Empire Decorative Art
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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Decorative Art
Glass, Burl
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Early 19th Century British Antique Empire Decorative Art
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Giltwood, Paint
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Tin
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Decorative Art
Wool
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Art
Paper
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Canvas
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Decorative Art
Wool
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Decorative Art
Wool
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Decorative Art
Wool
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Giltwood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Empire Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Decorative Art
Canvas
Late 18th Century Antique Empire Decorative Art
Other
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Iron
1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Glass, Giltwood
18th Century Portuguese Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Mirror
1950s French Vintage Empire Decorative Art
Metal, Enamel
1810s Antique Empire Decorative Art
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Empire Decorative Art
Glass, Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Decorative Art
Art Glass, Hardwood
18th Century Finnish Antique Empire Decorative Art
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Bronze
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Decorative Art
Leather, Paper
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Art
Paper, Leather
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Decorative Art
Leather, Paper
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Art
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Art
Brass
2010s English Empire Decorative Art
Acrylic
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Art
Paper