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Napoleon III Desk Accessories

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
Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Inkwell FRENCH MANUFACTURING OF THE EARLY 1900s Empire style inkwell in yellow Siena marble with gilded bronze inkwells and sphinx. 48 x 23 cm Height 20.
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Silvered Metal and Pietra Dura Table Planter
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare silvered metal desk or tabletop planter inlaid with 12 framed Pietra Dura panels of inlaid colorful flowers on a black base, complete with its ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Antique Marble & Bronze Napoleon 3 Inkstand by Marcel Debut Salon Des Beaux-Arts
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and important French Napoleonic ink stand with female sculpture. This hand-crafted and sizable ink stand of marble and gilt bronze is signed by the renowned French sculptor Mar...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare Napoleon III Portor Marble and Bronze inkwell 19th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare Napoleon III Portor Marble and Bronze inkwell 19th century. France Width: 33.5 cm. good condition
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Gilt-Metal Mounted and Enamel Banded Agate Desk Seal
Located in Firenze, IT
Shipping policy: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). 19th century banded agate seal...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Agate

Napoleon III Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III inkwell gilt bronz and champleve enamel Origin France perfect condition circa 1860. The Napoleon III style had its heyday during the 1850s and 1880s. Emperor Napoleon wa...
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1850s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Enamel

Napoleon III Inkwell Writing Case Rosewood Porcelain And Gilt Bronze
Located in CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR
Large writing case with compartments, forming an inkwell and pen holder, from the Napoleon III period, in rosewood marquetry and interiors of the compartments in speckled maple, with...
Category

1870s European Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

1820's Bronze Inkwell with an Eagle Standing Atop
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Napoleon III bronze inkwell Encrier. Three winged cupids holding up a bowl with masked faces with an eagle standing atop. Dimensions: H 16cm W 11cm D 8cm Origin: French Date: ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Gilt Bronze Dog-House Inkwell, 19th Century, French
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming French gilt bronze inkwell in the form of a dog house with the roof on a hinge to store the ink bottle.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Baccarat Millefiori Gridel Chruch Paperweight
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : An Antique Baccarat Millefiori Gridel Chruch Paperweight 1848 Date : 1848 Origin : France Features : Three gridel canes, goat, horse and cockerel within a close pack of com...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Porcelain and Bronze Inkwell in the Taste of Asian Art.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain and bronze inkwell in the taste of Asian Art. Inkwell decorated with a Buddha in white porcelain on a red lacquer tray mounted with gilt bronze and inkwells in porcelain a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

c. 1865 French Napoleon III Table Top Writing Desk Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French, circa 1865, Napoleon III table top writing desk box. Burl amboyna, ebony & boulle inlays. Opens to undulating divided stationary compartment &...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Velvet, Burl

19th Century Bronze Dore Napolean Ink Well, France.
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Encrier set with richly-veined Verde Antico marble base mounted with pair gilt-bronze inkwells flanked on either side of a Napolean bust. The marble base with pen tray rest on sh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

A Very Good 19th Century Napoleon III Gilt Bronze & Marble Inkstand, Circa 1870
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The crescent shaped & dished ‘verdi alpi’ marble base affixed with a pair of lidded gilt bronze inkpots (glass inkwells absent), decorated with fine engine turned detail, flanking a ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
By Napoléon III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Napoleon III Bronze Wood Marquetry Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined antique inkwell, with two inkwells made of bronze, including glass cups. The base is made of veneered marquetry wood with a diamond pattern, framed in a bronze rim, resting...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Antique Baccarat Paperweight Landscape with Mountains
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Antique Baccarat Paperweight Landscape with Mountains, A Rare Specimen Additional information: Dimensions: 5 W x 5 D x 4 H cm Period o...
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass

19th Century Napoleon III Letter Rack with Lacquered Panels and Bronze Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful 19th century letter rack from the French Napoleon III period. The letter rack is made of bronze with wooden panels. The wooden panels are decorated with red traditional lac...
Category

1880s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Gilded Inkwell Depicting a Bulldog Tied to Tree Stump
Located in New York, NY
This 19th-century gilded inkwell is a captivating piece of artistry, masterfully crafted to depict a charming bulldog tethered to a rustic tree stump. W...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 19th century french champlevé enameled gilt bronze ornate with colorful blue, green, yellow enameling over the bronze base in a Sevres style decor with a pen rest. Width: 8,07 i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon III Gutta Percha Pen Holder, France circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This superb Napoleon III Gutta Percha pen holder was handcrafted in France in the 1880s. The antique desk accessory is exquisitely crafted with different molded designs on each side and delicate ornamentation throughout. There is no known maker. This desk accessory is in overall good condition for a 150-year-old piece. The material is still shiny, with minor scratches and scuffs, but they do not significantly affect the overall appearance. Check the close-up. Measurements: 12.19 in wide (31 cm) x 3.94 in deep (10 cm) x 1.75 in high (4.5 cm). Note: Gutta-percha is a tree of the genus Palaquium in the family Sapotaceae. The name also refers to the rigid, naturally biologically inert, resilient, electrically nonconductive, thermoplastic latex derived from the tree. It is a polymer of isoprene that forms a rubber-like elastomer. The word "gutta-percha" comes from the plant's name in Malay: "Getah" translates as "latex." Percha or Perca is an older name for Sumatra. Long before Gutta-percha was introduced into the Western world, it was used in a less processed form by the natives of the Malaysian archipelago for making knife handles, walking sticks, and other purposes.  William Montgomerie, a Scottish medical officer in imperial service, introduced gutta-percha into practical use in the West. He was the first to appreciate the potential of this material in medicine, and he was awarded the gold medal by the Royal Society of Arts, London, in 1843. This material was scientifically classified in 1843 and was recognized as a valuable natural thermoplastic. During the second half of the 19th century, gutta-percha was used for many domestic and industrial purposes. Gutta-percha was particularly important for the manufacture of underwater telegraph cables...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Inkwell from France, C. 1840
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece of nineteenth-century French elegance is sure to be the envy of any collector. The Napoleon III gilt bronze inkwell is a prized find, crafted in circa 1840 France with int...
Category

1840s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Bronze

French gilt bronze ink stand depicting a young man harvesting circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This wonderfully detailed bronze inkstand is of unusably small proportions and was made to compliment a lady's writing table most likely. It is of an oval form with a moulded base which is mounted with a detailed bronze study of a rural scene of a young man harvesting corn with a sickle. The bushels of corn hide the inkpot which hinges back to reveal a white porcelain container...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Napoleonic Ormolu & Verde Antico Marble Inkwell, c. 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
Encrier set, the richly-veined Verde Antico Marble platform mounted with a pair of gilt-Bronze inkwells. These flanking a finely-cast bust of Napo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Marble and Gilt Bronze Inkwell From the 19th Century, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble and gilt bronze inkwell from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. Napoleon III period gilt bronze and marble inkwell decorated with imperial eagles, with porcelain interior...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Parakeet Perch Inkwell Candlesticks: Ink 'n' Perch Delight!
Located in New York, NY
These exquisite 19th-century bronze parakeet on perch candlestick inkwells showcase the fine craftsmanship of the era. Each inkwell features a beautifully designed parakeet with a hi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Important Napoleon III Lion Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Napoleon III lion inkwell, 19th century In veined yellow Siena marble, centered with a lion's head with a long mane in bronze with dark patina,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Important Napoleon III Lion Inkwell, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Office inkwell in Siena yellow marble and bronze Napoleon III 19th century 34cm x 20cm Very good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Important Napoleon III Vase, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Napoleon III Vase, 19th century A black marble casette with bronze mounts in the shape of lions, circa 1860. H.: 45 cm. Very good condition.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Nice Inkwell of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Nice inkwell of the 19th century with its two ink receptacles and the stamp holder" Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze and glass, 19th century, with its two ink receptacle...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Marble Paperweight with Fruits, XIXth Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
2 white marble paperweights with tinted marble fruit, Italian work from the 19th century Small chips Height 8.5cm 10x17cm.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Category

1890s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Double Inkwell of the XIXth Century in Gilded Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Double inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze" Important double inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilded bronze with nice neo-classical decorations, XIXth century. H: 12cm, W...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Inkwell of the XIXth Century in Gilded Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Inkwell of the XIXth Century in gilded bronze" Inkwell, Napoleon III period, gilt bronze, 19th century. H: 15cm, W: 21cm, D: 14,5cm.
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19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Stylish French, Napoleon III Fine Ladies Writing Desk with Wine / Bacchus Theme
Located in Lisse, NL
Fine quality and great design Napoleon III desk with large drawer and bronze angels. This wonderful antique ladies desk also is highly practical...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Sealing Seal, Zebra Jasper and Silver, Period: 19th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Very nice seal in green zebra jasper with black stripes.  The zebra jasper is the "anti-apathy" stone.  It allows to be optimistic in spite of the str...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver

Inkwell in red marble with "Allegory of writing" in gilt bronze, signed H.CHAPU
Located in Paris, FR
Inkwell in red Griotte marble and gilt bronze representing an allegory of writing by Henri Chapu (1833-1891). This old 19th century inkstand is ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Napoleon III Black Gutta Percha Inkstand, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The black inkstand with a molded lion decoration with a shell pen tray. The two glass inkwells on either end.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Rubber

Rare French Ormolu and Diamond-Cut Crystal Figural Inkwell Encrier by Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A rare French Ormolu and diamond-cut crystal figural inkwell Encrier by Baccarat, circa 1875. Depicting a cherub with books, with the finest ormolu mounts, this exquisite jewel...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Italian Writing Box with Macassar Veneer and Silver Mounts
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique writing slope case. The chest is veneered with Macassar wood. Decorated with silver mounts. The interior is made of birdseed maple...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Napoleon III Style French Inkwell Made of Wood, Brass and Crystal
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Orig...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Cloisonné Bronze Desk Set, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cloisonné bronze desk set, 19th century A cloisonné bronze desk set composed of a pair of candlesticks, an inkwell, a penholder, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: Candle...
Category

1870s European Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Cloisonné Bronze Watch-Holder
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century cloisonné bronze watch-holder, onyx base, Napoleon III period.
Category

1870s European Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Toleware Painted Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French hand painted toleware tray of the Napoleon the III era, circa 1850's. The hand-painted French metal tray is decorated with flowers and leaves o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Unusual Architected Marble Bronze and Crystal Inkwell, Italy, 1890
Located in Brussels, BE
A cut crystal inkwell inserted in a massive architectural beige marble base. Probably Italy around 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Sewing Box by Maison Aucoc, Paris
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century oval sewing box decorated with crowned monogram. The case contains five gold and steel sewing utensils embellished with small flowers. Labeled on the inside: AUCOC A PARIS. Weight: 27.6 g, circa 1860 Dimension: W 4.5 in, D 2.4in, H .8in. Dimension: L 11.5cm, P 6cm, H 2cm. La Maison Aucoc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Gold, Steel

French Victorian Boule Brass Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Victorian Boulle-style square tortoise shell and brass inlaid inkwell with crystal well.
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Bronze Inkwell Sculpture "Les Moutons à L'abreuvoir" by Jules Moigniez
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze inkwell sculpture with nuanced brown patination. Two ink pots are cleverly hidden at either end of the sculpture: One in the stump of the tree and the other under a rock. Moig...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Gilt Bronze Mirrored Plateau
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century gilt bronze mirrored plateau is a marvel of the Napoleon III period, and reflects the opulence of the age with elaborate and intricate embossing in a variety of nature-i...
Category

1860s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Watch Holder in Cloisonné and Bronze
Located in Marseille, FR
19th century watch holder in the form of a sedan chair in bronze from the end of the 19th century in cloisonné and bronze, dimension 18 cm in lengt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

French Louis XV1 Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pen Tray
Located in Montreal, QC
This luxurious encrier de bureau is raised on scrolling and leafy feet mounting a malachite-finished base. The tray itself is modelled as a shell rising to a spring-loaded pen holder...
Category

1850s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Continental Blue Ground and Gilt Porcelain Grand Tour Inkstand
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). With four views of Florence panels including a pair of...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Saint Louis Encased Overlay Upright Bouquet
Located in Steyning, West sussex
Saint Louis encased overlay upright bouquet.
Category

1840s French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass

19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Crystal, Malachite

Early 20th Century Enamel Miniature Dollhouse Furniture
By Napoléon III
Located in London, GB
Enamel Dollhouse furniture, consists of table, settee and four chairs, decorated with single figures and romantic scenes.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Enamel

Lamartine 'Alphonse de' Complete Published and Unpublished Works
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lamartine (Alphonse de). Complete published and unpublished works. Paris, at the author's, 1860-1863. 36 volumes in-8 (of 41), half green grief, spine decorated, smooth edges (contem...
Category

19th Century French Antique Napoleon III Desk Accessories

Materials

Leather, Paper

Napoleon Iii desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Napoleon III desk accessories 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 desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Napoleon III desk accessories 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 desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, A. Aucoc, Baccarat, and Cristalleries De Baccarat. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $387 and tops out at $50,000 while the average work can sell for $1,843.

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