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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
Swedish Empire Painted Parcel Gilt Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A glamorous Swedish Empire style settee from the early 19th century (circa 1820) as a painted wood frame sheltering the fully upholstered interior of a single bench cushion, three ba...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest Dresser
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Commode, Console or Chest of Drawers. Features a rectangular form made from walnut with lacquered and gilt columns and a marble top. The...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mid-Century French Empire Style Chaise With Mahogany And Bronze Frame
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome mid-century French Empire style mahogany chaise lounge. Th frame is mahogany with heavy ormolu adorning it. It is unmarked. A striking piece for a variety of setti...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Danish Architect’s Drawing Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Architect’s Drawing Cabinet / Plan Chest Danish design, c. 1920 Exceptionally well-crafted drawing cabinet from around 1920, made as a unique piece and originally commissioned for a...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

French 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large 19th century French Empire trumeau mirror that is bold yet refined, using Neoclassical decorative elements to project a respect for history and luxury. Across the frieze alon...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Vintage Atmos Jaeger le Coultre Mantle Clock 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very elegant Vintage Atmos perpetual mantle clock by Jaeger-Le Coultre, with a jewelled movement bearing their ref  No. 88942 and dating from Circa 1950. The clock is disp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Empire Style Birdseye Maple Ormolu Sideboard Display Cabinet 69"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful French Empire style Buffet Cabinet. Made in Egypt, circa 1980s. Features a serpentine form with a marble top over an attractive birdseye maple case accented by ornate o...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Paris Porcelain Tea Service with Rich Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This refined Paris porcelain tea service dates from the early 19th-century and beautifully reflects the elegance and technical mastery of F...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

French 19th Century Gold Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mirror (c. 1800) is symmetrical to hang in either direction, exhibiting low-relief floral decorations that leave ample space for the gilt molding to reveal its red...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Faux Malachite Empire style Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Stunning French Empire Style Center Table Faux Malachite Stunning Center Table
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Side Table with Hand polished Mahogany top From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table or jewellery table from around 1890, made in mahogany and hand-polished for a deep, warm finish. A classic antique piece with fine detailing, suitable for use in an entryw...
Category

1890s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Nightstand with Drawer and Door 19th Century in Solid Walnut
Located in Milano, MI
Antique Bedside Table in Empire Walnut with an elegantly threaded brass drawer surmounting a door concealing two interior shelves. The cabinet is solid walnut and has been fully line...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Empire Day Bed or Window Seat Upholstered in Linen on Walnut Frame
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French Empire day bed or window seat from the late 19th century featuring an elegant frame of patinated walnut often associated with the Louis Philippe or Empire style, recent...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut

French Early 19th Century Fruitwood Empire Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire style bibliothèque or display cabinet, handcrafted using solid fruitwood and two glass-front doors accented with brass. The clean, straight lines allow t...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Putti Baroque Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Porcelain rose
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Restored Solid Brass Chandelier with Cherub & Hand-Painted Porcelain Roses – 9 Lights A true masterpiece of classic lighting design, this opulent chandelier is crafted e...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Spanish Empire Rectangular Mirror in Gold Leaf Giltwood and Beveled Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Rectangular Empire Style Beveled Mirror in Giltwood Late 19th century-1930s. Large size. This stunning rectangular wall mirror / console mirror was hand-crafted in carved wo...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French 19th Century Walnut Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome French Empire walnut commode from the 19th century, circa 1850. The top planks still bear the low ridges across the grain from being cut and milled by hand nearly two cent...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

45-Piece Dinner Set - Leclair Limoges - Classic Design with Gold Laurel Trims
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful porcelain dining set, made by the French brand Limoges, complete for 12 people. A classic and timeless design, with gilded edges, a laurel border, and gold accents. The s...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Ormolu Commode Chest of Drawers 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality early 19th century antique French Empire mahogany marble top commode, with Neo-Classical ormolu mounts, circa 1810. The commode is of the finest quality, the top is ma...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Late 19th Century French Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French photo frame in Empire style, dating from the late 19th century. The frame is decorated with finely detailed gilt copper ornaments that give it a refined and timeless c...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Copper

Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection Burl Wood and Ebonized Regency Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Biedermeier style round pedestal breakfast table, game table, or center table From the exclusive "Stately Homes" Collection by Baker Furniture USA, C...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Burl

19th Century Candlesticks - Empire Style - Gilded and Patinated Bronze - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant pair of French candlesticks in Empire style, circa 1880–1890. Made of finely cast and engraved bronze with a beautiful contrast between the gilded and dark patinated sections...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Bookcase Bibliotheque Display cabinet 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Empire Mahogany & ormolu mounted bookcase display cabinet, circa 1910. This elegant antique cabinet is made of the finest mahogany, the top with an archite...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Empire style. Huge glass table lamp by Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge table lamp from Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s. The glass body is 39 centimeters high made of one-piece molded glass with engraved and cutted details. The base and the struct...
Category

1960s Irish Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Chrome, Bronze, Brass, Metal

French Vintage Empire Style Crystal Basket Pendant Chandelier in Brass and Glass
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal basket pendant chandelier, 1970s – timeless elegance in a compact form. An elegant French vintage Empire-style crystal basket chandelier from the 1970s, ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

French Empire 19th Century Mahogany Console Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with dark stone top. The dense, marbleized stone of charcoal-hue is more recent in age but its faux leather finish has impa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Empire Mahogany Dining Table, Round, Oval
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Empire Round Dining Table, Mahogany, 54", Circa1890's​ Antique, Empire Mahogany Dining Table Smooth top Comes with one leaf Round or ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Baccarat Harcourt 1841 36 Piece Set Champagne, Wine, Water, Liqueur Glasses
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Baccarat Harcourt 1841. The design has been chosen by some of the most notable figures in the world, Kings, Queens and Popes, for their t...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Empire Round Table or Gueridon of Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French round table or gueridon in the Empire style, featuring a circular top of figured black marble (25.5" diameter), set upon a tripod column support of mahogany with or...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Early 20th Century French Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant French Empire chandelier featuring a sculptural alabaster bowl and six-point illumination. A refined French Empire–style chandelier distinguished by its balanced proportions...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Alabaster, Brass, Bronze

19th Century Empire Bergére Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Empire bergére chair ebonized featuring swan arms and brass ormolu. Recently upholstered in striated verde green silk velvet.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Double Headed Eagle Wall Mirror in Bronze, Spain 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, Spain, 1930s-1940s. Spectacular bronze wall mirror with a crowned double headed eagle surrounding a shield shaped beveled glass. This stunning br...
Category

20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A breathtaking Dutch-made, French Empire style buffet of flamed mahogany with coordinating dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The slab exhibits constellations...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Empire Mahogany 'Egyptian' Bergère Attributed to Desmalter, circa 1805
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare and important circa 1805 'Egyptian-style' bergère believed to be an early work of famed French Empire furniture-maker François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter of 'tub-chair' fo...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design. Newl...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Category

1990s Empire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Iron

Pair of Ceramic Vases from the First Empire period 1810
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of ceramic vases from the First Empire period - 1810, French manufacture Ø 10 cm h 18.5 cm The two vases are in really good conditions, hand painted and sculpted in the detai...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Dinky Toys Autocar Chausson Méccano – 15 cm Long - 2Y02
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore a piece of history with this vintage Dinky Toys model, featuring the classic Autocar Chausson by Méccano. Perfect for collectors and vintage toy enthusiasts, this model car showcases the timeless design and craftsmanship that Dinky Toys is renowned for. Details: Type: Vintage Model Car...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed, Frame Only
Located in Houston, TX
This listing is for bed frame only. Mattressm bedding and pillows not included and shown only for decorative purposes. A period Italian Empire queen bed...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Ebonized Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Classic, French Empire round end table of white marble top on a tripod base with recent painted finish. The mottled stone top is mostly white with faint gray veining and offers a rai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Wilhelm II 1901 Zwei Mark Coin – Historical German Collectible - 2Y104
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This remarkable piece of numismatic history is a Wilhelm II Zwei Mark coin from the German Empire, minted in 1901. In excellent condition, this coin is an exquisite addition to any c...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Chest of Drawers - Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
A French Empire Period Fruitwwod commode or chest of drawers of rectangular shape, the three drawers raised on gilt wood paw feet, with Empire bronze escutcheons and pulls , having ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Wire, Iron

Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stately 19th century mahogany secretaire a abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal St. Anne marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” above the floor. The desk front...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Sac-à-Perle Chandeliers – Lovingly and Professionally Restored This stunning pair of antique chandeliers has been carefully and expertly restored in Berlin. T...
Category

1950s European Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Rare Set of Twelve 19th Century Empire Chairs in Mahogany, Brass and Velvet
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Set of Twelve Early 19th Century Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany, Inlaid Brass and Velvet This is a very large and rare set of twelve elegant dining chairs from the (late) ‘em...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

1830s French Empire Walnut Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire walnut chest with four drawers and gilded edges Beautiful wooden root.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Dinky Toys Peugeot 403 - Vintage Toy Car - 2Y40
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of classic automotive history to your collection with this vintage Dinky Toys Peugeot 403. This small but charming toy car is a classic example ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Retour d'Egpyte Antique Veneered Mahogany Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Retour d'Egpyte freestanding console table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The rectangular table is composed with one small drawer, consisting a grey Belgian marble top, standing on four legs, resting on a thick wooden base. The front part of side table is particularized by star-shaped brass décor, the front legs are enhanced by black carved large caryatids. The décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

American Empire Long Ottoman with Upholstered Burgundy Velvet and Tapestry Top
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire long rectangular ottoman with supple upholstered burgundy velvet top bordered by a dense earth-toned floral tapestry fabric, resting on a mahogany veneer base having ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Sideboard W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
A handsome early 19th century French Empire buffet enfilade sourced in Provence, France. The façade is veneered in bird’s-eye maple with fine natural figuring, framed by a solid maho...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century American 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.