Italian Empire Period Walnut And Brass Mounted Mirror

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.

Antique and vintage fireplace mirrors and mantel mirrors are sophisticated, classic pieces of decor, with the large size of fireplace mirrors making them centerpiece objects. They add character to any room and also create the appearance of space. Fireplace mirrors and mantel mirrors, like any well-placed antique or vintage mirror, can act as a source of light and make a room seem bigger than it is.

Fireplace mirrors were once a status symbol, as only the wealthiest could afford these big, beautiful pieces for their homes. In the 1500s and 1600s, the Venetian glass industry produced mirrors that were luxury items. Their painstaking creation was the result of a secretive process using melted tin, limiting their size and availability.

In the late 17th century, French glassmaker Bernard Perrot radically transformed mirrors. By casting glass into large, flat slabs, his work grew into an international market for mantel mirrors. These mirrors were often set in decorated frames.

French homes transitioned to lower fireplaces and mantels so tall mantel mirrors could fit above them. The design of fireplace mirrors reflected architectural trends. Some in the mid-18th century featured paintings, while others had delicate carvings.

By the 1800s, mantel mirrors had become more widely available. This reflected a dramatic change in glass mass-production technology, which made oversize mirrors more accessible, leading to their proliferation across the globe.

Today, mantel mirrors are still highly regarded statement pieces with an enduring reputation for elegance. Their versatility has allowed them to branch out beyond the fireplace. Their reflectiveness allows them to amplify a sumptuous painting in a bedroom or capture the tiling of a bathroom.

From mid-century modern designs to pieces created in Louis XVI style, there is a mirror for every room and every occasion on 1stDibs.