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.
French Porcelain Compote Basket
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Porcelain
Pair of Russian Empire Malachite, French Bronze Centrepiece/Tazzas by Thomier
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of Russian Empire Period malachite, French doré bronze and cut crystal Tazzas, signed THOMIRE A PARIS. The square malachite bowls are...
Crystal, Malachite, Bronze
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Empire Figural Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
First quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751–1843), gilt bronze and marble, figural basket, possibly Nike, holding aloft a flared, reticulated b...
Bronze
Large Russian Empire Porcelain Gold-Ground and White Bisque Figural Centrepiece
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and large Russian Empire porcelain gold ground and white bisque figural reticulated centrepiece. A large filigree basket supported by three a...
Gold
French Empire Period Wastepaper Basket
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Empire period wastepaper basket.
Brass
Blue Marbleized Empire Wastebasket
Located in New York, NY
Blue marbleized empire wastebasket. Faux marble painted empire style wastebasket on gilt paw feet. France, 20th century Dimensions: 9" L x 9" W x 9.88" H.
Metal
Pair of Paris porcelain standing baskets, Empire-period
Located in Paris, FR
Important pair of openwork baskets in white hard porcelain with gold decoration. The body, of flared circular shape, features a regular openwork design with ogive motifs, enhanced by...
Porcelain
Empire Style Marble and Bronze Antique Centrepiece by Robbe
Located in London, GB
In an ornamental style, with rouge griotte marble and burnished bronze depicting the three Graces, signed 'A. ROBBE. Paris.' This stunning French centrepiece...
Marble, Bronze
Swedish Style Gilt Edge Metal Wastebasket w/ rings
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage antique...
Tin
Jacques Adnet Faux Bamboo Wastepaper Basket
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Rare midcentury rattan and steel wastepaper basket by Jacques Adnet with brass ring handles supported on three brass faux bamboo legs.
Brass, Steel
Pair of Tazzas, France Empire Period
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Tazzas from the late part of the Empire period. Made in Red French Marble with a bowl in dark patinated bronze. Base decorated with gilt bronze.
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
$812
H 1.78 in W 7.68 in D 9.65 in
Modern German Porcelain Dish with Beetles by Sofina Porcelain Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
This completely handmade and hands-free painted porcelain dish is made by Sofina porcelain in Bavaria. Hand-painted with a large stag beetle and other beetles. Rimmed with a platinum...
Porcelain
$717Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 14.18 in D 11.42 in
Mid-Century Rattan Wastebasket Umbrella Stand, Audoux Minnet France, c. 1950
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Labrit, Landes
Wicker umbrella stand from France, mid-century, circa 1950. Hand made. This umbrella stand with its two handles can also be used as an elegant wastepaper basket. Please note: the two...
Rattan
$450
H 12 in W 11.25 in D 7.5 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Style Polished Brass Wastebasket/Umbrella Stand
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage wastebasket/Umbrella Stand/Storage Box in newly polished mirrored-brass (ca. 1970, USA). Stylish, utilitarian piece in very good, vintage c...
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish. The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Bronze
$4,546
H 10.36 in Dm 17.72 in
Huge Seguso Vetri d'Arte White Scavo Vintage Murano Glass Bowl Centrepiece 1980s
By Karl Springer, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Seguso Vetri d'Arte white 'a Scavo' centrepiece bowl circa 1980s. Karl Springer designed many pieces for Seguso in the 1980s. Typically, these pieces were either white, black or brow...
Murano Glass
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 10.25 in D 11 in
Industrial Steel Clad Hardwood Elliptical Wastepaper Basket/ Trash Can
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Industrial Steel Clad Hardwood Elliptical Wastepaper Basket/ Trash Can Intricately crafted with elongated silver-leaf clad rim, standing 15.5 -Inches high, with a lower point of 9" ...
Steel, Silver Leaf
Paris Porcelain and Parcel Gilt Reticulated Compote or Fruit Basket
Located in Pembroke, MA
Nice quality Paris porcelain reticulated compote (corbeille, fruit basket) in tazza form with gilded decoration (late 19th century).
Porcelain
Green Tole Wastebasket With Lion Ring Handles
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Empire Style navette shape litter basket with gold lion mask ring handles and neoclassical decorations. United States, c. 1930's Dimensions: 14.5" W x 11.5" D x 9" H
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Black Toleware Bucket Bin Container
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant and versatile black metal container featuring an image of a French carriage. This sturdy piece with two handles looks wonderful standing alone or functional holding newspaper...
Metal
19th Century Paris Porcelain Basket Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stunning openwork corbeille, or basket vase, dating from the early 19th century Empire Period, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and richly gilded all over its delicatel...
Porcelain
Pair of Bronze Tazzas with Winged Cherubs, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of bronze tazzas with golden cylindrical feet above square plinths, burnished putti supporting the round bowls with palmette decoration on the walls.
Bronze
French White Pierced Porcelain Compote Basket Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A French round pierced white Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France. Great as a stand...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Empire Bisque and Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century Empire porcelain and biscuit centerpiece featuring two putti wearing crowns, on which rests the pierced basket. The table centerpiece is set on an oblong base deco...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Empire Bisque and Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century Empire porcelain and biscuit centerpiece featuring two putti wearing crowns, on which rests the pierced basket. The table centerpiece is set on an oblong base deco...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Empire-Period Paris Porcelain Basket
Located in Paris, FR
Small French basket in white and blue porcelain, highlighted with delicate gilt-accented floral motif. Crafted in the early 19th century, this service dish features a radiating latti...
Porcelain
Sold
H 15 in Dm 12 in
Antique Stylish Copper and Brass Coal Kettle, Fire Extinguisher Fire Place Decor
Located in Lisse, NL
An elegant and very decorative, early 1800's copper fire place tool. This hand-crafted, copper and brass kettle could only be afforded by the very w...
Brass, Copper
Sold
H 13 in W 5 in D 5 in
Wonderful French Gilt Bronze Swag Empire Neoclassical Centerpiece Glass Basket
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French Empire bronze floral handled basket with glass insert decorated with pierced bronze, figures, draped ribbons and roses in the neoclassical design. Measures: 5 x 5...
Bronze
French Tole Grape Basket with Vinyard Crest
Located in Essex, MA
Red painted with the Rully family crest.