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.
19th Century Walnut Pair of Bookcases Boiserie de Bibliothèque
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A rare pair of heliocodal French Directoire library bookcases in solid walnut. This type of bookcases is also known as 'boiseries de Bibliothèque' a...
Walnut
Two Panels of a Panoramic Wallpaper by J. Dufour (1757–1824), France 1818
Located in Greding, DE
Two panels from the panoramic wallpaper series Telemachus on the Island of Calypso by Joseph Dufour. Mounted on folding panels and framed. Signs of age and wear.
Paper
French 19th Century Walnut Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This large Louis Philippe bibliotheque is a magnificent way to display or store any precious decor items in your home or office. Unlocking the four glass front doors reveals a single...
Glass, Wood, Walnut
$5,778
H 108.67 in W 54.34 in D 14.97 in
Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A tall early 19th century french painted glazed Bibliothèque - bookcase. Of tall and slender proportions. Displaying a pair of glazed doors over a pair of arched panel doors opening ...
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Bibliotheque or Bookcase
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Louis XVI bibliotheque, or bookcase, made of solid walnut with mahogany as a secondary wood. Nice hand carved decorative panels at the bottom with musical instr...
Glass, Mahogany, Walnut
French Louis XVI Period Carved Wood Panel, 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant French wood panel dates from the Louis XVI period and features finely carved motifs symbolizing the attributes of a gardener, a theme closely associated with late eighte...
Wood
19th Century French Pine Library Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 19th century country French library bibliotheque bookcase cabinet constructed from pine. The large case features a country French aes...
Brass
$8,800
H 88.5 in W 101 in D 21.25 in
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Fruitwood Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand important 19th century fruitwood bibliotheque library bookcase purported to be from 18th century Schloss Leopoldskron Palace in Salzburg, Austria. The large bookcase is constru...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Walnut Bookcases
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A pair of late 19th century French walnut bookcases. 2 glazed doors above a drawer and 2-panel doors with ebonized detail.
Walnut, Wood
Pair Of French 19th Century Deux Corps Bibliotheques
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome pair of 19th century Deux Corps Bibliotheques from the Provence region of France in painted walnut and pine. Wonderful storage and display cabinets.
Walnut, Pine
19th Century Country French Louis XIV Bookcase ~ Bibliotheque
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XIV Bookcase ~ Bibliotheque will make a great addition to your decor, providing just enough style flair to impress, while performing yeoman's duties...
Glass, Oak
French 19th Century Pine Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French dark pine bookcase from the late 19th century makes a dramatic statement by its scale alone, and the crackled texture of the painted interior gives it visual intrigue to ...
Glass, Pine, Paint
$20,754
H 105.12 in W 107.49 in D 16.93 in
A Large Scale 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque Cabinet - Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An exceptional large scale early 19th century French glazed Bibliothèque cabinet. Demonstrating original paint, which has worn wonderfully over the years creating a lovely warm patin...
Pine, Paint
Pair of 19th Century Walnut Bookcases
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th century French walnut two door bookcases. Of good size and with part glazed doors and adjustable shelves. Circa 1890.
Walnut
Large Reclaimed ‘King’ Wall Hanging Sign
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large reclaimed ‘King’ wall hanging sign dating to the early 20th century. Bold and stylish cast bronze letters are mounted onto a smooth mahogany boa...
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Boiserie ~ Saturday Sale ~
Located in Dallas, TX
This Antique Painted Panel, or Boiserie, was salvaged from a fine French manoir, and features a centuries-old painted finish atop carved gryffins. Such panels were also sometimes pa...