Second Empire Style Bust of Napoleon III, 17H"

Updated September 23, 2026

Lot number	56
Estimate	900.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Auction	Fall Estates Collection
Date	October 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM EDT
Auction house	Four Seasons Auction Gallery LLC
Location	Oakwood, Georgia

French School, Second Empire Style Bust of Napoleon III. Patinated bronze bust on black marble socle. 17H x 9W x 12D inches. Condition: Very good with minor wear. A distinguished patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon III (1808–1873), rendered in formal military attire and presented in the stately portrait tradition of the French Second Empire. The emperor is shown with his characteristic moustache and pointed imperial goatee, wearing a kepi and richly detailed uniform adorned with decorative trim, medals, and draped sash elements. The sculptor has captured the sitter’s composed authority with particular sensitivity in the facial modeling, where the strong gaze, defined cheek structure, and carefully rendered facial hair lend the portrait an unmistakable sense of imperial identity. The uniform is equally well observed, featuring crisp linear ornament, layered lapels, and medal decorations that provide visual depth and ceremonial dignity. Finished in a warm bronze patina with subtle golden highlights, the bust is raised on a polished black marble socle, enhancing its formal presentation and making it especially suitable for a desk, library, mantel, or cabinet display. The overall effect recalls the academic bronze portrait busts popular in France during the later 19th century and their subsequent high-quality reproductions. A compelling decorative object for collectors of French Empire, Second Empire, military portraiture, or historical bronzes, this bust offers both strong visual presence and recognizable historical subject matter.

Second Empire Style Bust of Napoleon III, 17H"

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