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.
French Napoleon III Marquetry Three-Tiered Side Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Napoleon III marquetry side table. The top galleried section with a drawer and the two bottom shelves having overall inlaid exotic wood inlay ...
Fruitwood
19th Century French Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut side table from France with a beveled and hand carved decorated edge around the top, following down to a fabulously hand carved apron on all four sides of the tab...
Walnut
Small 19th Century Rosewood End Table on Carved Tripod Base with Marquetry
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A small and graceful sewing or work table on carved tripod base with octagonal top in rosewood with satinwood floral inlays. Lift-top opens to lidded compartments with access to plea...
Satinwood
19th Century Napoleon III French Ebonized Side Table with Delft Tile Top
By David Teniers the Younger
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den, library, or wine cellar with this elegant 19th-century occasional table. Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique side table stands on turned, fluted legs joined by ...
Faience, Walnut
Porcelain Pedestal Table "Allegory of Music", 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Table guéridon in white enamelled porcelain, resting on a tripod foot, from the Napoleon III period. This small pedestal table is enamelled with a rich decoration of polychrome flowe...
Bronze
Antique & Unique French Nutwood, Brass & Bronze End Table w. Label and Stamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful early 20th century French craftsmanship end or side table. Finding the most beautiful and rarest antiques in the best possible condition is w...
Brass, Bronze
French 1860s Walnut Side Table with Tambour Door, Marble Top and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut tambour door side table from the mid-19th century, with variegated grey marble top and tapered legs. Born during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III, this French walnut...
Marble
19th Century French Louis XVI Mahogany Drop Leaf End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XVI Mahogany drop leaf end table is elegant, versatile, and crafted to last for generations! Utilizing exotic im...
Brass
Pair of French circa 1860 Napoleon III Gold Giltwood Marble Topped Side Tables
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original pair of circa 1860 Napoleon III gold giltwood, marble topped, side tables A totally original pair, the hardwood frames have...
Carrara Marble
MID-19th CENTURY NAPOLEON III INLAID COFFEE TABLE
Located in Firenze, FI
Refined coffee table crafted in rosewood and inlaid with other fruitwoods. The table is distinguished by its slender, arched legs, topped with feral legs, embellished with geometric ...
Bronze
French Victorian Mahogany and Bronze End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Charles X style (late 19th Century) mahogany and bronze end table with round inset marble top and mahogany platform shelf with double bronze and trim legs and double hoof feet.
Marble, Bronze
2 Painted Faux Marble Side Tables Or Sofa Ends, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
2 tables or end tables: the rectangular top as well as the base are painted in onyx style, on a pilaster foot is painted in faux marble Some chips and missing parts - top's painting...
Wood
2 Painted Faux Marble Side Tables Or Sofa Ends, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
2 tables or end tables: the rectangular top as well as the base are painted in onyx style, on a pilaster foot is painted in faux marble Some chips and missing parts Very decorative...
Wood
Napoleon III Brass Gallery Fruitwood Ebonised and Inlaid Three-Tired Side Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Napoleon III brass gallery rail side table in fruit wood A very good looking well made an...
Brass
19th Century French Henri II Walnut End Table with Hexagonal Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Henri II Walnut End Table with Hexagonal Marble Top is a remarkable result of traditional French craftsmanship melded with Industrial Revolution ingenuity! Skill...
Marble
$2,495
H 29.5 in W 24.5 in D 17.5 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Marquetry Vanity Table or Side Table
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid nineteenth century French Napoleon III period marquetry side table is constructed of walnut. Called a "travailleuse" in French, it was originally used as a lady's work table...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Pedestal Table
By France"
Located in TARBES, FR
Pedestal table or small tripod table from the end of the 19th century, the legs are in carved wood, oak top, wear of time consistent with age and use, piece of great originality. Goe...
Oak
$3,259
H 30.12 in W 17.13 in D 14.77 in
Fine French Antique Hardwood & Brass Etagere Three Tiered Side End Lamp Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, highly collectable circa 1880 French Mahogany and cast brass Etagere table. A truly stunning p...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Hexagonal End Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful pair of vintage modern end tables feature a white laminate top and a walnut base. Sleek design with unusual cut-out designs on all sides and a hexagonal shape. Versati...
Laminate, Walnut
19th Century French Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak side table from France, with a beveled and hand carved decorated edge around the top, surrounding an exquisitely hand carved central scene, depicting scrolls, acanth...
Oak
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Side Table W/ Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century French Empire-style guéridon side table, sourced directly from Provence and meticulously restored. Handcrafted from solid mahogany, the table features ...
Marble
Classic Three-Tier Side Table, Mahogany Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic three-tier side table. A small rectangle tiered end table with two shelves, and tapered feet, has a "country" wood mahogany stain with natural highlights. Dimensions: 22" ...
Wood
$2,000Sale Price|31% Off
H 17 in W 21.75 in D 18 in
1947 Charles and Ray Eames IT-1 Incidental Folding Side Kids Table Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Museum quality early example. Retains rare paper label.
Steel
Classic Three-Tier Side Table, Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic three-tier side table - A small rectangle tiered end table with two shelves, and tapered feet, has a "drift" white painted finish with subtle grey distressing. Dimensions:...
Wood
French Designer, Side Table, Mahogany, Marble, Bronze, France, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
A small Maison Jansen style claw foot and bronze mounted marble-top circular end or side table. Mahogany, Bronze, Marble France, 1940s
Marble, Bronze
$2,867
H 29.14 in W 22.05 in D 14.97 in
Antique French Inlaid Napoleon III Side Table / Vanity 19th Century Marquetry
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A very nice Napoleon III side table inlaid with marquetry 1860-1870. Standing on curved and blackened legs with connecting platform. The beautiful instrumental inlaid top and flora...
Copper
Classic Three-Tier Side Table, Greyed
Located in Westwood, NJ
Classic three-tier side table. A small rectangle tiered end table with two shelves, and tapered feet, has a "rabbit" finish showing slight grain accents. Dimensions: 22" W x 14" D...
Wood
Sold
H 29 in W 25 in D 25 in
Antique French Napoleon III Walnut Tri-leg with Carved Angel Shoulders c. 1870
Located in Westfield, MA
This Antique French Napoleon III Walnut Tri-Leg Table with Carved Angel Shoulders, dating back to around 1870, features an intricate and distinct design that exemplifies the ornate e...
Walnut
Fine French Japonisme Lacquered Side Table with Shagreen Inlays
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Napoleon III three-tiered side table with four ornamental bamboo legs and black lacquered trays/shelves with shagreen inlays of a still life with birds, butterflies, an...
Shagreen, Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 21 in Dm 11.5 in
Pair of Early 20th Century Marble Top Walnut and Brass Pedestal Martini Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or living room with this elegant pair of antique side tables. Crafted in France, circa 1920, each table stands on a carved fluted pedestal base ending with three curve...
Marble, Brass
Napoleon III Style Mahogany Pedestal / side table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Napoleon III style mahogany pedestal cupboard / end table, circa 1960's. With a slightly overhanging circular top, a drawer above a cupboard door, resting on stepped plinth base.
Brass
19th Century French Oak Side Table with Drawer
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak side table from France with a wonderfully grained top which has a beveled and carved edge, following down to paneled sides, the panels flanked by applied hand carved...
Oak
Sold
H 21.25 in Dm 13 in
Pair of Early 20th Century Marble Top Walnut and Brass Pedestal Martini Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or living room with this elegant pair of antique side tables. Crafted in France, circa 1920, each table stands on a carved fluted pedestal base ending with three curved legs; the surface is dressed with a white and grey inset marble top, embellished with a pierced brass gallery around the perimeter. The small martini tables...
Marble, Brass
French Napoleon III Inlaid Work Table or Vanity
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Late 19th century French Napoleon III inlaid rosewood fitted work table with an intricately inlaid top which opens to become a small dressing mirror...
Walnut
Napoleon III Burl Walnut Occasional Cabinet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Napoleon III burl walnut occasional cabinet with marble top, circa 1870. With a marble top, a frieze drawer and a door with a wooden knob. Back of the cabinet is finished. Nice color...
Marble
19th Century Carved French Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century oak side table from France with a shaped top which has a beveled edge. This follows down to a simple apron and the table is supported on hand turned bobbin style splayed...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak side table from France with a banded top and a beveled and carved decorated edge. The apron is paneled and carved decorated on all four sides for easy placement in a...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Carved Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century oak side table from France with carved decorated banding on the top, surrounded by a beveled and hand carved edge. This follows down to a...
Oak
Ebonised Napoleon III Occasional Bobbin Side Table
Located in London, GB
An octagonal Napoleon III occasional table in ebonised wood with bobbin carved edge and turned legs. French, c. 1850.
Hardwood