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.
19th c. French Empire Style Napoleon Bust by F.B. Launay
By Chaudet, F.B. Launay
Located in Queens, NY
Nineteenth century French Empire patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon. The work is labeled "Napoleon" and signed by F.B. Launay after the 1804 model by Antoine-Denise Chaudet.
Bronze
19th Century Meissen Group of Calvary General Mikhail Kutuzov with Aide de Camp
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large 19th century Meissen porcelain Group of Russian Calvary General, believed to be Mikhail Kutuzov, the hero of Borodino, with aide de camp, marked with the Meissen underglaze blue crossed swords, and incised and impressed with numbers. While Russia endured great hardships during Napoleon's invasion, it was the skill of her general's and a terrible Russian winter...
Porcelain
French Empire Bronze Napoleon Bust
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style small bronze bust of Napoleon on bronze square shaped pedestal base (signed DUBRAND) (19th Cent.)
Bronze
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon. Stained.
Plaster
French Bronze Military Officer Bust
Located in Queens, NY
French bronze life size bust of a military officer in uniform raised on a square plinth (19th Cent.)
Bronze
Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte
By Sitzendorf
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte by Sitzendorf, in porcelain, hand-painted. Detailed example of the Emperor, dressed with bicorn hat, green uniform with medals, draped with a coat. On the...
Porcelain
French Empire Parian Napoleon Bust
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) life size Parian bust of Napoleon on blue porcelain socle and square ormolu base (signed HOUDON, 1805)
Ormolu
French 1st Empire Period Dore Bronze Grouping of Lovers, Att. Thomire A Paris
Located in New York, NY
An Exceptional Antique French 1st Empire Period Dore Bronze Grouping of Lovers, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire a Paris. Exceptionally cast, hand-chiseled and further burnished and matted with two-tone gold, this dore bronze grouping of two neoclassical lovers is of the upmost quality and craftsmanship. As Pierre-Philippe Thomire is regarded as one of the greatest bronzier's of the late 18th century and early 19th century, this dore bronze piece could only be made by someone with his artistic talents. The lovers are seen with the man seated on a cushioned bench with tasseled...
Bronze
Vintage Patinated Bronze Bust of Napoleon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pensive bronze-finished bust of Napoleon Bonaparte is a quintessential example of Neoclassical revival style, reflecting the enduring legacy of the French Empire. Depicting the ...
Marble
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Germain Pilon, Atelier de moulage du Louvre
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Plaster
Pair of Wax Reliefs Attrib. to Pierre-Phillips Thomire of Napoleon and Josephine
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of Wax Reliefs attributed to Pierre-Phillips Thomire, (French 1751-1843). "Napoleon and Josephine," 1807, inscribed "Josephine/Thomire 1807." With pain...
Other
Small French Empire Style Bust of Napoleon I
Located in Queens, NY
Small turn of the century French Empire style bronze bust representing Napoleon's uniformed likeness propped upon a white marble pedestal base adorned with a bronze letter "N."
Marble, Bronze
Terracotta Bust Of Alexandre Brongniart After Jean-antoine Houdon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Patinated terracotta bust representing Alexandre Brongniart (1770-1847) son of the architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813), future mineralogist and director of the nation...
Terracotta
Antique Alabaster Sculpture, Woman with a Basket of Grapes, Italy, 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Antique alabaster sculpture, woman with a basket of grapes, Italy, 19th century An elegant antique sculpture carved in alabaster, depicting a young peasant woman carrying a basket o...
Alabaster
$4,134
Caesar Bust
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A finely carved wood bust of Julius Caesar taken from an original marble bust, carved in aged pine and gesso decorated. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week lead tim...
Pine
French Terracotta Bust of an Officer
Located in Essex, MA
In the Napoleonic style with much later faux marbre plinth.
Terracotta
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping Germany Circa 1880 This enchanting 19th-century Meissen birdcage grouping, made in Germany circa 1880, is a re...
Porcelain
$4,701
H 11.03 in W 9.06 in D 6.7 in
Large Mythological Meissen Group 'The Catch Of The Triton', J.J. Kändler, c 1870
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meissen porcelain sculpture: Very elaborate and lovingly designed group of figures: two young women with artfully pinned-up hair and wrapped in cloths tied around their loi...
Porcelain
19th Century Bronze of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in London, GB
French nineteenth century bronze of Napoleon Bonaparte, the bust mounted on socle and pedestal base.
Bronze
$2,652
H 11.25 in W 9.5 in D 5 in
French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte. If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Fabric Bust
Located in Wainscott, NY
Late 19th century French Fabric Bust. Antique bust found in Paris was a shop display and is now a fantastic object with a rich and gorgeous patina. Tur...
Linen
$2,400
H 13.75 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Mid-Century French Gilt Bronze Bust of Napoleon on Marble Base Signed Ajaccio
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique bust. Created in France circa 1950, and built of bronze, the bust stands on a black granite base and depicts French emperor...
Marble, Bronze
$2,169
H 8.08 in W 5.71 in D 4.93 in
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Heinrich Goeschl, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style: The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Porcelain
Large Plaster Bust of Hercules
Located in London, GB
A Magnificent Large Plaster Bust of The Farnese Hercules Famous Roman Copy of the Greek Bronze original From the 4th Century BC
Plaster
$3,900
H 19 in W 14 in D 8.5 in
Early 20th Century Bronze Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte by Raphael Nannini
By Raphaël Nannini
Located in Dallas, TX
This distinguished antique 57 pound bronze bust portrays Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821), the renowned French military leader and emperor who dominated much of Europe in the early 19t...
Marble, Bronze
Antinous Plaster Bust
Located in Milan, IT
The elegant features of the young Antinous, a favorite of beloved Roman emperor Hadrian, are masterfully captured with exceptional richness in this plaster bust of the ancient Greek hero...
Plaster
$5,665
H 7.49 in W 6.3 in D 4.93 in
Early Meissen Cupid Group Around 1750, Allegory of Spring, with Additional Base
Located in Vienna, AT
Four scantily clad cupids grouped on a rock, partly flowers, partly holding flower arrangements in their hands, the flowers as a typical attribute of the Meissen spring representatio...
Porcelain
$5,545
H 7.49 in W 6.3 in D 4.73 in
Art Nouveau Group 'Mother With Child', by Paul Helmig, Meissen Germany, ca 1912
By Meissen Porcelain, Paul Helmig
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain group: Mother in a dress decorated with elaborate Art Nouveau decor sitting on a fabric-covered stool and playing with her son, who is wearin...
Porcelain
Sold
H 16.54 in W 10.63 in D 6.7 in
Carrara Marble Bust of " Diana the Huntress " late 19th/20th century, Italy
Located in Madrid, ES
Carrara marble bust of "Diana the Huntress," late 19th/20th century, Italy. Height x Width x Depth: 42 x 27 x 17 cm. Turned base and integrated square pedestal. Good condition.
Carrara Marble
19th Century Bronze Bust Sculpture of Napoleon After Colombo
Located in New York, NY
Fine 19th century patinated bronze bust sculpture of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, after the Italian artist, Renzo Colombo (1856-1885), measuring 21 1/2 by 14 by 10 inches,...
Bronze
Pair of Small French Empire Giltwood Busts, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
During the period of French history known as the Empire style, design reflected Napoleon’s belief that ancient civilizations (such as Greece, Rome, and Egypt) were the only societies...
Wood, Giltwood
Sold
H 24.81 in W 13.78 in D 8.67 in
Large Carrara Marble Bust Of Madame Récamier After Chinard And Houdon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Superb large bust in white Carrara marble representing Madame Julliette Récamier (1777-1849), famous salonière of the high society of the Directory and the Consulate. This representa...
Carrara Marble
Sold
H 5.25 in W 1.75 in D 1.75 in
19th Century Gold-Silver French Set of Three Small Bronze Napoleon's Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-silver, antique French set of three Napoleon Bonaparte sculptures made of hand crafted metal and gilded bronze, in good condition. The particularized décor pieces represent th...
Metal, Bronze
Sold
H 7.75 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
19th Century French Antique Napoleon Bronze, Marble Bust, Parisian Décor Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th century, gold antique French bust of Napoleon Bonaparte made of hand crafted bronze and marble, in good condition. The detailed Parisian décor pi...
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Jérôme Napoleon Bonaparte Marble Bust Sculpture
Located in New York, US
Our very rare marble bust of Jérôme-Napoleon Bonaparte (1784-1860) dating from the first quarter of the nineteenth century is attributed to the circle of Joseph Chinard (1756-1813). ...
Marble
Sold
H 31.5 in W 19 in D 11 in
Pair of French Empire Auguste Jean French Monumental Faience Female Busts
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French 2nd Empire (circa 1865) large faience busts in polychrome pottery depicting female figures adorned in laurels of wheat and grapes on separate round fluted pedestal bases (signed AUGUSTE...
Faience
Portrait Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte, by Sitzendorf
By Sitzendorf
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Portrait Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte, by Sitzendorf, A well executed, detailed example depicting the Emperor , dressed with bicorne hat, hunter green uniform with medals, draped with ...
Porcelain
Empire Sphinx Maskaron, Frankreich Anfang 19, Jahrhundert
Located in Greding, DE
Maskaron der Sphinx aus feuervergoldeter Bronze im quadratischen Rahmen auf Samt gerahmt.
Bronze
Sold
H 9.26 in W 3.59 in D 3.59 in
19th Century Napoleon Bonaparte Bust Gilt Bronze circa 1810, Empire
Located in Epfach, DE
Very fine bust of Napoleon Bonaparte, circa 1810, Empire Fire-gilt bronze The bust is in a very good condition and the fire gilding is original.
Bronze
Sold
H 8.27 in W 5.12 in D 3.15 in
Bisque Porcelain Bust of Prinz Maximilian Von Bayern Nymphenburg Porcelain 1803
Located in Epfach, DE
A bisque porcelain bust of Prinz Maximilian von Bayern, son from King Max I Joseph and Queen Karoline von Bayern about 1803 Marked Manufaktur Nymphenburg ...
Porcelain