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
476
2,132
1,086
3,298
20
6
198,886
115,112
44,398
33,541
16,599
12,344
10,905
10,858
10,024
8,911
7,391
6,729
6,576
6,465
6,279
6,152
4,956
3,753
18
2,917
363
26
143
65
54
27
5
8
8
7
9
13
20
11
5
1,924
1,226
947
587
411
3,183
2,881
113
25
23
3,324
3,308
3,316
36
35
27
20
20
Style: Napoleon III
19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Crystal Twelve-Light Chandelier with dragons
Located in Tarzana, CA
A large late 19th century French Belle époque neoclassical revival style gilt bronze and crystal twelve-light oval shaped chandelier with drago...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Painted Tin Planter
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Painted tin planter, 19th century. Measures: H: 9 cm, W: 26 cm, D: 16 cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Tin

Painted Tin Planter
Painted Tin Planter
$1,044 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Crystal Centerpiece, Circa 1885.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Napoleon III ormolu mounted crystal centerpiece, circa 1885. Lovely etching.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Pair French Seltzer Bottle Lamps with Napoleonic Emblems
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair French Seltzer Bottle Lamps with Napoleonic Emblems. Double gourd construction with Napoleon's insignia gold design and bees. Lamps are...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sculpture in Concrete of a Bather Exiting Her Bath, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in concrete of a bather exiting her bath, 20th century.  
Category

1980s European Vintage Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Cabinet - Display Case - Napoleon III s Happiness Of The Day
Located in Beaune, FR
Napoleon III period marquetry and gilt bronze display cabinet. The upper part is composed of two shelves with mirrored backs. The lower part opens with two oval glass doors with 2 sh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Sèvres Style Ormolu Mounted Mantel Clock by Kreisser
Located in London, GB
This gilt bronze mounted mantel clock is formed about a beautiful sky-blue, parcel gilt Sèvres style porcelain vase. The enamel dial is mounted within a gilt bronze drum that is drap...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Napoleon III Lamps marble and enamel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Napoleon III lamps Origin France 19th century, circa 1860 electrified 220 w perfect condition gilt bronze, onyx and cloisonné enamel 39 cm high up to the screen frame. The Na...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Early 20th Century Silver-Plated Decanter, Napoleon III Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Early 20th century silver-plated decanter, Napoleon III style. Early 20th century silver-plated metal decanter, Napoleon III style. H: 32cm, W: 19cm, D: 13cm
Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

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 Furniture

Materials

Paint

Pair of French armchairs / fauteuils
Pair of French armchairs / fauteuils
$1,774 Sale Price
20% Off
Napoleon III Period Gilded Bronze Chandelier, 6-Light
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period gilded bronze chandelier, 6-light Measures: H 83cm, D 52cm.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Cameo 19th century profile of a woman in gold frame
Located in NANTES, FR
19th century cameo, profile of a woman, gold frame This cameo was finely executed, with great precision, it is beautifully made. It has a gold setting with an eagle's head hallmark...
Category

19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Agate, Gold

19th Century 10-Light Ormolu and Crystal Basket-Shaped Chandelier
Located in Paris, FR
Monumental 10-light basket-shaped chandelier of gilt bronze and crystal, crafted in the late 19th century in France. Beautifully designed oversized prisms, rosette and slice-cut drop...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Antique French Napoleon 13 Drawers File Chest Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Napoleon 13 Drawers File Chest Cabinet Our exceptional French Napoleon Lock-Side File Chest boasts an impressive array of 13 drawers. Crafted with meticulous attentio...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Louis XVI Mahogany Drop Leaf End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XVI Mahogany drop leaf end table is elegant, versatile, and crafted to last for generations! Utilizing exotic im...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Ceramic Pharmacy Jar
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Ceramic Pharmacy Jar Beautiful piece purchased in France, age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Important Pair of Napoleon III Dressers with Hunting Decor
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important pair of Napoleon III dressers with hunting decor.  
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood, Amboyna

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rope Twist Napoleon III Style Suite Seating Armchair Settee Chesterfield Sofa
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of Napoleon III style early 20th century Rope Twist seating A stunning little suite, the armchairs come up for sale occasional...
Category

Early 20th Century English Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century French Appliqué in Gilt Bronze with Crystal Roses, Napoleon III
Located in Sofia, BG
Applique Napoleon III in gilt bronze with three arms of lights decorated with ribbons and flowers. Measures: H. 70 cm France, circa 1870.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Six-Light Candelabras Attributed to Beurdeley
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite pair of Napoleon III gilt bronze six-light candelabras attributed to Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley. Maker: Attributed to Emmanuel-Alfred Beurdeley (1847-1919) Origin: Fr...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Iron Garden Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Iron Garden Urns still show the aged forest green painted finish that was popular during the era, along with a century and a half of pati...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair Antique French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Red Marble Lamps w/ Silk Shades
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Napoleon III Classic style red marble and ormolu mounted lamps with handmade silk shades, circa 1875-1885.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Napoleon III period chased gilt bronze table mirror.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III period chased gilt bronze table mirror . Napoleon III period table mirror in chased and gilded bronze, beveled glass, 19thcentury antique. H:50cm, W: 30cm, D:2cm
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Marquetry Inlay Tea Table With Japanned Motif, C.1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in from France, this charming French 19Th C. Marquetry Tea Table With Japanned Design Top. The design of the top is all hand crafted marquetry...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Italian 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ormolu and Onyx Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful Italian 19th century Napoleon III Period ormolu and onyx side table. The table is raised by most unique and extremely decorative foliate feet with beautiful movements and...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Ormolu

French Forged Napoleon III Column, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A forged metal pillar with fluted details and Doric inspiration, a Napoleon III period piece. Take into account that the colors on the items may vary depending on the type of lighti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Metal, Spelter

French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu, and Brass Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, ormolu, and brass box. The box is raised by fine ormolu ball feet below a lovely wrap around mottled band. Each ebony si...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Pair of Napoleon Cast Iron Urns
Located in Washington, DC
A pair of Napoleon cast iron urns.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Buffet with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III period walnut buffet with carrara marble reflects a fascinating period in French history when all the styles were revived, including the timeless neo...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Mid-19th Century White Opaline Water Set
Located in Paris, FR
White opaline water set highlighted with golden stripes, garlands of plants, and small flowers. The set is composed of a round tray, a glass, a sugar bowl, a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Bud Vases, Cristal and Gold Gilt Bronze and Gold Leaf
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bud vases, crystal and gold gilt bronze and gold leaf, 19th century Napoleon III.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Painted Porcelain Vase Royal Cobalt Blue, Nast Manufactory
By Nast
Located in Lisbon, PT
This exquisite 19th century French porcelain vase features a striking royal cobalt blue glaze and a hand-painted pink dress motif. Attributed to the Nast manufactory, this unique pie...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Mail pouch in maroquin rouge, 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Red leather pouch to carry or deliver the mail with flap, decorated with gilt fleur-de-lys arabesques. Interior, two pockets, and a smaller one with flap. A folding gusset allows to ...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Leather

Pair of 19th Century French Porcelain Brass and Painted Glass Table Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant antique oil lamps made into table lights were crafted in France, circa 1880. The tall "Lampes a Petrole", stand on intricate round brass bases decorated with leaf motif...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th century French Napoleon III Marquetry Folding Table, 1870s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful serving table dating from the Napoleon III period (1870) in pear wood highlighting a sublime marquetry. Louis XV style. The two trays at the ends fold down to make room for...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Pearwood

Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Candelabra Lamp
Located in NYC, NY
A bronze and gilded bronze five-light candelabra, in the Napoleonic Empire style with two-bulb cluster. A Classic lamp with good patina and scale. Ex. Christies Auction...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Impressive Table First Empire Napoleon III Late 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive table first Empire Napoleon III Late 19th century gilded bronzes and Inlay Amazing marquetry work Measures: Diameter: 152cm Height: 79cm x 92cm perfect condition.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Circa 1930 s Pair Portrait Vases Orange Accent
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1930's Pair Portrait Vases Orange Accent Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questio...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Child Armchair with Tray and Potty Hole
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring royalty and elegance to your home with this antique baby chair, and treat your child like a king! Crafted in France circa 1870, the mahogany a...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

19th Century French Mirror
Located in Godstone, GB
19th century French wall/mantel mirror, circa 1870. All in original condition with untouched gilding and beautiful gesso carved floral pattern all over the frame. Original mercury glass plate...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Wood

Delicate Porcelain Ormolu and Ebony Cabinet, Napoleon III
Located in Warsaw, PL
The cabinet is crafted in Napoleon III style, which is also known as Second empire style. The main material of the cabinet is ebony with dark varnish finish. The top of the cabinet iscovered with Carrara marble, which was a popular combination of that time period. The large frizes atop and the small friezes on the bottom are sculpted with beautiful and delicate pearl-shaped motifs. The pearl motif dominates in this antique French cabinet, as it features also in the framing edge of the front panels of the door. It seems like the pearl motifs become an endless source of inspiration in this French gorgeous cabinet. On either side of the front corner panels of the cabinet is an image of a man's head gilded with ormolu, built into the modillions, where flowers hang from them.The corners of a cabinet are ornated with square rosettes which are overhung by rococo curves and shells. The acanthus leaf pattern complements the decoration of the 4 front corners of the cabinet. In the central door panel there is a medallion with a painting of two women with a goat standing by a tree surrounded by forest. The porcelain picture depicts the poetic beauty of people and landscapes in the French countryside. The bright colors in the porcelain painting brings more life in to the dark stained cabinet...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of French 19th Century Dore and Patinated Bronze Handled Tazzas w/ Putti
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of French 19th century Napoleon III period patinated and dore bronze tazzas/centerpieces. Each circular tazza top is beautifully patinated and further decorated with...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Ormolu and Blue Porcelain Four Seasons Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French ormolu and blue porcelain mantel clock. The blue porcelain with blue ground and decorated with baskets of flowers, fruit and doves, ...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Lamp in Porcelain and Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lamp in porcelain and gilt bronze, baluster shape adorned, on the belly, with leaves and flowers on a white background. Belly ornamented with two cartouches on both sides. Base and m...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Napoleon III Giltwood Table Base with Hand Painted Tole Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique side table was crafted in Paris, France circa 1870, the occasional table features a blackened wooden pedestal base embe...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Tôle

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 Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Paint

Pair of Gilt Bronze Vase Tops, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of gilt bronze vase tops, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Pair of gilt bronze vase tops, Napoleon III period, 19th century. H: 7cm, D: 23cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror, Crown Crest This is a very attract
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror, Crown Crest This is a very attractive piece, the mirror has a 3.5” gilt frame edged with swags and a crown in the centre at the top of t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

French Boulle Ebonized Pedestal, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Lovely French Napoleon III Boulle ebonized pedestal, 19th century. The pedestal is inset with a rectangular marble top, above a Boulle style brass inlaid column decorated with a central urn within a scrolling foliate motif, the corners are mounted with gilt bronze mythical...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th century Napoleon III Bronze and Marble Pair of Pharmacy Tazzas
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very beautiful pair of pharmacy cassolettes/tazzas in gilded bronze and marble dating from the Napoleon III period. Base with lion's feet. Handles representing snakes which is the sy...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Griotte Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock Mounted by a Classical Female Bronze Bust
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast gilt bronze clock base mounted with of a classical patinated bronze bust of a maiden after a model by James Pradier. The maiden has her curly haired head turned demurely to one side resting on her bare shoulders, and hands clasped across her partly exposed breasts...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Pair of Large French Figural Candelabra in Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and White Ma
Located in London, GB
A fine true pair of patinated bronze, ormolu and white marble figural candelabra in excellent condition. Set upon a white marble base, with ormolu swags surrounding the marble. The p...
Category

1840s French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Silver Plated over Copper and Crystal Sugar or Candy Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and large antique sugar bowl was crafted in France, circa 1870.; made of cut crystal and silver plated over copper, the dish sits on a ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate, Copper

Napoleon III Style Gilt Bronze Sconce By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
In this Napoleon III Style Gilt Bronze Sconce By Gherardo Degli Albizzi You can appreciate both hunting and vegetal motifs in the form of a boar and oak leaves that create a sinuous ...
Category

2010s Italian Napoleon III Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Iridescent Celadon Porcelain Lamps, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bottle shapped iridescent celadon porcelain lamps. Chiseled and gilt bronze mount on an openwork circular base decorated with cartouches and swirls, two openwork handles and ...
Category

Late 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.