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Napoleon III Desk Sets

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 Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Gutta Percha Desk Accessory Pen Holder, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
An outstanding testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, this exceptional Napoleon III Gutta Percha pen holder was masterfully designed at the end of the 19th Century. The piece was m...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Latex

Antique French Boulle Writing Box
Located in Northampton, GB
Edged In Brass From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this French Boulle Writing Box. The Writing Box of small form having a square shaped body veneered in ebonise...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

19th Century Italian Writing Box with Macassar Veneer and Silver Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique writing slope case. The chest is veneered with Macassar wood. Decorated with silver mounts. The interior is made of birdseed maple...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Wood

19th Century Wooden Letter Rack - Napoleon III
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique letter rack, made of Black ebonized wood, with brown patinated brass trims. Made in the late Napoleon III period in France, around 1870-1880. Bombay shaped fron...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Napoleon 3 wall-mounted letter tray
Located in Nivelles, BE
Napoleon 3 wall-mounted letter holder in boiled pulp cardboard, finely painted with orchid flowers.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Paste

NAPOLEON III Antique 1870 French Desk Tray Set In Gray Marble And Gilt Ormolu
Located in Miami, FL
A Napoleon III desk set in marble and ormolu. This is a beautiful and flamboyant desk tray set created in Paris France during the Napoleon III per...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Gold, Ormolu

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 Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Calligraphy Box, XXth century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Calligraphy Box, XXth century. Calligraphy box with 2 brushes, dry ink, ink plate and small porcelain container with spoon in the original box. H: 4 cm, W: 17 cm, D: 10 cm.
Category

20th Century Chinese Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Textile

Pair of 18th Century Italian Holy Water Fonts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of 18th Century Italian Holy Water Fonts. In good condition. Perfect for Soap Dishes. Unique set purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us wit...
Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Marble

Pair of 18th Century Italian Holy Water Fonts
Pair of 18th Century Italian Holy Water Fonts
$1,040 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Three Solid Mahogany Display Stands, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Three solid mahogany display stands, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Three Napoleon III period solid mahogany display stands, 19th century, 1 large stand plus two others forming ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

Materials

Bronze

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Mid-20th Century Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
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Fantastic 19th Century French Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box
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1890s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
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19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
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Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
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$4,200
H 14.25 in W 14.25 in D 6.5 in
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...
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1890s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Brass

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
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Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance Probably Sri Lankan 3 secret drawers* Replaced lea...
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Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Wood

Art Deco Bakelite Desk Writing Accessory, 5 pieces in box, France 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco Bakelite desk accessories writing set dates from the 1930s. The set is built of five pieces in its original box: a letter opener, paper cutter, pen holder, mec...
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1930s French Vintage Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Metal, Brass

Antique Victorian Brass Bound Traveling Desk Walnut Wooden Writing Slope Box 19C
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine early English Well Figured Solid grained Walnut Ladies or Gents Travelling Writing Slope of outstanding quality and compact proportions. Last quarter of the Nin...
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19th Century English Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Fantastic 19th Century French Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th century French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box. The box is composed of two sections of French opaline crystal which are mounted to a fab...
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Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope Leather Interior
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique British Military Campaign 19th Century Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Ebonized Trim. The Interior Features a tooled Blue Leather Scriver, A Single Glass Ink...
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19th Century British Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Brass

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope 
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Antique Brass Mounted Walnut Writing Box With Secret Drawers. English C.1860
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful walnut writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Good condition Working secret drawers* Replaced leather With a key Free UK shipping *The drawers a...
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1860s English Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Previously Available Items
Pair of 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Incense Burners.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 19th century gilt bronze and marble incense burners. Pair of 19th century incense burners, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze and marble. ...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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c. 1865 French Napoleon III Table Top Writing Desk Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French, circa 1865, Napoleon III table top writing desk box. Burl amboyna, ebony & boulle inlays. Opens to undulating divided stationary compartment &...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Velvet, Burl

Circa 1850 French Burl Elm and Brass Mounted "Ecritoire" Traveling Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing the ecritoire de voyage, a beautiful and functional travel desk hand-carved in France circa 1850. Constructed with a gorgeous burl elm exterior and brass elements reflecting the Napoleon III period (known as Second Empire) during which it was made. Second Empire pieces drew inspiration from multiple periods, and in this particular case, the ecritoire features motifs from the Empire period, which coincided with the reign of Napoleon III’s uncle, Napoleon Bonaparte. The elder Napoleon favored themes found in ancient civilizations, such as Rome, Greece, and Macedonia, reflecting his belief that he was a contemporary of the likes of Caesar, King Leonidas...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Metal, Brass

Special writing Set, inkwell, bronze, silvered, Napoleon III, ~1880, France
Located in Wien, AT
Very decorative writing set, of the last third of the 19. century - Napoleon III. Made out of (probably fire gilded) bronze with richly designed décor with patinated and silver-plate...
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Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Bronze

Cloisonné Bronze Desk Set, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cloisonné bronze desk set, 19th century A cloisonné bronze desk set composed of a pair of candlesticks, an inkwell, a penholder, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: Candle...
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1870s European Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Bronze

Cloisonné Bronze Desk Set, 19th Century
Cloisonné Bronze Desk Set, 19th Century
H 7.88 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Gilt Bronze And Enamel Cloisonné Office Set End of XIXth Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Gilt Bronze And Enamel Cloisonné Office Set End of XIXth Century " Set composed of a desk set inkwell with paper cutter, paper press, letter holder pair of cup in capital and clo...
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Late 19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
Marble and gilt bronze Empire style writing case. It is composed of two containers with removable glass cups. The lids are decorated with foliage and braids. In the centre, there is ...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Napoleon III Gilt Bronze and Marble Inkwell
H 7.88 in W 15.75 in D 7.49 in
Napoleon III Desk Inkwell in Boulle Marquetry, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III inkwell in Boulle style Marquetry in a special Queen's style marquetry composition of Brass and mother of pearl in all facades even on its back. It rests on 4 bronze fee...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Bronze, Brass

Early 20th Century Cloisonné Bronze Desk Set in Napoleon III Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Early 20th century cloisonné bronze desk set in Napoleon III style. Measures: Inkwell - H 10 cm, W 26 cm, D 16 cm Tampon - H 6, W 13 cm, D 7 c...
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Early 20th Century European Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Bronze

Inkwell in Meissen Porcelain, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Inkwell in Meissen porcelain, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H 19 cm, W 36 cm, D 16 cm.
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1870s German Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Porcelain

Inkwell in Meissen Porcelain, 19th Century
Inkwell in Meissen Porcelain, 19th Century
H 7.49 in W 14.18 in L 7.49 in
Inkwell in Gilded and Cloisonné Bronze and Onyx
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Inkwell in gilded and Cloisonné bronze and onyx, 19th century, Napoleone III period. Measures: H 17 cm, W 37 cm, D 22 cm.
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Onyx, Bronze

Cloisonné and Enameled Bronze Set, Signed F. Barbedienne
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cloisonné and enameled Bronze set, signed F. Barbedienne, 19th century, Napoleone III period. Composed of 2 goblets, a pair of girandole with Bohemian and cartel crystal goblets. ...
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1870s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Sets

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Bronze

Napoleon Iii desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III desk sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 desk sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $503 and tops out at $4,677 while the average work can sell for $1,664.

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