Napoleon III Buffets
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
Antique French Napoleon III Ebony Ormolu Marble Sevres Porcelain Credenza 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Napoleon III burl inlaid with a marble top and ormolu mounted credenza/cabinet, inset with a Sevres porcelain portrait ...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Napoleon III Cabinet, Styl Boulle
Located in Warsaw, PL
his elegant cabinet exemplifies the pinnacle of 19th-century French cabinetmaking, executed in the style of André-Charles Boulle, the renowned 17th-century master. The cabinet showca...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Bentwood
French Two-Door Fruitwood Buffet
Located in Woodbury, CT
Two drawers over two shaped and recessed panel doors are the traditional arrangement for buffets and this one doesn’t disappoint. Even more delightful is the fact that the scalloped ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Fruitwood
Delicate Porcelain Ormolu and Ebony Cabinet, Napoleon III
Located in Warsaw, PL
The cabinet is crafted in Napoleon III style, which is also known as Second empire style. The main material of the cabinet is ebony with dark varnish finish. The top of the cabinet iscovered with Carrara marble, which was a popular combination of that time period.
The large frizes atop and the small friezes on the bottom are sculpted with beautiful and delicate pearl-shaped motifs. The pearl motif dominates in this antique French cabinet, as it features also in the framing edge of the front panels of the door. It seems like the pearl motifs become an endless source of inspiration in this French gorgeous cabinet.
On either side of the front corner panels of the cabinet is an image of a man's head gilded with ormolu, built into the modillions, where flowers hang from them.The corners of a cabinet are ornated with square rosettes which are overhung by rococo curves and shells. The acanthus leaf pattern complements the decoration of the 4 front corners of the cabinet. In the central door panel there is a medallion with a painting of two women with a goat standing by a tree surrounded by forest. The porcelain picture depicts the poetic beauty of people and landscapes in the French countryside. The bright colors in the porcelain painting brings more life in to the dark stained cabinet...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble
French Napoleon III Buffet Cabinet with Its Original Marble Top, circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Napoleon III buffet, with its original marble top, from the early 19th century. This antique console from France, circa 1820's, features its original marble top over a case which houses a single drawer at top, over a pair of doors (with right door fitted with a single wreath shaped brass escutcheon), and flanked within column form front side posts with decorative brass capitals. The doors open to reveal a single shelf within and plentiful storage. The skirt is clean and linear, with sides having a recessed panel design each. The cabinet is raised on thickly rounded front legs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble
19th Century Italian Bird’s-Eye Maple Chest of Drawers Commode
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning fine quality antique, circa 1860s/1870s Italian chest of drawers commode.
Hand-crafted in Italy in the third quarter of the 19th century, influenced by Napoleon III Se...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
19th Century French Second Empire Period Marble Top Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Second Empire Period marble top buffet is a timeless example of the magnificent furnishings that emanated from France during t...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Cabinet
Located in Warsaw, PL
This elegant cabinet is a striking example of the refined aesthetic that characterized the Napoleon III period in France. The cabinet showcases a masterful combination of materials a...
Category
1850s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III "Entre Deux" Cabinet
Located in Austin, TX
Presenting a stunning 19th Century French Napoleon III "Entre Deux" Cabinet, a remarkable example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristic of the Napoleon III era. This exqui...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge, following down to paneled sides, which...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Walnut Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Renaissance Revival Walnut Buffet is a masterpiece of the artisans around the environs of Paris who strove...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Brass
Boulle Buffet in Blackened Pearwood, Napoleon III Period – Mid-19th Century
Located in HÉRIC, FR
Ce somptueux buffet d’époque Napoléon III, réalisé en poirier noirci au milieu du XIXe siècle, s’inspire des créations magistrales de l’ébéniste de Louis XIV, Charles André Boulle.
I...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Carrara Marble
Commode Style Boulle of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period
Located in Warsaw, PL
This stunning 19th-century Boulle-style cabinet is a remarkable example of fine craftsmanship and opulent design. Its intricate marquetry, inspired by the legendary André-Charles Bou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Dessert Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak dessert buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge. The top then lifts to reveal a marble serving surface, which is hel...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Oak Dessert Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak dessert buffet from France with a beveled and carved decorated edge around the top, over two drawers with hand carved decorated drawer fronts along with hand carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
Commode French 19th Century of Napoleon III Period
Located in Warsaw, PL
A sensational French 19th century Napoleon III period ebony, brass, ormolu, semi precious stone and marble cabinet. The cabinet is raised by mottled topie shaped feet with a fine wra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Stone, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Vaisselier ~ Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Vaisselier ~ Buffet is a remarkable work of the cabinetmaker's art! Only select, blonde French walnut was used which creates a lovely w...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Walnut Buffet with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III period walnut buffet with carrara marble reflects a fascinating period in French history when all the styles were revived, including the timeless neo...
Category
1870s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Carrara Marble
“Boulle” Marquetry Sideboard, Napoleon III period – Mid-19th century
Located in HÉRIC, FR
Elegant Napoleon III period entry-level piece of furniture featuring magnificent "Boulle" marquetry, named after Charles-André Boulle, master cabinetmaker to King Louis XIV, who made...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Carrara Marble
Near Pair of Mahogany Consoles Dessertes by Maison Grohé, French, circa 1860
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A near pair of mahogany consoles Dessertes with exceptional gilt bronze Ram’s Head Mounts, by Maison Grohé.
Stamped ‘GROHÉ / A PARIS’.
Grohé, Guill...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Bronze
Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Buffet by Maison Grohé, circa 1860
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and impressive Napoléon III gilt-bronze mounted mahogany buffet with a rouge marble top, by Maison Grohé.
French, circa 1860.
Stamped twice...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Bronze
French Napoleon III Cabinet Buffet Entrée Black Ormolu, Belgian Black Marble
By Napoléon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and unique French Napoleon III Entrée, 19th century.
High corpuscular leather in polished ebony veneer over solid softwood.
The front is articulated with a wide door centered...
Category
1860s French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Dessert Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak dessert buffet from France with a banded edge around the top , which also features a beveled and hand carved decorated edge. The top li...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
19th Century Tall French Dessert Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tall oak dessert buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and carved edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and two paneled and hand carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Dessert Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak dessert buffet from France with a lovely detailed hand carved and scalloped backsplash, over three shelves. The top is wonderfully grai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
19th Century Carved Oak Dessert Buffet From France
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak dessert buffet from France. On the top there is a glorious hand carved backsplash and four hand carved crown finials. There are three shelves, all with carved front ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
French Oak Enfilade
Located in Woodbury, CT
French oak enfilade with three-plank top, breadboard ends and thumb moulded edge over three drawers and three paneled doors. Robust carved doors se...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Oak
Antique French Napoleon III Curly Walnut Vassallier Buffet c. Mid 1800s
Located in Westfield, MA
This mid-19th century French Napoleon III vassalier buffet, crafted from striking curly walnut, exemplifies the sophisticated design and meticulous craftsmanship of the period. The t...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Walnut
Monbro - Important Meuble D'appui Napoleon III
Located in BARSAC, FR
Georges Alphonse Bonifacio Monbro (1807, 1884) known as MONBRO AINE
Exceptional harmoniously curved meuble d'appui with moving shapes opening two large doors with geometric marquetry...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Bronze
High buffet In Marquetry, Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Beautiful sideboard at support height in marquetry of different types of diamond-shaped wood, with rich gilded bronze ornamentation and a Wedgewood p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Napoleon III "Meuble d'Appui" Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
This 19th-century French Napoleon III Meuble d'Appui is a stunning antique piece made of solid walnut and adorned with beautiful golden molds. With its e...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Cabinet
Located in Warsaw, PL
It is a luxurious piece of furniture, characterized by its rich ornamentation and use of contrasting materials.
Materials
The cabinet is crafted from ebony with gilt bronze mounts ad...
Category
19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Important Pair of Napoleon III Dressers with Hunting Decor
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Important pair of Napoleon III dressers with hunting decor.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Napoleon III Buffets
Materials
Wood, Amboyna
Napoleon Iii buffets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III buffets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage buffets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III buffets 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 buffets, popular names associated with this style include Paul Sormani, Antoine Krieger, and Diehl Manufacturing Co.. 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 buffets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,495 and tops out at $173,433 while the average work can sell for $7,463.