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 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
$805Sale Price|20% Off
French lacquered Work table Side table Worker Accordion Sewing Cabinet, 19th C
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This Asian-inspired lacquered wooden work table is a beautiful expandable sewing box covered with lacquer on all sides. On the upper part, intended to receive the sewing material, th...
Lacquer
Continental Napoleon III Marquetry Side table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Napoleon III rosewood side / sewing table with extensive marquetry, circa 1840. With a hinged top, both outside and inside of top with inlay, front, back and sides of frieze with flo...
Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Etagere, Sidetable, Marquetry, Paris circa 1870
Located in Greven, DE
Antique etagere with fine inlay work Paris Wood, brass around 1870 Dimensions: H × W × D: 77 × 50 × 37 cm Description: Three-tier side furniture with a single-light body and a sur...
Brass
$597Sale Price|20% Off
French Napoleon III Bamboo & Lacquered Wood Chinese Style Sellette Late 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
This side table or sellette was made in the late 19th century. This chinese style sellette is typical of the Napoléon III périod. The entire frame is made of bamboo. Each tray is la...
Bamboo, Wood
19th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Sewing Table, 1880s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French sewing table from the second half of the 19th century. A Napoleon III furniture, finely inlaid with geometric decorations in walnut, maple, burl, rosewood, mahogany, and high-...
Wood
19th Century French Oak Carved Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak side table from France. The top of this piece is nicely grained and has a beveled and carved decorated edge, following down to a hand carved apron on all four sides...
Oak
19th Century French Carved Oak Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Oak side or writing table from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge. The apron is hand carved with leaves and vine decoration on al...
Oak
French Napoleon III Lacquered Tilt-Top Table Mother of Pearl Inlaid
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique French tilt-top table from the Napoleon III period. The table is made of wood (a softwood type), with lacquer work, paintwork and inlays made of mother of pearl. The chas...
Softwood
Late 19th Century Sewing Table Napoleon III Wood Marquetry and Brass, France
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Napoleon III sewing table, circa 1880 The marquetry is made of various woods. A brass feast surrounds the table top. The lift-up lid opens up to reveal a new mirror and compa...
Walnut
French Walnut and Ebonized Etagere
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A simple yet distinct walnut etagere with ebonized legs from France, circa 1870. The top showcases the characteristic grain patterns of walnut and features a thin lip on all four sid...
Brass
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
French inlaid and parquetry work table, 19th century Napoleon III
Located in Houston, TX
This French Napoleon III work table, dating to the mid-19th Century, is a versatile and highly decorative antique that offers beauty, history, and everyday usefulness. A beautifully ...
Walnut
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
Napoleon III Marquetry Side Table, France, circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
This refined Napoleon III side table, dating to around 1870, embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of 19th-century France. The shaped top is beautifully inlaid with marquetry, depi...
Rosewood
$1,165Sale Price|34% Off
Late 19th Century Italian Napoleon III Side Table in Walnut with Marble Top
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer you this splendid and sophisticated coffee table, made in Italy around the end of the 19th century during the Napoleon III period. Made of elegant walnut wood, the upper su...
Marble
French 19th century Napoleon III Period Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III Period Louis XVI st. Onyx, Ormolu and Champlevé side table. This stunning two-tier side table is raised by three toupie sha...
Onyx, Enamel, Ormolu
Napoleon III Style French Sail Table In Papier Machè and Solid Wood
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful french sailing table in Papier Machè.The upper part is formed by an octagonal top, made in papier machè, on which has been admirably hand painted a detailed and colorful fl...
Gold Leaf
A Napoleon III Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany and Marquetry Table
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a stunning Napoleon III Style, Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany and Marquetry table, with a flip top that turns it into a games table with compartment inside. Most probably Engli...
Bronze
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
Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt and Painted Gueridon Table, France, circa 1860
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Exquisite neoclassical Napoleon III period French parcel-gilt and painted solid oak gueridon or occasional table having breakfront circular top with raised central plinth surmounting...
Oak, Paint, Giltwood
$4,720Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Side Tables, France second half of 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Napoleon III Side Tables Discover our stunning 19th century pair of Napoleon III Side Tables, featuring elegant oval shapes standing on slender, slightly curved legs adorned ...
Brass
19th Century French Pine Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century French pine side table with a shaped top which has a bevelled edge, following down to a scalloped apron, which has a carved border and a single drawer in the front. The ...
Pine
19th Century French Writing Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak writing table from France with a beveled edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and hand carved and scalloped aprons. The front of the table contains t...
Oak
19th Century English Walnut Top Polished Iron Garden Bistrot Pub Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a covered patio, or sun room with this elegant antique iron and walnut gueridon table. Crafted in England circa 1880, the pub table stands on three cabriole legs ending with...
Iron
French Empire Napoleon III Double Flip-top Work Table with Compartments
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome Napoleon III slightly rectangular mahogany side table with two flip tops doubles as a work or utility table with another curved shelf at the bottom. The inside features...
Mahogany
19th Century French Octagonal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak side table from France with an octagonal shaped top. The top has a carved decorated band inside a beveled and carved decorated edge. The top follows down to a lovely...
Oak
French Napoleon III 1870s Walnut Table with Marble Top and Bronze Capitals
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period walnut table from the third quarter of the 19th century, with variegated grey and red marble top, entasis columns and bronze capitals. This French Napole...
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Side Table, France, 1860-1870
Located in Belmont, MA
Napoleon III side table, France, 1860-1870. This unusual Napoleon III side table has an exquisite kingwood veneer and marquetry. Parts of the outside are ebonized and the top has a c...
Kingwood
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 in the Louis Quinze Style Side Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid oak, slightly convex and concave-curved body, flanked by extended corner irons on tall, elegantly curved legs in sabots. Cover plate with mottled marble (torn in t...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Eglomise Side Tables W/Napoleon III Style Bases
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful pair of side tables with octagonal shaped eglomise tops and sides with heavy black lacquered Napoleon III style bases.
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Table with Parquetry Top
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century oak parqueted table from France. This is a lovely table with a banded and beveled edge surrounding a parquetry central panel. The top has a geometric pattern, whic...
Oak
19th Century Marquetry Side Table with Jewelry Box, circa 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century Marquetry side table with jewelry box, circa 1870 3-tier side table with decorative key function. Solid wood with exotic inlays...
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Gold Bronze & Marble Bouillotte Table
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Napoleon III gold bronze and Marble Bouillotte table.
Marble, Bronze
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.
Marble
19th Century Octagonal Mahogany Side Table, Napoleon III, France circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Elaborately crafted late 19th century side table from the renowned Napoleon III period in France around 1870. A unique, octagonal shaped French mahogany side table with many delicate...
Brass
20th Century Wood with Marble Top French Napoleon III Style Side Table, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Mid-20th-century French side table. Napoleon III-style furniture, carved and veneered in mahogany, walnut, and beech, with beautiful lines and a pleasing décor. A compact table, it c...
Marble
Paul Sormani French Dressing Table Amboyna Veneer (Rare). Circa 1870
By Paul Sormani
Located in Incline Village, NV
Paul Sormani (1817-1877) designed and was the maker of this superb quality small dressing table; from his Paris workshop at 10 R. Charlot Park (this was his second workshop---opened in 1867). The attention to detail and intricate design, in addition to selection and application of premium materials and resources are typical of Sormani dedication to excellence, as was recognized by many of his contemporaries during several mid-century Parisean exhibitions. Brass inlaid Fleur de Lis medallion decorates the center; surrounded by beautiful and rare burl Amboyna veneer wood from Indonesia. The surface is bordered by a bold brass application to the serpentine perimeter. A satinwood inlaid border decoration to the surface further enhances the decor. The highly figured veneer design of the surface is further on display to the rectangular 4" skirt support above four elegant cabriole legs with full length linear bold inlaid and applied brass accoutrements to the corners; top to bottom; ending in bronze mounted feet. The special interior is accessed by lifting the top up connected by a pair of decorated and embossed rear hinges; revealing a full surface mirror back and a fitted storage sections with a sliding tray for personal particulars; jewelry, papers, make up, sewing implements, or valuables as may be kept private by locking mechanism which bears the signature and street address of "Paul Sormani, 10 R. Charlot Park". The condition of the table is original, sturdy, and well made with no replacements. Surfaces have a mellow patina displaying warm, age related hues. A small rectangular section to the top surface measuring 2" x 3 1/2", just off the left and front of the center medallion is present. It does not look like a replacement because the grain transcends the section matching perfectly. It simply looks like an early restoration of some kind; possibly done contemporaneously with the manufacture of the table and possibly at the workshop of Sormani Maison because it is done so well. Please note the close up image (#3) of this repair. The base of the interior underneath (see image) is fastened with butterfly wood...
Amboyna
Napoleon III Marquetry Side Table with Floral Inlay, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite Napoleon III side table, late 19th century, richly decorated with intricate marquetry and fine bronze mounts. The table features two oval tops, each inlaid with elaborat...
Wood
$1,137Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Gueridon Foldable Side Table or Pedestal Table Napoleon III late 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Italian painted wood table made in the Napoleon III period. The black and golden painting are typical of the style of this period. The scene painted on the top represents a group o...
Wood
19th Century French Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming 19th-century French side table crafted from solid wood, showcasing the craftsmanship and style of the period. The table features a beautifully shaped rectangular top with ...
Walnut
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
French Napoleon III 1860s Walnut Guéridon Side Table with Radiating Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III walnut guéridon side table from the mid-19th century, with radiating veneer, single drawer and lower shelf. Born in France during the Second Empire, this exquis...
Walnut
French 19th Century Napoleon III Oval Marble Top Side Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
French 19th Century Napoleon III Oval Marble Top Side Table. Table has an oval form with a three quarter brass gallery surround over a white...
Brass
Charming 19th Century French Side Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Charming 19th century French side table. The wood is made of burl of walnut, circa 1870. It can be used as a jewelry table.
Wood, Elm
French 1870s Napoleon III Walnut Bedside Table with Stone Top and Tambour Door
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period walnut bedside table from the late 19th century, with tambour door, single drawer and stone top. Created in France during the third quarter of the 19th century, this walnut side table features a rectangular stone top sitting above a tambour door adorned with ebonized accents, followed by a single drawer. This upper section is raised on four legs, the front ones being thin columns with entasis and the hind ones being straight, securing a low shelf. Highlighted with thin gilt frames on the side panels, this French walnut Napoleon III bedside table...
Marble, Stone
Tea Table, Side Table, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Tea table, side table, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Side table, tea table in wood and gilt bronze, marble top, 19th century, Napoleon III period, 2 tops. H: 116 cm, W: 81 cm, ...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gueridon Marble Table
Located in Queens, NY
"French Empire-style (19th Century) round gueridon table with 3 legged gilt wood bird head legs and green marble top and shelf. Noticeable repair of bird mount."
Giltwood
19th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Side Table with Gilt Pedestal Base
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique side table was crafted in Paris, France circa 1870. Designed as an occasional guéridon, the piece features a blackened ...
Tôle
French Napoléon III Period Walnut Side Table with Inlaid Décor and Single Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period walnut side table from the Mid 19th Century, with inlaid parquetry top, single drawer and carved tapering legs. Created during the reign of France's last Emperor...
Walnut
Oval Gilt Wood Side Table, Napoleon III 1860-70, Gilt Wood and Cane
Located in Belmont, MA
Oval Gilt Wood Side Table Elevate your interior with this stunning Oval Napoleon III Gilt Wood Side Table in gilt wood and cane, an exquisite representation of French craftsmanship f...
Marble
French Napoleon III 1870s Walnut Guéridon Side Table with Lyre Base and Tray Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period walnut guéridon side table from the third quarter of the 19th century, with circular tray top, single drawer and lyre-shaped base. Born in France at the ...
Walnut
French Napoléon III 1850s Walnut Side Table with Single Drawer and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period walnut side table from the mid-19th century, with single drawer, tapered legs and brass feet. Created in France at the beginning of Emperor Napoléon III'...
Walnut
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 Napoleon III Henry Dasson Side Table
By Henry Dasson
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid mahogany and polished oak. Embracing frame box on high slightly curved legs with intermediate tray connected in sabots. Slightly protruding top plate in brass frame. (G-69).
Bronze
Stunning Napoleon III French Empire Revival Occasional Centre Table Marble Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely handmade in France circa 1850 Napoleon III Empire revival occasional centre table A good looking and extremely well made piece. The ...
Marble
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Napoleon III Period Onyx and Ormolu Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and extremely elegant French 19th century Louis XVI st. Napoleon III period onyx and ormolu side table. The table is raised by a scrolled tripod shaped base with a lightl...
Onyx, Ormolu
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
Charming Cherry Wood Side Table Napoleon III Period Good Condition
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Charming cherry wood side table Napoleon III period Good condition, patina of the tray to be reviewed.
Cherry