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Empire Game Tables

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
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders. An object of the highest quality. Inside compartments a...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Brass

Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy

Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy

19th Century Italian Game Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Italian Empire style game table. Rosewood and boxwood veneers, marquetry sunburst in center of table and striping along three exposed edges. Opens to expose a circul...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Leather, Boxwood, Rosewood

19th Century Italian Game Table
19th Century Italian Game Table

19th Century Italian Game Table

Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period French Empire Mahogany Tric Trac Games Table. Inlaid Backgammon Well. Original Removable Top with leather on one side for writing and felt o...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Table
Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Table

Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Table

Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular hand painted scagliola top resting atop a circular frame, the thick walnut veneer of a pronounced grain, the ebonized columnar standard with carved giltwood rings r...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800
Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800

Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800

19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire Period mahogany gueridon, or game table, with Grey St. Anne marble top. A versatile table with removeable top, one side with green felt and the other wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table

19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table

Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Game table made during the Karl Johan period 1810-1830 in Sweden. Made from light mahogany and decorated with brass hardware. Tapered legs. Felt interior with backgammon and chess ga...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden

Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden

Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Northern European Empire games table. Flamed mahogany top opens to reveal felt lined game surface. Brass mounts embellish a neoclassic sensibility.
Category

1840s Baltic Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table

Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table

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Game Table with Marquetry, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Game table with marquetry. Rosewood (palo santo), mahogany, fruit tree wood, bronze, leather, 19th century. Table with four ribbed legs with metallic elements towards the top that h...
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19th Century European Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Bronze

Game Table with Marquetry, 19th Century
Game Table with Marquetry, 19th Century

Game Table with Marquetry, 19th Century

H 29.93 in W 34.65 in D 16.93 in
19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Game Table
Located in Opole, PL
We present you a walnut table, commonly known as card table, from Q3 of the 19th century. This piece of furniture is in the form of a wall table on bent legs, with a folding top wit...
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Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Game Tables

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Walnut

19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Game Table
19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Game Table

19th Century Louis Philippe Walnut Game Table

H 30.12 in W 30.71 in D 15.16 in
Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining Game Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-Century Modern game table in the style of Karl Springer, 1970s. Tessellated stone with brass banding and glass inset top. 38" square x 29.5" high. The under height of table wher...
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1980s American Vintage Empire Game Tables

Materials

Limestone, Brass

Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining Game Table
Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining Game Table

Karl Springer Style Tessellated Stone and Brass Inlay Dining Game Table

H 29.5 in W 38 in D 38 in
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century French mahogany marble topped Gueridon, having three circular tapering column supports, each with gilded ormolu capitals and classical ormolu motifs to th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon

French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon

H 29.53 in Dm 31.89 in
Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century. Chessboard, Backgammon table, games table, early 20th century, carved wood chess pawn. h: 72cm, w: 77...
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Early 20th Century European Empire Game Tables

Materials

Wood

Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.
Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.

Chessboard, Backgammon Table, Wooden Marquetry Games Table, Early 20th Century.

H 28.35 in W 30.32 in D 32.68 in
Vintage Italian Wooden Game Table
By Midcentury Italian school
Located in Milano, IT
This extraordinary Italian gaming table from the 1950s captures the essence of timeless elegance. With its square shape and four hidden drawers beneath the surface, it represents a p...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Game Tables

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Italian Wooden Game Table
Vintage Italian Wooden Game Table

Vintage Italian Wooden Game Table

H 30.71 in W 31.89 in D 31.89 in
Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-legged table on casters with carved eagle heads and hooves as well as amphora decoration on the trefoil strutting. This, like the frame, is inlaid with brass threads. A low gal...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century
Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century

Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century

H 30.32 in Dm 25.6 in
French Louis XV 1790s Walnut Tric Trac Marquetry Game Table with Reversible Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV tric trac game table from circa 1790 made of walnut and walnut veneer, with reversible top, marquetry and cabriole legs. This exquisite French Louis XV tric trac ga...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Louis XV 1790s Walnut Tric Trac Marquetry Game Table with Reversible Top
French Louis XV 1790s Walnut Tric Trac Marquetry Game Table with Reversible Top

French Louis XV 1790s Walnut Tric Trac Marquetry Game Table with Reversible Top

H 29 in W 39 in D 25.25 in
Louis XVI Style Tric Trac Games Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French style tric trac game table reversible to a writing table. The ebonized mahogany table with a reversible top panel with a backgammon and chess/checkerboard with counter well,...
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Game Tables

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style Tric Trac Games Table
Louis XVI Style Tric Trac Games Table

Louis XVI Style Tric Trac Games Table

H 29 in W 44 in D 23 in
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Marquetry Chess Table
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A classic Biedermeier table from the period. The table was made mainly of walnut wood. The surface has a large chessboard made by a marquetry work with maple and walnut wood. The tab...
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Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Maple, Spruce, Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Marquetry Chess Table
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Marquetry Chess Table

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Marquetry Chess Table

H 30.91 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Fine 19th Century Burr Walnut and Fruitwood Chess Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine 19th century burr walnut and fruitwood chess table. The shaped and moulded top of circular form with striking marquetry inlaid chess game squares, raised over turned baluster ...
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19th Century English Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Fine 19th Century Burr Walnut and Fruitwood Chess Table
Fine 19th Century Burr Walnut and Fruitwood Chess Table

Fine 19th Century Burr Walnut and Fruitwood Chess Table

H 27.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
19th Century French Fold over Mahogany Games or Tea Table
Located in Miami, FL
19th century French fold over mahogany games or tea table with original finish. The rectangular top raised on straight legs. Opened measurements: 31.5 in x 31.89 in.
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Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Game Tables

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Walnut

19th Century French Fold over Mahogany Games or Tea Table
19th Century French Fold over Mahogany Games or Tea Table

19th Century French Fold over Mahogany Games or Tea Table

H 29.13 in W 31.89 in D 15.35 in
Previously Available Items
Empire Octagonal Chess Table, 1870s, Set of 33
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A stylish Empire wooden chesstable from around 1870 in good condition with some minor signs of wear. It is stable and quite heavy. The table would be a great addition in a classic in...
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Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Bone, Birdseye Maple, Padouk

Empire Octagonal Chess Table, 1870s, Set of 33
Empire Octagonal Chess Table, 1870s, Set of 33

Empire Octagonal Chess Table, 1870s, Set of 33

Free Shipping
H 29.93 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon
Located in El Monte, CA
19th century French Empire period Tric Trac Games Table. The top features an inlaid checkerboard with delicate veneered inlays framing each players side. When flipped over, inset gre...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon
19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon

19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon

H 29.5 in W 35.5 in D 23.5 in
Empire Style Parcel Ebonized Occasional Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style parcel ebonized occasional table with gilt accents.
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Early 20th Century French Empire Game Tables

Materials

Wood

Empire Style Parcel Ebonized Occasional Table
Empire Style Parcel Ebonized Occasional Table

Empire Style Parcel Ebonized Occasional Table

H 28.5 in W 28.5 in D 28.5 in
Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
A unique card game from around 1870. Very good condition. Origin: Northern Europe Wood: Mahogany Dimensions: Height 60 cm Width 57 cm x 57 cm unfolded 81 cm x 81 cm.
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1870s Swedish Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
Card Table, Empire, circa 1870

Card Table, Empire, circa 1870

H 23.63 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
American Empire Crotch Flame Mahogany Paw Feet Pedestal Base Console Game Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th century American Empire crotch flame mahogany paw feet pedestal base console game table. Item features swivel and flip top, pedestal base, beaut...
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19th Century North American Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

American Empire Crotch Flame Mahogany Paw Feet Pedestal Base Console Game Table
American Empire Crotch Flame Mahogany Paw Feet Pedestal Base Console Game Table

American Empire Crotch Flame Mahogany Paw Feet Pedestal Base Console Game Table

H 28.25 in W 36 in D 35.5 in
3 Piece 20th Century Burr Birch Games Table and Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
3 piece 20th century burr birch games table and armchairs circa 1980. Good quality games table and chairs, set comprises of 2 armchairs and a games table. Table with inlaid chess ...
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Late 20th Century Swedish Empire Game Tables

Materials

Birch

3 Piece 20th Century Burr Birch Games Table and Armchairs
3 Piece 20th Century Burr Birch Games Table and Armchairs

3 Piece 20th Century Burr Birch Games Table and Armchairs

H 30 in W 29.25 in D 29.25 in
French Empire Style Faux Marble Decorated Games Chess Checkers Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautifully designed French Empire style games table. Perfect for chess or checkers, this tables features an ebonized frame with faux marble decorated top and gilded elemen...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Empire Game Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Style Faux Marble Decorated Games Chess Checkers Table
French Empire Style Faux Marble Decorated Games Chess Checkers Table

French Empire Style Faux Marble Decorated Games Chess Checkers Table

H 27.75 in W 23 in L 27.75 in
Multifunctional Table, Dressing, Chess, Writing Desk, Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table, play and work table Western Germany Mahogany Classicism circa 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 77 x 83 x 52 cm Multifunctional 19th century table in mahogany veneered on oak. Round, conical legs standing in brass sabots. Frame with typical grooves in the outer part. Two narrow drawers with interesting internal divisions. Two further drawers arranged one above the other; one folds open and can be used as a backgammon or chess board, the other can be set up with an integrated mirror. Table top covered with original leather, surrounding gallery of brass. Pull knobs and key plates also made of brass. Rare and unique piece of furniture. Condition: Ready to use, restored condition. Shellac hand polished. Also backside beautifully worked. Good to know about mahogany: Mahogany has always been a popular wood in furniture making. The first mahogany woods were brought to Europe from the West Indies about 450 years ago. Wood from far away countries was expensive and so it was only used for the finest furniture. During the baroque period, mahogany wood was particularly popular at the French court and in England, where Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton used the wood for their furniture. Dark cubamahogany was used for antique furniture of the Biedermeier and Empire periods. It was used as veneer and was also called pyramid mahogany because of its unmistakable grain. Mahogany has always been considered a very noble wood. This impression was reinforced in the Empire when the wood was combined with gilded bronzes. Since there are many different types of mahogany, there are also many different color variations. Mahogany comes in colors from light reddish to very dark brown. When untreated, mahogany is more likely to be brownish in color. The dark color that we know from antique furniture often only comes out through the shellac. Mahogany is still used today for precious furniture and furnishings, for example in yacht and ship interiors. The mahogany wood used in the creation of our antiques came...
Category

Early 1800s German Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Multifunctional Table, Dressing, Chess, Writing Desk, Mahogany, 19th Century
Multifunctional Table, Dressing, Chess, Writing Desk, Mahogany, 19th Century

Multifunctional Table, Dressing, Chess, Writing Desk, Mahogany, 19th Century

H 30.32 in W 32.68 in D 20.48 in
Empire Card Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This French Late 19th-Century Empire Card Table has been restored and is made out of solid oak wood covered in Flemish mahogany veneers with a newly waxed patina finish. The top open...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Card Table
Empire Card Table

Empire Card Table

H 28 in W 36 in D 18 in
Antique French Mahogany Game Table and Petite Woman's Writing Desk or Table
Located in Chicago, IL
There are actually (3) top surfaces available to pick from on our antique French mahogany small side or end table. There is a traditional felt top for the game table, plus an original black leather top with gilding for when you chose to have a writing desk and finally, there is a faux mahogany surface, should you remove the top and just use as a lamp table, side table or end table. Our Old Plank restoration department, refinished the mahogany in an old school French polish, but made sure we did not over restore the antique French game table.
Category

1910s French Vintage Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Mahogany Game Table and Petite Woman's Writing Desk or Table
Antique French Mahogany Game Table and Petite Woman's Writing Desk or Table

Antique French Mahogany Game Table and Petite Woman's Writing Desk or Table

H 28 in W 32.25 in D 19.25 in
Continental Empire Mahogany Center Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire mahogany center / game table with ormolu mount, circa 1820. With a plum pudding mahogany / burl top and a crotch mahogany pedestal with a band of ormolu around the...
Category

1810s European Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Continental Empire Mahogany Center Table
Continental Empire Mahogany Center Table

Continental Empire Mahogany Center Table

H 30.75 in Dm 43.5 in
Antique Classical Empire Mahogany Ball and Claw Console Flip Top Game Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Empire mahogany ball and claw flip top game table. Item features beautiful wood grain, nicely carved details, carved ball and claw feet, very nice antique item, quality Ameri...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Game Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Classical Empire Mahogany Ball and Claw Console Flip Top Game Table
Antique Classical Empire Mahogany Ball and Claw Console Flip Top Game Table

Antique Classical Empire Mahogany Ball and Claw Console Flip Top Game Table

H 29 in W 36 in D 18 in

Empire game tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire game tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage game tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire game tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Baltic States 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 game tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,250 and tops out at $9,600 while the average work can sell for $5,625.

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