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.
Antique French Manoir Wrought Iron Gate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique French Wrought Iron Gate – 19th Century Elegance A striking architectural statement, this rare wrought iron gate originates from a historic French mansion, embodying the art...
Wrought Iron
$15,600 / set
Magnificent Pair of 19th Century French Doors
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Magnificent pair of 19th century French doors.
Bronze
Pair of Solid Wood Cupboard Doors, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of solid wood cupboard doors, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Pair of 19th century solid wood cupboard doors, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : Right: H: 173.5cm, W: 52cm, ...
Wood
Monumental Oak Carriage Door, Napoleon III Style, Carved, France, 1890
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These high oak carriage doors were made at the end of the 19th century and belonged to a typical Haussmannian building in Paris. In very good condition,...
Oak
Porte décorative style Napoléon III imitation marbre
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Porte Décorative Style Napoléon III - Imitation Marbre Cette somptueuse porte décorative de style Napoléon III est une véritable œuvre d’art, alliant l’opulence du Second Empire à un...
Stucco, Wood
Antique French Wrought Iron Entryway Surround with Gilded Lyre Decor, C. 1920s
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning French grille features hand-wrought iron with a deep black finish and gilded lyre motifs and banding, in the style of Napoleon III. It is possible that the large archit...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Double-leaf wrought-iron gate, 19th century
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
The gate dates back to the second half of the 19th century (the latter half of the 19th century). The structure, assembled using nails and clamps (visible at the joints), is typical...
Wrought Iron
Series of 11 Pairs of Door Plaques, Door Decoration, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Series of 11 pairs of door plaques, door decoration, 19th century. Set of 11 pairs of gilt and patinated brass door plaques, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Dimensions : H: 22cm...
Brass
Three Pairs of 19th Century Double-Doors Painted in Imitation of Marquetry
Located in Paris, FR
Three pairs of double doors in solid oak, painted in imitation of marquetry (walnut burl, rosewood, sycamore burl). The reserves are surrounded by a gilded wood molding, Two of the...
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Wrought Iron Gate in Napoleon III Style
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Large wrought iron gate in the Napoleon III style.
Wrought Iron
Pair of 19th Century French Doors with Wrought Iron Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning stripped 19th century French doors with wrought iron, featuring bold molded detail framing the lower panels as well as the intricate wrought iron inserts, which open...
Wrought Iron
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Diamond Pattern Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish doors with geometric patterns and original paint from the 19th century. This pair of antique doors from Sweden feature a repeating diamond pattern, comprised of a s...
Iron
Decorative Antique Wrought Iron Garden Gate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An ornate and very decorative antique wrought iron garden gate circa 1900, one of two similar we have for sale. Traditionally handcrafted, this Victorian garden gate features stunn...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
A Pair of 19th Century Gustavian-Style Painted Doors
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Swedish Gustavian-Style hand-painted pine cabinet doors. By repute, these doors were painted Danish-Norwegian painter and art critic Poul 'Pola' Gauguin (1883-1961), the so...
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Reclaimed Decorative French Doors
Located in Mckinney, TX
Striking double-sided French doors, crafted from solid oak in the 19th century and reclaimed from a historic property in France. Each panel showcases a different character-rich finis...
Oak
Antique Wrought Iron Garden Gate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very well made English wrought iron garden or pedestrian gate. Blacksmith made. Additional dimensions Height 234 cm is the tallest part.
Wrought Iron
Pair of 19th Century Reclaimed Exterior French Doors
Located in Mckinney, TX
Solid and striking, this pair of antique French oak doors once marked the entry to a stately home. Crafted from richly grained oak, the surface bears a warm medium-toned finish that ...
Oak
$3,150
H 71.86 in W 46.26 in D 1.58 in
Wabi-Sabi Japanese Antique Large Iron Sliding Door 1860s–1920s / Tabletop
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese iron sliding door. With the raw strength of iron brought fully to the forefront, it possesses an exceptionally solid and imposing presence. It is believe...
Iron
Antique Pair of Doors with Decorative Iron Panels
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a great pair of antique doors wood with decorative iron panels. The pair was imported from Egypt and were produced at a time in the early 1900s when French architecture and s...
Iron
Late 19th Century French Pine Doors, Set of 2
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A pair of French doors from around 1900, solid pine frame construction with 3 panels each. Dimensions: 238 cm high, 75.5 cm wide, 4.5 cm deep Also very suitable for installation as...
Pine
19th C. Turkish Paneled Wood Door
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single Turkish raised panel door from the 19th century. This antique door from Turkey has a nice 11 raised panel design on its front side, with bea...
Wood
19th Century French Door Pair #1520
Located in Houston, TX
This door set is in a French Provincial style, likely produced by the Italian architects to prominent in the area. The original paint remnants give them outstanding coloration that w...
Pine
On Hold|$2,700
H 76.58 in W 58.67 in D 2.17 in
Japanese Antique Large Iron-Clad Door 1860s-1920s / Sliding Door Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large antique iron-clad sliding door from Japan. Although it has a strong presence, its design is extremely quiet and stripped of decoration, allowing the beauty of the mat...
Brass, Iron
Antique Wrought Iron Pedestrian Gate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An elegant antique wrought iron garden gate, dating back to circa 1870. This Victorian era wrought iron pedestrian gate features a tradit...
Wrought Iron
Antique Wrought Iron Decorative Transom
Located in Redding, CT
Antique wrought iron decorative Transom or window guard. Lovely half moon shape with detailed scroll work. Some restoration done to piece. See photos. Perfect ornamentation for above...
Iron
Sold
H 97.64 in W 52.76 in D 2.76 in
Enameled Stained Glass Windows Attributed To Amédée De Caranza Mounted On A Doub
By Amedee de Caranza
Located in BARSAC, FR
Superb set of four stained glass windows with polychrome enamel decoration mounted on a double interior communication door. Beautiful decora...
Stained Glass, Oak
Entrance door and its stained glass surround
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Entrance door and its stained glass surround
Stained Glass, Wood
Sold
H 32.5 in W 30.5 in D 2.5 in
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Oak Wall Panels with Pheasants in Gilt Frames
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office, a ranch or a hunting lodge with this pair of elegant antique wall plaques. Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of oak ...
Oak, Giltwood
Antique Cast Iron French Door Knocker
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Antique cast iron French door knocker A gilt cast iron door knocker often described as the hand of Fatima or the hand of Eve. The piece is de...
Iron
Sold
H 63.78 in W 84.26 in D 2.37 in
Fine Iron and Gilded Bronze Gate, Attributed to Gabriel Davioud, France, C 1860
Located in PARIS, FR
Made in wrought-iron, interior gate composed of two gate-sides and two doors, with an elegant decor made of scrolls, enriched with gilt bronze ornaments. The gates are probably made...
Bronze, Iron
Sold
H 100.5 in W 50.25 in D 1.5 in
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Haussmann Painted Doors with Molded Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Haussmannien doors from the mid-19th century, with slightly different colors. Created in France during the second half of the 19th century, this pair of doors is ado...
Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 21.75 in D 1.5 in
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Oak Wall Door Panels in Gilt Frames
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office with this pair of elegant antique panels. Crafted in France circa 1870, and made of oak, the sculpted elements are decorated with exquisite carvings in high r...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century French Exterior Doors in Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century French exterior doors in frame is ready to create a majestic entrance to your new or renovated home! Bold molded detail appears in...
Oak
Exceptional Set of Three-Gilded and Painted Pairs of Interior Doors
Located in New Orleans, LA
3 sets of 19th century Italian gilded and painted interior doors-some with original hardware.
Wood
Pair of Gates, 19th Century Bronze for Communion Rail
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century bronze communion rail gates will make an excellent decorative touch, or a window embellishment. Exceptional scrollwork detail is cente...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Solid Oak Doors with Wrought Iron Inserts
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century solid oak doors with wrought iron inserts are a masterwork of architectural detail that are destined to provide a magnificent entryway for your home! Measuring a...
Wrought Iron
Entrance Door, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Very charming entrance door, France 19th century All glasses, handler, frame. Measure: 265 cm high 0.95 cm wide.
Glass, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Carved and Stripped Oak Doors with Wrought Iron
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century carved and stripped oak doors with wrought iron make the perfect statement for any entryway! Hand carved from solid, old-growth...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 111.5 in W 50.5 in D 4.25 in
Tall Pair of Napoleon III-Style Painted Pine and Wrought-Iron Entrance Doors
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This tall and imposing pair of Napoleon III-style painted-pine and wrought iron entry doors are from France, circa 1900s, and retain the origi...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 27 in W 18.75 in D 1.5 in
19th Century French Henri II Carved Oak Cabinet Door with High Relief Carvings
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in France, circa 1860, this carved, oak cabinet door is a versatile piece that could be hung on the wall as a piece of art or used as a built-in cabinet door. The ornate door ...
Oak