Empire Tea Sets
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.
Late 18th Century English Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1860s French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1860s French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1840s French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Empire Tea Sets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Silver
20th Century English Empire Tea Sets
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Russian Empire Tea Sets
Brass
1830s French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Late 20th Century French Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1910s Danish Vintage Empire Tea Sets
Silver
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Tea Sets
Silver
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Tea Sets
Gold
1790s Italian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Silver
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Silver
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Sterling Silver
1820s British Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1790s English Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1950s Polish Vintage Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 1800s English Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century German Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Empire Tea Sets
Gold
1970s French Vintage Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1830s Unknown Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
1820s French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Early 1900s Russian Antique Empire Tea Sets
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Late 20th Century French Empire Tea Sets
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Tea Sets
Silver Plate