Empire Figurative Sculptures
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
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...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Colonne Vendôme XIX
Located in Brussels, BE
French antique model in gilded bronze Grand Tour de la Vendôme column, dating from around 1880. This splendid bronze thermometer (Celsius and Fahren...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Original Empire Sculpture, Wood, Polychrome, Gold, Austria, 1800s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
In pristine original condition, the item has been professionally cleaned, and its polish has been revived by our refurbishing team in Czechia.
Polychrome and gilded wood carving
T...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre - Pêcheur - 18ème
Located in TOULON, FR
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre églomisé
Pêcheur
Italie 18ème siècle
signé Chanato, Porto (quartier de naples) sous le socle
32 cm
1,3 kg
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
This white marble column with grey streaks has a Greek key band and other minimal carvings. It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Beautiful Set of Two Antique French Old Paris Porcelain 'Porte Plume" Statues
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful set of two antique French Old Paris Porcelain "Porte Plume" - Statues for ink pens.
These 2 antique French Porcelain Porte Plume from around 1820-1850 are beautiful hand decorated with a man and woman in oriental Arabic traditional style. This style is characteristic and popular from that time with oriental scenes atmospheres.
The "Porte Plume" was used at the secretary desk for inserting the feather ink...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Goeschl
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
ORIGINAL EMPIRE BATHTUB IN RED VERONA MARBLE WITH RINGS began 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
ORIGINAL EMPIRE BATHTUB IN RED VERONA MARBLE WITH RINGS began 19th Century
Impressive and rare Empire bathtub in red Verona marble with rings.
early 19...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Pair French Early 19th Century Hand Carved Giltwood Empire Style bird Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of handcarved giltwood bird fragments.
France circa 1805-1820 . Weathered and small losses
Measurements individual and include the wooden base.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
J A Houdon france bronze 1790 "Diane" by Barbedienne founder.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible J A Houdon bronze 1790 representing "Diane" with bow and arrow by Barbedienne founder.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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".
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Metal, Bronze
Napoleon Bonaparte Standing, Gilt Bronze Sculpture, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Gilded bronze sculpture, representing Napoleon Bonaparte standing, arms crossed, wearing his cocked hat and officer's outfit
Usual wear to the patina, black marble base
Height 12.5...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Arc De Triomphe And Vendôme Column, Bronze, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Bronze reduction with a brown patina, on a black marble base of 2 of the most emblematic monuments of Paris: Arc de Triomphe and Vendôme Column
The Arc de Triomphe was built on the initiative of Napoleon I, following the victory of Austerlitz, in 1806, so that its victorious troops, like the Roman...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Standing Napoleon Bonaparte Sculpture - Figure. circa 1900 France
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Standing Napoleon Bonaparte Sculpture - Figure. circa 1900 France.
Very nice Napoleon Sculpture, perfect size to decorate a desk. Silvered metal over a dark green marble base.
Very n...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Bronze sculpture from the Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Very important bronze sculpture with brown patina from the Empire period. The bronze depicts an antique woman with a crown, or "La Victoire". The young woman, standing, holds a laure...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Original large 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.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Vintage Napoleon Bonaparte Patinated Bronze Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, black antique French bust of Napoleon Bonaparte made of hand crafted patinated bronze, in good condition. The small sculpture depicts Napoleon in his military outfit and in a commanding stance. The detailed Parisian décor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, 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 body on top of a decorated ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Armor and Venus Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Sculpture Gilt Bronze
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This beautiful Empire bronze sculpture shows winged Amor carrying Venus, she is holding a wreath in her right hand, surrounded within a circula...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Important and Impressive Pair of 19th Century Bronze Sculptures
Located in Cesena, FC
Important pair of sculptures depicting Achello and Helena (mythological famous figures) in bronze, made with the lost-wax technique, dating from the 19th century (second half of the 1800s but made in the Empire style).
Standing on a quadrangular column base in golden robes, they hold magnificent cornucopias (a symbol of prosperity and wealth). The heads are adorned with laurel wreaths.
Of great aesthetic impact given both by the impressiveness of the figures and the measures
(245 centimeters high) as well as the bases that support and complement the bodies, richly decorated with floral festoons and anthropomorphic friezes that stylistically recall the eclectic style typical of the second half of the 19th century.
Prominent in the decorations are large acanthus leaves, feet and lion masks.
This large pair...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Marble and Bronze Inkwell Signed Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris, circa 1870
Located in Milan, IT
A Verona red marble remarkable inkwell, pure Empire style representing a gilded bronze of the bust of Antinous as Dioniso. Empire style, Generous size, excellent state of preservatio...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1850s Ancient Hand-Crafted and Decorated Base Depicting Male Head with Inlays
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Ancient Decorated Base Depicting Male Head With Inlays hand-crafted in Sicily in mid 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Cast Bronze Figural Lion Sculpture Marble Top Pedestals After P.J Mene, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast bronze figural lion sculpture marble top pedestals after P.J Mene - a Pair. Item features right and left forms, heavy cast bronze lion figures, round black marble tops, signed "...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porphyry, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, Pair of French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sculptures Sphinxe
Located in IT
19th century, Pair of French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sculptures Sphinxes
This pair of decorative elements was made in F...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figurines Candelabras, 19th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of Empire style patinated and doré bronze figurines male and female candelabras, France, circa 1860-1870. Raised on a monumental marble plinth with doré bronze ormolu-mounted ba...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Superb 19th Century Golden Bronze Vase Made in Gild Bronze
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century golden bronze vase made in gild bronze and decorated celluloid with handles in the shape of grotesque face and animal head.
Measures: 30 x 26...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Boxwood, Oak
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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 bronz...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Period Figural Thermometer
Located in London, GB
A very fine antique French Empire period figural thermometer of patinated bronze, ormolu and rouge marble. The rectangular red marble base with four ormolu winged paw feet. The figur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Royal Copenhagen Figure H.C. Andersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen figure H.C. Andersen
Measures: 19 cm.
In perfect condition.
Designed by Hanne Warming.
2. Factory quality.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Empire Figurative Sculptures
Venus with the Turtle After Antoine Coysevox, Probably, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Representation of the sitting Venus with turtle after the original by Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720, Louvre 1686) on a round black truncated column with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Aigle de la Garde Imperiale
Located in Paris, FR
Jean-Auguste Barre
1811-1896, French
Aigle de la Garde Impérial,
Second Empire, circa 1870.
Bronze - Casted by MARRION.
Jean-Auguste Barre: born the September, 25th, 1811, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 details and black patina and 18-karat Doré gold-plated made from the originals of Clodion. Wired and ready. Have ...
Category
1990s North American Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This truly stunning French mantel clock was crafted during the Empire period, and reflects the Neoclassical interests of the Emperor Napoleon I, whose influence over the decorative arts contributed toward a profound revival of beauties of the ancient empires.
The mantel clock is crafted entirely in gilt bronze, and features a stepped base on four block feet. The base depicts a Classical relief panel to the front, showing female dancing figures and putti, as well as musical instruments. Surmounting the base is an arch featuring a central mask fountain and basin...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Ebonized and Gilt Sphinx
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) carved ebonized and gilt trimmed small sphinx figure with wings perched on base
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Bust of General Pierre De Pelleport by Gaston Leroux-Veuvenot
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
Very beautiful plaster bust, with a terracotta patina, of General Pierre de Pelleport (1773-1855), Peer of France (1841-1848), Mayor of Bordeaux (1842). Viscount, Grand Officer of th...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Life-size Gliedermann, Denmark, Circa 1860, Featured Ralph Lauren Madison Avenue
Located in New York, NY
19th century, life-size Gliedermann, origin: Denmark, circa 1860, original color
Featured in Ralph Lauren Madison Avenue Spring Fashion Windows, pho...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Empire figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage figurative sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire figurative sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original figurative sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Ferdinand Barbedienne, Coduri of Lyon, France, and Eutrope Bouret. 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 figurative sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $110,955 while the average work can sell for $3,654.
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