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Napoleon III Vanities

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
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...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Vanity with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Vanity with Carrara Marble is a definitive example of the style! Crafted during the Second Empire from exotic imported mahogany from the Americas, gilt bronze from the master metalsmiths of Paris, and Carrara marble from Italy, its tailored neoclassic-inspired architecture is truly timeless. The leg structure is connected with a recessed, curved lower shelf, with front legs featuring an elegant scrolled shape. Above, a full width drawer provides the convenience of an interior extension that opens to reveal drawer storage underneath. Atop that, luxurious Carrara marble provides an incredibly neutral, attractive and carefree surface over the entire piece. Positioned at the rear of the surface is a mirror mount for the round vanity mirror set...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

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...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Copper

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 ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Kingwood

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Napoleon III Marquerty Vanity Side Table, France, circa 1860
Located in Cagliari, IT
From the reign of Napoleon III, a parcel-ebonized vanity table decorated with marquetry inlays, t ebonized legs, with brass fittings. Opens to reveal d...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Wood

Related Items
21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with Mirror and Carrara Marble
Located in Istanbul, TR
"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio. This work/makeup desk...
Category

2010s Turkish Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Marble

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...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Softwood, Mahogany

Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century We present you an elegant and exquisite Victorian vanity table composed ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Midcentury Italian Rattan Desk or Vanity Table, circa 1960s
Located in London, GB
Midcentury Italian rattan desk or vanity table, (circa 1960s). An absolute charmer and stylish piece of the era. There are two horizontal surfaces ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Rattan

Small French Louis XV Style Inlaid Vanity Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition
Category

1960s American Vintage Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Walnut

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Side Table
19th Century French Side Table
H 28.5 in W 34.13 in D 21.25 in
French Louis XV Style Vanity or Poudreuse, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
This gorgeous Louis XV style vanity or "poudreuse" dates back to the mid 19th century and comes from France. The woman's dressing table has a very pretty walnut veneer pattern. The m...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Normandy Farm Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Country farm table or work table from Normandy. Made of solid cherry wood with two sliding doors along the front and one deep dovetailed drawer at the end, each...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Normandy Farm Table
19th Century French Normandy Farm Table
H 31 in W 105 in D 28.25 in
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawer...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Superb 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Dressing Table Vanity
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This exceptional French 19th century Empire mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass mirror and white Carrara marble top. The oval mirror is framed with be...
Category

1940s French Vintage Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Ormolu

French Louis XV Style Demi-lune Mahogany Jewelry Chest or Vanity Side Table
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely and very rare side end or side table converting to to a vanity and jewelry chest. The demi-lune shaped side table offers four drawers with compartments to nicely display and organize all type of jewelry and two side cabinet doors opening to reveal hangers for chains and any other accessories that need to be hanged. The top of the table opens up to show a mirror converting the table to a small vanity table...
Category

Late 20th Century Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Mahogany

Previously Available Items
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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Carrara Marble

Antique French Washstand Napoleon III Style
Antique French Washstand Napoleon III Style
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

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.
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

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...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Marble

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Ormolu

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass

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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

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. ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Materials

Fruitwood, Silk

Napoleon III Dressing Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Napoleon dressing table of exceptional quality, utilizing beautifully grained woods, including walnut, rosewood, tulipwood and fruitwood. The s...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Vanities

Napoleon III Dressing Table
Napoleon III Dressing Table
H 28 in W 29 in D 17 in

Napoleon Iii vanities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III vanities 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 vanities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III vanities made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vanities, popular names associated with this style include and Charles-Guillaume Diehl. 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 vanities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $14,866 while the average work can sell for $2,800.

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