Empire Decorative Objects
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.
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
1790s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Decorative Objects
Brass
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Empire Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1850s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Crystal
20th Century Unknown Empire Decorative Objects
Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1810s Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1890s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Leather, Paper
1820s European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Malachite, Bronze
1810s Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Copper, Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Onyx, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Crystal, Metal
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Silver
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Enamel
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Bronze
1860s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze