Empire Furniture
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
Empire Mantel Clock “au Char de l’Amour”, signed Bourez à Paris, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
French mantel clock crafted from fire-gilt bronze, featuring a green marble plinth supported by paw feet. Atop the clock sits Cupid, depicted as a charioteer riding a two-horse chari...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Porcelain Coffee Set - Paroutaud Frères La Seynie - Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique porcelain coffee set from the French brand Limoges (Paroutaud Frères La Seynie). Beautiful slender design in Empire st...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ebonized Empire Recamiere , Austria Ca. 1800's
Located in New York, NY
Fine ebonized Austrian Empire recamiere. Ebonized wood featuring elegantly curved sides and four highly detailed carved lions paw feet with giltwood accents.This fully restored large...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in San Francisco, CA
Elegant Empire Period black lacquered walnut chaise or daybed with brass ormolu decoration. Has its original horsehair mattress.
Sturdy and sound, b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Style Circular Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style circular side table, or nightstand, made of beautifully patterned veneer of mahogany on pine with a dark gray St. Anne marble top. Door with small ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Danish Antique Sofa, 19th century
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Absolutely stunning, this early 19th-century sofa hails from the Empire period, showcasing impeccable craftsmanship and timeless design. Built to withstand the test of time, this Dan...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Oak, Mahogany
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of late 19th Century French Empire sconces with cherubs body, two lights. originally for candles, newly rewired for US
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Pair Of Italian Chairs "King" With "Vienna Straw"
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, as we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Fascinating and ra...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Straw, Walnut
Empire Column with fire-gilt Appliqués, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Fluted column in mahogany veneer, with a white marble top and fire-gilt appliqués in the fluting. The chest of drawers stands on a round, multi-profiled base over gilded paw feet. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Large European Low Cut Crystal Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Most likely an English bowl with floral decorations and unbeatable wear. Very versatile piece that is both form and function, standing alone on a coffee table or used as fruit bowl o...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Italian Empire trumeau in briarwood and brass with secrets
Located in Milano, IT
This Italian Early Empire Trumeau is a true masterpiece of elegance and mystery, masterfully crafted from burl feather wood, known for its fascinating grain that evokes the nobility ...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Goldsmith G. Keller - Teapot In Sterling Silver Nineteenth
By Georges Keller
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ovoid-shaped solid silver teapot decorated with palm leaves, zoomorphic spout, cover taken represented by a swan with outstretched wings, blackened pear handle. empire style.
Dimensi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Empire Double Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, Spain, 1930s-1940s.
Spectacular bronze wall mirror with a crowned double headed eagle surrounding a shield shaped beveled glass.
This bronze mirr...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire Style Bergere or Tub Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Style bergère or tub chair, gray-painted with barrel-back molded crest rail above upholstered back, arms, and seat with drop in cushion upholstered in a white linen weave...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
French Empire Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire gold gilt mantle mirror from the 1800’s. The carved frame has its original gold gilt finish revealing the reddish bole beneath with decorat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Goldsmith Antoine Michel - Ewer In Sterling Silver 1st Empire Period
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ewer in solid silver mounted on a pedestal decorated with palmettes, the ovoid body is finely chiseled with a mid-length plant frieze and flanked by an applique handle with mascaron ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Empire style round side table after Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Empire style side table in the manner of Maitland Smith. This side table features a glass top that is supported by a leather wrapped edge with nail heads on the top...
Category
1990s Indonesian Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Cherry Wood Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal extension dining table.
By Baker Furniture.
USA, Circa Late 20th...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Beautiful Pair of French Empire Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of French Empire gilt and dark patinated bronze candlesticks from the 1820s. Decorated with flower baskets and bunches of grapes and a dark patinated column.
Wear ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
20th Century Viennese Biedermeier Style Lyre Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Ebonize, partially bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid Pinewood. Moulded Lions Masks with grisp rings. This so called lyre secretaire is the crowning...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Period Commode
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite Antique Empire Period Painted Commode boasts a striking Greek Key design adorning its exterior, complemented by a luxurious Belgian Marble Top. Its allure is further e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Bronze Sphinx Sienna Marble Base Grand Tour 19th Century
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A French Empire finely cast bronze model of recumbent sphinx on a sienna marble base, circa 1840.
The bronze with the warm golden patina of age is in good condition with minor chip...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French mahogany Empire console with its original marble top. A single drawer is housed in the apron over a pair of column form front legs with neoclassical style brass capit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Tall & Narrow Empire Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Empire gold gilt mirror frame from the Netherlands with a carved Greek key motif and original mirror plate. Be sure to view the detailed images to s...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French Empire Commode Chest of drawers wood and ormolu
By Decorating House France
Located in Valladolid, ES
Extraordinary chest of drawers in the Empire style, in the time of Napoleon I Bonaparte. Made of wood, the fronts are veneered with mahogany palm, one of the most exclusive, attract...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Mahogany Dining Room / Center Table with Gilt Highlights
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Style mahogany round dining room table with gilt highlights, circa 1900. With a round top that opens (No Leaves) gilt decoration on edge of table top, a round central ...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Commode
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive French Empire Mahogany Commode. Solid granite top over 4 drawers all with working locks and individual keys for each drawer. Round Mahogany veneer columns with Or...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French Empire mahogany alcove daybed and bed crown hand-crafted in France in the 19th Century. A rare lit de repos made of mahogany most likely from Cuba or the Antilles and fitted with brass and ormolu figurines...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4.75" H x 11.5" W x 6.25" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Decorative antique French mirror in the Empire style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very stylish mid 19th century gilt mirror in the Empire style
The large cushion frame surrounding the original mirror , original back boards
French circa 1860
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box with Glass early 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. Cast glass vessels are intact at their original place. Candy sugar bowl along with...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Mahogany
Antique Large Silver Frame by Russian Manufactory Grachev early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Simple and strict shape large photo/picture frame of medium. Presumably the frame was made by Factory of the Grachev brothers (see marks “Br. Grachev”) at the beginning of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of Early 20th Century French Bronze Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
These early 20th-century French candle sconces are a stunning example of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Featuring beautiful gold twelve-point star backplates and patinated bron...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1805-1810 Circa
Located in Milano, IT
Charles-François Delamarche
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Paris, circa 1805-1810
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-coloured paper
It measures 15.74” in height, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper, Wood
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840.
Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads.
Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Silver Plated Serving Tray - Christofle - Malmaison
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful large silver-plated tray, from the French brand Christofle.
The name of the model is Malmaison.
The tray is in incredibly beautiful condition, it looks as if it has hardl...
Category
Early 2000s French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
British Silver Plated Tea Urn Samovar 19th century Egg Shaped with Lion Heads
Located in Sweden, SE
Neoclassical shape coffee and tea urn decorated with lion heads and solid silver plating and hand chased. Tea Urn Samovar is made in the so-called “Egoist” size for very few persons ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet, lion heads, very unique item. Circa Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Mid Century Bronze Casing Embossed Bataille Scene
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible Mid Century bronze representation casing scene of the Balawat gate, which hails from Balawat (also known as Imgur-Enlil) in northern Mesopotamia, Iraq, and dates back to t...
Category
1960s Croatian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Fine French Empire Giltwood Armchairs In Apple Green Silk
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire style armchairs, carved and water gilded with burnishing. Upholstered in apple green silk with rope piping and horsehair.
These chairs and the matching ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Chandelier Vintage Crystal Brass Pendant Lighting With 3 Light Points, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Adorable Crystal Chandelier with Brass Frame, for 3 light points.
Richly Decorated chandelier with decorative elements and pendants made of transparent crystal.
One of the main ad...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Guéridon Centre Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality Early 19th Century, French Empire Period, Mahogany Guéridon Centre Table, Having Original Dish Moulded Circular Marble Top, Over Elegant Comcave Triangulate...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Cool and unusual composition between gilded and dark patin...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Rectangular Empire Floor Jardinière Planter, France 1810-1830
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period French Empire Floor Jardinière in Amazing Wooden Veneer and Period Zinc Insect, circa 1810-1830's.
Classic plant stand with removable galvanized zinc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Sculpture of Soldier
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Statue of Soldier. Continental gilt bronze figure of a Classical soldier, late 19th century, with sword extended, resting on a gilded octagonal m...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Impressive Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier in the Empire style, featuring four patinated bronze eagle figures.
France, circa 1900. 10 lights.
Dimensions: Heig...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire period Day Bed, from the designs of Percier & Fontaine
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Empire period mahogany and mahogany veneer daybed. Straight legs flanked by scrolled brackets. The straight belt is punctuated with antique bronze applique...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Dresser "Semainier" or High Boy Dresser, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 6 Chippendale Chairs in Light and Dark Mahogany -1X56
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your dining experience with this exquisite set of 6 Chippendale chairs, crafted in alternating light and dark mahogany tones around...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire round French Table
Located in Austin, TX
Library table in the French Empire style. This piece is made of solid ash and burled ash. Four curved legs are connected with an x-stretcher. Each leg boasts a bronze lion's paw foot...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Parquet Regulator Clock in Empire Style Mahogany -1X55
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your home decor with this impressive and museum-worthy parquet regulator clock in the Empire style, crafted from luxurious mahogany wood. Dating back to around 1880, this stu...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Sewing Table, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire sewing table with socketed saber legs and a basket tray, adorned with an oval frame featuring fire-gilded fittings. The table includes a lockable drawer with diamond-shaped fi...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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