Empire Historical Memorabilia
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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Stone
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Earthenware
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Stone
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Marble
1930s English Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
1950s English Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
1950s English Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
1930s English Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
Early 1900s English Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
1930s English Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Crystal, Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Porcelain
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Silver, Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
17th Century European Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Empire Historical Memorabilia
Silk, Thread
Late 20th Century American Empire Historical Memorabilia
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Silk
19th Century Congolese Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
19th Century German Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Empire Historical Memorabilia
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Empire Historical Memorabilia
Silk, Thread
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Walnut
1930s French Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Plaster, Wood, Paper
1950s British Vintage Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
1810s French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
Mid-20th Century British Empire Historical Memorabilia
Cotton
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Brass, Steel
19th Century French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Russian Empire Historical Memorabilia
Metal
1880s Russian Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Metal
Late 20th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia
Alabaster, Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Historical Memorabilia
Marble, Bronze