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.
19th Century Italian Silver-Plated and Weathered - Patinated Serving Dish / Bowl
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Antique Italian fruit or serving dish from the late 19th century, made of silver-plated brass with decorative fish handles. The heavily patinated finish gives this piece a unique, we...
Silver Plate, Brass
Pair 19th Century French Silvered Bronze Christofle Compotes with Animal Motifs
By Christofle
Located in Dallas, TX
This exquisite pair of antique silvered bronze compotes was crafted in France circa 1860 by the renowned house of Christofle. Each elegant centerpiece stands on three hoof feet over ...
Silver Plate, Bronze
French Limoges Porcelain Bowl with Green Bouquet of Roses and Underplate
By Limoges
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Limoges porcelain bowl from the late 19th century, with green bouquet of roses décor, petite gilt feet and matching underplate. Created by the AMR factory (Ancienne Manufact...
Porcelain
Punch bowl shape of a pumpkin pink opaline crystal, Baccarat, Napoleon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Spectacular punch bowl in the shape of a pumpkin, in pink opaline crystal, Baccarat, Napoleon III, 19th century, circa 1880. The punch bowl is made in the highly sought-after "dove's...
Stone, Gold Leaf
Antique French Caneware Game Pie Dish or Tureen with Liner
Located in Houston, TX
Gorgeous 19th century French Napoleon III caneware or terracotta game pie dish or tureen with lid and original liner adorned with fowl. These covered dishes were used in the French c...
Terracotta
Soliflore, Bowl, Blue Opaline and Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III Period, XIXᵉ Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Soliflore, bowl, blue opaline and gilt bronze, Napoleon III period, XIXᵉ century. Cup, soliflore, Napoleon III period in blue opaline and gilt bronze. H: 50cm - D: 28cm Contact us...
Bronze
$1,076Sale Price|24% Off
Mid-19th Century Serving Dish with Dolphin in Polychrome Porcelain
Located in Paris, FR
19th century porcelain serving dish, exquisitely hand painted in polychrome with gilt accents. It is decorated with flowers, foliages and rinceau on white and blue background. The se...
Porcelain
$1,250
H 6 in Dm 8.5 in
Wonderful French Gilt Bronze Cut Crystal Ormolu Pedestal Bowl Baccarat Compote
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French gilt bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted pedestal bowl in the manner of Baccarat. The almost identical one is also available AC851.
Crystal, Bronze
Rosenthal Porcelain Tureen Serving Dish Cobalt and Gold
By Rosenthal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice vintage Rosenthal tureen.
Italian Art Deco Style Blown Glass Punch Bowl Set of 14
Located in Miami, FL
In excellent condition is this 14-piece blown glass punch bowl set made in Italy. The set is consisting out of a large punch bowl with 12 glass cu...
Art Glass
Stoneware Chinese Bowl, Sung Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Little stoneware Chinese bowl in glazed stoneware. It is adorned with flower engravings. Under the base, we can read “Xia Fang'' & ''Ding Hai”. 12th-...
Stoneware
Little Circular Chinese Stoneware Bowl Sung 1 Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
A circular glazed stoneware adorned with cloud engravings. 12th-14th century – Sung period. This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation...
Stoneware
Stoneware Chinese Bowl, Sung Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Little stoneware Chinese bowl in glazed stoneware. It is adorned with flower engravings. Period: 12th-14th century.
Stoneware
Emilia Castillo, Silver-Plated "Monkey" Punch Bowl, Mexican Modernism
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking example of late 20th-century Mexican silversmithing, this monumental sculptural punch bowl was designed by Emilia Castillo in Taxco, Mexico, during the 1980s. Resting on a...
Silver Plate, Copper
$6,405Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 13 in D 12.21 in
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Vegetable Dish, Tureen
Located in VALENZA, IT
Tureen in sterling silver in Baroque style. The dish measures 31cm in diameter and was left smooth with the brim raised. On the plate, scrolls and shells typical of the Italian Bar...
Sterling Silver
$425 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 6.88 in
Fine French Porcelain Antique Rose de France Set of Six Dessert Plates, Limoges
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
Fine French porcelain antique Rose de France set of six dessert plates Early 20th Century Exquisite quality, each plate with a shaped scrolled gilt decorated border with romantic Ros...
Porcelain
Handcrafted Kashmir Extra Large Porcelain Blue and White Bowl
$499
H 6.75 in W 11 in D 10.5 in
Antique English Silver Plated Partitioned Serving Bowl or Condiment Dish
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique serving dish is hallmarked by an unknown English maker, and believed to date to approximately 1910-1920 and done in a Victorian style...
Silver Plate
Fine French Art Deco Centerpiece by Luc Lanel for Christofle
By Luc Lanel, Christofle
Located in Long Island City, NY
Luc Lanel (1893–1965) for Christofle — A fine French Art Deco round hammered silver-plated centerpiece / fruit bowl. Hallmarked Christofle.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.65 in W 19.69 in D 10.04 in
Gilt Bronze and Crystal bBowl, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century gilt bronze and crystal bowl, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : H: 24,5cm, W: 50cm, D: 25,5cm Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability.
Crystal, Bronze
Large Napoleon III Period Silver Plated Bowl.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Napoleon III period silver plated bowl. A 19th century Napoleon III period silver plated and crystal bowl. H: 16cm, W: 48cm, D: 24cm
Crystal, Silver Plate
Cardeilhac - 19th Century Solid Silver Fruit Basket
By Cardeilhac
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Large multi-lobed fruit basket in solid silver decorated with foliage and clasps. The body is openwork and pierced with canework decorated with a seedling of flowers, flanked on each...
Silver
Large 19th Century Sèvres Porcelain Bowl, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large 19th century Sèvres porcelain bowl, Napoleon III period. Large Sèvres porcelain bowl, 19th century, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze mounting, lovely decoration of gallant sce...
Bronze
A 19th Century Sèvres Porcelain Bowl, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century Sèvres porcelain bowl, Napoleon III period. A Sèvres porcelain bowl, gilt bronze mounting, 19th century, Napoleon III period. h: 11cm, w: 38cm, d: 18cm
Bronze
Jam Pot in Crystal and Silver, Signed Martial Fray
By Marial Fray
Located in Paris, FR
Jam pot in Baccarat crystal and silver, resting on an octagonal foot. The handles are decorated with foliage and fluting. The domed lid is topped by two gadroo...
Crystal, Silver
Raffraichissoir Odiot in Silver, Early 19th Century
By Odiot
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Raffraichissoir Odiot in silver, Early 19th century" Odiot (1763-1850) silver raffraichissoir from the early 19th century, h: 7cm, l: 10cm, p: 6cm.
Silver
Silver and Glass Jam Dish, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver and glass jam dish, 19th century Silver and glass jam dish, with hallmark, 19th century Measures: H: 22 cm, W: 21 cm, D: 8 cm.
Silver
Large gilt Bronze and cut Crystal Bowl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Large gilt Bronze and cut Crystal Bowl" 19th century, Napoleon III period.
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Silver Sauceboats by A. Risler & Carre, Paris, Circa 1880
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A pair of French Silver Sauceboats by A. Risler & Carre, Paris, Circa 1880 A magnificent quality pair of silver sauceboats, with french silver hallmarks, and each signed A. Risler &...
Silver
Pair of French Silver Sauceboats, Possibly Tetard Freres Paris, Circa 1880
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A pair of French silver Sauceboats, Possibly Tetard Freres Paris, Circa 1880 A magnificent quality pair of silver sauceboats / gravy dishes. With french silver hallmarks, no makers mark but the quality led us to believe they are possibly by Tetard Freres. The pair weighs 91 ounces. Each measures 4" high x 13" wide x 7" deep. Excellent condition, no damages noted. Ready for use. Edmond Tétard took over the business of the renowned master silversmith Émile Hugo...
Silver
Series of Baccarat Cups with Silvered Bronze Bases
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Series of baccarat cups with silvered bronze bases Signed and numbered, well stored in a wooden box with padded interior In perfect condition Late 19th...
Crystal, Bronze