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.
Fine Napoleonic Antique French Empire Cabinet Bronze Officer Twisting Mustache
Located in New York, NY
A debonair French Napoleonic era patinated bronze high ranking officer in full regalia leans against a gnarled tree trunk while twisting his handsome mustache in this delightful and ...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France, mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a b...
Bronze
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
J A Houdon 1790 "Diane" bronze by Barbedienne founder.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible J A Houdon model bronze 1790 representing "Diane" with bow and arrow by Barbedienne founder.
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a br...
Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Boys and Amphoras by Auguste Moreau
Located in North Miami, FL
French Empire patinated bronze sculpture of a group of boys and amphoras by Auguste Moreau By: Auguste Moreau Material: bronze, copper, metal Technique: patinated, cast, carved, pol...
Bronze, Metal, Copper
Pair of French 19th Century Gilt & Patinated Bronze Sphinxes on Porphyry & Bron
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in France circa 1840s this finely cast pair of sphinxes are represented in the recumbent position most associated with the form. Showing on both figures are two hieroglyphic car...
Porphyry, Bronze
A small well cast late 19 Century Bronzed Metal Statue of Napoleon on horseback
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A well cast patinated bronzed metal statue of Napoleon Bonaparte in full military garb on his horse Marengo. The statue is ona faux speckled green marble metal base. The statue...
Metal
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze statues. Each wonderfully decorative statue of a dancing maiden is raised on a square p...
Bronze, Ormolu
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century Provenance: Private Melbourne Collection. Description: In full military dress, his sword sheathed and arms folded over his chest, his ri...
Bronze
A 19 Century Bronze Statuette of a Standing Napoleon in uniform on a pedestal
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19 Century bronze statuette of Napoleon Bonaparte in uniform, standing with the trademark right hand tucked in his jacket and the other behind his back after an 1840 model ...
Bronze
1876 The Family of Serbs Russian Imperial Porcelain Manufacture August Spiess
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful, extremely rare and valuable unglazed Bisque Porcelain group depicting a family of Serbs. An armed man is saying goodbye to his wife and little son before leaving for war against Turks. Manufacture : Russian Imperial Porcelain...
Porcelain
Two Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These magnificent candelabra were cast entirely of gilt bronze in the French Empire period of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum is formed as a cornucopia of scrolled branches holding four lights with drip pans, set on a single torch-form stem, held aloft by a Classical style figure. The figures, one male and one female, are shown draped in swathed clothing, with the male figure depicted holding a quill in his other hand, whilst the female figure clutches a delicate bouquet of flowers. The figures stand upon circular bases, set onto ovoid vases which featured fluted details and central bands of laurel leaf motifs. The vases themselves stand on undulating roundels formed of acanthus leaves, which are further set atop square-form plinths. Classically influenced works were popular during the French Empire period, when the Emperor Napoleon I sought to create a place in history for France alongside the ancient dynasties...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix Bronze Sculpture After Antonio Canova
Located in New York, NY
Finely modeled and cast antique (19th century) patinated bronze sculpture depicting Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix after the original model by the Italian master, Antonio Canova....
Bronze
Pair of French Early 19th C. Patinated and Dore Bronze Egyptian Revival Chenets
Located in New York, NY
This pair of French chenets from the Early 1800s is a stunning example of Egyptian Revival design. The chenets feature a stately dark patina bronze sphynx...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Cup in Egyptian Porphyry and Bronze with Cupids
Located in Paris, FR
Imposing cup in red, Egyptian porphyry featuring three cupids on a circular base. The patinated bronze cupids serve as the supporting stem for the wide-rimmed cup. Two of the cupids ...
Porphyry, Bronze
French Giltwood Eagle Sculpture
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare French, 19th century, Empire. Large size carved wood and gesso gilt eagle, with its full body, swept back wings, pronounced talons, perched on a ball. Important size. Conditi...
Gesso, Wood
Palatial pair of "Chevaux de Marly" france bronzes circa 1850
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large pair of "Chevaux de Marly" in bronze with spectacular work on the bases. Circa 1850 in perfect conditions.
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of hand crafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Eac...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Antique Bronze Statue Of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Bilzen, BE
Old bronze statue from the beginning of the 19th century of Napoleon Bonaparte of fine quality. Original aged patina Total height 22 cm, base 8.8 x 8.8 cm, heigth figure 9 cm
Bronze
Eutrope Bouret Signed Antique French Bronze Sculpture of Boys Riding a Tortoise
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This whimsical antique bronze sculpture was done by Eutrope Bouret of France in approximately 1890 in the period Empire style. This very well executed bronze sculpture depicts two yo...
Bronze
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Sculpture of Soldier
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Statue of Soldier. Continental gilt bronze figure of a Classical soldier, late 19th century, with sword extended, resting on a gilded octagonal m...
Marble, Bronze
Royal Copenhagen Figure H.C. Andersen
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen figure H.C. Andersen Measures: 19 cm. In perfect condition. Designed by Hanne Warming. 2. Factory quality.
19th Century French Bronze Figure of Napoleon
Located in London, GB
An early 19th Century well-cast bronze statue of Napoleon in full uniform, standing on square socle with applied ormolu laurel leaf wreath, ending o...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Scuplture "Venus Bather" by H.S. München
By H.S. Munchen
Located in Firenze, FI
Lost wax cast Italian bronze sculpture, the subject reproduces 'Venus bather'. The base is made of Bardiglio red marble. Italian manufacture, early 19th century. Made by H.S. München...
Bronze
Napoleon Bronze Sculpture Desk Inkwell, Signed Emile Pinedo
By Émile Pinedo
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Napoleon Bonaparte bronze desk inkwell, signed Pinedo with foundry mark. Mounted over a Green Alps marble. Antique signed 19th large bronze ...
Bronze
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble - 19th cent.
Located in Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble from the first half of the 19th century. The corbels feature the face of a female figure, probably a goddess or ...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Venus Sculpture
Located in Ljungby, SE
A decorative sculpture depicting Venus emerging from the bath. The sculpture was made of plaster during the Empire period, likely in Sweden. The color is the original, restored finish.
Plaster
Large Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux 1872 bronze "Le genie de la Danse" france.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible rare and large bronze for JEAN-Baptiste CARPEAUX 1872 representing "Le GENIE de la Danse".
Bronze
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece This refined centerpiece stand was crafted in France in the early 19th century, during the Empire period, from finely chiselled an...
Bronze, Ormolu
Candelabras Male and Female 18-Karat Doré Bronze after Clodion the pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine pair of Cherub candelabras cast in Lost Wax bronze with fine Hi-Quality details and black patina and 18-karat Doré gold-plated made from the originals of Clodion. Wired and r...
Bronze
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
Antique Empire Head of Hermes Carved Wood Messenger of Zeus God of Merchants
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful head of Hermes wearing his winged helmet is carved out of boxwood and has preserved the original gilding. The head is mounted on a blacke...
Boxwood, Oak
Pair of gilded Empire candelabra with five lights, made of high-quality bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
A Fine Quality Pair of French Empire Bronze and Gilt Ormolu Candelabra, each in the form of cherub figures holding up three ornate candle branches, These magnificent candelabras we...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
French Empire Bowl on Base in Bronze and Marble 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
French Empire Bowl on Base in Bronze and Marble 19th century Bowl on base in bronze and black marble 19th century height: 25 cm. and diameter: 24 cm. very good condition
Marble, Bronze
A.Carrier French bronze 19th Neapolitan musician playing a tambourine.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible A.CARRIER bronze 19th Neapolitan musician playing a tambourine.
Bronze