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.
Elegant late 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Pen Holder
Located in Knivsta, SE
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Pen Holder An elegant French pen holder in finely chased and gilt bronze, executed in the Empire taste during the second half of th...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Malachite and Ormolu Inkstand Encrier Swans
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered inkstand from the first quarter of the 19th century. Of rectangular form with an acanthus leave decorated border on round fe...
Malachite, Bronze
$682Sale Price|50% Off
Seal - 19th Century
Located in Porto, PT
Seal - 19th Century. European; 19th century with wooden hand; brass die with the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Dimensions: (height) 13.5 cm
Wood
Empire Cast Iron Pocket Watch Stand with Martial Decoration, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Cast Iron Pocket Watch Stand with Martial Decoration, circa 1820 Striking Empire-period pocket watch stand in cast iron, dating from the early 19th century, circa 1820. A po...
Iron
Tiffany & Co. Style Antique Empire Marble Rocker Blotter With Brass Handle
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Empire or Neoclassical marble rocker ink blotter with brass laurel wreath handle In the manner of Tiffany & Co. USA, Late 19th Century Measures: 5.13"W x 3"...
Marble, Brass
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 3.5" H x 6.5" W x 3.25" D.
Marble
Italian empire style table stand in finely crafted brass and bronze early 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Table stand in finely crafted brass and bronze, early 1900s Table stand with double display, in brass and bronze. The two brass rod displays are adjustable. The structure is...
Brass, Bronze
Rare 19th Century Russian Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
An Extremely Rare 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell. The inkwell features a circular base with a faceted crystal insert, framed by an ...
Crystal, Ormolu
$2,228Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Clock Holder, Granite and Steel with Picture St Stephans Dome
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
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
Cast Iron Sad Iron, 5 lb.
Located in Nantucket, MA
A heavy cast iron sad iron (flatiron) weighing 5 pounds, with a classic pointed toe and looped handle. Cast markings are visible on the body. Dark patina. Solid and substantial, it ...
Iron
Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble desk pen/pencil/marker holder organizer, in the modern style, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century. Organizer can hold small pieces of paper, ...
Marble
$330 / item
H 1 in W 11 in D 4 in
Crystal Pen Tray with Brass Accents – Luxury Clear Pen Holder for Desk
By DAINTE INC
Located in Monroe, NY
Elevate your workspace with the Crystal Pen Tray, a modern and sophisticated pen holder for desk organization that combines the brilliance of clear crystal with polished brass accents. Minimalist yet distinctive, this tray is designed to reflect your refined taste while keeping your essentials stylishly organized. Measuring 11’’ wide, 4.25’’ deep, and 1.25’’ high, and weighing 4 lbs, this crystal pen holder for desk is compact yet substantial, offering durability and timeless elegance. The universal grooves are carefully designed to fit pens and pencils of all sizes, while the extendable brass tray slides out to provide extra space for storing paper clips, pins, or other desk accessories. This luxury pen tray holder is not just functional—it is also a decorative piece of crystal desk décor, making it an ideal choice for executive offices, home workstations, or as a stylish gift. Pair it with the matching crystal and brass business card holder...
Crystal, Brass
Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab is has its own unique...
Brass
19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
$1,268Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.25 in W 14.25 in D 10.5 in
Landers, Frary & Clark Cast Iron Coffee Grinder/Mill
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large and heavy Landers, Frary & Clark cast iron coffee grinder#20 1/2. It has a bell shaped nickel hopper with a flat wood lid and two...
Iron, Nickel
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
$775
H 1.13 in W 4.38 in D 6.38 in
Vintage 1980s Gucci Desk Set Accessories - Leather Pen + Paper Holder & Tray
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice 1980s Gucci - Italy designed leather desk accessories set, includes pen holder, note paper holder and small tray. The leather pieces have the classic green and red stripe, with ...
Ceramic, Leather, Suede
Late 19th Century French Cloisonné Enamel Inkwell in Gilt Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Finely Crafted Cloisonné Enamel Inkwell in Gilt Bronze France, late 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 6 x 7 x 7 cm Finely Crafted Cloisonné Enamel Inkwell in Gilt Bronze Finely...
Bronze, Enamel
Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab...
Brass
Light Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab is has its own unique...
Brass
$228Sale Price|46% Off
H 9.65 in W 0.99 in D 0.99 in
Antique Italian Brass Letter Opener With Pewter Dog Handle
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Dagger style letter opener featuring leaf-shaped blade and a handmade pewter handle depicting a hunt dog. It was made in Italy in the mid-late 19 th century by an unknown jeweler or ...
Brass, Pewter
Antique American Cast Iron “UDX” Sad Iron Doorstop, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique American cast iron sad iron, marked “UDX,” now serving as a doorstop or paperweight. Late 19th century utility iron with a solid cast-iron base and integrated metal handle....
Iron
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Notepad Holder
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver notepad holder, with leather back. It measures 5 3/4'' in length by 3 1/2'' in width by 1 1/8'' in height, and bear...
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italia Solid Silver Desk Bell in Empire Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Silver desk bell made in the Empire style in Florence towards the end of the 1960s. On the body of the bell, with a glossy finish, the palmettes have been applied, characteristic of the empire style both on the base and on the top of the bell. The handle of the bell is a cast angel...
Silver
French Empire Style Bronze Letter Holder
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This neoclassical style bronze stationary holder would be a handsome addition to any desk. It features gilt bronze Empire style motifs including swan...
Bronze
Sold
H 1.97 in W 5.52 in D 3.55 in
Small Empire Inkwell in Gilded and Dark Patinated Bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A small and beautiful inkwell in gilded and dark patinated bronze with cups in porcelain. French Empire from the 1820s. Wear consistent with age and use.
Gold Plate, Bronze
Elegant Empire Inkwell with Original Gilding, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Empire inkwell in gilded bronze with the original gilding. French Empire from the early 19th century, circa 1820. The gilding is partly worn, but original since 200 years....
Gold Plate, Bronze
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Marble Desk Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French ormolu mounted Empire style marble desk stand dating from the 19th century. This stylish stand is of rectangular shape with rounded polished ends and is made from a...
Marble
Sold
H 6.7 in W 9.06 in D 5.12 in
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Walnut-Burr Veneer Inkstand, Empire Period
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
An oval inkstand in walnut-burr veneer with gilt bronze mounting resting on four clawed feet, The top of the inkstand holds two bleu crystal pots, one cent...
Bronze
Empire Style Desk Inkwell in Gilt Bronze, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire style bronze encycled gilt bronze desk inkwell nicely decorated with a Greek antique bust on the sand trap, the top has 2 inkwells. France 19th century, on the Napoleon period.
Bronze
French Empire Boxed Writing Set Made in France
Located in Toledo, OH
Ornate leather boxed French Empire three-piece writing set. Included in the box is a letter opener, dip pen and wax seal which is not engraved. Stamped Fra...
Silver
Writing Marble Bronze Napoleon I, Eagle and Crown, circa 1900
Located in Sofia, BG
Writing instruments with statuette Emperor Napoleon I, marble, bronze or bronze mounts, two containers with Napoleonic eagle and crown, circa 1900. ...
Marble, Bronze