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Napoleon III Tray Tables

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
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays

Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays

$1,595

Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This early twentieth century French tole tray table is painted yellow with black detailing. Its two removable trays feature central lyre motifs and are detailed with a leaf motif. Ea...

Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Tin

Tahan Paris Signed French Napoleon III Period Convertible Wine Cooler Tray Table
Tahan Paris Signed French Napoleon III Period Convertible Wine Cooler Tray Table

Tahan Paris Signed French Napoleon III Period Convertible Wine Cooler Tray Table

$12,500

Tahan Paris Signed French Napoleon III Period Convertible Wine Cooler Tray Table

By André-Charles Boulle, Jean-Pierre Tahan, Tahan Paris

Located in Forney, TX

A rare and striking antique French Napoleon III Second Empire Period (1852-1870) convertible rafraichissoir wine cooler drinks table by the ébéniste to the Emperor Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan (1813-1892) Crafted by Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan, the esteemed cabinetmaker to Napoléon III, this wine table is a remarkable example of 19th-century European artistry, ingenuity, and fine craftsmanship. Executed in timeless Louis XV style, ebonized fruitwood featuring sophisticated Boule style Queen marquetry with inlays of mother of pearl and brass, adorned with ornate patinated bronze mounts, having a pierced brass galleried top fitted with a cartouche shaped handled serving tray, lifting to reveal a spacious open well with removable ice bin metal liner. Over an elegant scalloped apron, rising on long shapely cabriole legs affixed with eye-screws to accommodate the serving tray converting it to a stretcher style lower shelf, terminating on casters. circa 1860 Signed, retaining the original metal label that reads "TAHAN FOURNISSEUR DE L’ EMPEREUR Paris" (Tahan Supplier of the Emperor) to the interior compartment. Could also be used a bar cart, tea service table...

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

19th Century Hand painted curved Dutch Tray Table
19th Century Hand painted curved Dutch Tray Table

19th Century Hand painted curved Dutch Tray Table

$1,201

19th Century Hand painted curved Dutch Tray Table

Located in Den Haag, NL

Beautiful Metal Tray Table, on stand . Hand painted flowers in Gold . In the middle a Bird .Love the curves on the tray ,and on the stand ,beathiful .

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1880s Dutch Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

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Metal

19th Century French Lacquered Tray
19th Century French Lacquered Tray

19th Century French Lacquered Tray

$1,120

19th Century French Lacquered Tray

Located in Stockbridge, GA

19th century French tole lacquered tray

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

19th century Napoleon III Black Lacquered Metal Tray, 1870s
19th century Napoleon III Black Lacquered Metal Tray, 1870s

19th century Napoleon III Black Lacquered Metal Tray, 1870s

$1,201

19th century Napoleon III Black Lacquered Metal Tray, 1870s

Located in LEGNY, FR

Superb Napoleon III period tray, crafted in black lacquered metal, richly decorated with gilt motifs, characteristic of the refined decorative taste of the 19th century. Of shaped f...

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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century French Bronze Terrier as a Pen Tray
Late 19th Century French Bronze Terrier as a Pen Tray

Late 19th Century French Bronze Terrier as a Pen Tray

$495

Late 19th Century French Bronze Terrier as a Pen Tray

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Late 19th Century French Bronze Terrier as a Pen Tray. Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Tole Oval Tray with Hand-Painted Scene
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Tole Oval Tray with Hand-Painted Scene

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Tole Oval Tray with Hand-Painted Scene

$695

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Tole Oval Tray with Hand-Painted Scene

Located in Dallas, TX

Serve or display with this elegant antique tole tray, crafted in France circa 1870. Oval in form, the black lacquered metal surface is richly decorated with hand-painted gilt ornamen...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Tôle

Pair of 19th century tray tables with lacquer trays
Pair of 19th century tray tables with lacquer trays

Pair of 19th century tray tables with lacquer trays

$3,733 / set

Pair of 19th century tray tables with lacquer trays

Located in Leimen, DE

Pair of beautiful Napoleon III tray tables from the second part of the 19th century, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and historical charm. These tables feature a Louis XVI style walnut base, providing a classic and refined aesthetic. The tops of the tables are adorned with metal lacquer decor trays...

Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

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20th Century Asian Handcrafted Brass Tray Table with Folding Base
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Previously Available Items
19th century Napoleon III hand-painted & gilt tole tray, chinoiserie style
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French large oval tole service tray decorated with chinoiseries style scene (fine gold gilt palace scenes) on a vivid red background. Mid 19th century fine work circa 1850 (early Nap...

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Rococo Style Silver Plated Sideboard Mirror Tray, Wine Tray
Rococo Style Silver Plated Sideboard Mirror Tray, Wine Tray

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19th Century French Napoleon III Hand Painted Oval Tole Tray with Floral Motifs
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Located in Dallas, TX

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Place this elegant antique tray on a coffee table, or in a master bathroom to display beauty products. Crafted in France, circa 1870, and oval in shape...

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French Walnut Napoleon III Period Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Oval Tray
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French Walnut Napoleon III Period Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Oval Tray

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Very beautiful French Walnut Napoleon III period mother-of-pearl inlay oval tray. Butterfly and flowers mother-of-pearl details, some few losses but very good general condition. ...

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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Tray Tables

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19th Century French Napoleon III Oval Tole Tray with Hand Painted Medallion
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This elegant antique tray was created in France, circa 1870. Oval in shape, the large black tole platter is embellished by hand painted gilt decor around the lip, and a colorful hand painted center medallion depicting a romantic picnic in the park with horses and dog. The colorful tray...

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Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Hand Painted Tole Tray with Bird Motifs
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Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Hand Painted Tole Tray with Bird Motifs

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Crafted in France circa 1860 and rectangular in shape, the large and colorful platter features a pierced gallery around the edges and is decorated with hand painted bird motifs perched on branches. The antique tray table...

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19th Century Napoleon III Lacquered Wood and Painted Tray, 1870s
19th Century Napoleon III Lacquered Wood and Painted Tray, 1870s

19th Century Napoleon III Lacquered Wood and Painted Tray, 1870s

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H 1.58 in W 28.75 in D 22.84 in

19th Century Napoleon III Lacquered Wood and Painted Tray, 1870s

Located in LEGNY, FR

Beautiful Napoleon III black lacquered wood and painted tray from the 1870s. Birds painted in nice colors. Good quality. Can be used as a tray table.

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Wood

19th Century French Napoleon III Black and Gilt Tole Tray with Pastoral Scene
19th Century French Napoleon III Black and Gilt Tole Tray with Pastoral Scene

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H 0.75 in W 17.5 in D 13 in

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Napoleon Iii tray tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III tray tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage tray tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, tôle and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III tray tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 tray tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $225 and tops out at $43,356 while the average work can sell for $675.

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