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Empire Decorative Objects

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 Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Bronze and Sienna Marble Clock with a bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a French Empire period mantle clock, circa 1830. The rectangular stepped case is made of yellow Sienna marble and is decorated on the top and bottom with patinated ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Allegorical French Empire clock Titled " Le Sacrifice d’Iphigénie "
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a period French Empire mantle clock which depicts the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon in Homer’s Iliad. The case is of matte and burnished gilded bronze, th...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

19 Century Italian Clock Landscape Painting
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early/mid-19th century Italian clock painting indistinctly signed on the lower right corner. The oil painting is set in a period Empire gilt frame and d...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Canvas

Wonderful French Empire Dore and Patinated Bronze Cherub Putti Wreath Clock
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré and patinated bronze Cherub Putti wreath clock, not currently in working order, back cover is missing as is bel...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Portico Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style portico clock. This e Empire style clock features Carrara marble, bevelled glass, bronze accents and a crystal r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

French Empire Pair of Ormolu Candlesticks with Original Handcut Threads
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire pair of ormolu candlesticks with original handcut threads. A very elegant pair of candlesticks with original orm...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
Located in London, GB
A very unusual French Empire Genre Arcadian mantel clock of a hunting scene. The primary subject is that of a finely dressed woman in riding habit, hat, whip and gloves riding side saddle on a fine patinated bronze hunter...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Rare Beverage Dispensers with Monochrome Decoration
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of beverage dispensers in caramel-colored lacquered tin. They are decorated with monochrome village scenes and landscapes dotted with ruins. Th...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns Wired as Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns, Wired as Lamps. Featuring ornate swag garlands and rams heads, with a frieze of dancing putti.
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Brûle-Parfum Urns, France, circa 1805
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of partly gilt Brûle-Parfum urns, attributed to Claude Gallé, standing on grey marble bases with Hermes mascarons. The urns are decorated with a gilt relief wall depicting danci...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Dragon Handled Urn Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An rare model French Empire mantle clock featuring a classical urn with dragon handles. The clock is entirely of gilded bronze with original fire gilding. The urn-shaped case is surm...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Portico Timber Clock, circa 1815
Located in Pymble, NSW
A brilliant French portico clock with ormolu mounts and pendulum mounted with 2 swans with 'blackened' necks and wings. The timber is gleaming with its...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Burl

French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
Located in London, GB
French Empire miniature ormolu clock of Cupid signed by Ledure and Thomas. A small French Empire clock only 10 inches (25 cms high) but of outstanding quality. A figure of Cupid stan...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl Vase in Pink with Handles in Gold, Early Stamp
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl vase in pink with handles in gold. Early stamp. Dated 1865. 1st. assortment. In perfect condition. Measures 29.5 x 14.5 cm.
Category

1860s Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

French Empire Parian Napoleon Bust
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) life size Parian bust of Napoleon on blue porcelain socle and square ormolu base (signed HOUDON, 1805)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Italy Mid-18th Century Empire Pair Brass Candle Holders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy Mid-18th Century pair of brass Empire five lights candleholders or table lamps This wonderful pair of brass candle holders, is a magnificent hand made work by Italian artisan...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique French Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These bronze candelabra were created in France in circa 1810, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The candelabra combine neoclassical and ancient Egyptian motifs, in a manner charac...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Clock in the Form of a Classical Urn, by Maison Lepautre, circa 1825
By Pierre-Basile Lepaute
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A gilt bronze Empire clock in the form of a classical urn, by Maison Lepautre. French, circa 1825. The dial signed 'Lepaute a Paris'. The clock has an ornate cast bezel with a 3-inch porcelain dial with Roman numerals and Breguet style hands. The twin train eight-day movement with outside count wheel striking on a bell and silk thread suspension. This elegant Empire style clock has a gilt bronze case in the form of a classical urn with swan neck handles and a winged cherub to the neck. The circular pedestal base is raised on a footed stepped square plinth. The Lepaute family were the premier French clockmakers of their day. Their significance lies in their contribution to the clock making industry which had hitherto come under the trade of locksmiths. The family held the brevet Horlogers du Roi. Jean-André Lepaute (1720–1789) arrived in Paris at an early age and in 1740 founded the family business. A skilled artist and mechanic, he quickly gained an excellent reputation. He was received as maître by the clockmakers guild in 1759, was granted royal lodgings from the king in The Luxembourg Palace, and was entrusted with the construction of the majority of the great public clocks of Paris. He executed, amongst others, those in The Luxembourg Palace, the Jardin des Plantes, the Château de Bellevue and the Château des Ternes. His clock at Paris’s École Militaire still works today. Three editions of his Traité d’Horlogerie were published in Paris in 1755, 1760 and 1767. A small volume, Description de Plusieurs Ouvrages d’Horlogerie appeared in 1764. Jean-André’s wife, Nicole-Reine Etable de la Brière (1723-1788), was a highly esteemed mathematician and astronomer. Her passion for science lent itself to Lepaute’s work and she played an active role in the scientific and mathematical aspects of the clock making. Jean-André’s younger brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute (1727-1802) joined him in Paris in 1747 and immediately started working for the family business. He was received as maître in 1776 and was known for the clocks he constructed for the Paris Hôtel de Ville (1780), destroyed in a fire of 1871, and for the Hôtel des Invalides (1784). Jean-Baptiste took over the workshop when Jean-André retired in 1775. After Jean-Baptiste’s death in 1802, the firm was taken over by his nephew Pierre-Basil Lepaute (1750-1843) where he was duly joined by his own nephew Jean-Joseph (1768-1846) and son Pierre-Michel (1785-1849). By 1816, Pierre-Michel Lepaute was in charge of the business. His masterpieces include the astronomical clock in Paris’s Bureau...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Sevres Green Ground Porcelain Framed Charger Napoleon Courting Josephine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large and very fine French Sevres green ground porcelain framed charger depicting the consecration of the Emperor Napoleon I and coronation of the...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

French Empire Style Porcelain Urn with Nautical Scene
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) white and gilt trimmed urn with scene of boats by coast and 2 handles with lion heads.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint, Porcelain

Russian Cloisonné Card Case in Silver Gilt
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 20th century Russian silver gilt cloisonné case This beautiful piece is lavishly decorated, but with a different design on each side. One side...
Category

Early 1900s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and antique silvered. Columns as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms. Diameter: 30 cm height: 52 cm.
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Two Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This majestic pair of gilt and patinated bronze candelabra are designed in the Empire style, which was popularized under Napoleon I (1769-1821). The art of the Empire period (1804-1814, 1815), when Napoleon was in power, often focused on the military and on lauding Napoleon’s campaigns. In furniture and the decorative arts, Imperial Roman motifs on the theme of war became increasingly fashionable, such as classical trophies, collections of weaponry and armour taken from a defeated enemy, and laurel wreaths, which were symbols of victory. Each candelabrum features five lights, composed of scrolling, foliate patinated branches, topped by gilt drip-pans, and patinated urn-shaped capitals with gilt sconces. The patinated stems of the candelabra are decorated with gilt laurel leaf wreaths. Patinated sculptures of the Classical Roman figures Mars, the god of war, and Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and strategy in war, Stand next to the candelabra stems. They are dressed in full body armour...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Lidded Service Terrine in Empire Style after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze engraved and silvered. Four columns with full moulded and finely engraved swans. Diameter:26cm, height: 28 cm.
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair Paris Porcelain Golden Mantle Vases Made in France Circa 1830
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this pair of golden Paris Porcelain mantle vases made in the Empire style, circa 1840. The gilding on these vases is dazzling. The delicate band of flowers an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large Russian Empire Porcelain Gold-Ground and White Bisque Figural Centrepiece
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and large Russian Empire porcelain gold ground and white bisque figural reticulated centrepiece. A large filigree basket supported by three a...
Category

1820s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Pair of French Empire Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and rouge marble column 6 arm candelabra with 3 lion figures on base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Design, Empire, Candelabras, Patinated Bronze, France, 19th C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Empire 19th century bronze candelabras depicting insects. These are quite possibly the finest cast bronze pieces on the market. Each having a center column formed rod with wi...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style bronze dore figure of perched eagle with spread wings (19/20th Cent.)
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved. Column-shaft as holder for four Sweeping candelabra arms. Diameter:30cm height:52 cm.
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of Empire Porcelain Vases
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Empire porcelain vases of egg-shaped form modelled with soft-paste porcelain handles representing 'Pheme', the personification of fame and renown. Decorated with a dark blue ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock. The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Giltwood Carved Frame
Located in New Orleans, LA
Period Empire giltwood frame.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire (19th Cent) gilt bronze urns with triangular shaped bases, finial tops and sphinx ram heads. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pavel Sazikov, Imperial Russian 84° Silver & Gilt Box, St. Petersburg, ca. 1856
By Pavel Sazikov
Located in New York, NY
Weight: 5 troy ounces (142.1 grams) This fine work of silversmith art was made during the era of Pavel Sazikov, the original founder of the firm, which makes it especially valuable ...
Category

1850s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

French Empire Steel And Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (19th Century) steel inkwell with gilt bronze trim with four original glass inserts and a side drawer.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Steel

French Empire Style Bronze Dore Egyptian Compote
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore compote with 3 Egyptian ebonized figures and crystal bowl.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of Wax Reliefs Attrib. to Pierre-Phillips Thomire of Napoleon and Josephine
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of Wax Reliefs attributed to Pierre-Phillips Thomire, (French 1751-1843). "Napoleon and Josephine," 1807, inscribed "Josephine/Thomire 1807." With pain...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Fine Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Candlesticks
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant French Empire or neoclassical pair of doré bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted candlesticks. Measures: 4.75W x 11 H.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pressed Wood Snuff Box, 19th Century "Fete Flamande"
Located in Spencertown, NY
Dancing scene with violinist and dancing couple.
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine Early 19th century French Empire ormolu bronze mantel clock. Depicting a winged cherub standing atop a barrel while a kneeling lady pouring wine ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Period Doré Bronze Figural Candelabras, Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of French Empire period doré bronze figural candelabra. Each of these beautiful five armed candelabras are meticulously cast and hand-chased with the finest detail...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Gilt Chinoiserie Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire gilt chinoiserie vases. Pair hand-painted and gilt French vases of the Empire period with mask handles and gilt surrounds centering on ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Octagonal Enamel Box
Located in London, GB
The enamel and mother-of-pearl inlaid gilded box centered with a depiction of a couple in a wooded landscape, the interior lined in red velvet.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt Sphinx Themed Candlestick on a Stepped Marble Base
Located in Stamford, CT
A gilt bronze candlestick on stepped marble base with gilt bonze face of a classical figure mounted on it.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Period Matte and Burnished Gilt Porcelain Vases
Located in Firenze, IT
Pair of French 19th century Empire porcelain two handles baluster-shaped vases. The body of each vase is in two-toned gold exceptionally tooled with matte and glazed gold. The vases ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Two-Tone Pair Fine Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze two-tone pair of fine candelabras.
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Magnificent Pair of Gilt-Bronze Figural Empire Period Candelabra, circa 1815
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A magnificent and highly important pair of gilt bronze figural empire period candelabra. French, circa 1815. A Magnificent and Highly Important Pair of gilt bronze Figural Empi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Two Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These magnificent candelabra were cast entirely of gilt bronze in the French Empire period of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum is formed as a cornucopia of scrolled branches holding four lights with drip pans, set on a single torch-form stem, held aloft by a Classical style figure. The figures, one male and one female, are shown draped in swathed clothing, with the male figure depicted holding a quill in his other hand, whilst the female figure clutches a delicate bouquet of flowers. The figures stand upon circular bases, set onto ovoid vases which featured fluted details and central bands of laurel leaf motifs. The vases themselves stand on undulating roundels formed of acanthus leaves, which are further set atop square-form plinths. Classically influenced works were popular during the French Empire period, when the Emperor Napoleon I sought to create a place in history for France alongside the ancient dynasties...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Italy Late 18th Century Pair Empire Brass Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italian late 18th Century pair of Empire burnished brass candleholders This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Empire Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of urns feature neoclassical motifs, including acanthus leaves, egg and dart borders, and Bacchus mask handles. The Verde antico marble plinth bases are mounted wi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Italian Empire Silver and Silver Gilt Inkstand
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of oval shape, with a cupid holding a bow and arrow riding aloft a gilt dolphin forming a lid over a compartment, flanked by ink and sand pots on masked plinths cast with Medusa masks and mounted to a lion's-paw footed oval galleried tray...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire style bronze mantel clock.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular lidded box depicting a woman reclining on a Recamier playing the harp. The underside with a star surrounded by banding with stippling decoration.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Empire decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Franco Salimbeni, and Alexandre Vossion. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $170 and tops out at $148,649 while the average work can sell for $4,772.

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