Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
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.
Late 20th Century Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Malachite, Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Stone
1870s French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
18th Century European Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Malachite
Early 20th Century English Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Copper
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
1810s German Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
1820s French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Iron
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Malachite
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
1820s French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tin
1830s Russian Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tin
19th Century European Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tin
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tôle
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
20th Century Moroccan Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Malachite
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
1880s French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century French Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century English Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze, Enamel
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tôle
19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
1860s French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Gold Plate, Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century French Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Gold Plate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
1820s French Antique Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
20th Century Russian Empire Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Silver