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
Recognized Seller Listings
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
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
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
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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 Parian Napoleon Bust
Located in New York, 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
French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in New York, 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 c. French Empire Style Napoleon Bust by F.B. Launay
By F.B. Launay, Chaudet
Located in New York, 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
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 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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Small French Empire Style Bust of Napoleon I
Located in New York, 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
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
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
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
French Folk Art Oak and Marble Eagle Figure
Located in New York, 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
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
Related Items
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Garnitures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze and dore bronze compote/tazas with finely chased details. Can be used to hold a topiary or a thick candle. Base is 7" Top is 11.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Campaign Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rare early 19th century French Empire Campaign iron urns with ram's head motif. The base measurement is 10 x 10 inches.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Late 19th Century Ormolu Gilt Bronze Sculpture Angel
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A graceful sculpture of a winged angel. The sculpture is made of casted bronze with an ormolu gilt patina. On a hemisphere, the inside of the sphere is filled with plaster, for a sta...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Huge KPM Berlin Vase Rare, Empire
Located in Berlin, DE
Vase with satyr heads. Urn shape with cloth draped on octagonal plinth.
Colorful painted flower garlands, bouquets, streublums and butterflies.
The satyr heads painted in color.
P...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cherubs & Rooster Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and white marble figural mantel clock. The finely chased ormolu body, with its original two-tone mercury gilt, centered with a circular enameled porcelain clock face with Roman and Arabic numeral dials and inscribed 'A. Thomas - Fabt de Bronze - 56, Rue de Turenne - Paris', surmounted with a pair of playful seated cherubs amidst clouds and wreaths, the case crowned with a figure of a Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
H 20 in W 19.13 in D 8 in
French Restauration Period Eagle Clock
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French restauration period mantle clock having a large patinated bronze eagle with outstretched wings standing on a wreath on top of the clock.
The stepped square patinated bronze...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period
Located in London, GB
Constructed in two color gilt and patinated bronze; the feminine Grecian figures draped with diaphanous robes blowing bi-form trumpets of swept form, terminating in candleholders a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Terracotta Bust of Madame Récamier, After Jean-Antoine Houdo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th century terracotta bust of "Madame Récamier (French, 1777-1849)" The coyly gazing downward beauty, holding a veil across her chest r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
H 22.75 in W 12.75 in D 10 in
19th Century English Diminutive Parian Bust of Apollo Belvedere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century English diminutive Parian bust of apollo Belvedere, a well executed example, raised on a 3-inch diameter solace base. Unmarked.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Lovely 19th Century Victorian Gold Gilt Bronze Recumbent Lion Laying Down
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this stunning late 19th century Italian grand tour Recumbent Lion
A very good looking and decorative piece that looks expensive and important in any set...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 4.14 in W 8.86 in D 3.15 in
Antique French Neoclassical Parian Porcelain Bust of Diana C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Neoclassical Parian Porcelain Bust of Diana C1900
Measures- 17.5''H x 9.75''W x 6''D
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Previously Available Items
19th Century Empire Antique Bronze Sculpture Paperweight of Cherub
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Empire gilt and patinated bronze paperweight with putto figural,
circa first half of the 19th century, unsigned
Item # C104011
An Empire paperweight cast in bronze with a patinated putto raising a floral garland over his head while kneeling over a gilt bronze stepped base. This is raised over a stepped plinth with marble housed...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Auguste Jean French Monumental Faience Female Busts
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French 2nd Empire (circa 1865) large faience busts in polychrome pottery depicting female figures adorned in laurels of wheat and grapes on separate round fluted pedestal bases (signed AUGUSTE...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Faience
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urns on Marble Bases
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine pair of Medici shaped patinated bronze urns with gilt bronze mounts on green and white marble bases. Possibly Italian and made circa 1820.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
“Cupid & Psyche” French Empire Bronze Sculpture Mantel Clock, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An exceptional French Empire period mantel clock with finely chiseled elements throughout, this work captures Psyche placing a butterfly (now absent) into the open palm of cupid. Each figure is cast with incredible skill, this self evident in the difficult areas: the finishing of hair, eyes, finger nails, feathers and feet. They flank a dome top housing with a bronze dial decorated with a wavy engraved background and raised relief repeating anthemion around a beaded ring before the chapter ring of ebonized Roman numerals behind a domed glass door.
The ormolu elements are typical motifs of the period: an oil lamp with a serpent’s head before a short dagger; and the primary motif is a pair of floral wreaths interwoven with cupid’s bow, the strings left loose and the bow unstretched. It is a powerful example of the period designed close in form to the more common “Psyche Crowning Cupid” example.
The body rests over gilt bronze animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Brass
H 22 in W 13.75 in D 6.25 in
Sculpture of French Empire General
Located in Austin, TX
Sculpture of French Empire general made of terracotta with a bronze patina.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Rare Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock "Jason with the Golden Fleece"
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Depicting Jason capturing the Golden Fleece, the young warrior reaching into a tree branch for the fleece with the slain hydra at his feet, the tree ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
H 24.81 in W 21.26 in L 24.81 in
Empire-Period Apollo Mantel Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in New Orleans, LA
The Greek god Apollo drives his Chariot of the Sun across the sky atop this exceptional Empire clock. The clock face is cleverly contained within the wheel of Apollo's chariot, while the dial indicates the hour on Arabic numerals with Breguet hands. The impressive timepiece was crafted by Pierre-Philippe Thomire...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
French Empire-Style Cupid and Psyche Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional French Empire-style mantel clock was created after a model by the famed French sculptor Claude Michallon. The gilt and patinated bronze design captures one of the most legendary love stories in history — the mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Two Large Fish Sculptures, early 19th c. 123 cm long.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two large fish sculptures, Early 19th century. Probably for an exklusive outdoor sign. The fishes are sculpted of wood and covered with hundreds of thin rectangular copper plates.
Both the artistic design and the patina is fantastic with a greenish tone to the copper surface. This Empire design was quite often used on Swedish Empire tables...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Swan Table Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The gilt bronze and patinated figural Napoleonic mantel clock, the drum mounted within a patinated swan, the white enamel dial with Roman hours and Arabic q...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
H 14.97 in W 10.24 in D 4.73 in
Napoléon on Horseback by Duchand
By Jean-Baptiste Duchand de Sancey
Located in New Orleans, LA
This impressive equestrian bronze captures the legendary Emperor Napoléon riding triumphantly astride his favorite horse, Vizir. The sculptor is the celebrated general-cum-artist Jea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This exquisite mantel clock is crafted in ormolu, and styled in typical fashion for the French Empire period, with strong influences of Classicism and Egyptian Revivalism. The base i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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.