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.
Magnificent antique side table gilded with marble top from around 1860
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent antique side table gilded with marble top from around 1860 Richly carved solid wood body with rich ornaments, finely carved. Balustrade with leaf ornaments articulated o...
Marble
$2,246Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Henry II Solid Oak Coffee Table with Turned Legs, circa 1880
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This French Henry II coffee table was crafted around 1880 from solid oak and reflects the robust elegance of late 19th-century design. The rectangular top rests on finely turned balu...
Oak
Napoleon III Sofa Table, French, Egg and Dart Molding, Circa 1870
Located in Montreal, QC
Napoleon III strongly figured sofa table of typical form, but.edged with egg and dart molding. The two drawers are lined in bird's-eye maple, raised on twin column supports with foliate decoration and scrolled feet united by an acanthus and barley sugar...
Wood
Napoleon III 19th Century Walnut Etagere
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III 19th Century Walnut Etagere with rich gilt bronze fittings Napoleon III 60x60xh100 cm good conditions.
Walnut
Restored Antique Napoleon III Occasional Table Brown Leather Top Butlers Trays
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely unique French Napoleon III fully restored occasional table with brass gallery rail, brown leather top and butlers slip serving trays ...
Leather, Walnut
$967 / item
H 18.12 in W 8.67 in D 15.75 in
White Carrara Marble Minimalist Oval Side Table “Column Side Table S”
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Column Side Table Small is a minimalist style side table consisting of a treated Carrara marble base, a white lacquered aluminum oval shape...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Aluminum, Brass
Art Deco Sofa Table, Amboyna Roots Veneer, France, Circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Low rectangular art deco sofa of coffee table from France about 1930. Amboyna roots wood veneered and lacquered. Black lacquered at the edges. Dimensions: H 40, 5 cm x W 122 cm x D...
Lacquer, Amboyna
19th Century French Mahogany Tripod Round Small Side Table
Located in Sofia, BG
Fine mahogany side table with round top resting on tripod hand carved leg. Very good condition with no restorations. France, circa 1860.
Mahogany
$2,300 / item
H 18 in Dm 18 in
Calcatta Viola Marble-Topped & Walnut Base Side Table by Mary Ratcliffe Studio
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed to be the perfect, round accent to (almost) any room, our Axel side table is available as a solid wood or marble-topped piece. Coming in a variety of wood and stone finishes...
Marble
$1,085 / item
H 18.12 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
Black Marquina Marble Minimal Oval Side Table “Column Side Table S”
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Column side table small is a minimalist style side table consisting of a treated Marquina marble base, a black lacquered aluminum oval shap...
Marble, Aluminum, Brass
French Coffee table early 19th century
Located in MILL, NL
Large-sized country coffee table. Original from France, early 19th century. In good condition. Beautiful colour and patina. With drawer at front. Dimensions: 122L x 102W x 49H
Wood
$1,500
H 12.41 in W 44.3 in D 20.48 in
Japanese Antique Sofa Table or Storage Box 1860s-1920s / Side Table Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese storage chest that also functions as a low table. It was crafted during the Meiji to Taisho periods (1860s–1920s) and made from traditional Japanese cedar (su...
Tin
Italian Brass Coffee Table with Marble Top, 1960
Located in Dronten, NL
Very elegant Italian 1950's coffee table with a polished brass base and marble top. Excellent Italian craftsmanship and still in wonderful vintage condition with just the right amoun...
Marble, Brass
Art Deco Walnut Occasional Table, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
1930s Art Deco walnut occasional coffee table in a mid tone honey colour. Made in England this is a lovely looking table with great design and form, is in excellent condition having ...
Walnut
Gold Mid-Century Modern Side Table, Glass Top, Gilded Metal Base, 1960
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, vintage Mid-Century Modern small round side, sofa table with a circular glass top and a gilded metal base on three legs and gracefully decorated with four metal sunflowers, i...
Metal, Brass
19th Century Carved Oak Console Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak console table from England with a wonderfully detailed hand carved backsplash over the top of the table, which has a beveled and car...
Oak
$1,610
H 17 in W 23.75 in D 21.5 in
19th Century Handcrafted Chinese Elm Wood Side Table – Solid Rustic Design
Located in IT
This 19th-century handcrafted elm wood side table from China is a beautifully rustic piece with timeless appeal. The table features a solid, single piece of elm wood for the top, sho...
Elm
19th Century French Writing Table or Desk in Mahogany
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
19th Century French writing table or desk in mahogany with two drawers in the skirt and a recently-fitted gilt tooled leather writing surface. Raised and turned and fluted tapering l...
Mahogany
19th C Painted Console with Marble Top
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully painted marble top console decorated with chinoiserie figures, circa 1850.
Marble
19th Century Inlaid Wood Napoleon III French Coffee Table, 1880
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French coffee table from the second half of the 19th century. Napoleon III furniture pleasantly inlaid in mahogany, bois de rose, walnut, maple, ebonized wood and fruitwood. Étagère ...
Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 65.5 in D 28 in
Chic 19th Century French Napolean III Two Sided Black Console or Sofa Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A stunning wooden antique French 2 sided console or sofa table with original black paint, cabriole legs and hoof feet. Some wear to feet. Beautiful and...
Wood
Noble Salon Table or Sofa Table Louis XVI, Napoleon III, 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
Noble salon table or couch table Louis XVI, Napoleon III, 1870 Massive oak hand carved and gold set. Finely carved down to the last detail. Heavily carved frame base. Table legs c...
Marble
17th Century Walnut Top Console Table
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous antique 17th century walnut single plank tops two 19th century French Art Nouveau cast iron pedestals for this wonderful console table, sure to be a unique conversation pi...
Iron
19th Century Second Empire Marble-Top Console Sofa Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Topped with black marble, this 19th century console-sofa is a great size and especially appealing with the gorgeous bronze-mounted flame mahogany wood. Three shelves provide exceptio...
Marble
18th Century Chestnut Wine Merchant's Table
Located in Austin, TX
Fabulous console table with 18th century single solid chestnut plank top and 19th century cast iron base, from the Beaujolais region.
Iron