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
Pair of Stately Antique French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of high quality gorgeous vintage French Empire style club chairs from Bloomingdale's with handsome carved dolphin armrests. Probably walnut, faux painted a greige color.
#4271
...
Category
1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Empire St. Oval Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Empire st. oval ormolu inkwell. The inkwell is raised by pawed feet below a lattice design with rosettes in the center. Above are two ink dispensers ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Secrétaire Bottega Maggiolini Walnut Italy 19th Century
By Giuseppe Maggiolini
Located in Milano, IT
Secrétaire consisting of drawer under the plan, tilting door, with cabinet and two drawers at the bottom. Veneered in pedulle walnut and inlaid in various woods. The secrétaire is bi...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror in Mahogany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 19th century Swedish Empire mirror with mahogany framework. With its simple, timeless lines and deep honey-toned hue, this handsome piece adds a touch of elegance and architect...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu portico clock. The clock raised on a rectangular base with finely chased borders and satin and burnish finish interlocking circ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Empire style mirror from the 1820s, featuring two slim Ionic ebonized columns, honey-toned burled wood and a restrained architectural schema. Simple and refined, the piece has an almost proto...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Pair of Spring loaded Russian Candleholders with Crystals and Cut Glass shades
Located in Canton, MA
Pair Russian candleholders with Colonial style crystals and glass shades. Marked in Cyrrilic, 1833, during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I
Material: Brass,Crystal
Style: Traditional...
Category
Early 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style mahogany veneered console table with two drawers. Fine geometric herringbone inlays throughout and raised on tapering square legs and a Y-frame stretcher.
Dime...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Square Coffee Table with Emperador Dark Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy the real Made in Italy luxury life style with this hand-decorated square coffee table. Emperador Dark marble top, solid empire-style wooden...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf
19th Century Miniatur Mantel Clock, Gare La Bombe, Cupido, France, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Pendulette "Gare La Bombe"
France
gilded bronze
first half 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 20 x 15 x 7 cm
Description:
Antique miniature mante...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Oval hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
1820s Italian Inlaid Accent Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular wooden accent mirror from 1820s Italy in the Empire style. With its exceptionally refined painted trompe-l'oeil and inlay decoration, architectural schema, and delicate e...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Butter Casket Empire Bronze Porphyry Sweden \\\'800
Located in Milano, IT
Casket in Swedish porphyry, the faceted cylindrical body is equipped with a slightly rounded circular lid with spiral facets, with a pinecone-shaped gilded bronze grip and connected ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Warm Brown Curved Commode in Solid Elm
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant four-drawer commode was made in the Netherlands circa 1860. It was made in solid elm with a pine interior. The commode has a convex-concave curved front. The piece has a two-plank top with a bullnose edge. Below four drawers are situated. Each drawer is equipped with two brass drawer pulls, a keyplate, and a lock. The brass pulls and keyplate is typical Dutch azure cut...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Solid Walnut Antique Bed
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique empire bed 1800s in precious solid walnut wood. The bed is very linear with ebonized decorations. Restoration is recommended to lo...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Empire Polished Brass and Black-Enameled Cast Iron Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Each with removable nozzle in brass above an acanthus shoulders over a brass column with lotus-leaf capital terminating in an acanthus-form knob, supported on a tripartite base with ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Candelabras, Antique Pair w/Dore' Gold Finish, 5 Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great looking pair of 5 arm Candelabras. In two colors and Marble bases. In very good condition from an Antique collector in New Orleans. They have been well kept. These will require...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Early 19th century heavy bronze imperial armorial armoirie coat of arms with scrolls and sand balls bezant and topped with a crown as an emblem of indisputable sovereignty ...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Rectangular Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Afghan Green Onyx top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with gol...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Gold Leaf
Empire Style Mahogany and Ebonized Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and restored Empire-style Mahogany side table. Round Mahogany top and base with new polish, three ebonized legs with dual ring gilt-wood accent det...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood, Wood
Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock
France
Fire gilded bronze
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12
Description:
Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock.
The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and very elegant Empire table dates back to around 1810-20. It comes from Germany. It was probably made in the northern part of Germany or possibly in Berlin. The table s...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Ormolu Bronze Table Screen
Located in New York, US
Our ormolu bronze table screen from the early 19th century is unique for its red wax seal depicting an officer on horseback, mounted to brilliant blue gl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vtg French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Accent Center Table Brass Gallery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire mahogany pedestal base round accent center table with brass gallery. Item features pierced brass gallery, pedestal base,...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Charles X Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair Charles X Ormolu candlestick lamps. Fine pair finely chased gilt metal candlesticks with grey painted candle sleeves above anthemion capitals with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Empire Centerpiece with Putto Decor, Bronze and Glass, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire centerpiece made of cut glass and fire-gilded bronze with griffin decor and small putto figure in the center.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Nancy Corzine Empire Style Nightstand or Occasional Tea Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or Neoclassical style nightstand, occasional side table, or tea table
By Nancy Corzine, "Palladian" Collection
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Bleached walnut...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Empire Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
Tis stunning vintage 19th century French Empire white marble mantel (fireplace) clock was made for Tiffany & Co. The clock has a lyre shape body accented with doré' bronze sculpted embellishments of the period. The top of the clock features a radiating sun burst disc with the face of the North wind. The white enamel clock face has Arabic numerals & garlands of flowers &, also, garlands of flowers that surround the Tiffany & Co. name. There is a glittering ring of faceted paste stones attached to the pendulum &, as the pendulum moves, so does this jeweled ring, creating a dazzling effect. The clock has a key wind movement with a French bell. The clock key is present. This clock runs, but will require a cleaning/service to keep accurate time & is sold as is. This wonderful antique time piece...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Enamel
Late Empire Armchair Made In Mahogany With Light Striped Fabric From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire armchair from around 1840 exudes timeless elegance with its mahogany frame and light striped fabric upholstery. Crafted during the height of the empire period, it sh...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D'ore Wall-Lights, circa 1830-1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique bronze D'ore French Empire wall-lights, circa 1830-1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Parcel Gilt and Ebonized Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique piece Empire style parcel gilt and Ebonized armchair.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Ebony
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Table de Milieu with a Verde Antico Marble Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany table de Milieu, with a Verde Antico Marble Top, in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter.
The rectangular marble top above a frieze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Baltic 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality Baltic 19th century Empire st. ormolu, patinated bronze and crystal chandelier. The two tiered eight arm twenty four light chandelier is centere...
Category
19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Small Swedish Six-Light Chandeliers with Brass Frames, Empire Style
Located in Virum, DK
A pair of small Swedish six-light chandeliers with brass frames. Electrical. Empire style, late 20th century.
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th-Century Flame Mahogany Mantel Clock by Breguet Raised by Lion Paw Feet
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An extremely rare mantel clock with a figured mahogany-veneered case by A-L Breguet
Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), who was of Swiss origin, is undoubtedly the most celebrated clockmaker of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in France. He is responsible for the invention of the self-winding watch, the tourbillon and the sympathetic watch ( a watch that is placed in a cradle of a special clock. It is then linked by means of a pin fixed behind the clock dial. Built into the motion work which, when released by the clock, automatically sets the hands to the clock's time as well as correcting the watch's regulator necessitated by any degree of inaccuracy registered at the moment of synchronisation) and many other horological improvements and developments. Around the year 1807 Breguet brought in his son, Antoine-Louis (born 1776), as a business partner, and from this point, the firm became known as Breguet et Fils. Breguet had previously sent his son to London to study with the great English chronometer maker John Arnold...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table or bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter.
Solid, ebonized beech, partially carved and hand-painted. Cutted out pedestal on profiled disc feet. Over which ar...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Egg Box in Lacquered Sheet Metal with Chinese Decor, French Work, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Egg box in lacquered sheet metal with Chinese decor. French work. Executive period - 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
Empire Chandelier Dore Bronze and Crystal having Ten Lights
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Empire bronze and crystal chandelier having 10 lighted arms.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum.
Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Historicizing Brass Three-Armed Chandelier, Turn of the 19th and 20th Century
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Brass three-armed chandelier in a historicizing style from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. It was made in the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The chandelier i...
Category
20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Twenty Four Light Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Twenty four light Chandelier of pierced dished form, 19th Century, the crown form corona over foliate cast linked chains, suspending a circular pierced dish cast with classical masks...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Figural French Empire Style Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of figural French Empire style table lamps. Rouched black shades are trimmed with a rope twist detail and gold gimp. Columns are topped with cast brass acanthus plumes above large cut glass crystals. Opposing cast cherubs...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century.
The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
Italian Florentine Hall Glass Chandelier by Banci Gilt and Green Wrought Iron
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Banci Firenze wrought iron verdigris painted lantern with glass bowl 1980s. Elegant three-light vintage bell jar lantern with a verdigris scav...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Antique Late Empire North German Corner Cabinet In Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Senempire corner cabinet from Northern Germany, made of polished mahogany and dated to the 1840s, is a splendid representative of the elegance and sophistication typical ...
Category
1840s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Side Table, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire side table, France 1810, mahogany veneer.
Beautiful side table with an exquisitely designed base. The table is in good original condition.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Flame Mahogany and Cane Empire Period Recamier or Chaise Longue
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare and important antique American flame mahogany and cane Empire period recamier or chaise longue, acquired from and made for the Charleston ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Cane
Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Pillow in Blue
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Toile De La Prairie with a self welt finish. A meadow’s worth of songbirds, butterflies, blooming branches, and seed pods intermingle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Candelabras
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning pair of period Empire gilt patinated brass and bronze candelabras.
Born in France in the early 19th century, fine quality and detailing, elaborately decorated, unique d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Sofa
Located in New Haven, CT
Second Empire period mahogany sofa with original ormolu mounts including the paw feet.
Note: The fabric is in decent condition, but should be reupholstered.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Oil Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze & patinated bronze oil lamp.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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