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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
Extremely Rare Pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Vases
Located in Queens, NY
An extremely rare, museum quality pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne ormolu and champlevé enamel vases, circa 1870, certainly designed by Louis Constant Sevin...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Little 19th Century Notebook with Pencil
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A small antique notebook. At the front cover is a hand painted medallion depicting the Palais Bourse building, the Paris stock exchange. Surrounded wi...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Paper

French Crucifix Vitrine and Oval Frame, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Crucifix in its oval vitrine, French, late 19th century Golden frame Good condition For shipping: 9/51/60 cm, 3.3 kg.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Napoleon III Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
Single Tea Caddy Compartment From our Tea Caddy collection, we are delighted to bring to market this Antique French Boulle Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy o...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Auguste-Nicolas CAÏN, two monumental bronze groups, original stone bases, 1893
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These two groups were commissioned by Jacques Stern (1839-1902) from one of the greatest animal painters of the second half of the 19th century, Auguste-Nicolas Caïn, renowned for hi...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Stone, Bronze

19th Century Exclusive Napoleon III Living Room Sets
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Exclusive French Napoleon III living room set from the late 1800s, the set is composed of seven pieces, a cm sofa: (L185 x D74 x H95 x S45), two cm armchairs: (L67 x D73 x99 x S42), ...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Satin, Silk, Beech

Napoleon III Ebonized and Gilt Bronze Pedestal, Circa 1880
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite French Napoleon III period pedestal stand from the late 19th century is a statement of refinement and craftsmanship. Designed with an octagonal onyx top, framed by an ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Brass, Bronze

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

Pair of Large Gilt and Pale Blue Opaline Vases, Napoleon III Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very delicate pair of palest blue opaline glass vases dating from the mid-19th century (Napoleon III period), each skilfully hand blown and embellished with gilt. These vases have ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

French Carved Walnut Sofa with Floral Upholstery, circa 1880
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exceptional French antique sofa is a striking example of 19th century craftsmanship, featuring a beautifully sculpted walnut frame and an ele...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge, following down to paneled sides, which...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Oak

Jules Moigniez Bronze Sculpture of Three Sheep and a Lamb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bronze grouping of sheep with a nuanced brown patination. Moigniez' intricate work on the surface of the piece created a true-to-life rendering of the sheep's fleece. The group is se...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Marquetry and Parquetry Commode
Located in Long Island City, NY
A very fine French 19th century finely chased ormolu-mounted kingwood, tulipwood, and satinwood marquetry and parquetry commode with original Breche Violette marble-top. With three l...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Antique Marine Oil Painting in Giltwood Frame, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
A dynamic 19th-century French marine oil painting depicting traditional fishing boats returning to shore through choppy coastal waters. This evocative seascape, likely painted along ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Canvas

French Napoleon III Boulle Cabinet ca 1880
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Napoleon III sideboard made with Boulle technique on blackened pear wood, topped with the original gray-veined Carrara marble. Decorated with gilded bronze and chiseled brass inlays...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze

Pair 19thc French Signed Baccarat Russo Pattern Flint Glassw/Gilt Candle Holders
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Pair Signed Baccarat Molded Flint Glass Candle Holders. These are the "Russo" pattern with gilt enamel embellishment. Highly collectible Russian Pattern. Napoleo...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

French Champlevé Enamel Inkwell, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Champlevé enamel inkwell from the 19th century, created in the opulent Napoleon III style. Crafted from gilded bronze with finely detailed polychrome enamel in shades of t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel

Mid 19th century French Blue Opaline Glass Pitcher and Bowl Set
Located in Southampton, NJ
This extraordinary antique french blue opaline glass pitcher and bowl wash set dates from the middle of the 19th century. The pure co...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass

Pair of French Notary Style Cabinets
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 1940s French notary cabinets embodies both versatility and timeless character. Whether arranged as a single unified piece or as two separate corner cabinets, they adapt ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Cherry

19th Century Perfume Box - Napoleon III - Crystal Bottles
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique marquetry wooden box for perfume. The box dates from the French Napoleon III period, circa 1880-1890. The box features those original crystal perfume bottles, bea...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Burl

19th Century Gilt Bronze Centrepiece Bowl.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century gilt bronze centrepiece bowl. Napoleon III period centrepiece bowl, 19th century, in gilt bronze. H: 35.5cm, W: 32cm, D: 26cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century Wooden Cigar Carrousel with Music
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique wooden cigar carousel, with music. Made in France, late 19th century. When you turn the knob on the top, all panels turn at the same time. The panels are hand-pai...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Empire Daybed with Gilt Accents
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century French Empire daybed, also known as a ‘chaise lounge,’ is crafted from rich reddish-brown mahogany and mahogany veneer. It features an upholstered mattress and two ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A superb 19th century eight day grande sonnerie carriage clock, circa 1870.
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb nineteenth century eight day grande sonnerie carriage clock of typical size, c. 1870. The gilt-brass gorge case has glass panel...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Decorative Box - Ormolu Gilt Bronze - French Napoleon III
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined Napoleon III period decorative box, made of ormolu gilt casted bronze. Richly ornate floral motifs. It has an illegible signature. The liner inside has been renewed. Includ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
This daybed or sofa was made originally in France circa 1870 in the Napoleon III style and is constructed of walnut and burled walnut veneers used to dramatically show off the wood selection and grain patterns. Large profiles and massive flat or concave and convex long grained area of regular walnut have been used to border complex very figured areas of veneered burl walnut Boldly scaled and very masculine the original rail on one side has been removed and a permanent rail with a notched upper area in the head and foot boards to accommodate an upholstered wooden back which was clearly just screwed in in the past allowing for the use as a sofa in a guest room also used as a sitting room. The head and foot boards are finished on both side so its clear that it was always meant to be seen form an alcove bed...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Burl

A late 19th century silver plated carving or meat trolley by Christofle Paris .
Located in Wijnegem, BE
A rare late 19th century silver plated chariot or carving trolley by Christofle Paris on a mahogany base. Completely restored and silver re-plated! very heavily silver plated as ...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Opaline Bowl with Gilt bronze Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Opaline bowl with gilt bronze mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period cup, 19th century, in two-coloured opaline, gilt brass mount. H: 31cm, W: 40cm, D: ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opal, Bronze

Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns. Offered is an extra large pair of 19th century French cast iron garden urns with large exaggerated handles. Our French Napoleon III iro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19thc French Napoleon III Bronze Cut Crystal Beaded Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning Large 19thc French Napoleon III Heavy Bronze with Cut Crystal Beaded Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture. 4 bulbs, very nice size and very ...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Carved white marble fireplace, breccia inserts, second half of the 19th century
Located in Milano, IT
Sculpted white marble fireplace and breccia inserts, second half of the 19th century, uprights carved as female herms on the front and side with fruit garland and ending in a curl, d...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble

Napoleon III Beige Lumel Marble Fireplace Circa 1900
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Napoleon III Beige Lumel Marble Fireplace Circa 1900
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

A silver plated duck & lobster press by Cailar&Bayard Paris.
Located in Wijnegem, BE
A beautiful silver plated duck & lobster press by Cailar&Bayard Paris made around the turn of the century. Signed. Paris c. 1900s. In perfect restored c...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Haviland & Co. Limoges French Porcelain Salad Bowl with Tray
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. We would like to inform you that the object, described below, was part of a complete service that we have divided and we offer the loose sale of the individual pieces. Elegant Limoges white porcelain salad bowl...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French Bed Headboards in golden bronze Bed Frame
Located in Valladolid, ES
Beautiful French bed headboards in gilt bronze, Napoleon III. Measurements 140 cm tall and 134 cm the other, 7 cm wide and 95 cm wide both, they ...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Cabinet French Napoleon III black marble and inlays André-Charles Boulle
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Cabinet French Napoleon III black marble and inlays André-Charles Boulle
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Marble and Bronze Selette Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique marble and bronze "Selette" was crafted in France, circa 1890. The heavy pedestal sits on a thick sturdy square plinth embellished with a bronze scrolled mount ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Ultra Early Baccarat Crystal Opaline Polychrome Floral Vase c1855
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A stunning Polychrome and gilded raised moulded botanical vase by Baccarat, from the period of Napoleon the third c1855, this then revolutionary technique of polychrome moulded glass...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Napoleon III Porte Revue/Magazine Stand/Canterbury
Located in Trensacq, FR
Stylish French Napoleon III 'porte revue' magazine rack or canterbury. Black lacquered and beautifully turned wood, this four-sectioned stand with an und...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Oil on canvas – Cat Portrait – Signed Henriette Barry, 1899
Located in NANTES, FR
This oil on canvas is signed by Henriette Barry. There is no doubt about its age and authenticity. Please note, the artwork is sold uncleaned and unrestored. We point out some warpin...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Chromo-Lithograph Boat of Nymphs by H Clementz in Its Frame, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Boat of Nymphs by Hermann Clementz. Clementz was a German genre and portrait painter (1852-1930). In 2012, the original oil painted of this lithograph "Boat of Nymphs" was found in...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper, Wood

Tall cobalt blue Baccarat crystal vase, gilt ivy pattern, 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine tall Baccarat crystal vase, Napoléon III period, mid 19th century circa 1850. The pattern is known as the vase decorated with a molded ivy garland. It is listed in the a refer...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Monumental Royal Vienna Iridescent Porcelain Portrait Vase and Cover, Wagner
Located in Queens, NY
A monumental Royal Vienna Iridescent porcelain portrait vase and cover, Wagner, circa 1880. This Royal Vienna Urn features an exceptional iridescent ...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Black Lacquer Planter or Jardiniere
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This exceptional French black lacquer planter or jardiniere table from the Napoleon III period features intricate bronze detailing and inset borders of inlaid bronze. A lid with bron...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Zinc

Antique Silver-Plated Vase, Art Nouveau, Signed Lelièvre, France, 1910s
Located in Greven, DE
Beautiful antique vase by the french sculptor Eugène Lelièvre (March 13th 1856 - January 24th 1945). Exceptional silver plated bronze work. Th...
Category

1910s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large marquetry jewelry box or casket, 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine large marquetry jewelry box : amaranth veneer with brass and mother of pearl inlays ; the inside is upholstered with silk, Napoleon III Parisian production, mid 19th century c...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Wrought Iron Outdoor Daybed
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking and sculptural mid-19th century French Napoleon III iron daybed, sourced in the south of France. This piece features beautifully hand-wrought scrollwork with pronounced cu...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Suite of 9 Porcelain Plates by Theodore Haviland
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Suite of 9 porcelain dessert plates by Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France. 20th century Measures: H: 1 cm, D: 19 cm.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Napoleon III Rosewood & Brass Inlaid Complete Cave a Liqueur
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this complete antique liquor box. Created in France circa 1870, and rectangular in shape with serpentine front, the Tantalus stands on small round fee...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Napoleon III Armchair in Deep Blue Velvet
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite Napoleon III armchair from the 19th century showcases timeless French elegance and craftsmanship. Recently reupholstered in a sumptuous deep blue velvet, it retains it...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Fruitwood

Rare 19 Century Napoleon Liquor Cellar / Cabinet Ebonized Wood Mother of Pearls
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous 19th century antique Ebonized wood Brass inlaid and crossbanded wih mother of pearls liqueur set with 4 decanters and 14 glasses Complete and in beautiful condition this 19t...
Category

1840s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Iron Lantern with Painted Stained Glass Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
For a unique lighting feature, look no further than this beautiful, antique Gothic style lantern. Created in France circa 1870, the colorful lantern is decorated with four painted, s...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add glamour and style with this Napoleon III cast iron lounging day bed to any room. Create your own 24" x 74" seating area with a mattress, seat cushion and decorative pillows to ma...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century Wall Plate - Onyx Porcelain and Bronze Cloisonné - Holy Mary
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique religious wall plaque. Made of onyx and enamelled bronze, cloisonné technique. In the middle a beautiful portrait of the Holy Mary, painted on porcelain. A beauti...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Brass, Enamel

Large Antique 19th Century French Floral Church Wall Sconce in Brass for Candles
Located in COLMAR, FR
A very decorative, authentic French Napoleon III church wall sconce, also called harvest candelabra. This is an unusual, large wall sconce model ma...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Tortoiseshell, Brass, ebonized Fruitwood and Ormolu Boulle center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III Period Tortoiseshell, Brass, ebonized Fruitwood and Ormolu Boulle center table. This stunning center table is rais...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century Napoleon III Sèvres Style Porcelain and Bronze Centerpiece
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite 19th century Napoleon III compote, or centrepiece, in delicate Sèvres style porcelain and gilt bronze. Designed to grab all the attention as the decorative focal point o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Massive Napoleon III Giltwood Oval Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A lavish and intricately carved French 19th Century Napoleon III style giltwood oval mirror. This amazing mirror hand-crafted in France during the reign of Napoleon III has a highly ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

19th Century Napoleon III French Wall Clock
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III wall clock with "oeil de boeuf" shaped glass paned door, ebonized wood frame and clock surround with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. Paper face w...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French 19th Century Napolean III Armchair and Footstool Bullion Fringe
Located in London, GB
Antique French 19th century Napolean III armchair and footstool Bullion Fringe Excellent condition commensurate with age. Chair: h78/40 w79 d85 Footstool D43 h42.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

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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