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.
Pair of French Napoleon III Ormolu Mounted Sevres Style Cassolettes
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking and highly decorative pair of large French Napoleon III cassolettes, crafted in the late 19th century. Each piece features finely cast and chiseled ormolu (gilt bronze) m...
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,552Sale Price / set|38% Off
19th Century Pair of Hand-Painted Paris Porcelain Urns
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine pair of antique French urns in 'Porcelain de Paris', and dating from the early 19th century. These sensational vases are decorated w...
Porcelain, Paint
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...
Terracotta
19th Century French Brass Jardinière or Planter
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French brass Jardinière or planter. Lovely antique French Napoleon III heavy weight brass jardiniere, planter or cachepot. This fantastic French planter is beautifully d...
Brass
Maison Millet, Amethyst Pair of Perfume-Burners, France, circa 1870
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful pair of Louis XVI style perfume burners in amethyst, enhanced with an elegant finely chased and gilded bronze mount. The ovoid body is topped with a lid featuring a gilded ...
Amethyst, Bronze
Sevres Chateau des Tuilleries Porcelain Bonbonniere
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
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...
Bronze
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Amphorae
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Napoleon III amphorae great quality piece Sevres-style Porcelain and gilt bronze Hand painted and signed J bouzon Champleve enamel perfect...
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Bronze Centerpiece on Marble Base
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional 19th century French Napoleon III period bronze centerpiece on marble base depicts Bacchus and Ariadne in full relief, plus an intriguing dragon's tail handle on each s...
Marble, Bronze
$2,835Sale Price / set|25% Off
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 s...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French "Chinoiserie" Porcelain Vases
By Jacob Petite
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of French campana shaped urns with chinoiserie painted and gilded figurative and floral decoration, that was very popular in the mid-19th ce...
Porcelain
19th Century French Napoleon III Ormolu & White Marble Urns, circa 1850
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique Mid-19th century French Ormolu mounted on white marble urns on green marble bases. CONDITION In Great Condition - No Damage. Size Height: 36cm Width: 15.5cm Depth: ...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Napoleon III Paris Porcelain Pirate Urns, Antique Pair
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair of Paris Porcelain Pirate Urns Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Porcelain
Pair of Napoleon III Moroccan Burr Thoya Wood Urns
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Napoleon III Moroccan burr thoya wood urns, turned from the solid, each in the form of a slender urn and cover on a shaped base, with an ormolu flame finial, beading and la...
Wood
Pair of Antique French Faience Earthenware Lidded Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of large 19th century French faience earthenware lidded urns handcrafted in classic form featuring tassel form handles, flame finials and hand decorated floral designs ...
Earthenware
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...
Terracotta
$8,450Sale Price|43% Off
A Fine French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Trophy Cherub & Maiden "Love & Victory"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Trophy Cherub & Maiden "Love & Victory" in the shape of a vessel, raised on a rouge royal marble base, circa 1880-...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Pair of Cassolettes in Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this set of exquisite cassolettes from the Napoleon III period. Crafted from Pyrenean marble, specifically the Bénou Breccia kind, and enhanced with gilded bronze...
Marble, Bronze
Large 19th Century German Gilt-Trimmed Meissen Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
19th century German large blue and white Meissen porcelain vase with gilt trim and scroll handles.
Gold
Continental Ormolu-Mounted Marble Urn
Located in New York, NY
Continental ormolu-mounted marble urn. Onyx stone urn in browns, beige and grey cream with foliate ormolu outward scrolling handles and richly chased lid all on incurving square base...
Marble, Ormolu
Covered Bronze Vase With Brown Patina Decorated With Bacchanalia And Putti After
Located in BARSAC, FR
Superb covered bronze vase with brown patina decorated with bacchanalia, putti and cornucopias around the symbols of wine and the vine. Beautiful chiseling work, undoubtedly from th...
Bronze
Pair Antique French Napoleon III Sèvres Porcelain & Gold Bronze Urns Circa 1890s
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Napoleon III sèvres porcelain & gold bronze urns circa 1890's.
Bronze
Pair Of Large Bronze And Marble Cassolettes, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of large green marble cassolettes with rich gilt bronze ornamentation: knots, garlands of flowers and leaves, putti raising their arms towards the flame on the lid (socket) Aft...
Marble, Bronze
Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of light green marble cassolettes with gilded bronze ornamentation: garlands of flowers and leaves, putti heads, pine cone lids Some wear and scratches, old restorations to the...
Marble, Bronze
Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of green marble cassolettes with rich gilded bronze ornamentation: women's heads, goats' feet, lid with pine cone Good general condition, some chips in the marble 19th century...
Marble, Bronze
Pair Of Marble And Gilded Bronze Cassolettes, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Elegant pair of green marble cassolettes with white veins, richly decorated with gilded bronze: lids with pine cones, side handles depicting rams' heads, openwork friezes of scrolls ...
Marble, Bronze
$1,954Sale Price|40% Off
Covered Cup in Marble from the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Covered cup in marble from the 19th century. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Marble
Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of red marble cassolettes, with bronze ornamentation: rams' heads, pearl threads, pine cones Cassolettes late 19th century, in good general condition, note some scratches on th...
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 ...
Slate, Bronze
Antique French 19th Century Napoleon III Vases, White and Pink Rhodochrosite
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair White and Pink Rhodochrosite Vases Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Crystal
Beautiful Pair of Early 20th Century French Red Marble Cassolettes
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful Pair of Early 20th Century Red Marble Cassolettes (H+/- 31 cm.) good condition
Marble
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Napoleon III Period Ormolu Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of French mid 19th century Napoleon III period ormolu tazzas. Each tazza is raised on an ebony mottled base with a Boulle tortoiseshell and etched brass inlay column ...
Ormolu
Napoleon III Cut Crystal and Ormolu Vase
Located in New York, NY
In the early 19th century the typical, but fine flower vase was made of porcelain. The better ones were mounted in gilt bronze. But the most fashionable were of cut crystal and gilt ...
Crystal
$10,468Sale Price / set|25% Off
Late 19th Century Pair of Blue Bresse Enamel Jardinières
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century pair of jardinières in blue enamel from Bresse. Multicolored medallions depicting delicate flowers are framed by white and red enamel beads and gilded arabesques. E...
Enamel
Pair Antique French Napoleon III "Jeweled" Porcelain & Gold Bronze Urns, Ca 1875
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Napoleon III gold bronze and "jeweled" porcelain urns, circa 1865-1885.
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Large Cassolettes with Mascarons in Violet Breccia Marble
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this exquisite pair of cassolettes crafted from violet breccia marble, dating back to the Napoleon III era. They feature highly decorative bronze embellishments s...
Breccia Marble, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Napoleon III St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and charming true pair of French 19th century Napoleon III st. patinated bronze and ormolu tazzas. Each tazza is raised by a square ormolu base with concave corners and a...
Ormolu, Bronze