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 French Empire Style Ormolu, Wood and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style ormolu, wood and marble pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 83cm, diameter 52cm
This superb pair of French 20th century pedestals celebrates the ver...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Chairs With Red Silk Upholstered Seat
Located in Sheridan, CO
Extraordinary pair of French Empire style mahogany chairs featuring a tub or gondola form frame. Minimally decorated having a curved back,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
19th century French Pair of Empire Period Gilded Bronze Sconces
Located in LEGNY, FR
18th century French very beautiful pair of gilded bronze sconces from the Empire period in good condition.
Caryatid heads. Very elegant model. Electrification up to standards.
Nice q...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
20th Century Empire Style Buffet With Marble Top
Located in Houston, US
Impressive grande Empire style two door buffet in mahogany with original marble top. The cabinet is accented with brass key escutcheons and with a caryatided bust and feet at top and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
armchairs height 98 c...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6X5.2
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
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
sofa height 113 cm sea...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Empire Flame Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze mounts and marble top, early 19th century. With a rectangular marble top, the top drawer with a central gilt bronze mount of swans drinking from a fountain, flanked by gilt bronze mounts of a classical lady with a flowing robe playing a harp that is resting on a pedestal, 3 lower drawers with foliate chased bronze pulls and escutcheons, flanked by columns with bronze capitals, a small lower drawer with a central foliate bronze mount, resting on turned Empire feet...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Louis XVI neoclassical mahogany semainier or tall chest. Hand crafted from mahogany, this design was fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer for every day o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Sideboard, Chiffoniere with special Central Locking System
Located in Greven, DE
Semaniere with interesting locking technology
Belgium
Walnut, oak
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 142 x 127 x 51 cm
Description:
Small antique cabinet with drawers...
Category
1820s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg White with blue garlands i...
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
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire or Neoclassical style double pedestal extension dining table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Gorgeous book-matched flame mahogany top,...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
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
Pair of Exquisite Petite Empire Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite pair of early nineteenth century small candlesticks from France, made of gilt bronze on small, square alabaster bases. These candlesticks feature neoclassical columns sw...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
empire brass column lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
empire lamp stem in solid brass with contemporary lampshade from the 1950's
base is 44 centimetres high ( 17 1/3")
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
19th Century Paris Porcelain Basket Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stunning openwork corbeille, or basket vase, dating from the early 19th century Empire Period, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and richly gilded all over its delicatel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Wall Shelf with/Mirror Back
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Hand Painted Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Mirror Back Dresden Style Wall/Vanity Shelf
Imbued with the grace of Antique French design, this hand-painted porcelain ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1st Empire Mahogany desk, ca 1810
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Unusual 1st Empire desk, circa 1810, in mahogany, Burl, with Brass inlay and blackened columns ending on 2 blackened lion's feet above gilded leaves .
Center drawer pulls out to re...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farm Kids 6.9 X 5.2
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
Vintage Very Fine Aubusson Tapestry 6X6
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
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Queen Size Bed Frame with Brass Mounts
Located in Southampton, NY
19th Century French Empire mahogany queen size bed frame with brass mounts.
A beautiful classic French Empire bed frame with soft curved head and fo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats. Each has been freshly upholstered in red Clarence House fabric with gold stars. This listing is from one pair ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Porcelaine de Paris - Ajour Centerpiece Coupe
Located in DELFT, NL
Gilt Porcelaine de Paris Openwork Coupe Centerpiece to be placed centrally on the table, for fruit or flowers. Empire Style. French, 19th century center basket, rond form with reticu...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
This cupboard was constructed using a flat pack technique, with panels held in place by bolts.
Central door with ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Period French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
The era of history known as the Empire period coincided with the reign of Napoleon over France. It was considered the second phase of Neoclassicism, as Napoleon believed that his onl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Steel
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 5.7X6.6
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
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candelabras, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candelabras originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 77cm, diameter 100cm
Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage golden sunburst mirror
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 35cm
Ref.: 87456414
Ref.: 1
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6.4X5.3
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
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets
Classic urns of amphora form
Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy
Ormolu fixtures are original and finely cast
Purchased from a dealer on Marche Biron...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5.7X6.7
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
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
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Purple Red...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Chaise Lounge, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire Recamiere in ash-tree veneered with fire gilt bronze rosettes on the curved backrest and feet. Measuring 155 cm in length with a seat height of 40 cm, this recamier has underg...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed
Located in Houston, TX
A period Italian Empire queen bed beautifully carved with Neoclassical influences to include acanthus finials, flourishing floral fauna, reeding and r...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
This white marble column with grey streaks has a Greek key band and other minimal carvings. It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage French Empire Style Tooled Leather Top Mahogany Table by Maitland Smith
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Empire Regency Style Tooled Leather Top Mahogany Library/Hall Table by Maitland Smith
Elegant and stunning vintage French Empire Regency style library/hall table by M...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze.
Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers.
Original gilding.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late Empire Chatol Made In Elm Wood From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire chatol is a fine representation of furniture style from the 1840s. Made of elm wood and adorned with intarsia details, it exudes both noble craftsmanship and histori...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Elm
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
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category
1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire mirror, stuccoed and painted wood, scratched on the mirror
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Style Fireplace In Antique Green Marble And Gilded Bronze
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire style fireplace in antique green marble and gilded bronze
Hearth dimensions: 85 x 102 cm
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Brass and Eglomise Glass French Midcentury Side Table
Located in London, GB
This three tier side table was made in France in the 1960s using brass and eglomise glass.
The empire style designs on the sides are finished with a flower - please take a look at ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier
French, Late 19th Century
Height 32, diameter 42cm
This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Mahogany Sidetable, Ladies Desk, France, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Lyra writing and work table
Paris
Mahogany
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 80 x 53 x 34 cm
Description:
Lyra writing and work table based...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century.
Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Mantel Clock, Firegilt Bronze, Paris circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare "Au Bon Sauvage" mantel clock
France
Fire-gilt and patinated bronze
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 34 x 41 x 13 cm
Description:
Extremely rare French bronze m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
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
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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