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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
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 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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Pair of Empire Chairs French 20th Century Green Leather
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire Revival Side Chairs Early 20th century The green leather seat can easily be changed to suit your interior Good vintage condition with nice patina Frames are sound and...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Empire Chair French Desk Chair 20th Century to be Re-Uphostered
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire Revival side chair desk chair Early 20th century The fabric seat can easily be changed to suit your interior Good vintage condition with beautiful patina Frame is s...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

French Empire Black Leather Swivel Chair
Located in New York, NY
19th Century French Empire style ormolu mounted mahogany open swivel base arm chair with black leather seat and back.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Ormolu

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

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 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

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

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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Antique French Carved Walnut Desk Chair, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French carved walnut desk chair, circa 1880. With Burgundy Leather Upholstery.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th-Early 20th C. Set of 14 French Leather Upholstered Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant and fine set with two arm and twelve side chairs. Finely carved walnut Louis XV style with deep Saddle tome leather upholstery and nailhead trim. With floral scrolled crests and the seat rails with carved leafy scrolls, the legs ending in an elegant SnailsHead Foot. side chairs H. 37", W. 18", Depth 20 1/2", seat H. 20" Condition: some expected scratches to the leather but minor, a few stains on four seats, one with a tiny tear...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Chesterfield Tufted Green Leather Captains Directors Library Reading Desk Chair
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely, Chesterfield buttoned green leather desk chair A good looking well-made and decorative captain’s chair, it has a light beechwood f...
Category

20th Century English Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Beech

Mid-Century Modern Chrome Desk Chair with Woven Upholstery, c. 1970's
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern desk chair or side chair with chromed cantilevered frame in the style of Milo Baughman. Newly upholstered in a woven textile by Rogers & Goffigon fabric in hues of...
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Chrome

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian mahogany desk chair, in the Arts & Crafts style, revolving and with four down swept legs terminating on scroll fe...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Executive Office Swivel Desk Chair, Faux Leather, 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
Executive Office Swivel Desk Chair, Faux Leather, 20th C Measures- 44.5''H x 30.5''W x 33.25''D Catalogue Note: Ask about DISCOUNTED DELIVERY RATES available to most regions wi...
Category

20th Century Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Faux Leather

Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench made of mahogany with inlays of satin wood and ebony. Features a backrest with vertical spindles adorned with an ebony border and three demilunes with lig...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany

Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Bench
Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Bench
H 33.86 in W 53.15 in D 21.66 in
A 19th Century Swivelling Oak Office Chair or Desk Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A 19th Century Swivelling Oak Office Chair or Desk Chair The Chair has an attractive deep curving back top rail with slats and arching Shepherds Crook Arm Rests. The Chair has a s...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

English 19th Century Oak Desk Chair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome 19th century English oak desk chair, circa 1860s, features the original leather upholstery and an incredible rich patina. The padded chair back, with large decorative n...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

English 19th Century Oak Desk Chair
English 19th Century Oak Desk Chair
H 36 in W 18.75 in D 22.25 in
Gainsborough Armchair 19th century
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Good 19th century Gainsborough armchair in mahogany with new crimson linnen upholstery. This type of chair was named after the famous painter Tho...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Gainsborough Armchair 19th century
Gainsborough Armchair 19th century
H 37.8 in W 27.5 in D 28.3 in
Mid-Century Executive Conference Arm Chair by Eero Saarinen Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Arm chair by Eero Saarinen, produced by Swedish Nordiska Kompaniet under license from Knoll Int. The upholstery has been completely renewed and covered with a beautiful fabric by Kva...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

19th Century Elm and Ash Smokers Bow Office or Desk Chair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century elm and ash smokers bow office or desk chair This solid chair has an attractive thick saddle shaped seat in Elm, it has a very wide curved top rail in Ash and chunky ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Ash

Previously Available Items
Baker Furniture Empire Style Scroll Arm Accent Desk Dining Chair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A Lovely Baker Furniture Empire Style Solid Wood Accent Dining Chai...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Armchair
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Armchair
H 30.25 in W 23.25 in D 16.63 in
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. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Textile, Wood, Mahogany

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. It has a curved back and an upholstered leather seat. The mahogany is bea...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Empire Tub Arm Desk Chair 19th Century
Antique Empire Tub Arm Desk Chair 19th Century
H 29.14 in W 24.02 in D 20.48 in
Empire style mahogany and leather desk chair with Egyptian decor
Located in VERSAILLES, FR
The office chair is made of quality mahogany veneer with a very fine grain, the color of the mahogany is not dark but rather soft, in harmony with the slightly darker soft veining that adorns this mahogany veneer. This armchair is decorated with gilded bronzes representing the busts of Egyptian women, foliage motifs such as palmettes, leaves and stylized flowers. All the bronzes are original, none are added. The armchair is upholstered in beautiful green leather and the upholstery is of high quality. This "Return from Egypt" style armchair is a fine example of the Empire style produced at the end of the 19th century. It can also be combined with our desk of the same style. " Empire Style Mahogany Middle Desk with Egyptian Décor...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Early 2000s European Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Birch

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.
Category

Late 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Russian or Baltic Empire Desk or Corner Chairs With Stenciled Leather Seats
Located in New York, 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...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

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...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

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. Back, side rail, seat rails are all...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Ormolu

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.

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