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Empire Barware

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
Antique Pair of English Mahogany Cellarettes circa Mid-1800s with Lion Paw Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique pair of Cellarettes or Liquor Cabinets imported from England, that were generally custom made wooden chests intended to transport or store a small number of alcoholic beverag...
Category

1860s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Vtg F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Ice Bucket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket. Item features is a nice small size, engraved "W.A.S., Many Thanks, T.G.W." to center, ve...
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal
Located in Milano, MI
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal. The set includes a new Faberge, two vodka glasses, a caviar bowl and a bottle. It includes a box. Egg - Ø 15 cm h 25 cm Fabergé refers to the renowned House of Fabergé, a company of Russian jewelers and craftsmen known for creating intricate and luxurious Fabergé eggs. The company was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, and subsequently continued by his son, Peter Carl Fabergé. Fabergé eggs are perhaps the Maison's most iconic and celebrated creations. These were decorated and jeweled eggs...
Category

1940s Russian Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Empire pattern biscuit barrel by WMF. High quality crafted from silverplated brass with a cut glass liner this piece can also perfectly be used as a ice cube to...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Copper and Brass Ice Bucket with Lion Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A copper and brass ice bucket with lion head design, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century. This copper ice bucket with lid, has brass lion head and loop design on sides (or front/back depending on the way it's positioned), plastic lined internal area for ice, finished with lid and knob for easy on/off. A great piece for entertaining on a sideboard, table, bar, car cart...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Barware

Materials

Brass, Copper

Fine Estate Baccarat Crystal Empire Style Jonzac Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Fine estate Baccarat decanter in the rare Jonzac pattern which pairs beautifully with Empire and Harcourt patterns- the stopper is identical to Harcourt an...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Pair Of French Wine Bottle Coasters
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of French brass antique bottle holder coasters from the first part of the 19th Century. With their pierced design around the circumference and the shape of leaves, they are id...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Set of 18 Crystal Glasses Made by Baccarat Model Jonzac
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of wine glasses from the French maker Baccarat. The model's name is Jonzac. The crystal is of a beautiful quality, with beautiful cut...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

French Empire Period Circular Brass & Mirrored Footed Plateau, Early 19th Cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of circular form with a raised brass gallery, the brass cast in pattern, with antique mirrored top, raised on small lion’s paw feet.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century Pewter Wine Beaker or Cup, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish Pewter beaker or cup for wine or beer, Denmark Circa 1790-1810 The cup is marked with a large W on the base.
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Pewter

Small Round Tray with Red Carrara Marble Top and Brass Edging
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round barware tray with red carrara marble top and brass edging. This tray was most likely an old table top, that is now being used as a tray.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Barware

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Rare Edition Baccarat Empire Harcourt Gilded Grape Motif Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Fine Baccarat Empire Harcourt whiskey decanter in a rare special edition featuring gilded grape motif. We have only come across this design once before in the thirty or so years of selling Baccarat pieces. This attractive model features the classic Baccarat body with an artistically rendered clusters of grapes and large grape leaves in gilt. A gilded circle at the rim of the decanter and a gilded border at the octagonal stopper complete the design. Distinctive barware piece, perfect for a special vintage whiskey...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Mid-20th Century French Cut Crystal / Gilt Cold Liquor Cave
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-20th century French cut crystal champagne cave in a dome shape form with hand painted gilt gold design finial top and stem base. The cave features a...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal, Gold Leaf

19th Century French Silver Two-Bottle Cruet Stand
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). The central loop carrying-handle w...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver

19th Century, Silver Dredging Spoon
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish silver dredging spoon from circa 1820.
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver

Related Items
Modern Champagne Bucket, Horizon collection Silver Plated
Located in Paris, FR
Champagne bucket modern design with a very sophisticated finish. This high-quality silverware will fit perfectly well in your modern decoration. Elegant and nice to use to keep fresh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Art Deco Silver Overlay Ice Bucket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco glass ice bucket with a nickel handle. Molded bucket with a faceted design. Top of bucket has silver overlay band with intricate pierced design.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Barware

Materials

Silver, Chrome

Art Deco Silver Overlay Ice Bucket
Art Deco Silver Overlay Ice Bucket
H 6.5 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Barrel Ice Bucket Champagne Wine Cooler in Copper and Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand forged copper and iron barrel shaped wine cooler, Spain, 1940s Eyecatching barrel copper ice bucket with iron braces and ring handles at both sides. The copper ice container is...
Category

20th Century Spanish Empire Barware

Materials

Wrought Iron, Copper, Iron

Black Starr Silver Plate Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco style silver plate ice bucket by Black Starr, includes the ice tong, and original removable pyrex glass insert, as shown. Clean, ready to use, shows only light cosmetic wear...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Barware

Art Deco Pink Glass Ice Bucket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco Period pink glass ice bucket with stepped, faceted design and a nickel-plated pail handle in very good vintage condition.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Barware

Materials

Chrome

Art Deco Pink Glass Ice Bucket
Art Deco Pink Glass Ice Bucket
H 6.5 in W 5.25 in D 4.125 in
English Chippendale Mahogany Cellarette with Original Bracket Feet, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany cellarette with a hinged scalloped compartmentalized lid, flanking brass side handles, interior lock with key, exposed dovetails, and resting on the orig...
Category

1780s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Georgian Brass Ice Bucket
Located in Altrincham, GB
Georgian Brass Ring Bound Pale Ice Bucket - Late 18thC - 10.5"w x 9"d x 9"h
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Georgian Brass Ice Bucket
Georgian Brass Ice Bucket
H 9 in W 10.5 in D 9 in
Thomas Wallis II Antique 1800s Pair of Sterling Silver Goblets
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver goblets; an addition to our range of wine and drink related silverware. These exceptional antique George III English sterling silver goblets have a plain circular bell shaped form to a waisted pedestal onto a circular foot and square foot. The upper rim of each body is embellished with a bright cut engraved band of floral and foliate ornamentation. The circular feet are ornamented with bands of tooled decoration. Each square foot is accented with a simplified pin struck border. Condition These antique goblets...
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Christofle Vintage Gallia Silver Plate Ice or Champagne Bucket Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
This timeless and elegant French Chistofle vintage ice or champagne bucket is Mid-Century Modern. It is hallmarked on the bottom with the Christofle France mark and Orfevre makers mark. it reads Coll Gallia from that particular collection. This is an early piece late 50s or early 60s. It has great gage of weight and the 4 step pedestal base makes for an Art Deco to transitional to modern look. This was the original production. The Gallia collection was produced as per Christofle in Saint Denis just north of Paris. Perfect for your entertaining needs and barware. It is 10.5." wide x 9.5" height x 7.5 inches diameter and weighs approx. 3 lbs. It is in great vintage condition. We polished it but not professionally. This is a true Classic Christofle ice...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Champagne Bucket with Lion's Head
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A gleaming and classically shaped Champagne bucket, or cooler, with lion's head ring handles, and a sturdy and attractively shaped base. Silver plated, with...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of two (2) Mother of Pearl seashell caviar spoons. Dimensions: .94" x 4.94".
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Shell

Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons, Set of 2
Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons, Set of 2
H 4.94 in W 0.94 in D 0.07 in
Vintage Baccarat Talleyrand Crystal Decanter
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and sleek decanter by Baccarat. Created in a smaller scale, this is a beautiful piece that will hold your whiskeys/spirits in great style. In great condition with a small...
Category

1990s French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Previously Available Items
French White Pierced Porcelain Compote Basket Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A French round pierced white Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France. Great as a stand...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Christofle Silver Plated Bottle Opener with Portrait of Napoleon the Emperor
Located in London, GB
Silverplated bottle opener by Christfole, Gallia collection, representing a medal with the French Emperor Napoleon in profile and the inscription "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR". On the back,...
Category

1980s French Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Early 19th Century French Pewter Tankard with Coat of Arms, Dated 1806
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing at 10 inches in height, this large early nineteenth century French pewter tankard features a coat of arms with an eagle flanked by crowned lions. Below the coat of arms is a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Pewter

Pristine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt 1841 Empire Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Pristine condition Harcourt Empire 1841 whiskey decanter. Luxurious, beautifully proportioned, elegant gilt decoration, well balanced weight. A perfect complement for the finest whi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Harcourt Empire 1841 Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Estate Baccarat Harcourt Empire 1841 decanter. Iconic Baccarat design, the most sought after and the earliest in Baccarat collection, dating to 1841...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Rare Russian Collection Baccarat Tsarina Cobalt Blue Overlay Tall Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Baccarat Tsarina limited edition Russian series cobalt glass overlay, hand cut crystal tall decanter. Only ninety pieces were produced, this ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass

Vintage Brass Lidded Footed Lion Head Coal Ash Bin Hob Scuttle Ice Bucket
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Empire style brass coal bin with scrolled feet, lion’s head handles, lid, and handled liner. Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an Ame...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Vintage Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Harcourt 1841 design is the oldest in the Baccarat collection, a classic. It has graced the tables of Kings, Queens, numerous celebrities and world leaders. Very good condit...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Rare French Mid-1800s Liquor Tantalus Drinks Box w. Two Stacks of Leather Books
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique double stack of leather books design liquor tantalus with hidden glasses & decanters. If you are looking for the most interesting and worldly...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Leather, Paper, Blown Glass

Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Harcourt 1841 design is the oldest in the Baccarat collection, a classic which has graced the tables of Kings, Queens and notable celebrities. Excellent condition.
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Pair Baccarat Malmaison Wine Glasses
Located in New York, NY
Named after the famed Chateau de Malmaison, Empress Josephine's favorite residence, this is one of Baccarat's most elegant designs. Josephine purchased Malmaison while Napoleon was away in Egypt in 1799. The castle was decorated by Percier and Fontaine and became the seat of French Government between 1800 and 1802. The property is widely admired for it's Rose Garden where some 250 varieties were featured, recorded by the artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Exotic animals such as kangaroos, zebras, emus, llamas, black swans and ostriches roamed the grounds. Introduced circa 1910. Fine pair of wine glasses...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Crystal Harcourt 1841 Empire Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Harcourt Empire 1841 is synonymous with luxury. Beautiful proportion, elegant gilt decoration, well balanced weight are a few of the attributes of this fine decanter. A perfect compl...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Empire barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire barware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage barware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire barware made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original barware, popular names associated with this style include Baccarat, Cristalleries De Baccarat, Fabergé, and Wiggers. 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 barware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $198 and tops out at $15,500 while the average work can sell for $1,268.

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