Skip to main content

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.

to
505
2,096
1,094
3,274
20
4
198,223
115,277
44,178
33,226
16,617
12,233
10,881
10,821
9,986
8,966
7,349
6,661
6,505
6,388
6,220
6,158
4,902
3,742
17
2,892
365
24
144
63
55
27
5
7
7
7
9
13
20
11
5
1,917
1,216
932
565
410
3,158
2,861
107
25
23
3,298
3,284
3,290
39
34
27
19
19
Style: Napoleon III
19th Century French Napoleon III Gesso Mirror with Mercury Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning 19th century French Napoleon III Gesso mirror with original mercury glass. Beautiful decorative carved details in an antique gold color. So pretty!
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass, Wood

Small Napoleon III Chest of Drawers, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
This exquisite little Napoleon III dresser stands on four curved legs. It has three drawers. It is decorated with a beautiful rosewood veneer and is embellished with bronze fittings....
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

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 Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Seal of arms Heraldry ecclesiastical coat of arms tower Auvergne cardinal
Located in NANTES, FR
SEAL OF ARMS ECCLESIASTIC HERALDIC ROYAL CROWN COAT OF ARMS OF THE AUVERGNE TOWER CARDINAL OCCITANE CROSS ARCHIEPISCOPAL CROSS HAT COAT OF COAT STAMP This seal is old. It is a coat of arms surmounted by a royal crown, on the top a two-armed archiepiscopal cross. The crown is topped with a headdress as part of the exterior ornaments...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III circular enamel box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III circular enamel box Material bronze and Cloisonne enamel Origin France Circa 1870 19th century Excellent quality and excellent condition Natural wear on its patina Its i...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th C. French Napoleon III Patinated Brass Oil Lamp Converted in Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a bedside table, writing desk, or small commode with this elegant antique table lamp, originally an oil lamp (lampe à pétrole) crafted in France circa 1870. Resting on three sc...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Boulle Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine. Early 19th century Napoleon tea caddy. Brass inlay. Crystal vessel (not original).
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of 19th Century Napoleon III Period Covered Vases in Biscuit.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of 19th century Napoleon III period covered vases in biscuit. A pair of Napoleon III period covered biscuit vases, 19th century, decorated with che...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century (late) Painting Family Gathering with Cellist
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (late) Painting Family Gathering with Cellist Beautiful Condition, Purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Monumental Pair Napoleon III Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A monumental pair of antique French Napoleon III bronze and white onyx candelabras, dating back to the late 19th century. In baluster-form with gilt bronze handles formed as female c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Small Two-body Dresser In Inlaid Wood
Located in PARIS, FR
A refined example of Second Empire elegance, this exquisite Dutch two-part display cabinet celebrates the revival of marquetry during the reign of Napoleon III. Crafted with meticulo...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Walnut

The Storm, Oil On Canvas, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large oil on canvas representing an accident between a horse-drawn carriage and a rider, against a backdrop of a rough sea landscape, which flooded the path after the storm After ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paint

E Fortiny, Baby In Marble, late XIXth /early XXth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pretty marble sculpture of a baby with folded hands, signed by the artist E Fortiny (active from 1870 to 1920) Good condition, tiny chips Early 20th century Height 34 cm 30 x...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Napoleon III floor mirror
Located in Belgrade, RS
An exceptionally sumptuous and, at the same time, elegantly imposing large mirror with a matching low console is a true representative of the Napoleon III style, which originated in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Sculpture in Patinated Plaster by the Artist Capovani, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in Patinated Plaster by the Artist Capovani, Early 20th Century. Animal sculpture representing a Lion striking down a snake by Capovani in plaster with a bronze patina, ea...
Category

Early 20th Century European Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Pair Antique French Napoleon III Bronze D Ore Green Marble Cassoulets Ca 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Napoleon III bronze d' ore & green marble cassoulets, circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Paris Porcelain Pair of Vases "The Flowering", France, Circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of white porcelain vases richly decorated with beautiful polychrome floral compositions and butterflies enhanced with gold on a blue background, framed by golden porce...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Marble Paperweight with Fruits, XIXth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
2 white marble paperweights with tinted marble fruit, Italian work from the 19th century Small chips Height 8.5cm 10x17cm.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair 19th century candelabra styled in the form of medieval knights
Located in Wijnegem, BE
Pair 19th century Napoleon III gilded - and silver-plated bronze candelabra styled in the form of medieval knights in armor on hexagonal marble bases. France c. 1870s Dimensions: H...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Aubusson Rug in Clay, Blue, Green, and Pink
Located in Dallas, TX
French 19th century large Aubusson rug from the Napoleon III period. This Aubusson is handwoven and has a beautiful color range, consisting of a cla...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Bronze Brass Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Bronze & Brass Urns represent the mastery of metal sculpture exhibited by the French during this wonderful era and are of a nice size ...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze

Framed Original Opera Costume Design Water Color, By Charles Betout
Located in New York, NY
Original watercolor opera costume design by Charles Betout, the principal costume designer for the Comédie-Française in Paris from 1919 til his death in 1939. Betout was renowned for...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

Table Box transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engraved wood grain Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with fine hand-engraved ornaments in late Napoleon III Empire style and transparent brown fired enamel over hand-engrave...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Old Paris - Vieux Paris Porcelain Neoclassical Coffee Pot
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Old Paris - Vieux Paris Porcelain Neoclassical Coffee Pot What is known as Vieux Paris porcelain has been created by over 30 different artisan factories in Paris ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Napoleon III Brass Ebonised Pier Display Cabinet With A Gallery
Located in King s Lynn, GB
A 19th Century French Napoleon III Brass & Ebonised Pier Cabinet With an Incredible Brass Gallery. A unique piece heavily decorated in brass which would be an eye catcher in any se...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair 19thc French Silvered Bronze Louis XV Crystal Fruit Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1880 Pair French Antique Napoleon III Silvered Bronze Lyre Back Crystal Fruit Wall Sconces. These are beautiful loaded with Italian crystal fruit. Found th...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Napoleon III Cabinet, Styl Boulle
Located in Warsaw, PL
his elegant cabinet exemplifies the pinnacle of 19th-century French cabinetmaking, executed in the style of André-Charles Boulle, the renowned 17th-century master. The cabinet showca...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Beveled Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room, entryway or bedroom with this elegant antique gold leaf mirror. Crafted in the Burgundy region of France, circa 1870, the rectangular mirror has traditional l...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Napoleon III Style Tortoise Shell Mirror with Pediment, 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III style beveled mirror with a triple frame in embossed and gilt brass. Different parts of the frame are adorned with blackened wood baguettes. The central frame is enhance...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

French gilt bronze ink stand depicting a young man harvesting circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This wonderfully detailed bronze inkstand is of unusably small proportions and was made to compliment a lady's writing table most likely. It is of an oval form with a moulded base which is mounted with a detailed bronze study of a rural scene of a young man harvesting corn with a sickle. The bushels of corn hide the inkpot which hinges back to reveal a white porcelain container...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pumpkin-Shaped Candy Box in Opaline, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pumpkin-shaped candy box in opaline, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A Napoleon III period candy dish, 19th century, in white opaline, forming a pumpkin. H: 16cm, D: 23cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

Antique Hand Carved Parcel-Gilt Walnut Napoleon III Marble-Top Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A 19th century carved walnut table with marble top. The dark green and white original marble inset top with expertly carved edge, on the a...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Timeless Equestrian Elegance: Paul Magne De La Croix s 1900 Watercolor
Located in New York, NY
Captivating scene of a gentleman gracefully mounted on horseback, skillfully brought to life by artist Paul Magne De La Croix. Created in the year 1900, th...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century French Painted Porcelain Table Oil Lamps on Bronze Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant antique "Lampes a Petrole" (or oil lamps) were crafted in France, circa 1870. The fixtures, converted into table lamps, sit on gilded bronze platform ending with sculpt...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Black Wooden Working Table with Brass Decoration
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century work table in blackened wood inlaid with brass fillet, the lid reveals a tray with three compartments and a niche, it opens with a belt pocket. Curved legs, trim brass ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Steel Engraving from the 19th Century Representing a Painting of Rembrandt
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Steel engraving from the 19th century representing a painting of Rembrandt by Franceso Novesllsine. 1892 Measure: H 23cm, L 19cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Marble and Bronze Selette Pedestal Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique "Selette" was crafted in France, circa 1860. Carved of variegated beige marble with orange veins, the tall pedestal sits on a thick square plinth embellished wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Good Pair of Gilded and Patinated Bronze, 19th Century Mantel Urns
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine pair of decorative mantel ewers or urns are French and were made, circa 1870. Cast in bronze the pair has been carefully patinated all-over then gilded in decorative areas ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Slate, Bronze

French 19th century Napoleon III Period Wood, Porcelain and Ormolu planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III Period Louis XVI st. Tulipwood, Kingwood, Sévres Porcelain and Ormolu Jardinière planter. This impressive three section j...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French, 1850s Napoléon III Period Center Table with Carved Motifs and Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period Alsatian wooden center table from the mid 19th century, with carved stacked-coin style motifs, foliage and natural patina. Created in the Eastern region ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Snuffbox basket with flowers, in Florentine Renaissance style, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rounded rectangular snuffbox in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated with beautiful fire enamelled miniature hand-painted by the painter Renato Dainelli of a basket with flowers, in ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

French Opaline Blue Glass Vanity Set with Gilt Bronze, 19th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
A refined 19th-century French vanity set crafted in vibrant opaline blue glass, richly adorned with ornate gilt bronze mounts in the Rococo Revival style, typical of the Napoleon III...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Aubusson Rug
Located in Houston, US
Stunning, grande 19th century French Aubusson rug from the Napoleon III period. The rug is handwoven with a beautiful array of colors ranging from blue/green, teal, rosy pink and bur...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of Small Black and Grey Marble Obelisks, Napoleon III Style, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of small black and grey marble obelisks in the Napoleon III style, 20th century. Pair of small Napoleon III style obelisks, 20th century, in black and grey marble. H: 40cm, W: ...
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

French 19th century boulle cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sensational and extremely hight quality french 19th Napoleon third period Ebony ,and bronze cabinet a hauteur d appui inlaid with brass, marble top the boulle cabinet have an i...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century, Dining Table by Horrix with Original Carved Leaf
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century dining table by Horrix with original carved leaf is yet another example of the superlative craftsmanship exhibited by the storied maker during the period. Set upon an un...
Category

1870s Dutch Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Oak

French porcelain vase, Sevres, with Cloisonne bronze
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
French porcelain vase, Sevres, with Cloisonne bronze French porcelain vase with gilt base, with gilt bronze handles with a painted landscape on one side and a couple of children insi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Wäckerlin desk chair, 800, Italy
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
The chairs with women's names... Wäckerlin, steam-curved Mulberry desk chair with Vienna straw seat and hand-wrought iron hardware. A piece of history dating back to the end of the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Straw, Bentwood

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

Drawing, Painting Representing a Child s Head, Chalk Drawing.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Drawing, painting representing a child's head, black pencil and red chalk drawing. Painting representing a drawing of a child's head, black and red chalk print, stamped from the Jul...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

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 Furniture

Materials

Leather, Oak

Pitcher and Its Opaline Basin on a Gilt Bronze Base, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Large pitcher in pink opaline and its basin, with white and gold enamelled decoration of palmettes, small pearls and floral motifs. Large gold bands u...
Category

19th Century Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Porcelain "Dove" Planter by L Escalier de Cristal, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Inscribed HA et Cie and numbered 403 Signed in red Escalier de Cristal Paris Beautiful planter in gilded and painted porcelain. The rounded belly with a platinum background is decor...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Important Vanity Mirror in Bronze Patine from the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important vanity mirror in bronze patine from the 19th century with original bezeled mercury mirror. Measures: 60cm x 37cm x 4 cm.  
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fine French Napoleon III Faux Bamboo Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine French Napoleon III faux bamboo and mahogany framed mirror.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Faux Bamboo

Christofle Sculpture of a Trophy, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver-plated metal sculpture and varnished wood base by Christofle representing an agricultural trophy, 19th century, Napoleon III period. H: 36cm, D: 23cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Table Lamp Enamel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III table lamp onix base, enamel champlevé, circa 1900 origin France electrified 220 w perfect condition. The Napoleon III style had its heyday during the 1850s and 1880s. E...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Table Lamp Enamel
Napoleon III Table Lamp Enamel
$1,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Important Napoleon III Lion Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Office inkwell in Siena yellow marble and bronze Napoleon III 19th century 34cm x 20cm Very good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Commode Style Boulle of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period
Located in Warsaw, PL
This magnificent Boulle-style cabinet originates from the Napoleon III period of the 19th century, showcasing the finest craftsmanship and luxurious design of its time. The piece is ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, 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.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed