Search 0
7,510  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 44 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
44 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1239932
FOR SALE
£765
Email Phone Buy
Save
Antique French Napoleon III Button Back Sofa C1880
For sale by Billy Hunt & Co.
for sale €895     $972
£765

Billy Hunt & Co.

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2026
Browse dealers 56 items
  • About Us
    We always endeavor to offer a careful selection of chosen pieces from the british isles ranging from 1800 to 1970
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1239932
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Antique French Napoleon III Button Back Sofa C1880

19th century
For Sale by Billy Hunt & Co.
Description

A fine looking French sofa for upholstery or ready for sitting on if you enjoy the tired worn look. The shapely sofa sits strong on its ebonised turned legs and original brass castors. Not sourced from the back streets of Paris or found on a sleepy 3am walk though a brocante but a recent find from a lovely English vicarage where it had been for over 20 years, loved by its owners!

As mentioned the sofa is structurally sound with the floral fabric a little worn, marked and tired.

A great looking French 2 seater sofa c1880.

Dimensions

Overall: Height 94cm x Width 151cm x Depth 85cm

Seat: Height 37.5cm x Width 123-109cm (Front-Rear) x Depth 57cm

Declaration

Billy Hunt & Co. has dated this French Napoleon III Sofa to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239932
Dealers Notes

When purchasing from us we include delivery in the purchase price which is based on a one person delivery for England and Wales. Please call or email for quotes to Scotland, Northern Ireland, The Isles and for World-wide shipping

Billy Hunt and Co is located on a large Victorian farm just a short country drive from the Rangemore village, a designated conservation area, which was built by Michael Thomas Bass in the 1850s to house the Bass Rangemore Estate workers consisting mainly of Victorian redbrick cottages and the occasional barn.

Our home is a classic Victorian designed and well equipped late 19th century 2 story red brick built barn of some 4000 sq feet nestled in classic English countryside, which enjoyed a careful full renovation in 2000. The estate still benefits being managed in the traditional manner with an Estate Manger, estate carpenter, gardeners etc. A rather delightful place to have as our work space.

Martina, there is no Billy at Billy hunt, has led the team since 2103 and is an interior designer qualified from The Inchbald School of Design London whose previous working life included such clients as Vertu, Aston Martin and Johnnie Walker to name a few.

Please do not hesitate to call or email if you have any questions on the pieces that may interest you - Many thanks Martina

Description
A fine looking French sofa for upholstery or ready for sitting on if you enjoy the tired worn look. The shapely sofa sits strong on its ebonised turned legs and original brass castors.
“
Not sourced from the back streets of Paris or found on a sleepy 3am walk though a brocante but a recent find from a lovely English vicarage where it had been for over 20 years, loved by its owners!.
Billy Hunt & Co.
fig 1. An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors.
fig 1. Antique French Napoleon III Button Back Sofa C1880

As mentioned the sofa is structurally sound with the floral fabric a little worn, marked and tired.

A great looking French 2 seater sofa c1880.

Dimensions

Overall: Height 94cm x Width 151cm x Depth 85cm

Seat: Height 37.5cm x Width 123-109cm (Front-Rear) x Depth 57cm

Date of Manufacture

Billy Hunt & Co. has dated this French Napoleon III Sofa to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239932
Billy Hunt & Co.
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2026

We always endeavor to offer a careful selection of chosen pieces from the british isles ranging from 1800 to 1970

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Billy Hunt & Co. Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors.
1 / 13
Archive I An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors.

Antique French Napoleon III Button Back Sofa C1880

Archive II An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View II
Archive III An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View III
Archive IV An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View IV
Archive V An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View V
Archive VI An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View VI
Archive VII An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View VII
Archive VIII An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View VIII
Archive IX An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View IX
Archive X An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View X
Archive XI An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View XI
Archive XII An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View XII
Archive XIII An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View

Billy Hunt & Co.
Telephone 07768 266266 or 01283 617377
Location
NO 8
Callingwood Hall Farm
Rangemore Country Estate
Burton-on-Trent
Staffordshire
DE13 9SH
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/billyhunt
Verified Since May 2026
Items For Sale 56
Items Sold 105
Billy Hunt & Co.
Verified Since May 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: NO 8, Callingwood Hall Farm, Rangemore Country Estate, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 9SH, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/billyhunt
Verified
May 2026
For Sale
56
Sold
105
An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors.
Antique French Napoleon III Button Back Sofa c1880
Ref: SA1239932
An antique French Napoleon III sofa upholstered in pale cream patterned fabric with deep buttoning, curved backrest, and turned dark wooden legs on brass castors.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSofas
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Chateau
  • MaterialFabric, Wood, Brass
  • ColourCream
  • MotifsDeep buttoning, Turned legs, Rolled arms, Brass castors

This antique French Napoleon III two seater sofa dates from 1880 and adopts a French Chateau style. It is made from fabric, wood, and brass, finished with ebonised turned legs, original brass castors, and pale cream patterned upholstery featuring deep buttoning, a curved backrest, and rolled arms. The tired, worn floral fabric shows visible marks and age. Overall dimensions are Height 94cm x Width 151cm x Depth 85cm. Suitable for use in a living room, study, or bedroom, the sofa provides comfortable seating while retaining its antique character. The structure remains sound, supported by dark turned wooden legs mounted on metal castors for mobility. Its classic silhouette fits well in traditional domestic interiors, offering a practical seating option that combines period charm with everyday functionality.

FAQs

Napoleon III style furniture originated during the French Second Empire period (18521870) and remained influential through the late nineteenth century. The style prioritises comfort, heavily padded upholstery, button-backed detail, and dark or ebonised woodwork.

Sofas from this era typically feature a solid hardwood internal frame built with hand-laced steel coil springs, jute webbing, and traditional horsehair or coconut fibre stuffing. External accents include turned timber legs and brass or iron castors.

Authentic nineteenth-century pieces display hand-stitched deep tufting with fabric-covered buttons, original coil spring construction beneath the upholstery, and hand-turned front legs fitted with brass castors.

A French button back sofa works well placed in a living room, wide hallway, or at the foot of a bed. Pairing the piece with contemporary lighting or minimalist side tables highlights its classic silhouette without overwhelming the space.

Regular gentle vacuuming with a soft brush attachment prevents dust accumulation within the deep buttoning. Timber legs should be treated with natural beeswax, and direct exposure to sunlight should be avoided to prevent fabric fading.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories