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Napoleon III Folk Art

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.

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Style: Napoleon III
Napoleon Three Altar Candelabra with Seven Lights and Flower Bouquet Decoration
Napoleon Three Altar Candelabra with Seven Lights and Flower Bouquet Decoration

Napoleon Three Altar Candelabra with Seven Lights and Flower Bouquet Decoration

$2,560

Napoleon Three Altar Candelabra with Seven Lights and Flower Bouquet Decoration

Located in Antwerp, BE

Beautiful antique church candlestick from the late 19th century with 7-armed candle holders, richly decorated with ears of corn, bunches of grapes, lilies, and chrysanthemums. A lavi...

Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig
Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig

$225

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rabbit
Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rabbit

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rabbit

$225

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rabbit

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rabbit. Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions. 

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Napoleon III Majolica Duck French Ceramic Pitcher 1880
Napoleon III Majolica Duck French Ceramic Pitcher 1880

Napoleon III Majolica Duck French Ceramic Pitcher 1880

$225

Napoleon III Majolica Duck French Ceramic Pitcher 1880

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig
Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig

$225

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Pig. Unique piece purchased from France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster
Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

$275

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Painting "Young Boy Reading"
19th Century Painting "Young Boy Reading"

19th Century Painting "Young Boy Reading"

$2,900

19th Century Painting "Young Boy Reading"

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century Painting of Young Boy Reading. Painting is in amazing shape. Gorgeous piece, see detailed pics. Contact us for more information.

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

**19th-Century Feather Fan with Hand-Painted Flowers
**19th-Century Feather Fan with Hand-Painted Flowers

**19th-Century Feather Fan with Hand-Painted Flowers

$814

**19th-Century Feather Fan with Hand-Painted Flowers

Located in NANTES, FR

**19th-Century Feather Fan with Hand-Painted Flowers – M3755** This 19th-century fan is decorated with hand-painted flowers and birds on both sides. **Condition:** Please note a fe...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Feathers

Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster
Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

$225

Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napoleon III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster. Unique piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster
Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

$225

Napolean III Late 19th Century Majolica Rooster

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Napolean III. Late 19th Century Majolica. Beautiful condition. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

18th Century Trompe L'Oeil Oil painting, "Le Prisuer"
18th Century Trompe L'Oeil Oil painting, "Le Prisuer"

18th Century Trompe L'Oeil Oil painting, "Le Prisuer"

$2,310

18th Century Trompe L'Oeil Oil painting, "Le Prisuer"

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

18th Century Trompe L'Oeil Oil painting, "Le Prisuer" Framed. See pic for details on piece written in french. Very handsome and fun piece for any unique space. Message us with ques...

Category

18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Set of Four Antique French Wooden Screw Press Nutcrackers
Set of Four Antique French Wooden Screw Press Nutcrackers

Set of Four Antique French Wooden Screw Press Nutcrackers

$975 / item

Set of Four Antique French Wooden Screw Press Nutcrackers

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Rustic group of four 19th century French screw presses, possibly nutcrackers hand crafted in mahogany and walnut in a sculptural form. Still functional.

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème
Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème

Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème

$7,304

Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème

Located in TOURCOING, FR

Grand miroir Napoléon III patiné XIXème Ce somptueux miroir de grande taille incarne avec finesse l’élégance et la rigueur du style Louis XVI, revisité au XIXe siècle avec une patin...

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century "Woman Admiring a Ring" by F.R. Alison
19th Century "Woman Admiring a Ring" by F.R. Alison

19th Century "Woman Admiring a Ring" by F.R. Alison

$1,700

19th Century "Woman Admiring a Ring" by F.R. Alison

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

19th Century "Woman Admiring a Ring" by F.R. Alison. Beautiful oil on panel piece. See detailed pics. Contact us for more information.

Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

A group of ten hand carved and painted wooden Napoleonic soldier figures c 1930
A group of ten hand carved and painted wooden Napoleonic soldier figures c 1930

A group of ten hand carved and painted wooden Napoleonic soldier figures c 1930

$2,665 / set

A group of ten hand carved and painted wooden Napoleonic soldier figures c 1930

Located in Central England, GB

This very rare group of French Napoleonic period soldiers are completely handmade. They have each been finely carved in wood and then hand painted with great detail. Each soldier is portrayed in a different position wearing a full uniform with a backpack, sword and rifle. I have never seen anything remotely similar. This type of model is usually made from cast metal as a production figure and not as an individual one off carved sculpture. These rare figures must have taken many hours of work to produce each one. Together they form a very decorative group which would be a good addition to any military...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Late 19th Century French Majolica Vase in Napoleon III Style
Rare Late 19th Century French Majolica Vase in Napoleon III Style

Rare Late 19th Century French Majolica Vase in Napoleon III Style

$325

Rare Late 19th Century French Majolica Vase in Napoleon III Style

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Late 19th Century French Majolica Vase. Very Rare & Excellent Condition. Purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photo or message us with questions.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

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H 1.5 in Dm 12 in

Vintage Round Italian Colorful Hand Painted Ceramic Majolica Fruit Platter

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

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Located in Scottsdale, AZ

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Tropical Tales: Rare 19th-Century French Colonial Carved Coconut Flask
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Located in New York, NY

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Oil on Canvas from the XIXth Century, Carved Wood Frame.
Oil on Canvas from the XIXth Century, Carved Wood Frame.

Oil on Canvas from the XIXth Century, Carved Wood Frame.

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H 86.62 in W 55.12 in D 3.94 in

Oil on Canvas from the XIXth Century, Carved Wood Frame.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Oil on canvas from the XIXth Century, Carved Wood Frame. Painting, oil on canvas, French work from the 19th century, Napoleon III period, signed, carved wooden frame, restoration ne...

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19th century french gusseted glove box or case
19th century french gusseted glove box or case

19th century french gusseted glove box or case

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Fine Napoleon III circa 1860 Antique French Embroidered Tapestry Rail Type Fit
Fine Napoleon III circa 1860 Antique French Embroidered Tapestry Rail Type Fit

Fine Napoleon III circa 1860 Antique French Embroidered Tapestry Rail Type Fit

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H 30.71 in W 37.21 in D 0.2 in

Fine Napoleon III circa 1860 Antique French Embroidered Tapestry Rail Type Fit

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

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19th Century French Drawings, Set of Three
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H 11.03 in W 7.88 in D 0.4 in

19th Century French Drawings, Set of Three

Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT

Set of three 1860s french drawings representing everydays noble life. Beautiful signs of time. good conditions. Vertical drawing:

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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

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Napoleon III photo frame
Napoleon III photo frame

Napoleon III photo frame

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H 9.06 in W 6.3 in D 5.52 in

Napoleon III photo frame

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Napoleon III photo frame original old photo frame Cloissone technique and gilding Circa 1900 Origin France perfect condition Natural wear of the time T...

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

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Bronze, Enamel

Napoleon Bonaparte Circular Plaque
Napoleon Bonaparte Circular Plaque

Napoleon Bonaparte Circular Plaque

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H 6.89 in W 6.89 in D 0.79 in

Napoleon Bonaparte Circular Plaque

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Napoleon Bonaparte circular plaque Circa 1900 Origin France Ormolu Illegible signature perfect condition.

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Napoleon III Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Iii folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include and Napoléon III. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $312 and tops out at $15,239 while the average work can sell for $1,703.

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