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Napoleon III Furniture

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 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 Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Mahogany

Napoleon III Cabinet, Chest of Drawers in Boulle Style, France, 1850
Located in Chorzów, PL
We present a unique, antique Boulle style chest of drawers from the mid-19th century in France. This unique chest of drawers is not only a great example of masterful craftsmanship, b...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Lecoultre Riviere Monkey Orchestra Musical Automata Picture, France, c. 1865
Located in London, GB
An extremely rare museum quality monkey ‘chamber orchestra’ automata musical picture, made in France in c. 1855 and signed ‘Riviere’. The picture is in extraordinarily good origina...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

Stylish Ebonized Napoleon III Bookcase
Located in Montreal, QC
Stylish Napoleon III period ebonized bookcase decorated with boxwood string inlay, the two doors fitted glass panes.
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Napoleon III Letter Rack with Lacquered Panels and Bronze Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful 19th century letter rack from the French Napoleon III period. The letter rack is made of bronze with wooden panels. The wooden panels are decorated with red traditional lac...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Napoleon III Style Carved And Pair Decorated Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. earlier 20th c. Elaborately carved frames in Pistachio Green paint overall. The carved leaf and berry crest rails with shaped leafy finials. Ribbon twists on the outer frames and...
Category

20th Century Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Other

Mid-19th Century French Pastoral Oil Painting with Soldiers and Farmhouse Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Painted in France circa 1860, this finely executed oil on canvas captures a richly detailed pastoral genre scene typical of the Second Empire period. The lively composition depicts N...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

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 Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Three lions concealing the drainpipe, cast iron and terracotta façade decoration
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Three lions concealing the drainpipe, cast iron and terracotta façade decorations, circa 1880
Category

Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Canvas

19th Century Gilded Wood Planter
Located in Charmes, FR
fully gilded wooden planter, 19th century, interior painted green, minimal chips and lack of gilding, due to wear and tear, in good house condition
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

1870s Faux Bamboo Giltwood Firescreen with Tapestry Panels
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This superb faux-bamboo giltwood firescreen has been exquisitely crafted with a Japanese- inspired tapestry panel at its centre, which features a colourful design of peacocks assembl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Tapestry, Giltwood

Mirror with Closed Pares in Repoussé Copper Decorated with Garlands of Flowers
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful and interesting mirror with closed pares is made of mirrors and repoussé copper decorated with garlands of Ffowers and topped with the effigy of the Sun King. This is...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror

French trompe l oeil book side table, Napoleon III, wood, inlaid and leather
Located in Valladolid, ES
A delightful wooden side table with inlay and trompe-l'oeil bookend decoration on the lower drawer, in the Napoleon III style. The tabletop features an excellent inlay figure with f...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century Small Dish Hand Painted Enamel and Ormolu Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant small footed dish. Made of gilded bronze with an enameled, hand painted dish in the centre. The dish is in good condition. Dimensions: 17 x 9 cm and 9 cm tall. Made in Fra...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Ebonized Napoleon Charivari Wood Chair/ Stripped Velvet Seat
Located in Malibu, CA
Ebony Napoleon Charivari Wood Chair/ Stripped Velvet Seat. The sturdy wood frame, has the original ebony finish and has been reconstructed and reupholstered in Italian velvet by Pegg...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silk, Velvet, Hardwood

Napoleon III Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Napoleon III gilt wood (gold leaf) mirror, circa 1870. With a foliate shaped pediment, gadrooned outer border and a beaded inner border.
Category

1870s European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Napoleon III Period Ebonised Canape
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An elegant Napoleon III period French sofa or canape. The ebonised frame with gilded carved details has a corbeille form with down-swept arms and a serpentine front. It has been newl...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Linen, Wood

French Napoleon III Black Lacquer Hand-Carved Bedside Table Night Stand
Located in Lisbon, PT
This 19th-century Napoleon III walnut and brass black lacquer refinished bedside table showcases exquisite French craftsmanship in solid wood. Designed for palatial interiors, these...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Giltwood Rope Tabouret
Located in Essex, MA
Circular with new muslin upholstery, conforming carved rope legs and stretchers ending on tassel feet, casters. Completely regilded with 23-karat gold leaf.
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Other

Pair of Mohair and Silk Striped Sofa s
Located in Spencertown, NY
The upholstery with studs, gimp and fringe, with velvet back and sides.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Silk

19th Century Inlaid Napoleon III Secretary Desk
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Napoleon Desk/Secretary with gilt bronze molding and inlaid details.. It has a beautiful pink marble top. Its sides are in blackened pear and its facade in cedar. It has rosewood fr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo Lacquer Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this great looking French 19Th. C. Tortoiseshell Bamboo two tier Table with Lacquer Top. The tortoiseshell effect is stunning. This ta...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Lacquer

Boulle chest of drawers, France, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
We present an exclusive Boulle style chest of drawers, from France, dating from around 1860. This elegant chest of drawers is a perfect example of 19th-century craftsmanship and is a...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Napoleon III Gilt Brass and Glass Complete "Cave a Liqueur"
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bar area with this elegant and colorful antique liquor cave. Created in France circa 1880, the bar essential sits on small scrolled feet over a ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Small 19th Century Rosewood End Table on Carved Tripod Base with Marquetry
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A small and graceful sewing or work table on carved tripod base with octagonal top in rosewood with satinwood floral inlays. Lift-top opens to lidded compartments with access to plea...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

c1900 French Napoleon III Crystal Beaded Ceiling Dome Fixture/ Flush Mount
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Napoleon III Cut Crystal Beaded Dome Ceiling Flush Mount Lighting Fixture/ Chandelier. Stunning, highly decorative fixture. Ormolu Frame.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Italian Artisan Reproduction of the 1960s Game Table with 4 Chairs Wood Brass
Located in Prato, IT
Veneered in ebonized wood with gilded brass inserts. Gilded bronze applications. Fair condition: some scratches and small lacks Dimensions: cm W 80 x D 80 x H 79.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood

French 1870s Napoléon III Period Painted Trumeau Mirror with Floral Oil Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III painted trumeau mirror from the late 19th century, with oil on canvas floral painting. Created in France at the end of Emperor Napoléon III's reign, this large ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Canvas, Wood

Napoleon III Ebonized Desk with Marble Inlay, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Ebonized desk with compartments on either side. Central drawer decorated with a cherub. Marble inlay. Leather top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th-C. French Napoleonic Brass Curved Glass Mirrored Sconces Lion Mask - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are French Napoleonic sconces with draping tassels and lion masque. They date to approximately 1850. The curved glass was intended to protect the candle flame and is in very go...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Renaissance Style Ebonized Cabinet
Located in Montreal, QC
Renaissance style, Napoleon III period, ebonized pearwood cabinet inlaid with painted Belgian black marble plaques all hand-painted with flower designs to imitate Pietra Dura; the to...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Sarreguemines Porcelain Minton Tea/Coffee Set, End 19th C.
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
This beautiful Minton-pattern tea and coffee set by Sarreguemines captures the charm and elegance of late-19th-century French ceramic artistry. Made in France at the end of the 1800s...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Napoleon III Style Ebonized Cabinet with Marble Top
Located in Vienna, AT
Napoleon III style. Cabinet, drawer at the top, lockable door behind which shelf. Dark polished / lacquered body, decorated with brass Intarsia band, details of gilded bronze. Top of...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

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

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Picture Frame Silver Enamel Red French Empire Napoleon III style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
External rectangular oval photo frame in gilded 925/1000 silver with translucent fired enamel on guilloche and French Empire Napoleon III style ornaments. External measurements cm. 1...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Garronne Chaise Lounge by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier, Silver
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Our classic Garonne chaise lounge has 5 Napoleon III style turned wooden legs. From every angle, you see its distinctive elegant curved lines. This piece is perfect for cuddling up...
Category

2010s American Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Bentwood

French Napoléon III Carved Walnut Long Case Clock with Brass Farming Scene
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period carved walnut antique long case clock from the mid-19th century, with bonnet top, farming scene and scrolling motifs. Created in France at the beginning ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Furniture

Materials

Satin, Wood

An Impressive Orientalist Bonbonnière in Bohemian Crystal, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An impressive Orientalist bonbonnière in Bohemian crystal, 19th century. 19th century crystal bonbonnière, Napoleon III period, Orientalist work, Bohemian crystal. H: 35cm, D: 30cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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 Furniture

Materials

Fabric

A Large Antique 19th Century Gilded Wall Mirror H155cm c1860
Located in High Peak, GB
K0598 A large  XIXth century giltwood wall mirror, having arched glass with minor imperfections in finely carved, moulded and gilded frame with leafy scrolls to the base and floral c...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paste, Gesso, Giltwood

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ormolu and Marble Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, brass, ormolu, semi precious stone and marble cabinet. The cabinet is raised by mottled topie shaped feet with a fine wra...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

Last 19th Century Italian Corner Étagère Turned Walnut Ebonized wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Last 19th century Italian corner étagère turned walnut ebonized, wax polished Measure cm: H 94 W47 D 30 (Ang 33 x 33).
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Style Parecloses Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
A unique 19th century French Napoleon III style parecloses mirror with beautiful proportions and a unique frame design. This authentic mirror features wonderful brass ornamentations and finishes, stunning wood carvings, and a mirror glass in fine condition. The brass arabesques on each corner of the mirror penetrate through the successive hand carved wood frames and really give an impressive sense of structure to the piece as a whole. This type of Napoleon III mirror is known as “parecloses” which was a highly prized type of mirror design in the 19th century imported from Venice. This design is characterized by the overall largeness of the mirror with a first large frame that contained smaller frames within its structure and each displaying unique ornamental finishes and carvings. This Napoleon III antique mirror...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine French Napoleon III Period Porcelain Plaque Mounted Ebonized Writing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular French Napoleon III Second Empire period (1852-1870) magnificently decorated ebonized wood writing table. Exceptionally fine quali...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Porcelain, Oak, Wood

19th Century Napoleon III Black Lacquer and Brass Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
A fine example of French craftsmanship from the Napoleon III era, this black lacquer and brass display cabinet, circa 1870, exudes elegance and sophistication. The upper cabinet feat...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Trumeau Mirror with Painted Cherubs
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
French Trumeau Mirror with Incredible Painted Cherubs Unique piece purchased in France Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with any questions.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

French Napoleon III Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The mahogany veneered bookcase with all over brass ormolu mounting and inlay. The brass mesh door opening to 6 original inlaid shelves, which can be adjusted to height. One drawer at...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Carved Wooden Clock Signed By Paul Mazaroz
Located in Charmes, FR
large clock, carved wooden cartel in good condition, signed on the back, no guarantee on the operation of the mechanism, the pendulum is missing
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Porcelain De Paris Napoleon III Style Pair of Shaped Vases Hand Decorated
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. Part...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rocaille Clock In Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Beautiful gilded bronze clock with lively decoration in the rococo style: flowers and foliage, putti Clock which is composed to be seen from all sides; dial with numbers in porcelai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Jewelry Box in Marquetry of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jewelry box in Marquetry of the 19th century Jewelry box in wood Marquetry, Napoleon III period, 19th century Dimensions: H: 8cm, W: 15cm, D: 10cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Spectacular Napoleon III Empire Secretaire 19th Century RESTORED
Located in Madrid, ES
Spectacular Napoleon III Empire Secretaire 19th Century France in mahogany, mahogany root rich gilded bronze decoration cm. 102x46 h. 140 RESTORED
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

BOULLE CABINET 19th Century French Napoleon III
Located in Madrid, ES
BOULLE CABINET 19th Century French Napoleon III, Marquetry in ebonized wood, tortoiseshell and brass. Gilded bronze applications "Caryatids", marble top. Box with a door, interior wi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Terra Cotta Orientalist Busts of a Woman and a Man
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of 19th century French Orientalist busts crafted in terra cotta and expertly paint decorated with a striking realism.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Emperor Napoleon on Horseback, Cast by Susse Frères, Paris
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Large Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Emperor Napoleon on Horseback, Cast by Susse Frères, Paris, From the Model By Alfred Émilien O'Hara, Comte de Nieuwerkerke (1811-1892). Dark br...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Study by Charles Virion a Figural Study of a Pheasant Family and a Snail
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Study in Bronze of a family of pheasants surrounding a snail, signed with foundry mark. Charles Louis Eugène Virion (1865-1946) was a no...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels, Napoleon III Period
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Bronze Candlesticks with Angels hail from the Napoleon III Period, and feature stunning angels on elaborately detailed tripod bases acting as caryatids for the cand...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Baccarat, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, and Ferdinand Barbedienne. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $49 and tops out at $2,500,000 while the average work can sell for $3,313.

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