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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 Religious Scene Fireback / Backsplash, Napoleon III Style
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III style fireback with a religious scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina. It is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Style Man Fireback / Backsplash, 20th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French fireback. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewte...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Dutch Wrought Iron Blow Poker, Late 19th or Early 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century, Dutch Napoleon III period blow poker. The blow poke is made of wrought iron. It is in a good working condition.  
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

20th Century French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III Style andirons made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III style andirons made of cast iron fronts and wrought iron beams. The andirons are in good condition.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Revolution Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon period fireback that symbolizes the French Revolution. On top of the pillar is a Phrygian cap. This is the cap of Marianne, a national symbol of France. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Good Samaritan Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback with the parable of the good Samaritan. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. The fireback is made of cast iron and has...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Period Blow Poker, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century, French Napoleon III Period blow poker. The blow poke is made of wrought iron. It is in a good working condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Period Fireplace Log Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireplace grate depicting Napoleon. The andirons are made of cast iron and a recently forged steel grate. The grate is in a good condition and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Mercury and Ceres Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. Mercury and Ceres celebrate the victory; in cooperation the god of commerce and go...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Zeus and Leda Fireback, Style Napoleon III, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III style fireback. Zeus transformed himself into a swan to seduce the beautiful Leda. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black/pewter color. T...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Allegory of France Fireback / Backsplash, Napoleon III
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireback with an allegory of France. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black/pewter col...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Period Fireplace Log Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireplace grate. The andirons are made of cast iron and a recently forged steel grate. The grate is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Period Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand, made of brass, and two fire irons, also made of brass. It is in a good condition and is f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

20th Century French Napoleon III Style Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th Century Napoleon III Style fireback with an unknown theme. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no e...
Category

20th Century French 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 thongs, shovel and stand. Made of cast iron and wrought iron. It is in a good condition and is fully fun...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique French Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th - early 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set, fire irons made of polished brass. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons. It is in a good condition and i...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

French Napoleon III Period Fireback, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III Period fireback with a woman and a cupid. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request, it can be made black/pewter at no ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Small French Napoleon III Period Diana Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with the goddess Diana and a cupid. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She ex...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Large Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 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

19th Century French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireplace basket with period andirons and new grate. The fire basket is made of cast iron and wrought iron. The basket is in a good condition ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique French Mars Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace fireback with the god mars. God of strength, fertility and protector of cattle. The fireback is made of cast iron black / pewter pa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

20th Century French Napoleon III Style Caritas Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III Style Fireback with a 'Caritas' design. Caritas means care, love. It is one of three theological virtues from the triptych faith, hope and love. The...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Small French Napoleon Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with Napoleon and his eagle. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / p...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Style Arms of France Fireback / Backsplash, 20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III style fireback with the arms of France. This is the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major dynast...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Louis Napoleon III Style Arms of France Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Louis Napoleon III style fireback with the arms of France. This is the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major ...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Little Red Riding Hood Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with little red riding hood and the wolf. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made blac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireplace grate. The grate consists of two Napoleon III period andirons, made of cast iron, and a recently forged grate, made of wrought iron. The basket is in a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, 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 19th century. The firm partici...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Antique French Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautiful 19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand, made of cast iron, wrought iron and polished brass, and two fire irons made of wrought...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Marie Leszczyńska Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with Marie Leszczynska, queen of France and wife of king Louis XV. The fireback is made of cast iron...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Roasting Jack, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French roasting jack. It is made of wrought iron. The roasting jack can be used for cooking in the fireplace. It is fully functional. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Period Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback depicting a decorative scene with flower baskets and cupids. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireplace grate. The grate consists of two Napoleon III period andirons, made of cast iron, and a recently forged grate, made of wrought iron. The basket is in a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireplace grate. The grate consists of two Napoleon III period andirons, made of cast iron, and a recently forged grate, made of wrought iron. The basket is in a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn, Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th 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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Small Antique French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Small 19th century French fireback. The style of the fireback is Napoleon III and it is from that period. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon req...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good condition and does not have cracks. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

2 Napoleon III Style Tiger Gold Marble Gilt Bronze Pedestals Sculpture Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
A large pair of Classical Column Napoleon III style Pedestals. Made from Tiger Gold Marble and Gilt Bronze. Features a shaped top with acanthus scrolled capital over a fluted center ...
Category

Late 20th Century Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Empire Sphinx Chimneys, Brass Andirons, Paris 19th Century Napoleon III
Located in Berlin, DE
Fire-gilt bronze chimneys "aux sphinges". Pedestal standing on a round base with open worked mascaron, tendrils, flowers and bows, on which lies the winged sphinx. Finely chiseled an...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

4 Vintage French Garden Folding Dining Bistro Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
Say it with style with this set of 4 vintage French folding bistro style dining chairs. Leave them out or fold them up to save space. Great dinin...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Fender, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III 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

Antique French Mars Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace fireback with the god mars. God of strength, fertility and protector of cattle. The fireback is made of cast iron black / pewter pa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century Dutch Fireplace Trammel or Pot Hanger
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century Dutch Napoleon III period fireplace trammel. The trammel is made of wrought iron, with polished brass and a wooden handle. The tramm...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Brass

Antique French Napoleon III Diana Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback with the goddess Diana. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She experienced great pleasure in hunt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Grandy Fils Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-century French Napoleon III period fireplace set. The tool set consists of thongs, a shovel and a stand. It is made of wrought iron and cast iron with brass details. The set is ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron, Iron

French Napoleon III Period Diana Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with the goddess Diana and a weeping cupid. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Large 19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel and stand. The tools and stand are made of wrought iron, cast iron and brass....
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron, Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel and stand. The tools are made of wrought iron and the stand of brass. The set is in...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Bocca della Verità Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with the Bocca della Verità or Mouth of Truth. It is a sculpture representing the God of Sea outside a chu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Style Boy with Dog Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century French Napoleon III fireback with a boy and his dog. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback, Napoleon III period, with two women. The fireback has a black patina. It is in a good condition and does not have cracks.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of Napoléon III Brass Wrought Iron Cherubs Andirons, France, c 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of andirons of the period Napoleon III Wrought iron and brass. These andirons, created at the end of the 19th century, reflect the aesthetic style of the Louis XIV era, when the...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

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

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Horse Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback with a horse. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no cracks.   ...
Category

19th Century French Antique 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 'Bacchant' andirons. Priest of Bacchus, god of wine and vivid social gatherings. The andirons are made of cast iron. They are in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Diana Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireback with the goddess Diana. Goddess of hunting, also protector of animals of the forest, especially the young animals. She experienced great pleasure in hunt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Large 19th C. French Napoleon III Fireplace Toolset
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs and shovel. The tools are made of wrought iron and brass. The set is in a good condition and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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.