French Empire Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Table Lamps
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Vases
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Table Lamps
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Vases
Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 1830s French Empire Urns
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1940s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 1810s French Egyptian Revival Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century German Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 1810s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Gold
Antique 1830s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1930s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 1810s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain, Paint
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Late 20th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 1810s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1950s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1930s French Empire Revival Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 1830s French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Porcelain
Crystal, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Ceramics
Porcelain
20th Century French Empire Urns
Bronze
Antique 1780s French Empire Mantel Clocks
Porcelain
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Urns
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Centerpieces
Porcelain
Antique 1810s French Empire Candelabras
Ormolu
20th Century French Empire Vases
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Empire Urns
Porcelain
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French Empire Porcelain For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Empire Porcelain?
A Close Look at Empire Furniture
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.
- 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.
- What is French porcelain called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024What French porcelain is called depends on its type. Prior to 1765, porcelain made in France was not true porcelain, as it lacked kaolin clay. These early pieces are soft-paste porcelain or pâte tendre. After the discovery of kaolin near Limoges, France, French artisans were able to produce true porcelain, which is called hard paste or pâte dure. You may also see French porcelain referred to by the region from which it originated. Examples include Sèvres porcelain, Limoges porcelain, Chantilly porcelain and Vincennes porcelain. Explore a diverse assortment of French porcelain wares on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024Yes, some French porcelain is worth something. Specifically, there is a demand for some Limoges and Sèvres porcelain pieces, especially those produced by well-known makers, such as Haviland & Co. and Deshoulières. In addition to maker and style, the type, age and condition of a French porcelain piece play a role in determining its value. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can give you an estimate of how much a particular piece is worth. Shop a large collection of French porcelain on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024One way to identify French porcelain marks is to take a photo with your smartphone or tablet and then perform a reverse image search. Often, doing so will allow you to quickly determine the maker. If this approach fails, explore trusted online resources with photographs of the markings associated with various French makers, such as the crowned N of Sèvres and the H & Co. insignia of Haviland. Another option is to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer perform the identification for you. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of French porcelain.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024To identify French Limoges porcelain marks, refer to trusted online resources. There are dozens of markings associated with Limoges porcelain. By comparing the marks on your piece to images shared online, you can determine if your piece is a Limoges. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. Explore a range of Limoges porcelain on 1stDibs.