Through the Second Empire, one sees the return of Gothic, Renaissance, Louis XV or Louis XVI styles. The pieces of furniture are not invented any more, they are copied and pastichés. One creates pieces of furniture by always referring to the past.
The ornamentations are excessive. Guilded woods, bronze ornaments of “mustach” style, marquetry of Boulle and néorocaille styles make a return. One notes the use of decors inspired by Africa or the Far East (bamboo, ropes...). The reference to Napoleon are also numerous
