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Napoleon III Daybeds

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
19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Napoleon III mahogany day bed is a masterful study in classical architecture melded with timeless French craftsmanship and an understated elegance that will trans...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed
19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Mahogany Day Bed

Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs
Located in Honnelles, WHT
"Daybed, Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs" Red velvet daybed, recamier or sofa
Category

20th Century European Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs
Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs

Red Velvet Sofa On Four Lion Claw Legs

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Napoleon III Period mahogany wall bed is a superbly well-preserved example of French style and ingenuity from the Second Empire! Hand-crafted from exotic imported mahoga...
Category

1870s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed
19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed

19th Century Napoleon III Period Mahogany Wall Bed

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench with Burgundy, raspberry pink, off-white upholstery. Magnificent meridian from the Napoleon III - Second Empire period with a wide...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth
Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth

Meridian - Day bed - Lounge chair - Bench Napoleon III - France XIXth

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench

19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
This daybed or sofa was made originally in France circa 1870 in the Napoleon III style and is constructed of walnut and burled walnut veneers used to dramatically show off the wood selection and grain patterns. Large profiles and massive flat or concave and convex long grained area of regular walnut have been used to border complex very figured areas of veneered burl walnut Boldly scaled and very masculine the original rail on one side has been removed and a permanent rail with a notched upper area in the head and foot boards to accommodate an upholstered wooden back which was clearly just screwed in in the past allowing for the use as a sofa in a guest room also used as a sitting room. The head and foot boards are finished on both side so its clear that it was always meant to be seen form an alcove bed...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Burl

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa
Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa

Napoleon III Walnut Alcove or Daybed Sofa

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add glamour and style with this Napoleon III cast iron lounging day bed to any room. Create your own 24" x 74" seating area with a mattress, seat cushion and decorative pillows to ma...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed
Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed

Antique French Iron Campaign Style Daybed

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Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
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Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo and Rattan Single Bed, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
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Fine Swedish Louis XV Style Painted Bench, 19th Century
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19th century American Bird's-Eye and Tiger Maple Sleigh Bed
Located in Savannah, GA
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Lowestoft, GB
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H 77.96 in W 35.44 in D 38.19 in
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
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Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880
Antique French Napoleon III Carved Flame Mahogany Figural Swan Day Bed, c1880

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H 40.25 in W 83 in D 35.5 in
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
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19th Century Ebonized Daybed
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H 33.5 in W 80 in D 45 in
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Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Swedish 19th Century Napoleon III Un-Upholstered Daybed
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H 34.65 in W 24.41 in D 66.93 in
Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini
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Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini
Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini

Napoleon Sleigh Daybed in Argentine Rosewood and Savel Elegance from Costantini

H 30 in W 78 in D 31 in
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue
Located in Hastings, GB
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

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Wood

Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue
Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue

Antique French Napoleon III Chaise Longue

H 35.04 in W 68.9 in D 29.14 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century French Napoleon III period daybed features a cast iron frame detailed with central cartouche and masque flanked by scrolling branches and leaves that extend out to ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Cast Iron Daybed or Sleigh Bed

H 34 in W 83 in D 31.5 in
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed
By Napoléon III
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and beautiful black cast iron or wrought iron daybed, it can be folded in half Ideal for a porch, covered garden, large terrace or even a beautiful room, In a very good con...
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1860s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed
19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed

19th Century Napoleon III French Black Cast Iron Daybed

H 35.83 in W 82.68 in D 37.01 in
French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet
Located in Buchanan, NY
French 19th century iron bed upholstered with tufted red velvet.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

Materials

Iron

French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet
French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet

French 19th Century Daybed with Tufted Velvet

H 40 in W 75 in D 38.5 in
French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed
Located in Atlanta, GA
Entirely constructed of cast iron, the frame of "sleigh" form with the head taller than the foot, the centre section with bobbin form supports, raised on circular tapering legs, lack...
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1880s French Antique Napoleon III Daybeds

French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed
French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed

French Napoleon III Cast Iron and Painted Sleigh Daybed

H 36.25 in W 74.5 in D 31.5 in
French Day Bed
Located in London, Park Royal
Hand-painted daybed, French, 19th century. Mattress size: 2ft6 x 5ft9' or 76 x 176cm Beautiful hand-painted wood panels in vivid colors on a black lacquer background. Neat size...
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Materials

Wood

French Day Bed
French Day Bed

French Day Bed

H 43.31 in W 33.86 in D 73.23 in

Napoleon Iii daybeds for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III daybeds 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 daybeds created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III daybeds made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 daybeds differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $999 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $3,000.

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