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Empire Jars

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
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
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 Jars

Materials

Crystal, Silver

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 Jars

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Early 19th C. Sicilian Glass Pharmacy Jar Set, 3 Pieces
Located in Ross, CA
Originally handblown in Sicily in the early 19th century, this impressive pharmacy pot incorporates two separate containers and a lid, and would have been...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Blown Glass

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19th Century French Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:'
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Mid-19th century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmaceutical jar with lid- 'CERAT: C: OX: PLUMB:' By: Langlois (in the style of) Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Te...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Pair Large Antique Japanese Meiji Period Porcelain Imari Lidded Jars Urns, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good pair of large antique Japanese Meiji period porcelain lidded jars, circa 1880. The jars having ribbed dome shaped lids topped with lion-dog (Komainu) finials, the baluster shaped jars also of corresponding ribbed form. The lids and jars are skillfully hand-decorated in the Imari palette with blue & iron red floral decoration over a white body, on one side are a pair of floral cartouches on another side is a fan shaped cartouche. Condition is very good indeed, no damage or restoration, a very handsome pair of 19th century Japanese Imari lidded jars...
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1880s Japanese Antique Empire Jars

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Porcelain

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'EXT: QUINA R:'
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-19th century french glazed porcelain apothecary/pharmaceutical jar with lid- 'EXT: QUINA R:' By: Langlois (in the style of) Material: ceramic, porcelain, paint, enamel Technique...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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French Napoleon III Jardinière or Planter
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French Napoleon III marquetry jardinière with inlaid veneers of walnut and mahogany and turned corner details. Bronze-mounted with two handles, gallery and trim...
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Early 20th Century French Empire Jars

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Bronze

19th Century French Glazed Porcelain Apothecary/Pharmacy Jar - 'CERAT: SIMPLEX'
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Enamel

Pair of Baccarat Crystal Mid-Century Remy Martin Liquor Bottles or Decanters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of liquor decanters were made by the renowned Baccarat Compay of France in approximately 1965 in a Louis XIII style. The decanters are composed of crystal and once held Remy Martin French cognac. One is decorated with a fleur de lis stopper and four applied fleur do lis medallions on either side with a gilt accented neck. The other, slightly smaller decanter...
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Mid-20th Century French Empire Jars

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Crystal

Set of 4 Apothecary Jars, Mid-19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A set of 4 mid-19th century apothecary jars with lids, hand-blown with paper labels and polished pontil marks on the base.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Blown Glass

19th Century Napoleon III Jardinière or Planter
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry jardinière with unusual form, ebonized finish with burl of walnut veneer detailed with bead trim. Fine quality cast bronze handles, galle...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Antique Terracotta Pot or Jug
Located in San Antonio, TX
This Vintage Terracotta Pot or Jug is a delightful piece that exudes rustic charm and timeless appeal. Crafted from natural terracotta, it showc...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Terracotta

Antique Terracotta Pot or Jug
Antique Terracotta Pot or Jug
H 19.75 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
French Greek Revival Porcelain Apothecary Jar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Greek Revival Porcelain Apothecary jar, decorated front and back with two different vignettes, with Greek Key and medallion surrounds, ...
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20th Century French Empire Jars

Materials

Porcelain

Old French Pharmacy Porcelain Containers 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Old French pharmacy porcelain containers. Fontemoing & Peigney XIX CENTURY THEY MEASURE 26 CM HIGH IN TOTAL THERE ARE 20 CONTAINERS IN EXCELLENT CONDIT...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Porcelain

French Porcelain Apothecary Jars
Located in Downingtown, PA
Set of ten French Porcelain apothecary jars, 19th century. The set consists of five smaller cover jars and five larger covered jars. Each ...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Porcelain

Previously Available Items
Antique French Empire White Opaline Jar with Lid and Eagle Motif
Located in Toronto, ON
A well preserved and unique French opaline glass jar from the Empire period. Opaline glass was made in France between the years of 1810-1890. This Empire opaline jar with lid has a g...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Opaline Glass

Neoclassical Ormolu Mounted Patinated Bronze and Marble, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A NEOCLASSICAL ORMOLU MOUNTED PATINATED BRONZE AND MARBLE French, late 18th century H. 35,5 cm Medici-shaped vase of patinated and fire-gilt bro...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Neoclassical Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A PAIR OF NEOCLASSICAL GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE CASSOLETTES 19th century French, 1st quarter of 19th century H. 30 cm On rectangular base with applied winged putto heads two Amph...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Bronze

Large Decorative 19th Century Copper Storage Churn
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large decorative 19th century copper storage churn circa 1870. Stunning churn/still or water container made in copper, complete with original patina. Beehive shaped with ribbin...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Copper, Zinc

Empire Gilt Bronze Vase, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire style vase in glass with an enneagone neck, frame and girdle in chiseled gilt bronze. Period Napoleon III France circa 1870, in a very good g...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Empire French Gilded Bronze Vases
Located in IT
Pair of 19th century Empire French gilded bronze vases, engraved body with bacchanal and musical allegory.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Hand-Painted Porcelain Urn with Lid and Napoleonic Bee Motif
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century French porcelain urn with lid features hand-painted Napoleonic motifs, notably the Napoleonic bee, a symbol chose...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

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Porcelain

Empire Porcelain French Tureen Centerpiece
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique elegant France Empire tureen, porcelain gilt: a perfect gift for Christmas time. O/3720 -
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Porcelain French Tureen Centerpiece
Empire Porcelain French Tureen Centerpiece
H 11.82 in W 14.57 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Royal Copenhagen Apothecary Jar
Located in Copenhagen, K
Great pharmaceutical apothecary jar from Royal Copenhagen. Made for "Måge", translate seagull, Pharmacy in 1850-1870.
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Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Jars

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Apothecary Jar by Royal Copenhagen
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice porcelain apothecary jar with a brass lid by Royal Copenhagen.
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Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Jars

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Brass

Empire jars for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire jars for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage jars created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with blown glass, glass and other materials. 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 jars differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,300 and tops out at $3,300 while the average work can sell for $3,300.

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