Empire 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
Hand-carved Napoleon Bonaparte in nut-wood
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Hand-carved Napoleon Bonaparte in walnut on a colorful marble base.
You often see sculptures of Napoleon Bonaparte in bronze, rarely in wood.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Louis Marie Moris French bronze Napoleon on horseback . (1818-1883)
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large French bronze of Napoleon on horseback . Crossing the Alps on Marengo.
Fine detail on a marble base . Large and impressive scale
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Signed Hingre Bronze Sparrow on Gold Marble Base
Located in Pearland, TX
19th century antique bird paperweight/hunting trophy in chased and patinated bronze on a gold marble base. Signed HINGRE (Louis Théophile Hingre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terra...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Fine 19th Century European Gilt Bronze Ormolu Monstrance Reliquary
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce fine quality neoclassical Empire style vasiform gilt bronze ormolu church religious relic altar monstrance reliquary.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in Continental Europe in the second half of the 19th century, most likely French Napoleon III Period (1852-1870), having a fanned cross crest, above winged angel mask, central oval display...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Sculptures
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Mid 20th century framed Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian framed bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold detail...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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 Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Vintage Bronze Sculpture of Standing Woman by Frédéric Broniewski - 1Y106
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This contemporary bronze sculpture by French artist Frédéric Broniewski, born in 1958, features a nude young woman standing with her arms crossed behind her neck. The sculpture is si...
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th c. French Empire Style Napoleon Bust by F.B. Launay
By F.B. Launay, Chaudet
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
French Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo After Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine and Large French Early 20th Century Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo Cast after a model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (French, 1845-1916). The impressive bronze sculptu...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Malachite on a Bronze Doré Gilded Stand Desk Decorative Object LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire Style Malachite on a Bronze Doré Gilded Stand Desk Decorative Object LA. A Beautiful Empire style malachite orb on a bronze Doré stand retour d'Egypte of 3 figures of standing...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Malachite, Multi-gemstone, Bronze
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)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, 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...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire 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 Sculptures
Materials
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends
A pair of bookends. Each bookend features a metallic sculpture of a big cat, with one being a lion and the other a tiger. The sculptures are mo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Antique Jeanne d'Arc Ceramic Vase - 1Y105
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This antique ceramic vase features an intricate depiction of Jeanne d'Arc in armor. The vase is numbered on the base, highlighting its unique and collectible nature. It is an elegant...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Auguste Cain Silvered Bronze Lion & Ostrich Sculpture 19th Century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Auguste Cain Silvered Bronze Lion & Ostrich (1822-1894). This fine bronze shows a male lion standing proud, his front right foot is perched on a rock and his left stands firmly on his pray, an ostrich; he has a full mane and a curling tail, has good detail in the fur and the feathers of the ostrich. Signed "A. Cain" and a foundry mark. Perfect Size to locate on a desk.
Auguste Nicholas Cain (1821 – 1894) was a Paris born French sculptor in the Animaliers school who was known for his bronze sculptures...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire 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 Sculptures
Materials
Boxwood, Oak
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Atelier de moulage du Louvre, Germain Pilon
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Carved Giltwood Eagle Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
This carved giltwood eagle statue is portrayed with outstretched wings and legs pulled up as though just landing upon something. There is a wooden peg on ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Lapis lazuli obelisks mounted on a gilded bronze base, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Magnificent pair of large polished lapis lazuli obelisks decorated with palmettes mounted on a gilded bronze base, 19th century.
These lapis lazuli pieces come from Afghanistan wher...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, 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....
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
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 Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas-Early 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas with original gilt edged and velvet lined case. Atlas son of Titan, from Greek mythology is holding the clock on ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Giltwood Carved Eagle on Verde Antico Fluted Marble Column
Located in London, by appointment only
A superb and richly carved giltwood eagle perched on rocks with open wings, the eagle's head looking to its left and fitted with a separate giltwood wreath...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Other
Original Empire Sculpture, Wood, Polychrome, Gold, Austria, 1800s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
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 Sculptures
Materials
Gold
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon.
Stained.
Category
20th Century European Empire Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze dore figure of perched eagle with spread wings (19/20th Cent.)
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Unusual Pair Of Russian Empire Figural Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
An important pair of Russian Empire Figural patinated and Dore Bronze six-light candelabras with maidens and putties with verde antico marble bases. Eac...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Folk Art Oak and Marble Eagle Figure
Located in Queens, NY
French (19th Cent Napoleonic Era) folk art carved oak life size figure of an eagle with out stretched wings perched on a round globe with a marble base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble
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 Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Wood
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...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Siena Marble, 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...
Category
1880s German Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
French Terracotta Bust of an Officer
Located in Essex, MA
In the Napoleonic style with much later faux marbre plinth.
Category
1850s European Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Rare Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Bronze Vases, French or German
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare and decorative pair of early 19th century Empire gilt and patinated bronze vases of campana form on a stepped square marble base. The everted egg-and-dart rim above a finely chased frieze depicting putti playing music.
This or a similar pair of vases belonged to the collection of the Queen Louise of Prussia...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, 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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
18th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Europe, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these p...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Metal, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Empire sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire 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 sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Jean-Antoine Houdon, Atelier de moulage du Louvre, and Auguste Nicholas Cain. 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 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 $4,617.