Napoleon III Seating
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
Fine Pair of 19th Century French Gilded and Painted Childrens Salon Chairs
Located in Folkestone, GB
A very fine pair of 19th Century French child's armchairs in the Napoleon X style.
With square backs inset with oval upholstered panela above swept arms, supported on vase shaped spi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Napoleon 3 Style "Crapaud" Armchair, Covered with Satin, circa 1950, Baroque
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon 3 style "crapaud" armchair, covered with satin, circa 1950, baroque
and its footrest, all covered with yellow satin, slightly discolored satin, and small spots.
Category
1950s French Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Satin, Wood
Rive Droite Confident by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Classic Napoleon III style armchair or tête-à-tête has been restyled. It is the
perfect conversation piece. This version has turned wooden legs with the traditional Napoleon II...
Category
2010s American Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
$8,200 / item
Pair of French Napoleon III Chairs
Located in Haywards Heath, GB
Pair of French Napoleon III chairs with original upholstery.
Good strong, sturdy condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
French Napoleon III Slipper Chair in Floral Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning French Napoleon III slipper chair. This slipper chair is a truly unique piece, with its vintage floral fabric and bullion...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
Charming Napoleon III Period Chair, in Blackened Pear and Velvet
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Charming Napoleon III period chair, in blackened pear and velvet.
Good general condition, including velvet and padding.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Pearwood
Small Scale French 19th C Napoleon III Settee in Muslin
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French late 19th century small scale Napoleon III settee features a gracious curved back with built-in lumbar support and rolled arms that are typical of seating during ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Garonne Primo Chaise Lounge by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Silver Cast Bronze Leg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This version of our classic Garonne chaise lounge has 5 white bronze legs and white velvet upholstery. From every angle, you see its distinctive elegant curved lines. The bronze legs...
Category
2010s American Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Style Slipper Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The slipper chair reflects the Napoleon III style of the mid-19th century with gold brocade fabric with deep cushion affect and exuberant fringe. Fr...
Category
20th Century Unknown Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
Napoleon III Style Faux Rope Mahogany Gondola Dining Chairs - Set of 12
Located in Astoria, NY
A grand and elegant set of twelve late 20th century dining chairs in the transitional Napoleon III style, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly hand-carved with intricate faux rope...
Category
Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Mahogany
Napoleon III Upholstered Living Room
Located in Charmes, FR
Upholstered living room, Napoleon III period in blackened wood and floral fabric includes 1 sofa and 4 armchairs overall in good condition, shows minimal signs of wear and use, uphol...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
$4,747 / set
Antique French Louis XVI Pair Of Armchair, 19th Century
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Superb pair of Louis XVI carved walnut armchairs, frame in very good condition, antique wool velvet fabric worked in diamond shapes finished with braid.
The armrests rest on a carved...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of French 19th C. Armchairs with Carved Fruitwood Frames
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant pair French Napoleon III armchairs inspired by the Louis XV period with elaborately carved fruitwood frames with floral motives. The chairs have been stripped down to the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
Napoleon III Period Armchair, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period armchair, 19th century.
Napoleon III period armchair, 19th century, to reupholster, fabric stained, need to be reupholstered.
H: 80cm, L: 88cm, D: 70cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
French Leather Chair
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
French Leather Chair from the 19th century. Excellent condition and very comfortable.
Very rare chair in leather.
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Leather
$2,529
Pair of Napoleon III Style Upholstered Lounge Chairs in Gray Paisley Fabric
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of 21st century Napoleon III style armchairs in the style of Madeleine Castaing. This pair of comfortable and very stylish chairs ar...
Category
2010s Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Napolean III Gilt Bamboo Stool
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A highly collectable, Circa 1800’s Parisian Napoleon III, Aesthetic Movement Stool. Oriental influenced with carved (faux) bamboo legs, and a centered English influenced turned finia...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Suede, Wood
A unique, historic living room set, Austria, first half of the 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique set of living room furniture from around 1850. Furniture in very good condition, professionally renovated, polished to a high gloss. Seats and backrests upholstered with h...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
French Napoleon III Armchair in White Boucle
Located in Houston, TX
French Napoleon III Armchair upholstered in off-white boucle circa 1865-1884. New casters on front legs. An excellent near-pair with a second Napoleon III chair similarly upholstered...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wood Knot Base Ottoman
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fantastic and very decorative French Pouf Ottoman with an intricate Gilt Wood Knotted Rope base. With good size and a high Cushion custom upholstered in a William Morris type Leaf ...
Category
20th Century Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
French Napoleon III Style Slipper Chair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An outstanding large scale French 1920s Napoleon III style slipper chair. This slipper chair is truly magnificent. It is upholstered ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
Handsome Pair of Period French Napoleon III Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant pair of Napoleon III black french antique chairs having original paint and frame. Front legs have original casters. Bought in Avignon, Fra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Armchairs Reupholsted Chauffeuse Napoleon III French late 19th Centuty
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chauffeuse little armchair French of the Napoleon III period circa 1880.
The feets are in wood, the fauteuil has been recently reupholstered and recovered.
Antique, 19th century.
Sol...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Large Armchair in the Henry II Style, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large armchair in the Henry II style, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
Large armchair in the Henry II style, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
H: 100cm, W: 67cm, D: 60cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
Vintage Napoleon III Tufted Slipper Lounge Chair w/ Leopard Chinoiserie Fabric
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Napoleon III Style Tufted Slipper Lounge Chair with Figural Chinoiserie and Leopard Print Fabric and Shapely Mahogany Legs. The fabric is believed to be Brunschwig & Fils. Ci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Napoleon III sofa , restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III sofa restored
two chairs are offered in another ad
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Beech
19th Century Napoleon III Ebonized Salon Suite Reupholstered
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century Napoleon III ebonized salon suite, sourced from Paris and reupholstered in 'Limerence' velvet,
circa 1860.
Measures: Sofa
H 107 x W 136 x D 55cm
Seat height 45cm
Chai...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Hardwood
French Napoleon III Settee with Ebonized Arms
Located in Buchanan, NY
An unusual French 19th Century Napoleon III Tufted Sofa with ebonized arms. This stunning small scale Napoleon III sofa is a true testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Napoleon III French Giltwood Twisted Rope Ottoman/Stool. Tan Mohair Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Napoleon III carved giltwood "Rope" stool or ottoman.
Tan Mohair upholstery on wooden base carved into a knotted rope. Fournier style pouf with gold finish.
Please see pics f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Mohair, Giltwood
$2,100 Sale Price
25% Off
French Napoleon III Button-Back Salon Canapé or Settee with Fringed Skirt
Located in London, GB
A French salon canapé dating from the Napoleon III period, with a curved, buttoned back and integrated arms, designed for comfort and balance within Second Empire interiors.
The ful...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood, Beech, Softwood, Pine
20th Century Napoleon III Style Lacquered Rope Twist Upholstered Tabouret
Located in Dallas, TX
Napoleon III style stool or ottoman with twisted rope design after the model by A.M.E. Fournier, circa 20th century. Lacquered, the piece has a fabric circular seat on rope-twist molded seat-rails on knotted rope legs...
Category
20th Century Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Hollywood Regency Style Rope
Tassel Chair with Matching Ottoman in Blue Velvet
Located in New York, NY
Rope and tassel chair with matching ottoman in blue velvet. The chair has a carved wood rope style frame with beautiful, newly upholstered, velvet upholstery.
Chair measures: 27.5 W...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Napoleon III Tufted Arm Chairs in Gold Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A handsome pair of French Napoleon III armchairs from the late 19th century, offering both comfort and style in abundance. Upholstered in a stunning vintage gold fabric...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Small Scaled French 19th Century Settee
Located in Buchanan, NY
An elegant French early 20th century small scale settee in the Napoleon III style. This French settee is a timeless piece of furniture that embodies classic elegance. Its gracious cu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
19th Century Button-Tufted Slipper Chair with Turned Beech Legs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant slipper chair dates from the 19th century and reflects the refined taste of Napoleon III seating furniture. The chair features a generously cushioned seat and a graceful...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Beech
19th Century, Napoleon III, French Armchair and Footstool in
Fan Palm’ Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
A beautiful 19th century French Napoleon lll armchair and footstool, upholstered in our exclusive Tropics 'Fan Palm' fabric.
This stunning Armchair and Footstool dating from around ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Cotton, Wood
19th Century French Hand Carved Wooden Piano Swivel Chair Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
Very delicate and rare hand carved wooden piano swivel chair made in mid 19th century during Napoleon III period. Having no restoration so far the chair i...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
$1,629 Sale Price
24% Off
French Napoleon III reupholstered Lounge Chair, 1890s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful Napoleon III lounge chair which has been completely reupholstered in our workshops with a very beautiful terracotta color fabric from Fine Fabrics and a fringe finish ...
Category
1890s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
19th Century French Antique Hand Carved Low Back Chair Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany low back chair with tapestry upholstery decorated with Louis XV style flowers.
France, 1860
Napoleon III period.
Measures: 63 x 46 x 45 cm.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Parlour Settee in Tropics
Fan Palm
Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
A very rare antique French Parlour Settee, upholstered in our exclusive Tropics 'Fan Palm' fabric
This exceptional French settee dating from around 1...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Cotton, Wood
pair of Napoleon III armchairs, restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
pair of Napoleon III armchairs, restored
a bench seat is offered in another ad
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
$4,509 / set
Napoleon III Painted Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III painted chair, France, 1850s.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
French Scrolled Back Slipper Chair with Embroidery
Located in Buchanan, NY
A lovely 19th century French Napoleon III slipper chair. This magnificent French slipper chair features a scrolled back, and has been upholstered in a light fabric, with an embroider...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Antique Napoleon III Style Toilet Chair, Chaise Percée or Commode, Throne
Located in Madrid, ES
A fun and decorative curiosity, this late 19th century French Napoleon III (nephew of Bonaparte I) or Second Empire style "throne" is a fine example of elegant furniture making meeting functional necessity. Known as a "Chaise...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Metal
French Napoleon III Chaise Longue XIX eme
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
French Napoleon III Chaise Longue XIX eme
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French Napoleon III chaise longue.
good general condition, unfortunately the fabric is torn on the seat
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Beech
Modern Twisted Rope Sculptural Tabouret Stool after AME Fournier, 21st Century
Located in Troy, MI
Sculptural rope leg stool by Ballard Designs
21st Century production
A modern adaptation of the 19th Century Napoleon III tabouret stool by A.M.E. Fournier
Twisted and knotted rope ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Linen, Beech
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Chairs Newly Reupholstered In Leather - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Armchairs Newly Reupholstered in Deep-Red Distressed Italian Leather - Pair
Antique pair of Napoleon III period armchairs with curly frame and ar...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
1940s, Swedish Napoleon III–style Club / Armchair
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
1940s Swedish Napoleon III–style armchair, upholstered in rich brick-red (brique) velvet jacquard fabric. This elegant lounge chair feature a beautifully sculpted backrest with deep ...
Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Beech
$1,917 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Suite of 8 Carved Wooden Chairs with Canes, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Suite of 8 chairs, Napoleon III period, 19th century, carved wood, canes.
H: 88cm, W: 38cm, D: 36cm
Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
20th Century Empire Style Napoleonic Swan Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Napoleonic pavilion armchair in Empire style.
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on plastically carved legs e...
Category
20th Century French Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Napoleon Style Slipper Chairs
Located in East Hampton, NY
Pair of Louis style, Napoleonic slipper chairs newly upholstered midnight blue linen with coordinated bullion fringe.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
$5,200 / set
A Superb Pair of French Napoleon III Gilt Salon Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Superb Pair of French Napoleon III Gilt Salon Chairs
These Elegant Chairs have been re upholstered in a fine linen Toile de Jouy fabric, they have a deep serpentine shaped front a...
Category
1850s Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Napoleon III Originale Bergere, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III faux bamboo chair, France, 1850s.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Antique Parlor Chair with Nobilis Floral Fabric
Located in Munich, DE
1950s European Parlor Chair refurbished and done with a floral pattern from the firm Nobilis. This chair fits well with a wide array of settings.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
1970s French Napoleonic Style Carved Maple Rope Bergere Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of 1970s French Napoleonic style carved rope bergere chairs. The seafoam embroidered is vintage, and there is a spot. Both chairs are in very good condition and unmarked.
Category
Late 20th Century American Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Maple
Pair of Napoleon III French Crapaud Armchairs Boucle Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Napoleon III French Tufted Crapaud armchairs. Walnut frame fully restored, newly upholstered in bouclé.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Bouclé
$6,320 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Aubusson, Louis XVI / Napoleon III Style Golden Wood Lounge, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Magnificent living room in gilded wood in Louis XVI / Napoleon III style covered with a superb Aubusson tapestry on the theme of wild animals. It consists of a sofa and 4 armchairs w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Giltwood
Armchairs, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century, Upholstered in Green and Gold.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Armchairs, bergères, Napoleon III period, 19th century, upholstered in green and gold.
Armchairs, upholstered in green and gold, Napoleon III period, 19th century.
H: 80cm, W: 68cm,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fabric
Small Bench Napoleon III Period, Being Restored
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small bench Napoleon III period, being restored, upholstery and under fabric (a little dirty) changed.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
Napoleon Iii seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, J.&J. Khon, Aubusson Manufacture, and Baker Furniture Company. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $373 and tops out at $41,810 while the average work can sell for $3,247.