Napoleon III Tapestries
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
Very Beautiful Antique Pair of silk velvet Curtains
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Wonderful pair of curtains from late 19th century, with a nice silk velvet tissue and a needlepoint band applied on it.
Size of each piece is 105x295 cm
✨✨✨
"Experience the epitome o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Silk
19th c Pair of French Aubusson Tapestry Entre Fenetres
Located in Savannah, GA
A fine pair of mid 19th century Aubusson Tapestry Wall panels created for hanging between windows or doors and were known as Entre Fenetre panels. Hand w...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
Rare Silk Embroidery Artwork with Horse Race Scene, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This fabulous Napoleon III embroidery artwork was crafted in France, circa the late 19th Century. The beautiful and finely detailed "Fil De Soie" (silk thread) art piece boasts a hor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Fabric, Silk
Pair of French 1850s Aubusson Floral Tapestries with Rinceaux Arabesques
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoleon III period Aubusson tapestries from the mid-19th century depicting rinceaux surrounding a floral decor. Woven in the famous Aubusson Manufacture located in central France during the 1850s, each of this pair of wall tapestries...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry
Bobyrug’s Very Beautiful Embroidered Antique Pair of Curtains
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Wonderful pair of curtains from late 19th century, with beautiful floral design at borders, embroidered with silk on wool velvet foundation.
✨✨✨
"Exp...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
Late 19th Century French Silk Tapestry ( 4'2" x 7'2" - 127 x 218 cm )
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th Century French Silk Tapestry ( 4'2" x 7'2" - 127 x 218 cm )
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Wool
19th Century French Napoleon III Aubusson Rug in Clay, Blue, Green, and Pink
Located in Dallas, TX
French 19th century large Aubusson rug from the Napoleon III period. This Aubusson is handwoven and has a beautiful color range, consisting of a cla...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Tapestries
Materials
Wool
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Previously Available Items
MASSiVE WILLIAM MORRIS GRAIL TAPESTRY SUMMONED TO THE QUEST BY A STRANGE DAMSEL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage William Morris Holy Grail Tapestry of The Knights of the Round Table Summoned to the Quest by a Strange Damsel (The Summons), Morte D'Arthur, McCulloch
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price
A very good looking and decorative piece. This is a vintage piece and looks to be embroidered to a very high standard, it is very large and fills a wall wonderfully
Condition wise, apart from normal patina I can't see a single thing wrong with it anywhere, it looks sublime
Dimensions
Height:- 135cm
Width:- 272cm
Depth:- 1cm
Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask
The Grail Tapestries
The Quest for the Holy Grail
In the early 1890’s Sir Edward Burn-Jones designed a series of tapestries illustrating the Quest for the Holy Grail. These were produced in collaboration with William Morris and some of them are now in he care of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
For conservation reasons the tapestries are only exhibited occasionally but are on show as from today, 22nd November 2008, until February 2009. This sequence of tapestries was originally designed for William Knox D'Arcy, for the dining room of his house, Stanmore Hall, Middlesex. It was the most extensive decoration scheme that the firm of Morris & Co completed.
A set of ten were designed by Edward Burne-Jones, who produced the figurative designs and based the costumes loosely on those of the twelfth century, John Henry Dearle, who designed decorative detail, and William Morris, who designed the heraldry.
Several further versions were woven later, although the entire series was only repeated once, for D'Arcy's business partner, George McCulloch, in 1898-99.
Birmingham's version of 'The Summons' is from the series produced for George McCulloch. The subject matter is based on the 15th century Thomas Malory...
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H 53.15 in W 107.09 in D 0.4 in
Very Beautiful Antique Pair of silk velvet Curtains
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Portuguese Embroidery From The 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
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Lovely embroidery decorated with flowers and bouquets and geometric shapes
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Tapestry Brocard master piece from Museum collection stamp , France 1880
By Maison Brocard
Located in La xara, VC
Exceptional master tapisserie from Brocard Museum Royal collection, brought directly from the estate of the Museum; Vente collection brocard 1998; P.D...
Stamps and reference number ...
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H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 0.08 in
Fine Napoleon III circa 1860 Antique French Embroidered Tapestry Rail Type Fit
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Napoleon III circa 1860 hand made in France, Embroidered Tapestry depicting a lovely detailing summer fishing scene which is very roman...
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H 30.71 in W 37.21 in D 0.2 in
Big Size Royal Hunt Scene Tapestry, France 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Very big dimension wool Tapestry representing the Royal Hunt of Maximilian.
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709 - Small 19th Century French Textil Element
Located in Paris, FR
709 - small 19th century French textil element.
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Rare Full Set of a Castle Wall Tapestries, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
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909 - French Aubusson Rug, Napoléon III, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
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Perfect state of preservation.
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Beautiful Large Tapestry Rug Carpet, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
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19th Century Embroidery of a Couple and Child
Located in New York, NY
Framed 19th century embroidered depiction of a man, woman, and child.
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Napoleon Iii tapestries for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III tapestries for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage tapestries created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, rugs and carpets, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III tapestries made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tapestries, popular names associated with this style include Aubusson Manufacture, Maison Brocard, and Royal Manufacture of Aubusson. 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 tapestries differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $998 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $6,293.