Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
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 Empire Marble Bronze Statue Ormulu Black Mantel
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style ornate white marble mantel with black figural statues positioned on each side and bronze ormulu details. This was acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Co...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Fireplace In Antique Green Marble And Gilded Bronze
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire style fireplace in antique green marble and gilded bronze
Hearth dimensions: 85 x 102 cm
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
French Napoleon III Period 'Cupid' Fireback / Backsplash, 19th C.
Located in Amerongen, NL
19th century French Empire fireback with a cupid. The fireback is made of cast iron and has a natural brown patina. Upon request it can be made black / pewter. It is in a good condit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Iron
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marble Fireplaces with Cast Iron Insets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ormolu mounted marble fireplaces with cast iron insets
French, Late 19th Century
Fireplaces: Height 112cm, width 152cm, depth 33cm
Iron inserts: Height 89cm,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Statuary Marble, Iron, Ormolu
Antique Fireplace Mantel Gray Marble Carved with Lion's Paws, Empire Style, 1800
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique fireplace mantel in gray marble hand carved by an Italian artist, with lion's feet and wavy columns, Empire style, early 1800s, from an Italian noble home. Thanks to its refined color and its gentle shape, it lends itself to all those classy, elegant and suitable to be inserted even in a very modern context.
Empire lion paw fireplace...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
Antique large cast iron fireback inspired by " The Oath of the Horatii by David
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This antique fireback was made in the first half of the 19th century. In the center, in an octagonal medallion, four armed soldiers in antique-inspired outfit vigorously raise their ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Iron
A French Fireplace in Sarrancolin Marble
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French fireplace in Sarrancolin marble. The moulded jambs with scrolls to top surmounted by curved frieze with carved shell to centre. Moulded shelf above. Original br...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
Twin Star International 62" Cherry Wood Empire Style Heater TV Stand Fireplace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Heavy solid wood construction, nicely carved details, working heater and lighted fireplace with various settings, large impressive size, great style and form. Circa 21st Century, Pre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Cherry
Early 19th Century French Empire Column Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire fireplace, the plain frieze with carved foliate paterae supported by disengaged Tuscan columns and pilasters, in Carrara marble, hearth not includ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
English Brass & Steel Fire Grate
Located in London, GB
An English Brass and Steel fire grate in the Empire style. The rectangular fire basket with shaped polished steel fire bars flanked by brass reeded-column standards on urn feet with ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Empire Fireplace in Marble Vert de Grece
Located in Made, NL
Special antique fireplace carved in Greek marble 'Vert de Grece'. This Empire style Fireplace dates from the late 19th century (1890-1910).
The provenance of this fireplace is an ol...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
French Empire Decorative Piece for a Fire-Place
Located in Stockholm, SE
A French decorative stand to place in a fireplace, gilt, brass and bronze.
This item will make any fireplace look great.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Green & Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This surround was reclaimed from a property in Ascot, UK. It features carved Sienna marble end blocks and fluted Sienna frieze and jambs.
Opening Height 90 cm (35.43 in)
Opening Wi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Siena Marble, Marble
Carved Oak Antique Fire Mantel by GUERET FRERES
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This fire surround was made by the cabinet-making firm Guéret Frères. The firm was founded in 1853 and continued in production until the end of the 19th ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Oak, Paint, Wood
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace
French, 20th century
Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm
Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in Southall, GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary Carrara hand carved Roman Rosette on the cent...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Statuary Marble
Antique French Fireplace Mantel in Verdi Antico and Statuary Marble
Located in London, GB
An antique Empire style fireplace in Verdi Antico marble with Statuary white marble semi detached columns to Jambs. The capitals in the Corinthian manner again carved in Statuary Mar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
Empire-Style Antique Noir de Mazy with Marble Verde Circulation Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Empire-style black marble fireplace.
This extraordinary fireplace is made of Noir de Mazy marble, complemented by the luxurious green marble type Verde. Despite the clean lines, thi...
Category
Late 18th Century Belgian Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Antique French Empire Paw Foot Brass Pierce Decorated Fireplace Mantle Piece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire style paw foot brass pierce decorated fireplace mantel (fireplace) piece, circa late 19th century. Measurements: 7" H x 48" W x 15.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Brass
French Napoleon III Carved Griotte Marble and Ormolu Mounted Fireplace Mantel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Important French Napoleon III carved Rouge Griotte Marble and ormolu mounted figural fireplace mantel chimneypiece. The rectangular carv...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Noir de Mazy Black Marble Antique Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Statity and radiance meet in this wonderful fireplace in Empire style. Made from luxurious Noir de Mazy marble, this piece brings warmth and elegance to any interior. The chimney ori...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons are made of bronze. These are French, from Empire period, circa 1850.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Bronze
Rare Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Fire Screen
Located in New York, NY
A superb and large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze firescreen of unique shape and exquisite craftsmanship embellished with neoclassical gilt bronz...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Bronze
Antique Sienna Marble Mantel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique French Empire style Siena marble mantel with gilt bronze ormolu and original bronze surround.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A French Empire style limestone fireplace. The frieze with interlocking diamond pattern with tapering, full round columns. A copy of an 18th century original.
Shelf width: ...
Category
Late 20th Century English Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons with Lions, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
These andirons are made of bronze with lions lying face to face. This is a French Empire period pair of fireplace andirons, circa 1850.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire limestone fireplace, the panelled frieze with carved centre motif of Napoleonic bee and flowers, the panelled jambs with hexagonal motif to centre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Limestone
Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Green Granite Fireplace, circa 1850
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt bronze-mounted green granite fireplace.
French, circa 1850.
The fireplace has a rectangular mantel shelf above a frieze cent...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Granite, Bronze
19th Century French Marble Mantle
Located in New York, NY
An imposing 19th century French marble chimneypiece in the Empire style with lion’s paw feet above the plinth blocks supporting paneled jamb...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
19th Century Empire Fireplace Bronze or Brass
Located in Weiningen, CH
19th century Empire fireplace bronze
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Mantel in Statuary and Brass
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Empire style French mantel of outstanding quality. In flawless Italian statuary marble with very fine ormolu decoration the mantel displays...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Statuary Marble, Bronze
Fine 19th Century European Original Antique Fireplace Mantle from Empire Period
Located in Beervelde, BE
This original vintage fireplace surround is a one of a kind chimney piece. A real eyecatcher. It is influenced of the wars by Napoleon to Egypt.
The mantel is in perfect condition a...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
19th Century Empire Style Mantel Carved in Incarnat Turquin Marble
Located in New York, NY
Petite French Empire with disengaged columns and rosette corner blocks. Carved in Incarnat Turquin Marble.
Opening dimensions: 33 1/2" W x 34 1/8" H.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
French Empire Sarancolin and Statuary Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An impressive French Empire fireplace in richly colored Sarancolin marble. The finely carved Egyptian Caryatids in statuary white marble with Sarancolin square tapering pilasters. The panelled frieze with white marble moulding, and gently shaped stretcher below with marble keystone...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
19th Century Belgian Antique Fireplace Surround
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is a very unusual oxidized original antique fireplace mantle in Green marble from the Empire period with lion claw (griffon)
The front has 2 diamond point details.
The Marble is Vert Maurin with provenance from Hameau de Maurin in the Alpes-De-Haute-Provence ( France ). This marble was also used for the Grave Monument of Napoléon Premiér, in the Invalides...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Style Fireplace Mantel in Breche Marble
Located in London, GB
An antique French fireplace in quality breche marble with ormolu mounts and original cast iron chamber. In typical Empire Style, and well-proportioned having fine tapering columns supported on square foot blocks and ormolu mounts, again caped with ormolu egg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Breccia Marble, Ormolu
A 19th century French Empire marble fireplace / mantel piece, circa 1820
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A 19th century French Empire marble fireplace/mantel piece with scrolled legs, circa 1820.
Antique marble fireplace in Empire style. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
19th Century Original Empire Period Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is one of a kind fireplace surround in Carrara marble was made by special order for the Castle of Fontainebleau. The identical but in grey mantel was ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Carrara Marble
Rare French Napoleonic Empire Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A very important 19th century (circa 1820) French Empire Sienna marble fireplace with elaborate ormolu enrichments to frieze and jambs. The flu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Siena Marble
French Empire Brèche de Médous Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A striking French Empire fireplace in an unusually bold Brèche de Médous marble. The plain shelf and endblocks are supported by dramatic, scrolling console jambs over lion paw feet.
...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in London, GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary carrara hand-carved Roman Rosette on the Centre Tableau; Flanked Either Side B...
Category
Early 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Antique Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
Empire fireplaces and mantels for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire fireplaces and mantels for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage fireplaces and mantels created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire fireplaces and mantels made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 fireplaces and mantels differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $319,974 while the average work can sell for $13,248.
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