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.
Pair of Bronze Garden Urns, French Architectural Empire Vases, 20th Century
Located in Southall, GB
A stunning pair of French Empire style garden urns in bronze, 20th century. Amazing architectural pair, can you imagine these in your garden overflowing with flowers. Stand in at nea...
Bronze
Pair of French Cast Iron Urns, Early 20th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This pair of early 20th-century French cast iron garden urns exude timeless elegance and a rich history. Their aged, rusted patina shows decades of weathering, adding authenticity to...
Iron
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns
By Alfred Corneau, Corneau Freres
Located in Houston, TX
Grand Pair Of 19th Century French Garden Urns. Offered is an extra large pair of 19th century French cast iron garden urns with large exaggerated handles. Our French Napoleon III iro...
Iron
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 12 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of 19th century French cast iron garden urns / planter s
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Nice decorative pair of late 19th cast iron planters French circa 1870’s 12 inches high 16 inches diameter
Iron
$8,250 / set
H 16.75 in W 24.5 in D 15.13 in
Pair of 19th Century French Cast Iron Garden Urns Attributed to Alfred Corneau
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century French cast iron Garden urns attributed to Alfred Corneau. This rare pair of Mid-19th Century French cast iron garden urns are adorned with well detailed griffin handles are heavy weight and in very good condition. Our outstanding pair of 19th century French cast iron urns is attributed to Corneau Charleville...
Iron
Large Pair Of French Art Deco Garden Urns
By Willy Guhl
Located in Houston, TX
Large Pair Of French Art Deco Garden Urns. Offered is a handsome pair of French Art Deco cement garden urns that are painted a matte white color with blue interiors and date to the 1...
Cement
Pair of 19th Century French Garden Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of lovely classical style French urns. Great as centre piece or console piece. Can be sold individually.
Metal
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns are ideal for exterior or interior use. Each is a heavy casting that features a splendid neoclassical design inspired by ancient...
Iron
Pair of Large 19th Century Bronze Campana Urns
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A magnificent and richly detailed pair of large-scale patinated and gilt bronze campana-form vases, executed in the neoclassical tradition and inspired by the iconic Medici and Borgh...
Bronze, Ormolu
Substantial Early 20th Century Cast Iron Urn
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Monumental cast iron urn with interesting handle design. Old black over older green paint. Dates to the early 20th century and came out of a grand estate in New England. Measures ...
Iron
Neoclassical Cast Iron Urns, Distressed Finish, France, 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of charming petite cast iron urns made in France would make for a great accessory, whether placed in your garden or used as decorative pieces in your home. They add a touch o...
Iron
$22,000 / set
H 19 in W 14 in D 11 in
Pair of Late 19th-Early 20th Century French Bronze-Mounted Pink Granite Urns
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Rare Pair of Late 19th/Early 20th Century French Bronze Mounted Pink Granite Urns Each domed lid with pinecone finial, each side with winged female m...
Granite, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Art Deco Patined Cast Iron Urn Vase
Located in Madrid, ES
Monumental sculptural incense burner inspired by ancient Chinese ding vessels. Cast in metal with a rich green patina, featuring a rounded body on three le...
Other, Iron
Wedgwood White Urn Bowl
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful small off-white cream ceramic urn bowl by Wedgwood, in the Empire or early Georgian style, circa 20th century, England. The EDME pattern began early 20th century. With ma...
Ceramic
Wedgwood Black Urn
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful oblong black ceramic urn by Wedgwood, in the Empire or early Georgian style, circa 20th century, England. The EDME pattern began early 20...
Ceramic
Pair of Meissen Snake Handle Urns
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Beginning in 1710, Meissen was the innovator that was able to create hard paste porcelain in Europe where it became the epicenter in Germany. Known as "white gold" in the 18th century, it became one of the most precious and sought after materials in the world. This pair of stylish Meissen urns...
Porcelain
Sold
H 13 in Dm 11.75 in
Pair of French Empire Style Blue Painted Camapana Form Urns, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Retaining much of the blue painted patina.
Sold
H 18 in Dm 12.5 in
Pair of French Cast Iron and Parcel Painted Campana Form Urns Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French cast iron and parcel painted campana form urns early 20th century. Retaining remnants of grey paint, minor losses.
Early 19th Century Cup in Egyptian Porphyry and Bronze with Cupids
Located in Paris, FR
Imposing cup in red, Egyptian porphyry featuring three cupids on a circular base. The patinated bronze cupids serve as the supporting stem for the wide-rimmed cup. Two of the cupids ...
Porphyry, Bronze
Sold
H 36 in W 45 in D 16 in
Large Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Patina Bronze Planter
Located in New York, NY
The large and palatial planter is of elongated oval form with a continuous frieze of gilt bronze mounts set against a patinated bronze body. The upper register is decorated with a gi...
Bronze
Empire Hot Water Container, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A hot water container in pewter made in Sweden during the first part of the 18th Century and the Empire period. Wooden details such as lid finial and b...
Pewter
Sold
H 25.5 in W 12.25 in D 12.25 in
20th Century French Louis XVI XV Style Large Bronze and Porcelain Figural Urn
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Breathtaking bronze and black porcelain figural urn or planter in the French Empire or Louis XVI taste from the late 20th century. The piece features scrolling horned faces, hairy ho...
Bronze
Empire Italian Alabaster Urn, 19th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
An empire Italian alabaster urn, first half of the19th century.
Alabaster
Sold
An Antique Pair of French Empire Period, Patinated & Dore Bronze Figural Centerpieces with Cupids
Located in New York, NY
An Antique Pair of French Empire Period, Patinated & Dore Bronze Figural Centerpieces with Cupids. Each cupid holding a reticulated circular bowl in dore bronze in one hand, standing...
Pair of Empire Urns With Flowers
Located in Dallas, TX
pair of Empire gilt bronze urns with porcelain flowers and metal leaves
Bronze, Metal