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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
Early 20th century French Wood and Brass Musical Cigar Boxe, 1920s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Magnificent Napoleon III style musical cigar humidor dating from the beginning of the 20th century in lacquered wood and garland of brass beads. A lyre adorns each door. By turning t...
Category

1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III style Fleur de Pêcher marble mantel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Napoleon III style Fleur de pêcher marble mantel. Fleur de Pêcher marble is a historic marble, used a lot during the 19th century to make exceptional works of art. For example the ex...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

A Very Fine Antique Ebonized Wood & Ormolu Mounted Pietra Dura Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A VERY FINE ANTIQUE EBONIZED WOOD & ORMOLU MOUNTED PIETRA-DURA CABINET France, Late 19th Century Height: 53" (134.6 cm) Width: 42" (106.6 cm) Depth: 18" (45.7 cm)
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Stone

2 Original Napoleon III Low Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III low chairs, France, 1850s. price is for 1 2 are available
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Alligator

Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Crystal Centerpiece, Circa 1885.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Napoleon III ormolu mounted crystal centerpiece, circa 1885. Lovely etching.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, 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 Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

A 19th century bronze study of the French poet Joachim de Bellay by L Adolphe
Located in Central England, GB
A large 19th century bronze study of the sixteenth century French poet Joachim de Bellay by the sculptor Leofanti Adolphe. This stunning large bronze study ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

CARRIER-BELLEUSE and CHOISY LE ROI Manufacture, "Sauve qui peut" Vase
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Glazed red and white faience. Another example, presented at the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, in 1898, and numbered 4060, was shown with three other vases: Hercules ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Napoleon III Gutta Percha Desk Accessory Pen Holder, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This superb Napoleon III Gutta Percha pen holder was handcrafted in France, circa 1880. The antique desk accessory is exquisitely crafted with different molded designs on each side a...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Resin

Blue and Yellow Neapolitan Equestrian Tile
Located in New York, NY
Blue and yellow Neapolitan equestrian tile. Large equestrian-themed floor tile of bold blue and yellow design featuring mounted huntsmen, of Italian and Arabic riders with hunting ac...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

French Early 20th Century Louis XV Style 'Cupids' Fireback / Backsplash.
Located in Soest, NL
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III style fireback with two cupids. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black / pewter. ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Double-Faced Clock. French, c 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare Napoléon III gilt bronze double-faced clock. The white enameled dial signed 'Julien Le Roy A PARIS'. This rare Rococo style figural clock h...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Napolean III gilt bronze mounted burlwood caddy of exceptional quality, having inlaid top with engraved brass monogram and heavily molded body, the interior with gilt-bead trimmed ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Ormolu and Porcelain Mantel Clock by Wilson & Gander, London
By Wilson & Gandar
Located in Norwich, GB
French gilded ormolu mantel clock with blue hand painted floral porcelain panels (the panels all separately signed ‘Creilliet Montereai, Medaillon D’or, ...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Late 19th Century Bronze Group, Cupids Playing Music
Located in Paris, FR
Patinated bronze allegorical group featuring three putti on a cliff strewed with wheat. Two of them are playing the drum and the bagpipe whereas the third one is dancing. He is weari...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Agate Glass Tazza, French, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoleon III gilt bronze and agate glass tazza. French, circa 1870.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Griotte marble and gilt and patinated bronze clock garniture by Graux
Located in London, GB
Griotte marble and gilt and patinated bronze clock garniture by Graux French, c. 1870 Clock: Height 80cm, width 40cm, depth 33cm Candelabra: Height 82cm, width 40cm, depth 40cmvarious This fine three-piece set includes a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra. The pieces are crafted from bronze—both gilt and patinated—and rich griotte marble. The clock features a griotte marble truncated column shaped base, which is adorned with gilt bronze mounts, such as a low relief plaque and beading. The front of the case is inset with a dial within a gilt bronze bezel and beneath glass. Strikingly, the clock case is surmounted by a large and impressive patinated bronze sculptural group after an original by Clodion, which depicts two nymphs carousing with musical instruments and bunches of grapes. The candelabra are similarly decorated, each with a conforming marble base. The stem of each candelabrum is modelled as two patinated bronze figures holding aloft the candelabrum head, which issues seven gilt bronze branches: six scrolling branches and one central one. The clock dial is signed 'Jules Graux...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

A Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Vases.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain vases. A pair of 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain vases with gilt bronze and cloisonné mounts. H: 30.5cm...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French "Chinoiserie" Porcelain Vases
By Jacob Petite
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of French campana shaped urns with chinoiserie painted and gilded figurative and floral decoration, that was very popular in the mid-19th ce...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Four Baccarat Chrysoprase 'Uranium' Covered Cups on stands
Located in Montreal, QC
A set of four French Baccarat chrysoprase (uranium) green opaline art glass covered cups, each with matching stands. The beautiful green body of t...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Glass

French Antique Table Electrified Kerosene Lamp Glass & Bronze, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique kerosene lamp later converted to electricity. Napoléon III period, bronze and glass As the kerosene tank was of glass, this lamp has bee...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III 'Justice' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period Justice fireback. The personification of Justice balancing the scales of truth and fairness dates back to the Goddess Maat, and later Isis, of...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Brown Patina Bronze Sculptures by Eugène Antoine Aizelin, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Brown patina bronze sculptures by Eugène Antoine Aizelin, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Sculptures from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, bronze with brown patina by Eugèn...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Brocatelle Marble Column
Located in Lisbon, PT
A brocatelle Jaune marble, set on a square and terraced base with gilted bronze details in Napoleon III style and period, circa 1870 Take into account that the colors on the items m...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

19th Century 'Dated 1813' French Black Napoleon Marble Fireplace
Located in Southall, GB
A 19th century (dated 1813) French black Napoleon marble fireplace with panelled freeze and corner blocks on scrolled legs with acanthus leaf term...
Category

1910s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

charming large shelf in lacquered wood, and inlaid with different flowers
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
charming large shelf in lacquered wood, and inlaid with different flowers small old restorations Dutch work from the 19th century
Category

Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Beech, Cherry

19th Century Blue Opaline Perfume Bottle with Enamel Decoration
Located in Paris, FR
Mid-19th century blue, opaline crystal set composed of a small flask, its stopper and a small, flower-shaped cup. The perfume bottle and flask are decorated with enameled and silver ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

Return from the Hunt Fireback, France, Napoleon III Style, 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
20th century Napoleon III style fireback with a scene of a hunt returning. The fireback has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter color with stove polis...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century, Large French Trivet
Located in Soest, NL
Large 19th century, French Napoleon III period trivet. For heating up a pan or to keep it warm in and in front of the fire. Still in a good working condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Magnificent Palatial Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Glass Chandelier
Located in London, by appointment only
A magnificent late 19th century Napoleon III gilt bronze and glass 30-light chandelier of palatial proportions. France, circa 1870 Measures: Drop 210cm Diameter 185cm.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III French Sideboard Inlaid with Geometric Floral Motifs, 1850
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant sideboard finely inlaid with floral and geometric motifs. It has three drawers and two doors with panels inlaid in various essences with geometric patterns. Enriched with cap...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Figural French Andirons for Fireplace.
Located in Houston, TX
Assorted pairs of figural iron fireplace andirons from France, circa 1800s. Price is for one pair of your choice. Measurement listed is for the pair in image 1. Pair in image 2 measu...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Last 19th Century Italian Corner Étagère Turned Walnut Ebonized wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Last 19th century Italian corner étagère turned walnut ebonized, wax polished Measure cm: H 94 W47 D 30 (Ang 33 x 33).
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Walnut

EXCEPTIONAL FINE FRENCH SÈRVERS ANTIQUE PORCELAIN ORMOLU VASE, 19th CENTURY
Located in Rostock, MV
An impressive 19th century French 'Sevres' ormolu mounted painted porcelain vase. light-blue baluster form with centered with hand painted scene depicting woman, a young man and 2 a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Centerpiece in silvered bronze said "the forest" by c. Christofle xixth
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Centerpièce silvered bronze table consisting of an oval tray with a mirror base mounted on an oak floor and set with a silver molded bronz...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century French Aubusson Rug, Napoleon III
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French Aubusson rug, 19th century Napoleon III Characteristic French Aubusson rug of the late Baroque style. Distinguished by an ivory background, a floral medallion, defined by sinuous Rococo scrolls with elegant ornamentation of flowers, floats majestically on this classical French Aubusson. handwoven by great tapestry artists...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wool

Silver-plated Metal Tray, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Oval shaped silver-plated metal tray, on feet and with handles, with floral decoration. Traces of use and light knocks. 20th century. 76 x 52cm.
Category

20th Century European Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Napoleon III Style 'Return from the Hunt' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III style fireback with a scene of a hunt returning. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good cond...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Napoleon III fireplace in Belgian black marble and antique green, circa 1880
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Napoleon III fireplace in Belgian black marble and antique green, circa 1880 Dimensions of the fireplace: 107 x 82 cm
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Royal Tapestry Rug, Carpet Baroque Scene, circa 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive tapestry rug with a beautiful baroque love scene on the lake. Quality handwork. (Y-116).
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Pair of Vases Champleve, Enameled Crystal and Bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare pair of crystal,onyx and champleve bronze vase by the size Onyx base surmounted by three cupids holding an openwork cup in en...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

A mid nineteenth century French ormolu casket
Located in London, GB
A mid nineteenth century French ormolu casket with a central Sèvres porcelain cartouche painted in the eighteenth century style. The gilded ormolu is elaborately carved with feathe...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Exquisite French Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Parquetry Marble-Top Commode C. 1870
Located in Queens, NY
An exquisite French Ormolu-mounted mahogany parquetry marble-top commode C. 1870. A very nice quality commode with french bronze mounts, and exquisite quality parquetry throughout...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of Napoleon III Satinwood Side Tables or Bedside Tables
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Napoleon III satinwood side tables or bedside tables, each of rectangular form with a marble top (repaired) surrounded by a brass pierced gallery, all above a single frieze...
Category

1860s Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

Pair of Ormolu Candlesticks with Palmettes and Flowers
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of candlesticks in gilded and sculpted bronze. The stem is adorned with a frieze of Greek waves that separate the upper, polished part from the lower part that is richly decorat...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Napoleon III Cabinet
Located in Vilnius, LT
French antique Napoleon III cabinet. Wood is black color polished surface, decorated with inlaid brass decor and bronze details ourside. Inside the cabinet there are two shelves. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Brass

Hand colored etching : view of Paris, St Paul church - Napoléon III period 1860
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine hand-colored etching showing St Paul Church in Paris (Le Marais, beginning rue de Rivoli, ending rue Saint Antoine) in 1860 : a picturesque and charming depiction of mid-19th ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of Napoleon Cast Iron Urns
Located in Washington, DC
A pair of Napoleon cast iron urns.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Fireplace Screen
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireplace screen. Napoleon III Period. The screen has some minor perfections but is still in good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Circa 1870 Old Paris French Porcelain Cache Pot With Drip Pan Base
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870 Old Paris porcelain cache pot with drip pan base, French. Charming Napoleon III period piece decorated with Italianate landscape s...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Screen, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III 3-panel fireplace screen. The screen is made of brass, iron and iron mesh. It is in a good condition and is fit for use in front of the fireplace.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Brass

19th Century French Marquetry Dresser Transition, Napoleon III, circa 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
French marquetry dresser Transition, Napoleon III, circa 1870 Marquetry: wood on solid oak body. Marbled and profiled marble top. Fire-gilt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique French Napoleon III Inlaid Card Table
Located in Seaford, GB
Antique French Napoleon III Inlaid Card Table 📜 Provenance – Napoleon III Period Inlaid Card Table, France, circa 1860 Sourced from a private collection in Lyon, this exceptional F...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut

Hand colored etching : view of Paris, St Jacques Tower - Napoléon III period
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine hand-colored etching showing Saint Jacques Tower (La Tour Saint Jacques in Paris) - Paris, in 1860 : a picturesque and charming depiction of mid-19th century with a lot of cha...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

French Napoleon III 'Fruit Bowl' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter color. The fireback is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Odiot - 17pc Napoleon III Gold Plated Sterling Silver (Vermeil) Decanter Set
Located in Wilmington, DE
Direct from a Private Chateau in the South of France, A Magnificent 17pc. 19th Century Gold Plated 950 Sterling Silver (Vermeil) Napoleon III Liqueur Serving Set by the World's Premi...
Category

1890s European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver

Hand colored etching : view of Paris, ND de Lorette inside - Napoléon III period
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine hand-colored etching showing church Notre Dame de Lorette inside in 1860 : a picturesque depiction of this church in the mid-19th century, with many characters. It also shows ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Hand colored etching : view of Paris, place Vendôme - Napoléon III period - 1860
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine hand-colored etching showing place Vendôme in Paris in 1860 : a picturesque and charming depiction of mid-19th century upper class life there, with a lot of characters, stores...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of French Napoleon Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a pair of six candle bronze candelabras with hand-carved hanging crystals that originate around the 19th century and are part of the Napoleon III style. Also ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century, Napoleon III Style Bronze Pendulum Chimney Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
Great empire pendulum / chimney clock, circa 1830-1840 bronze. Bronze, fire-gilt partially dark brown patinated. Staggered rectangular base on elaborat...
Category

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, 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.

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