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Empire More Carpets

EMPIRE STYLE

From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in ​​Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.

Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.

Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.

Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.

Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Empire
Antique Rug Ivory Tree Of Life Organic Handwoven Oriental Area Rug
Located in Hampshire, GB
An extraordinary early 20th-century Ivory rug with an incredible densely woven multi-coloured tree-of-life design with two sinuous trees on each side of the central field, each with ...
Category

1890s Caucasian Antique Empire More Carpets

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 19th century French Empire drop front secretary with black as a marble top and side columns with bronze mounts, three drawers below and one drawer above. Double brass locking syste...
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1870s French Antique Empire More Carpets

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Mahogany

Contemporary Needlepoint Carpet ( 9' x 12' - 275 x 365 cm )
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Needlepoint Carpet ( 9' x 12' - 275 x 365 cm )
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Empire More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug with Empire Regency Style and Golden Colors
Located in Dallas, TX
73634, vintage Turkish Oushak rug with Empire Regency style and golden colors. This hand knotted wool vintage Turkish Oushak rug features a dynamic all-over Mina Khani pattern spread...
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Mid-20th Century Turkish Empire More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Distressed Antique Lavar Kermanshah Rug
Located in New York, NY
Highly decorative 19th century Persian Lavar Kermanshah rug. 4' x 6'4''
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Antique Empire More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Very Fine French Aubusson Carpet of the 19th Century
Located in Rome, IT
A very fine French Aubusson carpet of the 19th century. Measures: cm 530 x 480.
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1810s French Antique Empire More Carpets

Materials

Wool

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Antique Blue Mid 19th Century French Aubusson Carpet. Size: 15 ft 3 in x 17 ft
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Handwoven Cream Red Needlepoint Carpet Traditional Wool Area Rug
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Vintage Aubusson Style Rug French Needlepoint Rug, Handwoven Tapestry Carpet
Located in Hampshire, GB
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Previously Available Items
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Empire more carpets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire more carpets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage more carpets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire more carpets made in a specific country, there are Asia, West Asia, and Caucasus 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 more carpets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $900 and tops out at $7,900 while the average work can sell for $5,103.

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