Empire Mirrors
EMPIRE STYLE
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.
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Style: Empire
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The mirror is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. The original central mirror pl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
19thC Gilded Wood Framed Beveled Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple rectangular beveled mirror with a bright beaded water-gilt frame.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Antique French Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique French Empire style cheval mirror with claw feet and figural bronze accents, circa 1900. Repairs at one joint; some minor speckling to mirror glass. Dimensions: 65.5"H x 41"W...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th C. French Overmantel Mirror
Located in Houston, US
This is an impressive classically styled yet restrained overmantel mirror and frame, painted with gilded decorative elements. Fluted pilasters are topped with a classical urn with pe...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Psyche, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large standing mirror with rotating mirror in an arched frame. The mirror is held by lateral columns which end in fire-gilded bronze urns. The bases are also fire-gilt. The psyche st...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
FRENCH GILDED MIRROR 19th CENTURY
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH GILDED MIRROR 19th CENTURY
VERY DECORATIVE FRENCH GILDED WOOD MIRROR FROM THE XIX CENTURY. IT IS IN GOOD GENERAL CONDITION WITH ITS OLD PATINA. THE MIRROR IS ALL ORIGINAL. ME...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Antique Empire style mirror, 19th Century
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Antique Empire style mirror from the end of the 19th century.
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the lat...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
19th Century Blue-Grey French Antique Pair of Tall Allegorical Glass Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare pair of tall, antique French trumeau mirrors, in good condition. These antique slender mirrors are consisting partial gilded finish and the frames are patinated in the traditi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage golden sunburst mirror
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 35cm
Ref.: 87456414
Ref.: 1
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin
Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Empire Gentlemans Dressing Shaving Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive antique 19th century (circa 1880s) English Empire gentleman's dressing mirror. Made from mahogany with a beveled wooden frame supported by exceptional barley twist upright...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Fireplace Empire Lombardy First Quarter 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Lombard fireplace set in walnut, with ebonized and gilded parts.
In the lower part, a broken plinth base with ebonized reserves
bounded by successional leaf-carved and gilded battens...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Nutwood
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt Brass Pier Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This timeless piece features a swing open cabinet and pull out drawer. The drawer and lower cabinet door are keyed for secure locking, complemented by one barreled skeleton key. This...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Italian Empire Period Walnut and Ebonized Demilune Console Tables with Mirrors
Located in Firenze, IT
These beautiful antique Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors date back to early 19th Century. We can assume they were made in Florence, Italy and they come from a vill...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Giltwood
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Empire Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire mirror, stuccoed and painted wood, scratched on the mirror
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Large French Empire Style Mirror with Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale French Empire style mirror with beautiful neoclassical embossed motif in classic French form. Will add elegance to any room! #5862
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border.
The qua...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Italian Carved Giltwood Balloon Form French Empire Inspired Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has mirrored frame and Greek key and tassel appointments. It is marked and in very good condition....
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is original and just as it was done at the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Antique early 20th century small oval gold leaf and paint gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a beautiful small oval mirror that was crafted in France in the early 20th century, around 1910. The mirror features a frame made of lime wood and is adorned with plaster mol...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
French Painted Faux Marble Wood Empire Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful French painted faux marble wood empire mirror. amazing hand painted details. Very old and original details. Add some French style to your home.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded.
Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Antique Mirror in Mahogany from the Late Empire perid from about 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror in mahogany wood from the late Empire period from around the 1840s. Light in colour, due to sunlight over the years.
Dimensions in cm: H:1...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Walnut Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian walnut mirror. Antique provincial bleached walnut mirror with later antiqued plate with clean modern classic lines. Italy, circa 1820.
...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Empire Psyche Mirror in Mahogany, France, early 19th century
By P. Marcion
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Psyche mirror in solid and veneered mahogany with antique triangular pediment and feet carved in the shape of animal claws/paws (sphinx, lion).
The bronze parts are on the theme of n...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A courtly, Empire mirror from France with its original mirror plate. The frame is made of beveled mahogany decorated with gilt bronze stars, a motif commonly found throughout the Emp...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Pier Mirror Full Length Mahogany and Gold France Late 19th Centur
Located in Bjuråker, SE
A mahogany and gilded pier mirror from the French Empire, late 19th century. There is a gold-plated pearl rim around the rectangular mirror and a gold-plated flower on the corners. A...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 38" H x 22" W x 4.5" D
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Italian American Federal-Style Oval Mirror with Eagle Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the sophistication of our vintage Italian American Federal-style oval wall mirror. This exquisite piece is hand-crafted from premi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Giltwood, Mirror
Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Gilded Wood Trumeau, Floor Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A typical 19th century French carved and partial gilded Trumeau mirror, in good condition. The antique Floor mirror is consisting its original mir...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very architectural pair of French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu mirrors. The pair of mirrors display mirror plates flanked by two Mahogany columns. The columns have a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Large Golden Oval Frame
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6480 - Large golden oval frame, perfect for a mirror: it's better to mount the mirror Yourself, due to transport problems from Italy. On request i can do, however.
It's very import...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Fruitwood
1970s Gilt Carved Resin Sculptural Wall Mirrors, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning wall mirrors you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
Mirror, Hand Polished Mahogany, Denmark, 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of art from the late Empire period. It is made in Denmark, dating back to the 1890s. The mahogany wood is carefull...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
White Painted French Mirror
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French neoclassic style white painted and rubbed mirror with a molded cornice, paneled uprights each with flowerhead reliefs and with a beveled mirror.
Dimensions: 52" W x 4.5" D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Antique French gold leaf gilded mirror cabinet Empire era 1820s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Antique French gilded gold-leaf mirror 1820s Empire period,characteristics of the period are the four palmette decorations adorning the corners of the frame,original mercury mirror o...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Mirror, Frame, wonderful swan decor, Empire, 1815, Vienna Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful wall mirror from the Empire period, around 1820, made in Vienna, Austria, Europe.
The mirror is in impressive good condition, only the mirror plate has been renewed to en...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Spruce
Midcentury Convex Eagle Mirror, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Resin convex mirror with an eagle - sometimes referred to as 'butler' mirror or 'witch eye' mirror.
The mirror is in a very good condition.
Beautiful eye catching mirror, ideal...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin
Charming vanity mirror, table swivel mirror, bronze marble, Empire, 1820, France
Located in Wien, AT
Charming table mirror, a high quality work, made around the 1820s in France.
The stand is out of bronze with a red marble base. The bronze stand is very delicately worked, with man...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Huge Mirror, Frame, mahogany, faceted, console available, ~1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful floor or full length mirror, from the Empire period, made around 1810 in Austria.
This huge mirror is still in its original condition - about 20 years ago the surface was...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Spruce
Antique Original Stand Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special LARGE standing mirror in empire style. Folding mirror on two sides.
Dimensions:
Height: 180 ( 205 ) cm for mirr...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French rectangular wall mirror made of hand carved gilded Pinewood with its original mirror glass, in good condition. The arched mirror is particularized by detailed flowe...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Empire Style Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror by ‘Alix A Paris’, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style mahogany and Parcel gilt overmantel Mirror by ‘Alix A Paris’.
French, circa 1880.
Stamped 'ALIX A PARIS'.
The mirror has an arched bevelled plate within a moulded and ribbon-tied, berried laurel surround, it is surmounted by a military trophy cresting.
'Georges-François Alix...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
A pair of French early 19th century Empire period giltwood mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive pair of French early 19th century Empire period Patinated and giltwood mirrors. The original mirrors plates are framed within an off white and gilt frame with bott...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black-gold, antique French wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Parisian mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pine
Luxurious Vintage Mirror in Wooden Carved Frame, Belgium Large Wall Mirror
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire Style vintage wall mirror in a beautiful wooden frame. Belgium.
A mirror is an important accessory for any room. This model has a luxurious design that will add individuali...
Category
20th Century Belgian Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
DIA Neoclassical Bronze, Brass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury neoclassical influenced mirror surrounded by brass trim and a bronze frame, made by Design Institute of America.
Category
20th Century American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass, Bronze
18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Antique Mirror, Mahogany, Denmark, 1840
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror with hand polished mahogany originally from Denmark around the 1880s.
Dimensions in cm: H: 153 W: 59.
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Italian 19th Century Empire St. Cherrywood and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scaled Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood and ormolu mirror. The rectangular mirror is flanked by two circular columns with bottom block feet decorated b...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Elegant Table/Wall Mirror in Plated Silver. Empire Style, 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant table/wall Mirror in plated silver. The mirror can be used both as a table mirror and for a wall ( see photos ). Beautifully decorated in Empire style and made in France duri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Silver Plate
19th Century Grey-Green French Empire Antique Gilded Wood Trumeau Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th century French Empire trumeau mirror, patinated in grey-green and embellished in partial in gilded finish, in good condition...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Regency Style Bulls Eye Eagle Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A large Regency style mirror with birds eye maple round frame and domed glass central mirror. Topped with a large hand cast black resin eagle and accented on the bottom with matching...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin, Birdseye Maple
Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany & Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company
Additional information:
Materials: mahogany, mirror
Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Category
20th Century Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Pair of Metal Wall Glass Mirrors, Parisian Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of wall mirrors with an arched top, made of hand crafted metal in good condition. The large mirror is consisting its original mirrored, leaded glass particular...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.
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