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.
117
4,466
142
112
to
451
2,641
1,902
4,720
4,642
4,663
193,380
116,638
42,029
32,331
15,144
11,607
10,511
10,280
9,541
8,703
7,328
7,074
6,337
5,895
5,670
5,254
4,720
3,539
272
2,907
1,287
254
486
327
198
123
19
84
60
40
57
50
47
33
20
2,522
1,969
1,472
997
850
3,898
2,675
388
237
180
40
28
24
18
15
Style: Empire
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
By Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
Napoleon III style French silver and glass jug
Circa 1930 Origin France
Excellent quality cut crystal, could be baccarat
The silver part ha...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Set of 4 early 19th Swedish mahogany empire dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 4 early 19th Swedish mahogany empire dining chairs circa 1820.
Good quality set of Karl Johan period Swedish dining chairs. Shaped roundel backs adorned with decorative bra...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Silver-Gilt Pair of Dishes, Odiot, circa 1890
By Odiot
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century French rare and important Empire style pair of solid silver dishes, each of circular form with very fine acanthus leaves borders and chased with a frieze of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Fine Antique Empire / Regency Carved Ebonised Double Ended Couch
By Druce & Co.
Located in Sittingbourne, GB
Step into the captivating and opulent world of the Regency/Empire period with this exquisite double end sofa, a harmonious blend of exquisite craftsm...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Ebony
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
France, circa 1890.
Width 15 1/2" Height 18" Depth 5 1/2"
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th-Century French Bronzed Urns with Gold-Plated Garland Decoration
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step into the world of classical elegance with our exquisite pair of early 19th-century French urns, true masterpieces of craftsmanship and historical beauty. These antique cassolett...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Walnut Round Leather Top Polychromed Center Table in the Classical Form
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of a walnut polychromed round center table with leather top in a craquelure finish with beaded edge in the classical form, with center round pedestal supported by thre...
Category
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk
This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Leather Jewelry Box on small brass balls with diamond pattern.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mobiletti impero francesi in Mogano con fregi in bronzo e piano in un bel marmo
Located in Cesena, FC
Coppia di mobiletti impero (1850 circa).
Mobiletti impero francesi, in Mogano con fregi in bronzo, con colonna intera e piano in un bel marmo grigio, sportelli con ripiani interni.
...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 9 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 9 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock un...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Empire Chest Of Drawers, Stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée, Paris c. 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée
Paris
Mahogany
around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm
Description:
Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet supp...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original
This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Empire-Style Marble and Ormolu Vases by Raingo
Located in London, GB
Pair of Empire-style marble and ormolu vases by Raingo
French, Late 19th Century
Height 37cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
This superb pair of vases combines stunning veined grey marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th century French empire mahogany armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french empire revival mahogany armchair, circa 1860.
Single french armchair made in mahogany. Shaped back linking to the padded armrests and scrolled arms. Front scroll...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Noir Empire Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A timeless marvel. Crafted from wood with a Powder Black and Gold Finish, this 48"w x 21"d x 39"h piece exudes traditional charm. Its classic silhouette and the opulent blend of hues...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century 13 piece mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century 13 piece mahogany salon suite circa 1920
Very much in the empire taste.
Furniture could work split, such as the dining chairs and armchairs providing seating for...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Eight Empire Style Flame Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive set of eight French dining chairs crafted from radiant flame mahogany veneers. The chairs are made in the Empire revival style with a gracefully curved vasiform shaped ba...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Style Onyx and Gilded Bronze Tazzas
Located in Newport Beach, CA
An elegant pair of hand carved and polished onyx tazzas in the Empire style with gilded bronze mounts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Painted Meridienne Daybed 18Th. C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Period Mahogany Painted Meridienne, Daybed, late 18Th C.
This Meridienne can float in a room as the back is also upholstered or be against the wall.
This fabulous larg...
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman. Item featured is a very rare model, shapely raised box form, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, black ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Work Table in Mahogany
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire period work table in flamed mahogany and gilt bronze mounted.
Magnificent table forming writing desk and work table. The drop-leaf top features a recessed mirror, storage com...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Francesco Vinea Portrait of a Young Gentlewoman Painting
By Francesco Vinea 2
Located in Roma, IT
Francesco Vinea portrait of a woman
Portrait of Empire taste
Work by painter Francesco Vinea ( Forli 1845- Florence 1902).
Oil on canvas, depicting a young woman in Empire style in r...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
19th Century Empire Brass and Giltwood Lamp
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Single lamp, nice elegant lines. Made in the 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included.
Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
antique empire chandelier
Located in Kiel, SH
high decorative antique bronze candelier from the empire.
I guess the chandelier was electrified later .
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920
Reference: 8331
Dimensions
87 inches (221 cms) Wide
22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep
36.5 inches (9...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Empire Iron Plant Stands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful classical pair of French empire iron plant stands. Great addition to your French architectural inspired interiors and outdoors. Each will hold 3 or 4 orchids!
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Mahogany, Mahogany Feather and Oak Antique French Empire Bed, 1830
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Antique French bed from the first half of the 19th century. Empire furniture with full column carved and veneered in mahogany, mahogany feather and oak of excellent quality. Single and a half bed...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-legged table on casters with carved eagle heads and hooves as well as amphora decoration on the trefoil strutting. This, like the frame, is inlaid with brass threads. A low gal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine 'Bergère' armchair in solid mahogany, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cast Iron French Empire Style Lion Head Outdoor Garden Wall Water Fountain White
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast Iron French Empire Style Lion Head Outdoor Garden Wall Water Fountain (Black). Item features heavy cast iron construction, desirable weathered patina, approx. 40 lbs each. Does ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Bookcase in the Manner of R.J. Horner
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique American Empire or Victorian glass front bookcase with carved columns and lion paw feet
In the manner of R.J. Horner
USA, C...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Bouillotte Lamps Napoleonic Empire Green Gold Gilded Vintage Table Lamps
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Stiffel, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Frederick Cooper, Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage classic French green and gold gilded bronze Bouillotte style table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Louis XVI, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps.
D...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Baker French Empire Regency Round Ebonized Granite Top Gueridon Center Table 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Baker Furniture Empire / Regency / Neoclassical inspired Gueridon side table. Features a hardwood ebonized frame with dark granite top. The round form is supported by three contoured legs with gold finished lion heads beneath the frieze leading to a triangular trestle or shelf and ornate gold paw...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite
Empire-style Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Mirrored Glass Brass Jewelry Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Mirrored Brass Jewelry Tray, Late 19th Century
Charming French tray featuring an elaborate floral motif.. The attention to detail is appare...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Pair of Antique Old or Vieux Paris Gilt Porcelain & Floral Plates by P A Hannong
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French porcelain plates.
In old Paris or vieux paris porcelain.
By the Paris porcelain manufactory of Peter An...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890.
The lamp ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Fireplace Mantel Fender
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/940 - This mantel fender is very useful and elegant: it's not too large, but perfect. It's from the Empire French period.
I think it may be a good buy.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900.
We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden.
Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table. Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Empire Style Secretary Made In Mahogany & Intarsia From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This impressive Empire style secretary from the year 1820 is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Hand-polished mahogany wo...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Empire Carved Painted "Tabernacle" Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and petite antique vitrine was crafted in France, circa 1860. Originally used as a tabernacle in a church or chapel, the hanging cabinet features a dome top over a singl...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm
This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
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
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Eagle Cornucopia Settee Loveseat Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Eagle Cornucopia Settee Loveseat Sofa. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 40.5" H x 67" W x 27" D x 19" Seat height x 33" Arm height.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Impressive 19th century French empire revival 5 piece bedroom suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
We are pleased to offer this 5 piece bedroom suite circa 1890.
Suite comprising of a bed, wardrobe, dressing table and pair of night stands.
Double b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Danish Empire Tall Chest of Drawers in Book-Matched Flame Mahogany Veneer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome late Empire or early Biedermeier tall chest on chest in 2 sections with four drawers and double serpentine doors beneath a pedestal top; with beautiful book-matched flame ...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire 19th Century Side Table with Black Marble Top and Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire wooden table from the 19th century with circular black marble top, three slender column-shaped legs, bronze mounts and tripartite in-curving low shelf. This exquisite...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Bronze Drawer Pull
Commode Grey
Flower Commode
Four Panel Asian Art
Fine Wood Inlaid Cabinet
Chinese Gilt Panel
Corner Display Cabinet French
Deco Brass Panel
Clocks With Cherubs
Counter Top Display Case
Wood Door Knobs
Curved Glass Door Cabinet
Desk With Return
Chest Of Drawers Leather Top
Classic Buffet
Commodes With Flowers
Antique Chinese Robe
Distressed Antique Brass