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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farmers 6X5.6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Solid Brass and Glass Lantern or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made in the style of the Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes three E14 ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6X5.2
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th C. Gueridon Table
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Antique French Brass & Black Marble Round Gueridon Table in the Empire Taste with Eagle Ring Handles and Talon Feet, late 19th century
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Louis XVI neoclassical mahogany semainier or tall chest. Hand crafted from mahogany, this design was fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer for every day o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Sideboard, Chiffoniere with special Central Locking System
Located in Greven, DE
Semaniere with interesting locking technology
Belgium
Walnut, oak
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 142 x 127 x 51 cm
Description:
Small antique cabinet with drawers behin...
Category
1820s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Fine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate dinner, wo...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets
Classic urns of amphora form
Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy
Ormolu fixtures are original and finely cast
Purchased from a dealer on Marche Biron...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
1920's French Empire Single Light Swan Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light sconces with Swan’s head
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bouillotte Lamp Empire Period
Located in BARSAC, FR
Lampe bouillotte en bronze doré finement ciselé à trois bras de lumière figurant des cygnes.
Abat-jour en tôle laqué vert orné de frises dorées.
Bras de lumière et abat-jour réglab...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Porcelaine de Paris - Ajour Centerpiece Coupe
Located in DELFT, NL
Gilt Porcelaine de Paris Openwork Coupe Centerpiece to be placed centrally on the table, for fruit or flowers. Empire Style. French, 19th century center basket, rond form with reticu...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farm Kids 6.9 X 5.2
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Period Hand Carved Walnut Bergeres, Armchairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
From a home in Versailles, France, this pair of early nineteenth century French Empire period bergeres or armchairs is constructed of solid walnut with a rich patina that only comes ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage French Empire Style Tooled Leather Top Mahogany Table by Maitland Smith
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Empire Regency Style Tooled Leather Top Mahogany Library/Hall Table by Maitland Smith
Elegant and stunning vintage French Empire Regency style library/hall table by M...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful French late 19th century chest of drawers in black ebonized wood and cherrywood reproduces with perfect proportions in scale a miniature cabinet with three drawers and an upper flap door that opens to reveal a white marble top and an oval mirror inside, nice hand carved band on top with geometrical pattern and molded base.
The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful.
The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire or Neoclassical style double pedestal extension dining table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Gorgeous book-matched flame mahogany top,...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Bronze Table Lamp by Danish Sculptor TH Stein Denmark 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
Artist made Bronze lamp attributed Danish Sculptor TH Stein and is made in the 1850’s.
The lamp has clear references to both Pompeii and Herculanum.
The lamp is made in solid bronze ...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Vintage Very Fine Aubusson Tapestry 6X6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats. Each has been freshly upholstered in red Clarence House fabric with gold stars. This listing is from one pair ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Navy Blue en...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1st Empire Mahogany desk, ca 1810
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Unusual 1st Empire desk, circa 1810, in mahogany, Burl, with Brass inlay and blackened columns ending on 2 blackened lion's feet above gilded leaves .
Center drawer pulls out to re...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 77cm, diameter 100cm
Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 5.7X6.6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5.7X6.7
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Paris Porcelain Basket Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stunning openwork corbeille, or basket vase, dating from the early 19th century Empire Period, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and richly gilded all over its delicatel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Egg Russian Empire style enamel with tall tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Russian Empire is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Russian Empire has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Russian Empire is on...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Antique Empire Flame Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze mounts and marble top, early 19th century. With a rectangular marble top, the top drawer with a central gilt bronze mo...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6.4X5.3
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Empire Settee: Elegance & Craftsmanship Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step into unparalleled elegance with our Antique Empire Settee, a masterpiece meticulously revived by our skilled in-house team. This exceptional...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
This cupboard was constructed using a flat pack technique, with panels held in place by bolts.
Central door with ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Exquisite Petite Empire Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite pair of early nineteenth century small candlesticks from France, made of gilt bronze on small, square alabaster bases. These candlesticks feature neoclassical columns sw...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Small Table Lamp From The 19th Century
Located in BARSAC, FR
Charming little bouillotte lamp in gilded and chiseled bronze, with one arm of light and red lacquered sheet metal lampshade.
Old work from the beginning of the 19th century, empire...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage golden sunburst mirror
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 35cm
Ref.: 87456414
Ref.: 1
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style, two pairs are available.
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candelabras, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candelabras originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bookcase or Vitrine, Bronze, 15-in deep
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century Empire period walnut bookcase features half columns that flank its glass doors. The columns are capped in bronze detailed with diamond and a Vitruvian s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Wall Shelf with/Mirror Back
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Hand Painted Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Mirror Back Dresden Style Wall/Vanity Shelf
Imbued with the grace of Antique French design, this hand-painted porcelain ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Period French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
The era of history known as the Empire period coincided with the reign of Napoleon over France. It was considered the second phase of Neoclassicism, as Napoleon believed that his onl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Steel
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style.
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg White with blue garlands i...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pair of French Empire vases date from the 19th century and are of exceptional quality. Unfortunately one of the cut crystal vase has been crac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
empire brass column lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
empire lamp stem in solid brass with contemporary lampshade from the 1950's
base is 44 centimetres high ( 17 1/3")
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Purple Red...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Jewellery Case Side Table Bijouterie Display Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sweet little French Empire style display cabinet
Round glass top opens out to reveal storage space
Great for jewellery or trinkets
Would work well as a shop display piece
Some of our...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Paris Porcelain Three-Footed Gilded Coffee Cups. Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb pair of opulent 'Porcelain de Paris' three-footed coffee cups with matching saucers – one blue, one burgundy – each richly embellished with hand-painted gilt detailing in ey...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire style twelve light crystal and bronze antique chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Fine antique clear crystal chandelier having 12 lights.
It is in the empire style with the lights surrounding the
Outer rim of the fixture. The wiring is good and the crystal is
Comp...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Vintage Baccarat Crystal Salt Cellars
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Baccarat crystal salt cellars in excellent condition with original box. The sides are facet cut in rhombus and triangular sh...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Late Empire Chatol Made In Elm Wood From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire chatol is a fine representation of furniture style from the 1840s. Made of elm wood and adorned with intarsia details, it exudes both noble craftsmanship and histori...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Elm
Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
A French Empire Mahogany Gueridon with a Gray Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
The light gray fossilized marble top supported on center column on a tripod base.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed
Located in Houston, TX
A period Italian Empire queen bed beautifully carved with Neoclassical influences to include acanthus finials, flourishing floral fauna, reeding and r...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category
1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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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