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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
19th Century French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century Napoleon III period fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no extra cost. It is in a g...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Rural Scene Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with a rural scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. Th...
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 Napoleon III andirons made of cast iron and polished brass with a recently forged grate. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass

Antique French Bacchante Firedogs or Andirons, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Bacchante firedogs made of cast iron. Bacchante is the priestess of Bacchus, god of wine and vivid social gatherings. The andirons have a natural bro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

20th Century French 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 natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. The fireback is in a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Hunter Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with a hunting scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter 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

Antique French Napoleon III Period Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with the year of production casted on the top side. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Antique French Napoleon III Woman Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 request ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Roman Scene Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with a Roman scene. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black patina. It is in a good condition and does ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Hand Forged French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of hand forged wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and fit for use in the fireplace.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 black / pewter patina. The conditio...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period 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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Decorated 18th Century Louis XV Period Gridiron
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
18th Century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a trivet...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

Decorated French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireplace tool set. The tool set consists of tongs, shovel, and a stand. The exceptionally decorated tools are made of wrought iron and the stand of cast iron. Th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, 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 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

Antique Fireback / Backsplash with an Allegory of France, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
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 request it...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Dutch Napoleon III Log Basket, 19th Century, Brass
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century Dutch Napoleon III firewood basket holder. The log holder is made of brass with copper details. The log holder is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Copper

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

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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

German Napoleon III Style Coat of Arms Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
20th century German Napoleon III style fireback with a coat of arms. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good. It does not have cra...
Category

20th Century German Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Mary of Kevelaer Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Mary of Kevelaer. Mary of Kevelaer is a pilgrimage destination since 1642. The statue is known as Consolatrix Afflictorum or the "Comfo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Pomona Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Pomona, goddess of fruitful abundance. The fireback is made of cast iron. It has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no cra...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Marriage Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French fireback produced in honour of the marriage of Jackob and Mariana in 1826. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good con...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Man Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no extra cost. The condit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Decorated 19th Century French Napoleon III Gridiron
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a trivet...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons. Made of wrought iron and brass. It is in a good condition and is fully functi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron, Brass

19th C. French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III companion set. The tool set consists of thongs, shovel and stand. Made of wrought iron and brass. It is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Shovel or Fire Shovel
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace shovel made of wrought iron and decorated with polished brass. The condition of the item is good and it is fit for use in the fireplace.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Pair of Napoléon III Wrought Iron Andirons Bust Woman Braids France, circa 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of andirons of the period Napoleon III Wrought iron This kind of little pairs of andiron were made for small fireplaces: in bourgeois homes, every room had its own fireplace, as...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century Napoleon III fireback with a christian orb and stars. The fireback has a black / pewter patina and is in a good condition. This product weighs more than 65 kg / 143 lb...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th - 20th Century French Napoleon III style 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

French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th - 20th century French Napoleon III style 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

Antique French Napoleon Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Napoleon Bonaparte. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, without cracks. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of cast iron. The andirons are in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of wrought iron. The condition is good.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III firedogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

French Napoleon III Apollo with Lyre Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback with Apollo with his lyre. God of light, sun, truth, prophecy, music and joy. Also the saving God, both i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period 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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, 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

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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons. The andirons are made or wrought iron and have spit hooks to grill food. The condition is good.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large 19th Century French Fireplace Shovel or Fire Shovel
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th century French fireplace shovel made of wrought iron. The shovel is in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th-20th century French Napoleon III style andirons. The andirons are made of wrought iron and have a black / pewter patina. The condition is good.    
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large 19th-20th Century French Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Very large and heavy 19th-20th century French cast iron fire dogs. The condition is good. This product has to be shipped as freight due to its size and/or (volumetric) weight. You c...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Cupids Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with cupids harvesting. 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

French Napoleon III Period Flower Basket Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French Napoleon III Period 'Flower Basket' Fireback / Backsplash. Crafted from cast iron, it has a brown patina, but can be refinished in black or pewter with stove polish at no ad...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Allegory of Love Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III Period fireback with an allegory of love. 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 Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of wrought iron. The condition is good.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fortuna Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Fortuna, goddess of fortune and fate. Fortuna stands on a sphere, symbolizing the uncertainty of eart...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique French Grandy Fils Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set made of brass and wrought iron. The set is signed by 'Grandy Fils'. The tool set consists of a stand and two fireplace tools. The ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Wrought 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

19th Century Dutch Polished Steel Blow Poker
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Beautiful 19th century Dutch Napoleon III blow poker. The blow poke is made of polished steel. It is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

French Napoleon III Style Man Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th-20th century French Napoleon III style andirons made of cast iron. The condition is good.
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Fireback / Backsplash, Dated 1840
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 Fireback Showing the Crimean Battle
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Nice square cast iron fireback displaying a wounded soldier during the Crimean war between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Excellent condition and usable size. This fi...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Bouhon Frères Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French fireplace tool set made of brass. The fire irons are made by Bouhon Frères which were prominent French producers of fireplace tools in the 19th century. The firm ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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.