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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
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets Classic urns of amphora form Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy Ormolu fixtures are original and finely cast Purchased from a dealer on Marche Biron...
Category

1890s Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Navy Blue en...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg Russian Empire style enamel with tall tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Russian Empire is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Russian Empire has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Russian Empire is on...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver

19th Century Paris Porcelain Basket Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stunning openwork corbeille, or basket vase, dating from the early 19th century Empire Period, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and richly gilded all over its delicatel...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Exquisite Petite Empire Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite pair of early nineteenth century small candlesticks from France, made of gilt bronze on small, square alabaster bases. These candlesticks feature neoclassical columns sw...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candelabras, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candelabras originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fur...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Slate, Bronze

Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fu...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Slate, Bronze

Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg White with blue garlands i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Purple Red...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820. The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Early 19th Century Mantel Clock, Firegilt Bronze, Paris circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare "Au Bon Sauvage" mantel clock France Fire-gilt and patinated bronze Empire around 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 34 x 41 x 13 cm Description: Extremely rare French bronze m...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pair of French Empire vases date from the 19th century and are of exceptional quality. Unfortunately one of the cut crystal vase has been crac...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze. Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers. Original gilding.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving This white marble column with grey streaks has a Greek key band and other minimal carvings. It ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

1810s Large Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar, 1st Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases French, 20th Century Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu

19th C. French Empire Tole Pedestal Jardiniere Cachepot Urn With Bronze Swans
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th Century French Empire style dark navy blue and gilt tole pedestal jardiniere or cachepot. This fine jardiniere has a hand painted Neoclassical landscape vignette on one side and a gilt torch and laurel...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tôle

19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Set of Brass Travel Candlesticks Chamber-stands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two small travel candlesticks in brass. The set can easily disassemble into 4 parts, two bases and two candleholders. The four parts can then be assembled into a pair of candl...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza  Made in Austria, circa 1920s An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Category

20th Century Austrian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Exceptional Pair of French Late Empire Gilt-bronze Candelabra Attributed to Pier
Located in Benington, Herts
A pair of exceptionally elegant and important late Empire five-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Charles Percier. Imposing size at 81cm in height. French Paris c.1820 Superbly cast, in the Neo-Classical style, the five scrolling foliate candle branches enclosing central sconces issuing from a circular wreath supported by the winged figure of Victory (Nike), wearing diaphanous robes gathered by a sash above a long underskirt splaying out from above her ankles, with beautifully feathered wings flowing behind her as she looks straight ahead. Each figure standing on one foot, the other bent, resting on a plain sphere over a reeded palmette-cast baluster pedestal raised on square plinth. Wonderful colour and patina, pierced for electricity, old inventory label to the underside. We are delighted to have been able to acquire these important candelabra as rarely does one get the opportunity to purchase items by P P Thomire...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of large Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra. France 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of large and elegant Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra, made in France during the 1820s. Gilded and dark patinated bronze. Can be used as large candlesticks or ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, Johann Kaba Vienna, Dated 1803
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, the smooth shaft raised in the centre with a constriction formed by a beaded band in relief, the shaft widening conically tow...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue. Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

French Limoges Porcelain Gilded Baluster Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A large pedestal baluster-shaped vase in hand-painted Limoges porcelain, and dating from the mid-20th century. Featuring an exquisite decoration of spring flowers in vibrant polychro...
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Mantel Clock with reading young lady, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire mantel clock with enameled dial and fire-gilt case. The clock is crowned by a full-figure young lady sitting on a Klismos chair and reading a book. Her feet rest on a stool an...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Set of Two Antique French Old Paris Porcelain 'Porte Plume" Statues
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful set of two antique French Old Paris Porcelain "Porte Plume" - Statues for ink pens. These 2 antique French Porcelain Porte Plume from around 1820-1850 are beautiful hand decorated with a man and woman in oriental Arabic traditional style. This style is characteristic and popular from that time with oriental scenes atmospheres. The "Porte Plume" was used at the secretary desk for inserting the feather ink...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

French Gilt Empire Claude Galle Clock By Claude Gallé, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze clock with rotating dial made for the 1807 Exhibition after a composition by Claude Gallé,regarded as one of the best bronziers of the late Louis XVI a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

French long duration Skeleton Clock
Located in HAARLEM, NL
The clock sits proudly on a black marble base with four bun feet. The I form skeletonised timepiece movement with anchor escapement, knife edge suspension and compensated pendulum. T...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Goeschl
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style: The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Seated Female Figure in French Fire-Gilt Clock from Empire Era
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French fire-gilt clock depicting a seated female figure - Urania, I presume, judging from the iconography. Empire Era, 1800-1815. The gilding sh...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Bronze & Marble Candelabra
Located in Southall, GB
A beautifully made pair of French candelabras in bronze and marble. Two neoclassical styled women are blowing trumpet horns which form candlesticks. There is intricate detailing to t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large Estate Signed Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase. Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Rare Vieux Paris Tall Vases, Circa:1830
Located in Alexandria, VA
This pair of neoclassic Vieux Paris conical shaped vases have Classical Roman motifs on one side. Portraits on the other side depict an inebriate on one vase and a teetotaler on the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Small Italian Antique 19th Century Rectangular Gilded Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Rectangular Gilded Frame, Italy Late 19th Century Glass is included Inside measurements are 6 by 9 inches.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood, Wood

French Cut Crystal Amethyst Glass Bowl Gilt Bronze Empire
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gilt Bronze and Amethyst Cut Crystal Bowl, France This classically inspired bowl is decorated with bronze detailing including foliate bronze...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

An Ormolu Mounted Swedish Porphyry Butter Tub, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The delicately chamfered edges of the round tub and cover carved from Blyberg Porphyry with ormolu mounted acorn finial.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porphyry, Ormolu

A Pair of Porcelain de Paris Ovid Form Vases, Circa:1820
Located in Alexandria, VA
This is an exceptional pair of Old Paris vases with beautiful hand-painted panorama scenes. The bucolic scenes are of fashionably dressed people hanging out with cows by a meandering...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Table Clock, Patinated and gilded bronze, Cleret, Paris, Circa 1825
By Cleret
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
French Empire table clock by Cleret, Paris, movement by Pierre-César Honoré Pons. The case in gilded and patinated bronze, circa 1825. The bronze base is decorated with a broad floral frieze with a central urn and two doves above a gilt floral border on four ball feet, the front feet with butterfly wing decoration. On the top of the clock stands a gilt bronze figure of a classically dressed maiden pouring...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock in the form of a vase, Empire Era, 1800-1815. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and pendulum.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French 'Empire' library mantel clock
Located in HAARLEM, NL
A charming Library Empire mantel clock. The Cupido reading the book is a very desirable subject. Even now a good decoration in almost every interior . The striking count wheel 8-day...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mid 20th century framed Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian framed bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold detail...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair of French 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French 19th century Empire gilt and bronze candlesticks.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlesticks
Located in Stockholm, SE
A decorative pair of empire style candlesticks in gilt bronze and dark green marble. France, end of the 19th century. Nice condition.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver 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 24carats. Pocket pill box like egg ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver

19th Century French Bronze Metal and Crystal Urn, Pair, attributed to Baccarat
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century French artisans knew how to design lasting classical beauty. This extraordinary pair of French urns is proof of the mastery put forth in design and construction. Fro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Mid 19th c. Early French Silvered & Dore Bronze With Honey Alabaster Vase
Located in Louisville, KY
For those with discriminating taste for French antiques, this 19th century French Silvered and Dore Bronze with Honey Alabaster vase is nothing short of magnificent! Created in the style of Edouard Lievre, this vase is masterfully crafted with cast bronze with areas that have been silvered to showcase the intricate detail and texture. The side handles are silvered bronze with wreath hangers. At the base of the honey alabaster stone vase is a cherub face with silvered leaf head...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster, Silver, Bronze

French mahogany regulator 'portico' mantel clock by Montassier
Located in HAARLEM, NL
The clock movement is suspended from a portico within four pillars. The mahogany case is decorated with extremely beautiful cast and gilded bronzes, including two griffons facing an ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

EARLY 19th CENTURY BRONZE DIANA'S BUST SCULPTURE
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful bust made of lost wax cast bronze, depicting the goddess of hunting Diana. The work recalls the style of classical art, showing the goddess in profile, with her hair gather...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire Drouot Bronze Table Clock, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
Exquisite French Empire style mantel clock, gilded and chiseled bronze on a green marble base by Drouot (French, active 1807) Signature inscription on round enamel dial Drouot and Re...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

ORIGINAL EMPIRE BATHTUB IN RED VERONA MARBLE WITH RINGS began 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
ORIGINAL EMPIRE BATHTUB IN RED VERONA MARBLE WITH RINGS began 19th Century Impressive and rare Empire bathtub in red Verona marble with rings. early 19...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840. Fine quality Swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1810s.
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1810s. Richly decorated in period flowers and check patterns. Beautiful wide base. Wear consist...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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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