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 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning three-piece mantel clock set in Siena marble and bronze, French Empire period. The main piece at center features a cast bronze hound sitting uneasily upon the plinth. Roman ...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Bronze Sphinx Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore mantel clock with claw feet and a sphinx on top. (Related item: 032442) (Not working)
Bronze
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendulum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Metal, Bronze
$32,712Sale Price / set|20% Off
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts. The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire period gilt bronze figural clock representing Amour & Psyche.
Bronze
French Empire-era Ormolu bronze mantle watch of Demeter, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Bronze Pendant "Demeter" A beautiful & rare decorative clock ,don't miss it! Beautiful bronze fireplace pendant from the Empire period, debuted in the 19th century, above th...
Gold, Bronze
French Empire Bronze Marble Figural Clock, c. 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Verde Antico Marble Figural Clock, circa 1830, the clock surmounted with seated figures of Apollo and Diana, each holding a torch, the clock w...
Marble, Bronze
Empire 19th Century Ormolu and Painted Bronze Mantel Clock with Young Sailor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Empire ormolu and painted bronze mantel clock attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie. Fitted in an ormolu case shaped as a cotton bale, the round enamel dial features Roman numeral hours and Arabic fifteen-minute graduations, indicated by two pierced gilt bronze hands. Shirtless and barefoot, a young black sailor...
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze & Marble Statue Clock of Homer by Ravrio 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very Fine antique French Empire gilt bronze statue clock, depicting Homer in the Ruins of Troy, by André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814), circa 1810. This e...
Marble, Bronze
Signed Bronze Pierre-Philippe Thomire of Paris Clock Putti Cherub Clock Set
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Presenting a spectacular early 19th-century French three-piece bronze doré clock set signed by Thomire of Paris, a breathtaking ensemble that epitomizes the luxury, craftsmanship, an...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Console Clock in Mahogany
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful and decorative late Empire console clock crafted in Cuban mahogany. The case is architecturally shaped with gracefully curved lines and executed with fine craftsmanship. ...
Metal, Brass
$13,847Sale Price|20% Off
Drouot French Empire Bronze Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This French Empire mantel clock features a seated female figure, finely sculpted, draped in flowing fabric, and positioned next to an elegant water fountain motif. The round enamel d...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French Portico Clock Signed Cellier à Paris, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small portico clock made of gray marble with gilded applications. The cylindrical movement is enclosed between two columns, above which a figural top piece in the form of a seated Ch...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Pendulum In Gilt Bronze Early 1800s With Putti and Bookcase
Located in Milano, MI
French Empire gilt bronze pendulum dating from the early 1800s, charming table clock with allegory of the Arts, arched case, flanked by two putti, one seated with a book and the oth...
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt Clock
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical parcel-gilt clock. Roman military Empire period mantel clock of obelisk form topped by an extraordinary eagle with outs...
Metal
Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock France Fire gilded bronze Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12 Description: Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock. The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock of Seated Cupid Holding a Rose
By Pierre-Victor Ledure, Claude Hemon
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Finest quality period French Empire clock depicting a seated winged cupid holding a rose; the case in gilt and patinated bronze. The clock show a gilt cupid...
Marble, Bronze
19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840. Fine quality Swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Brass
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting the Lydian Queen Omphale
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19 century French Empire gilt bronze clock depicting the mythological Lydian Queen Omphale sitting astride on a draped drum th...
Bronze
$5,271 / item
French mantel clock made of white marble
Located in Berlin, DE
French mantel clock made of white marble Enamel dial with blue Roman numerals and gilt hands. French eight-day movement with anchor escapement, striking the hours and half-hours on...
Carrara Marble
Rare Empire Clock Cabinet Sideboard, Antique Northern Swedish Country Gustavian
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique clock cabinet from Sweden made during the transitional time between the gustavian and empire period. The cabinet is from Northern Sw...
Pine
$5,000Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire style bronze mantel clock.
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Style Philosopher Bronze Clock Mount
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Philosopher Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Mount, mid-19th century, depicting Socrates seated on rocky outcropping, writing "Oui / Lame / est / immortalle" [Yes ...
Bronze
19th-Century Flame Mahogany Mantel Clock by Breguet Raised by Lion Paw Feet
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An extremely rare mantel clock with a figured mahogany-veneered case by A-L Breguet Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), who was of Swiss origin, is undoubtedly the most celebrated clockmaker of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in France. He is responsible for the invention of the self-winding watch, the tourbillon and the sympathetic watch ( a watch that is placed in a cradle of a special clock. It is then linked by means of a pin fixed behind the clock dial. Built into the motion work which, when released by the clock, automatically sets the hands to the clock's time as well as correcting the watch's regulator necessitated by any degree of inaccuracy registered at the moment of synchronisation) and many other horological improvements and developments. Around the year 1807 Breguet brought in his son, Antoine-Louis (born 1776), as a business partner, and from this point, the firm became known as Breguet et Fils. Breguet had previously sent his son to London to study with the great English chronometer maker John Arnold...
Brass
$4,680Sale Price|20% Off
Superb Quality Bronze Ebonized French Empire Ormulu Mounted Figural Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Empire figural mantel clock represents the pinnacle of 19th-century artistry and craftsmanship. Featuring a be...
Bronze
19th Century Gilt Brass Table Mantle Clock
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century gilt brass mantle clock with the glass hood. Decor of foliage, arrows, and bow. Crowned by an angel with lyre. The glas dome has protected it beautifully and it is...
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1830, the circular dial with strike on bell movement, surmounted by a woman writing, on an acanthus and fluted base with scrolled feet. ...
Metal
EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Greek Female Mantel Clocks
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire-style (19th Century) green patinaed metal classic Greek female figures on round gilt base holding round mantel clock and barometer. (PRICED AS PAIR) (Not working)
Metal
19th Century Miniatur Mantel Clock, Gare La Bombe, Cupido, France, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Pendulette "Gare La Bombe" France gilded bronze first half 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 20 x 15 x 7 cm Description: Antique miniature mante...
Bronze
EARLY 19th CENTURY FRENCH PORCELAIN CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant biscuit watch with an allegory of pure love. The spring-loaded watch features an enamelled dial with double Arabic and Roman numerals, and a crown set with zircons cut like d...
Porcelain
19th Century French Marble & Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Signed By Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the grandeur of the 19th century with this exquisite French Marble and Bronze Figural Mantel Clock. A true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this clock...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1830, the classical muse upholding a basket of flowers beside a red-painted globular clock with white enamel dial, the movement strike ...
Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Patinated & Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1840, surmounted by a seated female musician holding a tambourine, white enamel dial, strike on bell, on a gothic strapwor...
Marble, Metal, Enamel
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1830, the white enamel dial and movement strike on bell surmounted by a standing classical figure resting on an amphora pouring water, ...
Bronze, Enamel
“Horatius & the Fall of Rome” French Empire Antique Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH RESTAURATION ORMOLU & PATINATED BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF ROMAN PHILOSOPHER HORATIUS Paris, circa 1820; silk-suspension movement signed "Etablissement Barbot de Paris" 2...
Bronze, Ormolu
Magnificent French Empire style in white marble
Located in Berlin, DE
A magnificent 19th-century French Empire sundial in white marble, decorated with bronze floral mounts. The piece is crowned with a splendid bronze eagle, adorned with bronze details,...
Carrara Marble
Venus Clipping the Wings of Cupid Mantel Clock by Thomire & Cie
By Thomire & Cie., Louis Moinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This splendid Empire gilt bronze French mantel clock, signed on the dial by bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire and watchmaker Louis Moinet, features an exquisitely detailed scene of Ve...
Marble, Bronze
$3,222Sale Price|20% Off
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century This Empire period clock (circa 1800-1810) is composed of a marble terrace topped by two flat columns decor...
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Empire Style Mantel Clock
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite and finely crafted Large 19th century Baccarat crystal and ormolu French Empire style Neoclassical mantel clock. This elegant timepiece features a striking architectural...
Crystal, Bronze
Very Large French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly, Paris, Circa 1810s, with original pendulum.
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Black Slate Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Gilt Bronze and Black Slate Mercury Compensated Mantel Clock, retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co., Philadelphia, early 20th century, the arched case in the French Empire style...
Slate, Bronze
$6,159Sale Price|20% Off
Gilt Bronze Table Clock « the Gardener Angel » French Work, Circa 1805
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
"L''Amour jardinier" is a gilt bronze table clocks with a garden angel and garden decors. The garden angel is on a scale and catches a butterfly. The m...
Bronze
Empire Clock, "The Astronomy Lesson", early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
A mercury gilt bronze clock depicting two young women dressed in antique style sitting in Etruscan-style shepherdesses on either side of a draped table with claw feet, studying a map...
Bronze
Empire-style portal clock, France, early 19th century, black
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire-style portal clock, France, early 19th century. Open portal case made of black stone with gilt bronze appliqués, enamel dial with Roman numerals, movement with hook escapement...
Belgian Black Marble
Braunschweig Castle watchmaker Antoine Nicolas Delolme, 1752-1836
Located in Berlin, DE
Antoine Nicolas Delolme, 1752–1836, active in Brunswick from 1780 to 1810, became court clockmaker in 1786. The pendulum is signed on both the front and back. The hands are openwor...
Bentwood
A Louis XVI gilt bronze mounted marble 'Pendule Portique', by Michel-F. Piolaine
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendule Clock from the Time of Louis XVI by Piolaine of Paris An exceptionally elegant Pendule clock from the time of Louis XVIII. Signed “Piolaine à Paris,” the work of a renowned...
Carrara Marble
Birth of the King of Rome, Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze clock representing The Birth of the King of Rome or the allegory of the Birth of Love Empress Marie-Louise is standing near a cradle filled with roses with a winged cupid in the middle; decor of an Athenian woman with rams' heads and a curtain draped...
Bronze
$2,539Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Bronze Fire-Gilded Pendule
Located in Berlin, DE
Great bronze pendulum. Base and pedestal with lavish floral and figurative embellishments such as rocaille, acanthus leaves, cartouches, garlands, putti and central masks. Additional...
Bronze
$799Sale Price|25% Off
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820. The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Siena Marble, Bronze
19 Century Italian Clock Landscape Painting
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early/mid-19th century Italian clock painting indistinctly signed on the lower right corner. The oil painting is set in a period Empire gilt frame and d...
Canvas
Clock Pendulum Empire France
Located in New York, NY
Table pendulum clock made in France during the empire period, 1790-1810. Made from gilt bronze. Depicting a man holding a cornucopia.
Bronze
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
Bronze
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Gilt Metal and Marble Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted White Marble Portico Clock, early 20th century, surmounted by an Imperial eagle, sunburst, the suspended circular dial with battery operated mo...
Marble, Metal
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock. Item features a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock Depicting the Astronomical Sciences
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine early 19th century French Empire gilt bronze clock representing an allegory of astronomy; featuring two classically draped maide...
Bronze
Table Clock Empire Period France
Located in New York, NY
A mantel clock made during the Empire period 1790-1820 in France. Made from burnished gilt bronze. The Greek God Apollo is playing the lyre with his feet resting on a guilded stool.
Bronze
French Portico Timber Clock, circa 1815
Located in Pymble, NSW
A brilliant French portico clock with ormolu mounts and pendulum mounted with 2 swans with 'blackened' necks and wings. The timber is gleaming with its...
Burl
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
Ormolu
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
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