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
Henredon French Empire Pedestal Dining Table in Exotic Brazilian Daniella Wood
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire style pedestal extension dining table
By Henredon
USA, Late 20th century
Gorgeous banded exotic Brazilian Daniella wood, with brass accents.
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Fireplace In Antique Green Marble And Gilded Bronze
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire style fireplace in antique green marble and gilded bronze
Hearth dimensions: 85 x 102 cm
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Empire Style Partners Desk with Leather Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Vintage Condition
Materials: Patinated Leather Top, Mahogany
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820.
The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century.
Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Mantel Clock, Firegilt Bronze, Paris circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare "Au Bon Sauvage" mantel clock
France
Fire-gilt and patinated bronze
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 34 x 41 x 13 cm
Description:
Extremely rare French bronze m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Mahogany Sidetable, Ladies Desk, France, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Lyra writing and work table
Paris
Mahogany
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 80 x 53 x 34 cm
Description:
Lyra writing and work table based...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 Furniture
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gilt bronze mounts, 19th century. With a black rectangular marble top over 4 flame mahogany drawers flanked by ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze.
Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers.
Original gilding.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat & Greatcoat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat and Greatcoat
France, circa 1920s
Capture a piece of French history with this exquisite Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Brass and Eglomise Glass French Midcentury Side Table
Located in London, GB
This three tier side table was made in France in the 1960s using brass and eglomise glass.
The empire style designs on the sides are finished with a flower - please take a look at ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier
French, Late 19th Century
Height 32, diameter 42cm
This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Nightstand
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style nightstand or end table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with burl wood columns and original ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paris Porcelain Teacup and Saucer Depicting Empress Josephine
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite teacup and saucer in Sèvres style Old Paris Porcelain, depicting the Empress Josephine in ornate dress and wearing her crown. Dating from the early 19th century First Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
XX Century Empire Style Dressing Table with Ivory and Bronze
Located in Lisboa, PT
Empire Style Dressing Table, features a mirror and a small compartiment, that can be closed with a key. European made, from the 20th Century.
Empire-style furniture draws its inspiration from the Napoleonic era, particularly the designs that flourished during Napoleon Bonaparte's reign in France. This style is characterized by grandeur, symmetry, and classical motifs.
The use of bronze and ivory...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
This white marble column with grey streaks has a Greek key band and other minimal carvings. It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair French Empire Green Marble Gilt Bronze Urn Pedestal Pillars
Located in New York, NY
Standing at an impressive 6 feet tall, they were procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, which adds a layer of history and significance to the pieces. They are pr...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1810s Large Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar, 1st Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Mid 19th century Danish empire mahogany mirror on cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century danish mahogany mirror on cabinet circa 1860.
Beautiful piece of mid 19th century danish furniture strong in the influence of the regency period.
Comprising of 2 p...
Category
1860s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating what many experts consider t...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Early 19th century Scandinavian empire flame mahogany breakfront bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Scandinavian empire flame mahogany breakfront bookcase circa 1820.
Stunning bookcase of grand proportions veneered in golden flame mahogany. Bookcase comprises of 7 sections which screw together to. 3 sections to the base, 3 glazed sections and a cornice.
Central double door glazed...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Mid century vintage Italian brass and porcelain whimsical decorator lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Italian made decorator table lamp. The table lamp features a botanical inspired bouquet flowers with handmade porce...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire mirror, stuccoed and painted wood, scratched on the mirror
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
A Pair of 19th Century Empire Bedside Cabinets
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1860
A pair of mid nineteenth century Empire bedside cabinets, with original grey marble tops, with ormolu Egyptian caryatids, opening wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases
French, 20th Century
Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm
Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, And Ormolu Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, and Ormolu pedestal. This beautiful pedestal is raised by a square stepped Onyx base with fou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian, Lucca, Empire Period Silver Gilt / Mecca 12-light Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of traditional basket form with two tiers of 6 removeable arms each, the arms connected to vertical gilded gesso bands of ascending diameter, the top tier having beautifully sculpted...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
A Continental Mahogany Oval Center Table
Located in New York, NY
The oval tilt-top over a bold turned support on scroll-form feet.
Category
1840s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and tapered legs. Experience the grandeur of 19th-cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th C. French Empire Tole Pedestal Jardiniere Cachepot Urn With Bronze Swans
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th Century French Empire style dark navy blue and gilt tole pedestal jardiniere or cachepot. This fine jardiniere has a hand painted Neoclassical landscape vignette on one side and a gilt torch and laurel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Tea service 1860-1880
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful antique hand painted Old Paris porcelain Coffee tea service from 1860-1880
Handpainted with flowers and finessed with gold deco...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set Of Rare Danish Antique Silverware By Nicolai Brandt, Horsens (1787-1813).
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice set of solid silver and horn cutlery for six persons, by famous silversmith Nicolaj Brandt, Horsens, Denmark, 1787-1813.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table
Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawers (lacking basins)
36.25" W x 20.5" D...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
1920s Scroll Side Bench / Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
1920s scroll side bench / stool, window seat, tall rolled sides, French Empire Style, with gilt wood trim. tufted cushion. French, 20th century
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Muslin, Giltwood
A 19th Century Rafraichissoir Table
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century rafraichissoir table with gilt and ebonized swan supports. Mahogany, circa 1845. France.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Set of Brass Travel Candlesticks Chamber-stands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two small travel candlesticks in brass. The set can easily disassemble into 4 parts, two bases and two candleholders. The four parts can then be assembled into a pair of candl...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Bouillotte Lamps Napoleonic Empire Green Gold Gilded Vintage Table Lamps
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Stiffel, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Frederick Cooper
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage classic French green and gold gilded bronze Bouillotte style table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Louis XVI, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps.
D...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany, And Gray Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Mahogany, and gray marble console. The console with original mirror plates is raised by two front Ormolu foliate b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Paul Ferrante Empire-Style Six-Arm Chandeliers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful pair of Paul Ferrante empire-style six-arm chandeliers with 7 bulb sockets
Gold gilded & green painted bronze
25" W x 36" H
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 20th Century Vintage Tapestry 8.0X7.0
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
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza
Made in Austria, circa 1920s
An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Category
20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Paris porcelain coffee can & saucer, c. 1810.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
A fine Paris porcelain coffee can and saucer, possibly Dihl Et Guerhard, c. 1810. The coffee can, hand painted in the style of Gerard van Spaendonck, with ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Patinated Ormolu Bronze Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire / Neoclassical Style Patinated & Ormolu Dore Bronze Chandelier 8 Candelabra Light Fixture
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Porcelaine de Paris - Empire Centerpiece Reticulated 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
Vtg F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Ice Bucket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket. Item features is a nice small size, engraved "W.A.S., Many Thanks, T.G.W." to center, ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
By Old Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Empire Demilune Console Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire demilune console table with black marble top. Made of solid walnut with veneer of burled walnut. Turned columns with ebonized capitals. Good craft...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Empire Gentlemans Dressing Shaving Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive antique 19th century (circa 1880s) English Empire gentleman's dressing mirror. Made from mahogany with a beveled wooden frame supported by exceptional barley twist upright...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Dutch Empire Style Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest made of mahogany and ebonized wood during the 1800’s. This mahogany case piece has six bookmatched drawer fronts each with two ring drawer pulls for e...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
An antique set of chairs from around 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique set of chairs from around 1860.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
wood: mahogany
Dimensions:
height 79 cm, seat height ...
Category
1860s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Centerpiece in Bohemian Crystal and Sculpted Bronze from the Early XX Century
Located in Milano, MI
Centerpiece in transparent and blue Bohemian crystal and worked bronze, made in the early 20th century
Ø 39 cm Ø 30 cm h 18 cm
The Bohemian crystal is a decorative glass produced s...
Category
1910s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Beautiful Rare Shape Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Tea set ca 1850-1880
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful, Rare shape model, Old Paris porcelain coffee tea set with coffee filter attachment and cup and saucers with monogram!
The coffee filter only fits the large coffee (tea) p...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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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