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 Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite mantel clock made of fire-gilded and patinated bronze from the early 19th century: Structure in the form of a rectangular gilded base on four conical feet with chiselling, ...
Bronze
Monumental French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Malachite Clock
Located in Tarzana, CA
A very large and impressive 19th century Empire style gilt and patinated bronze malachite mantel clock depicting 'Psyche Crowning Cupid.' Psyche crown...
Malachite, Bronze
Isaac Pearson Reading PA Walnut Tall Clock with Rare Jacob Kunsman Case, C 1845
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid Empire walnut veneered tall clock with swan’s neck split pediment crest with bullseye rosettes and three wooden ball & spire finials surmounting an arched front glass door...
Metal
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock 'Pendule au char'
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base decorated with a wheat and foliate frieze and raised on four ball feet, the goddess of agriculture Ceres standing while leaning against a Roman chariot with harv...
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm This fine gilt bronze man...
Ormolu, Bronze
$2,325Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Clock Holder, Granite and Steel with Picture St Stephans Dome
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful and exclusive clock stand made of steel and granite. Holding a picture of the Stephans-dome. The most famous church in Wienna, Austria. High quality craftsmanship on all...
Granite, Steel
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock, Circa 1820
Located in Tarzana, CA
A French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Silk Thread Mantel Clock The neoclassical theme with a lady and a mandolin.The clock retains its original blued steel Breguet style hands. The ...
Bronze
$2,625Sale Price|24% Off
H 15.75 in W 13.5 in D 5.5 in
French Ormolu Bronze Sèvres Porcelain Mantle Clock Vincenti et Cie, Paris
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A fine early to mid-19th century French Ormolu and Porcelain Mounted mantel (fireplace) Clock of outstanding Quality and impressive proportions. Eight-day duration movement, striking...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,320Sale Price|39% Off
H 99.5 in W 18.5 in D 14.5 in
Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stately late 18th century Belgian, Liege, tall case clock case having a period Black Forest clock workings with wooden enameled dial and hand-painted fruit decoration, the original...
Bronze, Enamel, Iron
$1,250
H 14 in W 8.25 in D 14 in
Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare "Olympus" table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. The circular red clock face is upheld by a green pyramid base...
Aluminum
Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 2 by George Nelson, 1984
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare postmodern cream, brown, and navy checkerboard table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Very few signs...
Aluminum
19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
$4,200
H 13.75 in W 12.25 in D 4.5 in
Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris, Bronze & Ormolu, 1815
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,065Sale Price|30% Off
H 1.41 in W 2.99 in D 1.1 in
Movado1948 Calendermeto Triple Date & Moonphase Travel Purse Clock With Leather
Rare calendermeto travel clock designed by Movado. Beautiful and very rare calendermeto travel purse clock, created in Switzerland by the Movado Clock Factories, back in the 1948-1954. Crafted in stainless steel and leather with the purpose to use in desks, travels, in the pocket or a purse. Patented Ermeto winding device by means of the sliding case, with all original parts. The Movado Ermeto watch...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$6,880Sale Price|34% Off
H 92.52 in W 25.2 in D 10.24 in
Tall Case Clock, Bristol, England, circa 1830, Victorian
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The case of the grandfather clock is made of mahogany and was possibly made by the watchmaker Nathaniel Edgecombe. The clock is from Bristol England, circa 1830. + The ship in the d...
Nutwood, Spruce
Regency Mahogany Tall Case Clock By W. Ashford, London
Located in Essex, MA
With arched bonnet with brass finials over a convex glass bezel opening to a steel clock face. Newly cleaned and put in ready to go condition. The case with pendulum door. Weights, k...
Brass, Iron
Omega, a Wood and Enamel Art Deco Eight Day Desk Clock
By Omega
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Omega. A wood and enamel Art Deco eight day desk clock Singed Omega. Polished wooden case, two polychrome enamel panels with floral and geometric motif, gilt case back, dial signed. Very good conditions. Working conditions. It just been cleaned. Rare example of these Art Deco Enamel Clocks...
Brass, Enamel
$672Sale Price|30% Off
H 19 in W 10 in D 6 in
French Empire Marble Ormolu Mantle Clock Set Bronze Figurine
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Gorgeous French Empire antique clock set - Mantle clock is flanked by two bronze urns on pedestals - Clock is surmounted by bronze fem...
Other
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 23 in W 16.5 in D 6 in
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
Bronze
Sold
H 13.39 in W 9.45 in D 5.91 in
French Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'L'Angelot Endormi', Reiche, Paris, Ca 1820
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent mantel clock made of fire-gilded and patinated bronze from the early 19th century: Structure in the form of a tall oval, smooth, fluted stepped gilded base, recessed body m...
Bronze
Sold
H 20.5 in W 13.5 in D 5 in
Antique French Empire White Marble and Brass Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19C Victorian Bronze & French Crystal Chandelier Additional information: Materials: Bronze, Crystal Color: Bronze Period: 19th Century Styles: Belle Epoque, French, Victoria...
Brass
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Lyre-Clock with a Bust of Homer
Located in Paris, FR
Important clock-regulator entirely realized in gilded bronze of the Empire period. It has a lyre shape with seven strings and a bust of Homer crowned ...
Bronze
Cupid and Psyche Clock after Claude Michallon
Located in Paris, FR
Clock representing the Coronation of Love or Love and Psyche after Claude Michallon. Psyche, dressed in a wet drapery held by a belt, leans over the central pillar in griotte marble to crown Amour, recognizable by his wings and his quiver at his waist. The gilded bronze dial with Roman numerals is set in the pillar decorated with a lyre surrounded by oak leaves. The rectangular base is decorated with leaves, crowns, garlands, trophies of arms and rosettes motifs. The ensemble is supported by four small winged claw feet in gilded bronze. This figure created by Michallon (1751-1799) during the Directoire period, after an antique marble from the Capitol in Rome, was a great success due to its elegance and the popularity of the subject of Love and Psyche in the 19th century. It was declined many times notably by Feuchère and Thomire. Some examples are kept in renowned museums such as the Château de Fontainebleau, the Musée Marmottan-Monet, the Hôtel de la Marine...
Bronze
Antique Empire Clock, Western Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique Empire clock, Western Europe, circa 1860. Dimensions: height 224 cm / width 54 cm / depth. 29 cm.
Walnut
Empire Period Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period clock, early 19th century, architecture made of sea green marble with a large and magnificent sculpture in patinated bronze of a Love...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Clock
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish Mora clock in the Empire style, circa 1820. This clock has a lovely elegant shape, with unusual scrolled decoration to the neck. It has been dry-scraped to its original p...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 16.54 in W 8.67 in D 4.73 in
Empire Style Black and Golden Bronze Table Clock, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire style Napoléon made in blackened wood and golden bronze using gold and posed with Mercure. Paris clock movement which works well, the bell rings every hour and every h...
Bronze
French Gilded Bronze Mantle Clock with Standing Figure, circa 1840s
Located in San Francisco, CA
French gilded bronze mantel (fireplace) clock with standing figure circa 1840s Beautiful antique French clock. Great for your desktop, mantel (fireplace) top, or curio cabinet. ...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Lapis French Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This exquisite early 19th century mantel clock is mounted with gilt bronze and has benefited from the addition of a later lapis lazuli veneer. The clock is formed of a cylindrical clock...
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in London, GB
This beautiful gilt bronze (ormolu) mantel clock was crafted in France during the period when Napoleon I was Emperor (1804-1814, 15). It was designed by the famous bronze caster and ...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Sold
H 13.78 in W 9.45 in D 3.55 in
Elegant Empire Gilt Bronze Pendulum Table Clock, France, circa 1810
Located in Paris, FR
Empire Restoration style table clock in gilt bronze Pendulum in gilt bronze gold mercury, allegory to music, silk thread movement, no key or p...
Bronze