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.
Large Napoleon III Period French Bronze Wall Sconce of Classical Female Figure
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period bronze sconce features a classical female figure standing atop curling acanthus and flowers. Two candle arms extend from the floral base. The unusual large s...
Bronze
$1,220Sale Price / set|20% Off
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.
Bronze
$3,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
French Empire Brass Candle Sconce Pair with Swan Motif, 1820s
Located in Savannah, GA
French Empire three light brass candle sconce pair with swan motif, circa 1820s . Features include incredible detail and great old patina. See measurements below.
Brass
3 Gilded And Chiseled Bronze Wall Sconces From The 20th Century, Napoleon III.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 3 gilded and chiseled bronze wall sconces from the 20th century, Napoleon III style. Set of 3 wall sconces, Napoleon III style, 20th century, gilded and chiseled bronze. H: 3...
Bronze
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 ...
Bronze
$1,631
H 17 in W 13.75 in D 7.5 in
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870. This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Bronze
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze. Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze with dark patinated column. French Empire during the 1820s. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
$8,950Sale Price|22% Off
H 24 in W 14 in D 7 in
Pair 19th Century French Empire Figural Bronze 2 Arm Wall Sconces Sothebys
Located in Roslyn, NY
A pair of very fine 19th century French empire doré bronze figural two-arm sconces. The left facing figure is of a woman, and countering her is the right facing man. Provenance to...
Bronze
$1,225 / set
H 9.26 in Dm 4.14 in
A Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Brass, 1820s France
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of exquisite Empire candlesticks which combine gilt and patinated brass. Made in 1820s France. Various intricate rose, floral and leaf patterns adorn the bases in gilt brass. ...
Brass
$24,770 / set
H 25.99 in W 11.82 in D 6.7 in
Set of Four Louis XVI Style Jasperware and Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
By Henri Vian, Maison Beurdeley
Located in London, GB
These exquisite wall lights were created in the late 19th century by the famous bronzier, Henri Vian (French, 1860-1905). These wall lights are stamped ‘HV 955’ for Henri Vian, along with ‘BY’ for the prestigious Beurdeley furniture-making workshop (French, founded 1818). Vian purchased several bronze models that were created by Beurdeley when the company closed in 1895. These lights were most likely cast from a Beurdeley model. Typical of both Beurdeley’s and Vian’s work, these lights are designed in an 18th century Louis XVI (Neoclassical) style. The wall lights feature gilt bronze (ormolu) backplates which are designed to look like ribbons, tied in bows and ending in tassels. These ribbons support gilt bronze oval frames...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Bronze Cherub Figural Candle Sconces
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Bronze Cherub Figural Candle Sconces. Measure 7" in width x 4" in depth x 12" in height.
Bronze
$30,350 / set
H 18.9 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Set of Four Rococo Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These sconces (wall lights) are wonderful examples of the 18th century Louis XV style, which was fashionably revived in the 19th century. The style was characterised by its rocaille ...
Ormolu, Bronze
$706 / item
H 14.57 in W 6.3 in D 9.06 in
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiseled details. The backplate of this sconce is a central round plate wit...
Bronze
$795
H 5.3 in W 4.6 in D 5.8 in
Very Rare 19th Century Antique Bronze Cold Painted Eagle Claw Candle Holder
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality made and highly decorative, bronze eagle claw desk piece. With the holiday season on our doorstep we will be offering a number of season relat...
Bronze
Pair Neoclassical Bronze Mirrored Wall Sconces Candle Holders
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage or antique pair of bronze wall sconces features ornate Louis XVI style framed with twin arms extending from the bottoms; each candle holder is equipped with wide bobeche to ...
Brass, Bronze
$918Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 8 in W 6.75 in D 7 in
Antique Pair Ormolu Gilt Bronze Treble Light Wall Electric Sconces Appliques 19C
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Fine Quality Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Candle Wall Candle Sconces Lights, of generous proportions and exceptional well cast quality, mid to late Nineteenth Century. T...
Bronze, Ormolu
Art Deco Mirrored Wall Sconce Candle Holder 20th century
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage mirrored wall sconce features rectangular form with double faux twisted rope frame holding beveled mirror; the candle holder is set on single rope strand and accented with ta...
Brass
Sold
H 16.34 in W 11.62 in D 5.32 in
Pair of Wall Sconces in Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Porcelain, Napoleon Period.
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of wall sconces in gilt bronze and Sèvres porcelain, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Pair of Napoleon III period wall lights, 19th century, in gilt bronze and Sèvres porcela...
Bronze
Sold
H 29.93 in W 12.6 in D 5.91 in
Large Antique 19th Century French Floral Church Wall Sconce in Brass for Candles
Located in COLMAR, FR
A very decorative, authentic French Napoleon III church wall sconce, also called harvest candelabra. This is an unusual, large wall sconce model ma...
Brass, Bronze
1980s Italian Tole Candle Sconces, a Pair
Located in Marietta, GA
Wonderful pair of tole candle lanterns , with curved seeded glass. The lanterns are Napoleonic in style, with hand painted gold embellishments. In very goo...
Tin
Sold
H 15.75 in W 10.24 in D 5.91 in
Pair of Appliques in Gilt Bronze and Cloisonne Enamel, End of 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of appliques in gilt bronze and cloisonne enamel, end of XIXth century" A pair of gilt bronze and cloisonné enamel sconces forming a pendant with a dragon sculpture on the ...
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Pair of Two Arm Carved Wood Quiver Sconces with Carved Arrows
Located in New York, NY
19th century pair of two arm carved wood quiver sconces with carved arrows. Can be electrified or used with candles. Measures: 6" x 8" x 28" Weighs: 2.5 LBS.
Wood
Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze wall lights, Napoleon III period. Measures: Height 55 cm Width 34 cm.
Bronze
Set of 4 Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 4 gilt bronze wall lights Louis XIV style, late 19th century 3 branches lights Measures: Height 45 cm Width 31 cm.
Bronze
Pair of Bronze and Cloisonné Enamelled Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bronze and cloisonné enamelled sconces in the Japanese style with a dragon motif, 2 arms of lights, 1 wick missing. Measures: H: 40 cm, W...
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Period Bronze Candle Sconce with Female Face
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period bronze sconce features a beautifully detailed face with the features of a realistic countenance. Its three candleholders include their original removable bronze bobeches to protect from dripping wax...
Bronze
Pair of Early 20th Century Bronze Dog Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of early 20th century bronze dog candle stick sconces from France. Wonderfully made with dog faces and leaf patterns.
Bronze