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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
19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, Victorian Period
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fire fender made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Goldsmith: j.b. Francois - important 19th century solid silver planter
By Francois-Jacques Boeri
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oblong silver planter, resting on four claw feet in foliate crosier. The body is decorated with repoussé with a frieze of grooves. On the long sides is a rocaille cartouche surmounte...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Paintings, Painting on Porcelain, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of paintings, painting on porcelain, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Pair of paintings, 19th century, Napoleon III period, painting on porcelain, gilt stucco frame. Frame: H...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Stucco

French Napoleon III Period 'Lady' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with a lady. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The fir...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19thc French NapoleonIII Purple/ Clear Crystal Floral Form Chandelier style Bacc
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1850's French Antique Napoleon III Purple and Clear Rop Twist / Floral Decor Chandelier. This piece has been restored and the enamel flower work is hand painted. There are 3 purple ...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat crystal cup, royal crown engraved and gilt, original paper sticker
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Baccarat crystal cup, scarce version enhanced with fine gold on the edges, an engraved and gilt crown of king on the side. Antique cup not signed (before 1936), but the original pape...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Twelve-Light Chandelier with dragons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large late 19th century French Belle époque neoclassical revival style gilt bronze and crystal twelve-light oval shaped chandelier with drago...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Napoleon III Ebonised Torchère With WaterLily by Alphonse Giroux of Paris Signed
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Napoleon III Furniture Maker Alphonse Giroux of Paris, ebonised and gilt overlay pedestal table, the under-tier fitted with a waterlily with further beaded scroll decoration, Alphon...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Napoleon III Patinated Bronze & Marble Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Napoleon III Gilt and Patinated Bronze and White Marble Clock, circa 1870, of rounded rectangular form, the circular white enamel dial signed "Gros A Lyon", the movement strike on be...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Napoleon III Spelter Candlestick, late 19th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique French Napoleon III period candlestick made of bronzed spelter, late 19th Century. This antique candleholder features a design draped with chains and is supported by a three-...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Spelter

Antique French Napoleon III 'd'Artagnan' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireback with d'Artagnan. The best known hero of the Three Musketeers. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. The fireback is made...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

A Pair of Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Pedestals
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Pedestals. Each modelled with three upright supports of angels and joined by spheres with seated cherubs holding a castle and a mirror. The tripa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Candelabra Lamp
Located in NYC, NY
A bronze and gilded bronze five-light candelabra, in the Napoleonic Empire style with two-bulb cluster. A Classic lamp with good patina and scale. Ex. Christies Auction...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Vienna Porcelain Plaque in its Walnut Frame, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vienna porcelain plaque in its walnut frame, 19th century. 19th century Vienna porcelain plaque, Napoleon III period, in its walnut frame. Frame: H: 48cm, W: 48cm, D: 4cm Plaque: D:...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Walnut

Napoleon III Chinoiserie Cabinet, France, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Charming Napoleon III cabinet, lacquered black with Chinoiserie decor, and a red marble top.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

c1900French Napoleon III Crystal Shade and Crystal Base Noth signed by Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Napoleon III Crystal Candle Lamp Base & Shade Both Signed by Baccarat. In very good clean condition.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs, Early 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
Early 20th century French Napoleon III Style fireplace andirons or fire dogs, made of wrought iron. The andirons are in good condition and are fully functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III 'Mercury and Ceres' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French fireback. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. Mercury and Ceres celebrate the victory; in cooperation the god of commerce and go...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Style Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
20th-century French Napoleon III Style fire grate. Made of cast iron andirons and a recently forged grate. The condition is good. The width at the front is 68.5 cm / 27.0 inches.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, Napoleon III Period
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fire fender made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Soest, NL
19th Century French Napoleon III Period andirons made of wrought iron and brass. The andirons are in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Restoration Period Gilt-Bronze Allegorical Groups. French, circa 1830
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An exceptional pair of restoration period gilt-bronze allegorical groups depicting music and wine. Each group is set on a naturalistically modelled base and finely modelled and ch...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Sèvres Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase with Marine Subject
Located in London, GB
This beautiful vase was created in France, in the period when Napoleon III was Emperor (1852-1870). It is designed in the style of Sèvres Manufactory porcelain. Sèvres goods are often beautifully hand painted with pastoral and mythological scenes, and marine subjects. These tended to be set within finely parcel gilt and jewelled frames, offset against turquoise ‘bleu celeste’ or navy 'bleu Sèvres' grounds. The porcelain vase is of classical Amphora form, with a slender elongated neck, a large ovoid body with a slightly waisted base, and a splayed foot. The vase is topped by a porcelain crown, which is navy coloured and decorated with gilding, porcelain ‘jewels’ and a gilt bronze (ormolu) pinecone finial. The navy vase...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Napoleon III Period 'Man and Woman' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
19th century fireback. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III Period. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewte...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III 'Rural Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with a rural scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. Th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Charming Napoleon III Period Chair, in Blackened Pear and Velvet
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Charming Napoleon III period chair, in blackened pear and velvet. Good general condition, including velvet and padding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Pearwood

Exceptional Napoleon III period mantel in veined Carrara marble
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Exceptional Napoleon III period mantel in veined Carrara marble, adorned with a rich décor of palmettes and arabesques. This fireplace is sold with a modern cast iron insert adapted...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Bronze Gilded Suspension with Glass Gemstones, Napoleon III Period
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This gilt bronze chandelier has eight branches which take the form of glassware and candles and surround a semi spherical decorated with glass gemstones. Result of a very careful wor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Bronze

Pair of Italian 19th Century Napoleon III Period Giltwood Étagères
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and unique pair of Italian 19th century Napoleon III period giltwood étagères with their original mirror plates. Each display shelves o...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century French 'Roman Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, Napoleon III Period
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireback with a Roman scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and 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

French Napoleon III Period Blow Poker, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
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

19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid and Ebonized Wood Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Napoleon III precious wood and marquetry Inlaid and ebonized box. Hinged box top features a central motif of fauna and flowers. Inner box is lined with blue satin padded...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Napoleon III Period Fireplace Log Grate, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireplace grate depicting Napoleon. The andirons are made of cast iron and a recently forged steel grate. The grate is in a good condition and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Style Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
French Napoleon III Style Fireplace Grate or Fire Basket, 20th Century. The condition is good.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs, 20th Century
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III style andirons made of cast iron fronts and wrought iron beams. The andirons are in good condition.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

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

French Napoleon III Period Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback depicting a decorative scene with flower baskets and cupids. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Portrait Bust
Located in Ross, CA
This portrait bust in relief of a French nobleman is mounted in the original gilt frame, though the subject’s identity and the artist remain a mystery. Beautifully sculpted, the bust...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

19th Century French Portrait Bust
19th Century French Portrait Bust
$3,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Mobilier Louis-Philippe Napoleon III by Colette Lehmann, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Mobilier Louis-Philippe Napoleon III by Colette Lehmann. Paris: Èditions Ch. Massin, 1976, French text. Hardcover with dust jackets. 81 pp. Illustrates the beds, seating, tables, cas...
Category

Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

French Napoleon III Style 'Boy with Dog' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III fireback with a boy and his dog. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Artillery Officer's Epaulettes, Mid-late 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
"French Artillery Officer's Epaulettes, Mid-late 19th Century" Type: French artillery senior officer's epaulettes Age: ~1860-1890 Branch: Line Artillery / Horse Artillery Probable ra...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony Ormolu and Giltwood Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Napoleon III period Ebony, ormolu, and giltwood center table. The circular table is raised by an elegantly curved triangular support with cut corner...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 'Religious Scene' Fireback / Backsplash, Napoleon III Style
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III style fireback with a religious scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina. It is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Antique French Ebonised Wood, Ormolu, Bronze and Marquetry Cabinets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ebonised wood, ormolu, bronze and marquetry cabinets French, Late 19th Century Height 110cm, width 89cm, depth 41cm A remarkable example of 19th century Fre...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Napoleon III Style French Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III style fireplace basket - fire basket made of wrought iron and polished brass. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

20th Century French Napoleon III Style 'Caritas' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
20th century French Napoleon III Style Fireback with a 'Caritas' design. Caritas means care, love. It is one of three theological virtues from the triptych faith, hope and love. The...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French 'Grandy Fils' Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set, fire irons made of brass. The toolset is signed 'Grandy Fils'. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Allegory of France Fireback / Backsplash, Napoleon III
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireback with an allegory of France. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black/pewter col...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair Napoleon III French Ornate Gilt Bronze Marble Candelabras Candle Holders
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of heavy Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and white Marble candleholders or candelabras. Tarnished due to age and use some minor chips to the ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Exquisite Antique French Ormolu & Sèvres-Style Porcelain Centerpiece (Mid-1800s)
Located in London, GB
A very good quality antique French ormolu and porcelain center piece dating from the mid 1800’s. Very much in the Sèvres style this center piece boasts both quality and grandeur. Won...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century French Hunt-Themed Carved Walnut Panels with Gilt Trim
Located in Dallas, TX
Celebrate the French tradition of the hunt with this finely hand-carved pair of walnut panels, crafted circa 1880. Almost square in shape, each plaque features a central high-relief ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Walnut

Terracotta Water Carrier Sculpture, ca.1890
By Dupond
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Tall terracotta water carrier sculpture by Dupond, France, ca.1890. Polychrome Terracotta. Height : 28.5"(72.5cm), Width : 17.3"(44cm), Depth : 9.4"(24cm). Signed by the artist and ...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Three-Light Candelabra by Henri Picard
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Napoleon III Neo-Etruscan Style Gilt-Bronze three-light candelabra by Henri Picard. Stamped to the underside of one foot 'H. PICARD'. Each candelabrum having a finely cast amphora-shaped body with angular supports,oval portrait masks of a maiden, and a baluster stem issuing three candle arms with circular drip trays and sconces embellished with suspended chains, surmounted by playful amorini and raised on tripod bases terminating in hoof feet. French, Circa 1870. Henri Picard The important fondeur and doreur Henri Picard worked in Paris from 1831 to 1884, most notably for the Emperor Napoléon III. He was based in Paris at 6 rue Jarente from 1831 to 1839, before moving to 10 rue de la Perle...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Napoleon III Period 'Boy with Dog' Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Soest, NL
18th - 19th century Napoleon III Period French fireback with a piper and his dancing dog. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black/pewter color. It is in good condition an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Period Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons, all made of polished brass. It is in a good condition and is fully fun...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Roll-Top Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French roll-top bureau from the early 20th century. Napoleon III style furniture richly inlaid with floral decorations in mahogany, walnut, maple, bone and precious woods. Bureau equ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Three-Piece German Silver & etched crystal garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th century German parcel gilt silver and crystal 3-piece garniture set comprising a centerpiece and pair of compotes, each cast with four putti and supporting etched crystal bowl...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver

Antique Dutch Fireplace Tool Set, Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Soest, NL
19th century Dutch Napoleon III fireplace tool set consisting of a hanger and three different kitchen tools. From left to right the kitchen tools include a copper with wrought iron baking tin, a brass...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Wrought Iron

Ebonized Napoleon Charivari Wood Chair/ Stripped Velvet Seat
Located in Malibu, CA
Ebony Napoleon Charivari Wood Chair/ Stripped Velvet Seat. The sturdy wood frame, has the original ebony finish and has been reconstructed and reupholstered in Italian velvet by Pegg...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silk, Velvet, Hardwood

Frances August - Maximilien Delafontaine "Heron with Snake" ormolu candelabra
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and very refined two-light 19th-century candlestick by Frenchman August-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). In the center, the figure of a heron gracefully holds a serpent ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

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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