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.
19th Century Napoleon III Side Table, Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined side table made of burr walnut veneer on an oak base, with elegant tapered legs, at the ending gilt bronze clawfeet. The table has extra server drawers on both sides. Around the top a copper rim. The table is stamped on the bottom: Maison L'Escalier de Cristal Paris...
Bronze
19th Century Louis Quinze French Serving Table by Francois Linke
Located in Berlin, DE
French serving table by Francois Linke, Louis Quinze solid mahogany, slightly convex and concave-curved body, flanked by extended corner castors on tall, elegantly curved legs, belo...
Bronze
19th-century side table in bamboo and straw
Located in Mouscron, WHT
19th-century side table in bamboo and straw some straw is missing from the tabletops
Bamboo
$3,390Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Console in Giltwood, Late 1800-Early 1900
Located in Milano, IT
Antique Consolle in wood gilded end 1800 beginning 1900. The particularity of the console and its top covered with original velvet of the time of dark orange color. the wood of the c...
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Regency mahogany serving table
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th Century Regency mahogany serving / side table, having a nice figured moulded edge top above two oak lined drawers with the original turned handles, decorative black line i...
Abalone, Mahogany
Italian Style Serving/Console Table
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Custom built Italian style three-drawer serving/console table. Reference: 5518 Dimensions 72.5 inches (184 cms) wide 17 inches (43 cms) deep 33 inches (84 cms) high.
Pine
19th Century Iron and Marble Top French Pastry Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous 19th century French marble top pastry table featuring old white painted patina on the iron base. This beauty features decorative brass hardware with patina and a white vei...
Marble, Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Mahogany folding butlers tray on stand tray has four folding sides with inset brass hinges. Supported on folding stand with decorative turned supports. The dimensions are with the ...
Mahogany
$15,621
H 33.08 in W 45.28 in D 22.84 in
Gustavian Late 18th Century Neoclassical Swedish, White-Painted Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Carved wood with original white paint, carved giltwood rosettes, original grey white-veined marble top. The rectangular top above a Greek key frieze with applied rosettes on square t...
Marble
Small 19th Century French Walnut Drapers Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Charming example of a mid-19th Century French walnut drapers table. With three drawers down each side with metal cup handles. Of great colour and patina. Circa 1850.
Walnut
Small 19th century walnut drapers table / work table
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Charming example of a mid 19th Century walnut drapers table / work table Would make a great console table or centre table as finished on all sides French, circa 1850’s with three...
Walnut
$34,850Sale Price|22% Off
H 42 in W 82 in D 25 in
Palatial Italian 18th Century Rococo Style Giltwood Carved Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial Italian 18th century Rococo style giltwood carved console table with a castracane marble top of serpentine outline, the friez...
Marble
$4,100
H 24 in W 29.75 in D 22.25 in
French 19th century Napoleon III Period patinated Metal serving tray/table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most decorative French 19th century Louis XVI st. Napoleon III Period patinated Metal serving tray/table. This charming oval shaped tray is supported on its original ...
Metal
$1,810
H 31.5 in W 21.26 in D 14.97 in
Napoleon III Period Wine Cooler Table or "Rafraîchissoir" 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This French Napoléon III period wine cooler table, or “rafraîchissoir,” is an exquisite example of 19th-century craftsmanship and elegance. Crafted from fine walnut with a warm, rich...
Brass
Coastal Long Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Coastal long console table with a white limestone top, wire-brushed cerused pine in our Sea Salt finish with two long drawers accented with four org...
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 33.47 in D 19.69 in
Napoleón III French Tea-Table, Serving Table Wood, Bronze. Marble
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing tea- table. Table à thé estilo Louis XV Gorgeous tea table Louis XV style. Napoleon III epoch. Table with a slightly curved profile of mahogany wood. Top part of grey and ...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 30.52 in W 16.54 in D 13 in
French Napoleon III Serving Table or Side Table Walnut and Brass, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III walnut and brass serving table, French This can also be used as a side table. One drawer and two shelves circa 1880 Good antique condition. Shipping: L42 P33 ...
Brass
Sold
H 29.14 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
French Napoleon III Period Ebonized Travailleuse/Dressing Table, 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
French Napoleon III period vanity table, ebonized frame accented with burlwood panels, hinged top with marquetry ornaments, oak branches, and floral blooms, rising on tapered legs, j...
Bronze
French Napoleon III Serving Table
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice French Napoleon III rolling serving table made in blackened pear wood. Beautiful hand graved details on each level on the table. Four...
Pearwood
A 19th Century Round Napoleon III Marquetry Parlour or Salon Centre Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This highly unusual French table has a circular top case completely covered in floral marquetry. The mid/widest section of the table sits on three fluted and tapered legs joined with...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 53.15 in D 27.56 in
Diehl Napoleon III Desk Table in Boulle Marquetry, France, 19th Century
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl, André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning marquetry table stamped by the famous Charles Guillaume Diehl in Napoleon III in geometric Boulle brass marquetry, with very rich ornamentation of gilt bronzes. Falls, molds...
Brass, Bronze
French 19th Century Two-Tiered Painted Display Table
Located in Buchanan, NY
Impressive French Napoleon III white two-tiered display table with carved wooden legs. This piece has aged white patina was originally used in a s...
Wood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 15.75 in D 11.42 in
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry a La Reine Table, 19th Century, France
Located in Paris, FR
Charming three top three levels table in Boulle Marquetry a la Reine style, beautiful curved feet and unique stars shape veneered brass and pewter and gilt bronze ornamentations. ...
Pewter, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Wrought Iron and Copper Tea Serving Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
A most unusual find, this extraordinary 19th century wrought iron and copper tea serving stand is an amazing combination of artistry, design and craftsmanship! The wrought iron stand...
Copper, Wrought Iron
Napoleon III Chinoiserie Lacquer Side Table
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Two tops. Sculpted and openwork wood. On wheels. Chinese lacquer decor. Napoleon III period.
19th Century Napoleon III Serving Table or Dessert Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A three-tier table with ebonized turnings and feet having three serving shelves with a faux marbleized decor and a brass trim on the edge. Note one chip o...
French Etagere Made and Signed by Paul Sormani
By Paul Sormani
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pretty French Napoleon III period 3 tier etagere, the top with an ormolu gallery above a single drawer above 2 further gilt metal mounted shelves supported by well-turned ebonized ...