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.
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
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840 A beautifully proportioned French paperweight from the late Empire period, crafted in richly veined Rouge Grio...
Griotte Marble
$8,922Sale Price|28% Off
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
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...
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...
Marble
$750
H 7.29 in W 9.85 in D 9.06 in
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.
Pine
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
$550
H 4.75 in W 11.5 in D 6.25 in
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4.75" H x 11.5" W x 6.25" D.
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Period Wastepaper Basket
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Empire period wastepaper basket.
Brass
Ceramic Inkwell, Late 19th Century, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic ceramic inkwell, with what seems to be a pottery oven in the midst of two naivistic lions. You lift of the top lid to place pens and lift up the two lions heads for ink. Co...
Ceramic
19th Century French Cast Iron Figurative Servant Bells
Located in Sofia, BG
Here we present two identical cast iron black figurative servant bells in their authentic condition made in France in the late 19th century. Great accent for your desk or your table...
Iron
Grand Tour Inlaid Marble Specimen Paperweight, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The center made up of blue marble veneers, yellow marble and green marble with each section banded by Carrara marble.
Marble
Antique Brass Paperweight, 19th Century European Design, Aged Patina
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderful antique brass paperweight perfect for any desk as paper weight, organizer or decoration with aged patina.
Brass
$18,875
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
19th Century English Pair of Cast Iron Mounted Lion Masks
Located in Staffordshire, GB
19th century English pair of cast iron mounted lion masks circa 1890. Price is each. Measures: Large H 49 x W 19.5 x D 11cm Small H 43 x W 18 x D ...
Iron
Bronze Paperweight Sculpture of a Bird or Swan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired in Paris, France, a beautifully designed and sculpted bronze figure of a bird. A wonderful paperweight or stand alone sculpture. A compliment to any shelf or work station.
Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Griotte Marble Vase
Located in London, GB
A magnificent quality French Empire/Directoire urn in superb original condition. Constructed of lovely patinated bronze, fire gilded Ormolu and griotte marble. In the gout d'Egypt or...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 2.96 in W 5.12 in D 2.76 in
Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century A charming Empire-period paperweight featuring a finely cast gilt bronze sphinx resting on a rectan...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 1.97 in W 3.55 in D 2.37 in
Empire Style Marble & Gilt Bronze Paperweight with Helmet and Serpent.
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Paperweight with Helmet and Serpent, 19th Century A striking Empire style paperweight, France, 19th century, combining a finely veined black-and...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 2.125 in W 4.125 in D 2.5 in
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...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 4.34 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
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...
Marble, Bronze
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 ...
Crystal, Bronze
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...
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.
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...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 3.35 in W 6.11 in D 2.96 in
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...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 3.55 in W 8.47 in D 4.65 in
Paper Weight with a Patinated Bronze of Napoleons Death Mask on a Green Marble
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A paper weight with a patinated bronze of Napoleons death mask on a green marble base, France, early 19th century.
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 9.45 in W 6.3 in D 4.14 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...
Bronze
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.
Bronze