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Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

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 Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century Period
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback with a boy on a horse. Napoleon III Period. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black / pewt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn, Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French fireback with the goddess Aurora. She renews herself every morning and announces the arrival of the sun. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brow...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace andirons or fire dogs, made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fire fender made of brass and wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III The Hunt Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with a hunting scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cupids Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period 'Cupids' Fireback with three cupids. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black/pew...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Style Hunter Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III Style 'Hunter' Fireback / Backsplash with a hunting scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. It is in good conditi...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century, Large French Trivet
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th century, French Napoleon III period trivet. For heating up a pan or to keep it warm in and in front of the fire. Still in a good working condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Patio Wrought Iron Chaise Longue
Located in Sheffield, MA
The undulating black patio metal garden chaise loungeis relatively light weight for easy movability. The seat peaks where the knee bends making it extremely comfortable. The mesh cou...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Man Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons. The andirons are made or cast iron and have a natural brown patina. The condition is good.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th C. French Napoleon III Fire Companion Set
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel, poker and stand. Made of brass. The set has one minor loss but is otherwise in a good con...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Large Wrought Iron Gate in the Napoleon III Style
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Large wrought iron gate in the Napoleon III style.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Napoleon III-Style Mantelpiece in Statuario Carrara Marble Including a Clock
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This Napoleon III style mantelpiece was made in Statuary marble in the 19th century. It includes many Renaissance inspired elements. It features an imposing mantel top, also in marbl...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Statuary Marble

French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-20th century French Napoleon III style andirons made of wrought iron. The andirons are in good condition and fit for use in the fireplace. This product has to be shipped as f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket, fire basket made of wrought iron and brass. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

20th Century Massive Finely Engraved Bronze Pillar or Column, Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive finely engraved bronze casting. With richly structured, strongly ornamented. Ending the pillar on four volute-shaped legs. Under the doubly stepped, finely chiseled cover pla...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace andirons or fire dogs, made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Bouhon Frères Fireplace Tool Set, Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set - fire irons made of brass. Bouhon Frères were prominent French producers of fireplace tools in the 1...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

French 1850s Napoléon III Framed Architectural Panel with Allegory of the Arts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period framed architectural oil on canvas panel from the mid 19th century, with Allegory of the Arts and rinceaux motifs. Created in France at the beginning of ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

French Napoleon III Style Judgment of Solomon Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Two young women who lived in the same house and who both had an infant son came to Solomon for a judgement. One child had died. Both women claimed the living child. They asked Solomo...
Category

20th Century German Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Wrought Iron Painted Blue Outdoor Daybed
Located in Astoria, NY
Gorgeous mid-19th century authentic French Napoleon III iron daybed sourced from Provence, retaining its original blue painted surface with a soft, timeworn patina over exposed iron....
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron

Antique French Gilt Bronze and Boulle Marquetry Jardinière
Located in London, GB
Antique French gilt bronze and Boulle marquetry jardinière French, Late 19th Century Height 38cm, width 78cm, depth 45cm This superb jardinière is crafted using several complex tec...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century, French Napoleon III Firedogs or Andirons
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century, French Napoleon III period fire dogs made of wrought iron. The andirons have spit hooks to grill food. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Beautiful Napoleon III Antique French Stone Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
Beautiful French Napoleon III Antique Stone Fireplace Surround. Elegant timeless color to blend in a cozy moody interior or to have a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stone

Napoleon III Fireplace In Turquin Blue Marble Circa 1880
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Napoleon III fireplace in turquin blue marble circa 1880 hearth dimensions 88 x 103 cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Pair Mid-19th Century French Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Framed Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair mid-19th century French hand-forged wrought iron framed panels were painstakingly crafted by an obviously talented metal smith out of red-hot iron to create an artistic window accent that also happens to be exceedingly secure! Hand-forged during the Napoleon III Period which was the beginning of the heydays of the Belle Epoque, each panel is constructed using rivets which is difficult, tedious, and requires considerable skill, but results in a finished work that literally transcends time itself! The classically-inspired architecture of the works are undeniable, as is the subtle French touch in the elegant scrollwork and curvatures. Each is mounted in its original solid pine framework, and because they are hand-forged, are very slightly different in size which is only immediately apparent when they're placed right next to each other. Perfect for adding a timeless Old World touch to your interior or exterior decor...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns
By Corneau Freres, Alfred Corneau
Located in Houston, TX
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns. Offered is an extra large pair of 19th century French cast iron garden urns with large exaggerated handles. Our French Napoleon III iro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of Solid Wood Cupboard Doors, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of solid wood cupboard doors, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Pair of 19th century solid wood cupboard doors, Napoleon III period. Right: H: 173.5cm, W: 52cm, D: 2cm Left: H...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Beige Lumel Marble Fireplace Circa 1900
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Napoleon III Beige Lumel Marble Fireplace Circa 1900
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Napoleon III walnut fireplace surmounted by an important alcove
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This impressive fireplace made in walnut wood during the second half of the 19th century shows a very rich and eclectic decoration typical of the Second Empire's taste. Its rolled ja...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Gilded Wood Planter
Located in Charmes, FR
fully gilded wooden planter, 19th century, interior painted green, minimal chips and lack of gilding, due to wear and tear, in good house condition
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

19th Century Antique French Carved Sandstone Female Bust Garden Statue Sculpture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Antique 19th Century French hand carved sandstone female bust garden statue or sculpture. Female carved head and base, with flowing hair, covered bonnet on back of head, ribbon and ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Sandstone

19th Century French Napoleon III Marble and Gilt Bronze Fire Place Mantel
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous 19th century French Napoleon III marble and gilt bronze fire place mantel. Beautiful grey and white marble along with lovely carvings. Extra special!
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Balcony Corbels in Carved Pierre de Villebois Stone
Located in Dallas, TX
Recently salvaged from an important French building in the Lyon area, this pair of balcony corbels are from the Napoleon III period (sometimes called Second Empire style). Each corbel was hand-carved in pierre de villebois stone, which is a very hard limestone used...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Pair of candelabrum with 9 lights in gilded, silvered and burnished bronze
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This splendid pair of candelabrum was made by Auguste-Louis Marquis (bronze maker) for the Maison Giroux circa 1855 in gilded, silvered and burnished bronze, the set on a cylindrical...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Brass Marquetry Boulle Inlay Ebonized Wood Planter Table, C. 1885
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 19th century Napoleon III Brass Marquetry Boulle Inlay and Ebonized Wood Planter Table. Exceptional craftsmanship. Beautifully decorated. Measures 25" in width, 15" in depth a...
Category

Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th-19th Century French Napoleon III Clockwork Roasting Jack
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Functional 18th - 19th century French Napoleon III roasting jack made of cast iron, wrought iron, brass and copper. It is used for cooking in a kitchen fireplace...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron, Wrought Iron

Porte décorative style Napoléon III imitation marbre
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Porte Décorative Style Napoléon III - Imitation Marbre Cette somptueuse porte décorative de style Napoléon III est une véritable œuvre d’art, alliant l’opulence du Second Empire à un...
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1890s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stucco, Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Firedogs / Andirons, 19th Century
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Antique French Napoleon III Firedogs / Andirons, 19th century.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Joseph Simon Volmar (Berne, 1796-1865), Pair of bears in cast iron
By Josef Volmar
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Joseph Simon Volmar (or Vollmar) (Bern, 1796-1865) was a Swiss painter and sculptor. Born to a painter father, he was his student at the Bern Art School and later studied in Paris be...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone, Iron

Beautiful Neoclassical Noir De Mazy Black Marble Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Behold the exquisite Neoclassical Noir De Mazy black marble antique front fireplace, a testament to timeless beauty and refined craftsmanship. This meticulously designed fireplace ex...
Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

20th Century Massive Finely Engraved Bronze Pillar or Column, Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive finely engraved bronze casting. With richly structured, strongly ornamented. Ending the pillar on four volute-shaped legs. Under the doubly stepped, finely chiselled cover pl...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

French Chimney Piece With Fleur De Lys For Timeless Modernist Interior Concept
Located in Beervelde, BE
Unique timeless French limestone fireplace surround with beautiful Fleur de Lys details on the fronton. Measurements: 176 cm Exterior Width 69,29 Inch 112,5 cm Exterior Height 44,29...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Limestone

Pair Of Cast Iron Wall Lights, Based On Models From The Pont Alexandre III
Located in Charmes, FR
Beautiful pair of cast iron wall lights with bronze patina made after models from the Pont Alexandre III in Paris. This pair of lanterns was designed in the 20th century as part of t...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century Andirons in Gilt Bronze, Signed by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this beautiful pair of large andirons with their gilded bronze bar. They exemplify the exuberant Napoleon III style and they originate from the late 19th century....
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Oak Door, 19th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These high oak carriage doors were made at the end of the 19th century and belonged to a typical Haussmannian building in Paris. In very good condition,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Oak

Pair of Napoleon III Urns with Original Polychromy
Located in New York, NY
Retaining their original polychromy in the neo-Gothic style, these pieces represent a trend typical of the Second Empire—large planters intended for exterior spaces with either intri...
Category

1870s Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair 19th Century Framed Oval Stained Glass Windows
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Framed Oval Stained Glass Windows will make the perfect finishing touch to your remodeling or building project! Each oval window consists of amber and light eggplant colored diamond-shaped panes, or in Louisiana parlance, Purple and Gold! Each window is surrounded by oval molding, then survives in its original rectangular frame which is chamfered on the sides and fitted with pyramidal rosettes on each corner to add visual interest and a three dimensional aspect. Use them as exterior...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stained Glass, Pine

Late 19th–Early 20th Century Hand-Hammered Copper Bath Tub
Located in New York, NY
Antique Copper Bath Tub Late 19th–early 20th century This impressive antique copper bath tub exemplifies the transition from utilitarian hygiene to refined domestic luxury at the tu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Copper

Three Pairs of 19th Century Double-Doors Painted in Imitation of Marquetry
Located in Paris, FR
Three pairs of double doors in solid oak, painted in imitation of marquetry (walnut burl, rosewood, sycamore burl). The reserves are surrounded by a gilded wood molding, Two of the...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Antique Large Doble Wooden Interior Door in White Patina Color
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
Antique large double wooden Interior door in white patina color. This pair of doors is adorned with molded panels of varying sizes and light hand...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Napoleon III Urn, Charleville Design
Located in Washington, DC
Napoleon III Urn, Design, Charleville Design Cast Iron
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

White/ beige Marble Pedestal Basin, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large white / beige marble basin on foot, 19th century? Some small chips, a natural crack in the marble Height 38cm diameter 38.5cm
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Series of 11 Pairs of Door Plaques, Door Decoration, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Series of 11 pairs of door plaques, door decoration, 19th century. Set of 11 pairs of gilt and patinated brass door plaques, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 22cm, W: 6cm, D: 0...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Fireplace In Carrara Marble Circa 1880
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Napoleon III fireplace in Carrara marble, hearth dimensions 76 x 112cm, repair following splinters on the bottom center of the lintel.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble

Pair of Ceramic Columns, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of ceramic columns, late 19th century Pair of ceramic columns, imitation Griotte marble, late 19th century. H: 99 cm, d max: 45 cm, d min: 28.5 cm.  
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Napoleon III Brocatelle Marble Ornamental Pedestal Column, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Napoleon III Brocatelle Marble Ornamental Pedestal Column from the 19th Century, A brocatelle Jaune marble, set on a square and terraced base with gilted bronze details in Napole...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Spring Driven Roasting Jack
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Functional and beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III roasting jack made of cast iron, wrought iron, brass and copper. It is used for cooking in a kitchen fireplace. The set cons...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Clockwork Roasting Jack
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Functional and beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III roasting jack made of cast iron, wrought iron, brass and copper. It is used for cooking in a kitchen fireplace. The set cons...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron, Wrought Iron

Napoleon Iii building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Netherlands pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Bouhon Frères, Alfred Corneau, Corneau Freres, and Antoine Durenne Foundry. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $111 and tops out at $1,886,228 while the average work can sell for $716.