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.
A Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Brass, 1820s France
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of exquisite Empire candlesticks which combine gilt and patinated brass. Made in 1820s France. Various intricate rose, floral and leaf patterns adorn the bases in gilt brass. ...
Brass
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Tarzana, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock. The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Bronze
$13,835Sale Price|20% Off
Drouot French Empire Bronze Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This French Empire mantel clock features a seated female figure, finely sculpted, draped in flowing fabric, and positioned next to an elegant water fountain motif. The round enamel d...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Antique French Empire Candle Holders, Gilded Bronze, Circa 1820-1840
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders with loose candle cuffs, made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candlesticks have downwardly tapering, fluted shafts, supported by a round footplate. The base is particularized with palmettes and leaves. The Parisian décor pieces represent the First French Empire time...
Metal, Bronze
French Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Putti Empire Period 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
From a luxury villa at Como Lake a stunning pair of early 19th century Empire four-light gilt bronze figural candelabras, of French origin, dating back to circa 1810, measure: 31.50 ...
Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
Ormolu
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 a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Crystal Regulator Clock
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful brass clock with gold dore finish. Beveled glass panels with a porcelain dial and time and strike. French works. Running condition. Corner crack in one glass panel.
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Greek Female Mantel Clocks
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire-style (19th Century) green patinaed metal classic Greek female figures on round gilt base holding round mantel clock and barometer. (PRICED AS PAIR) (Not working)
Metal
Pair of Empire-period Victory candelabra in marble and gilt bronze, circa 1800
Located in NICE, FR
Pair of Empire-period Victory candelabra in marble and gilt bronze, c. 1800 This elegant pair of Empire-period candelabra, dating from around 1800, combines the noble materials of m...
Marble, Bronze
A large pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Sevres Style Porcelain Bronze Mounted Mantel Picard Clock
By Henri Picard
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a Sevres style porcelain ormolu bronze mounted mantel clock. The frontal cobalt blue porcelain panel is hand painted with a winged cherub holding a basket of flowers. Below him,...
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Orb Bronze Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire Orb Bronze Three-Light Wall Sconces France, Early 19th Century This exquisite pair of French Empire wall sconces embodies the elegance and workmanship of the...
Bronze
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...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
A Louis XVI gilt bronze mounted marble 'Pendule Portique', by Michel-F. Piolaine
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendule Clock from the Time of Louis XVI by Piolaine of Paris An exceptionally elegant Pendule clock from the time of Louis XVIII. Signed “Piolaine à Paris,” the work of a renowned...
Carrara Marble
Italian Yellow Tole Obelisk Urn With Paw Feet
Located in Stamford, CT
A charming neoclassical yellow tole water or tea urn in the form of an obelisk balanced on a square plinth by fours balls supported by brass paw feet. Decorated on four sides with ma...
Metal, Brass
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock circa 1920. Empire revival burr yew cigar box with clock. Strung and inlaid to outer edges, decorated with an ormolu mount to the...
Brass
Braunschweig Castle watchmaker Antoine Nicolas Delolme, 1752-1836
Located in Berlin, DE
Antoine Nicolas Delolme, 1752–1836, active in Brunswick from 1780 to 1810, became court clockmaker in 1786. The pendulum is signed on both the front and back. The front cover is m...
Bentwood
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of gilt bronze three-light candelabra with kneeling putto holding the candleholders raised on richly elaborate base, France, late 19th century. Measures: Height 12.50 in / 3...
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Egyptian Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze inkwell with silver Egyptian motifs and sphinx top.
Bronze
Pair Empire Tazzas in Maple Root and dark Hardwood
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Empire tazzas crafted in solid maple root and ebony. The rounded stems feature profiled lower edges and rest on square ebony bases. Each shallow bowl is supported b...
Hardwood, Maple
Pair of large Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra. France 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of large and elegant Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra, made in France during the 1820s. Gilded and dark patinated bronze. Can be used as large candlesticks or ...
Bronze
Italy Late 18th Century Pair Empire Brass Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italian late 18th Century pair of Empire burnished brass candleholders This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian...
Brass
Fire-gilded French Empire-style writing set Bronze ca. 1850 Goddess Psyche
Located in Münster, DE
Writing Set France, circa 1850 Bronze with black patina and partial gilding, depicting the goddess Psyche; height 33 cm, width 30 cm, depth 15.5 cm On a austere, rectangular, dark...
Bronze
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. ...
Gold, Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design with flowers and leaves. Cool and unusual composition bet...
Bronze
$296Sale Price|68% Off
19th Century Lacquered Papier-mâché Snuff Box with Parrot and Lady
By Stobwasser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th century hand painted black lacquered Papier-Mâché snuff box or vanity box Crafted in Austria in the early 1800's, the decorative box features a hand painted scene of a yo...
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-19th Century Italian Clock Painting, Oil on Canvas, Empire Style
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early/mid-19th century Italian clock painting indistinctly signed on the lower right corner. The oil painting is set in a period Empire gilt frame and d...
Canvas
19th Century, French, Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell Signed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE).
Bronze
Large Sewing Box Lacquer Work with Pastoral Scenes, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and intricately decorated Empire lacquer work sewing box. Early 19th century Europe. The box is decorated with pastoral scenes and an intricate pattern on the edges. The ins...
Lacquer, Beech
Early 19th Century French Empire Figural Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Pair of rare early 19th century French Empire figural bronze candlesticks featuring patinated putti figures dressed in stylized costume, each supporting a foliate ormolu candle branc...
Marble, 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...
Pine
19th Century French Bronze Inkwell with Roman Figure on Brown Marble Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your office desk with this large Empire style inkwell. Created in France circa 1870 and rectangular in shape, the inkwell features a bron...
Marble, Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Cararra Marble and Bronze Cassolettes ~ Mantel Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique French Empire Cararra Marble and Bronze Cassolettes ~ Mantel Urns will make a stunning visual accent for any room! Hand-crafted from prized Carrara marble and gold-plat...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th - 20th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Porcelain Cassoulettes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of small Cassoulettes made hand crafted porcelain, in good condition. Each of the Parisian Athenians are composed with four gilded bronze maidens, particulariz...
Metal, Bronze
$360Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Leather Jewelry Box on small brass balls with diamond pattern.
Brass
$1,990Sale Price|30% Off
Pair French Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Trumpet Vases, Late 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This pair of French trumpet-form vases dates from the late 19th century and blends two luxurious materials: engraved clear glass and richly decorated gilt bronze mounts with champlev...
Crystal, Metal
1810s Empire Handmade Marked Porcelain Centerpiece
By G. Popov
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and extremely rare Empire period porcelain decorated with hand-painted designs. It has the original label on the base. "Silvio Ferrara ANTIQUARIO GIOIELLIERE Via Condotti" ...
Porcelain
19th Century Candlestick Lightshade Vienna by Balthasar Wigand Mother of Pearl
Located in Epfach, DE
Mother of pearl light shade or candlestick by Balthasar Wigand Vienna about 1810-1820 with very fine painting from the Galitzerberg in Vienna. B...
Bronze
Photo Frame Large Imperial Style White and Green enamel on Sterling Silver Salim
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped frame for photographs in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent two-tone fired enamels on guillochè and rich friezes in the French Empire Louis XVI style ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes Empire style Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and stripes with two-tone translucent fired enamels on guilloché and hand-engraved motifs in...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pr. of Old Paris Miniature, Gilt Decorated Footed Urns With Garden Scenes, c1800
By Old Paris
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of Old Paris Miniature, Gilt Decorated Footed Urns with garden scenes, c1800. Miniature urns of this type are rare and the decoration is exceptional. The urns have bolted construction with scrolling handles and molded face mask terminals. The beautiful hand painted panels are of a seated young man and woman in traditional dress in a neoclassical garden with classical urns, landscaping, architecture and a fountain. Fine condition with mild typical wear to the gilt. Trent Antiques has been a respected name in antiques for...
Porcelain
Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
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...
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Pair of Large Danish Vaseline Opaline Wine Glass or Vases
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish pair of large white Vaseline opaline wine glasses or vases.
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Opaline Glass
19th Century French Marble & Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Signed By Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the grandeur of the 19th century with this exquisite French Marble and Bronze Figural Mantel Clock. A true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this clock...
Marble, Bronze
Picture frame Red Empire style ornaments Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent ruby red enamel on guilloche, with late 19th century Russian Empire style ornaments. Blue alcantara p...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Germain Pilon, Atelier de moulage du Louvre
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...
Plaster
$7,700 / set
19th Century Swedish Candelabra
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of fine 19th century Swedish Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra, circa 1830, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bronze
Danish Midcentury Birthday Table Flagpole with Dannebrog And Lion On The Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish birthday table flag, "Dannebrog", name of the Danish flag. It is placed on a green marble base, with a posed lion.
Marble, Silver Plate
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes two-tone Enamel Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cylindrical handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and stripes with translucent two-tone fired enamels on guilloché and hand-engraved motifs in...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
X-Small Egg style Faberge Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
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...
Marble, Bronze
Egg style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
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.
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Silver Candle Holders, Floral Decor, Johann Gutmann, Vienna, 1804
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant silver candlesticks on a round base, guilloché pattern on the side of the base, raised shaft in the centre, constriction in the lower third with a guilloché ring, shaft w...
Silver
Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814
Located in Bilzen, BE
Combat of March 30, 1814. On the heights of Saint Chaumont where an Artillery post served by students of the École Polytechnique fought fiercely and was saved from death by General S...
Wood
$14,400Sale Price / set|48% Off
Pair of crystal and bronze vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of french empire style late 19 century crystal cut ormolu bronze original gilting You have eagle that embeds the base at the 4 corner, on the side of the vase you have magnifi...
Crystal, Bronze
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Small Danish Empire Veneered and Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Period Empire Trinket Box in Veneered Mahogany and Brass Panels on the Edges, Denmark Circa 1825.
Brass