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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Hidden Garden 7.5X5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850.
Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark.
Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge. Below the to...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Dimensions : 42" Tall X 30" Wide X 30" Deep
This fine quality large ch...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm
Materials: walnut wood and marble
Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Unmarked, France, 19th Century
A remarkable 19th-century French si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Empire Style French Armchairs with Foliage Carved Arms and Saber Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style light walnut armchairs with foliage carved curving arms and saber legs. Step back in time with these exquisite French Empire style armchairs, beautifull...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Empire Settee: Elegance & Craftsmanship Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step into unparalleled elegance with our Antique Empire Settee, a masterpiece meticulously revived by our skilled in-house team. This exceptional...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Pair of candelabras made in Berlin
Located in Stockholm, SE
Candelabras with place for three candles, made in Berlin about 1810. Gilded and patinated bronze. Decorated with a standing griffin with a women's face, gilded decorations and lion f...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany Upholstered Seat Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant early 19th century Danish Empire mahogany bench.
The two arms is showcasing beautiful walnut and satin wood inlays.
Seat newly upholstered with light blue linen blend.
In g...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant"
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm.
Material: Mahogany wood
Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Original Empire Sculpture, Wood, Polychrome, Gold, Austria, 1800s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
In pristine original condition, the item has been professionally cleaned, and its polish has been revived by our refurbishing team in Czechia.
Polychrome and gilded wood carving
T...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Early 19th Century Empire Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Empire 3 Drawers Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top, Early 19th Century
Hand carved, hand painted and hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian red toned color. The clean lines and el...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Antique Louis XVI Swan Neck Daybed or Chaise Lounge with New Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant 19th century French Empire walnut daybed or chaise lounge featuring carved swan neck ends. The cushioned seat is within padded ends of unequal height with gilded swan necked ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Brass Putti Cherub Angel Wall Mounted Sconces Candle Holders - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Brass Putti Cherub Angel Wall Mounted Sconces Candle Holders - Set of 2
These matching cherub wall sconces can hold small taper candles. The cherubs are mounted upon a recta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany Veneer, 19th century Napoleon III RESTAURED
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire chest of drawers in mahogany veneer, 19th century
Three drawers plus one under the gray marble top, columns on the uprights with gilt bronze capitals,
cm 129x61,5x89
condic...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Figural Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabrum
Located in Montreal, QC
Crisply modelled as a standing godess, supporting ebonised and gilt arms, her slender body clad in a clinging toga with gilt tassels , arm bands, and sandals. She stands on an elabo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Empire style mirror, 19th Century
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Antique Empire style mirror from the end of the 19th century.
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the lat...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Sculpture of an Eagle in Silver Plated Metal, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, 20th century.
Sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, could be a sculpture for a desk or a nice centerpiece, Empire style, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Pietre Dure And Doré Bronze Box By Tahan
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan, the esteemed cabinetmaker to Napoléon III, this jewelry box is a remarkable example of 19th-century European artistry. The box, shaped in doré bronze, displays a rocaille design characterized by golden, sinuous curves and ornate foliate details, each element chiseled and engraved with exceptional precision. Its aesthetic is further enhanced by vibrant pietre dure plaques, which showcase stunning butterflies set against a deep black backdrop, offering a striking contrast and vivid color. This piece, adorned with some of the world's rarest stones and meticulously set by highly skilled craftsmen, stands as a testament to the exemplary craftsmanship of its era...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Navy Blue en...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Lyon, FR
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded.
Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Lion’s Head Ormolu Serpentine Console Table w/ Marble Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Lion's Head Ormolu Serpentine Console Table with Italian Marble Top
This stunning French Empire console table is a true masterpiece of art and craftsmanship. F...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Serpentine, Ormolu
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890.
Rectangular top with canted corners. Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged aroun...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Antique French Empire Paris porcelain serving coffee set - early 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Paris porcelain (also named "Vieux Paris") coffee set composed of 3 serving pieces : a coffee pot, a sugar pot and a milk jug.
Beautiful early 19th century production ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque, Ormolu, France, Paris, circa 1820
By Le Roi
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque - In the study room
Paris
fire-gilt bronze, enamel
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 28 x 19 cm
Description:
Scenery mounted on an oval...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchairs - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchair in Blue Patterned Stripped Silk Blent - Pair
This Antique French Empire armchair...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Large Early 19th Century French Terracotta Honey Coloured Lions
Located in London, GB
Fabulous pair of early circa 19th century French lions in a warm honey coloured terracotta.
Both are stylised and life like, with manes, with one a bobbed tail seated upright and the...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Set of Four Late Empire Klismos mahogany And Beech Chairs.
Located in Kastrup, DK
A set of four elegant Late Empire Klismos chairs in a classic design.
Crafted with quality, featuring frames made of mahogany and polished beech, tastefully refinished with French po...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Beech, Mahogany
Tavolo tondo Impero Lucca 1810 da centro stanza piano in breccia antica
Located in Lucca, IT
Tavolo Tripode 1810 Periodo dell'impero Lucca Tavolo tondo antico autentico da centro piano in marmo breccia antica , spessore del marmo cm 2 .
Il tavolo è in noce ,tutto original...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble
French Circa 1870 Bronze Brass Mounted Letters Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French circa 1870 bronze brass mounted letters box. Period Second Empire. Patinated bronze with superb quality brass Egyptian & Greco-Roman motif mounts, raised on troupe feet. Mount...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Inkwell with Imperial Eagle in Portoro Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We would like to present you with this magnificent 19th-century Empire-style inkwell from the Napoleon III era adorned with a raised imperial eagle motif positioned between the two i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tavolo Console Impero Italiana Due Cassetti e Anta Radica di Noce Inizio 1800
Located in Milan, IT
Grande consolle Impero, server in radica di noce con due cassetti ed un grande vano nella parte inferiore con sportello, abattant. Di provenienza italiana, romagnola, questa elegante...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Tôle
Antique Empire Style Partners Desk with Leather Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition
Materials: Patinated Leather Top, Mahogany
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Swan Bronze Sconces 1930 Lighting France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An exquisite pair of two-light Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces from the 1930s.
Drawing inspiration from the eighteenth century, these beautiful light fixtures demonstrate supe...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat.
Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt wood carved details.
Resting on elegant turned tape...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Beech
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bookcase or Vitrine, Bronze, 15-in deep
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century Empire period walnut bookcase features half columns that flank its glass doors. The columns are capped in bronze detailed with diamond and a Vitruvian s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg “music box” mechanism by the Swiss Maison Reuge Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg “music box” is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg “music box” has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg “music box”on smooth tripod containing a “music box”...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Pair of 19th century French empire mahogany and walnut beds
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century french empire mahogany and walnut beds circa 1890.
Fine quality pair of large single beds of the empire revival period. Beautifully made from walnut and mahoga...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Bouillotte Lamp Empire Period
Located in BARSAC, FR
Lampe bouillotte en bronze doré finement ciselé à trois bras de lumière figurant des cygnes.
Abat-jour en tôle laqué vert orné de frises dorées.
Bras de lumière et abat-jour réglab...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gilt bronze mounts, 19th century. With a black rectangular marble top over 4 flame mahogany drawers flanked by ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Plum enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Plum enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Plum enamel is Russian...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Bronze Table Lamp by Danish Sculptor TH Stein Denmark 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
Artist made Bronze lamp attributed Danish Sculptor TH Stein and is made in the 1850’s.
The lamp has clear references to both Pompeii and Herculanum.
The lamp is made in solid bronze ...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier.
Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mouchette Mahogany, Burl Ash, Santos Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu, and Giallo Antico marble buffet. This stunning three draw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
1810s Large Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar, 1st Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farmers 6X5.6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive 'Bergère' armchair in solid wood, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Gilt Bronze / Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Pair Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with the enchanting charm of our Late 20th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Table Lamps. This exquisite pair of lamps seamles...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, 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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