Empire Paperweights
EMPIRE STYLE
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.
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Style: Empire
Crystal and Gilt Bronze Seal, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Crystal and gilt bronze seal, Empire Period"
Cachet of Empire period in crystal and gilt bronze, XIXth century, with the initials CC, very ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire, made during 1820s-1830s in Europe. Classic Laurel Wreath from the Empire Era.
Wear c...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Swedish Paperweight in Marble, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish paperweight in the marble in the shape of a cannon barrel. Beautiful patina. Empire, early 19th century.
Minor chips (se pictures)
Wear con...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Style Gilt Eagle Motif & Emerald Glass Paperweight
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, early 20th century.
An antique French empire style paperweight. The paperweight features an emerald green glass base adorned with gilt bronze laurel wreaths surrounding a ce...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Paperweights
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique Marble Paperweight with Figural Bronze Bird of Prey 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Late 19th century nice quality bronze and dark green marble work. The finely detailed plumage of the bird with its fierce gaze demonstrates the handiwork of the craftsman. In a world...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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Gilt-Metal Mounted and Enamel Banded Agate Desk Seal
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Shipping policy: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
19th century banded agate seal...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
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An Italian Grand Tour Porphyry and Sienna Marble Paperweight, late 19th century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The profile of Caesar in profile in high relief.
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19th Century Italian Antique Empire Paperweights
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H 2.5 in W 3.25 in D 3.75 in
Bronze Lizard and Lapis Lazuli Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
French cast bronze / brass lizard in lost wax technique on a solid polished Lapis Lazuli. Can be used as a paperweight or decorative desk accessory.
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1920s French Vintage Empire Paperweights
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Daum French Glass Floral Paperweight
By Daum
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French art glass paperweight beautifully presented with a single central flower head by renowned glass makers Daum and dating from the 20th century. The paperweight is han...
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20th Century French Empire Paperweights
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19th century nautilus inkwell/paperweight
Located in London, GB
À beautiful bronze patinated iron inkwell/paperweight in the shape of a nautilus shell.
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19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
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19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
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Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
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Glass
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
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Early 1900s French Antique Empire Paperweights
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Glass
Early Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
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Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Paperweights
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Pine
Elegant Paperweight in Bronze and Nero Portoro marble. Late 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in Bronze and Nero Portoro marble. Beautiful designed male lion. Made in France during the late 19th Century.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble, Bronze
H 3.94 in W 7.29 in D 3.35 in
Antique Baccarat Concentric Millefiori Signed Glass Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A magnificent c.1950s Baccarat Five Row Concentric Close-Packed Millefiori Paperweight. The base features the acid etched post-war Baccarat mark. Large and showy with great bright co...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Sculptural Modernist Counterweight Paperweight in Bronze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A very well-, heavy and steady made counterweighted paper holder in solid bronze. It resembles an oil pump. Presumably custommade and handed as a gift to an employe of the Danish Cor...
Category
20th Century European Empire Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
Previously Available Items
Baccarat Antique Sand Dunes Rock Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique French Baccarat Sand Dunes (or Rock) paperweight of small Size dating from the mid 19th century. The paperweight of small rounded and domed form contains sand-like designs mottled with translucent green drawn up in two peaks. With a polished pontil and slightly concave base the paperweight is not marked but a well recorded design by renowned French glass makers Baccarat.
Provenance: Acquired in the UK Art...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Glass
Paperweight in Cast Iron, Empire Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Paperweight in cast iron. Empire early 19th Century, with period decor elements.
Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Iron
19th Century Empire Antique Bronze Sculpture Paperweight of Cherub
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Empire gilt and patinated bronze paperweight with putto figural,
circa first half of the 19th century, unsigned
Item # C104011
An Empire paperweight cast in bronze with a patinated putto raising a floral garland over his head while kneeling over a gilt bronze stepped base. This is raised over a stepped plinth with marble housed...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Bronze Dog Paperweight on Marble Base, Swedish Empire Circa 1825-1850
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid 19th century bronze dog paperweight perched on beveled black marble base. The detailing of the dog's hair and body is exquisite. This sweet...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Paper Weight with a Patinated Bronze of Napoleons Death Mask on a Green Marble
Located in Stockholm, SE
A paper weight with a patinated bronze of Napoleons death mask on a green marble base, France, early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Marble, Bronze
H 3.55 in W 8.47 in D 4.65 in
Bronze Sculpture of Infant Hercules Wrestling with Snakes, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
A bronze sculpture figure representing Hercules as a young child wrestling two snakes.
Marked Ercole Bambino. Fantastic details.
Hércules / Heracles had a god as one of his parents...
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
H 9.45 in W 6.3 in D 4.14 in
Bronze Appliqués, France, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of disk-shaped wall appliqués or paperweights, formerly used as curtain garters. They are made out of gilt bronze, decorated with rose motives as well as bow, arrow and quiver.
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
Empire paperweights for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire paperweights for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paperweights created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire paperweights made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paperweights, popular names associated with this style include and Baccarat. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paperweights differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $367 and tops out at $8,429 while the average work can sell for $1,442.