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.
Fine Early 19th C. Bronze Mantel Clock “Saint Mark with Lion”, Detouche, Paris
By C. Detouche
Located in Lisse, NL
A fine and highly decorative early 19th century French mantel clock, signed C. Detouche, Bté, Paris, depicting Saint Mark the Evangelist seated beside his traditional attribute, the ...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
$13,932Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Pendule Portefaix circa 1810 Paris
Located in Münster, DE
Paris, Empire, c. 1810, bronze body, fire-gilt and patinated, designed by Jean-André Reiche in 1808, 8-day movement, enamel dial with Roman numerals, figure of the wearer on an oval ...
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Ormolu Pendule - Astronomy, France, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock Urania - Allegory of astronomy Montpellier Bronze, marble, enamel circa 1825 Dimensions: Height x width x depth: 37 x 31 x 10 cm Description: Beautiful mantel clock designed by the famous Parisian bronzier Jean Andre Reiche...
Enamel, Ormolu
Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century A charming Empire-period paperweight featuring a finely cast gilt bronze sphinx resting on a rectan...
Marble, Bronze
A Pair of Empire Style Sterling Silver Three Arm Candelabras
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of Empire-style removable arms, weighted sterling silver three-arm candelabras by Gorham. Nice patina to the silver, dating to the 1930's.
Sterling Silver
$952Sale Price|29% Off
Louis XVI-Style Crystal and Gilt Bronze Vase by Boin-Taburet, c. 1900
By Boin-Taburet
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A classic and opulent crystal and gilt bronze Louis XVI-style vase, its goblet-shaped heavy crystal bowl diamond cut and fluted to refract the light...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Fire-Gilt Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
An exceptional pair of French Empire period candlesticks executed in finely chased fire-gilt ormolu and contrasting dark patinated bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each cand...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Lion Head and Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver salt cellar with Lion head and paw feet detail, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century. Piece is a salt or pepper cellar vessel. A great piece for a dining t...
Sterling Silver
Collection of Turquoise Opaline Glass with Bronze Mounts, Italy Early 20th Cent
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful collection of Vases made of opal glass all with Bronze Mounts. These types of articles and jewelry boxes were mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They we...
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clock, Portal Pendule, Paris circa 1820
By Duval
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French round arch portal clock France (Paris) Bronze, enamel Empire circa 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 x 26 x 12 cm Description: Very beautiful, strictly architecturally...
Bronze, Enamel
Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$1,100 / set
French Pair of Brass Empire Style Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century brass candlesticks, Empire in taste, like miniature columns to add instant glamor to a mantel or table. Typical of the French Empire period, inspiration from anci...
Brass
Pair Old Paris Porcelain Vases France Empire Style Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of Old Paris porcelain mantel vases stands out immediately for its remarkable mirror-bright gilding, a luminous surface that captures and reflects light in the luxurious ma...
Porcelain
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century. Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Clock, Japy Frères et Cie Movement
By Japy Frères
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent mantel clock exemplifies the height of French Empire Revival design in the 19th century—where classical grandeur, refined materials, and superb craftsmanship converg...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Copper
Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts
Located in London, GB
A French late 19th century Empire style crystal box with classical gilt bronze mounts.
Ormolu
LARGE CLOCK 'A L'ETUDE', Empire, the model by P.V. LEDURE 1825-1830
Located in Berlin, DE
Height: 50 cm. Width: 34 cm. Depth: 13 cm. France, 1810-1820 Attr. P.V. LEDURE MOVEMENT Eight-day movement. Pendulum with thread suspension. Half-hour and hour lockwheel strike,...
Gold
$15,952Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box
Located in London, GB
A Magnifient Lapis Empire Style Box This box is Absolutely Stunning, Ormolu Mounted
Lapis Lazuli
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
Ormolu
French Empire bronze Napoleon bust - early 19th century
By Chaudet
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Nineteenth century French Empire patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon featured as Hermes. The base is labeled "Napoleon". After the 1804 model by Antoine-Denise Chaudet, Empire p...
Bronze
Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century. Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included. Later added hatch at back. F...
Brass
Napoleon On Horseback, Double Patina Bronze Clock, H40cm, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Bronze clock with double patina, representing Napoleon I on horseback, looking into the distance with his telescope. In front, 2 feet in the form of lion paws and a macaron with a...
Bronze
$800Sale Price|50% Off
Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A refined French Empire style gilt brass and cut crystal casket, dating from the 19th century. This elegant decorative box beautifully reflects the neoclassical vocabulary inspired b...
Crystal, Brass
Early 19th Century Mantel Clock - "Pendule au Noir", Faizan à Paris circa 1810
By Faizan A Paris
Located in Greven, DE
The barrel roller - so-called "Pendule au Noir" Paris fire-gilt bronze early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 34 x 27 x 11 cm Description: Fire-gilt bronze clock from the early...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish. The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Bronze
Fire-gilded French Empire bronze clock, ca. 1800, “Chariot of Aurora”; Deniere
Located in Münster, DE
Fire-gilded bronze clock depicting Aurora’s chariot, dial signed Deniere á Paris, Maison Deniere The signature “Denière” or “Denière Fabt de Bronzes à Paris” belongs to Jean-Franço...
Bronze, Enamel
Antique German Iron Coffer with Griffins, Empire Style, Circa 1810
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Metal, Iron
Wonderful Regency Empire Ormolu Bronze Crystal Porcelain Oval Jewelry Box Chest
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Regency Empire Ormolu Bronze Crystal / Glass With Unusual Porcelain Plaque Medallion Oval Jewelry Box Chest
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Ormolu
$7,600 / set
Pair White Neoclassical Campagna Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair White Neoclassical Campagna Vases. Pair of Paris Porcelain all white glazed porcelain two part vases with double mask handles. France 1810. Dimensions: 9.5" diameter x 13.5" ...
Porcelain
$95Sale Price|34% Off
Early 20th Century Biscuit Tin "The British Commonwealth"
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A biscuit tin celebrating The British Commonwealth, both natural & architectural. The 1930s Canadian Rockies train is wonderful! Also featuring Windsor, Parliament House of New Zeala...
Metal
Egg on tripod Sterling Silver emerald fired Enamel on Guillochè Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840 A beautifully proportioned French paperweight from the late Empire period, crafted in richly veined Rouge Grio...
Griotte Marble
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Period Porcelain Campana Vases, Parisian, circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Paris porcelain vases, designed in campana form with the front featuring circular vignettes with landscape scenes, on the reverse are framed musical trophies created t...
Porcelain
Antique Green Glass Inkwell with Ormolu Mounts, French Empire Style
Located in Nashville, TN
A quite stunning French green glass inkwell of substantial size, with extremely elegantly worked neoclassical mounts, intricate scrolling .The level of detail on this piece is quite...
Blown Glass
French Empire Style Table Picture Frame in Brass, Velvet and Glass
Located in Milan, IT
French Empire Style Table Picture Frame in Brass, Velvet and Glass
Brass
Italian Green Marble Lidded Bonbonnière with Brass Mounts, Early 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
This exquisite lidded bonbonnière was crafted in Italy during the first half of the 20th century and showcases the elegance of fine materials and skilled craftsmanship. Made from a f...
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of 19th C. French Empire Bronze and Patinated Brass Four-Light Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring stately elegance and classical refinement to a mantel, buffet, or console with this striking pair of French Empire candelabra, crafted in France circa 1880 from finely chased g...
Bronze, Brass
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Wood
Pair of French Empire Dore Patinated Bronze Urns on Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of quality bronze Dore Urns on Pedestals. The pair are in wonderful vintage condition. one small bend to the lip or edge of one - not greatly noticeable or offense...
Gold, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of dark patinated candle sticks made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candle holders are particularized with flowers decoration, resting on a tripod foot. The Parisian décor...
Metal, Bronze
Pair French Empire Egyptian Doré Bronze Candelabra Designed by Charles Percier
Located in New York, NY
Thomier A Paris, A Monumental & Quite Rare Pair of French Empire Egyptian Style Doré Bronze and Patinated bronze Seven Light Candelabras After Designs by Charles Percier, Signed ...
Bronze
Empire Miniature Urn in Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Miniature Urn in Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze, 1820s A refined and beautifully proportioned miniature urn in finely chased gilt and dark patinated bronze, executed in the E...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) A large a...
Bronze
Antique French Marble & Gilded Brass Candelabras circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite pair of antique French candelabras are masterfully crafted from white marble and ornate gilded brass. Each candelabra features three gracefully arched arms adorned wit...
Marble, Brass
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Female Figures Vestals Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful French early 19th century Empire pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candlesticks with female figure decoration in the manner of Claude Galle: Each candlestick with a...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Germain Pilon, Atelier de moulage du Louvre
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Plaster
French 19th-Century Gilt-Bronze Figural Candles Stone Material, Gilt Paint, 1920
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This antique figural candlestick holder is crafted in gilt bronze (ormolu) and is attributed to French production of the 19th century. The piece features a finely detailed sculptural...
Stone
Antique French Playing Card Box, Rosewood & Brass Inlays, Circa 1860
Located in Münster, DE
Large casket, rosewood solid and veneered, France circa 1860/70, brass handle embedded in the lid, brass inlays, nice division inside (originally for tokens and cards), restored cond...
Brass
A fine 19th century Carrera marble bust of Napoleon by Antonio Piazza
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Italian Carrera marble hand carved marble bust of Napoleon . Signed Antonio Piazza
Carrara Marble
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A refined pair of Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze, crafted in France around the 1820s. The design features the elegant, flu...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Candelabra Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19thC French Empire style candelabra converted into a lamp and featuring a finely chased patinated bronze statue of Nike or Winged Victory holding aloft five gilt bronze ca...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Tole Monteith or Jardiniere Cachepot
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique early 19th century French tole monteith or jardiniere cachepot decorated with gilt bands in the neoclassical taste. With removable zinc liner. The top opening measures 10 1/4...
Metal
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Metal, Brass
$1,424Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair, French Empire Gilt Bronze Crane Motif Candlesticks Circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1815. This exquisite pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks, crafted circa 1815, embodies the opulence and grandeur of the Empire style. Each candlestick feat...
Bronze
Antique Ansonia Black Mantel Clock with Bronze Coated Columns and Claw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Ansonia Empire Black Enameled Metal Mantel Clock with Bronze Coated Cast Iron Columns, Beveled Glass Door, Scrolling Detail, and Claw Feet. Circa Late 19th Century. Measureme...
Metal, Iron
Art Nouveau Style Brass Orb Witches Ball, Embossed Pedestal Desktop Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant Art Nouveau brass orb or witches ball featuring a smooth domed lid, decorative cast floral and ribbon motifs, and a sculptural tripod base with organic flowing lines. The ref...
Brass
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Large Pair Of French Empire Ormolu Campagna Form Urns
Located in Essex, MA
Impressive size with their original oxidized patina that I have left uncleaned. Handles with rams heads. The plinth decorated with wreaths and musical lyre.
Bronze, Ormolu