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 Napoleon III Ebonized Cabinet, Hand-Carved Wood, France
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A magnificent cabinet from 19th century France (Napoleon III) carved with a paneled design, architectural and Neoclassical elements over the ebonized exterior which enhances the magn...
Brass
$4,320Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Napoleon III Painted Armoire, Glass Doors, French Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Napoleon III Painted Display Armoire with Original Glass and Interior France, circa 1850s–1880s A striking 19th century French Napoleon III period painted armoi...
Glass, Wood, Paint
$5,400Sale Price|50% Off
Napoleon III Armoire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Napoleon III Armoire with 4 glass windows on the door. Can be used as a bookshelf , wardrobe or curio cabinet. Beautiful black patina. Four shelves, one shelf with 2 dra...
Oak
Napoleon III Period, Wardrobe/Armoire with One Door, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Superb Napoleon III wardrobe, 19th century opening with a door decorated with painted floral bouquets and mother-of-pearl. Interior composed of 3 shelves.
Wood
Napoleon III Cabinet, Petite Armoire, French 19th Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Napoleon III cabinet or Petite armoire, French 19th century Ebonized, Boulle Style details, bronze inlay, gilt bronze mounts, marble top. Its neoclas...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century Hungarian Original Hand Painted Pine One-Door Armoire
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Hungarian one-door armoire crafted in pine, retaining its original hand painted finish. The exterior features a faux wood background in earth tones of brown and russet, ...
Wrought Iron
White Oak Armoire / Wardrobe with Slatted Doors
Located in Portland, OR
Perfect for use as an armoire, a wardrobe, a bar, or in an entry - anywhere additional storage would be helpful. This piece is exquisitely crafted by hand out of solid white oak. It is completely customizable; both in size and storage configuration. The piece shown is outfitted with shelving and a hang bar on the left, and drawers and shelves on the right. Slatted doors...
Oak
19th Century Belgian Bleached Oak Wardrobe or Armoire
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A large Belgian provincial hall cupboard or wardrobe from the first half of the 19th century. Solidly crafted from oak. Ready for use with a sanded, bleached finish. Tall oak body w...
Oak, Pine
French 19th Century Petite Mahogany Louis Philippe Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A modest yet spacious, 19th century French Louis Philippe style armoire handcrafted of mahogany with bookmatched doors that are fascinating from every perspective. Flamed grain draws...
Mahogany
Louis XV Period Armoire in Cherrywood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Louis XV period armoire in cherrywood. Masterfully carved floral details in relief. Two drawers, one with original lock. Door lock is also original and functional. Great or...
Cherry
Armoire, Bleached Oak, France, circa 1940
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Armoire, Bleached Oak, France, circa 1940 Echoing the Sculptural Language of French Provincial Modernism Sculptural in stance and restrained in detail, this tall French cabinet fro...
Oak
French Armoire in Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Armoire in Oak and Brass, Late 19th Century Rooted in the provincial elegance of the Belle Époque This tall oak armoire, dating from the end of the 19th century, embodies the...
Oak
19th Century Venetian Armoire
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful Italian armoire made up of exceptional carved and painted panels.
Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th Century Hand-Painted German Two-Door Armoire Shrunk Early 19th-century German pine two-door armoire ("Shrunk") retaining its hand-painted finish. Front doors feature four ...
Wood
Sold|$6,540
H 90 in W 43 in D 16.5 in
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Armoire with Double Glass Doors and Pagoda Top
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A rare and striking 19th-century French bamboo-form armoire, expertly crafted in solid wood and designed to imitate the segmented nodes and joints of natural bamboo. This exceptional piece reflects the enduring European fascination with Chinoiserie and exoticism, particularly popular in France during the late 19th century. (This piece in particular was featured by Brunschwig and Fils on their social media.) Interestingly, small chalk children's handwriting in French can be seen on the inside left door. The armoire features double-glazed doors framed in bamboo-turned moldings and shelves, allowing the interior to remain visible while protected—ideal for displaying textiles, clothing, or collectibles. The architectural pagoda-style pediment, crowned with crossed finials and carved bamboo detailing, adds sculptural presence and vertical elegance. Turned corner posts, paneled lower doors, and bracket feet complete the refined silhouette. The warm honey-toned patina has matured beautifully over time, highlighting the craftsmanship and depth of the carved bamboo motifs. Interior shelving and custom retrofitted lucite bars give it hanging capacity and make this piece both decorative and highly functional, suitable for use as a wardrobe, nursery armoire...
Glass, Wood
French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Armoire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This elegant Armoire is made of flamed mahogany. It has a simple shape which can be easy to mix with all style.
Mahogany
Large Louis XV Armoire in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent French Louis XV period armoire built with book matched panels.
Walnut
Sold
H 63.39 in W 35.83 in D 14.57 in
Black Gold Napoleon III Cartonnier Cabinet with 16 Compartments France 19th Cent
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III Big dimension Cartonnier office cabinet with 21 compartments for documents storage in a very good general condition, original cartons. is composed of 2 rows of 8 thick...
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Two Door Mirrored Armoire
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) two door mahogany armoire with beveled mirrored doors containing 4 shelves, and 6 cut-away handle slide drawers. Condition: Good; Wear consistent ...
Mahogany
Carved Wood Coat Stand, Napoleon III Period, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Carved wood coat stand, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Black forest coat rack, Swiss work, carved wood, Napoleon III period, 19th century. ...
Wood
Sold
H 104 in W 96.5 in D 20 in
Monumental Brass Inlaid boulle Style Dor'e Figural Bronze Mirrored Armoire
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a MONUMENTAL and absolutely phenomenal brass inlaid and tortoise-shell ebonized armoire in the style of Andre' Boulle, the designer of this form of firniture. This is part of...
Brass, Bronze
Richly carved 19th century cabinet with claw feet.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Richly carved 19th century cabinet with claw feet. " 19th century oak armoire, two glass doors, beautifully carved and decorated with An...
Oak
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Armoire or Wardrobe
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III faux bamboo armoire, or wardrobe, made of birdseye maple with solid cherry faux bamboo details, chapeau de gendarme crown and beveled mirror door. Large turned wood...
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Pine
Early 19 C French Empire Armoire Wine Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a simply gorgeous early 19 C French empire armoire wine cabinet. This is an early 19th Century, French empire style or Napoleon I, Armoire m...
Ormolu
Grand Scale Architectural Armoire
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Grand scale armoire coming from the Hotel de Ville in Paris, late 19th Century. This three door armoire (one glass door in the middle with old glass) has three wonderful carved he...
Wood, Paint
Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Cabinet Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Very pretty cupboard in marquetry and gilded bronze Napoleon III opening with two doors The two doors have pretty decorative patterns French work XIX century Some small chips of vene...
Bronze
Sold
H 92.52 in W 55.12 in D 23.63 in
Louis XV / Napoleon III, Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Armoire, 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Beautiful Napoleon III Louis XV style armoire, curved on the sides, opening to an ice door. It is in rosewood veneer and richly adorned with gilded bronzes. The interior is in speckl...
Bronze
Sold
H 100.4 in W 55.12 in D 26.38 in
Diehl Signed Boulle Marquetry Napoleon III Style Armoire Wardrobe, France, 1870
By Charles-Guillaume Diehl, André-Charles Boulle, Fonderie Rudier 1
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning living room Armoire or bedroom wardrobe signed by the famous cabinetmaker Charles Guillaume DIEHL in Napoleon III Boulle style . Very rich ornementations in Bronze, huge imp...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 98.5 in W 54 in D 19 in
Antique Napoleon III Mahogany Boulle Brass Inlay Linen Press Armoire Louis XVI
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 19th century monumental French knockdown amoire / linen press. Made from a rich mahogany with brass boulle inlay and trim. Features a rectangular form case and crescent shaped cr...
Glass, Mahogany