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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
Napoleon III Style Wingback Chairs Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Mahogany, Cotton

Napoleon III Style Wingback Chairs Pair
Napoleon III Style Wingback Chairs Pair
$2,956 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Napoleon III Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Napoleon III stool, circa 1870-1889: ebonized frame newly covered in white linen. Note: Regional differences in humidity and climate during shipping may cause antique and vintage wood...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Linen, Wood

2 Original Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

AMAZING PAIR OF LARGE ARMCHAIRS French, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF LARGE ARMCHAIRS French, 19th century, carved and gilded wood. Velvet seats and backs. Dimensions: 129 x 74 x 66 cm Good condition
Category

Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

2 Original Chiarivari Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

French Napoléon III 1870s Walnut Upholstered Stools with Scrolling Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoléon III walnut stools from the late 19th century, with scrolling accents and new upholstery. Created in France at the end of Emperor Napoléon III's reign, each ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of French Great Quality Black Leather 19th Century Armchairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A large and very comfortable pair of Napoleon III antique French library armchairs. Quality black leather and studded on the front & back edges,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of French armchairs / fauteuils
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Great pair of 19th century gilt and painted armchairs Nice large proportions , need reupholstering but the frames are solid / firm Height 39 inches or 99 cms Width 27 inches or 69 cm...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Paint

Pair of French armchairs / fauteuils
Pair of French armchairs / fauteuils
$1,780 Sale Price
20% Off
Napoleon III Armchair, France Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A Napoleon III armchair on s-shaped legs with a curved frame. The high, rounded backrest as well as the seat and armrests are upholstered. The golden patinated frame is decorated wit...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century Oak Stool, Leather Upholstery, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century oak stool, leather upholstery, Napoleon III period. 19th century oak stool, leather upholstery, Napoleon III period. H: 38cm, W: 73cm, D: 43cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Leather, Oak

19th Century French Faux Rosewood Voltaire Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century French Voltaire Armchair with a faux rosewood painted finish. This imposing lounge chair has a wide well-sprung seat pad sitting on pl...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III painted armchair, 19th c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Armchair in black lacquered and painted wood with Japanese style decor, Napoleon III period. France, late 19th c.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Original Napoleon III Armchair, Blackened
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original Napoleon III armchair, blackened wood,
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

2 Napoleon III Low Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III low chairs, France, 1850s. Price is for 1 2 are available
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Napoleon III Chairs in Ebonized Wood and Pink Velvet, France, circa 1870
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Pair of side/lounge chairs in ebonized and carved wood. The seats and backs are covered in pink velvet fabric. The chairs are mounted on wheels. Napoleon III style, France, circa 18...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Paint

Pair of Walnut French Napoleon III Style Stools
Located in New York, NY
Pair of walnut French Napoleon III style stools /ottomans. Upholstered in a linen-blend.
Category

1950s Vintage Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Linen, Walnut

19th Century French Carved Walnut Open Armchair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French carved open armchair. Carved crest rail, upholstered wings leading down to acanthus carved scrolled arms. With shaped aprons and central carved shells raised on ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Rare and Original Rattan Lounge Chair, Napoleon III Period
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Rare and original rattan lounge chair, Napoleon III period to be restored. Slots, holes and gaps, the structure remains solid and stable.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Rattan

Carved French Oak Salon Throne Chair, Original Pictorial Upholstery
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved French Oak Salon Throne Chair, Original Pictorial Upholstery This lovely old High Back chair retains its original hand made pictorial fabric back rest, this is in muted sha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Oak

2 Original Napoleon III Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 Original Napoleon III Chairs, France, 1850s
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Beech

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

2 Original Chiarivari Napoleon III Ebonized Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 Original Napoleon III ebonized chairs, France, 1850s. Wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Style Napoleon III Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unsual french settee, the settee is heavily tufted and trimmed with matching tassels and contrasting fringe, very good condition, sold as is.
Category

1960s French Vintage Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Fabric

Rare Suite of 9 Napoleon III Period Chairs in Blackened Beech
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare suite of 9 Napoleon III period chairs in blackened beech.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Vintage French Napoleon III Settee Reupholstered White Linen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Period French Napoleon III sofa in ebonized wood, with decorative brass filet (strip) and turned and fluted front legs resting on brass rings,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Original Napoleon III Ebonized Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original Napoleon III ebonized chair, France, 1850s.   
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Faux Bamboo Chair, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III faux bamboo chair, France, 1850s.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

2 Original Napoleon III Ebonised Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III ebonised chairs, France, 1850s wear and lack of gilding.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Children s Stool in the Style of Thonet, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Children's stool in the style of Thonet, circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Cane, Beech

Adjustable Napoleon III Campaign Chair, France, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very fine iron Campaign-style armchair with adjustable positions, from upright to horizontal. Raised on casters. Newly upholstered with vintage fabric. Dimensions provided below ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Napoleon III Folding Chair
Located in New York, NY
More sculpture than furniture, this finely-carved 1860s folding chair has a gilded and gessoed wood frame, and the original cut-silk-velvet upholstery material that was woven to fit....
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Set of Four Painted and Gilt Napoleon III Fauteuils
Located in Washington, DC
A set of four painted and gilt napoleon III fauteuils, seat and back are reconditioned and covered with new cotton and silk fabric. Wonderful pat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

19th Century Napoleon III Armchair
Located in Southampton, NY
19th century Napoleon III armchair.
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Seating

Pair of Hand-Painted Napoleon III Chairs - France, 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exquisite pair of ebonized side chairs, hand-painted with a decor of birds, butterflies and foliage. Original deep pink satin seat cover...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century French Louis V Style Fruitwood Armchairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of 19th century French Louis V Style Fruitwood and Cane armchairs. Napoleon III Period circa 1860's having the original brown leather on the arms
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Napoleon III Seating

2 Original Napoleon III Low Chairs, France, 1850s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
2 original Napoleon III low chairs, France, 1850s. price is for 1 2 are available
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Alligator

Jacob Et Josef Khon, 4 Fauteuils 101/f, circa 1902, Set of Four Napoleon III
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jacob Et Josef Khon, 4 Fauteuils 101/f, circa 1902,Set of four Napoleon III curved and blackened wood armchairs, Original fabric.   
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Bentwood

Suit of 9 Walnut Chairs Period Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Suit of 9 carved walnut chairs Napoleon III period - XIXth. They are covered with mustard yellow imitation leather. The backrests and seats are made up of easily removable cakes. The...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Seating

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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.

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