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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
Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlesticks, Early 19th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of gilt and patinated bronze candlesticks, early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19 Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of early 19 century French empire gilt bronze neoclassical candlesticks. A tapering stem with rich and finely chased ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest /box from Skelleftea Vasterbotten ,Northern Sweden. Decorative Wood imitaition painted small chest /box with...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

20th Century French Empire Blue Urn Vase with Gold Decoration, Jaget & Pinon
Located in Sofia, BG
Amphora-shaped vase and in the Empire style, circa 1920, France made of earthenware with a marine-blue background with gold decorations in the spirit of Sèvres. Round neck surrounded...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Table Decoration in Empire Style after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, engraved and silvered. Three-columns, shafts with full-plastic, finely engraved swans. Funnel-shaped insert.
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Malachite Allegorical Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mounted malachite allegorical mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50m, width 21cm, depth 14cm This fine mantel clock is an excellent ex...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of English Empire Candlesticks, Early 19th C
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and finely designed Empire candlesticks made in the early 19th c. Standing on a rectangular marble base are cast bronze eagles that holds gilt bronze unshaped candleholders. An interesting and good...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

1800 Empire Nast Porcelain Griffins Masks Roses Flowers Garlands France Vase
Located in Munich, DE
This very high quality French vase in caramel hue with guilding is most probably made by the Nast Porcelain Manufacture ( 1754 - 1817 ). It's handles ar...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-19th Century Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze candlesticks raised on three lions paws, France, mid-19th century.  
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Desk Set, Viennese Empire, c. 1815
Located in Greding, DE
Seven-piece desk set from Vienna in granite with polished steel mounts.
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Granite, Steel

19th Century, French Chiselled and Gilt Bronze Table Clock
Located in IT
19th century, French chiselled and gilt bronze table clock This table clock was made of chiselled and gilded bronze in the early 19th centur...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu and marble candelabras. Each candelabra is raised on a marble base with concave sides below the ormolu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures French, 19th century Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm This mantel clock feat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of Early 19th Century French Ormolu & Bronze Empire Period Candelabra
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning pair of early 19th century French Empire candelabra, with four scrolled candle arms supported by classical winged figu...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Amber Amphora in Bronze and Crystal by Modenese Gastone Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Splendid amber amphora by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Let your house shine with the bright glares coming from this precious item, which is delicately hand blown by skillful artisans c...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet. Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround. Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension. The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock of Ceres, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE ORMOLU BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF CERES, GODDESS OF AGRICULTURE Movement by Etienne Tavernier; France, circa 1815 Item # 104HWG22Z 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 French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figurines Candelabras, 19th Century
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of Empire style patinated and doré bronze figurines male and female candelabras, France, circa 1860-1870. Raised on a monumental marble plinth with doré bronze ormolu-mounted ba...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Marble, Bronze

20th Century Empire Style Table Decoration after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, engraved and silvered. Three columns shafts with full-plastic, finely engraved swans. Funnel-shaped insert. (T-RA-6).   
Category

20th Century Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

One Empire Style Silvered and Black Engraved Metal Table Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in IT
Empire style silvered and black engraved metal table lamp, France, early 20th century, 1930s In the pictures you see two lamps but only one le...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Antique Empire Clock, Western Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique Empire clock, Western Europe, circa 1860. Dimensions: height 224 cm / width 54 cm / depth. 29 cm.
Category

1860s Belgian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

French Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in London, GB
A Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period Constructed in tole, being hand painted and decorated in the French Empire Neo-Classical manner of Jacques-Louis David; th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

18th Century Clock, Baillon in Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a unique, authentic antique French table or mantel clock. It is in finely chiseled and gilded bronze. The dial with outer Arabic numerals and inner Roman numerals and a fine pair of pierced gilt brass hands for the hours and minutes. Next to the clock is a tall lady figurine, accompanied by a child. The woman is holding a book in her right hand and a feather pen in her left hand. On the other side, the child draped in the Antique is standing on books and holding a paper. The white marble base rests on four small spinning feet. This clock was made by Jean-Baptiste Baillon III, one of the most skilled and innovative makers of his day. Baillon achieved almost unprecedented success to become “the richest watchmaker in Europe” - F.J. Britten. He was also one of the most important clockmakers of the eighteenth century and undoubtedly the most famous member of a long line of clockmakers. His success was largely due to his ability to organise a vast and thriving private factory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye which was unique in the history of eighteenth century clockmaking. The renowned horologist, Ferdinand Berthoud was among many to be impressed by its scale and quality and in 1753 noted that Baillon’s “house is the finest and richest Clock Shop. Diamonds are used not only to decorate his Watches but even Clocks. He has made some whose cases were small gold boxes...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 23.5cm, depth 11cm This mantel clock was finely crafted in the Empire period, wrought from ormolu and a later malachite veneer. The design of the clock is based on classical architecture. It features a malachite entablature—with an ormolu pierced mount to the front—which is supported on four ormolu bun feet. The malachite column shafts are smooth and each culminate in a capital, supporting the malachite top. Between the columns, there is a drum clock...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble vases French, early 20th century Measures: Height 52cm, width 21cm, depth 19cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Empire Candelabra Thomire Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Thomire style 6-candle candelabra epergne gilded and patina bronze with cut crystal bowl on dark green marble with eagle mounts from a Palm Beach...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Marble, Bronze

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock by Deverberie a Paris, Fire-Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
French Empire mantel clock from DeVerberie a Paris. Fire-gilded. Age-related condition.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Period French Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The clock features a winged cupid standing on his chariot drawn by two doves and supported on clouds; cupid holds the reins to two doves which appear to be guiding the chariot. The o...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Tiffany & Co. Empire Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
Tis stunning vintage 19th century French Empire white marble mantel (fireplace) clock was made for Tiffany & Co. The clock has a lyre shape body accented with doré' bronze sculpted embellishments of the period. The top of the clock features a radiating sun burst disc with the face of the North wind. The white enamel clock face has Arabic numerals & garlands of flowers &, also, garlands of flowers that surround the Tiffany & Co. name. There is a glittering ring of faceted paste stones attached to the pendulum &, as the pendulum moves, so does this jeweled ring, creating a dazzling effect. The clock has a key wind movement with a French bell. The clock key is present. This clock runs, but will require a cleaning/service to keep accurate time & is sold as is. This wonderful antique time piece...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Enamel

Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian bronze ormolu walnut Vatican wall clock. Item features glass dome front, bronze ormolu. Has not been tested, circa early 1900s. Measurements: 34" H x ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Royal Empire Mantel Clock / Pendulum Clock, Fire-Gilt, Around 1805-1815, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire mantel clock / pendulum clock, fire-gilt, around 1805-1815, Paris Solid bronze, fire-gilded, Paris around 1805-1815, original French Empire from the first period. ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Meissen Style Porcelain Napoleon lll Bowl Vase Centerpiece
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze mounted and hand painted porcelain large bowl vase with lid. The hand painted continuous scene shows a town celebration with some peasants dancing & playing som...
Category

19th Century German Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

French Crystal Casket Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a beautiful French crystal gold doré acanthus box with gilt mounts and locking key.
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Period Empire Cachepots, Fine Mercury Fired Gilt Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful and fine pair of Empire period gilt bronze cachepots with Waterford crystal tops.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant period Empire ormolu-mounted white marble portico clock, circa 1830, is from France. The floral-and-foliate ormolu-mounted frieze sits above four Doric columns with gilt...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

French Empire Yellow Tole Lavabo
Located in Essex, MA
With a removable cover with gallery and finial, tapered body with spigot lacking handle, all above the rectangular basin.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

French Early 19th Century Empire Period Mantel Clock Signed Ledure
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very fine early 19th century Empire period mantel clock of patinated bronze. It is signed by one of the best Parisian bronzers Pierre Victor Ledure and h...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Two 19th Century French Bronze Partially Gilt Candlesticks on Hoofed Faun Feet
Located in Haarlem, NL
Two 19th century French partially ormolu bronze candlesticks on cloven hoofed hocked faun legs and feet Cast in bronze, adorned with floral and acanthus leaf motif. The candle inse...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of period Empire French early 19 century gilt bronze candelabras.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Swedish Empire Column Pedestal
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large Swedish Empire early 20th Century column pedestal. This wonderful neoclassical pedestal features a moulded faux marble top over the main shaf...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible pair of spirited early 19th century French Empire bronze candlesticks celebrating the arts with individually cast and applied painters' palettes with brushes, sculptors' hammers and compasses, writers' books, musicians' harps, drama masks...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Allegorical Clock of Love Nourishing Life
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural French Empire clock in gilded bronze representing an allegory on how love nourishes life or “L’Amour alimentant la vie” in French. The clock shows a seated winged Amor refi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Empire Ormolu and patinated Bronze Candelabra attr. Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century Empire ormolu and patinated bronze candelabra attr. Thomire Each with a tapering leaf tip cast partially gilt and patinated bronze stem supporting three folia...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair Italian Empire Period Brass 3-Light Figural Candelabras, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Finely cast and supported by circular bases, the tops issuing two arms with single candleholders with a central figural candleholder.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock Depicting the Astronomical Sciences
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine early 19th century French Empire gilt bronze clock representing an allegory of astronomy; featuring two classically draped maide...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830
Located in Gainesville, FL
Russian silver niello tobacco box with finely etched pastoral scenes and interior gold wash. The box is marked on inside with "84" for Russian si...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

French Empire Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Griotte Marble Vase
Located in London, GB
A magnificent quality French Empire/Directoire urn in superb original condition. Constructed of lovely patinated bronze, fire gilded Ormolu and griotte marble. In the gout d'Egypt or...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Superb 19th Century Golden Bronze Vase Made in Gild Bronze
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Fine Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patina Bronze Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of fine antique French gilt bronze, patina bronze, black marble neoclassical champagne form urns of superb quality embellished on square hand carved black marble bases and furth...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Category

1880s European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

19th French Empire Mantel Clock, Pendule, Mercury, Gilded Bronze, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
19th century French pendule, mantel clock - Mercury the messenger of the gods France Bronze gilded Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 37 x 30 x 10 cm Description: French Empire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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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