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.
Antique French Copper Napoleon Bonaparte Commemorative Military Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Copper Napoleon Bonaparte Commemorative Military Letter Opener France Copper 19th Century Dimensions: Length 15.5cm This letter opener celebrates French milit...
Copper
$513Sale Price|50% Off
Empire paper cutter - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Empire paper cutter - 19th century. French; 19th century; hard stone handle; topped with an imperial eagle; gilded metal blade. Length: (total) 29 cm.
Metal
$308
H 7.09 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Modern Silver Paper Weight & Paper Cutter by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Silver Paper Weight & Paper Cutter by Christofle
Silver
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener, 1900s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1900s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece ...
Bronze
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener, 1910s or earlier
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 20th Century, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displays graceful, flowing lines and subtle scul...
Bronze
$490
H 0.01 in W 2.16 in D 9.05 in
c. 1900 Antique French Art Nouveau Solid Brass Sunflower Letter Opener
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exceptional antique Art Nouveau solid brass letter opener (paper knife) dating to circa 1900s, originating from Western Europe (France/Belgium).Cast in heavy solid brass with a su...
Brass
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener with Lion
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 20th Century, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displays graceful, flowing lines and subtle scul...
Bronze
19th Century Bookstand
Located in High Point, NC
19th century bookstand from England made from rosewood. The handles are hand-turned along with the spindles, which terminate on the ends with lovely lyre inspired shaped pieces. The ...
Rosewood
$8,902Sale Price|28% Off
H 4.34 in W 8.27 in D 5.04 in
Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Silver Plate Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate letter opener - a large and well designed letter opener in silver plate - ergonomically designed and weighted on one end for easy handling and an artful design - handsom...
Silver Plate
Enchanted angel paper cutter
Located in Firenze, FI
Upgrade your workspace with our angle-shaped casting bronze paper cutter. Made from high-quality bronze, its unique and stylish design adds sophistication...
Bronze
$980Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.5 in W 2.5 in D 9.25 in
French Art Deco Bronze Claw & Quill Letter Opener, Rare Bronze Letter Opener
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Bronze Claw & Quill Letter Opener – France, circa 1920s–30s An exceptional and imaginative French Art Deco bronze letter opener, cast in the form of a bird's talon gras...
Bronze
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Claw & Quill Letter Opener, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 1920s or earlier, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displays graceful, flowing lines and subtle ...
Bronze
$18,832
H 7.09 in W 11.62 in D 7.09 in
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
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century A charming cast iron paperweight in the shape of a reclining sphinx, dating fr...
Iron
Antique French Art Nouveau Bronze Letter Opener, 1920s or earlier
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique bronze letter opener dating to the 20th Century, crafted by an unknown sculptor. This beautiful Art Nouveau piece displays graceful, flowing lines and subtle scul...
Bronze
Hermes Horse / Equestrian Letter Opener, 1960s France
By Hermès
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Hermes Equestrian Letter Opener, 1960s France. Sleek Hermès letter opener in solid metal. Hermès Paris stamped. Beautiful light patina on the silver and on the blade. This piece is a...
Bronze
502 / 5.000 C.Villian Napoleon letter opener
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
C.Villian Napoleon letter opener Circa 1900 Origin France Open Napoleon's letters Material: bronze with golden patina Some natural wear due to age It is signed by the artist on the s...
Bronze
Open letters by C. villain
By Jean Garnier
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters by C. villain Origin France Circa 1915 Empire style patinated bronze Soldier motif Excellent condition signed on the side FRENCH, 1853-1910 Jean Garnier was born in Mou...
Bronze
Midcentury Brass and Green Enamel Letter Opener, Solingen Germany
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
German Midcentury brass and green enamel letter opener in a green leather sheath
Brass
Sold
H 8.75 in W 1.25 in D 0.5 in
French Empire Style Doré Bronze-Mounted Ebony Wood Dagger Form Letter Opener
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An eye-catching dagger form French Empire style letter opener. Constructed in two sections of carved ebony wood pieces that are secured under gilt bronze mounts. Length: ca. 8 ...
Bronze