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 Monumental French Napoleon III Carved Painted & Parcel Gilt Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century French painted and parcel gilt mirror with beautiful elements is realized in carved and giltwood. The style is Napoleon III, the frame is 19th century with a newer ...
Mirror, Wood
$2,118Sale Price|20% Off
French Napoleon III Brass Repousse Rectangular Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
An elegant Napoleon III mirror made with central glass and four rectangular glasses joined between them by decorative brass repousse foliage floral patterns, an elegant filigree repo...
Brass
Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Oval Marginal Frame Mirror
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III Carved giltwood oval Marginal frame mirror. This finely carved giltwood and gesso mirror has an oval bevelled mirror plate, marginal borders and an exuberant a...
Giltwood
$4,080Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Repusse Mirror
Located in Huntington, NY
19th century French Repusee mirror, matte finish for photo purposes only.
Brass
19th Century French Bronze Allegorical Sculpture of Cherub Painter
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th Century French Bronze Allegorical Sculpture of Cherub Painter with Mirror Signed S.Kinsburger French artist, (1855–1935) An exquisite and rare late 19th-century French bronze f...
Marble, Ormolu
Large French Napoleon III Period Table Mirror With Drawer, circa 1880
Located in Paris, FR
Large antique French Napoleon III period blond fir table mirror with storage drawer. Modern glass mirror. Wood back. Drawer dimensions 42 x 16 cm / 16.53 x 6.29 .in Glass dimensions...
Mirror, Wood
Exceptional Napoleon III Carved And Giltwood Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved giltwood mirror having a molded surround with a pierced crest in the form of a fruit-filled urn flanked by putti ending in foliate scrolled vines. An outer leafy surround and ...
Giltwood
French Rectangular Silver Gilt Wall Mirror (H 19 1/2 x W 12 1/4)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French wall mirror from the 19th c., featuring a silver gilt rectangular frame around an original mirrored glass. Dimensions are H 19 1/2 inches x W 12 1/4 inches.
Silver Leaf
$741
H 21.26 in W 14.97 in D 1.19 in
French Riviera Bamboo and Rattan Wicker Rectangular Mirror, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century rectangular mirror in bamboo and hand-woven rattan wicker. This lovely French Riviera style mirror was hand-made in Italy during the 1970s. This organic mirror ...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Mirror
$1,294Sale Price|24% Off
H 23.43 in W 12.21 in D 1.97 in
Louis the xvi Style Gilt and Painted Wood Mirror, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Louis the XVI style mirror is made of gilt and painted wood. This is a French work, 19th century.
Mirror, Wood
$704
H 11.62 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Midcentury Brass French Adjustable Table Mirror with a Two-Sides Stand, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury brass table mirror, the article was produced in France during the 1950s. This amazing piece is made of brass wit...
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Golden Wall Mirror
Located in Prato, IT
Made in France, circa 1880, the antique mirror has traditional lines with rounded corners. The frame is gilded with pure gold leaf on an engraved motif of matt and glossy stripes. A ...
Gold Leaf
Carved Giltwood Chippendale Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fine quality gilt and carved wood Chinese Chippendale beveled mirror. Chinoiserie style giltwood frame with central Ho Ho bird at top.
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
$22,000 / set
H 61 in W 39.75 in D 3.5 in
Large Pair of 19th Century French Regence Style Repousse Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French repousse mirrors in the regence style dating from the late 19th century. These impressive mirrors are beautifully made an...
Brass
19th Century English Regency Gilt Neoclassical Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century carved giltwood mirror. The oval mirror plate within rectangular frame, surmounted by classical frieze with figures flanked by Reeded Pilasters.
Mirror, Giltwood
French Early 19th Century Mirror
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 19th century mirror.
Mercury Glass, Gesso, Wood
$1,968
H 19.3 in W 14.57 in D 1.19 in
Napoleon III Black Chinoiserie Mirror from the estate of Jules Verne
Located in Hastings, GB
Stunning 19th century Napoleon III French black lacquered Chinoiserie mirror, acquired from the estate of descendants of Jules Verne’s family, the Salomon-Mortello family, following ...
Wood
$5,648
H 52.76 in W 24.02 in D 2.56 in
Spanish Large Oval Mirror in Giltwood with Scalloped Frame by Francisco Hurtado
Located in Barcelona, ES
MEDIDAS!!! Francisco Hurtado Scrollwork Giltwood Carved Oval Mirror One of a kind giltwood carved oval mirror with a highly decorative scalloped scroll-work frame. Manufactured by Fr...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 36.23 in W 23.63 in D 2.76 in
Napoleon III Style Tortoise Shell Mirror with Pediment, 19th century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III style beveled mirror with a triple frame in embossed and gilt brass. Different parts of the frame are adorned with blackened wood baguettes. The central frame is enhance...
Brass
1880s French Gilded Mirrors, Set of Nine
Located in High Point, NC
A set of nine antique mirrors in a variety of sizes. Made in 1880s France, the design has distinguished simplicity: a slender contour of gold brings a touch of luxury to the black pa...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th C French Gold Gilt wood Faux Bamboo Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Gilt wood faux bamboo mirror, French, 19th century The mirror has beautiful wide faux bamboo frame with diagonal corner details. Original gilt/gesso finish Some very light foxing t...
Wood
Antique French Mirror in the Napoleon III Style, circa 1860
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A tall antique French mirror in the Napoleon III style. With original wood-grain effect and burnished gold-gilt frame. Original plate glass mirror in good condition. Circa 1860 ...
Wood
1880s French Gilded Mirrors, Set of Eleven
Located in High Point, NC
A set of eleven antique mirrors in a variety of sizes. Made in 1880s France, the design has distinguished simplicity: a slender contour of gold brings a touch of luxury to the black ...
Mirror, Giltwood
1880s Napoleon III Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and plaster frame mirror from France, produced circa 1880. A wall mounted antique mirror standing three and a half feet tall, featuring ...
Mirror, Plaster, Wood
Napoleon III, Crested Wall Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Napoleon III, crested wall mirror. This is a very old and beautifully worn piece, the frame is distressed and slightly faded it has lost a little of its lustre now but the age dar...
Giltwood
Bronze Hand Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A beautiful gilt bronze hand mirror with a miniature painted and signed on the back, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Measures: H: 17 cm, W: 7 cm...
Bronze
French, 19th Century, Lion Crest Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century carved Lion crest mirror with detailed carving to frame. This mirror has later been washed with a gentle white paint and features a dec...
Mirror
Huge 19th Century French Venetian Mirror
Located in London, GB
Grand scale 19th century French 'Venetian' mirror, it has elaborate decoration and detail. Truly fabulous!
Mirror
Вronze and Enamel Сloisonné Decorative Mirror
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ?ronze and enamel ?loisonné decorative mirror, 19th century, Napoleon III period Measures: Height: 33,5 cm Width: 21,5 cm.
Bronze
Sold
H 38 in W 25.75 in D 2 in
Early 20th Century Giltwood Rope-Twist Oval Mirror by Harris Interior Arts Inc.
By Harris Interior Arts Inc. 1
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., oval mirror with knotted crests. "Harris Interior Arts, Inc., NYC" metal placard to frame verso. A classic and timeless design, this mirr...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood