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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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
18th Century Bell Clock, Mechanism Signed by Huy Angers.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
18th century bell clock, mechanism signed by Huy Angers. Bell clock signed by Balthazar, Paris, 1745, mechanism signed by Huy Angers, 18th century in brass and enamel plate. H: 51cm...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

A Brass Butterfield Type Dial French Early 18th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
signed Buterfield A Paris., the octagonal dial with hinged gnomon and bird pointer, inset compass and engraved with hour scales, the reverse engraved with towns and their latitudes, ...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Old Original Engraving with soldiers characters Dutch 17th Century Set of 12
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an engravings set of 12, with black color. Representing Soldiers. It has been made in Holland in the 17th Century.
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Old Original Engraving with soldiers characters Dutch 17th Century Set of 3
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an engravings set of 3, with black color. Representing Soldiers. It has been made in Holland in the 17th Century.
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

17th Century French Napoleon III Gridiron
Located in Amerongen, NL
17th century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a trivet...
Category

17th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Decorated 18th Century Louis XV Period Gridiron
Located in Amerongen, NL
18th Century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a trivet...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Steel

TABLE CLOCK French, circa 1740 Napoleon III
Located in Madrid, ES
TABLE CLOCK French, circa 1740. Tortoiseshell coated wooden box, with gilded bronze applications, decorated with plant motifs and a mask. Enamelled dial with Roman numerals, inscri...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century Neapolitan Crib Figure Collection
Located in London, GB
18th Century Neapolitan Crib Figure Collection A rare collection of five museum quality late 18th / early 19th Century hand carved Neapolitan crib figures...
Category

1780s Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Napoleon III Period Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
One of a kind Antique Napoleon III Period Bronze ewer. Kept in sparkling condition. Perfect for hallway Decor.
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Cast Iron French Trivet
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 18th century French 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

Early 18th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Italian Napoleon Green an Gold Mirror 1800's
Located in Milano, IT
Napoleon mirror Italian 1800's Palladian top carved and gilded with shell and acanthus leaf scrolls and painted green and decorated with gold friezes.
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Napoleon III Candlestick Angel White Marble, and Fire-Gilt Bronze, 1860s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Napoleon III candlestick angel white marble 19155, candlestick from France, circa 1860, an angel carries the candleholder and stands between a disca...
Category

1770s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Three-Tier Marquetry Étagère, France, circa 1860
Located in Cagliari, IT
Quality antique French marquetry étagère, with lovely marquetry inlaid shaped top, two shaped under-tiers with marquetry inlay, standing on four ebon...
Category

1660s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Regence Gilt-Bronze Green Glazed porcelain Mounted Celadon Lidded Vases
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of Regence gilt-bronze mounted celadon lidded vases, Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722), in the manner of Yuan dynasty, and circa 1720. Each turquoise colored lidded vase / urn ...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Important Etienne LeNoir Clock 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important ETIENNE LENOIR Clock 18th century French, 18th century in chiseled and gilded bronze. Mythological decoration representing the triumph of Neptune. Enamel dial with R...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Spanish 17th Century Hand Forged Iron Chain
Located in Atlanta, GA
A terrific 17th century hand forged chain from the Barcelona region. Perfect for extending the length of a chandelier.
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Spanish 17th Century Hand Forged Iron Chain
Spanish 17th Century Hand Forged Iron Chain
H 44.5 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
French Military Steel and Brass Armor, Late 18th-Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
French military steel and brass breast plate body armor, having a genuine muscat ball dent, France, late 18th-early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mid-18th Century Cast Iron Fireback from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This cast iron fireback origins from France, 1747.
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid 18th Century French Fireback
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Fireback from mid 18th century France.
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid 18th Century French Fireback
Mid 18th Century French Fireback
H 38.5 in W 38.25 in D 0.75 in
18th Century Swedish Mora Clock
Located in Houston, TX
An 18th century Swedish Mora clock is a tall, freestanding clock that originated in the Mora region of Sweden. It typically features a...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

18th Century Swedish Mora Clock
18th Century Swedish Mora Clock
H 85 in W 18 in D 8.5 in
French 18th Century Glove
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very intriguing 18th century glove in wood and leather with iron protrusions. One's hand is inserted into the glove with positions for all fingers - like a baseball glove. The orig...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French 18th Century Glove
French 18th Century Glove
H 4 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in
Early 18th century Swedish Gaming Board
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fantastic early 18th century Swedish gaming board with chess, Backgammon and Nine Men's Morris. Baroque period, oak & ebony. ca 1700.
Category

Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Oak

Early 18th century Swedish Gaming Board
Early 18th century Swedish Gaming Board
H 4.14 in W 12.01 in D 12.01 in
Napoleon III Period Antique French Fire Screen
Located in Austin, TX
Beautiful fire screen from the Napoleon III period made out of finely cast bronze. This piece folds up for convenience and efficiency, but expands out to a stunningly intricate addit...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Furniture of the 18th Century
Located in valatie, NY
French Furniture of the 18th century by Pierre Verlet and Penelope Hunter-Stiebel (Translator). University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 1991. First edition thus hardcover ...
Category

1990s American Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

French Furniture of the 18th Century
French Furniture of the 18th Century
H 9.75 in W 7.25 in D 1.25 in
18th Century Louis XV Mahogany Grandfather Clock signed Paulus Bramer 1750
By Paulus Bramer
Located in Roma, RM
A rare and Superb Grandfather clock - Netherlands, Amsterdam, signed PAULUS BRAMER (ca. 1730-1760) Walnut case inlaid with fruitwood floral motifs, upper part painted with mythologic...
Category

1750s Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French 17th Century Lock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very large French 17th century Serrure - Lock with 2 keys. A wonderful table top or bookcase object, or install into a cabinet.
Category

17th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French 17th Century Lock
French 17th Century Lock
H 10.75 in W 8.88 in D 1.5 in
Austrian 18th Century Baroque Period Bracket Clock, Signed Andreas Hohenadl
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An attractive Austrian mid-18th century Baroque period quarter-striking bracket clock by the maker Andreas Hohenadl (1714-1793), Vienna. The ebonised fruitwood case with figurative b...
Category

Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Important Etienne LeNoir Clock 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important ETIENNE LENOIR Clock 18th century French, 18th century in chiseled and gilded bronze. Mythological decoration representing the triumph of Neptune. Enamel dial with R...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Important Etienne LeNoir Clock 18th Century
Important Etienne LeNoir Clock 18th Century
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 8.67 in
Napoleon III Orange Painted & Gilt Fleur-de-lis Umbrella Stand
Located in New York, NY
Napoleon III orange painted & gilt Fleur-De-Lis umbrella stand: Measures: 11" x 20" H.
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Important 17th Century Display/ Vitrine
Located in Madrid, ES
Important 17th century display. This is a display made for exotic items in the 17th century which were brought from the new world - cabinet of curiosit...
Category

17th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Important 17th Century Display/ Vitrine
Important 17th Century Display/ Vitrine
H 54.34 in W 29.53 in D 15.75 in
French Blue Armoire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A light blue painted armoire from the 18th century. Great color and patina. Older painted and textural details are faintly visible under blue wash...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Blue Armoire
French Blue Armoire
H 80.5 in W 61 in D 19 in
Antique Bronze Ming Vase, Pumped Up by Edouard Lièvre in Oil Lamp
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ming vase in antique bronze, mounted by Edouard Lièvre in oil lamp, bronze mounted by Lièvre, from the Napoleon III period Measures: H 77cm, L 19cm.
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Black Lacquered Bambou Style Stools, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Napoleon III period stools in black lacquered wood. Bamboo style stand with a X spacer. Garniture in a new silky jacquard (30% silk) showing an oriental palace...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Jacquard, Wood

Mounted Pyrite Mineral Specimen "Fools Gold" with Quartz Inclusions from Peru
Located in New York, NY
Pyrite Mineral Specimen on a black painted metal custom stand with small points of quartz attached. Pyrite was given the name "Fool's Gold" by prospecto...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Pyrite, Metal

French Napoleon III Chimneypiece in Breccia Pernice Marble
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French Napoleon III (circa 1870) Breccia Pernice marble fireplace. The moulded frieze and jambs and carved round pateraes to end. Mea...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Breccia Marble

Antique French Second Empire Gilt Bronze Oversized Candelabra, 1870
Located in Big Flats, NY
Striking French second Empire oversized and heavy gilt eight-light candelabra, highly detailed and beautifully cast, circa 1870. Measure: 30" height x 16" diameter.
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Coupe in Onyx and Gold Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III in the Empire Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A beautiful coupe in onyx and gold gilt bronze, Napoleon III in the Empire style, 19th century, l: 42cm, h: 26cm, p: 33cm.
Category

1780s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Napoleone III Mahogany Commode Sormani's Style
Located in Milano, IT
A commode with three drawers in the Sormani's style. Napoleone III, manufactured in England, late 19th -early 20th century. Mahogany veneer and various wood essences. Features a band...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Bleached Walnut Enfilade
Located in High Point, NC
18th century French enfilade made from bleached Walnut. The top is banded and follows down to paneled sides and three drawers over two do...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Bleached Walnut Enfilade
18th Century Bleached Walnut Enfilade
H 44.25 in W 57.75 in D 18.88 in

Napoleon Iii furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Baccarat, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, and Ferdinand Barbedienne. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $3,313.

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