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.
Napoléon III Marble Mantle Clock by James Pradier, France, Circa 1860
By J. Pradier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Napoléon III Marble Mantle Clock With A Patinated Bronze Figure of 'Phryné' by James Pradier. France, Circa 1860. Surmounted by a finely cast pa...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Marble, Ormolu and Bronze Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period black Belgian marble, ormolu and patinated bronze garniture set. The three pi...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
Marble, Bronze
Regulate Pocket Tray , XIXth century
Located in Beaune, FR
Regulate pocket tray supported by pierrot, harlequin and polichinelle. Good condition. Dimensions Height 15cm Width 24cm Depth 12cm
Bronze
Pair of Restoration Period Gilt-Bronze Allegorical Groups. French, circa 1830
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An exceptional pair of restoration period gilt-bronze allegorical groups depicting music and wine. Each group is set on a naturalistically modelled base and finely modelled and ch...
Bronze
Napoleon III Style Clock Made Out of Porcelain and Gilded Bronze
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This beautiful clock was made out of porcelain and gilded bronze during Napoleon III period. The porcelain dial indicates the hours with Roman numerals. It is decorated with gilded r...
Bronze
Napoleon III, Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Imposing and magnificent fireplace gilded bronze and blue porcelain vases. The clock is decorated with putti representing the 4 seasons. It is su...
Bronze
Pair of Restoration Period Gilt-Bronze Figural Groups. French, circa 1830
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An exceptional pair of restoration period gilt-bronze figural groups, allegorical of hunting and fishing. Each group is set on a naturalistically modelled base and finely modelled...
Bronze
$1,295Sale Price|21% Off
19th Century French Paris Porcelain Compote
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century French Paris porcelain compote of bold form. Blue and gilt Rococo decoration. Good large scale centerpiece, circa 1860.
Porcelain
Antique Napoleon III Portrait Vases, Ceramic, France, 1930s
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...
Ceramic
$1,673Sale Price|20% Off
Ernestine Sirine-Real "Bust of a Man", Signed Plaster
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ernestine Sirine-Real (1899-1994) "Bust of a man". Signed and dated 44, plaster.
Plaster
$2,603Sale Price|20% Off
Ernestine Sirine-Real "Bust of a Woman", Unsigned Plaster
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ernestine Sirine-Real (1899-1994) "Bust of a woman". Unsigned plaster. Measures: H. 61cm.
Plaster
Pair of Gueridon Tripods in Mahogany Wood Napoleon III 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Gueridon Tripods in mahogany wood Napoleon III 19th century with marble top and finely chiseled and gilded bronze finishes. Napoleon III period....
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Opaline Hand Painted Trumpet Vases
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair of French Opaline Hand Painted Trumpet Vases - Attributed Baccarat. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with...
Opaline Glass
A 19th century French Empire green figured marble and ormolu inkstand C 1870
Located in Central England, GB
This very stylish French Empire gilt bronze and marble inkstand is a fine example. It is made from superb figured green marble. The triform base is raised onto bronze pads. The main inkwell body is in matching green figured marble which is raised onto ornate lion’s paw feet. The body is beautifully hand turned and separated with ormolu mounts and a lift off cover. Inside the git interior is inset with an original glass liner for ink. This very pleasing piece is in excellent original condition with very little sign of wear to the original gilding. French, circa 1870 Height 16.5cm x width 19cn x depth 17cm Please contact us for a shipping quote. We always use the best couriers with cost effective prices tracked and insured. Most of our items are double boxed for the safety of delicate items. Thank you for looking at the wonderful marble and Ormolu French inkstand...
Marble, Ormolu
"Blind Love" Patinated Bronze Statuette of Cupid Seeking Love Blindfolded
Located in Marseille, FR
Blind love bronze 19th century symbolized by a cupid seeming to play hackney jersey with brown patina on gilded bronze base. Note a difference in patina between the upper part and th...
Bronze
French Ormolu Candle Holders 'Grape Pickers', Bronze, Napoleon III
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair French Ormolu Candle Holders "Grape Pickers". Beautiful set, must see photos.
Bronze
Palatial & Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock, Detouche
By C. Detouche
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Palatial and Extremely Rare Napoleon III French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Regulateur de Parquet Clock by Louis-Constantin Detouche, Paris, Circa 1850 An exceptional testament to the grandeur and technical mastery of 19th-century French horology, this palatial and extraordinarily rare Napoleon III ormolu and patinated bronze Regulateur de Parquet clock stands as a crowning achievement of the renowned Parisian horologist Louis-Constantin Detouche. Created circa 1850, this monumental timepiece exemplifies the perfect synthesis of artistic opulence and mechanical precision, distinguishing itself as one of the most impressive works from Detouche’s illustrious oeuvre. At over six feet tall, this clock’s imposing scale and decorative grandeur make it an object of immense historical and aesthetic significance. The case, crafted from the finest French ormolu, features two majestic patinated bronze seated putti, serving as allegorical figures and underscoring the artistic sophistication characteristic of the Second Empire style. The white enamel dial, elegantly signed "C. Detouche/Paris," affirms its prestigious maker, while the movement, meticulously numbered 7064 and bearing the stamps "C. Detouche RUE St. MARTIN" and "C. DETOUCHE 158 R. St MARTIN 160," speaks to the highest standards of 19th-century horological craftsmanship. Further distinguishing this piece is the medaille d’argent stamp, a testament to the numerous accolades and awards bestowed upon Detouche for his innovations in timekeeping. A Masterpiece of Horological Artistry: Louis-Constantin Detouche was not merely a clockmaker; he was a visionary whose contributions to horology redefined precision and complexity. This particular regulator clock...
Bronze, Ormolu