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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
Antique French Painted Napoleon III Serving Tray, Circa 1870
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… A beautiful French serving tray, from circa 1870, hand-painted in the style of Napoleon III. Painted over an olive ground, the tray depicts a large wo...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III firedogs made of wrought iron. The condition is good.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Chinoiserie Shell Vide-Poche Black Lacquered Papier Maché, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chinese shell shape decorative little empty pocket papier mache with a handle late 19th century. Black Lacquered with a Classic chinoiserie scene of the...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Italian Gueridon Foldable Side Table or Pedestal Table Napoleon III late 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Italian painted wood table made in the Napoleon III period. The black and golden painting are typical of the style of this period. The scene painted on the top represents a group o...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Man Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no extra cost. The condit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Napoleon III Style French Nightstand Black Wood And Carrara Marble
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. Sober and elega...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Mobilier Louis-Philippe Napoleon III by Colette Lehmann, First Edition
Located in valatie, NY
Mobilier Louis-Philippe Napoleon III by Colette Lehmann. Paris: Èditions Ch. Massin, 1976, French text. Hardcover with dust jackets. 81 pp. Illustrates the beds, seating, tables, cas...
Category

Late 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of 19th-century French cast iron urns, exuding classical elegance and fine craftsmanship. These decorative urns feature intricately designed scalloped rims that creat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Baccarat opaline wine bottle - Napoleon III period circa 1860
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Baccarat opaline wine decanter or bottle gilt with fine gold fleur-de-lys patterns, Napoléon III period circa 1860. Gilt has been outstandingly preserved after over 150 years,...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

Pair of Terracotta Urnes Vases castle , spain XIXs
Located in La xara, VC
This exceptional Pair of Urnes Vases second parts of the XIXs , Provenance Castle Near the district of Biarritz ! 1. Historical and cultural signifi...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Decorated 19th Century French Napoleon III Gridiron
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century hand forged French gridiron, made of wrought iron. It is used to grill small pieces of meat quickly over the fire. Sometimes they are put in the fire or else on a trivet...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Sevres Chateau des Tuilleries Porcelain Bonbonniere
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Sevres Chateau des Tuilleries Porcelain Bonbonniere. It depicts a lidded cobalt blue large bowl cup mounted in gilt bronze. The top side of the lid is hand painted with a y...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Marriage Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
French fireback produced in honour of the marriage of Jackob and Mariana in 1826. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The fireback is in a good con...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Blue and Yellow Neapolitan Equestrian Tile
Located in New York, NY
Blue and yellow Neapolitan equestrian tile. Large equestrian-themed floor tile of bold blue and yellow design featuring mounted huntsmen, of Italian and Arabic riders with hunting ac...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Pair 19thc Russian Imperial Gold Bronze Wall Candle Sconces. Eagle Decoration
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc Russian Imperial/ Period Napoleon III Bronze Eagle Figural Candle Sconces. I purchased these sconces at an auction in Europe.
Category

1880s Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th C. French Napoleon III Fireplace Tools
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III companion set. The tool set consists of thongs, shovel and stand. Made of wrought iron and brass. It is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Dancers Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III style fireback with two dancers. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter at no ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Salt and Pepper Set and Butter Dish in its Box, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Salt and pepper set and butter dish in its box, 20th century. Early 20th century Napoleon III style salt and pepper set and butter dish in its box, silver-plated metal and crystal. ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

French Stucco Wood Napoleon III Wall Mirror Golden Black Oriental St, c 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoléon III wood and stucco wall mirror painted of black and gold. During the Napoleon III period, artists had a keen interest in everything to do with Eastern art. This explains the motifs on this mirror, created to invite travel. The black and gold furniture...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Stucco, Wood

LARGE MID-19th CENTURY GILT-BRONZE AND CRYSTAL BASKET CHANDELIER
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful large basket chandelier made of lost-wax gilded bronze, embellished with crystals. It features 24 lights, with arms shaped like a st...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Napoleon III Silver and Horn Salad and Roast Set, circa 1880s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Napoleon III roast and salad set including: knife and fork for salad, knife, fork and sauce spoon for roast, France, 1880s. Filled silver, Horn and gilt metal. Each handle wit...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver

19th Century French Wooden Carved and Gilded Console Table by Maison Janiaud
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique French Napoleon III console table. The table has beautiful carvings and is gilded with gold leaf. The marble top has a profiled edge and curved shapes. This is Carrara marble, a very white type of marble. The wooden base has an antique label...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Fireplace Shovel or Fire Shovel
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace shovel made of wrought iron and decorated with polished brass. The condition of the item is good and it is fit for use in the fireplace.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fortuna Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Fortuna, goddess of fortune and fate. Fortuna stands on a sphere, symbolizing the uncertainty of eart...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique French Fireplace Tools or Fire Tools, 19th-20th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Late 19th or early 20th century French Napoleon III fireplace tool set. The toolset consists of a stand and two fire irons. Made of wrought iron, brass and cast iron. It is in a good...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass

Mid 19th Century French Louis XVI Revival Ormolu and Crystal Candelabra
Located in Chicago, IL
An imposing and finely crafted pair of mid-19th-century French girandoles in the Louis XVI Revival style, each modeled as a standing classical caryatid in richly gilded bronze, suppo...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique French Napoleon Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Napoleon Bonaparte. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, without cracks. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th - 20th Century French Napoleon III style fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Round Tripod Boulle Jardinière with Cover
Located in Bochum, NRW
Round jardinière with cover. Made of ebonized wood and brass moldings, Boulle marquetry décor of blossoms and fillets in mother of pearl and brass. It is supported by three sinuous f...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th - 20th century French Napoleon III style fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

19thc French Napoleon III Crystal Presentation Tray Signed by Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Signed Baccarat Crystal Presentation Serving Tray/ Platter. Rare piece by Baccarat.
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Large 19th-20th Century French Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Very large and heavy 19th-20th century French cast iron fire dogs. The condition is good. This product has to be shipped as freight due to its size and/or (volumetric) weight. You c...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Sculpture, Biscuit Group, Gilt Bronze Mounting, Germany, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, biscuit group, gilt bronze mounting, Germany, 19th century, Napoleon III period Bisque group, sculpture, gilt bronze mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period, Germany....
Category

19th Century German Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pr 19thc Antique Signed F&C Osler Crystal/Gilt Bronze Serpentine Vase/ Epergne
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc Antique Napoleon III era Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Serpentine Bud Vase/ Epergne. these are stunning and they are signed by F & C Osler. Very good condition and finely deta...
Category

1880s English Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Napoleon III Apollo with Lyre Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireback with Apollo with his lyre. God of light, sun, truth, prophecy, music and joy. Also the saving God, both i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th Century French Napoleon III period fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and cast iron. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Antique Trade Scale Brass and Painted Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail. Brass and painted cast-iron Patina and signs of use which make this antique o...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons. The andirons are made or wrought iron and have spit hooks to grill food. The condition is good.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Bronze and Marble Bookends Barking Dogs from E Drouot, France c. 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of Edouard Drouot bookends representing barking dogs Marble and Bronze, made in France Dimensions of each piece W 5.71 in. (14.5 cm) D 5.12 in. (13 cm) H 7.49 in. (19 cm) Ver...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Napoleon Fireback / Backsplash, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with Napoleon Bonaparte and a soldier. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black /...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Bocca della Verità Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireback with the Bocca della Verità or Mouth of Truth. It is a sculpture representing the God of Sea outside a chu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Porcelain De Paris Napoleon III Pair of French Hand Painted Vases
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. Beau...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème Ce somptueux miroir de grande taille incarne avec finesse l’élégance et la rigueur du style Louis XVI, revisité au XIXe siècle avec une patin...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Cupids Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with cupids harvesting. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Carriage Clock With Deer And Candlesticks In Gilt Bronze
Located in BÉTERA, ES
An elegant carriage clock set with complementary candlesticks, known as a "garniture," is characteristic of the Napoleon III or Second Empire style of France, circa early 20th centur...
Category

1940s French Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of Napoleon III Opaline Glass Ormolu Tassel Vases, Paris, Circa 1870s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III Opaline Glass and Ormolu Tassel Vases Paris, circa 1870s Enhance your collection or interior with this exquisite pair of Napoleon III...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Gentleman s Vanity or Table Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An antique gentleman's vanity toilet mirror, or 'Psyche', dating from the 19th century and beautifully crafted from gleaming mahogany. This tilting table-top mirror is full of charac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Large Opulent Cobalt Blue Porcelaine de Paris Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This gorgeous large Paris porcelain vase is decorated with an exquisite palette of colours, its hand-painted polychrome floral medallions set against a background of the most vivid c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large 19th Century French Fireplace Shovel or Fire Shovel
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th century French fireplace shovel made of wrought iron. The shovel is in a good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Fire Grate, Fireplace Grate, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace basket. The fire basket is made of wrought iron and brass. The basket is in a good condition and is fully functional.
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron, Brass

French Napoleon III Marquise Chair in Tropics "Leopard Fabric
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful antique French Napoleon III marquise chair This extremely rare 19th century antique French Napoleon III marquise chair, also affectionately...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Large French Napoleon III Style Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
Large 19th-20th century French Napoleon III style andirons. The andirons are made of wrought iron and have a black / pewter patina. The condition is good.    
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century French Mercury Fireback / Backsplash
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III period fireback with the god Mercury. God of commerce. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of French 1850s Aubusson Floral Tapestries with Rinceaux Arabesques
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Napoleon III period Aubusson tapestries from the mid-19th century depicting rinceaux surrounding a floral decor. Woven in the famous Aubusson Manufacture located in central France during the 1850s, each of this pair of wall tapestries...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Tapestry

Pair of 19th Century Zinc Finial Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two large scale table lamps. Can also work as a floor lamp. Created from a pair of matching zinc roof finial from a French chateau which had to replace its roof. These architectural ...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Steel, Zinc

Framed Porcelain Plaque, Orientalist Work, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Framed porcelain plaque, Orientalist work, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Painted porcelain plaque, 19th century, Napoleon III period, Orientalist work. Frame: H: 67cm, W: 41.5c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French Clock Napoléon III Original Label on the Back, 1867
Located in Milano, IT
French watch Napoléon III Original label on the back 1867 Important French watch III with original label of the retailer beautiful back of the watch. The ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons made of wrought iron. The condition is good.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

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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