Empire Building and Garden Elements
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.
Style: Empire
Color: Brown
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...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Wood Pedestal Plant Stands, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Late 20th century French Empire neoclassical style mahogany wood pedestal plant stands - a pair. Item features solid wood construction, beaut...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Mahogany
Large 18th or 19th Century Antique Iron Anduze Style Garden Vase / Planter / Urn
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare and highly decorative, architectural cast iron vase.
If you are a private collector or an interior designer with an eye for the rare and wonderful, then this very rare and timeless garden vase could be perfect for your home or for one of your projects. You may have seen French terracotta Anduze vases before, but we are pretty certain that you have never seen one made of cast iron. This large and possibly one of a kind specimen of cast iron has a wonderfully calm design and it is hand painted in a beigy-gray color which makes it even more timeless. Handcrafted using cast iron...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
French Antique “Somno” Column
Located in Austin, TX
Column; “somno” French Empire period originally used as a night stand. This period circular piece sits on a square base and is crafted of bent wood (mahogany) and features a brêche r...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
20th Century Empire Sryle Cast Brass Figural Chenets, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 20th Century Empire Sryle Cast Brass Figural Chenets. Measure 8" in width, 8" in depth and 18" in height.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Royal Empire column with malachite and gilt bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire column with malachite and gilt bronze
Impressive and regal wooden column with bronze mounts in Empire style. Solid wood coated with malachite painting technique. Such a...
Category
20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Malachite, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
English Plant Flower Pot Holder Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
An English copper plant or flower pot holder cachepot jardiniere w/Lion paw feet, circa early 20th century, England. Dimensions: 8" Diameter x 6.94" Height.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
Monumental Antique French Empire Period Hall Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent over 200 year old French Empire Period (1804-1815) parcel gilt walnut armorial hall pedestal / plant stand.
Born in France in the early 19th century, most likely near the Italian border or Napoleonic territory in present day Northern Italy, most impressive palatial scale, exceptionally executed one-of-a-kind sculptural work, having carved fiolate apron with H monogram, decorative scroll work, stylized grotesque satyr mask with acanthus leaf accent, over high relief crest mural crown depicting four towers representing fortified city walls, shield escutcheon coat of arms with three fleur-de-lis above wavy lines depicting sea water in front of castle tower, supported by figural winged female caryatid, flanked by volute supports, joined by turned stretcher. circa 1810
Provenance / Acquisition:
An important San Antonio estate
Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Texas Mansion Carved French and Italian Antiques catalog...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Walnut
Mid 20th Century French Empire Brass Cannonball Chenets Andirons, a Pair
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage pair of French Empire style chenets or andirons. Heavy brass featuring neoclassical lion heads and large cannonball toppers. Made by Sunset.
Dimensions: 9" W x 7" D x 18" H.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Set of Antique French Mirrored Double Doors
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautiful set of handcrafted early 20th century French antique mirror doors. These were salvaged from an apartment in Paris and feature origin...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Pine
Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Cast Iron and Parcel Painted Campana Form Urns Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French cast iron and parcel painted campana form urns early 20th century. Retaining remnants of grey paint, minor losses.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Antique Empire Brass Cast Iron Lion Head Spiral Twist Paw Feet Andirons, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French empire style brass cast iron lion head spiral twist paw feet andirons - a pair. Item features brass spiral turned column and finials...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Green & Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This surround was reclaimed from a property in Ascot, UK. It features carved Sienna marble end blocks and fluted Sienna frieze and jambs.
Opening Height 90 cm (35.43 in)
Opening Wi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Siena Marble, Marble
Pair of square Pillars, original Marble-Imitation painted Wood. Early 19th C.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of pillars made of wood and painted in marble imitation (original). Made around year 1800. These pillars are great in any interior to put sculpt...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Late 18th Century Irish Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Paper
Empire Style Marble-Top Giltwood Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
Empire style marble-top giltwood plant stand, having square top over four carved foliate columns, rising on marble base, ending in paw feet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Marble Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted on Alabastro Sardonico and black Belgian marble pedestal. The pedestal is raised by a protruding square ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Pair of Antique Brass Empire Style Andirons
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Classic pair of Empire style antique brass andirons with aged patina. Wonderfully handsome, will add style and character to any fireplace. OAL...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
Giltwood Carved Eagle on Verde Antico Fluted Marble Column
Located in London, by appointment only
A superb and richly carved giltwood eagle perched on rocks with open wings, the eagle's head looking to its left and fitted with a separate giltwood wreath...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Maitland-Smith Empire-Style Pedestal Jardinière Planter, circa 1980
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome vintage jardinière in the Empire style manufactured by Maitland Smith in the 1980s with cylindrical polished-chrome planter trimmed with brass over a cast and fabrica...
Category
1980s Asian Vintage Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair of Antique Brass Empire Style Andirons
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classic pair of Empire style antique brass andirons with aged patina. Wonderfully handsome, will add style and character to any fireplace.
OAL ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early French 19th century Empire mahogany and gilt bronze firescreen
Screen has a period embroidered flower decorated insert.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Pedestals, 19th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Empire style pedestals with gilt bronze and flame mahogany wood, France, 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Jardinière
Located in Stamford, CT
Gilt bronze mounted Empire style mahogany jardinière with metal liner, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Empire Paw Foot Brass Pierce Decorated Fireplace Mantle Piece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire style paw foot brass pierce decorated fireplace mantel (fireplace) piece, circa late 19th century. Measurements: 7" H x 48" W x 15.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Sheraton Style Brass Bronze Urn Fireplace Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of antique French Empire Sheraton style brass bronze urn acorn fireplace andirons, circa late 19th century. Measurements: 16.5" H x 8.5" W x 17.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Rare French Napoleonic Empire Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A very important 19th century (circa 1820) French Empire Sienna marble fireplace with elaborate ormolu enrichments to frieze and jambs. The flu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Siena Marble
Stunning Antique Empire Style, Coromandel and Gilt Bronze Sculpture Stand Column
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and all hand-crafted column pedestal from the early 1900s.
Column pedestals in the Empire or Napoleon style are a rare find. It is therefore that we could not be more surpr...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Large Brass Cannonball Andirons French Empire Style Putty Cherub Angel Baby Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Impressive pair of antique brass large cannonball figural andirons in the French Empire style. Item features heavy brass forms, large round cannonballs, figural cherub faces, cast ir...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire limestone fireplace, the panelled frieze with carved centre motif of Napoleonic bee and flowers, the panelled jambs with hexagonal motif to centre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
19th Century Empire Style Mantel Carved in Incarnat Turquin Marble
Located in New York, NY
Petite French Empire with disengaged columns and rosette corner blocks. Carved in Incarnat Turquin Marble.
Opening dimensions: 33 1/2" W x 34 1/8" H.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
A 19th century French Empire marble fireplace / mantel piece, circa 1820
Located in Baambrugge, NL
A 19th century French Empire marble fireplace/mantel piece with scrolled legs, circa 1820.
Antique marble fireplace in Empire style. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
French Empire Sarancolin and Statuary Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An impressive French Empire fireplace in richly colored Sarancolin marble. The finely carved Egyptian Caryatids in statuary white marble with Sarancolin square tapering pilasters. The panelled frieze with white marble moulding, and gently shaped stretcher below with marble keystone...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Empire Bronze Panther Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (Mid-19th Century) bronze andirons with a panther standing next to a gilt urn with a classical Egyptian head (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Cast Iron Jardinières
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire style cast iron jardinières with swan handles and swagged garland decor, painted white with gilt trim on decorations and resting on stepped round base.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Empire Green Painted & Giltwood Pedestal
Located in Southampton, NY
19th Century French empire green painted & giltwood pedestal.
Beautifully carved gilded stars, faces, rosettes, and architectural details on this green painted wood French pedestal....
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Empire building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire building and garden elements 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 building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, and A. Kenrick & Sons. 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $235 and tops out at $220,000 while the average work can sell for $2,445.
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