Skip to main content

Empire Crystal Serveware

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.

9
2
1
to
1
7
5
12
10
10
222
119
73
49
30
23
17
16
13
10
6
5
5
4
1
1
2
7
3
2
1
1
12
12
4
3
2
12
9
2
4
2
2
2
Style: Empire
Fine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate dinner, wo...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Pristine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate dinner, wo...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Antique Baccarat Crystal Empire Armorial Crest 34 Piece Stemware Service for 8
Located in New York, NY
Historically significant Baccarat Empire Simson Armorial Crest stemware service for 8 - champagne, wine, water and liqueur glasses and two superb wine decanters, each piece bearing the Simson crest 19th Century The Armorial crest is almost certainly that of Sampson Simson (1780-1857), a Jewish American philanthropist most notably remembered as the Father of Mount Sinai Hospital. Simson was born in Danbury, CT and expressed an early interest in law, attending Columbia University where he studied under Aaron Burr. He was admitted to the bar in 1802 and became one of the first Jewish lawyers in New York City. He retired several years later to devote himself to charitable work. In 1852, nine men, including Sampson Simpson, joined together to establish the Jew's Hospital in New York which later became Mount Sinai Hospital. Simson served as the first president of the hospital's Board of Directors, personally covering many of the expenses and donating the land upon which the hospital was originally built on West 28th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Baccarat introduced their iconic Harcourt pattern in 1841 and this service is from approximately the same time period, circa 1850. The Baccarat Empire pattern elevates the Harcourt design model with fine gilded decoration identical at the foot and rim to the Simson service. Armorial crests were executed by special commission which included the 1828 Louis de Bourbon Ewer, the Duke of Aosta service, Service de L'Elysee, Countess of Paris Service and those of other prominent individuals. The service includes: Wine decanter with handle: 10.5 inches high, 5.5 inches diameter Wine Decanter: 10.38 inches high, 5 inches diameter 8 champagne coupes: 5 inches high, 4 inches diameter 8 wine glasses: 5 inches high, 2.63 inches diameter 8 water glasses: 6.63 inches high, 3.57 inches diameter 8 liqueur glasses: 4.13 inches high, 2.13 inches diameter Condition: Very Good. very light age appropriate surface wear Baccarat registered its trademark in 1860 at which time a paper label began to be attached to pieces, very few of these labels have survived. Prior to this period, Baccarat pieces were unsigned, with the exception of some early paperweights bearing the letter B. Early Baccarat is identified by quality, pattern and references. References: Christie's, Auction 2814, January 23, 2014 for a silver brandy warmer by Myer Myers with an identical crest, the lot essay identifying the crest as that of Sampson Simson _ we are grateful to Jill Waddell, Christie's VP, Senior Specialist, Silver Department for her assistance with identifying the Simson crest. A Baccarat wine decanter...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Centerpiece with Crystal Attributed to Baccarat
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent French Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Centerpiece. The crystal tazza is attributed to Baccarat with deeply cut motifs sits atop an ormolu sculpture of three finely hand ch...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Set of 18 Crystal Glasses Made by Baccarat Model Jonzac
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of wine glasses from the French maker Baccarat. The model's name is Jonzac. The crystal is of a beautiful quality, with beautiful cut...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Baccarat Empire Harcourt Pitcher
Located in New York, NY
Fine Baccarat Empire Harcourt cocktail/water pitcher. The Empire Harcourt pattern is one of Baccarat's most sought after designs. A classic since 1841, it has graced the tables of n...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Empire Doré Saint Louis Crystal Etched Tumbler Glass Gilt Brass Music Box Holder
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Saint Louis Crystal Empire style Nelly pattern etched tumbler glass. The etched glass features what appears to be some fern leaves forming mu...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Transparent Amphora in Bronze and Crystal by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Splendid transparent amphora by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Let your house shine with the bright glares coming from this precious item, which ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Amber Amphora in Bronze and Crystal by Modenese Gastone Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Splendid amber amphora by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Let your house shine with the bright glares coming from this precious item, which is delicately hand blown by skillful artisans c...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf

19th Century Silver and Cut Crystal Candy Dish
Located in Paris, FR
A candy dush in silver and blown crystal cut in oves and cut known as "diamond point". The candy dish is decorated with antique motifs representing deities: on one side, Poseidon emerging from the wave trident by hand, on the other side Hermes god...
Category

1830s European Antique Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Saint-Louis, Platinium Thistle Carafe, France 2000s
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful platinum Thistle model carafe by the Saint-Louis manufacture, France 2000s. Excellent condition. Dimensions in cm ( H x L x l ) : 30.5 x 15 x 10 Secure shipping.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Rare Edition Baccarat Empire Harcourt Gilded Grape Motif Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Fine Baccarat Empire Harcourt whiskey decanter in a rare special edition featuring gilded grape motif. We have only come across this design once before in the thirty or so years of selling Baccarat pieces. This attractive model features the classic Baccarat body with an artistically rendered clusters of grapes and large grape leaves in gilt. A gilded circle at the rim of the decanter and a gilded border at the octagonal stopper complete the design. Distinctive barware piece, perfect for a special vintage whiskey...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Related Items
Set of 12 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Rocks Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal rocks glasses have become a modern classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is desi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 4 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Pilsner Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal pilsner glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and cla...
Category

2010s American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Red Wine Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal red wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and cl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Shot Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal white wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and clarity of Swedish crystal. The simplicity of the design, the thinness of the lip, the quality of the crystal and the perfect weight of these white wine glasses create a nuanced experience, and are the trademark details of her Simple Crystal collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal White Wine Glasses Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal white wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Cocktail Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal cocktail glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is design...
Category

2010s American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Water Decanter for Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Located in Accord, NY
The Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Water Decanter was designed in collaboration with Laureen Barber and Philippe Gouze for Dan Barber's James Beard Award winning restaurant, Blue Hill at St...
Category

2010s American Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Precious 6 Wine Glasses Gold Crystal Faceted Stemware Josephinenhuette Moser
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Gorgeous 20th century handcrafted faceted crystal glass set with 24-carat gold rim made by Josephinenhütte Moser circa 1960-1970 and very in the style of the exclusive French company Baccarat or Saint Louis thistle...
Category

1960s German Vintage Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Precious 6 Champagne Glasses Gold Crystal Glass Stemware Josephinenhuette Moser
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Gorgeous 20th century handcrafted faceted crystal glass set with 24 carat gold rim made by Josephinenhütte Moser circa 1960-1970 and very in the style of the exclusive french company...
Category

1960s German Vintage Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Antique Floral Etched Glass and Sterling Claret Jug
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Antique claret jug / pitcher featuring an etched grapes and vines design on 6 panels of the pitcher the back has 2 panels that are plain. The etchin...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Set of 12 Wine Glasses
Located in New York, NY
Fine set of twelve Baccarat Harcourt 1841 wine goblets in excellent condition. Iconic Baccarat design, beautiful proportions, hand-crafted in F...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Previously Available Items
Saint-Louis, Platinium Thistle Carafe, France 2000s
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful platinum Thistle model carafe by the Saint-Louis manufacture, France 2000s. Excellent condition. Dimensions in cm ( H x L x l ) : 30.5 x 15 x 10 Secure shipping.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat - Malmaison - Sterling Silver Strapping Crystal Toiletry Set
Located in LYON, FR
Sublim 4 pieces bathroom set from the Royal cristallery of « Baccarat » Iconic "Malmaison" model Rare strapping in sterling silver Minerve hallmark + goldsmith hallmark Excellent ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Desk Inkwell in Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Desk inkwell in cut crystal and 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on guillochè and Empire style hand engraving. Measurements: diameter cm. 7.2 total height cm. ...
Category

1990s Italian Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Desk Inkwell in Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Desk Inkwell in Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Free Shipping
H 3.71 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Pristine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt 1841 Empire Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Pristine condition Harcourt Empire 1841 whiskey decanter. Luxurious, beautifully proportioned, elegant gilt decoration, well balanced weight. A perfect complement for the finest whi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Harcourt Empire 1841 Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Estate Baccarat Harcourt Empire 1841 decanter. Iconic Baccarat design, the most sought after and the earliest in Baccarat collection, dating to 1841...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Rare Edition Baccarat Empire Harcourt Gilded Grape Motif Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Fine Baccarat Empire Harcourt whiskey decanter in a rare special edition featuring gilded grape motif. We have only come across this design once before in the thirty or so years of selling Baccarat pieces. This attractive model features the classic Baccarat body with an artistically rendered clusters of grapes and large grape leaves in gilt. A gilded circle at the rim of the decanter and a gilded border at the octagonal stopper complete the design. Distinctive barware piece, perfect for a special vintage whiskey...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Harcourt 1841 design is the oldest in the Baccarat collection, a classic. It has graced the tables of Kings, Queens, numerous celebrities and world leaders. Very good condit...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Pair Baccarat Malmaison Wine Glasses
Located in New York, NY
Named after the famed Chateau de Malmaison, Empress Josephine's favorite residence, this is one of Baccarat's most elegant designs. Josephine purchased Malmaison while Napoleon was away in Egypt in 1799. The castle was decorated by Percier and Fontaine and became the seat of French Government between 1800 and 1802. The property is widely admired for it's Rose Garden where some 250 varieties were featured, recorded by the artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Exotic animals such as kangaroos, zebras, emus, llamas, black swans and ostriches roamed the grounds. Introduced circa 1910. Fine pair of wine glasses...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Crystal Harcourt 1841 Empire Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Harcourt Empire 1841 is synonymous with luxury. Beautiful proportion, elegant gilt decoration, well balanced weight are a few of the attributes of this fine decanter. A perfect compl...
Category

20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Empire Silver and Crystal Candy Dish
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century candy dish in silver and crystal. Its silver lid is accented with gadrooning that radiates out from a rose that forms the handle of the lid. The crystal body is se...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Baccarat Stemware Service Cranberry with Empire Gold Decoration 48 Pieces
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This stunning and complete stemware service embodies all the qualities of the renown Baccarat glass works and is one of the most sought after patterns. The French luxury brand, Cristalleries Baccarat is considered the most famous glassworks in the world. The handblown crystal is cased in cranberry and cut to clear, with panel cut bowls, a complex hexagonal foot and embellished with gold in the "Empire" motif. The set consists of 12 water goblets, 12 wines, 12 small wines or ports and last but not least, the rare hollow stem champagne...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Antique Baccarat (Attributed) 19th Century Tantalus, Cave De Liquer, Original
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An important and hard to find piece for your bar or dining room. An ormolu framed glass encasement for a wonderful set of blown glass and hand decorated gilt decanters...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Crystal Serveware

Materials

Ormolu

Empire crystal serveware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire crystal serveware 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 crystal serveware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with crystal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire crystal serveware 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 crystal serveware, popular names associated with this style include Baccarat, Cristalleries De Baccarat, Modenese Gastone, and Saint Louis. 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 crystal serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $225 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $1,591.

Recently Viewed

View All