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Empire Decorative Objects

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
Meissen Cobalt Blue Gold and Polychrome Porcelain Vase from the 1800s
Located in Milano, MI
Cobalt blue, gold and polychrome Meissen porcelain vase, made in the 19th century Ø cm 14 h cm 30 Meissen porcelain is considered one of the earliest and finest examples of Europea...
Category

1870s German Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 4 French 19th Century White Opaline Candy Dishes Leaf Shaped
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of four French 19th Century white opaline candy dishes in the shape of leaves. The trays or dishes feature an applied gilt decoration. They are very functional pieces an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Opaline Glass

Large Estate Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase. Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box
Located in London, GB
A Magnifient Lapis Empire Style Box This box is Absolutely Stunning, Ormolu Mounted
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box
Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Lapis Box
$16,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair White Neoclassical Campagna Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair White Neoclassical Campagna Vases. Pair of Paris Porcelain all white glazed porcelain two part vases with double mask handles. France 1810. Dimensions: 9.5" diameter x 13.5" ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Bronze Metal and Crystal Urn, Pair, attributed to Baccarat
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century French artisans knew how to design lasting classical beauty. This extraordinary pair of French urns is proof of the mastery put forth in design and construction. Fro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French White and Gold Pierced Porcelain Compote Basket Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Two Midcentury White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two beautiful jewelry boxes with glass lids made of opal glass. This type of jewelry box was mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They were made from the early 19th century to the mid 20th century. However, the heyday of opal boxes...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Limoges Porcelain Gilded Baluster Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A large pedestal baluster-shaped vase in hand-painted Limoges porcelain, and dating from the mid-20th century. Featuring an exquisite decoration of spring flowers in vibrant polychro...
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine Empire Style ormolu Mounted Box Lovely Quality and very fine Ormolu mounted This Box Stands at 40cm in Height and is truly Magnificent
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
$17,035 Sale Price
35% Off
Belgian Empire Gilt Metal Three-Piece Garniture Clock Candelabras Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Belle Epoque Belgian Empire style Gilt Metal Three-Piece candelabras and Clock Garniture set with Asian inspiration. They measures 11" in width,...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Empire Candelabra Italian Gilt Bronze Three-Arm Flambeaux
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Candelabri a Tre Fiamme Impero in Bronzo Dorato della prima metà del XIX secolo, di origine italiana, si presentano in buono stato di conservazione con segni di usura nell...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candelabras
Located in Skanninge, SE
A pair of European Mid-19th Century bronze-gilt candelabras. For two candles each. Very nice original condition.
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Amphora Vases in Gilded Porcelain with Handles of Swans
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this fantastic pair of porcelain amphora vases, Empire period, first half of the 19th century. The two vases are characterized by a rich decoration. The attention is certa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Early 19th Century empire toleware decorative urn
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century empire toleware decorative urn circa 1830. Rare decorative urn that would have been used for incense or pot pourri. Original black paint with very strong grecian ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Danish Early 19th Century Empire Tobacco Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming mahogany tobacco box in an architecturally intriguing form. The top of the lid is adorned with a small knob of bone. Great quality and craftsmanship. Empire. Denmark, ...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Mahogany

19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod engraved in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique Empire Gold Gilt Patinated Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire Gold Gilt Patinated Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock French, c. 1810 Height 48cm, width 31cm, depth 20cm A superb example of early 19th-century French decorative arts, thi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

English Plant Flower Pot Holder Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head and Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
An English copper plant or flower pot holder cachepot jardiniere with lion head and paw feet design, circa early-20th century, England. Dimensions: 8" Diameter x 6.94" Height.
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Iron

Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire period portico clock in white marble and gilt bronze, 19th century This Empire period clock (circa 1800-1810) is composed of a marble terrace topped by two flat columns decor...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated with translucent fired enamels and featuring a handpainted monochrome miniature on guilloche of a sailing ship on the lid, depi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

French 19th Century Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu Empire Style Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite and finely crafted Large 19th century Baccarat crystal and ormolu French Empire style Neoclassical mantel clock. This elegant timepiece features a striking architectural...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Italian Empire Classical Sterling Silver 5-Light Candelabrum
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire sterling silver 5-light candelabrum. Raised socket on ovoid shaft to which are mounted four leaf-mounted arms terminating in same. Sockets bellied on wax pan. Shaft mo...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Empire Paris porcelain vases - early 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine antique pair of Paris porcelain vases, early 19th century high-end French production circa 1830 (Empire style, Restauration period). Fully decorated model : polychromatic hand...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Magnificent Black Porcelain and Bronze Decorated French Empire Urn
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ornate and elegant French Empire urn having glossy black onyx colored porcelain adorned with very detailed bronze mounts having roses, garlands and more.
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A beautiful pair of small Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of small Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This superb Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. it has a rectangular shape with rounded sides Table Cigar Box has hand engraving, with orange and ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Picture Frame with enamel on a sunburst guilloché Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Embrace a timeless treasure that echoes grandeur: an exquisite oval-shaped photo frame, sculpted from 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver. Its translucent enamel adorns a sunburst g...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pair of French Empire Dore Patinated Bronze Urns on Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of quality bronze Dore Urns on Pedestals. The pair are in wonderful vintage condition. one small bend to the lip or edge of one - not greatly noticeable or offense...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Bronze

4 sterling silver candlesticks - Empire period circa 1810
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine set of 4 Empire sterling silver candlesticks, beautiful early 19th century production decorated ornamented with acanthus leaves, circa 1810. Each candlestick bear the French h...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Steel

EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

French Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock of Ceres, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A fine Empire period mantel clock with bun feet raising a rectangular base with a central portrait of Bacchus flanked by exquisitely chiseled motif of swirling foliage surmounted by a figure of the goddess Ceres grasping in her lowered hand a wreath woven with foliage and berries while in her garment she collects a bountiful harvest; she rests beside the clock tower with a framed lens opening to access the white enamel dial with black Roman numerals inscribed Etn. Tavernier set with Breguet style hands, raising an urn filled with fruits of the soil; against the tower rest the implements of labor, a shovel and flat rake. The movement is engraved "B". A significant clock movement maker, Etienne Tavernier (French, 1756-1839) is listed in Tardy's horology reference as working closely with the house of Abraham-Louis Breguet as well as providing clock movements...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Early 19th c Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th C Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes. With a classic egg and dart pattern on the rim, the pair are adorned with two sets of winged male figures. The pair rest atop rec...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category

1790s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt Bronze and Griotte Red marble inkwell, Empire Period, early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

A French Empire Style Cut-Glass and Bronze d’Oré Urn, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Empire Style Cut-Glass and Bronze d’Oré Urn, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: The cut glass urn flaring to an everted ormolu lip with ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Empire Candelabra with Green Marble Bases & 4 Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
These pair of Empire candelabras feature angles holding 4 candleholders atop a green marble base.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Crystal and bronze chest
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Crystal and bronze chest Empire style chest Crystal and gilded bronze materials Origin France Circa 1920 Excellent condition The Empire style (in French: style Empire) is a dominant ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Beautiful Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire Appliques from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful and rare pair of gilt bronze Empire Appliques. Made in France during the 1820s. Some wear on the gilding exists, but also carries a beutif...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century 50cm x 26cm x 15cm good condition
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Wilhelm Hofmann opaline glass vase late 19th century
By Wilhelm Nikolaus Hofmann
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
Wilhelm Hofmann late 19th century opaline glass vase: timeless elegance and refinement If you would like to enrich your space with an authentic and fascinating piece of art, this op...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Opaline Glass

18th - 19th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Gilded Bronze Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Bronze

X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Exquisite French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Light Candelabra ca 1810
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
These candlesticks are ornate artifacts from the French Empire period, which dates back to the early 19th century, typically considered as the reign of Napoleon I from 1804 to 1814. ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts
Located in London, GB
A French late 19th century Empire style crystal box with classical gilt bronze mounts.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

French Pair of Petite 19th Century Empire Period Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire period Old Paris Porcelain vases, circa 1810, with painted landscapes and figural scenes on each side. The Classical amphora profile features a gold-banded mo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

Empire decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Franco Salimbeni, and Alexandre Vossion. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $170 and tops out at $148,649 while the average work can sell for $4,772.

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