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.
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terra...
Terracotta
Vintage Patinated Bronze Statue of Napoleon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This commanding vintage bronze statue captures Napoleon Bonaparte in his most iconic silhouette, donning his legendary greatcoat and bicorne hat. Cast with remarkable detail, the fig...
Bronze
$5,525
H 50 in W 17.5 in D 11 in
Greco Roman Style Vintage Verde Bronze Statue of a Male Nude with Grapes in Hair
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Greco-Roman style bronze nude statue from the 20th century with verde patina and wooden pedestal base. Created with the traditional technique o...
Bronze
$57,000
H 34 in W 53 in D 24 in
Large Pair Patinated Life Size Bronze Statues Sculpture of Regal Big Cats Lions
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Large pair patinated life size bronze statues sculpture of Regal Big Cats Lions. Exceptional detailed high quality Large pair of Patinated bronze statues of...
Bronze
$5,500 / set
H 14 in W 31 in D 12 in
Pair of English 1920s Cast Stone Reclining Lion Sculptures on Conforming Bases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English cast stone reclining lions statues from the early 20th century, on rectangular bases. Created in England during the first quarter of the 20th century, each of this ...
Cast Stone
1990s Vintage Life Size Bronze Statue
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking bronze statue, designed in the United States circa the 1990s, presents a powerful yet elegant interpretation of the female form. The figure is depicted seated with legs...
Bronze
A Japanese Bronze Garden Statue Of A Crane
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Garden Statue Of A Crane, Japanese Realistically modelled with natural verdigris. Provenance: John Dunn Antiques. Dimensions: Height:...
Bronze
$1,672Sale Price|25% Off
H 23 in W 10 in D 18 in
Vintage French Cast Stone Seated Figural Lion Statue, 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-20th century cast stone garden sculpture lion seated on plinth with one paw raised. Beautiful detail of head and mane. Some natural patina a...
Stone
Large Bronze Statue of a Baby Elephant
Located in London, GB
A Magnificent Bronze Elephant Sculpture in Verdi Green which also Serves as a Water Fountain if Required Please view Image 5 This Sculpture is over 2 meters in length Suitable for o...
Bronze
1990s Vintage Bronze Reclining Nude Woman Statue
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking bronze statue, designed in the United States circa the 1990s, presents a bold and expressive interpretation of the reclining female form. The figure is depicted in a re...
Bronze
$4,500Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 25 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Terracotta French Renaissance Garden Sculpture Statues
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful pair of antique painted terracotta garden sculptures or figures with a perfectly aged and weathered patina. Each piece standing just over 2 feet tall.
Pair of Lion Figures
Located in Bronx, NY
A pair of cast lion figures. Great finish.
Pair of French Vintage Terracotta Snarling Lion Statues
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage terracotta lions. This pair of lions from France, standing approximately 2 feet in height, each feature abundantly fl...
Terracotta
$17,875
H 15 in W 24.75 in D 4.5 in
French Bronze Rare Sculpture of a Panther Bunting Signed André Vincent Becquerel
Located in New York City, NY
A rare and fabulous French Art Deco large bronze signed sculpture of a bunting panther by Andre Vincent Becquerel, French, 1893-1981 This lovely cast, in a warm dark brown patina with green undertones is sculpted with highly stylized anatomical details. The sculpture rests on self base. Becquerel's favorite subject matter was cats. He often captured them in a natural setting, stretching, stalking, clawing at a tree stump or walking in tandem. The model offered here with the panther bunting/rubbing against a stump of a tree is a rare version. This innate feline behavior is seen as a sign of affection, or of a transfer of their scent to claim territory or marking you as a friend. Becquerel was born in northern France. He attended the École des Beaux-arts in Paris and studied in the ateliers of Hector Lemaître and Prosper Lecourtier, the Animalier sculptor. He also worked with Charles Valton, who had studied under both Barye and Fremiet, two other renown animalier sculptors. He began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1914 and continued to do so for the rest of his career. In 1944 Becquerel was awarded a bronze medal by The ‘Artistes Français’ and a gold medal in 1945. In 1952 he won the Prix de l’Yser, which made him hors concours and thus above the future competition process. Cubist, Impressionism, Expressionism, Futurism, Modernism, Realism, Cubism, Piero Palazzolo...
Bronze
Marble Tiger Lion Cat Paw Garden Element Plant Stand
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble tiger lion cat paw architectural element, circa 20th century or earlier. Piece has a flat top with decorative edge around and detailed lion tiger cat paw with na...
Marble
Late 18th Century Golden Painted Eagle Statue
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 18th century gold painted papier mache eagle with wings spread and on a rectangular wooden base. Originally from Birr Castle, Ireland.An impressive late 18th century gold pain...
Paper
Two Large Fish Sculptures, early 19th c. 123 cm long.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two large fish sculptures, Early 19th century. Probably for an exklusive outdoor sign. The fishes are sculpted of wood and covered with hundreds of thin rectangular copper plates. Both the artistic design and the patina is fantastic with a greenish tone to the copper surface. This Empire design was quite often used on Swedish Empire tables...
Copper
19th c.Terracotta lion mask
Located in Madrid, ES
Terracotta lion mask to the First Empire Era
Terracotta