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.
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style. France, circa 1890. Width 15 1/2" Height 18" Depth 5 1/2"
Bronze
$832Sale Price|33% Off
H 9 in W 7 in D 2 in
Baccarat Style French Crystal Gilt & Patinated Bronze Floral Topiary Cachepot
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Baccarat Style French Crystal Gilt and Patinated Bronze Floral Topiary Cachepot, France, Circa 1960s An exuberant Baccarat-style French crystal gilt and patinated bronze floral top...
Crystal, Bronze
Large Pair of Empire Style Patinated Bronze Sculptures
Located in London, GB
The pair of figures, one male and one female, are cast in patinated bronze, and are styled as Egyptian figures in the Empire style of Napoleon I. The sculptures are set upon square-f...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chenets, French, 18th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze chenets, French, 18th century each with a winged sphinx raised on a rectangular base with curved ends on acorn feet. Measures: Height 10.25 in. (26.03 cm.), width 11.5 in. (29.21 cm.), depth 3.5 in. (8.89 cm.) Provenance: Arthur James Galleries.
Bronze
1970s Egyptian Style Sphinx Sculpture in Patinated Bronze
Located in Marbella, ES
An elegant decorative bronze sculpture with an aged patina depicting an Egyptian-inspired sphinx, characterized by its reclining body, stylized wings, and human face adorned with a c...
Bronze
$1,764 / set
H 9.85 in Dm 4.14 in
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Bronze
Empire Miniature Urn in Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Miniature Urn in Gilt and Dark Patinated Bronze, 1820s A refined and beautifully proportioned miniature urn in finely chased gilt and dark patinated bronze, executed in the E...
Bronze
Very Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender The center of the fender with a wreath and scrolling foliage with berries, each end with a child reaching toward a flame ...
Bronze
$4,500
H 19.25 in W 10.5 in D 5.5 in
Tabletop Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere, Beautifully Patinated Bronze
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Kansas City, MO
Exceptional 1960s bronze and brass tabletop sculpture. Beautiful patina. In the style of Jere or Bertoia.
Brass, Bronze
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Inkstand 'Encrier'
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base mounted with a round lidded ink pot with a porcelain container and a sand pot, each raised on winged lion feet, centered by a ...
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze Eagle Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze eagle on a Vert de Patricia marble base. The richly detailed eagle is raised by a substantial and impressive square mottled Vert de Patricia base with cut corners. The fierce and richly chased open winged eagle stands...
Marble, Bronze
$75,636
H 28 in W 30 in D 10.5 in
Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Each with a winged Victorian female figure carrying a torchère on their hea...
Siena Marble, Bronze
Vintage Nickel-Plated Metal Sculpture: Stylized Maternity - 1Y101
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Embrace the beauty of motherhood with this captivating vintage nickel-plated metal sculpture, depicting a stylized embrace between a mother and child. The sculpture stands gracefully...
Metal