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Empire Living Room Sets

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 Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Bronze

Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany dimensions : sofa height 113 cm sea...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Set of 5 French Empire Mahogany Living Room Set
Located in New York, NY
Set of 5 French Empire-style (19th century) mahogany salon or living room set with bronze trim and red damask upholstery. Measurements: 2 arms 27½" W 28" D 40½" H 2 sides 22½...
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19th Century Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mahogany Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
French Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany five-piece salon suite French, Late 19th Century Sofa: Height 107cm, width 162cm, depth 65cm Armchair: Height 101cm, width 68cm, depth 6...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Ormolu

20th Century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, Black
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, black Very specific finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Partially gilded. Cum...
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20th Century French Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Beech

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 Living Room Sets

Materials

Wood

19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Living Room and Gilded Bronze Caryatid Head
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Empire style mahogany and gilded bronze decorated living room with caryatid heads and claw feet. Bench, two armchairs, two chairs. Period 19th century. Tapestry to restore. Armc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant French Empire Five Piece Mahogany Salon Set with Bronze Swan Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning parlor set of antique French Empire mahogany and bronze upholstered sofa or loveseat, two armchairs and two side chairs. Fre...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Ormolu

20th Century French antique Empire style set with Two Armchairs and sofa beech
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, carved, colored and gilded. Cambered frame on curly legs. Braced supports for slightly rising armrests ending in rolled-up volutes. High-rimmed, slightly curved bac...
Category

20th Century French Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Beech

20th Century Empire Style French Garniture Living Room Sets
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial garniture in French Empire style. Solid, ebonized beechwood. Fine engraved and silver plated Empire mountings and caryatides. Measures: Kanapee/sofa: Width 108 cm, heigh...
Category

20th Century Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Beech, Wood

Unique Empire Three-Piece Suite from Czechia 'Bohemia', 1810s, Fully Restored
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Czech lack Empire three-piece suite. Made of paer wood. Completely restored, new professional upholstery included. Surface was done by high gloss polish. Dimensions: Sofa Hei...
Category

1810s Czech Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pearwood, Lacquer

Early 19th Century Restored Empire Mahogany Living Room French Seating Set, 3pcs
Located in Horomerice, CZ
French Empire three-piece suite. Made of mahogany wood. Completely restored, new upholstery included. Surface was done by shellac polish. Sofa dimensions: Height: 92cm Seat h...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Original French Empire Sofa and Armchair Set Made from Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive mahogany partly carved. Cambered frame on curly legs. Supports bracing supports for slightly rising armrests in rolled-up volute. High-awned, slightly curved backrest frame w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century antique French Empire Salon Ameublement with Two Armchairs carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, carved, colored and gilded. Cambered frame on curly legs. Braced supports for slightly rising armrests ending in rolled-up volutes. High-rimmed, slightly curved ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Beech

Original Empire Set of a Sofa 2 Armchairs and 1 Table Mahogany with Bronze Figur
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze. The armchairs are made of a different fabric than the sofa and should b...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Vintage Empire Mahogany Salon, Set of 5
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four fauteuils and one large sofa. Mahogany wood. Beautifully restored. Very comfortable and elegant. French work of the beginning of the 19th century, Empire period. Sold as ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century, Empire Cherrywood Seating Group, 2 Armchairs and 6 Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful unique seating group consisting of 2 armchairs and 6 chairs. The group dates back to the Empire period of the early 19th century, circa 1800-1810. All chairs are made of so...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

French Empire Style Walnut, Bronze, and Marble Table and Chairs Living Room Set
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style walnut and marble eight-piece salon set with golden and light yellow fabric and bronze mounts. Impressive French Empire style eight-piece salon suite made of waln...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

1870 French Empire Marquetry Inlaid Suite Berger Armchairs & Settee Canape, Pair
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French marquetry inlaid circa 1870 Empire style three piece suite with neoclassical detailing A very rare and good looking set, th...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Silk, Hardwood

French Empire Gold Upholstered 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in New York, NY
Set of 7 French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany living room / salon set with gilt swan head arms and gold upholstery (settee: 66¬Ω"w 24¬Ω"d 36¬Ω"h, 2 bergeres: 24¬Ω"w 23¬Ω"d 38"h, ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Related Items
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Three-Piece Giltwood and Aubusson Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style three-piece giltwood carved and silk Aubusson tapestry three-piece salon suite, comprising of a settee and two fauteuils (armchairs), the Aubusson silk...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Silk, Wood

French 19th-20th Century Belle Époque Louis XVI Style Bergère Giltwood Salon Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French 19th-20th century Belle époque Louis XVI Style bergère giltwood carved three-piece salon or parlor set, comprising of a two-corps settee and two armchairs, all upholstered i...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XVI style 19th century giltwood carved three-piece salon suite, comprising of a three-corps settee and...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

Colonial Indo-English Living- Room
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful colonial Indo-English living room. It consists of a sofa and a pair of armchairs. The structure is made from native wood and dates from the early twentieth century. The front legs are made of turned wood and end in casters. The set with an interesting design is covered with a vintage mustard yellow tapestry.
Category

20th Century Indian Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Tapestry, Wood

Colonial Indo-English Living- Room
Colonial Indo-English Living- Room
H 33.86 in W 71.26 in D 33.47 in
Rare Seven-Piece Louis XIV Style Giltwood Salon Suite from France, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This majestic giltwood Chateau salon suite is from France and dates to circa 1880. There are four side chairs, two armchairs (fauteuils), and a canapé. All have square baluster legs and volute x-stretchers. All the wood has been richly sculpted and gilded, and motifs include scrolls, foliage, rinceaux, palmettes, beading, acanthus leaves and more. The armrests of the fauteuils and canapé are supported by large lion muzzles. The side chairs and canapé are all supported by cross stretchers, while the bright yellow upholstery is more recent, attached by large brass nailheads. The motifs are musical trophies encircled by foliate and floral motifs. French furniture of this style would have been first produced during the reign of Louis XIV, toward the end of the 1600s. A magnificent 19th century suite...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Upholstery, Textile, Wood, Giltwood

19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Living Room and Gilded Bronze Caryatid Head
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Empire style mahogany and gilded bronze decorated living room with caryatid heads and claw feet. Bench, two armchairs, two chairs. Period 19th century. Tapestry to restore. Armc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Theatrical "Egyptian" Living-Room Set, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and extravagant living-room set comprised of a settee, two armchairs and a table, of Egyptian inspiration. Polychrome decor. The seating pieces are raised on paw feet (front)...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Living Room Sets

Early 20th C. Chippendale Style Sofa
Located in Sheffield, MA
Style and comfort, an early 20th century Chippendale Revival carved mahogany sofa with straight back, flared arms and tight seat. Sofa frame, rails and legs are hand crafted with int...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

French Empire Revival Style 5 Piece Mahogany & Gilt-Bronze Sphinxes Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French Empire Revival Style Five Piece Mahogany and Gilt-Bronze Mounted Figural Salon Suite, in the style and after a model by François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter (French, 1770...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Faux Crocodile Leather Sofa By Fendi, Italy, c.1990
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A stunning sofa made in Italy by Fendi. Dating to the latter part of the 20th century, the supple white leather upholstery has a faux crocodile pattern on the armrests, giving them an elegant and unusual look. The details really make the difference to this sofa; the leather back support cushions with embossed with the Fendi logo, the chrome feet, the stitched badge on the armrest, all of which show first class craftsmanship and screams quality. CONDITION In Good Condition - Wear and patina consistent with age, small cigarette...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Leather

20th Century Faux Crocodile Leather Sofa by Fendi, Italy, c.1990
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A stunning sofa made in Italy by Fendi. Dating to the latter part of the 20th century, the supple white leather upholstery has a faux crocodile pattern on the armrests, giving them a...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Leather

Henning Kjærnulf Danish Mid-Century Carved Oak Living Room Seating Suite
Located in Norwalk, CT
Immerse yourself in the epitome of Danish mid-century elegance with this luxurious seating suite by the renowned designer, Henning Kjærnulf. Crafted with an artist's precision and a ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Oak

Previously Available Items
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique living room set from Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and backrests of ...
Category

1840s Scandinavian Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique living room set imported from Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and back...
Category

1840s Scandinavian Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholst...
Category

1840s Scandinavian Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Antique Set in the Empire Style, Northern Europe, Around 1820, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique set in the Empire style, Northern Europe, around 1820. After renovation. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. ...
Category

1820s Norwegian Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Walnut

Antique Living Room Set, Northern Europe, Around 1880. After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
A living room set consisting of two armchairs and a sofa from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and backrests...
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Walnut

Italian Empire Swans Chairs in Cream and Gold Finish with Velvet Upholstery
Located in BILBAO, ES
Neoclassical Revival Italian 19th chairs. A very nice and decorative Chair model with a pair of beautiful swans at back of the chair. Nicely cut decor around the chair seat & reede...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Pine

Italian Empire Swans Chairs in Cream and Gold Finish with Velvet Upholstery
Located in BILBAO, ES
Neoclassical Revival Italian 19th chairs. A very nice and decorative Chair model with a pair of beautiful swans at back of the chair. Nicely cut decor around the chair seat & reede...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Walnut

1970s Empire Influenced 3 Piece Mahogany Suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
1970s Empire influenced 3-piece mahogany suite, circa 1970. Shaped backs and scrolled arms with show frame sides. All standing on tapered legs. Up...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

19th century 7 piece French empire mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century 7-piece french empire mahogany salon suite, circa 1860. Rare 7-piece salon suite made in rich mahogany. Set comprises of a 2-seat sofa, 2 armchairs and 4 open armchai...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Living Room Set in Return from Egypt Style
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany living room set in Return from Egypt style composed of a sofa, two chairs and two armchairs. The wood framing of the sofa and armchairs is embellished with ormolu rosette an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Dining Room Suite in Empire Style
Located in Paris, FR
This 13-piece Napoleon III dining room suite crafted of mahogany and mahogany veneer, boasts intricate ormolu bronze decoration in Empire style. The suite features twelve chairs and a large dining table. The octagonal table has a rich gilt and chiseled bronze ornamentation composed of trophies, masks, laurel crowns and swans. Each corner is decorated with an eagle, a typical motif of the Empire period. The table is set on four cambriole legs that end in gilt bronze lion paw, and two other straight legs. With its impressive size and exceptional ormolu decoration, this table is a majestic find. The gondola chairs are also crafted of mahogany and mahogany veneer. These elegant seats with graceful lines are decorated with gilt bronze Hermes...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Bronze

Three-Piece French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Salon Set
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A three-piece French Empire salon set circa 1800; the frames in Honduran mahogany richly embellished with gilded bronze mounts and upholstered in an a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Living Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Empire living room sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire living room sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage living room sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire living room sets 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 living room sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,885 and tops out at $60,000 while the average work can sell for $8,367.

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