Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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
The Last King's Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare and important carved mahogany Empire Period armchair attributed to Jacob Desmalter, France circa 1800, of neoclassical form inspired by the design of Percier et Fontaine, architects to the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the armrests beautifully carved with leopards heads and torso, the front legs ending in carved paw feet. Attributed to Jacob Desmalter. France, circa 1800.
Provenance: The front under railing stencilled “Raincy” period paper labels hand written: Mrs Duque Orlean, Grand Salon, Palais Royal. This chair was part of a large salon suite (this one is number belonging to King Louis Philippe - Duke of Orléans - the last king of France.
An almost identical model was known to be part of the collection of Molly de Balkany who had an important collection of Empire furniture. Sister of Robert De Balkany...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 19th century Danish revolving desk armchair in mahogany with marquetry and brass casters, from the Empire period. Ca 1850, Denmark.
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Leather Desk Armchair with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1890 and built of mahogany, the armchair stands on tapered legs decorated with gilt b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Empire mahogany desk chair or fauteuil de bureau.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The early 19th century desk chair with ram's head arms and turned legs, is attributable to Jacob Desmalter and dates to circa 1805.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Black Leather Swivel Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ormolu mounted mahogany open swivel base arm chair with black leather seat and back.
Antique condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Ormolu
Russian Empire Period Desk Chair
Located in Pembroke, MA
Lovely burled birch wood ("loupe de bouleau de Carélie") desk chair from the Russian Empire, and recently reupholstered in French damask fabric wi...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Burl, Birch
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Single Midcentury Desk Chair
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This elegantly simple desk chair features beautiful dark walnut wood and comfortable upholstery. Its simple style will blend effortlessly with any home office. It is extremely comfortable and would function just as well in any sitting room or home theatre...
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Mid-20th Century Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Pair of Teak Leather Library Study Desk Chairs in the Manner of Tobia Scarpa
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Original Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller Upholstered Fiberglass Arm Chair
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Cordovan Leather Tufted Office Desk Chair by Hancock and Moore
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19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
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Plush Hancock & Moore Chesterfield Style Swivel Leather Desk Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Luxurious Chesterfield style tufted leather executive desk chair having swivel base.
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Desk Chair in Leather and Wood, Style: Art Deco, France, 1930
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Art Deco Armchair
Wood and leather
Year: 1930
Country: France
If you are looking for a desk chair to match your desk, we have what you need.
We have specialized in the sale of Art ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood, Leather
pair of chairs by J. RISOM
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
located in france
Category
20th Century Danish Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Birch
Antique Victorian English Racing Green Leather & Oak Revolving Desk Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Fine Example Of An Antique Victorian English Racing Green Leather & Oak Revolving Height Adjustable Sprung Desk Chair
Desk Chair 2025 31 GD
Chair in the lowest position
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Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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H 33.47 in W 25.2 in D 18.51 in
Midcentury Spider Leg Leather Arm Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine Mid-Century Modern armchair, elegant and compact, standing on fine black iron spider legs. This stylish chair gives great comfort and support. This chair has recently been pro...
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Kurt Olsen Leather Chair
Located in London, GB
Classic Scandinavian armchair, desk or occasional accent chair by Kurt Olsen. Designed by Olsen for for Slagelse Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Smooth sculptural wooden frame that has its ori...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Louis XVI Style Fauteuil
Located in Sheffield, MA
Elegant French Louis XVI style armchair with bleached wood frame, fluted leg and cubic blocks decorated with florets, upholstered in Classic beige suited fabric. Appropriate for dini...
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Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A
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French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Armchair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The mahogany frame of this Empire chair has gained a fine patina and is embellished with fantastic ormolu throughout the design. A combination of rosette and palm motifs soften the s...
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French 19th Century Upholstered Vanity Chair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
We love this charming vanity chair from France, hand built during the 1800s. The carved mahogany frame has gained a fine patia over the decades and continues to be sturdy and level. ...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Fabric, Textile, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Cherry Wood Desk Barrel Armchair with Gilt Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1870 and built of cherry, the armchair stands on tapered front legs ending with paw sabot feet, over a bombe apron decorated with a brass laurel leaf motif mount. The rounded rail back over shaped slat, is embellished with gilt metal mounts, ending scrolled armrests decorated with elegant gilt bronze Egyptian female figure supports. The seat is dressed with black vinyl leather like upholstery, and embellished with decorative brass nail head trim. The comfortable barrel desk chair...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Bronze
H 27.5 in W 23.5 in D 18.75 in
Antique Empire Tub Arm Desk Chair 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French mahogany Empire "fauteuil du bureau", desk chair, Circa 1850 in date.
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Solid Birch Russian Style Dual Eagle Back Barrel Shaped Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic solid birch style dual eagle barrel chair. The chair can be used for an office desk or as an accent chair or even in a bedroom for a vanity. The chair dates to th...
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Early 2000s European Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Swivel Desk Chair, Northern Europe, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire-style swivel desk chair with brass slats and fluted gold patinated legs and armrests and high rounded back, veneered in mahogany.
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Late 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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19th Century French Empire Mahogany, Bronze and Leather Desk Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1890 and built of mahogany, the armchair stands on tapered legs decorated with gilt b...
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Russian or Baltic Empire Desk or Corner Chairs With Stenciled Leather Seats
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Russian or Baltic Empire desk chairs or corner chairs with curved backs in partly ebonized wood with metal inlay elements, the upholstered seat raised on square legs tapering to turned legs at the front, with ebonized sabots. Upholstered in old stenciled leather...
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Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
H 30 in W 25.5 in D 24 in
Italian Empire Period Mahogany Leather Upholstered Desk Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having an open concave back with shaped undercurled handles, the maroon leather upholstered fitted seat resting on turned and tapering front legs and splayed rear legs, first quarter...
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1810s Italian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Mahogany
Pair of Louis XVI Revival Armchairs French, Early 20th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of French open armchairs side or desk chairs Louis XVI revival,
circa 1900
The fabric can easily be changed to wear with your interior,
The upholstery is the original: suita...
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Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Late 19th, Century, French Empire Style Mahogany Side Chair-English
Located in San Francisco, CA
A excellent quality late 19th century mahogany side chair in the French empire style with superb
ormolu mounts probably by EH Kahn & Co. London.
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Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Empire office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire office chairs and desk chairs 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 office chairs and desk chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire office chairs and desk chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 office chairs and desk chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,057 and tops out at $24,500 while the average work can sell for $3,650.