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
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Tiger or Lion Cat Paw Decorative Object or Bookend the Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
A substantial tiger or lion cat animal paw decorative object sculpture or bookend, in the Empire design style, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object for a shelf, mantel,...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Sculptures
Materials
Composition
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 Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Jb Glorieux, Pair Of Marble Busts, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of charming sculpted marble busts, resting on a green marble base, signed on the back Glorieux Sclpt
The quality and finesse of the sculptor's work are remarkable, in the hai...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble
A Set Of Gilt Iron Lion Heads Door Knockers
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Set of Gilt Iron Door Knockers. It depicts a pair of large and heavy lion heads with a ring in their mouths. The rings are decorated with some acanthus leaves in the bottom...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Iron
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Tortoise Shell
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
An Exquisite Antique French Period Empire Neoclassical gilt bronze figural clock embellished with figure of a neoclassical woman and bird.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu, Steel, Enamel
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire 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 Sculptures
Materials
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.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
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 Sculptures
Materials
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
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Sculpture of an Eagle in Silver Plated Metal, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, 20th century.
Sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, could be a sculpture for a desk or a nice centerpiece, Empire style, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Sculptures
Materials
Silver Plate
Large Fruit Vase Napoleon III, Empire 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Large fruit vase Napoleon III - Empire 19th Century
made of crystal and bronze.
A bright crystal flowerpot is mounted on a spiral rod formed by two swimming fish. French tan.
Width:...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Napoleon III Crystal Vase, Empire, France 19th Century with Video
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III Crystal Vase - Empire - France 19th century
with gilt bronze and diamond padding on the bases.
Classic proportions and design.
H-35cm. Width: 20cm, Height: 35cm, Depth: ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Crystal, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Metal, Copper
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."
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Stunning Signed by Barye Strong Large Lion Bronze Statue
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
This intimidating lion takes a break and relaxes. He lies down and looks as if he puts his paw in paw and waits patiently for the next encounter. He is the gate keeper he stays alert at all times and watches for any unknown creatures to cross into his territory. The features on the lion are magnificent and are very life like. His undercoat is long and you can see the fur stringing off of his underside while he puts his legs to the side. His mane is grand and he has gigantic paws which will take anyone or thing out in one swift swipe. You can see the details beautifully. This lion has a brown patina and was casted using the “Lot Wax Method” it is mounted on a black marble base. This sculpture is signed by Barye...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th France bronze circa 1850 "Two hares"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible france bronze circa 1850 representing "Two hares" perfect patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
A Large Antique French Empire style figural patinated bronze, gilt bronze and green marble clock depicting two neoclassical figures.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine Russian Empire gilt- and patinated bronze desk top inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810. Rectangular shaped base raised on four turned fee...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Mid-19th Century, French, Gilt Bronze Monkey Chef
Located in London, GB
A fantastically modelled gilt bronze monkey chef, he stands proudly on a black polished stone base.
Category
1840s French Antique Empire 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 Hi-Quality details and black patina and 18-karat Doré gold-plated made from the originals of Clodion. Wired and r...
Category
1990s American Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
France, circa 1890.
Width 15 1/2" Height 18" Depth 5 1/2"
Category
1890s French Antique Empire 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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze Eagle Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze eagle on a Vert de Patricia marble base. The richly detailed eagle is raised by a substantial and impressive square mottled Vert de Patricia base with cut corners. The fierce and richly chased open winged eagle stands...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Restauration Period Ormolu Lyre Mantel Clock with Apollo Mask
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual French Restauration period ormolu mantel clock. The elaborately pierced gilt bronze case in the form of a lyre, with an Apollo mask cresting, on a white marble stepped bas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Continental Faux Painted Malachite Wooden Pyramids
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of continental faux painted malachite wooden pyramids.
Category
1920s European Vintage Empire Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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.