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.
LARGE CLOCK 'A L'ETUDE', Empire, the model by P.V. LEDURE 1825-1830
Located in Berlin, DE
Height: 50 cm. Width: 34 cm. Depth: 13 cm. France, 1810-1820 Attr. P.V. LEDURE MOVEMENT Eight-day movement. Pendulum with thread suspension. Half-hour and hour lockwheel strike,...
Gold
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, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
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
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
SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY EMPIRE-STYLE OFFICER'S CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
An elegant gilt-bronze officer's clock with a handle. The clock features clean lines, embellished with floral decorations and figures of fantastical animals on the front, evoking the...
Bronze
French early 19th century Porphyry and Ormolu garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and complete French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Porphyry and Ormolu garniture clock set. This wonderful three piece garniture set is comprised of a central clock ...
Porphyry, Ormolu
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
French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
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
$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.
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
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
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
$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 ...
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...
Marble, Ormolu
$4,406Sale 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
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
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
Große Empire Pendule Amor und Psyche Frankreich um 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
This magnificent fireplace clock (pendule) is a classic and very high-quality example of the French art of classicism or the Empire / restoration (early 19. century, approx. 1810–183...
Siena Marble
Grandvoinnet In Paris - Bronze Clock From The Empire Period
Located in Beaune, FR
Very beautiful gilded bronze pendulum from the Empire period (18th century) representing Cupid seated in the chariot of Venus pulled by two doves. The enamel dial is signed "Grandvoi...
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
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
Empire Pendulè Junger Apoll vergoldet um 1810-1830
Located in Berlin, DE
This is an absolutely breathtaking piece! What you have before you is a classic French mantel clock from the Empire era (or the Restoration period), likely dating from the early to m...
Gold
French Empire skeleton clock, fire-gilded, engraved bronze With calendar display
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 m...
Gold Plate
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
French Empire Mantel Clock, Carrara Marble, Gilt Details, Circa 1850 revised
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
$6,031Sale 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
French Empire Sundial Clock in White Marble with Bronze Details, 1820
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
Empire Mantel Clock by H.Robert-Horloger De La Reine, Paris, circa 1820
Located in Madrid, ES
An Empire Mantel Clock by H.Robert-Horloger De La Reine, Paris, date circa 1820-1830 A superb Empire gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock of eight day duration signed on the white enamel dial H.Robert-Horloger a la Reine . The dial with Roman numerals and gilded steel Breguet style hands for the hours and minutes. The movement with anchor escapement, silk thread suspension, striking on a single bell, with outside count wheel. The extremely fine case featuring the standing figure of Urania, Muse of Astronomy holding a pen in her left hand which points to a star-studded globe adorned with the signs of the zodiac around its circumference, the globe set on the back of four putti upon a plinth, containing the dial with a serpent-wrapped Paris, date circa 1820-30 Height 73 cm, width 50cm, depth 22 cm. In addition to the above prestigious locations, clocks of this model can be found at Warsaw Castle and in the Bayerischen Nationalmuseum, Munich. The Parisian clockmaker Bailly (d. after 1818) was one of the finest of his day and as such earned the title of Horloger de LL. MM. II. Et RR (Clockmaker to Their Imperial and Royal Majesties). Working from rue de Richelieu he was with Lepaute one of the main suppliers to the Garde-Meuble. Bailly, who retired in 1818 had the responsibility of maintaining the clocks at Compiègne and the Trianons and is known to have used cases by the leading Parisian bronziers including Pierre-Philippe Thomire and Claude Galle as well as Ferdinand Schwerdfeger who supplied him with a case for a regulator surmounted by a star-studded and zodiac banded globe...
Bronze
Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Empire clock in bronze with two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th century Weight: 11.00 kg Sizes: H 51cm x L 39cm France very good condition.
Bronze
$782Sale 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
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 front cover is m...
Bentwood