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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 Napoleonic Revival Gilt Bronze Armorial Dolphin Finial on Marble Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sculptural bronze and marble object of symbolic and decorative intent, this French piece from the late 19th century is cast in the Napoleonic Revival style and takes the form of a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

A Napoleon III pentagonal ormolu hanging lantern
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Napoleon III pentagonal ormolu hanging lantern, the five shaped glass plates set within ornate frames comprising swags, urns and acanthus leaves, retaining traces of the original g...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Napoleon III Originale Bergere, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III faux bamboo chair, France, 1850s.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

A Rare Pair of French Ormolu-Mounted Blue John Vases Candlesticks, C. 1870
Located in Queens, NY
A Rare Pair of French Ormolu-Mounted Blue John Vases / Candlesticks, C. 1870, In the stye of Matthew Boulton. These rare and extremely elegant garnitu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Napoleon III Spring Driven Roasting Jack
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Functional and beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III roasting jack made of cast iron, wrought iron, brass and copper. It is used for cooking in a kitchen fireplace. The set cons...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron, Wrought Iron

Napoleon III Mirrored Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This impressive cabinet has it original etched mirrored doors and gilded carved wood accents. It is in great condition and will create a real statement. The cabinet has an ebony fini...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Cupid and Psyche, an Auguste Moreau (1834-1917) bronze group Gueridon, 1884
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cupid and Psyche A patinated bronze group by Auguste Moreau, originaly and initialy mounted in gueridon, then adapted to be a table later, the model was made in the XIXth Century, a...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Granite, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Napoleon III 'Rural Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback with a rural scene. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown pati...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Louis XV Style Porcelain Openwork Fruit Basket, 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant old Paris porcelain reticulated compote, or fruit basket, crafted in the Louis XV style, and raised on an ornately decorated pedestal and square base. This oval basket, wi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Stylish French, Napoleon III Fine Ladies Writing Desk with Wine / Bacchus Theme
Located in Lisse, NL
Fine quality and great design Napoleon III desk with large drawer and bronze angels. This wonderful antique ladies desk also is highly practical...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Gilt-Bronze Clock with Enamel Numerals Attributed to Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
Gilt-bronze clock with enamel numerals attributed to Henri Picard French, circa 1860 Measures: Height 73cm, width 45cm, depth 23cm The elaborate case of this beautiful mantel clock has a large central circular dial with enamel Roman numerals for the hours and engraved on the edge with Arabic numbers for the minutes. The surmount is a gilt bronze group of Father Time, depicted as an elderly male figure seated on a circular globe. The quality throughout is exceptional, demonstrating the very best of 19th century craftsmanship. This clock is after a design by André-Charles Boulle (French, 1642-1732) and similar to examples of equally fine quality and casting known to have been made by 19th Century bronzier Henri Picard (French, fl. 1831-1864), therefore we can attribute the case to Picard. The movement is stamped for Parisian clock...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

BALLEROY & Co., Joseph Albert PONSIN, Pair of Plates Adorned with Portraits
By Balleroy Freres
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This Pair of Ornamental Porcelain Dishes Was Crafted by the Company Balleroy & Cie in Limoges and Decorated by Joseph Albert Ponsin, Likely in 1876 Both dishes bear the mark of the ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Marble and Bronze Selette Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique "Selette" was crafted in France, circa 1860. Carved of variegated beige marble with orange veins, the tall pedestal sits on a thick square plinth embellished wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Maison Boudet - Important Pair Of XIXth Vermeil Salerons
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Exceptional pair of vermeil salerons represented by a newt blowing in a conch, in the middle of two large shells placed on an oval base with leafy outlines. Here the marine theme is...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Baccarat Tray With A Star Shape Cut Crystal And Silver Strapping XIXth Century
Located in Crespières, FR
An elegant French XIXth century Baccarat crystal tray with depth and round shapes, mounted with a silver strapping. This rare Baccarat tray displays a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Stunning Baccarat, Fire-Gilded Bronze Putto Candlestick, Napoleon III
Located in Rijssen, NL
Baccarat bronze chandelier bronze, fire-gilded, partially polished. Elaborately cut crystal glass. Two-armed shape, shaft as a standing putto on a glass base and plinth, this held w...
Category

Early 20th Century European Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of French Napoléon III Mirror
Located in palm beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III period oval mirror in black painted wood and inlaid with gilt bronze decoration, the mirror is beveled.
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Table Lamp in Blue Opaline Glass, Napoleon III Style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative French table lamp crafted in vibrant blue opaline glass with elegant brass mountings. The lamp features a brass stem with detailing at the base and was originally designed...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Cut Crystal Bowl on a Gilt Bronze Pedestal with Putti Motifs
Located in NICE, FR
We present this cut crystal bowl, elegantly poised on a gilt bronze pedestal adorned with a charming, seated putto, serving as a stem and holding the bowl on top his head. The base f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

19th Century Mahogany Curtain-Buffet with a Marble Top
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this very unique buffet, crafted from Cuban mahogany in the style of Louis XV during the Napoleon III era. Standing at the perfect height for various uses, it has two ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Giltwood Parclose Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
France, Mid 19th Century An exceptionally fine Napoleon III parclose Mirror, with its original bevelled mercury glass mirror plate. The design is extremely decorative, its crest fea...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

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

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Side Table, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French side table from the mid-20th century. Nicely inlaid furniture with floral and geometric motifs in walnut, rosewood, maple and fruitwood. Side table with a drawer of good capac...
Category

1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Style Napoleon III Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unsual french settee, the settee is heavily tufted and trimmed with matching tassels and contrasting fringe, very good condition, sold as is.
Category

1960s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Creil and Montereau plates circa 1880 Signed France Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This plates demonstrates the attractiveness of French ceramists from the second half of the 19th century aesthetics and Far Eastern culture. Fascinated by its colors, shapes, artists...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Pair of Porcelain Vases
Located in Paris, FR
Large pair of vases with green background called «green garden» in porcelain resting on a base with gold flutings. The shape of the vase is architectured with handles decorated with stylized leafy garlands, ribbons and cords in white porcelain. The body of each vase contains a cartel with a pastoral scene, one of which represents a couple of young shepherds according to Jean-François Boucher...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Napoleon III Decorative Wall Mirror With Intricate Floral & Scroll Motifs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Napoleon III Decorative Wall Mirror With Floral and Scroll Motifs With Original Patinated Bevelled Mirror Glass Central mirror height is 27cm This is a beautiful example of a 1...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror

19th Pair of Large Bronze Candlesticks by Jules Moigniez
Located in Marseille, FR
Pair of large bronze candlesticks decorated with animals and waders by Jules Moigniez patina remake of the late 19th century.
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Cast Iron Andirons / Firedogs with Sphinx
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Pair of antique cast iron andirons / firedogs with sphinx. The pair is in really nice condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French 'Swan' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French fireback with a swan. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black /pewter color. The condition is good, and it does not have cracks.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

A pair of small Napoleon III kingwood display cabinets on stands
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of small Napoleon III kingwood display cabinets on stands, each of rectangular form with a single glazed cupboard set on a base with two disguised frieze drawers flanking a la...
Category

1870s Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Kingwood

Commode Style Boulle of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period
Located in Warsaw, PL
This elegant commode is a fine example of 19th-century French craftsmanship, executed in the style of André-Charles Boulle, the renowned 17th-century cabinetmaker. The commode featur...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Trade Scale Brass and Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France; It was a scale used by traders for retail Brass and Cast-Iron Patina and signs of use which ma...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Brass

Rare Pair of French Napoleon III Champlevé Enamel Trays, Rococo Revival, c. 1870
Located in London, GB
A fantastic pair of French Napoleon III champlevé trays circa 1870. Champlevé is a decorative enameling technique that involves carving, casting, etching recesses into a metal object...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Porcelain and Bronze Jardinieres
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (19th century) French Napoleon III period jardinieres on stands, crafted with mahogany and tulipwood veneers, mounted with finely cast and gilt bronze mounts includin...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Napoleon III Period Blow Poker, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century, French Napoleon III Period blow poker. The blow poke is made of wrought iron. It is in a good working condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Bronze Mounted and Inlaid Napoleon III Cabinet/Sideboard
Located in Vilnius, LT
French antique Napoleon III cabinet. Wood is black color polished surface, decorated with inlaid brass stripes, bronze details outside and natural stone lapis lazuli/ lazurite. Insid...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Napoleon III, Style Boulle Cabinet circa 1890 with Marquetry, Inlay
Located in Houston, TX
Boulle marquetry inlay is very well done with excellent construction. The cabinet opens with two doors opening to one shelf inside. The decoration is comprised of tortoise and bras...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Inlay Napoleon III Period Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and hardstone inlay Napoleon III period clock set by Barbedienne French, 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 50cm, width 23cm, depth 16c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Stone, Ormolu, Bronze

2 Original Napoleon III Ebonised Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonised chairs, France, 1850s wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Stately Gilded Parlor Wall Mirror, Napoleon III
Located in Berlin, DE
Stately gilded parlor wall mirror, Napoleon III Magnificent and richly ornate wall mirror. with a high and pronounced crown. Extremely finely craf...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

19th Century Napoleon III Ladies Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
shaded precious wood, veneered. Extremely fine, floral, bronze fittings. On slanting, curved legs, on all sides with perforated corner fittings. On the other hand, a fully curved, si...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Napoleon III Cast Iron Andirons / Firedogs
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Pair of antique Napoleon III cast iron Andirons / Firedogs. The pair is in good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Painting “Landscape with Trees and Field”, A. Pick, 1881, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
A beautiful countryside landscape, oil on canvas, depicting trees, a path, and a golden field under a bright sky. Signed and dated in the lower right corner. Framed and in good condi...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Unusual Pair of 19th Century French Candelabras
Located in London, GB
A very large pair of bronze and gilt candelabra in the shape of Grecian water carriers. The figures rest on a tripod shaped base, of which t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century Crystal and Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in Paris, FR
Red and transparent crystal centerpiece composed of a flared vase and cup. They are engraved with leafy rinceau, grape vines, and scrolling foliage. Gilt bronze mounts are decorated ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Napoléon III Porcelain de Paris Plates with Floral Décor, Sold Separately
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Napoléon III period Porcelaine de Paris plates from the late 19th century, with floral décor. The plates are sold individually $145 each, the large platter is priced $225. Cre...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Sevres Porcelain Plates of Napoleon III and Eugenie
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Sevres Porcelain Plates of Napoleon III and Eugenie" Pair of plates representing Napoleon III and Eugenie in Sèvres Porcelain, 19th ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Small Bench Napoleon III Period, Being Restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small bench Napoleon III period, being restored, upholstery and under fabric (a little dirty) changed.
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique French Napoleon III Giltwood Beveled Parcloses Mirror 50"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Napoleon III beveled gold gilt mirror featuring an ornate carved heraldic crest with sunburst bust cameo / medallion flanked by acanthus leaves, flags, a banner with f...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Large 19th Century Berlin Rectangular KPM Porcelain Painted Framed Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large 19th century Berlin Rectangular K.P.M porcelain painted framed plaque Germany, circa 1880 Very well painted depicting a women draped in linens with two angels above h...
Category

1880s German Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Boulle Barometer & Thermometer Gervais Durand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Pair of fine Antique Gilt Bronze Mounted Tortoiseshell Inlaid Ebonized Boulle Marquetry Instruments by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugene Durand. Originals featuring exquisite bronz...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

“Boulle” Marquetry Sideboard, Napoleon III period – Mid-19th century
Located in HÉRIC, FR
Elegant Napoleon III period entry-level piece of furniture featuring magnificent "Boulle" marquetry, named after Charles-André Boulle, master cabinetmaker to King Louis XIV, who made...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

French Silver Mounted Mother of Pearl Engraved Box, circa 1800
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and fine antique French silver mounted mother of pearl box and with an exquisitely carved ducal with a maiden holding a coronet, elaborate monogram and a rod of Caduce...
Category

1790s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

19th Century Napoleon III Period 'Viticulture' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period 'Viticulture' fireback/back splash symbolizing the winemaking. The fireback has a black/pewter patina. The condition of the fireback is good ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pitcher and Its Opaline Basin on a Gilt Bronze Base, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Large pitcher in pink opaline and its basin, with white and gold enamelled decoration of palmettes, small pearls and floral motifs. Large gold bands u...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze Clock and Barometer, Attributed to Raingo Frères
Located in London, GB
This stunning gilt bronze clock and barometer pair was created in circa 1860 in France. The two have been attributed to Raingo Frères, the prestigious, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback, Napoleon III period, with two women. The fireback has a black patina. It is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

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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