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.
Antique Russian Silver & Cloisonné Enamel Cigarette Case Circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A remarkable antique Russian silver cigarette case dating to the late Imperial Russian period, circa 1900, distinguished by its elegant craftsmanship, colorful cloisonné enamel decor...
Silver, Enamel
Antique Empire Style Cigar Box, Cedar Interior, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely empire style wooden box probably produced in Sweden. The box is 14 x 14 cm (5.6" x 5,6") in diameter and 23.5 cm (9.4") high. It is in excellent condition except from that t...
Glass, Wood
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock circa 1920. Empire revival burr yew cigar box with clock. Strung and inlaid to outer edges, decorated with an ormolu mount to the...
Brass
Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
6238-7239- Pocket cigarette case with spring button in 925/1000 fire-enamelled sterling silver with beautiful vessel miniature hand-painted by th...
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box with Clock fired and Enamel fine hand-engraved arabesques Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Hexagonal table box with clock on the lid, in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with hand-painted fired enamel in the style of lapis lazuli stone and fine hand-engraved arabesques...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated with translucent fired enamels and featuring a handpainted monochrome miniature on guilloche of a sailing ship on the lid, depi...
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-engravings fire enameled hand-painted like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful hand-painted enameled ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$5,309Sale Price|20% Off
Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$125
H 0.5 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century. This Empire style box makes a wonderful addition to a collection of these classic brass boxes. This box is ve...
Brass
wonderful antique silver cigarette case from china
Located in Munich, DE
another piece from my personal collection. wonderful handmade cigarette case from china. made by an unknown artist and retailed by the company woshing / shanghai. the stamp dates the...
Silver
$16,255Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in Dm 7.68 in
20th Century Sterling Silver Italian Gilded and Enameled Table Box
By Salimbeni
Located in VALENZA, IT
Round haped silver gilded 925/1000 table box with translucent enamels on guilloche with hand-painted floral miniatures and gold paillons Made in Italy 1.400 grams The Miniatures are hand-painted on a usually white homogeneous enamel base. The same colored glazes are used, but ground much finer, which are mixed with special oils to form an infinite palette of colors. The paint must be gradually dried on electric stoves...
Sterling Silver
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Empire style table clock and inkwell Origin France Circa 1900 The watch has a Paris machine and it works Golden bronze and Onix materials Very good general condition the marble ...
Bronze
Silver, Gold Enamel and Pearl Double Singing Bird Clock
Located in London, GB
This wonderful modern masterpiece has been created using original antique and vintage elements. The beautiful silver and guilloche enamel case da...
Gold, Silver, Enamel
19th Century Hand Painted, Engraved and Gilt Brass Carriage Clock
Located in London, GB
A fine carriage clock The engraved gilt case rises from an ogee plinth, and is dressed with elliptical polychrome enameled plaques to the fascia and the sides, depicting children ...
Brass
Early 20th Century Cigar Box with ROG Foil Lettering
Located in Dekalb, IL
Antique wooden retailers cigar box. This unique piece likely dates back to the late Victorian period. It features all-mahogany construction and four interior storage compartments. A...
Glass, Wood, Paint
$2,995
H 2.5 in W 2 in D 0.5 in
Antique Imperial Russian Silver Cloisonne Enamel Coin Purse Case Moscow 1899
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Pre-Revolution Russian Imperial silver-gilt & cloisonné enamel coin purse/case, Moscow, 1899. The purse with the maker's mark in Cyrillic and the assayer's mark for Iv...
Silver, Enamel
$205 / item
H 1.54 in W 6.23 in D 9.85 in
Pewter Rectangular Box with Wood Inlay, Early 20th Century, Italy
Located in Roma, IT
Pewter rectangular box realized in the eary 20th century Very good condition.
Pewter
State of Qatar and Grant Macdonald, a Rare Silver Humidor Box
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
State of Qatar and Grant Macdonald, A Rare Silver Humidor Box in original fitted box depicting the map and flags of The State of Qatar and the Royal seal of the State. Silverware is a traditional gift in many cultures and Qatar is known for its appreciation of luxury and quality hence the collaboration with Grant Macdonald which has been commissioned to create a silver humidor for a member of the royal family of Qatar. Grant Macdonald is a British silversmith company that has been in business for over 50 years. They are known for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail in creating luxury silverware and bespoke commissions. Qatar, on the other hand, is a small country located in the Middle East that has been growing rapidly over the past few decades, becoming a hub for business and luxury. Grant Macdonald and Qatar may seem like two unrelated topics, but the two have actually been connected in recent years through commissions and collaborations. Qatar is a country that values luxury and quality, making it a prime market for Grant Macdonald’s exquisite silverware. In fact, the company has worked on several high-profile commissions for clients in Qatar, including a silver replica of the famous Doha Pearl Monument. The Doha Pearl Monument is an iconic landmark in Qatar, representing the country’s history and culture. It is a symbol of Qatar’s pearl diving...
Silver
$1,478
H 2.37 in W 8.67 in D 5.71 in
Swedish Art Deco Bronze Box with Cedar Interior, Sweden, circa 1930
By GAB Guldsmedsaktiebolaget, Just Andersen, Sune Bäckström
Located in Stockholm, SE
An elegant Swedish Grace bronze box, dating to circa 1930, embodying the refined restraint and timeless sophistication of early 20th-century Scandinavian design. The box is beautifu...
Bronze
$524Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 7.09 in Dm 7.09 in
Antique Silver-Plated Revolving Dome Caviar or Butter Dish on Ornate Box
Located in Wembley, GB
An elegant antique silver-plated covered serving dish, designed with a revolving dome lid and raised on an ornate stand with finely detailed floral and scrollwork decoration. The pie...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$4,500
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 0.4 in
French Art Deco Sterling Silver with Gemstone Rosetta Compact Case by Cartier
By Cartier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Cartier compact case in the iconic Art Deco style, circa 1930s. Sterling silver with gold gilt interior that feature a mirror and a compartment for powder. The exterior featur...
Multi-gemstone, Silver
Art Deco Silver and Enamel "Risque" Cigarette Case. Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered is an Art Deco silver and hand painted enamel cigarette case; often referenced in "sin" and other tobacco collectible circles as a "naughty" themed accessory. While it could ...
Silver, Enamel
C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine Empire Style ormolu Mounted Box Lovely Quality and very fine Ormolu mounted This Box Stands at 40cm in Height and is truly Magnificent
Malachite
Sterling Silver Lady's Cigar Case for Purse Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
French Empire style for this Lady's cigar case for purse rectangular convex "olive" shaped, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone stripes fire enameled on guilloché a...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Imperial Anglo-Russian Brass Cigar Humidor Box 'Late 1800’s'
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful antique brass box. This box dates back to the late 1800s. This is a beautiful example of artistry in brass during the imperial Russian empire era. The brass around the box shines with age and the top lid is full with patina. The box stands on 4 lion feet and two lion heads holding rings appear on either side of the box. The front presents two lions connected by a crest and the top lid presents a double headed eagle relief...
Brass
Very Rare Napoleon's Empire Cigar Case, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Very rare and beautiful cigar case in French Napoleon's Empire style with glass, cork and nicely ornamented silver. France, 19th century In an excellent condition .
Silver