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.
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
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
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
$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
Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
Ormolu, Bronze
$2,272Sale 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
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
$1,250
H 14 in W 8.25 in D 14 in
Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
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
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
$2,250
H 7.26 in W 9.82 in D 2.15 in
JAZ Paris 1930 Art Deco Geometric 8 Days Glass Desk Clock in Stainless Steel
By Jaz
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Jaz Paris. A beautiful and very handsome desk clock, created in Paris France by the the clock company of Jaz during the art deco period, back in the early 1930. This very decorative piece is very hard to find has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from an octagonal beveled cranberry glass and stainless steel steeped mountings. Deceptively weighty time piece showing the quality that one expects from this maker. Movement: French mechanical wingding Jaz movement, Eleven Jewels, 8 days. The dial is round with metallic cranberry color, Arabic silver...
Steel, Stainless Steel
19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
$659Sale 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
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
Jaeger LeCoultre World Time 8 Day Lacquered Bronze Midcentury Desk Clock
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: World Time with Date Feature METAL / MATERIAL: Lacquered Bronze CIRCA: 1950's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 8 Day Manually Wound DIAL / HANDS: Bronze Dial, Dauphine Hands DIMENSIONS: 6.25 inches in diameter. Round Raised back 1" to 3" ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. Jaeger LeCoultre is renowned worldwide for their technological achievements in horology. They are the quiet designers behind Cartier's European Watch and Clock...
Bronze, Brass
Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Mantel, circa 1800
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Empire gilt bronze clock mantel, circa 1800 The case surmounted by an Alexander the Great bust. Dial signed: "Rocquet à Paris” France.
Bronze
Art Deco French Enameled Silver Desk Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This enameled silver desk clock is unsigned, so a specific maker cannot be identified, but the case was made in France, and the movement in Switzerland in the period and style of Art Deco. The silver content of the case has not been tested, but is believed to be Continental or .800 or just under .925 sterling, The front of the clock is ornately enameled with raised bright red flowers on each corner with contrasting black and red geometric panels with green accents, which are duplicated on the sides. The hinged back opens to gain access to the winding mechanism and the high grade Swiss movement has been professionally serviced and works well. Although barely visible, the clock is stamped on the bottom with a French...
Silver, Brass
$5,000
H 4.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
American Brass Miniature Carriage Clock with Beveled Glass, New York. C. 1850
By James Mix
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass miniature carriage clock with beveled glass, carrying handle , and signed enamel over copper face with dial. Clock consists of time, strike,...
Brass, Copper, Enamel
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