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.
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, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century. Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included. Later added hatch at back. F...
Brass
Antique French Mantel Clock, Fire-Gilded Bronze, Diana Motif, c. 1810
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
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Ormolu
19th c, French Empire Table Clock
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century French, Charles X bronze, brass and sienna marble table clock from the Empire period. Signed Ravrio Bronzier, ca 1820 France.
Marble, Metal, Brass, 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
Fire-gilded French Empire bronze clock, ca. 1800, “Chariot of Aurora”; Deniere
Located in Münster, DE
Fire-gilded bronze clock depicting Aurora’s chariot, dial signed Deniere á Paris, Maison Deniere The signature “Denière” or “Denière Fabt de Bronzes à Paris” belongs to Jean-Franço...
Bronze, Enamel
Early 19th Century French Empire Pendule Portefaix circa 1810 Paris
Located in Münster, DE
Paris, Empire, c. 1810, bronze body, fire-gilt and patinated, designed by Jean-André Reiche in 1808, 8-day movement, enamel dial with Roman numerals, figure of the wearer on an oval ...
Bronze, Enamel
Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, c. 1815
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exquisite French Empire ormolu and cut-crystal clock, c. 1815, attributed to Baccarat. Made from the finest quality mercury gilding ormolu, this c...
Crystal, Ormolu
$4,570Sale Price|20% Off
Raingo Frères Louis XVI Style Table Clock in Alabaster & Gilded Bronze, 1800
Located in Milano, MI
French Louis XVI style table clock in alabaster and gilded bronze, made by Raingo Frères Paris in 1800 Measures: Ø cm 24 Ø cm 14 h cm 46.
Alabaster, 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
French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Bronze
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 Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Claude Galle, (1759–1815, master in 1786) is one of the most renowned bronziers active during the Napoleonic period, such as Pierre-Philippe Thomire, André-Antoine Ravrio and Louis-S...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb 19th century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Egyptian style Mantel Clock This clock was produced in the Fr...
Brass
Empire Period Portico Clock, White Marble & Gilt Bronze, Circa 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Portico clock from the Empire period, circa 1810, with an architectural design in white marble, accompanied by very simple ornamentation in mercury-gilt bronze with finely chiseled...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.
Marble, Bronze
EARLY 19th CENTURY VIENNESE EMPIRE CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful clock in walnut root, enriched with maple fillets and with an ebonized wooden base. The decoration of the clock features gilded bronze friezes, inspired by classical elemen...
Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, Empire style, France, early 19th century Magnificent mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, made in France around 1810-1820, at the height of the Empire ...
Bronze
$11,195Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period gilt bronze figural clock. Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Meditation French Empire Mantel Clock by Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Mantel Clock Claude Galle Circa 1810 This Empire period mantel clock by Galle exemplifies the sophisticated allegorical artistry of early 19th-century French horology. Repres...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Bracket Clock, Vienna, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Bracket clock in a walnut case with ebonized columns and base. The case is decorated with brass appliqués. The movement features a brass chapter ring with Roman numerals, Arabic sec...
Brass
Bracket Clock, Vienna, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant Viennese bracket clock with an ebonized base and splayed legs supporting the clock case. The case is made of walnut and decorated with brass appliqués. The movement features...
Brass
19th Century Clock Empire Clock in Siena Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX CENTURY CLOCK EMPIRE CLOCK IN SIENA MARBLE AND DECORATED WITH BRONZE. SUSPENSION MECHANISM WITH FILE. COMPLETE WITH ITS KEY AND PENDULUM. MEASURES: 45 CM HIGH good condition.
Marble
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze “Pendule-Veilleuse” Mantel Clock, 19thC
Located in New York, NY
A finely cast 19th-century French Empire-style mantel clock in patinated and gilt bronze, notable for its sculptural presence and refined neoclassical detailing. The circular dial fe...
Bronze
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century 50cm x 26cm x 15cm good condition
Bronze
Antique 19th-Century French Marble & Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Neoclass
Located in Berlin, DE
Elevate your interior with this exceptional antique French figural mantel clock, beautifully crafted in the 19th century in a refined Neoclassical / Empire style. Featuring a strikin...
Marble
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire mantel clock in mercury-gilt bronze, France, early 19th century Magnificent French Empire-era clock, made in mercury-gilt bronze with a fine allegorical scene: an angel playin...
Bronze
$10,795Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Period Marble and Ormolu Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period marble and ormolu clock. French Carrara marble Portico clock with extensive ormolu fretwork mounted on two finely decorated marble columns ...
$1,984Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Bronze
$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
Empire period gilt bronze clock with Cupid and Psyche by Le Roy et fils
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mantel clock was crafted in c.1810 by the famous Parisian clock-making firm, Le Roy et fils. The company was founded by Basile Charles Le...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
French early 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French early 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, signed Veibel a Lyon. This stunning clock is raised on Ormolu topie shaped feet supporting a rectangular marble base. The base is decorated with finely chased Ormolu plaques on three sides, in the manner of Clodion, and with delicate beaded frames. Standing on the base are four Ormolu Doric columns leading up to the Carrara marble entablature decorated with Ormolu pegasi and finely chased beaded trim bands. From the entablature hangs the enameled clock face and mechanism, adorned with a delicate Ormolu frame and richly chased hanging drapery featuring a foliate movements, mythical creatures, and a lovely female mask atop the wonderful sunburst pendulum. All original gilt throughout. Veibel a Lyon, also known as "Weibel", was an 18th century master clock maker based in Lyon, France. Established in 1783, Veibel began his career by crafting exceptional table clocks and pocket watches. Later he specializes in astronomical regulators...
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
By Claude Hemon, Pierre-Victor Ledure
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Bronze
Empire clock, table clock, mantel clock, pendulum clock, bronze, fire-gilt
Located in Berlin, DE
.That is a stunning piece of horology! Based on the aesthetics and construction, you are looking at a French Empire-style ormolu mantle clock, likely dating from the early to mid-19t...
Gold Plate
Viennese Empire Portal Clock With Caryatids And Gilded Fittings, Around 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Complete Vienna clock on six stocky ball feet made of alabaster, architecturally structured wooden case with fruitwood veneers in the shape of a portal, steps in front flanked by two...
Alabaster, Brass
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
Empire French bronze clock around 1810-20 extremely rare
Located in Berlin, DE
French bronze pendulum clock with patinated female figure Attributed to Gérard-Jean Galle, Height: 59 cm. Width: 38 cm. Depth: 19.5 cm. Empire 1804-1815 Eight-da...
Bronze
Brisbart In Paris - Empire Period Clock
Located in Beaune, FR
Early 19th century Empire period vase-shaped clock in gilded and patinated bronze. It rests on a square base decorated with a frieze representing chimeras. The vase rests on a golden...
Bronze
French Empire skeleton clock, fire-gilded, engraved bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
SKELETON-PENDULUM Directory The Pendulum 1795-1810 Golden Bronze Height 50 cm Width 32 cm Depth 15 cm fire gold-plated bronze Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mo...
Gold Plate
$6,252Sale 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
Early Empire Vasenuhr Mantel Clock "Gaston Jollya in Paris"
Located in Berlin, DE
MOVEMENT Eight-day movement. Pendulum with thread suspension. Half-hour and hour strike on a disc, striking on a bell. FUNCTIONS Hours and minutes. CASE Elegant Empire pendulum ...
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
Empire-style pendulum clock made of fire-gilded bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Directoire 1780-1795 Architektur-Pendule mit vier Säulen Weißer Marmor mit feuervergoldeten Applikationen Signiert auf dem weißen Emailzifferblatt Jeanperin a Paris Höhe 35 cm ...
Bronze
EMPIRE CLOCK in bronze with its beautiful original gilded patina depicting
Located in Berlin, DE
Applies bronze clock completely and finely carved, decorated with a lyre player foot on a curule stool, his zither placed beside the dial, the latter flanked by wreaths and musical i...
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
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
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
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
$5,350 / 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
$811Sale 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
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
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
$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
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock, Early 19th Century, Austria
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
Bronze
Mantel clock from the French Empire of the early 19th century 'Apollo, playing
Located in Berlin, DE
A mantel clock from the Empire period (1790-1820) in France. Made of patinated, gilded bronze. The Greek god Apollo plays the lyre while his feet rest on a gilded stool. Large pendul...
Gold, Bronze
$2,578Sale 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
Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali
Located in Benington, Herts
A large and impressive French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock of exceptional quality and colour. French (possibly retailed in Italy) - Circa 1820. The finely chased and original gilt bronze case depicting Orpheus playing his lyre with an eight-day bell striking movement, outside countwheel, backplate initialled and numbered 'A C D 1516’. The dial with Roman numerals and inscribed Riccardo Pacinoti of Lavourne. It is a French movement (silk suspension) striking the hour and half hour. The case in the form of an oblong pillar cast with anthemium and cornucopia beneath a draped urn and a laurel wreath, flanked by the figure of Orpheus playing his lyre, the stepped plinth cast with wonderfully detailed underworld scenes, on leaf scroll feet. In excellent condition the clock case has been cleaned with the movement completely overhauled and serviced to the highest standard by a specialist restorer. In general 19th century French bronze clocks...
Bronze
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
Wonderful French Empire Dore and Patinated Bronze Cherub Putti Wreath Clock
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré and patinated bronze Cherub Putti wreath clock, not currently in working order, back cover is missing as is bel...
Bronze