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.
Imperio Obelisk in Tortoiseshell Inlaid with Semi-Precious Stones
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Huge obelisk from the French imperial period in tortoiseshell with semi-precious stones resting on balls.
Tortoise Shell
Vintage Artisan 925 Sterling Silver Semi-Precious Stone Bracelet 1970s
By Christian Dior, Thierry Mugler, Paco Rabanne, Gianni Versace
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful sculptural semi-precious stone bracelet crafted by hand with sterling silver structure. This piece is glamourous and chic. The amber hues of the glass combine with the li...
Brass, Chrome
Labradorite Semi Precious Stone Box with Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Labradorite semiprecious stone box with hinged lid. Labradorite displays an iridescent optical effect (or schiller) known as labradorescence. La...
Stone, Brass
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.25 in W 6 in D 4.5 in
Polychrome Semi-Precious Stone Hexagonal Inlaid Box, 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A finely crafted polychrome semi-precious stone box featuring an intricate hexagonal mosaic inlay composed of richly colored natural stones. The lid displays a jewel-like honeycomb p...
Stone, Onyx, Granite, Marble
$62,500
H 7.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Exquisite 14K Gold, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Semi Precious Stone Camel
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An Exquisite 14K Gold, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Semi Precious Stone Mounted Rhodonite Camel. Possibly by Verdura, circa 1970, Italy. A very good quality and unusual gold mounted jeweled object...
Gold
Vintage Artisan 925 Sterling Silver Semi-Precious Stone Bracelet 1970s
By Thierry Mugler, Paco Rabanne, Gianni Versace, Christian Dior
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful sculptural semi-precious stone bracelet crafted by hand with sterling silver structure. This piece is glamourous and chic. The coral hues of the glass combine with the ru...
Brass, Chrome
Semi Precious Gemstone Parrot on Rock Quartz Cluster 2496
Located in Houston, TX
21st Century masterfully carved Brazilian semi-precious stone parrot (yellow calcite, obsidian) sculpture on a natural quartz specimen base. A beau...
Stone, Quartz, Rock Crystal
1970s Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
1970s modern Maitland Smith Style tessellated stone with brass inlay detail obelisks, in vintage original condition with minor wear and pagtina due to age and use. Smaller obelisk...
Stone, Brass
$9,039
H 15.75 in W 13.78 in D 1.97 in
Framed Floral Bouquet Crafted from Gold and Semi-Precious Stones by Tolliday
Located in London, GB
This magnificent study of flowers is wrought from gold and silver, amethyst and other minerals, and natural pearls. The study features sprigs of Holly with mineral berries and gold leaves springing from a green stone crop of rock. Grasses, also wrought from gold, spring from the same crop of rock, and the floor is littered with litter and debris, including an exquisitely produced pinecone. The flowers are set above a brown backing and surrounded by a red mount within a gilt frame. The work is signed ‘William Tolliday...
Amethyst, Gold, Silver
Italian Pietra Dura, Semi-Precious, Still Life Stones Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing work in semi precious stones in Hardstones or Pietra Dura work. Framed measures 21 x 24 inches. In back has a partial detail of stones and also origin of art work.
Precious Stone
Contemporary Pair of Purple Amethyst Stone Obelisks
Located in Toronto, ON
This spectacular pair of obelisks is constructed of amethyst, a lavender to purple translucent semi-precious crystal that is a form of quartz found in many locations around the world...
Amethyst
$817Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 0.79 in
Archaistic Sculpture Necklace, Carved Precious Stone, 1950
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/4907, Rare vintage necklace, mounted like a sculpture on a wooden panel (cm. 45x 45) It is a bridal shell money or wedding dowry. It is possible to obtain different necklaces, if Y...
Precious Stone
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.75 in W 2 in D 2 in
Sterling, Bone, & Semi-Precious Gems Figure of 'St. George & Dragon'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sterling, Bone, & Semi-Precious Gems Figure of 'St. George & Dragon' Germany, Early 20th Century A meticulously cast and modeled Medieval / Renaissance Figure of St. George Slaying the Dragon, This figure with a moveable helmet visor, revealing his carved bone face...
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Green Onyx Obelisk With Natural Rough Edge Finish
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Obelisk in Green Onyx With Natural Rough Edge Finish
Onyx
Calypso Coral Sea Fan Quartz Caryatid Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Calypso I sculpture. An early 19th century bronze doré caryatid sits atop a large natural smoky quartz base. Her head is beautifully affixed with a crown adorned by a rare complete lion's paw shell, mixed sea fan corals...
Coral, Quartz, Bronze