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.
Collection of Turquoise Opaline Glass with Bronze Mounts, Italy Early 20th Cent
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful collection of Vases made of opal glass all with Bronze Mounts. These types of articles and jewelry boxes were mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They we...
Bronze
French Empire Partially Gilt Brass Box with Velvet Interior, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Partially Gilt Brass Box with Velvet Interior, Early 19th Century An exquisite circular box in partially gilt brass, richly adorned with finely cast and chased ornamen...
Brass
$340Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Mahogany Jewelry Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, Denmark, 1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Rectangular Empire Mahogany Jewelry Box On Brass Ball Feet with Mother of Pearl Inlay With Mirror, 1825. This small period trinket box in veneered mahogany and brass panels on...
Brass
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Metal, Brass
Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...
Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
$800Sale Price|50% Off
Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A refined French Empire style gilt brass and cut crystal casket, dating from the 19th century. This elegant decorative box beautifully reflects the neoclassical vocabulary inspired b...
Crystal, Brass
Late 18th Century Round Wooden Engraved Snuffbox Pillbox
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round Danish late 18th Century snuffbox or pillbox featuring elaborate engravings. Very versatile piece that could also hold jewelry or small trinkets on a vanity. This piece m...
Wood
Beautiful White Opaline Cenedese Style Glass Compote Pedestal Bowl, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This elegant Tuscan glass pedestal bowl is a beautiful example of mid-century Italian milk opaline craftsmanship, created circa 1950 or earlier in the style of Cenedese. The bowl fea...
Glass
Egg style Faberge Savoia blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Egg on tripod Sterling Silver emerald fired Enamel on Guillochè Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Miniature Vanity in Mahogany – Paris, Mid-19th Century An exquisite late Empire miniature piece, crafted in central Paris around 1850. Made of fine mahogany (Swietenia maho...
Glass, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg White with blue garlands i...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Square shaped Dore Bronze Mounted Cut Crystal Jewelry Box, by Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Square Shaped Dore Bronze Mounted Cut Crystal Jewelry Box, by Baccarat A cut crystal jewelry box formed with a square profile and stepped architectural outline. The body is construc...
Crystal, Bronze
Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with three tones of gold and royal blue enamel. The hinged lid is embellished with a multicolored gold medallion in relief featuring a bouquet of roses and tulips, se...
Gold
Early 19th Century Russian Lacquer Painted Snuffbox Trinket Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th century Russian snuffbox or pillbox featuring an elaborate painting on the lid of a turkey and children. Very versatile piece that could also hold jewelry or small trinkets. Thi...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Egg style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
X-Small Egg style Faberge Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché and an hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the e...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Purple Red...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Plum enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Plum enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Plum enamel is Russian...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
X-Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
X-Small Egg style Faberge Sapphire Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Walnut
$2,140
H 7 in W 17 in D 11.5 in
19th Century Anglo-Indian Sadeli Inlaid Work Box Traveling Writing Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
An Anglo Indian bone, ebony and metal inlaid sadeli work box with portable writing desk, Bombay, circa 1850. The sandalwood body of faceted recta...
Metal
$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
Pair of Early 20th Century Boxwood Italian Pharmacy Bottles
Located in Roma, IT
A pair of early 20th century boxwood containers (21 cm) that allowed the discreet storage of medicines destined to treatments of pathologies to be kept hidden. A unique set that w...
Boxwood
19th Century Tramp Art Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tramp art jewelry box from England. The box has a domed top with layers upon layers of molded edges, leading up to a graceful formed...
Fruitwood
$798Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.43 in Dm 2.17 in
Austria 1922 Art Deco Polychrome And Blue Enamel Round Box .925 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
An art deco guilloche enamel box made in Austria. Beautiful enamel round box, created in Vienna Austria during the art deco period, back in the 1922. This beautiful antique piece wa...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$1,025
H 10 in W 11.75 in D 6 in
Japanese Lacquer Box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Parquetry Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A finely crafted Japanese tabletop cabinet from the early 20th century, this compact storage piece is richly detailed with traditional decorative techniques and export-era flourishes...
Wood
$17,036Sale 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
19th CENTURY JEWELRY BOX WITH STONES
Located in Firenze, FI
Refined and unique jewelry box made of carved wood, covered with hand-embossed and silver-plated metal veneer. The piece features riveted hinges and a tempera-lacquered interior in s...
Stone, Metal
$2,100
H 6 in W 7 in D 5 in
19th Century French Empire Cloisonné Bronze Jewelry Casket with Velvet Interior
Located in North Miami, FL
19th century French Empire cloisonne bronze jewelry casket with blue velvet interior By: unknown Material: bronze, velvet, enamel, metal, copper Technique: gilt, cloisonné, champlevé, cast, molded, metalwork Dimensions: 5 in x 7 in x 6 in Date: late 19th century, circa 1890 Style: Napoleon III, Rococo Revival, Neoclassicism Place of origin: France This richly gilded jewelry...
Bronze, Enamel, Metal, Copper
English Mother of Pearl carved casket box with abalone inlay
Located in Winnetka, IL
English MOP carved casket box with abalone inlay. Velvet lining on 4 bracket feet
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$650
H 5.5 in W 16 in D 9 in
Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance Probably Sri Lankan 3 secret drawers* Replaced lea...
Wood
19th Century English Walnut Tunbridge Ware Writing Box
Located in Burton, TX
This 19th Century English Walnut Tunbridge Ware Writing Box was crafted in the late 1800's. Tunbridge Ware is characterized by detailed inlaid patterns, often geometric, crafted from...
Walnut
Beautiful Jade Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts, Italy, 1950s
By Cenedese
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful jewelry box or catchall with glass lid made of opal glass. This type of jewelry box was mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They were made from the early...
Bronze
Beautiful White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts, Italy, 1930s
By Cenedese
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful jewelry box or catchall with glass lid made of opal glass. This type of jewelry box was mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They were made from the early...
Bronze
X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Egg style Faberge sapphire blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sold
H 2.68 in Dm 1.97 in
Egg style Faberge Blue Sapphire Enamel Medium Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod engraved in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Egg style Faberge Blue Ocean Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th centur...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Silver Plated Rectangular Dolphin Footed Box with Lid
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
We see this charming 2 piece box for used as a trinket box for jewelry or keepsakes. Could also function standing alone on a coffee table or nightstand.
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.75 in W 4.75 in D 3.25 in
Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box
Located in New York, NY
An Unusual, Fantastic, and Quite Beautiful Empire Period (1810) Russian Ormolu Mounted White Opaline Covered Box. Of oval form the highly translucent opalescent or opaline crystal i...
Ormolu
French Octagon Silver Plated Fleur De Lis Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in France, we see this charming hinged box for used for display or functional for jewelry. The interior is lined in velvet. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection.
Metal, Silver
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Ottoman Empire Silver Jewelry Casket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th-early 20th century Ottoman Empire Grand Scale Silver Jewelry Casket. Velvet lining; with a presentation case. 900 standard silver guarantee hallmark, SK mark unidentified, ...
Silver