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
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
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
Beautiful Pair of 19th C French Empire Chenets
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze chenets with dolphin feet.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
$12,500 / set
Antique Sienna Marble Mantel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique French Empire style Siena marble mantel with gilt bronze ormolu and original bronze surround.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
$10,675
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets
Located in Godshill, 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
French Ormolu Bronze Table Screen
Located in New York, US
Our ormolu bronze table screen from the early 19th century is unique for its red wax seal depicting an officer on horseback, mounted to brilliant blue gl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
A Pair Of Empire Style Swan-Neck Circular Fruitwood Planter Jardinières
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Empire Style Swan-Neck Circular Fruitwood Planter Jardinières
These circular fruitwood planters feature an elegant lipped edge and come with inset metal liners.
Each is s...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Fruitwood
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
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
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
$4,500 / set
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
$8,600 / set
Scrolled Red Marble Table leg components
Located in Southall, GB
large pair of 19th century rare Verona Rosso Marble carved lion paw table legs.
Ideal legs for console table / vanity unit.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
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
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
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
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
French 19th century 1st Empire Period Fruitwood, Mahogany, Brass, planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most unique French 19th century 1st Empire Period ebonized Fruitwood, Mahogany, Brass, patinated Wood, and Giltwood Jardinière planter, circa 1820. This truly impressi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Empire-Style Antique Noir de Mazy with Marble Verde Circulation Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Empire-style black marble fireplace.
This extraordinary fireplace is made of Noir de Mazy marble, complemented by the luxurious green marble type Verde. Despite the clean lines, thi...
Category
Late 18th Century Belgian Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
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
French Empire Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A French Empire style limestone fireplace. The frieze with interlocking diamond pattern with tapering, full round columns. A copy of an 18th century original.
Shelf width: ...
Category
Late 20th Century English Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
Empire Style Noir de Mazy Black Marble Antique Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Statity and radiance meet in this wonderful fireplace in Empire style. Made from luxurious Noir de Mazy marble, this piece brings warmth and elegance to any interior. The chimney originates in the Statenkwartier in The Hague between the Art Nouveau architecture...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
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
$14,500 / set
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Iron Andiron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and iron andiron. The andiron is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. Each of the two supports d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in Southall, GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary Carrara hand carved Roman Rosette on the cent...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Statuary 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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