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 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Vanity
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite ebonized vanity with bone inlay detail from the 1800s, France. The unadorned vanity top opens on brass hinges to reveal an inset mirror for checking one's appearance, over a...
Wood
Napoleon III Period Vanity Table or French Travailleuse
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty Napoleon III period three-tier 'travailleuse', or work table, fitted out for use as an elegant vanity unit. The top tray opens with a hinged lid to reveal a mirrored ba...
Brass
Mid 20th Century Maison Jansen Ebonized French Writing Desk With Mirror
Located in Elkton, MD
Maison Jansen ebonized writing desk of French origin from the mid-20th century. The composition features a central mirror above the writing surface framed by symmetrical drawer eleme...
Brass
$816Sale 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
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 Louis XV Napoleon III Rosewood Brass Inlay Vanity Nightstand Sewing Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Louis XV Style Napoleon III Rosewood and Brass Inlay Vanity Nightstand Sewing Table. Item features shapely cabriole legs, beautiful rosewood veneers, dovetailed centra...
Brass, 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
Diehl in Paris, Napoleon III Ebony Work Table / Vanity Table, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Lovely table with works or dressing table in ebony Louis XV - Napoleon III style. It is decorated with gilded and chiselled bronzes, signed on the interior lock "DIEHL - PARIS - 19 r...
Bronze
$2,641Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Black Wooden Working Table with Brass Decoration
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century work table in blackened wood inlaid with brass fillet, the lid reveals a tray with three compartments and a niche, it opens with a belt pocket. Curved legs, trim brass ...
Wood
Napoleon III Period Dressing Table, Attributed to Diehl
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period dressing table, attributed to Diehl French, circa 1870 Measures: Height 78cm, width 50cm, depth 38cm This magnificent dressing table is crafted from dark woo...
Bronze
$495Sale Price|83% Off
H 81 in W 28.5 in D 13.25 in
Wrought Iron French Vanity Stand or Hall Tree Console Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
An interesting and elaborate French wrought iron Vanity of type Mirror stand. I believe could be used as a vanity or possibly a Hall tree for a hat rack on top. Not certain of exact ...
Wrought Iron
$1,229Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.85 in W 37.01 in D 20.48 in
20th Century French Vintage Wooden Vanity Table with Mirror Top and Drawers
Located in Sofia, BG
Very well preserved 20th century french vintage vanity table with mirror top and drawers that is made in fruit wood. It is raised on slightly curved legs with a delicate detail at th...
Fruitwood
$3,841
H 29.14 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
1963 Danish Writing Desk and Mirrored Vanity, Wood, Oestergaard
Located in Arosio, IT
A Mid-Century Modern small desk that can also be used as mirrored vanity. It has one tilt mirror (still bearing the original label) and one drawer. Legs are in hardwood and the top i...
Brass
![1930's Glamorous French Art Deco Period Parchment [Goatskin] Vanity- Tall Mirror](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/1930s-glamorous-french-art-deco-period-parchment-goatskin-vanity-tall-mirror-for-sale/f_92852/f_395820421714946070898/f_39582042_1714946072504_bg_processed.jpg?width=240)
![1930's Glamorous French Art Deco Period Parchment [Goatskin] Vanity- Tall Mirror](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/1930s-glamorous-french-art-deco-period-parchment-goatskin-vanity-tall-mirror-for-sale-picture-2/f_92852/f_39582042/IMG_1714946126295_master.JPG?width=240)
$1,616Sale Price|50% Off
H 64.5 in W 14.5 in D 47.5 in
1930's Glamorous French Art Deco Period Parchment [Goatskin] Vanity- Tall Mirror
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1930's French Art Deco Parchment Clad w/ Rosewood Ladies Vanity. This is a glamorous piece of furniture. Tall mirrored with 6 drawers. Parisian Estate.
Wood
$2,850
H 85 in W 56 in D 17 in
French Louis XV Style Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Etched Mirror Vanity Circa 1920's
Located in Long Branch, NJ
French Louis XV Style Inlaid Walnut Marble Top Etched Mirror Vanity Circa 1920's Dimensions : 85" tall X 56" Wide X 17" Deep This stunning vanity was made in France in the 1920's a...
Marble
$3,475
H 28.35 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
Early 19th Century Walnut Wood Catalan Spanish Console, Desk or Vanity Table
Located in Miami, FL
A 19th century walnut console table with a slab top above a frieze with two drawers with front decorated with and edge in each drawer and a single original iron pull . The table is s...
Iron
$2,675
H 30.52 in W 37.6 in D 19.49 in
20th Century Marquetry Console Table with Drawer and Tapered Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century console in wood veneer. It features beautiful marquetry of rinceaux and floral motifs in drawer. It is resting on four tapered legs.
Wood
$2,641Sale Price|50% Off
H 56.7 in W 24.81 in D 16.54 in
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Marble
French Art Deco Vanity or Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco vanity or dressing table. Design in the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Striking French design from the 1930s. Black lacquered walnut and burl base wit...
Granite, Marble, Brass
$2,401
H 59.06 in W 42.13 in D 19.69 in
19th Century English Softwood & Mahogany Veneer Vanity Table, Signed Maple & Co.
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century English Softwood & Mahogany Veneer Vanity Table, Signed Maple & Co. We present you this vanity table circa the late 19th century in mahogany veneer. The whole is signed by the British furniture manufactory of Maple & Co. that was founded in the early 19th century. The vanity is of a simple form, placed on high, angular legs, and composed of a base with three drawers, an upper section with a movable mirror, and two adjacent to the rear wall compartments with small drawers. Moreover, the mirror is oval, in a wooden frame, and mounted to the wall with brass hooks. The legs of the vanity are on the porcelain rolls. The fronts of the drawers, pulpit, and the mirror frame are inlaid with fillet stripes. Presented vanity has been restored and finished in French polish. The Maple manufactory was one of the major producers and suppliers of furniture to the British aristocracy...
Softwood, Mahogany
Fine French Art Deco amboyna vanity/ dressing table w/ brass trim
Located in New York City, NY
As an ode to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, this stunning original 1930s dressing table exudes Hollywood glamour with its exotic amboyna g...
Brass
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 43 in W 39 in D 16 in
Antique French Victorian Louis XV Style Rosewood Mirrored Vanity C1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique French Victorian Louis XV Style Rosewood Mirrored Vanity C1880 Measures - 43"h x 39"w x 16"d
Rosewood
Sold
H 38.25 in W 41.25 in D 23.75 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Oak Vanity or Wash Table W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th century French Napoleon III washstand or vanity, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly hand-crafted from solid oak with its original ebonized finish, the piec...
Carrara Marble
19C French Napoleon III Ladies Vanity Table - RARE
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a GLORIOUSLY RARE and VERY HIGH QUALITY 19C French Napoleon III Rare Ladies Make-up Table or Vanity. Not many of these EXCEPTIONAL Tables have survived and even fewer wit...
Ormolu
Antique French Washstand Napoleon III Style
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Antique French Washstand Napoleon III Style A pretty faux bamboo and pine washstand featuring a variegated grey and white veined Carrara mar...
Carrara Marble
Napoleon III Burl Olive Wood Kidney Shaped Writing / Poudre Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Continental Louis XV style burl olive wood kidney shaped writing / poudre table, late 19th century. Kidney shaped top with center area with mirror that rises to be used as a ...
Glass, Olive
Writing Table, Lady's and Worker's Desk, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Writing table,lady's and worker's desk, Napoleon III period, blackened pearwood, brass inlay, 19th century. Measures: H: 72 cm, W: 64 cm, D: 42 cm.
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 22.45 in D 15.75 in
19th Century Napoleon III Dark Rosewood Side Table French Center Sewing Table
Located in Milano, MI
An antique French Napoleon III rosewood center table, dating back to circa 1870, in good condition. A stunning quality rosewood center sewing or vanity side table, finished on all si...
Brass, Ormolu
Sold
H 33.08 in W 29.93 in D 16.54 in
French Napoleon III Style Dressing Table Vanity Unit Marble and Mirror, c. 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
Vanity dressing table with central mirror, one drawer and one board, in the bamboo style French early 20th century Pine, linden wood, marble and mirror. All original Dimension...
Marble
Sold
H 55.5 in W 40.5 in D 20 in
Antique Napoleon III Classical Revival Mahogany & Ormolu Dressing Table c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Napoleon III Classical Revival dressing table offers mahogany construction with oval mirror having flanking column supports with flame finials over table with singl...
Ormolu
Sold
H 29.5 in W 21.6 in D 15 in
Mahogany Vanity or Side Table Brass Inlays and Marquetry Work, France circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Adorable Mahogany vanity table or side table with brass inlays out of France from the late 19th century, circa 1870. The top plate, veneered in fine mahogany, can be opened and impre...
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 19.5 in D 13.75 in
French Napoleon III Period Ebonized Travailleuse/Dressing Table, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
French Napoleon III period vanity table, ebonized frame accented with Burlwood panels, hinged top with marquetry musical instruments, Oak branches, and floral blooms, reverse with ...
Burl
Napoleon III Table in Boulle Style Marquetry, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant small table vanity in Boulle marquetry Napoleon III made up of four brass leaves set in mother of pearl crosses. Marquetry on all sides. ...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 30.71 in W 15.75 in D 11.03 in
Precious Lacquered Vanity Table Napoleon III, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant, delicate and rare make up vanity and jewel table Napoleon III with mirror. Entirely land lacquered and golden hand-painted in made in hand-carved pear fruitwood. Bamboo deco...
Silk, Fruitwood