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Napoleon III Boxes

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 C. Cut Steel Decorated Satinwood and Rosewood Palais Royal Jewelry Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Palais Royal satinwood jewelry box with inlaid rosewood bands and cut steel tack-head decoration. Three rosewood bands running front to back across the top and continuing down the ba...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Cut Steel

Exceptional Bronze Mounted Burl Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Napolean III gilt bronze mounted burlwood caddy of exceptional quality, having inlaid top with engraved brass monogram and heavily molded body, the interior with gilt-bead trimmed ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Jewelery Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III jewelery box Bonce gold and enamel origin France in perfect condition inside it was reupholstered circa 1900. The Napoleon III style had it...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Napoleon III Jewelery Box
Napoleon III Jewelery Box
$1,275 Sale Price
25% Off
Table Box floral miniature fire-enameled on guilloche vertical stripes Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, with “paillons” in pure gold on the upper circle, fine fired enamelled miniature with hand-painted floral ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Stunning Little Antique Box with Decorated and Gilt Perfume Bottles Napoleon III
Located in Lisse, NL
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a lady. . .look no further. This magnificent, 19th century box is made of beautiful and mint condition boxwood and it comes with the original, gilt perfume...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Crystal

Pill box enamel “pastoral”miniature on sterling silver gold plated Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular pill box with 2 slightly rounded sides, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a miniature hand-painted by the painter Romano Buccioni depicting a “pastoral” scene ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century Burr Amboyna Glove Box by Paul Sormani, 114 Rue du Temple, Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine Napoleon III burled amboyna wood glove box with rounded walnut edges and mounted with incised pewter straps with fleur-de-lis terminals, the corners ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Pewter

Table Box pure gold paillons and fired enamel miniature Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fire enamels, with pure gold “paillons” on the upper circle, fine fire enamelled miniature hand painted by the painter Br...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century Martin Varnish and Gilt Bronze Box, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century Napoleon III period Martin varnish and ormolu box with upholstered interior. H: 12cm, W: 36cm, D: 24cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Jewelry box Napoleon III
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jewelry box Napoleon III Materials gilt bronze and ceramics Origin France Circa 1880 No Restorations Excellent condition Materials gilt bronze and ceramics ALL CERAMIC PLATES ARE PER...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Cigarette Case Two-Tone Striped Fired Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent two-tone striped fired enamel on guillochè and hand-engraved ornament. Late Empire Napoleon III style. ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Small 19th Century Napoleon III Period Sèvres Porcelain Box.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box. A Napoleon III period small box, 19th century, in Sèvres blue porcelain, enamelled and gilded, with a gallant scene on t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Exotic Burlwood Jewelry/ Table Box, France, Circa 1870s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Exotic Burlwood Jewelry/Table Box France, circa 1870s A stunning Napoleon III exotic burlwood jewelry/table box from France, circa 1870s. This exquisite 19th-century wo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

A Sèvres Porcelain Box, Gilt Brass Mounting, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Sèvres porcelain case, gilt brass mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. An important Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period, gilt brass mounting. H: 15.5cm...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Snuffbox two-tones enamel stripes Guilloche Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone translucent stripes fired enameled on guillochè and fine hand-engraved on all sides, French Empire Napoleon...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century Napoleon III Burl Wood Sewing Box
Located in Paris, FR
Varnished, burl wood sewing box, decorated with Greek frieze and brass inlays. The box contains a mirror and sewing utensils made of bone and brass, as...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chest, Box Forming a Cabinet, Orientalist Art, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chest, box forming a cabinet, Orientalist art, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period wood and bone marquetry cabinet box, Orientalist. H: 24cm, W: 31...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Kingwood Jewel Box with Sevres Porcelain Plaques.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Napoleon III finest quality kingwood jewel box with Sevres porcelain plaques, circa 1860.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain, Kingwood

Napoleon III card holder
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III card holder (card fray) Gilt bronze and enamel Origin France Circa 1900 Gilt bronze and Cloissone enamel with hand-painted Sevres porcelain plate signed by E. Horche Per...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon III card holder
Napoleon III card holder
$1,040 Sale Price
20% Off
Box of Sevres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
sevres box circa 1900 perfect state cobalt blue with gold hand painted origin france. The Manufacture nationale de Sèvres is one of the most important and w...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Box of Sevres
Box of Sevres
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Porcelain Box, Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain box, late 19th - early 20th century. Porcelain box from the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century, gilded brass, very nice painted scene with gold dec...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

French Napoléon III Black Lacquer Box with Boulle-Style Cartouche
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite French Napoléon III black lacquer box is a fine 19th-century desk accessory distinguished by its elegant proportions and Boulle-style decorative cartouche. Crafted wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mid-19th Century Wooden Coffer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl
Located in Paris, FR
Sizeable rectangular, wooden coffer with its key. The blackened wood is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and brass. The lid and the main face of the box are r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Marquetry Sewing Box
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III marquetry sewing box. Made of mahogany with thuya wood top inlaid with brass and mother of pearl. Brass trim frames the lid and the base. The interior is lined in red silk and is fitted with a collection of 15 sewing tools (two are missing) on a velvet lined tray. The inside of the lid has a mirror surrounded by a tufted border. Working lock and small key. The box contains an old embroidery...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Marquetry Inlaid and Ebonized Wood Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Napoleon III precious wood and marquetry Inlaid and ebonized box. Hinged box top features a central motif of fauna and flowers. Inner box is lined with blue satin padded...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

A ceremonial cigar display stand in honor of the Imperial Prince Napoleon IV
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This exceptional cigar display stand, crafted from mahogany-stained wood, is richly carved and composed of three distinct elements. Taking the form of a ...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood, Elm

19th Century French Burl Elm Inlaid Jewelry Box with Drawer Inside Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a coffee table or a shelf with this elegant antique box. Created in France circa 1880, the rectangular cabinet is decorated with an elegant floral inlaid star motif on the t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Mercury Glass, Elm, Burl

Height Airs Swiss Cylinder Music Box, circa 1880
Located in Marseille, FR
Napoleon III music box with 8 bee melodies including 4 complications. Ability to play and replay loops melodies. Possibility to add to engage a resonator and or activate small bees t...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Large Bronze and Silver Chest, 19th Century Orientalist Work.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large bronze and silver chest, 19th century Orientalist work. Large 19th century Orientalist bronze and silver box, Napoleon III period. H: 15,5cm, W: 23cm, D: 18cm
Category

19th Century African Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Antique 19th Century Porcelain Apothecary Jar Ong: Egyptiac Palm Trees Snakes
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant apothecary lidded jar is made out of porcelain and was made in France in 1870 ca. The apothecary jar is hand painted and hand gilt. It is decorated with two palm trees b...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Table Box Sterling Silver Striped Paillons in pure Gold and flowers Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Round table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fired enamels, with “paillons” in pure gold on the upper circle, fine floral miniature fired enamelled by the painter Renato Dainelli, enamelled border with vertical stripes. Napoleon III French Empire...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver

Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain romantic scene box napoleon III style Origin france hand painted 19th century circa 1890 with no stamp perfect condition.
Category

1890s European Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
Box Sevres Porcelain Romantic Scene
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Jewelry Box with Sevres-Style Porcelain Mounts in a Walnut Case
Located in Houston, TX
Walnut veneered case with ebonized trim and set with Sevres-style polychrome plaques decorated With children and trophies, set into brass bezels, the interior fitted as a jewelry box.
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain, Walnut

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Brass

PERFUME BOX WITH LID French Napoleon III 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PERFUME BOX WITH LID French Napoleon III 19th Century in ebonised wood, tortoiseshell and gilded metal. Interior with three golden glass bottles. Defects of age Dim.: (box) 11 x 1...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chased Bronze Jewellery Box, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chased bronze jewellery box, 19th century Chased bronze jewellery box, red silk inside, Napoleon III period, 19th century Measures: H: 7 cm, W: 16 c...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Correspondence Box Napoleon III
Located in Madrid, ES
Correspondence box, Napoleon III period, composed on the top of two flaps. Their facades are embellished with Square and Rectangle Marquetry. In add...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

Table Cigarette Box like lapis lazuli stone enamel on guilloche Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular with rounded corners table box for cigarettes in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent enamels on a radial guilloché an...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Napoleon III Writing Slope or Box, Marquetry, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III box. Marquetry. France, 19th century. Rectangular wooden box with a flat top and supported on circular legs that presents a front opening with a key lock and a hinged ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Other

Sèvres Porcelain Box, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sèvres porcelain box, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period Sèvres porcelain box, Chateau des Tuilleries, gilt brass mounting. H: 12cm, W: 25cm, D: ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Jewellery Box on Stand Attributed to Giroux
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine transitional style gilt-bronze and Sèvres style porcelain mounted Jewelry box on stand, attributed to Alphonse Giroux. This exquisite pe...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Napoleon III Woven Gilt Bronze Handled Basket, Weave Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III woven gilt bronze handled basket -weave table box France, circa 1875 A whimsical, yet intricately woven of a handled basket weave table ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, ormolu, and brass box. The box is raised by fine ormolu ball feet below a lovely wrap around mottled band. Each ebony si...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Liqueur Box with Bronze Inlay
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Made of palissander, this lovely Napoleon III period liqueur box is lacquered in black, a method which became popular during Napoleon III's reign. The rose...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

19th Century French Parquetry Ebonized Domed Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Signed by maker on lock. Paris, France. Bronze/brass mounted.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Black Lacquer and Brass Trinket Decorative Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Napoleon III period black lacquer jewelry or trinket box features an intricate lid. Intricately decorated lid highlights this beautiful trinket box, circa 1860's. The pe...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

Large Antique French Boulle Napoleon III Marquetry Box
By Audige
Located in Vilnius, LT
Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and tortoiseshell and red silk textile inside. Including key. Signed: Aud...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

French Silver Mounted Mother of Pearl Engraved Box, circa 1800
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and fine antique French silver mounted mother of pearl box and with an exquisitely carved ducal with a maiden holding a coronet, elaborate monogram and a rod of Caduce...
Category

1790s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11
Located in Opole, PL
Antique Black Rosewood Liquor Case, 1890s, Set of 11 Step into the opulence of 19th-century France with this stunning Napoleon III-style liquor case, a tr...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

19th Century Napoleon III Wood Marquetry Teacaddy
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique French tea caddy from the end of Napoleon III. The box is beautifully inlaid with different types of wood and brass, outside around ...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Napoleon III Style French Walnut Table Box
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Eleg...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Walnut, Paper

19th century French Napoleon III Copper Jewelry Boxe, 1870s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Charming small repoussé copper jewellery box dating from the Napoléon III period (circa 1860–1880). Its relief decoration features a rich scene of cherubs and putti in a neo-Baroque ...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Copper

Limoges Porcelain Lidded Candy Dish Trinket or Antique French Jewelry Box
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful hand painted Limoges porcelain candy dish, trinket, or jewelry box. This gorgeous French jewelry box is adorned with traditional decor...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Sevres Porcelain Chest Romantic Scene Lux
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sevres porcelain chest romantic scene (Lux) signed Lux 19th century crica 1900.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Jewelry Box Inlaid Brass Pearl Thuya
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous & luxurious ! This most rare 19th century French antique Napoleon III jewelry box. Great large size jewelry box that can be used to store your jewelry in style! Very rar...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Cast Iron Shell-Form Coal Bucket
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique coal scuttle was created in France, circa 1870. Built of cast iron, and shaped as a shell with foliage repousse decor, the patinated bucket stands on escargot feet over ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Table Cigarette Box hand painted in tempera on a vegetable ivory Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Square table box for cigarettes in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché also on the sides. In the center beautiful miniature hand painted i...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Belt with Napoleon III style enameled Sterling silver decoration Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Belt in real black lizard reptile with rectangular buckle in gilded 925/1000 silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloche surrounded by engraving of enamelled leaves, in French ...
Category

1990s Italian Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century French Repousse Brass Clad Coal Bin on Casters with Hunt Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1870, the antique brass coffer is mounted on a wooden frame, and stands on caster wheels. The slant top opens up with stopping chain revealing inside storage...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Boxes

Materials

Brass

Napoleon Iii boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include Franco Salimbeni, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Europa Antiques, and Paul Sormani. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $179 and tops out at $1,000,000 while the average work can sell for $1,726.

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