French Empire Canape
Antique 1870s French Empire Canapes
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Canapes
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Ormolu
Vintage 1950s French Empire Revival Canapes
Beech
Antique Early 19th Century French Directoire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Empire Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1870s French Empire Living Room Sets
Silk, Hardwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Sofas
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Sofas
Beech
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Sofas
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Baltic Empire Benches
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Sofas
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Benches
Mahogany, Fabric, Ebony, Upholstery, Cotton
Antique 1870s French Empire Armchairs
Silk, Walnut, Paint
20th Century French Biedermeier Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1860s French Louis XV Settees
Velvet, Wood
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Sofas
Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Empire Chaise Longues
Wood, Beech, Maple
Antique 17th Century French Panelling
Softwood
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Malachite, Ormolu
Antique 1890s German Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Daybeds
Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Belle Époque Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Arms, Armor and Weapons
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinese Chippendale Pier Mirrors a...
Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Canapes
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Pier Mirrors and Conso...
Paint, Wood, Gesso
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century English Regency Daybeds
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Silk, Oak
Antique 19th Century Swedish Louis XVI Settees
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Recent Sales
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Silk, Wood, Damask
Antique 1890s French Empire Canapes
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Linen, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Living Room Sets
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Canapes
Wood
Antique 1820s French Empire Canapes
Antique 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Canapes
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Canapes
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Wood, Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1940s French Canapes
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Canapes
Velvet
Antique 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Canapes
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Antique Late 19th Century Canapes
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Wood, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Benches
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clocks
Antique 19th Century French Second Empire Daybeds
Antique 1820s Scandinavian Biedermeier Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Settees
Antique 18th Century Canapes
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Canapes
Velvet
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Canapes
Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century French Empire Revival Chairs
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Canapes
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Antique 19th Century Russian Canapes
Beech
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Canapes
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Canapes
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Canapes
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Settees
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
20th Century French Sideboards
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Loveseats
Burlap, Oak
Antique 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Sofas
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Sofas
Wood, Mahogany, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Brazilian Sofas
Rosewood
Vintage 1930s Central American Neoclassical Revival Settees
Velvet
French Empire Canape For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Empire Canape?
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.
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