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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
empire brass column lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
empire lamp stem in solid brass with contemporary lampshade from the 1950's base is 44 centimetres high ( 17 1/3")
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

1810s Large Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar, 1st Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style. Italian - Circa 1880 These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion ...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

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 Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Chaise Lounge, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire Recamiere in ash-tree veneered with fire gilt bronze rosettes on the curved backrest and feet. Measuring 155 cm in length with a seat height of 40 cm, this recamier has underg...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier French, Late 19th Century Height 32, diameter 42cm This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze. Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers. Original gilding.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Mahogany 2-Drawer Stand, Circa 1810, France
Located in Alexandria, VA
This high style 2-drawer stand is made of mahogany and mahogany book matched veneer with French pine secondary wood. The piece has a finished back, so it can be used away from the wa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Woven Forrest Tapestry 7.2X6.0
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating what many experts consider t...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Walnut, Paint

Late Empire Chatol Made In Elm Wood From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire chatol is a fine representation of furniture style from the 1840s. Made of elm wood and adorned with intarsia details, it exudes both noble craftsmanship and histori...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Elm

Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820. The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Brass and Eglomise Glass French Midcentury Side Table
Located in London, GB
This three tier side table was made in France in the 1960s using brass and eglomise glass. The empire style designs on the sides are finished with a flower - please take a look at ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Period Bleached Walnut Commode with Marble Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine 19th century French Empire period four-drawer commode handcrafted of walnut, circa 1810. Having a bleached finish, this handsome antique French chest of drawers features a boo...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving This white marble column with grey streaks has a Greek key band and other minimal carvings. It ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Continental Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gilt bronze mounts, 19th century. With a black rectangular marble top over 4 flame mahogany drawers flanked by ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

A Pair of 19th Century Empire Bedside Cabinets
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1860 A pair of mid nineteenth century Empire bedside cabinets, with original grey marble tops, with ormolu Egyptian caryatids, opening wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Mahogany Sidetable, Ladies Desk, France, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Lyra writing and work table Paris Mahogany Empire around 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 80 x 53 x 34 cm Description: Lyra writing and work table based...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

1800's Antique Empire Period, Medallion Back, New Upholstery, Red/Beige Sofa
Located in Austin, TX
1800's Antique Empire Period, Medallion Back, New Upholstery, Red/Beige Sofa Beautiful with New Upholstery, Antique Sofa, Empire Period, Medallion Back, New Upholstery, Red/Beige, 19th Century, 1800's! This antique sofa from the Empire Period features a stunning medallion back design and has been newly upholstered in a beautiful red and beige fabric. With its dark wood tones and traditional style, this sofa is sure to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any living room, lounge, or guestroom. Measuring 26" in length and 84" in width, this sofa comfortably seats up to three people. No additional parts are required for assembly, and the sofa is ready to use right away. The brand is Empire, and the country/region of manufacture is unknown. Overall, this antique sofa is a one-of-a-kind piece that is perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of history and charm to their home. Period empire medallion...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

20th Century Vintage Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

French 19th Century Empire St. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, And Ormolu Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, and Ormolu pedestal. This beautiful pedestal is raised by a square stepped Onyx base with fou...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier. Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

XX Century Empire Style Dressing Table with Ivory and Bronze
Located in Lisboa, PT
Empire Style Dressing Table, features a mirror and a small compartiment, that can be closed with a key. European made, from the 20th Century. Empire-style furniture draws its inspiration from the Napoleonic era, particularly the designs that flourished during Napoleon Bonaparte's reign in France. This style is characterized by grandeur, symmetry, and classical motifs. The use of bronze and ivory...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A Continental Mahogany Oval Center Table
Located in New York, NY
The oval tilt-top over a bold turned support on scroll-form feet.
Category

1840s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Dutch Empire Style Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest made of mahogany and ebonized wood during the 1800’s. This mahogany case piece has six bookmatched drawer fronts each with two ring drawer pulls for e...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Danish Early 19th Century Empire Black Polished Mahogany Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish early 19th century empire bench. Frame in mahogany with a black French polish. Newly upholstered in a teal velour fabric. Scrolled spindle sides with geometric brass i...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair French Empire Green Marble Gilt Bronze Urn Pedestal Pillars
Located in New York, NY
Standing at an impressive 6 feet tall, they were procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, which adds a layer of history and significance to the pieces. They are pr...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Schoelcher Manufacture : Empire Paris porcelain sauce boat 19th century - signed
By Marc Schoelcher
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Empire Paris Porcelain sauce boat ; bearutiful 19th century production enhanced with fine gold, decorated with hand-painted polychromatic flowers, antique-style masks on the sides, a...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 19th century Scandinavian empire flame mahogany breakfront bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Scandinavian empire flame mahogany breakfront bookcase circa 1820. Stunning bookcase of grand proportions veneered in golden flame mahogany.  Bookcase comprises of 7 sections which screw together to.  3 sections to the base, 3 glazed sections and a cornice. Central double door glazed...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Mid century vintage Italian brass and porcelain whimsical decorator lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Italian made decorator table lamp. The table lamp features a botanical inspired bouquet flowers with handmade porce...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat & Greatcoat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat and Greatcoat France, circa 1920s  Capture a piece of French history with this exquisite Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases French, 20th Century Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu

French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Paris Porcelain Three-Footed Gilded Coffee Cups. Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb pair of opulent 'Porcelain de Paris' three-footed coffee cups with matching saucers – one blue, one burgundy – each richly embellished with hand-painted gilt detailing in ey...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed
Located in Houston, TX
A period Italian Empire queen bed beautifully carved with Neoclassical influences to include acanthus finials, flourishing floral fauna, reeding and r...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany, And Gray Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Mahogany, and gray marble console. The console with original mirror plates is raised by two front Ormolu foliate b...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza  Made in Austria, circa 1920s An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Category

20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Early 19th Century Set of Brass Travel Candlesticks Chamber-stands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two small travel candlesticks in brass. The set can easily disassemble into 4 parts, two bases and two candleholders. The four parts can then be assembled into a pair of candl...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Exceptional Pair of French Late Empire Gilt-bronze Candelabra Attributed to Pier
Located in Benington, Herts
A pair of exceptionally elegant and important late Empire five-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Charles Percier. Imposing size at 81cm in height. French Paris c.1820 Superbly cast, in the Neo-Classical style, the five scrolling foliate candle branches enclosing central sconces issuing from a circular wreath supported by the winged figure of Victory (Nike), wearing diaphanous robes gathered by a sash above a long underskirt splaying out from above her ankles, with beautifully feathered wings flowing behind her as she looks straight ahead. Each figure standing on one foot, the other bent, resting on a plain sphere over a reeded palmette-cast baluster pedestal raised on square plinth. Wonderful colour and patina, pierced for electricity, old inventory label to the underside. We are delighted to have been able to acquire these important candelabra as rarely does one get the opportunity to purchase items by P P Thomire...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Italian, Lucca, Empire Period Silver Gilt / Mecca 12-light Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of traditional basket form with two tiers of 6 removeable arms each, the arms connected to vertical gilded gesso bands of ascending diameter, the top tier having beautifully sculpted...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf

A 19th Century Rafraichissoir Table
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century rafraichissoir table with gilt and ebonized swan supports. Mahogany, circa 1845. France.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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 Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Swedish Late Empire Black-polished Birch Bookcase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish late empire bookcase / display cabinet in black-polished birch. In 2 parts, upper case having mullioned glass front with cathedral arch cornice. Lower part with a pair of pa...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, Johann Kaba Vienna, Dated 1803
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, the smooth shaft raised in the centre with a constriction formed by a beaded band in relief, the shaft widening conically tow...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful French 19th century, solid walnut semainier is the perfect way to add more organizational storage to your space without sacrificing style. The design of the semainier ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawers (lacking basins) 36.25" W x 20.5" D...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Paris Porcelain Teacup and Saucer Depicting Empress Josephine
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite teacup and saucer in Sèvres style Old Paris Porcelain, depicting the Empress Josephine in ornate dress and wearing her crown. Dating from the early 19th century First Em...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces Circa 1830 Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Mirror, stamped Jean-Joseph Chapuis, Brussels c. 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table - stamped Chapuis Brussels Mahogany Empire around 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 178 x 91 x 56 cm, height without mirror: 82 cm Description: Elaborately crafted early 19th century dressing table...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Paul Ferrante Empire-Style Six-Arm Chandeliers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful pair of Paul Ferrante empire-style six-arm chandeliers with 7 bulb sockets Gold gilded & green painted bronze 25" W x 36" H
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Centerpiece in Bohemian Crystal and Sculpted Bronze from the Early XX Century
Located in Milano, MI
Centerpiece in transparent and blue Bohemian crystal and worked bronze, made in the early 20th century Ø 39 cm Ø 30 cm h 18 cm The Bohemian crystal is a decorative glass produced s...
Category

1910s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

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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