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Empire Books

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
Antique Swedish Leather-Bound Bible Book, 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish leather-bound Bible, with brass brackets decorated with two hearts and two anchors. According to the estate in Sweden where I purchased this book, it belonged to a Scandinavi...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Empire Books

Materials

Brass

Le Style Empire, Décoratations, Extérieures Et Intérieures, Mobilier, Bronzes
Located in valatie, NY
Le Style Empire: Décoratations, Extérieures et Intérieures, Mobilier, Bronzes. Printed in Paris by Chez F. Contet. All volumes are 1st Ed's with the exception of volume 1 which is a ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Books

Materials

Paper

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Antique Book, Thoughts on Hunting by William Beckford, English, Georgian, 1810
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique book, Thoughts on Hunting by William Beckford. An English language hard bound compendium of sporting letters, dating to the Georgian period, published 1810. An En...
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Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Books

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Mobilier Moderniste: Palais du Maharaja d'Indore (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is a scarce copy of a Sotheby Parke Bernet sale catalogue (Sunday 25th May 1980) of the contents of the Maharaja of Indore's modernistic Madik Bagh palace which he had designed ...
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20th Century Empire Books

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Paper

Mobilier Moderniste: Palais du Maharaja d'Indore (Book)
Mobilier Moderniste: Palais du Maharaja d'Indore (Book)
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H 9.5 in W 7.25 in D 0.33 in
19th Century French Leather Bound and Gilt Book of The Virgin Mary
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf or a library with this beautiful antique red book named "La Sainte Vierge"; crafted in Paris, France, circa 1877, the religious book dep...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Books

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Gold Leaf

Antique Scandinavian Bible, Norway 1810
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A beautiful antique bible from Scandinavia in the year 1810. The cover are probably even older, possibly late 1700s. Works perfect as a Wabi Sabi decoration element to give the r...
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1810s Norwegian Antique Empire Books

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Paper

Antique Scandinavian Bible, Norway 1810
Antique Scandinavian Bible, Norway 1810
H 3.94 in W 9.45 in D 8.27 in
19th Century English Embossed Brown Leather Bound and Gilt Holy Bible Dated 1847
Located in Dallas, TX
Listen to the word of God with this antique family Bible. Printed in London by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode in 1847, the Holy book is d...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Books

Materials

Leather

New Shipment Of Assorted Leather Bound Books, Priced Per Book. English
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of assorted leather bound books. Please note these are priced per book and we have a very large inventory of leather bound books, mostly decorative and in other languages....
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Late 19th Century North American Antique Empire Books

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Leather, Paper

Mobilier National 1964-2004: 40 Ans De Creation (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
Catalogue of an exhibition of 161 pieces of furniture made by some of France's most influential designers in the final third of the 20th century and the early years of 21st century, ...
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Late 20th Century Empire Books

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Paper

Mobilier National 1964-2004: 40 Ans De Creation (Book)
Mobilier National 1964-2004: 40 Ans De Creation (Book)
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H 11 in W 9.5 in D 0.5 in
Set of 16 Leather Bound Dutch Encyclopedias
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A collection of sixteen volumes of a Dutch encyclopedia set published from 1932-1938. This set of books is leather bound with the Dutch title; Winkle...
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20th Century Dutch Empire Books

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Leather, Paper

Antique American Gothic Revival Oak Altar Lectern Book Bible Music Stand 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Gothic Revival oak lectern, book stand, circa 1890. This very handsome solid oak book stand/lectern has a generously wide sloped bookrest to the top and is ra...
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1890s American Antique Empire Books

Materials

Oak

French Antique Leather Bound Books
Located in Austin, TX
French antique books with Moroccan leather black spine, gold leaf imprinted title and blue and black covers. A large selection available, also in red, bl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Books

French Antique Leather Bound  Books
French Antique Leather Bound  Books
H 6.5 in W 9.5 in D 2 in
Antique Japanese Damascene Komai Styled Yellow Gold Decorated Cigarette Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Japanese cigarette case is signed by an unknown artist, and dates to approximately 1920 and done in an Anglo-Japanese style. This ...
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Early 20th Century Japanese Empire Books

Materials

Metal

French 1890s Empire Style Lit en Bateau Doll Bed with Out-Scrolling Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style wooden lit en bateau doll bed from the late 19th century, with out-scrolling accents. Created in France during the last quarter of ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Books

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 Collection of 200 Prints Ltd Edition Produced 1953
Located in Chicago, IL
Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 was a well-known French artist who was awarded with the Prix of Rome and the Commander of the Legion of Honor. The Book titled; The Birth of a Genius is...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Books

Materials

Paper

The World of Biedermeier by Linda Chase, Karl Kemp 2001 Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The World of Biedermeier by Linda Chase, Karl Kemp 2001 Hardcover Book. Thames & Hudson, 2001 - Antiques & Collectibles - 416 pages 1st edition 2001 amazing ...
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Late 20th Century Empire Books

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Set of 26 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 26 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books. It is a collection containing works of the Famous Swedish author August Strindberg...
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Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Books

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Leather, Paper

Set of 24 European 19th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 24 French and Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books dated from 1822-1872. One book is dated 1929. In some of these books are included the original ma...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Books

Materials

Paper, Leather

Collection of 30 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 30 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books. It is a collection of the works of the Famous Swedish author August Strindberg...
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Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Books

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Leather, Paper

Capital of Three Empires Istanbul by lhan Aksit Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Capital of Three Empires Istanbul by lhan Aksit Hardcover book in a slipcase covered Deluxe edition: presented in a slipcase covered. Istanbul - Constantinople Guide Ottoman archit...
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20th Century Turkish Empire Books

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Paper

Empire books for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire books for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage books created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire books made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 books differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $125 and tops out at $2,250 while the average work can sell for $1,038.

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