Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
18th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
Mid-17th Century Unknown Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cane, Oak
1850s Egyptian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Wool
1860s French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
1880s Unknown Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
1860s French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
1850s European Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
16th Century European Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
18th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1930s English Vintage Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint, Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Carrara Marble
1950s English Vintage Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
1950s English Vintage Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
1930s English Vintage Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
1930s English Vintage Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
Early 1900s English Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1810s French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
1860s Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood, Lacquer, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Breccia Marble
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
2010s Brazilian Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Rock Crystal
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Crystal, Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
20th Century French Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Siena Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Plaster
Late 20th Century Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Composition
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver, Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze