Napoleon III Mirrors
NAPOLEON III STYLE
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.
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Style: Napoleon III
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
French 19th century Regence st. Napoleon III Period Ebony and Ormolu mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most elegant French 19th century Regence st. Napoleon III Period Ebony and Ormolu mirror. This lovely double framed mirror is centered by a pierced Ormolu inner bo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Fireplace / Wall Mirror
Located in Godstone, GB
French mid 19th century very impressive giltwood fireplace/wall mirror, with gesso cutting motifs all around main frame(typical for 18th century mirrors), and beautiful wood carved t...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood
XL French Giltwood Mirror Pier XL Napoleon III 7 Feet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning large French pier mirror in the Napoleon III manner
Stands in at 220 CM tall - over seven feet
Elegantly carved giltwood frame very ornate
Could also be used as a standing ...
Category
1980s Vintage Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Louis XV Style Octagonal Mirror With Bronze Mounts
Located in Montreal, QC
This mirror has a bevelled plate surrounded by verre eglomisee angled panels so there is much sparkle and reflection.
The elaborate pierced bronze crest is centred by a stylized shel...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Napoleon III Champlevé Enameled Gilt Bronze Standing Mirror
Located in Paris, FR
Small standing mirror with ormolu, or gilt bronze, frame covered in an exquisite design of champlevé enameling, with delicate interlacing and flo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Napoleon III French oval mirrors
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large pair of handed Napoleon III French oval mirrors. The cresting carved in wood and representing the arts with sheet music and instruments.
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Napoleon III Mirror, in Veneered and Painted Wood, Pine Frame, Beveled Mirror
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Napoleon III mirror, in veneered and painted wood, circa 1880
pine frame.
beveled mirror.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Pine, Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Giltwood Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
French giltwood camel crested mirror with carved interwoven rope and floral design flanked by cove inner frame with beeded edge. Original glass.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Alluring French Napoleon III giltwood mirror with lovely carved frame and egg and dart trim. Having wonderful aged gilt finish, of desirab...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Napoleon III style mirror in wood with facet cut mirror, France
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1950 / mirror / wood, mirror / Mid-century / Napoleon III
Rectangular Napoleon III style mirror in white and gold lacquered and carved wood. The of white and gold decorated...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Table Mirror and its Two Vases, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Table mirror and its two vases, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
A table mirror and its two enamelled and cloisonné bronze vases, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
Vases: H: 23c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Napoléon III Mirror
Located in palm beach, FL
Pair of Napoleon III period oval mirror in black painted wood and inlaid with gilt bronze decoration, the mirror is beveled.
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
French Napolean III Giltwood Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant French Napoleon II giltwood mirror. Lovely floral images and a beaded inner border along with a beautiful gilt make this extra special. Gorgeous!!
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Carved Napoleon III Oak and Velvet Mirror, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Large and gorgeous frame, with hand-carved thistles motifs applied to a deep teal blue velvet background. The wood is oak. New mirror.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Velvet
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III French Oval Mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful large oval mirror with rich ornaments and original facetted mirror plate.
The mirror has a very warm antique look and feel. The mirror has an ornate top decoration with a central “fleur de lis” with floral elements. At the bottom, there is also a smaller decoration with acanthus and floral elements. This mirror is made in Southern France and it has a solid pine frame that was smoothened with gesso. The most elevated part of the frame features a floral engraving and the inner part is adorned with a Classic pearl beading. The ornaments were casted with the use of ground cattle bone and plaster, reinforced with steel wires. The mixture of these materials is used in early mirror frames. Before casting was common practice, ornaments were hand carved in wood. A time consuming process and with the growing demand for these mirrors, new production methods were introduced. Later on larger...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Napoleon III Gesso and Wood Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unusually large Napoleon III wood and gesso mirror. Beautiful patina with original gilding coming through the paint.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Gesso, Glass
Trumeau Frances Napoleon III, Mirror and oil on canvas “Landscape at sunset”
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and beautiful trumeau mirror , made in France during the Napoleon III era, is composed of a mirror and an oil painting on canvas. The trumeau is a type of decorative mirro...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Paint
Pair of Large French Napoleon III Gold Leaf and Beveled Mirrors, Circa 1860
Located in Dallas, TX
The era of French history that coincides with the reign of Napoleon III is sometimes referred to as The Second Empire to differentiate between his rule and that of his synonymous unc...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Napoleon III Repousse Cushion Brass Beveled Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in France, circa 1870, the elegant antique mirror is decorated with intricate repousse scroll work motifs including a large cartouche at the pediment featuring a center fruit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Antique White Washed Faux Bamboo Cheval Mirror, circa 1870
Located in Sheffield, MA
French freestanding cheval mirror, late 19th century. Walnut wood has been turned and white washed to resemble faux bamboo, the posts are capped with baluster finials. Featuring a fu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Faux Bamboo
French Stucco Mirror with Bronze Patina Vegetal Patterns, Napoleon III c. 1890
Located in Labrit, Landes
French bronze patina stucco mirror
Beautiful frame with an ornamentation on the top with two birds on a vegetal decor
Plant decoration on the stucco...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Stucco
French 1850s Napoleon III Period Giltwood Mirror with Carved Scrolling Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III period giltwood rectangular mirror from the mid-19th century, with carved scrolling foliage. Created in France in the early years of Emperor Napoleon III's reig...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French Napoléon III 1870s Carved Giltwood Mirror with Hunting Trophy Crest
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoléon III period giltwood mirror from the late 19th century, with carved crest depicting a hunting trophy, twisted ribbons and petite beads. Created in France during the ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Napoleon III style dressing table in black lacquered wood and 3 mirrors
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Napoleon III style dressing table in black lacquered wood and 3 mirrors
Wear consistent with age and use.
Antique Furniture - Napoleon III
Measures : 132cmx61cm H top:73cm TH:170...
Category
1940s Vintage Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Large 19th century French giltwood mirror H. 164 cm - L. 100 cm
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Large gilded and carved wood mirror, godron decor, silver glass, wooden parquet.
Napoleon III period - France 19th century.
Height 164 cm
Width 100 cm
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Beveled Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room, entryway or bedroom with this elegant antique gold leaf mirror. Crafted in the Burgundy region of France, circa 1870, the rectangular mirror has traditional l...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Very Large Engraved Venice Mirror, 260 Cm, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large Venice mirror (2.60m) to hang or place, in glass and mirror engraved with floral motifs; the pediment composed of several pieces reminiscent of the petals, is in its central pa...
Category
20th Century Italian Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mirror
An Enamelled Bronze Table Mirror, 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An enamelled bronze table mirror, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
An enamelled bronze table mirror, bevelled mirror, 19th century, Napoleon III period.
H: 28cm, W: 22cm, D: 2cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Large French Blue Painted Napoleon III Beveled Wall Mirror, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
The period of Napoleon III, also known as the Second Empire, was an eclectic style, drawing from the preceding periods. Regardless of where the inspiration came from, the main tenet ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Paint
Small Antique French Black & Giltwood Mirror, Napoleon III Period, circa 1870
Located in Paris, FR
Rare small French antique mirror from the Napoleon III period, circa 1870. Antique black and gilded mirror frame decorated with stylized vegetal friezes typical of the Napoleon III s...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Mirror
19th Century French Napoleon III Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Napoleon III mirror with black and gilt decoration. It has the original mirror which has dark inclusions and foggy appea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
18th Century French Painted Trumeau Mirror with Raised Gilt Carvings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful 18th Century Painted Trumeau Mirror with Beautiful raised carvings.
Category
18th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Louis XIII mirror in embossed copper, 19th C.
Located in PARIS, FR
Mirror in gilt copper or brass leaf with embossed decoration of vine shoots.
The interior and exterior are framed by guilloche strips. Central mercury glass, possibly original.
Lou...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Copper
Antique French Louis-Philippe Mirror, Black & Silvered Patinated, circa 1880
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French black and silvered wood wall mirror in the spirit of Napoleon III style. Louis Philippe style shape antique frame, re-silvered with leaf, decorated with scrollls fol...
Category
1880s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Silver Leaf
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror, Crown Crest This is a very attract
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror, Crown Crest
This is a very attractive piece, the mirror has a 3.5” gilt frame edged with swags and a crown in the centre at the top of t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Large Antique French Mirror, Giltwood & Black Colors, circa 1860
Located in Paris, FR
Large French antique mirror, Napoleon III period, circa 1860. Antique frame, black and gilded to the leaf, with openwork shell and adorned ...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
Fine 19th Century French Oval Mirror of Napoleon III Period in Carved Giltwood
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century oval mirror of Napoleon III period. Carved wood, covered with gesso and 24-karat gold leaf finish. This piece has beautiful ornaments and it wears its original glass,
F...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Napoleon III Style Gilt Wall Mirror
This is an old and very attractive piece, the mirror has a very decorative gilt frame edged with swags and leaf decoration in the centre a...
Category
1850s Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Grand 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Gilded Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Grand 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Gilded Mirror is a magnificent example of the craftsmanship and artistry of one of the golden ages in French design! The neoclassical d...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Circa 1860 French Carved & Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Napoleon III, c.1860, carved & gilt wood mirror. French. Rococo style with asymmetrical foliage & rosette crest flanked by acanthus leaves. The entire frame well carved. Some red sho...
Category
1860s Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (1st quarter 19th Century) mahogany vertical wall mirror with gilt bronze trim and fluted column sides have a top section with a small oval painting...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Paint
French Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Rope-Twist Oval Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
The boldly-carved rope-twist oval frame embellished with acanthus leaves all surrounding a later beveled mirror plate.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Twentieth Century Glazed Wall Mirror, Chinese Decor.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Twentieth century glazed wall mirror, Chinese decor.
Mirror from the 1940s, Napoleon III-style Chinese decor, eglomisé mirror with glazing beads.
Dimen...
Category
20th Century Italian Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Elegant French Napoleon III Period Parclose Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant French Napoleon III period parclose gilt wood mirror.
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique French Giltwood Oval Mirror With Pediment, circa 1890
Located in Paris, FR
Rare antique French giltwood wedding mirror, ornament pediment with dove and flowers, arrows and torch. Re-gilding to the leaf. Antique frame width: 6.5 cm / 2.55 in. Modern glass mi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror, Stucco
French Napoleon III Split Plate Giltwood Mirror
Located in London, GB
A fine French Napoleon III carved gilt wood mirror with acanthus and trophy decoration. The original split mercury plate.
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Elegant Pair of French Napoleon III Carved Giltwood Oval Mirrors
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant pair of French Napoleon III carved giltwood oval mirrors; each half-round moulding with floral and foliate carved reserves surrounding a bead...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
19th Century Pair of Italian Rococo Champaigne Silvered Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Pair of Italian Rococo Gold Giltwood Mirrors
31 1/2"h x 18"w overall.
Weight: 5lbs each
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Circa 1850 French Gold Leaf Mirror, The Allegory of Geography
Located in Dallas, TX
Inspired by the famed Italian iconographer, Cesare Ripa (c. 1555-1622), this French gold leaf mirror (circa 1850) is topped by a winged cherub and a globe, representing the Allegory ...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Antica specchiera francese dorata a foglia d'oro epoca Napoleone Terzo, 1870
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Antique French gilded gold-leaf mirror Napoleon Third era,1870,characteristic of the period are the fine decorations adorning the four corners of the frame.
The condition is very goo...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Murano Mirror Decorated with Micro-Mosaic Flowers
Located in Paris, FR
Beveled mirror or ask a hang murano circa 1880/1900
good condition
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Glass
19th Century Napoleon III Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Magnificent, large and wildly elegant mirror in black with extravagant applications of gilded repousse. This beveled mirror is a standout piece.
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
French Giltwood Mirror Napoleon III Second Empire
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
French Giltwood Mirror Napoleon III Second Empire
An attractive giltwood mirror from South West France - the design and shape are typical of the region.
The mirror has beautiful ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pine
19th Century French Mirror
Located in Godstone, GB
19th century French wall / mantel mirror. Distressed finish, some of original gilding remains, contains original mercury glass with signs of age (black spots, scratches etc). Very de...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Antique Large French Napoleon III Caved Gold Gilded Wood Medallion Wall Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Large French Napoleon III Caved Gold Gilded Wood Medallion Wall Mirror
The Antique Large French Napoleon III Carved Gold Gilded Wood Medallion Wall Mirror is a magnificent t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Ebonised & Giltwood Mirror Napoleon III Second Empire
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Ebonised & Giltwood Mirror Napoleon III Second Empire
Sourced from the Basque region of South West France, this handsome mirror features a raised crest with elegant acanthus leaf an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pine
Napoleon Iii mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III mirrors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III mirrors made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mirrors, popular names associated with this style include and Europa Antiques. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $595 and tops out at $154,850 while the average work can sell for $3,898.