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.
French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Petite Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This petite, yet stately bibliothèque, was made in France, circa 1870’s. Ebonized and adorned with exceptional brass and mother of pearl inlay, depicting floral-and-foliate scrolls e...
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Mahogany
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Ebony and Boulle Bookcase/Vitrine
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A handsome bookcase or china cabinet made in France in the last half of the 19th century. The case is in ebonized wood (including the top), and is curved at each side. There are three front doors with...
Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Style Vitrine
Located in Miami, FL
High-rectangular, one-door, curved and three-sided glazed corpus. On curly feet scalloped out. Inside life with orig. Velvet covered and two entrances. Mirrored back wall. The displa...
Bronze
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Mounted Display Vitrine Cabinet
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant French display vitrine dates from the late 19th century and is a particularly decorative example of French furniture from the period. Crafted in richly toned stained wal...
Brass, Bronze
Fine Napoleon III Period Ormolu Mounted Boulle Vitrine
Located in London, GB
In the Louis XIV style, the tortoiseshell and brass inlaid ebonized wood body, with three wooden shelves, the front with glazed doors, surmounted with a white marble top.
Brass, Ormolu
Exquisite French Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany and Glass Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exquisite French Ormolu-mounted mahogany and glass vitrine cabinet, attributed to Francois Linke, circa 1880. Although unsigned, the jewel-like quality ormolu bronze mounts throughout, especially the corinthian columns, and the best mahogany and craftsmanship of the period, confirms our attribution to Francois Linke, who was almost certainly one of best furniture makers of the Belle Epoque period alongside Paul Sormani, Henry Dasson, Alexandre Chevrie...
Bronze, Ormolu
Second Empire Period Gilt Bronze and Kingwood Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Second Empire period gilt bronze and kingwood display cabinet French, c. 1860 Height 218cm, width 128cm, depth 42cm This fine display cabinet, dating from the Napoleon III period, i...
Ormolu
19th Century Napoleon III Mahogany & Glass Vitrine, Hand-Crafted
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Napoleon III vitrine, or display cabinet, made of solid and veneers of mahogany. Original blown glass paned door with...
Glass, Mahogany
Large Second Empire Gilt Bronze and Marquetry Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
Large second Empire gilt bronze and marquetry display cabinet French, late 19th Century Measures: Height 271cm, width 235cm, depth 52cm ...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Boulle Cabinet Vitrines
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most impressive pair of French 19th century Napoleon III period Ebony, Tortoiseshell, brass, ormolu, and black Belgian marble Boulle cabinet vitrines. Each vitrine is ...
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Display Cabinets by Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in London, GB
A remarkable pair of display cabinets By Henri Picard of Paris Constructed in mahogany, with extensive and superlative ormolu decoration. The cabinets of rectangular form, rising from turned and tapering toupie feet supporting an inverted breakfront lower tier, the shaped aprons housing three lockable drawers and incorporating gilt bronze mounts in the manner of Riesener. The square tapering legs decorated in conforming ormolu of the highest quality, and flanking a central cartouche depicting a lyre. The central vitrine lockable doors enclosing shelved mirrored...
Ormolu, Bronze
Large gilt bronze mounted ebonized wood and Boulle work antique vitrine cabinet
Located in London, GB
The stunning cabinet in the Napoleon III style and of the sam period, featuring inlaid Boulle work panels of brass and fine scarlet tortoise shell, with cast ormolu mounts depicting ...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Style Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Delicate French vitrine in transition or Napoleon III style, circa 1870. solid wood. High-rise, one-door, cambered and three-sided glazed body. On curly feet scalloped out. Three-...
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Style Bois-Satine Vitirne
Located in Berlin, DE
Vitrine in the style of Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880 Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round surface-covering mirror veneer on solid softwood. High-rectangular, one-door, camb...
Bronze
Napoleon III Period Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Mounted Cabinet by Louis Grade
Located in London, GB
Napoleon III period gilt bronze and porcelain mounted cabinet by Louis Grade French, circa 1860 Measures: Height 160cm, width 82cm, depth 4...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Wood, Bronze and Glass Showcases Vitrines, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood, bronze and glass showcases vitrines. France, late 19th century.
Bronze
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Vitrine Cabinet, Signed Pretot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most unique French 19th century Napoleon III Period ebony, ormolu, tortoiseshell, brass, pewter, Lapis Lazuli, mother of pearl, and black Belgian marble vitrine cabinet, signed Pretot. The four door buffet is raised by a beautiful scalloped shaped base with most elegant scrolled movements. The base is adorned with striking richly chased ormolu mounts of lovely rosettes, foliate Rinceaux designs, and a most impressive central mask of a bearded man amidst large acanthus leaves, all set on an ebony background with fine brass fillets. The two central doors are decorated with stunning masterfully executed scrolled foliate brass designs with intricately detailed maiden's faces, birds, and central pewter and colorful pietra dura urns above an exceptional lattice design with a Lapis Lazuli background and a bottom mother of pearl palmette all set on a superb tortoiseshell background. Each outer door retains its original glass pane set within a foliate ormolu band and a sensational inlaid frame with additional brass designs of interlocking geometric patterns, lovely scrolled foliate movements, finely detailed palmettes at each corner, and striking most charming pietra dura inlaid floral reserves. All four doors display foliate ormolu keyhole escutcheons and open to reveal two adjustable upholstered shelves...
Lapis Lazuli, Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Ormolu, Pewter
Cabinet - Display Case - Napoleon III's Happiness Of The Day
Located in Beaune, FR
Napoleon III period marquetry and gilt bronze display cabinet. The upper part is composed of two shelves with mirrored backs. The lower part opens with two oval glass doors with 2 sh...
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Vernis Martin, Kingwood and Mahogany Cabinet by Linke
By Maison Grimard
Located in London, GB
A fine cabinet of the Napoleon III period Retailed by Grimard of Paris Almost Certainly by François Linke Constructed in Kingwood and mahogany, with extensive decoration of high qu...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Ebonised Boulle Cabinets
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good pair of 19th century Victorian ebonized Boulle cabinets. Each cabinet has a brass gallery to the top, with a single glazed door below. Each door is surrounded by i...
Brass
Maison Thuillier Paris, Pair of Planters/Vitrines Period Napoleon III, XIXth
Located in Beaune, FR
Exceptional pair of planters also serving as vitrines. Napoleon III period but dating from the 19th century. These planters are UNIQUE pieces because they are part of a special order...
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Napoleon III Boulle Pedestal Vitrines
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An outstanding pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Boulle ebonized fruitwood, ormolu, and brass pedestal vitrines. Each vitrine is raised on scalloped support with a fine wrap-a...
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ebony Cabinet Vitrines
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and extremely decorative pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Napoleon III period, ebony, bone, giltwood, ormolu and glass cabinet vitrines. Each striking vitrine is raised by charming bun feet. Leading up each side are striking square and circular columns with ormolu foliate plinths and capitals, fine inlaid bone fillets and beautiful giltwood flutes. The door retains its original glass pane and is framed within a lovely beaded ormolu band. The ebony frame has fine inlaid bone fillets and intricately carved giltwood rosettes, which is repeated at each side of the cabinet. Inside are three upholstered shelves...
Ormolu
19th Century, Marquetry & Gilt Bronze Vitrine Louis XV Style
Located in Beaune, FR
Wonderful marquetry and gilt bronze vitrine style Louis XV - Napoleon III. There are two doors with shelves inside. Fish-shaped bronzes. French wo...
Bronze
French 19th Century Napoleon III Tulipwood and Ormolu Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and extremely high quality French 19th century Napoleon III period Kingwood, Tulipwood, and ormolu cabinet vitrine. The two door, one drawer vitrine is raised by elegant...
Ormolu
French 19th century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu and Hardstone vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French 19th century Napoleon III Period Ebony, Ormolu and Hardstone cabinet vitrine. This impressive cabinet with Boulle inlays is raised on six bun feet with Ormolu ba...
Stone, Ormolu
Napoleon III Period Collector's Display Cabinet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A unique 19th-century Napoleon III period collector's or jeweler's display cabinet. Superb craftsmanship in blackened and gilded wood, composed of two glass doors and two drawers. A...
Wood
French Louis XV Display Cabinet with Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
French Louis XV Display Cabinet with Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III, Paris Solid wood with fine veneer. Fire-gilt bronze decorative fittings with ...
Bronze
Napoleon III Show Case Stamped Pecquereau In Paris
Located in BARSAC, FR
Magnificent Showcase in violet wood marquetry with rich gilt bronze ornamentation, very finely chiseled with Louis XV-inspired motifs. Topped with a Campan Grand Mélange marble, ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Boulle Style Ebonized Cabinets, Brass Inlay, Europe, 1960
Located in Austin, TX
Impressive pair of Boulle style ebonized cabinets with glass doors and copious adornment. The tortoiseshell type inlay and intricately cut brass bands grace the top and sides of each...
Brass
19th Century Napoleon III Style Kingwood Vernis Martin Paul Sormani Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Kingspilander on solid oakwood. High-rectangular, one-door, curved and three-sided glazed corpus. On curly feet scalloped out. Inside life with orig. Velvet covered and two entrances...
Bronze
19th Century antique Napoleon III Style Mahogany Vitrine, Paris Mahogany bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic French vitrine Napoleon III in transition style, Paris. Rich in extremely finely chiselled, fire-gilt decorative bronze fittings. Mahogany on solid softwood. High-angled, on...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Napoleon III Period Boulle Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A superb French 19th century Louis XVI style Napoleon III Period Boulle cabinet vitrine. The ebony cabinet is raised on a scroll carved base, with an ormolu top border, centered by a...
Marble, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Guèridon. Napoleon III, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Gueridon showcase in polychromed and gilded bronze, France, Napoleon III, about the third third of the 19th century. The small circular table shows a top panel in transparent glass, ...
Bronze
Napoleon III Rosewood Display Cabinet, France, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
This display cabinet was produced in France during the Napoleon III era, circa 1850, and reflects the refined decorative approach characteristic of mid-19th-century French furniture....
Bronze
Louis XVI Showcase Napoleon III, Paris, Around 1870
Located in Berlin, DE
Louis XVI showcase Napoleon III, Paris around 1870. Fine veneer on solid oak, veneered and paneled with ebony inlays. Straight, single-door body (solid oak) with white, grey-brown veined marble top. Three-sided glazing with rounded corners. Partly cross-veneered with recessed fields of marquetry...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Style Bois-Satine Vitirne
Located in Berlin, DE
Vitrine in the style of Louis XV Napoleon III Paris, circa 1850-1880 Bois-Satiné veneer, all-round surface-covering mirror veneer on solid softwood. High-rectangular, one-door, cambe...
Walnut
$20,575 / set
Pair of French Ebony and Ormolu Vitrines, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century French ebonized display cabinets, having classical gilded ormolu mounts. Adjustable glass shelves and mirror backs within, raised on plinth bases ...
Ormolu
$1,465Sale Price|20% Off
Small Liquor Cellar, Blackened Wood, Brass Fillets, Period: 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Lovely and small liqueur cellar in blackened wood with inlaid brass threads on four pretty ball-shaped feet, completely restored, in the rules of the art, by the TWS Workshops (Calai...
Wood