Empire Armchairs
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
Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and finely detailed pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu armchairs. The armchairs are raised by four square and gently curved legs with Ormolu pawed ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Eclectic Set, Unique Set of 4 Armchairs Each in Different Design
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the set of 4 Empire armchairs.
Each armchair carries a typical motif of the empire style. Refers to the moment of re-discover of classical o...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
A set of chairs from the mid-19th century, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chairs from around 1860, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition.
Dimensions: height 86 cm / seat height. 44 cm / width 43 cm / depth 48 cm
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French Antique Walnut Empire Tulip Fauteuils or Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This set of two elegant Empire arm chairs stand out for their classic simple design and the beautifully shaped front legs. These comfortable and stylish chairs feature a wealth of fi...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Marge Carson French Empire Regency Style Gold Upholstered Library Arm Chair
By Marge Carson
Located in Dayton, OH
French Empire style arm chair by Marge Carson. Features a mahogany finished and distressed frame with an intriguing brown / gold foliate upholstered seat and back. Crest rail is cont...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th century French empire mahogany armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french empire revival mahogany armchair, circa 1860.
Single french armchair made in mahogany. Shaped back linking to the padded armrests and scrolled arms. Front scroll...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900.
We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden.
Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table. Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Empire Style French Armchairs with Foliage Carved Arms and Saber Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style light walnut armchairs with foliage carved curving arms and saber legs. Step back in time with these exquisite French Empire style armchairs, beautifull...
Category
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
armchairs height 98 c...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins' Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine Empire armchair with four elegant saber legs, upholstered in vertical cream and crimson stripes, and featuring ornately carved dolphins' heads at the base of each shaped arm r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose.
These...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu armchair. The armchair is raised by four square and gently curved legs with Ormolu pawed feet on the...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Category
17th Century North American Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Armchair, Northern Europe, around 1900. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique armchair from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation, the seat is covered with new fabri...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Empire Style Mahogany Armchair
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely empire style mahogany armchair from the end of the 19th century
Very good quality bronze and beautiful mahogany
Very beautiful armchair which can be used as a library chair or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of early 20th Swedish carved birch armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of early 20th Swedish carved birch armchairs circa 1920.
Good quality pair of birch armchairs in the karl johan taste.
Shaped and carved back rest, flowing to the scrolling ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Antique Pair French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date.
The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. Th...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 4 mid 19th century Danish mahogany armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Beautiful set of 4 Danish empire armchairs circa 1860.
Comprising of 2 armchairs and 2 open frame armchairs. Main feature being the scrolling arm and scrolling front leg. Carved b...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810, Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810
Step back in time to the opulent era of 19th-century France with the exquisite Elegant Empire Salon Suite, crafted i...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Empire Fauteuils 'd'Officier' with Lion Heads, Budapest, circa 1805/10
Located in Greding, DE
Beech, finely carved with lion heads, rosettes, acanthus friezes and foliage. Original gilding and setting in "verde antico", gilded brass applications.
The pair of armchairs follows...
Category
Early 1800s Hungarian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Wood And Giltwood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated wood and Giltwood armchairs. The pair of throne chairs are raised on impressive front quiver like circular tapered legs wi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Antique Pair of Danish Empire Arm Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Danish early 19th century empire armchairs.
Crafted in mahogany with ebony and satinwood marquetry on backrest and apron.
Apron and upper part of backrest decorated...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
French Empire style Mahogany Armchairs Giltwood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite French Empire style Mahogany Armchairs Giltwood, a timeless addition to any luxurious living space. These stunning armchairs embody the opulence and eleganc...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Gold
Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Empire Armchair, circa 1812
Located in Lučenec, SK
This armchair was obtained at an auction near Lyon, France. This armchaor was completely restored as it was in a very bad condition. It is fairly comfortable, suitable companion for ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Pair 19th C French Mahogany Empire Upholstered Armchairs With Bronze Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of period French Empire mahogany bergeres with stylized carved dolphins decorating the arm and gilt bronze mounts. The central bronze mount depicting the helmeted god Mercury an...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
An Elegant Pair Italian Empire Pale-green Painted and Parcel-gilt Armchairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
each with incurved back sloping to join a tight seat flanked by bowed arms ending in swan neck terminals; raised on cabriole legs; adorned overall with giltwood acanthus leaves, bell...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century French Empire mahogany and gilt armchair. Upholstered in a red velour fabric. Makes an elegant statement!!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Figural Ebonized Giltwood Armchair with Dolphins by Century 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire style chair by Century Furniture offers maple frame with upholstered seat and back, flanking giltwood carved dolphins beneath each ebonized arm, and raised on slightl...
Category
20th Century American Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair Of French Early 19th Century Empire Period Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated wood armchairs. The pair are raised on front circular tapered legs with gilt carved foliate bands at the top and bottom wh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Consulate Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Consolate mahogany (circa 1800) open arm chairs with beige leather seat and square back with an open X design (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair. Item features a coral floral needlepoint upholstery, torch and flame carved crust, gold painted finish, very...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs Stamped "Jacob D R Medee"
Located in Stamford, CT
This pair of capacious, perfectly designed and executed chairs was created by the workshop of George Jacob and his son, Francois, during the Empire period at their Parisian workshop ...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Danish Late Empire Armchairs, 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs.
Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron.
The tops of the bac...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Antique French Empire Napoleonic Ormolu Parcel Gilt Bureau Desk Armchair, 1815
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & stylish antique French Empire Napoleonic parcel gilt and ormolu mounted French Fauteuil de bureau (desk chair), circa 1815.
The chair back and armrest of hooped shaped form,...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German born architect worked mostly in Copenhage...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Swedish Empire Birch Wood Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Birch Wood Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden.
This Swedish pair of armchairs are veneered in a warm golden honey color. Style is ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Birch, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Set of Two Armchairs in Mahogany Empire Style, 1920
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Danish Empire style hand-polished mahogany armchairs with striped fabric from around the 1920s.
Measurements in cm: H:84 W:52 D:47 SH:50
This product will be inspected ...
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Henbdrix And Allardyce Painted Empire Style Armchair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire style painted armchair, circa late 20th century. With paint intentionally distressed to imitate age. Attributed to Hendrix and Allardyce, "Mai Mason". Seat dimensions, Width 2...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century, Pair of French Empire Style Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, Pair of French Empire style Wood Armchairs
This delightful pair of wood armchairs was made in France in the nineteenth century in the Empire style. The plant is strai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Elegant Danish Empire Armchair, circa 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and decorative Empire armchair. Made in mahogany, with light wood inlaid (lemon tree). Oval backboard in ebonised wood. Front of arms in the form of wooden cut grippers with ...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Velvet, Wood, Fruitwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Continental Walnut Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality continental carved walnut armchair, remaining in very good condition.
Width: 73cm Depth: 102cm Height: 100cm.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Living Room Suite in the Antique Empire Style Beech Hand Carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on sculpturally carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in...
Category
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French Empire Armchair with Red Floral Striped Damask Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
French Restoration mahogany armchair having a rectangular headrest topped by a tapering gadrooned crest, upturned scroll arms with acanthus embellishments, upholstered back and seat ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Empire Armchair, France, circa 1800-1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This gorgeous French Empire armchair features a very pretty mahogany veneer. The highlight of this piece are the finely carved dolphin shaped armrests. This Classic Empire piece date...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Salon Set After Jean Francois Bellange
By Bellanger
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This three piece early 19 Century salon set features finely carved gold leaf gilded frames accented by rosettes palmettes and acanthus characterizing most French Empire furnitur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Beech
Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests.
Measures: Seat height 17.5
Arm height ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
French Pair 19th C. Empire Style Fauteuils, Newly Upholstered in Belgian Linen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pair of Empire style armchairs, with their original painted finish, from the 19th century. These antique fauteuils from France each fea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Empire-Style Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Bergeres
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of handsome empire style chairs from the late 20 th century.
These chairs have a curved and reeded backs, the gilded arm.
Fronts in the form of swans, the seat frames with gil...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu desk armchair. The armchair is raised by handsome lightly curved square legs with finely carved recessed d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Armchairs with Fretwork Detailing to Their Back S
Located in London, GB
A pair of charming late 19th century upholstered painted Swedish open armchairs with a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers to their backs.
Recently reupholstered in a light vintage French linen...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Pine, Paint
Pair of Empire Style Armchairs with Versacesque Decoration
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of maximalist empire revival style armchairs featuring Versace inspired motifs. The chairs have a classic gondola shaped frame with faux leather naugahyde upholstery. The faux l...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Empire Style Chairs 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style chairs made in high quality wood and red fabric. in a very good condition.
PRICE PER PIECE.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830.
solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with
lace up padding.
very com...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, Jacob Freres Rue Meslée, Modenese Gastone, and Jean Joseph Chapuis. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $151,397 while the average work can sell for $5,637.
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