Empire Pedestals
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
Pair of early 19th century Maple and Walnut Fluted Columns
Located in Albignasego, IT
Elegant pair of fluted columns.
They rest on a parallelepiped and are veneered in maple and walnut wood.
the two woods with such different colors, light maple and brown walnut, creat...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Maple, Walnut
19th Century Empire Style Pair of Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this rare pair of Empire-style pedestals from 19th century, which are also suitable as end tables. They are adorned with beautiful gilded bronze ornamentation and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Wood
Italian Empire Style Beech Wood Round Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian empire style round pedestal table in beech wood. The top is supported by three pairs of refined columns. In the lower part the columns end with a deligh...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Pedestals
Materials
Beech
2 Vintage Henredon Empire Ebonized 3 Tier Pedestal Table Sculpture Plant Stand
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of Vintage Henredon black ebonized three tier pedestal table / plant or sculpture stands featuring Empire styling with brass gold lion head rope tassel accents over flared legs ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Pedestals
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Napoleon III pedestal with clock
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III pedestal with clock
Onyx marble column and champleve enamel with golden bonce
The watch has very fine machinery and is stamped Vincenti y Cia 1855
The machinery works
Ci...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Onyx Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestal
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive onyx marble and gilt bronze mounted pedestal, with square top tray, ideal for the display of a large and valued indoor plant or piece of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Table/pedestal Table - B. Molitor - Empire Period - France - 18th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
Tripod pedestal table in mahogany veneer.
The white marble top surrounded by openwork brass rests on 3 bronze-patinated mahogany legs with griffin heads ending in lion claws. An inte...
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Wood & Marble Pedestal, C.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century French ormolu mounted Empire-style pedestal, cast and figurine depicting a Greek goddess along with sculpted heads overlaid with flora. The middle design de...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Napoleonic Era Somno Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Napoleonic era with this exceptional early 19th century Italian somno pedestal cabinet. This cabinet is a true testament to the opulence and a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Walnut
Monumental Antique French Empire Period Hall Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent over 200 year old French Empire Period (1804-1815) parcel gilt walnut armorial hall pedestal / plant stand.
Born in France in the early 19th century, most likely near the Italian border or Napoleonic territory in present day Northern Italy, most impressive palatial scale, exceptionally executed one-of-a-kind sculptural work, having carved fiolate apron with H monogram, decorative scroll work, stylized grotesque satyr mask with acanthus leaf accent, over high relief crest mural crown depicting four towers representing fortified city walls, shield escutcheon coat of arms with three fleur-de-lis above wavy lines depicting sea water in front of castle tower, supported by figural winged female caryatid, flanked by volute supports, joined by turned stretcher. circa 1810
Provenance / Acquisition:
An important San Antonio estate
Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Texas Mansion Carved French and Italian Antiques catalog...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Walnut
French 1960 Iroko & Marble Sellette or Plant Holder Three Legs Empire St, c 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
This plant holder or sellette is from the French midcentury period.
The top tray is in black marble.
As frequently in the empire style, brass rings adorn the top and bottom of each...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Brass
1900s Restored Antique Empire Mahogany Side Table with Giltwood Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the past with our 1900s Antique Empire Side Table, a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Giltwood, Mahogany, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Empire Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Strong and sturdy. Gilt and paint possibly not original. They have been waxed and look beautiful.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire-Style Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An outstanding French Empire-style mahogany accent table with a unique basket wrapped around the pedestal. A circular wood top with raised trim rests on an apron housing two small dr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Pair of 19th Century Empire Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 19th century Empire marble and gilt bronze pedestals. Fine gilt bronze mounts with Egyptian. The tops revolve.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Swedish Empire Gilded Marble Pedestal or Geridong
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gilded empire pedestal or geridong from the mid 1800s, around 1840. The pedestal is from Sweden and is gilded with a white marble top in Carrara marble. The pedestal is in good vinta...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Empire Mahogany & Brass Pedestal ~ End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire Mahogany & Brass pedestal ~ end table was hand-crafted in France from exotic imported mahogany and lavished with embossed brass. The patterns appear around...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Brass
Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late empire. Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of four shelve...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Large Antique 64" Caved Wood Gold Giltwood Empire Pedestal Candlestick Pricket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Antique French Empire 64" Tall Caved Wood Gold Giltwood Pedestal Candlestick Pricket. Item features a Large impressive size, gold gilt finish, carved paw feet, ball form rollin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Caryatid Mounted Mahogany Pedestal Table Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce pair of exquisite French Empire style gilt bronze mounted mahogany stands in the manner of important royal ébéniste Jacob-Desmalter (1770–1841; Paris, France). circa 1880
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine and Rare Pair of French Gilt Bronze , Porcelain and Marble Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French gilt bronze, porcelain & marble pedestals
19th/20th century
Each with portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma
Measures: 44 x 14...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Empire Black Lacquer Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire black lacquer column pedestals with bronze dore festoon trim.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze and marble pedestal. Fine gilt bronze female head with gilt bronze Empire bronzes.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble
Neoclassical Style Marble and Porcelain Pedestal
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style marble and porcelain pedestal
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 108cm, width 30cm, depth 30cm
This Fine column-form pedestal is crafted in the Neocla...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Midcentury Decorative Pair of Pedestals Walnut with Brass
Located in Weiningen, CH
Midcentury decorative pair of pedestals walnut with brass.
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Pedestals
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840.
Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads.
Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated and Mahogany Veneered Wood Gueridons
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated wood and mahogany veneered Gueridons, early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Wood
French Designer, Side Table, Mahogany, Marble, Bronze, France, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
A small Maison Jansen style claw foot and bronze mounted marble-top circular end or side table.
Mahogany, Bronze, Marble
France, 1940s
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Magnificent French Empire Napoleonic Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pedestals Pair
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally large and magnificent pair of French Empire Napoleonic Sèvres porcelain gilt bronze mounted pedestals. These are a exceptionally beautiful pair of 19th century 24-karat raised gold decorated, gilt bronze-mounted, onyx and Sèvres porcelain pedestals...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Stunning Antique Empire Style, Coromandel and Gilt Bronze Sculpture Stand Column
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and all hand-crafted column pedestal from the early 1900s.
Column pedestals in the Empire or Napoleon style are a rare find. It is therefore that we could not be more surpr...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Pedestals
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire Neo-classic style gilt bronze 3 leg pedestals with bird heads supporting a round grey marble top. (Maison Jansen, 1970s)
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pedestal à la Athénienne, 2nd Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Round pedestal on a tripod stand with three legs and crossed intermediate struts. The round shelf consists of a green marble disc surrounded by a gilded bronze surround. The mahogany...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Marble
Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late Empire.
Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of three shelv...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Pedestals
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Empire pedestals for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire pedestals 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 pedestals created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with marble, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire pedestals made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France 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 pedestals differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,713 and tops out at $3,713 while the average work can sell for $3,713.
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