Empire Style Armchair
Antique 1850s French Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique Early 1900s European Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Antique 1870s French Empire Armchairs
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Armchairs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Armchairs
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1940s American Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Empire Armchairs
Linen, Wood
Vintage 1920s Danish Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s French Armchairs
20th Century Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 1890s French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany, Fabric
Antique 1890s French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique Early 1900s French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs
Beech, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Regency Armchairs
Upholstery, Cherry
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s French Empire Armchairs
Leather, Birch
Mid-20th Century Empire Armchairs
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century European Empire Chairs
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Empire Revival Armchairs
Brass, Ormolu
20th Century Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Antique 19th Century Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century Russian Empire Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Armchairs
Hardwood, Upholstery, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Fruitwood
20th Century French Napoleon III Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century European Empire Armchairs
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 17th Century North American Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Armchairs
Gold Leaf
Antique 1870s French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Vintage 1950s Belgian Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Italian Empire Armchairs
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Cherry
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire Armchairs
Bronze
Antique 1830s French Empire Bergere Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Late 20th Century French Armchairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood, Giltwood
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s French Empire Revival Armchairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Beech
Early 20th Century British Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century French Empire Revival Armchairs
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Iron
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Empire Style Armchair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire Style Armchair?
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Classical world is primarily what influenced French Empire furniture. Greek and Roman motifs appear on many pieces. In addition, the opulence of Egyptian furniture inspired furniture makers active during the period. On 1stDibs, shop a range of French Empire furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between the Biedermeier and Empire styles lies largely in the characteristics most commonly associated with them. Although these two furniture styles both emerged around 1815 and persisted into the 1840s, pieces associated with them have differing features. Developed in France, the Empire style emphasized ornamentation and grandeur, with furniture makers often drawing inspiration from ancient Roman forms. Dark woods were the most commonly used materials of the style. In Germany and other parts of Central Europe, artisans working in the Biedermeier style favored simplicity. They also tended to source woods locally and chose light finishes for their pieces. Explore a selection of Biedermeier and Empire furniture on 1stDibs.
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