th Century

Located in Cypress, CA

Spectacular and unique French Napoleon III ormolu mounted white marble mantel clock, 19th century. The clock is surmounted by a gilt bronze pineapple finial with ribbons over a porcelain clock face with Roman Numerals enclosed into an ormolu egg...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Ormolu Marble Mantel Clock, 19th Century

H 22 in W 15 in D 8 in

Antique French Bronze and Marble Mantel Set Clock Cherub Putti Napoleon III

Located in Labrit, Landes

Napoleon III French gilded bronze mantel clock with putti cherub on the top of the clock late 19th century circa 1890. Set of a clock and two amphora...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Bronze and Marble Mantel Set Clock Cherub Putti Napoleon III

H 15.95 in W 8.86 in D 5.12 in

French Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in London, by appointment only

France, circa 1880. A fine French, gilt bronze ormolu mantel clock with its porcelain face, the case with elaborate garland decorations culminating in a volute krater of flowers abo...

Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Ormolu Mantel Clock

H 23.63 in W 13.39 in D 7.09 in

Antique French Bronze & Marble Three-Piece Mantel Set Clock Napoleon III

Located in Labrit, Landes

Napoleon III French two marbles mantel clock late 19th century circa 1890. Set of a clock and two pedestals. Mercury pendulum The French movement of the clock will be checked befor...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique French Bronze & Marble Three-Piece Mantel Set Clock Napoleon III

H 18.51 in W 5.91 in D 14.97 in

Fine Sevres and Ormolu Mantel Clock

Located in London, by appointment only

France, circa 1870. A fine late 19th century ormolu and porcelain mounted mantel clock, the painted dial above a courting couple scene, the whole mounted with a Krater vase and ra...

Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Fine Sevres and Ormolu Mantel Clock

H 21.26 in W 12.6 in D 6.3 in

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock

Located in London, GB

This neoclassical style French mantel clock is crafted from patinated and gilt bronze in addition to flecked black and grey marble. The clock body is formed from a lopsidedly mounted...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock

H 15.75 in W 10.63 in D 9.85 in

Antique French Napoleon III chariot clock in ormolu & Verde Antico marble

Located in London, GB

A French ormolu and verde antico marble striking chariot clock, Circa mid 19th century. The Clock is all original and still has it's important original ...

Category

1850s European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Napoleon III chariot clock in ormolu & Verde Antico marble

H 15 in W 17.8 in D 5 in

Previously Available Items

French Neo-Grec Antique Bronze Mantel Clock by Vincenti et Cie, circa 1870

By Vincenti et Cie

Located in Shippensburg, PA

A beautifully cast, chiseled and chased Napoleon III period mantel clock executed in the Neo-Grec taste, the case is surmounted by an urn with exquisitely detailed relief Bacchanalia...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Neo-Grec Antique Bronze Mantel Clock by Vincenti et Cie, circa 1870

H 13.38 in W 8.5 in D 5.5 in

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, Baccarat, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, and Ferdinand Barbedienne. 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 $3,313.