Empire Furniture
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
Mahogany Empire Chest Of Drawers, Stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée, Paris c. 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée
Paris
Mahogany
around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm
Description:
Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet supp...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Walnut Round Leather Top Polychromed Center Table in the Classical Form
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of a walnut polychromed round center table with leather top in a craquelure finish with beaded edge in the classical form, with center round pedestal supported by thre...
Category
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair 19th Century French Bronze Sphinx on Verde Antico Marble Bases
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French Empire bronze models of recumbent Sphinxes on Verdi Antico marble bases. The bronze with the warm golden patina of age. The custom marble bases, stepped on one side ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Pair of Empire Style French Bronze Gueridons with Black Marble Tops
Located in London, GB
France, 20th century
A pair of mid twentieth century Empire style circular gueridon, the black marble tops with polished brass rims, all supported on tripod bronze bases with cross...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze
Elegant 19th-Century French Bronzed Urns with Gold Ormolu Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step into the world of classical elegance with our exquisite pair of Early 19th-century French Urns, masterpieces of craftsmanship and historical beauty. These antique cassolettes, c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
France, circa 1890.
Width 15 1/2" Height 18" Depth 5 1/2"
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 Eagle Arms
Located in Halle, DE
A beautiful 20th Century classic French Empire gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 sculptural Eagle Arms .
The Bouillotte Lamp present a classic dark-green painted tole shade with ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Henredon French Empire Burl Wood Twelve Drawer Dresser
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Louis Philippe style twelve-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
By Henredon, "Charles X" Collection
USA, Late 20th Century
Beautiful burl wood, with ori...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Grand Tour Bronze Colonne Vendôme XIX
Located in Brussels, BE
French antique model in gilded bronze Grand Tour de la Vendôme column, dating from around 1880. This splendid bronze thermometer (Celsius and Fahren...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Mobiletti impero francesi in Mogano con fregi in bronzo e piano in un bel marmo
Located in Cesena, FC
Coppia di mobiletti impero (1850 circa).
Mobiletti impero francesi, in Mogano con fregi in bronzo, con colonna intera e piano in un bel marmo grigio, sportelli con ripiani interni.
...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Antique Empire / Regency Carved Ebonised Double Ended Couch
By Druce & Co.
Located in Sittingbourne, GB
Step into the captivating and opulent world of the Regency/Empire period with this exquisite double end sofa, a harmonious blend of exquisite craftsm...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Ebony
19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Leather Jewelry Box on small brass balls with diamond pattern.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman. Item featured is a very rare model, shapely raised box form, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, black ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our beautifully restored old chandelier from Berlin! This exquisite piece has been professionally refurbished with love, making it suitable for use in the US with its rew...
Category
1970s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk
This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary desk is a true work of art. Craf...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Paris Porcelain Gilt Chinoiserie Cup
Located in New York, NY
Paris porcelain gilt chinoiserie cup. French footed coffee can with richly painted and gilt chinoiserie figures within gilt arcade on brown ground w...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire-Style Marble and Ormolu Vases by Raingo
Located in London, GB
Pair of Empire-style marble and ormolu vases by Raingo
French, Late 19th Century
Height 37cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
This superb pair of vases combines stunning veined grey marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Style Commode Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French Empire style chest of drawers late 19th century. The wood is light cherry.
Overall, the structure of the furniture is straight and absolu te. The surfaces are flat and inters...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Noir Empire Style Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A timeless marvel. Crafted from wood with a Powder Black and Gold Finish, this 48"w x 21"d x 39"h piece exudes traditional charm. Its classic silhouette and the opulent blend of hues...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 9 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 9 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock un...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original
This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of French Empire Style Burlwood Guéridon Tables
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of mid-century French Empire style side tables, having a round burlwood tabletop, over a single drawer, rising on columnar supports, shaped stretcher, ending in turned feet.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Burl
Early 20th century 13 piece mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century 13 piece mahogany salon suite circa 1920
Very much in the empire taste.
Furniture could work split, such as the dining chairs and armchairs providing seating for...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Francesco Vinea Portrait of a Young Gentlewoman Painting
By Francesco Vinea 2
Located in Roma, IT
Francesco Vinea portrait of a woman
Portrait of Empire taste
Work by painter Francesco Vinea ( Forli 1845- Florence 1902).
Oil on canvas, depicting a young woman in Empire style in r...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Pair of French Empire Style Onyx and Gilded Bronze Tazzas
Located in Newport Beach, CA
An elegant pair of hand carved and polished onyx tazzas in the Empire style with gilded bronze mounts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
French Empire Painted Meridienne Daybed 18Th. C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Period Mahogany Painted Meridienne, Daybed, late 18Th C.
This Meridienne can float in a room as the back is also upholstered or be against the wall.
This fabulous larg...
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Mirrored Glass Brass Jewelry Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Mirrored Brass Jewelry Tray, Late 19th Century
Charming French tray featuring an elaborate floral motif.. The attention to detail is apparent on this piece. The mirrored glas...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Gilded Crystal 18 Light French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire style gilded bronze chandelier with 18 lights. This has been newly restored and rewired and is ready to ship. This was retrieved from an estate located in Green...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th century French empire mahogany armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french empire revival mahogany armchair, circa 1860.
Single french armchair made in mahogany. Shaped back linking to the padded armrests and scrolled arms. Front scroll...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920
Reference: 8331
Dimensions
87 inches (221 cms) Wide
22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep
36.5 inches (9...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Empire Brass and Giltwood Lamp
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Single lamp, nice elegant lines. Made in the 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900.
We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden.
Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table. Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included.
Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
antique empire chandelier
Located in Kiel, SH
high decorative antique bronze candelier from the empire.
I guess the chandelier was electrified later .
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Period Hand Carved Walnut Bergeres, Armchairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
From a home in Versailles, France, this pair of early nineteenth century French Empire period bergeres or armchairs is constructed of solid walnut with a rich patina that only comes ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Mahogany, Mahogany Feather and Oak Antique French Empire Bed, 1830s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Antique French bed from the first half of the 19th century. Empire furniture with full column carved and veneered in mahogany, mahogany feather and oak of excellent quality. Single a...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Ebonized & Gilt Console Table 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured***
A French Empire style console table offers ebonized wood construction with gilt foliate, rosette an...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Classical Marble Top Pier Table With Stencil Decoration, New York, Circa:1830
Located in Alexandria, VA
This Empire mirror backed pier/console table has a beautiful patina. For nearly 200 years it has had pride of place in fashionable New York City homes -- usually between windows as b...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Tavolino marmo bianco intarsiato e base in ferro battuto fatto a mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino da salotto realizzato con la tecnica decorativa dell' intarsio in scagliola su piano in marmo bianco Carrara, che appoggia su di un basamento in ferro battuto decorato in fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
Empire Mahogany Desk With Hunter Green Leather Top, Circa 1930
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Empire mahogany desk with tooled hunter green leather top. The desk with bronze banding and trim, bronze finely fluted corner medallions, fluted and tapering legs with bronze caps an...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Baker French Empire Regency Round Ebonized Granite Top Gueridon Center Table 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Baker Furniture Empire / Regency / Neoclassical inspired Gueridon side table. Features a hardwood ebonized frame with dark granite top. The round form is supported ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite
Empire-style Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890.
The lamp ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Swan Chaise Longue/Sofa Lounge
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Empire Swan Chaise Longue/Sofa Lounge
Empire swan chaise longue in the style of Classizism.
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partial...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech, Maple
French Empire Period Antique Mahogany Pedestal Center Table Gueridon
Located in Forney, TX
A 200 year old period French Empire mahogany pedestal table guéridon with beautifully aged heavily worn warm rich dark patina. circa 1810
Hand-crafted in France in the early 19th ce...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Cast Iron French Empire Style Lion Head Outdoor Garden Wall Water Fountain White
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast Iron French Empire Style Lion Head Outdoor Garden Wall Water Fountain (Black). Item features heavy cast iron construction, desirable weathered patina, approx. 40 lbs each. Does ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Antique Old or Vieux Paris Gilt Porcelain & Floral Plates by P A Hannong
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French porcelain vases.
In old Paris or vieux paris porcelain.
By the Paris porcelain manufactory of Peter Anton Hannong.
With a scalloped border, gilt rim...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Impressive 19th century French empire revival 5 piece bedroom suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
We are pleased to offer this 5 piece bedroom suite circa 1890.
Suite comprising of a bed, wardrobe, dressing table and pair of night stands.
Double bed with rich mahogany colour, r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Inkwell with Imperial Eagle in Portoro Marble and Gilt Bronze
Located in NICE, FR
We would like to present you with this magnificent 19th-century Empire-style inkwell from the Napoleon III era adorned with a raised imperial eagle motif positioned between the two i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm
Materials: walnut wood and marble
Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850.
Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark.
Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge. Below the to...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Iron Plant Stands
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful classical pair of French empire iron plant stands. Great addition to your French architectural inspired interiors and outdoors. Each will hold 3 or 4 orchids!
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Danish Empire Tall Chest of Drawers in Book-Matched Flame Mahogany Veneer
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome late Empire or early Biedermeier tall chest on chest in 2 sections with four drawers and double serpentine doors beneath a pedestal top; with beautiful book-matched flame ...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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