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.
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Style: Empire
Empire style fireplace fender with dogs
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire style fireplace fender with dogs.
Bronze, brass, steel, and gilded bronze decoration.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French empire fireplace screen, late 19 century
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Antique French empire fireplace screen, made of wood, faux bamboo, second Empire period, France, 2nd half of the 19th century
It is in empire black color with touches of gold on the ...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
A French mid 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble fireplace mantel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and finely detailed French mid 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble fireplace mantel. This beautiful mantel is raised by striking elegantly scrolled jambs with ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century Empire Column
Located in Ljungby, SE
A decorative Empire column made of plaster. It was likely produced in Sweden during the early 19th century. The color is the original, restored finish. The column features decoration...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Plaster
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
Athenian Carved Wood, Red Patina in the Imitation of Antique Red Marble
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Athenian Carved Wood, Red Patina in the Imitation of Antique Red Marble, Early 19th Century
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marble Fireplaces with Cast Iron Insets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ormolu mounted marble fireplaces with cast iron insets
French, Late 19th Century
Fireplaces: Height 112cm, width 152cm, depth 33cm
Iron inserts: Height 89cm,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Statuary Marble, Iron, Ormolu
Antique large cast iron fireback inspired by " The Oath of the Horatii by David
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This antique fireback was made in the first half of the 19th century. In the center, in an octagonal medallion, four armed soldiers in antique-inspired outfit vigorously raise their ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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
Empire Style Silvered Bronze Fire Fender, Late 19th Century French
Located in El Monte, CA
This fire fender is a quintessential example of the opulent yet authoritative style of the Empire period. A patinated bronze frame in geometric form is adorned with ormolu bronze mou...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Decorative Piece for a Fire-Place
Located in Stockholm, SE
A French decorative stand to place in a fireplace, gilt, brass and bronze.
This item will make any fireplace look great.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Two Neoclassical Empire Style Bronze and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical Empire style bronze and marble pedestals
French, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 100cm, width 48cm, depth 48cm
This pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Amethyst Empire Style Columns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amethyst columns. Gilt bronze capitols.
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Amethyst, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze Panther Andirons
Located in Queens, 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 French Empire Green Marble Gilt Bronze Urn Pedestal Pillars
Located in New York, NY
Standing at an impressive 6 feet tall, they were procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, which adds a layer of history and significance to the pieces. They are pr...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Andirons done in gilt brass, featuring snakes and ram head
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of very rare French Empire andirons or chenets, completely done on brass. They feature carefully and precisely sculpted snakes in motion, as well...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu, Wood and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style ormolu, wood and marble pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 83cm, diameter 52cm
This superb pair of French 20th century pedestals celebrates the ver...
Category
20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
A pair of Antique English Brass Andirons
Located in Charleston, SC
Likely mid to late 19th century. The pair have a bold form with scrolling base atop orbs with log support at backside in iron. H21" L22" W11" Providence: from the collection of a Pawleys Island...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Style Planters
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt and patinated bronze Empire style planters
French, 20th Century
Height 50cm, width 62cm, depth 31cm
The planters, crafted in France, showcase the Egyptian-inspir...
Category
20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Bronze and Sea-Green Marble Table Planter with Caryatids, Empire Style, 19thC
Located in Paris, FR
Gilded and patinated bronze planter mounted on a stepped sea-green marble base, with women in long tunics at the corners and a central amphora with swan-shaped handles. Like the colu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A French Fireplace in Sarrancolin Marble
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French fireplace in Sarrancolin marble. The moulded jambs with scrolls to top surmounted by curved frieze with carved shell to centre. Moulded shelf above. Original br...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Italian imperial style green ceramic columns pedestals bows and flowers, 1930s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian imperial style green ceramic columns pedestals bows and flowers, 1930s
Pair of pedestals with a round base. The tapered structure narrows at the top and then widens at the ba...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu fire screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A decorative and most handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu fire screen. This stunning square fire screen is raised by a long slender rectangular patina...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Two Reclaimed Tall Outdoor Braziers or Torchieres
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Each standing at 165cm (64.96 inches) tall, these spectacular reclaimed 20th century outdoor braziers or vintage garden torchieres bring grandeur and prestige to any property. Imagine the pair placed either side of an entrance to a lavish mansion or framing the steps at the bottom of the courtyard to a countryside estate. They are of a huge and prominent scale and deserve to be in equally impressive surroundings.
Sourced from a property in London, these reclaimed outdoor braziers date from the early 20th century. Each features a domed steel dish...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone, Steel, 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
Swedish Brass Jardiniere
Located in New York, NY
A jardiniere made in brass with beautiful details and lions heads with twisted ring handles standing on lions feet. Made during the 20th century.
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Sherle Wagner Gold Plated Cut Crystal Empire Door Lever W/ Wall Plates 12 Avail
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Cut Crystal Empire Door Lever adds style to entrances and exits.
12 Available. Each come with the wall plates.
If you need the connector for installation please ask - they are ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Green Granite Fireplace, circa 1850
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt bronze-mounted green granite fireplace.
French, circa 1850.
The fireplace has a rectangular mantel shelf above a frieze cent...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Granite, Bronze
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
Black Empire Era Pedestal Made in Austria, 1800s, Original Condition, Pearwood
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Unique Art Deco pedestal.
Source: Czechia
Period: 1920-1929
Original well preserved condition.
Category
19th Century Czech Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Pearwood
Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
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
French Empire Marble Bronze Statue Ormulu Black Mantel
Located in New York, NY
Ornate French Empire style mantel carved from white statuary marble, with gold plated ormulu. Prominent bronze female satyr figures are positioned on each side, while an ormulu patte...
Category
20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
XXL French Empire Jardinieres done in bronze on marble base, France 1805
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of extra large French Empire jardinieres. They are done in bronze and have the base made of two types of ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 10" W x 17" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Bronze and Iron Firedogs, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of antique firedogs made of bronze and iron, France, early 20th Century. These marvelous firedogs or andirons feature bronze construction in baluster form, raised on paw feet,...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Iron
19th C. French Empire Onyx & Bronze Ormolu Revolving Statue Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Onyx & Bronze Ormolu Revolving Statue Column Pedestal. Item features a revolving top, bronze ormolu, beautiful green and beige onyx stone, and timeless classica...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
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
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Brass Spiral Column Andirons- a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Brass Spiral Column Andirons- a Pair. Circa 1900. Measurements: 20" H x 9" W x 17.5" D.
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
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
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Located in Cantù, IT
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Pair of Torcheres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine pair of Torcheres in Empire style. These are contemporary composite reproductions of the best quality.
CW3566
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Composition
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons is made of bronze with flams and garlands. This is a French work from Empire period. Circa 1850.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19.5" H x 8" W x 19" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Pair of Empire Period Bronze Andirons with Lions, French, circa 1850
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
These andirons are made of bronze with lions lying face to face. This is a French Empire period pair of fireplace andirons, circa 1850.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Fireplace Mantel in Breche Marble
Located in London, GB
An antique French fireplace in quality breche marble with ormolu mounts and original cast iron chamber. In typical Empire Style, and well-proportioned having fine tapering columns supported on square foot blocks and ormolu mounts, again caped with ormolu egg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Breccia Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Antique White Candlesticks XL Cast Iron France 19th Century 71cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and very rare pair of antique candlesticks in white patinated cast iron, XL size, France, ca 1850.
Rare pair of high quality, the candlesticks have a beautifully decorated...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Italian Neoclassical French Empire Green & Gold Painted Wooden Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Neoclassical / French Empire Style Green & Gold Painted Carved Wood Column Pedestal. Circa 1900, (painted finish appears to...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
Empire Column with fire-gilt Appliqués, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Fluted column in mahogany veneer, with a white marble top and fire-gilt appliqués in the fluting. The chest of drawers stands on a round, multi-profiled base over gilded paw feet. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets
This is a VeryAttractive pair of French Chenets, the ultimate in Chateau Chic
They are sculptured on brass in the shape of classi...
Category
18th Century Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Century French Empire Style Cherry Wood Black Column 1 Drawer End Tables - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Century French Empire Style Cherry Wood Black Column 1 Drawer End Tables - Pair. Item features one dovetailed drawer, solid wood construction, finis...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cherry
Empire Wall Fountain, probably France around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain with semicircular basin and stand in Rosso Verona marble. Winged female iron herms support the basin.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble, Iron
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
19th Century Empire Fireplace Bronze or Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
19th century Empire fireplace bronze
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Cast Iron & Silvered Bronze Paw Foot Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Cast Iron & Silvered Bronze Paw Foot Andirons - a Pair. Item featured has Distressed/weathered finish, ornate casting, heavy construction, very nice antique pai...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Pair of French Empire Andirons in Wrought Iron with Brass Finials
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming pair of French Empire andirons crafted from wrought iron, featuring elegant brass finials on the front tops.
These fireplace supports are presented in their original, unto...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Column Form Flame Finial Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Column Form Flame Finial Andirons - a Pair. Item features flame finials, reeded column form shafts, paw feet, very nice antique set. Circa Early 19...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Iron
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.