Empire Furniture
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
French Bouillotte Bronze Three Lights Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Empire-style period bouillotte lamp, boasting three bronze lights and an adjustable screen, is complemented by a verdant tole shade in hues of green.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Empire Mantel Clock with reading young lady, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire mantel clock with enameled dial and fire-gilt case. The clock is crowned by a full-figure young lady sitting on a Klismos chair and reading a book. Her feet rest on a stool an...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair Vintage Roman Column Form Green Marble and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage Empire style table lamps of Roman column form, finely crafted from variegated green marble with brass mounts including Corinthian style capitals and square stepped ba...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
20th Century Inlaid Top Mahogany Wood Silver / Flatware Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-20th Century Inlaid top mahogany wood Empire style silver chest / flatware. The Silver chest features a pull top opening cover , a pull down front surface...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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 Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Brass Steel Pool Table Double Lantern Light
Located in New York, NY
This piece was acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. This pool table light holds two metal shaded lamps. The arm of the light is made of cast brass. Good conditi...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table. Item features beveled glass, inset top, 6 saber legs, 2 tier band...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Gilt and Paint Empire Console With Marble Top
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A paint and Giltwood French console. Marble top
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 96 cm / seat height. 45 cm / width 47 cm...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Beautiful Set of Two Antique French Old Paris Porcelain 'Porte Plume" Statues
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful set of two antique French Old Paris Porcelain "Porte Plume" - Statues for ink pens.
These 2 antique French Porcelain Porte Plume from around 1820-1850 are beautiful hand decorated with a man and woman in oriental Arabic traditional style. This style is characteristic and popular from that time with oriental scenes atmospheres.
The "Porte Plume" was used at the secretary desk for inserting the feather ink...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Secretaire à abattant, Vienna circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Empire secretary adorned with flanking caryatids around the flat writing flap, top drawer, and a two-door base cabinet. The caryatids are elegantly ebonized and gold-patinated, compl...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest are covered with new fabric.
Dimensio...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Gilt Empire Claude Galle Clock By Claude Gallé, 19th Century
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze clock with rotating dial made for the 1807 Exhibition after a composition by Claude Gallé,regarded as one of the best bronziers of the late Louis XVI a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Napoleonic French Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers Grey Marble Circa 1810
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1810 French Empire (Napoleon) Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with a gray marble top; four drawers, three inset with lion head form pulls and shield ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Empire Style Mahogany Tufted Parlor Sofa Newly Upholstered in Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Style Carved Mahogany Tufted Back Parlor Sofa on Casters Newly Upholstered in Full Grain Espresso Italian Leather
This antique Empire styl...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Period French Empire Two Door Mixed Woods Cabinet W/ Ormolu Circa 1810
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1810 French Empire (Napoleon) Empire Two Door Cabinet Comprised of Mixed Woods (Walnut, Elm & Oak), having a rectangular top above a pa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Italian Empire Style 1890s Marble Top Four-Drawer Commode with Bronze Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Empire style walnut commode from circa 1890 with black marble top, four drawers, column shaped side supports and ornate bronze hardware. Step into the grandeur of late 19t...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
An Outstanding 1950's Italian Cross Sword and Gilt Rope Tassel Wall Light
Located in Hastings, GB
An extremely rare and incredibly ornate Italian wall light, dating to the 1950's, in the empire style and modeled as a pair of crossed swords, in gilt and silver gilt, decorated with...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair Signed Antique E.F. Caldwell Empire Gilt Bronze High Detail Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Stunning and Rare Pair Antique c1890's Fire Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Signed by E.F. Caldwell. Please look closely at pictures as these sconces are beautiful beyond words. Originally ...
Category
1890s North American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Round Pedestal Table
Located in Chicago, IL
*** Shipping is NOT Free, please read below how to get a shipping quote.
Antique French Empire Style Round Pedestal Table with Burlwood Center
A gorgeous French Regency style circ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood, Burl
19th C Empire Ebonised Round Table with Brass Figural Mounts
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this two tier round table has strong empire / neoclassic style elements. We had the table professionally ebonised in England an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Early 19th Century Vanity
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Vanity is made of mahogany with a white marble top. It has some bronze pineapple on each side of the mirror.
dimension from the floor to the marble top 30.8''H
dimension from th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 20th century French Empire style bureau plat, or executive desk, with five dovetailed drawers and pull-out side extensions. Bookmatched flame mahogany veneer over solid oak....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Heig...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Giltwood Early 19th Century Empire Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine, giltwood Swedish console table, possibly by the Stockholm master cabinet maker Lundelius (1778-1823). The wooden top in faux marble painted, the base plinth is painted black....
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Large Estate Signed Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase.
Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Seated Female Figure in French Fire-Gilt Clock from Empire Era
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French fire-gilt clock depicting a seated female figure - Urania, I presume, judging from the iconography. Empire Era, 1800-1815. The gilding sh...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Bronze & Marble Candelabra
Located in Southall, GB
A beautifully made pair of French candelabras in bronze and marble. Two neoclassical styled women are blowing trumpet horns which form candlesticks. There is intricate detailing to t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French long duration Skeleton Clock
Located in HAARLEM, NL
The clock sits proudly on a black marble base with four bun feet. The I form skeletonised timepiece movement with anchor escapement, knife edge suspension and compensated pendulum. T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Goeschl
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style:
The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Eighteen Light Bronze Empire Chandelier.
Located in Fairfax, VA
French large bronze eighteen light chandelier with black lacquered center part.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Height can be adjusted by removing some of the chain.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Rare Vieux Paris Tall Vases, Circa:1830
Located in Alexandria, VA
This pair of neoclassic Vieux Paris conical shaped vases have Classical Roman motifs on one side. Portraits on the other side depict an inebriate on one vase and a teetotaler on the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Danish Late Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Very special late Empire chest of drawers with opaline glass inlay, 19th century, Denmark, 1830. Mahogany with Ivory colored glass inlay. Having four drawers with working locks, 1 ...
Category
1830s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass, Mahogany
Small Italian Antique 19th Century Rectangular Gilded Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Rectangular Gilded Frame, Italy Late 19th Century
Glass is included
Inside measurements are 6 by 9 inches.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
French First Empire Period Chest of Drawers / Commode / Dresser, c. 1810
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Classic French Empire Chest made from rosewood veneer and featuring ebonized front columns, c. 1810. Iconic of the Empire style, two ebony black round columns flank the bank of dovet...
Category
1810s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
French Cut Crystal Amethyst Glass Bowl Gilt Bronze Empire
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gilt Bronze and Amethyst Cut Crystal Bowl, France
This classically inspired bowl is decorated with bronze detailing including foliate bronze...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Green Painted Table Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Green Painted Library Table Lamp, France
Charming French desk lamp with narrow brass center support in between two bases best used for candles, or just left alone for ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Elegant Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant, architectural Empire pedestal cabinet in 2 parts, crafted in mahogany.
Features a frieze with ormolu mounts of typical Empire period over a cupboard door that opens to revea...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Old Paris Porcelain Wash Jug and Basin with Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period wash basin (with saucer) and tall pitcher, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring a very striking hand-painted polychrom...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Antique early 20th century small oval gold leaf and paint gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a beautiful small oval mirror that was crafted in France in the early 20th century, around 1910. The mirror features a frame made of lime wood and is adorned with plaster mol...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Antique thread table, Northern Europe, around 1860. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A thread table from the second half of the 19th century in the Biedermeier style.
A small piece of furniture, a bit forgotten today, but once a must-have for a housewife for needlew...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier, Early 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Six-Arm Chandelier was made in France in the Early Nineteenth Century. The Bronze Doré Castings are of the highest refined quality. The Doré Corona is surmounted with seven Acanthus Leaves, each pinned with a French crystal drop. The Corona suspends to the hand-pinned faceted oval crystal chain tent that is encompassed with hand pined French drops. The tent chains draw the eye down to the two tone console...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
A Pair of Porcelain de Paris Ovid Form Vases, Circa:1820
Located in Alexandria, VA
This is an exceptional pair of Old Paris vases with beautiful hand-painted panorama scenes. The bucolic scenes are of fashionably dressed people hanging out with cows by a meandering...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Provincial Empire Marble Top Commode, France, Circa:1815
Located in Alexandria, VA
This handsome 3-drawer commode has an incomparable restrained beauty. While it has all the design elements of French Empire furniture, the application is more provincial than Parisia...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
An Ormolu Mounted Swedish Porphyry Butter Tub, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The delicately chamfered edges of the round tub and cover carved from Blyberg Porphyry with ormolu mounted acorn finial.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Ormolu
Large French Empire Style Mirror with Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale French Empire style mirror with beautiful neoclassical embossed motif in classic French form. Will add elegance to any room! #5862
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair of Empire Sideboards, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of trumeau sideboards with flanking carved caryatids in the Retour d'Egypte style. The sideboards are fitted with two doors and a wide drawer. The carved figures are blackened a...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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