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.
Vintage pitcher from the French manufacturer Sarreguemines late 19th century
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
This wash jug originally came from the Sarreguemines factory in eastern France. The Parisia pattern was created in 1895 at the end of the 19th century. The decoration on this jug fea...
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Utzschneider & Cie Sarreguemines Pitcher
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very rare early 19th century French Utzschneider & Cie Sarreguemines Pitcher….Fleurus. Pattern. The pitcher is a classical French Sarreguemines piece of pottery, from circa 1830. This is an early piece of French transferware...
Ceramic
19th Century French Pair of Tall Silver Plated Ewers with Pink Glass
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A most elegant pair of Napoleon III period decorative mantle ewers, exquisitely crafted from silver-plated metal with globe-shaped reservoirs of cranberry-coloured glass. These delig...
Silver Plate
$3,490Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Ewers
Located in Paris, FR
Important pair of Napoleon III ewers in chased gilt bronze with rich decoration in relief of stylized foliage, friezes of palmettes, and vine branches framing a frieze of putti reali...
Bronze
Zoomorphic Partridge Ewer Blue French Glass Late 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Original zoomorphic pitcher ewer in the shape of a partridge. Beautiful item made of silver plate for the head of the partridge nicely chiseled showing the lovely texture of feathers and blown blue glass for the body part, with a handle on the back. Yellow-colored glass eyes. The Head of the partridge is mounted on a hinge forming a movable lid for the pitcher-ewer. This kind of pitcher ewer was mainly used to serve delicious alcohol or liquor with flavor and aroma, such as pear, and mirabelle plum, as it was during the "Belle Epoque" a very fashionable and refined custom. This colored blown glass was produced by the Portieux Crystal factory created in 1705, it has a written mark "Deposé" beneath the body of the ewer, french work from the late 19th century, probably from Napoleon III period. The history of this factory known as the "Portieux crystal factory" actually begins in Tonnoy in 1690. In 1698, Duke Leopold I of Lorraine granted letters patent to Sieur de la Pommeraye, owner of the premises, associated with François Magnien, holder of the know-how, the exclusivity of glass manufacturing and trade in his duchy. In 1898, the Grand Duchess of Vladimir, wife of the brother of Tsar Nicolas II, discovered the factory while on a cure in Contrexéville. She will become a frequent customer. in 1960, the company supplies many prestigious customers: Maxim's, Brasserie Lipp, Hôtel de Crillon, Le Bristol...
Silver Plate
Mid 19th century French Blue Opaline Glass Pitcher and Bowl Set
By Baccarat
Located in Southampton, NJ
This extraordinary antique french blue opaline glass pitcher and bowl wash set dates from the middle of the 19th century. The pure co...
Blown Glass
$11,473Sale Price / set|25% Off
Suite of 4 Ewers in Silver and Crystal, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Set of four ewers in crystal cut with twisted ribs and silver mount. Every ewer has a relief wave design at the neck, a shell beak and twisted handle. The hinged lid is decorated wit...
Crystal, Silver
19th Century Rustic French Pottery Bowl
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century Rustic French Pottery Bowl from Savoie.
Pottery
$3,925Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.16 in Dm 4.14 in
Pair Of Antique Ornamental Ewers, Italian, Bronze, Grand Tour, Victorian, C.1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique ornamental ewers. An Italian, bronze Grand Tour decorative pourer with classical taste, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Striking classic...
Bronze
Pair of Victorian English Silver Ewers
Located in New York, NY
Marked: London, 1859, Maker: John S. Hunt.
Silver
19th Century Silver Plate Holding Top / Cut Glass Claret Jug / Serving Pitcher
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introduce a touch of 19th-century elegance to your table or bar with this exquisite English Silver Plate and Cut Glass Claret Jug from the mid-19th century. The pitcher, designed in ...
Silver Plate
$999
H 11.5 in W 6 in D 7 in
Large Antique Nippon Styled Ewer or Pitcher with Ornate Moriage Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique and ornately decorated ewer is unsigned, but believed to have been made by the Nippon Company of Japan in approximately 1900 in an Anglo-Japanese style. The pitche...
Porcelain
Early 20th century French Sarreguemines Earthenware Pitcher, 1900s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Original faience pitcher dating from the early 20th century, made by the Sarreguemines factory, depicting a man’s head with expressive and caricatured features. This type of humorous...
Earthenware
French Majolica Leaves Pitcher Sarreguemines, circa 1870
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Leaves Pitcher Sarreguemines, circa 1870
Ceramic
19th Century French Majolica Pitcher Onnaing
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French Majolica Pitcher or creamer Onnaing.
Ceramic
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 13 in D 9 in
19th Century Victorian Pairpoint Silver Plate Tilting Pitcher with Goblet
Located in Cincinnati, OH
19th Century Victorian Pairpoint quadruple silver plate beverage pitcher with stand and goblet. Features lavishly embossed floral and leaf motif. Stand with pierced supports; stamp...
Silver Plate, Metal
French Antique Jug Sarreguemines Pitcher Neptune, 19th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
Very old Jug, burgundy earthenware, Neptune model, blue transferware. A rare piece for earthenware lovers. It is in very good condition. A rich and perfectly ...
Ceramic
19th Century French Hand Painted Faience Ewer Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Sevres ewer-form mantel decorations, 19th century, hand-painted with scenes front and back, bronze mounts with cherubs at top and seashells around ...
Metal
Antique Large Jaspé Pottery Pitcher, Late 19th Century, France
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Antique Large Jaspé Pottery Pitcher, Late 19th Century, France. An exceptionally large size pitcher with striking marbleized slip application. From the Savoie region of France.
Pottery
Pair of Bohemian Overlay Ewers, Crystal Overlay, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Bohemian Overlay Ewers, Crystal Overlay, 19th Century. Pair of Bohemian Overlay ewers, enameled crystal, 19th century, Orientalist. h: 32cm, w: 17...
Crystal
Mid-Century French Hand Painted Blue and White Faience Pitcher
By Delft
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique water pitcher was crafted in France, circa 1960. The carafe stands on a round base and is dressed with an elaborate side han...
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century French Hand Painted Ceramic Wash Bowl and Pitcher from Longchamp
By Longchamp
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique water pitcher with matching bowl were crafted in Longchamp France, circa 1860, typically used to freshen up in the morning, ...
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century French Napoleon III Hand Painted Ceramic Wash Bowl and Pitcher
By Longchamp
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique water pitcher with matching bowl were crafted in France, circa 1890; typically used to freshen up in the morning, the cerami...
Ceramic, Faience
Bohemian Decanter, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bohemian decanter, 19th century, Napoleon III period Measures: H 28 cm, L 17 cm, P 15 cm.
Crystal
Elegant Water Job in Earthenware of Sarreguemines
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant weater job in earthenware of Sarreguemines.
Ceramic