Empire Benches
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
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Early 19th Century Upholstered Seat Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant early 19th century Danish Empire mahogany bench.
The two arms is showcasing beautiful walnut and satin wood inlays.
Seat newly upholstered with light blue linen blend.
In g...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat.
Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt wood carved details.
Resting on elegant turned tape...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Danish Early 19th Century Empire Black Polished Mahogany Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish early 19th century empire bench. Frame in mahogany with a black French polish. Newly upholstered in a teal velour fabric.
Scrolled spindle sides with geometric brass i...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Brass
Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique Italian empire bench early 19th century. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood. Characterized by a seat with folding panels.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Walnut
Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench made of mahogany with inlays of satin wood and ebony.
Features a backrest with vertical spindles adorned with an ebony border and three demilunes with lig...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany
21st Century Empire-Style Bed Bench with Plated Fabric by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
This lovely pleated bench by Modenese Gastone Interiors will make a classy statement at the foot of a bed or as part of the decor in any living or night ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Benches
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany, Fabric, Ebony, Upholstery, Cotton
19th Century French Empire Upholstered and Gilt Painted Stool Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant painted wood bench was crafted in northern France, circa 1890. The antique seat stands on carved spiral etched legs decorated with brass flor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French
Located in El Monte, CA
A highly decorative and unique 19th century French empire painted and parcel gilt cast iron upholstered bench.
Parcel gilt border is of a rich gold with warm red undertone painting jester...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Iron
Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Note: Full price include new upholstery service, buyer to provide fabric.
Mint condition empire sofa sette loveseat couch fine carved details lions feet.
The frame is stunning vint...
Category
20th Century American Empire Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
French Empire Style Bench with Hand-Carved Swan Figureheads
Located in Middletown, MD
Freshly reupholstered late 19th century Empire style bench in a neutral cream-colored fabric. Artisan crafted in solid, rich walnut wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Walnut
Empire Style Sofa 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style sofa made in high quality wood and red fabric. in a very good condition. with some nice details in the middle of the bench.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Empire Benches
Materials
Wood, Fabric
19th Century Baltic Mahogany Long Bench - Antique Empire Silk Sofa, Canapé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique Baltic long bench with two pillows made of hand carved Mahogany, in good condition. The three seater sofa, settee is stand...
Category
Mid-19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Empire Style Gilded Scroll Arm Window Bench with Winged Eagle Supports
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire style gilded scroll arm window bench with beautifully carved winged eagle supports on down swept legs with feathered claw feet.
This extraordinary piece features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Natural Fiber, Giltwood, Leather, Linen
19th Century Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A 19th Century Swedish bench from the Empire period, the back panel decorated with a classical scene of a pair of griffon.
New seat cushion in plain linen.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Wood, Paint
Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dental carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Period Billiard Room Bench openable Dry Bar Columns and Drawers
Located in Firenze, IT
This one of a kind museum quality piece of furniture is an important French Empire period bench or settee dating back to late 18th – early 19th century that furnished the billiard room...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
Empire Style High Sided Bench with Gilt Details and Mohair Velvet Upholstery
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s French Empire style wooden stool has an antique white painted frame with gilded details and new gray mohair velvet upholstery. Two stools available at the time of posting...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Benches
Materials
Gesso, Upholstery, Wood
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Elegant Antique French Carved Wood Recamier Bench with Bronze Mounts
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and rare French 19th century mahogany recamier bench having pronounced curved sides and lovely carved cabriole legs that terminate in gilded hairy paw feet. There are other g...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Benches
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular upholstered seats with klismos form bases with turned stretchers, bronze mounts and paw feet.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Pair of Late 19th Century to Early 20th C Empire Parcel Gilt Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine late 19th century to early 20th century Empire mahogany and parcel gilt pair of benches. Tufted upholstery.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Ebonized Cross-Sword Bench with Gilt Highlights
Located in San Francisco, CA
the rectangular upholstered seat above an ebonized wooden frame raised on splayed swords with gilt handles; newer upholstery
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Benches
Materials
Fabric, Wood
5 French Empire Style Sphinx Mahogany Benches
Located in New York, NY
5 French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany square benches with bronze trim and winged sphinx legs (PRICED EACH).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Wooden Bench, Gold Leaf Finishing, Handcarved and Made in Italy
Located in Barlassina, IT
Empire style bench. It was designed and made for the first time in 1992 and showed at Salone del Mobile . This bench named "Opera" has become during these years an iconic classic ite...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Benches
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Style Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Hall Bench
Located in Stamford, CT
Empire style parcel-gilt mahogany hall bench, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Classical Mahogany Ottoman of Boston Origin
Located in Milford, NH
A large Boston Classical or Empire mahogany ottoman from the 19th century. Freshly appointed with silk upholstery. Mahogany veneers with "s" scrolled ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Mahogany
Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen century Sweden. A stool made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black and upholstered in a beige linen.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Benches
French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut bench from the mid-19th century, with carved swan heads and new upholstery. This French walnut backless bench features an exquisite silhouette, flanked w...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
French Empire Recamier
Located in Hamburg, Hamburg
This French Empire Recamier is a stunning eye catcher. Newly upholstered with luxurious mohair this piece is guaranteed to draw attention, circa...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Mohair
Sofa Bench French Empire Mahogany Brass Brown France
Located in New York, NY
A rare sofa made in France during the Empire period, circa 1790-1810. Mahogany frame with gilded brass decor shaped as palm leaves. Tapered legs en...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Empire Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt X-form Bench, France, circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Empire mahogany and parcel-gilt bench, with X-shaped frame in the neoclassical taste. Dating from the first quarter of the 1800s, and most likely French in origin. Similar stools ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Benches
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Settee has a mahogany frame with tapered hand front legs with hand-carved decorative flowers on each leg and the seat back. The cushion is upholstered in a modern striped fabric.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Benches
Empire benches for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire benches 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 benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire benches 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 benches, popular names associated with this style include Marco Belloni , and Modenese Gastone. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $975 and tops out at $50,062 while the average work can sell for $5,200.
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