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.
Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Brass
19th Century Atrium Form Dutch Fruitwood Gilt Metal Mantel Clock
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The top tier with the clock works decorated with a pair of gilt putti above a gilt garland, and outer enamel dial. The corners with gilt herons and leaves. ...
Alabaster, Brass
Very Large French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly, Paris, Circa 1810s, with original pendulum.
Bronze
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,...
Brass
Candlesticks France Empire Gilt Bronze
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candlesticks made in France during the late Empire period. Made from gilt- bronze. Standing on a round foot with a baluster shaped stem. Loose cuffs.
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Bronze And Marble Mounted Tall Case Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 90.5 inches high x 26 inches wide x 16 inches deep. Exceptionally elegant antique French Empire style bronze and marble mounted tall case clock, a striking architectural...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Napoleonic Elegance: A Pair of French Empire Bronze Candlesticks; 12" H
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of French Empire patinated and gilt bronze candlesticks, crafted in the 19th century and distinguished by their elegant architectural form and richly modeled ornament...
Bronze
19th Century Tribute Box to Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
A very beautiful rectangular box made of fine porcelain, decorated in the imperial style of the First Empire. The decoration, dominated by green and gold tones, illustrates the refin...
Porcelain
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
By Barbour Silver Co., Towle Silversmiths, Charles Nicolas Odiot, Gorham CO., Hester Bateman
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Sterling Silver tea caddy / box Style Georgian, French Empire, Napoleonic, Dutch A sterling silver very stylized tea box with good working lock Decorated with embossed pearl...
Silver
19th Century French Bronze Inkwell with Silver Egyptian Motifs
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze inkwell with silver Egyptian motifs and sphinx top.
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Three-Light Candelabra ca. 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE THREE-LIGHT CANDELABRA Paris, France ca. 1815-35 raised on antico verde marble plinths 25 1/2" H x 9" W x 4 1/2" D A very finely chiseled ...
Marble, Bronze
X-Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco 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
Blue Marbleized Empire Wastebasket
Located in New York, NY
Blue marbleized empire wastebasket. Faux marble painted empire style wastebasket on gilt paw feet. France, 20th century Dimensions: 9" L x 9" W x 9.88" H.
Metal
19th Century French Bronze Dore Double Inkwell with Sphinx Design
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore filigree double inkwell with sphinx sides and backrail.
Bronze
Pair of Wax Reliefs Attrib. to Pierre-Phillips Thomire of Napoleon and Josephine
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of Wax Reliefs attributed to Pierre-Phillips Thomire, (French 1751-1843). "Napoleon and Josephine," 1807, inscribed "Josephine/Thomire 1807." With pain...
Other
$3,420Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair 19thc French Empire Bronze Male Figural Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Gold Bronze Male Mask Figural Candelabra. Very nice detail and stately candelabra.
Bronze
Empire gilt bronze inkwell, Turquin marble base - early 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Empire style inkwell, Restauration period circa 1830 - 1840. The bronze inkwell is finely chiseled and gilt with fine gold ; it rests on an ormolu 6-peaks star set on a blue T...
Marble, Ormolu
$9,500 / set
Black and Gold Carved Vase Statues - Set of 2
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved painted black and gold vase statues, the vase and base can be separated. Sits very tall at 7 feet but is very lightweight being made from wood. Likely originated in Franc...
Wood
French Empire Ormolu bronze mantle watch of Demeter, circa 1805-1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Mantel Clock, French Pendule, Table Clock, Antique Clock, Bronze Clock , Empire Period, French Empire, Early 19th Century, Neoclassical, Restauration, Ormolu, Gilt Bronze, Gilded Bronze, Bronze Doré, Gold Leaf, Ceres, Demeter, Harvest Allegory, Agriculture, Sickle, Cornucopia, Wheat Sheaf, Rake, Spade, Bas Relief, French Empire Ormolu Clock...
Gold, Bronze
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Empire Style French Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Empire style French bronze inkwell. Dark patinated cast bronze encrier/ink-stand on paw feet with original pine cone lidded glass ink-wells and...
Bronze
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.
Marble
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, Circa 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1830, the circular dial with strike on bell movement, surmounted by a woman writing, on an acanthus and fluted base with scrolled feet. ...
Metal
French Empire Bronze Bust of Napoleon by F.B. Launay, 19th Century
By F.B. Launay, Chaudet
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire patinated bronze herm base bust of Napoleon signed F.B.LAUNAY and after the model of 1804 by Antoine-Denise Chaudet (19th Century)
Bronze
19th Century Miniatur Mantel Clock, Gare La Bombe, Cupido, France, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Pendulette "Gare La Bombe" France gilded bronze first half 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 20 x 15 x 7 cm Description: Antique miniature mante...
Bronze
Eutrope Bouret Signed Antique French Bronze Sculpture of Boys Riding a Tortoise
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This whimsical antique bronze sculpture was done by Eutrope Bouret of France in approximately 1890 in the period Empire style. This very well executed bronze sculpture depicts two yo...
Bronze
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century Description: Each piece is configured as a two-light candelabrum, featuring two decorative scrolling side ar...
Bronze
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Gilt Bronze Clock of Standing Classical Lady Unveiling an Urn of Plenty
By A. Ravrio
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire mantle clock in gilded bronze depicting a standing classical lady on the left side of the clock plinth with her left ar...
Bronze
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes Empire style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco 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
X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco 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...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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...
Bronze, Metal, Copper
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
Distinctive pair of 19th century Empire Style gilt metal candelabras
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous 19th century; European Gilt bronze and metal Approximate size: 17.75 (h) x 9.75 (w) x 3.5 (d) inches The present pair of distinctive antique gilt metal candlesticks are i...
Brass
French Empire Patinated & Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1840, surmounted by a seated female musician holding a tambourine, white enamel dial, strike on bell, on a gothic strapwor...
Marble, Metal, Enamel
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock Patinated bronze and ormolu mantel clock housed in an oval ribbed case with raised plinth with fine engine turned band and res...
Ormolu
$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
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock , France 1810
Located in New York, NY
Resting on four very elegant feet the clock features a rectangular base decorated on three sides with classical motifs. The face features a pair of Sphinx flanking a wreath with lau...
Bronze
Neoclassical Green and Gilt Faux Marble Samovar Coffee Urn
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical green and gilt faux marble samovar coffee urn. Gilt and green faux marble painted samovar with Greco Roman mask issuing spout on pedestal abov...
Metal
Attributed, Val St-Lambert, Empire Style Vase, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and large empire style vase attributed to the Val Saint Lambert manufacture, 19th century Belgium. Openwork of gilt bronze in arches and wreat...
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Giltwood Carved Frame
Located in New Orleans, LA
Period Empire giltwood frame.
Giltwood
Tall Antique Danish Empire Floor Candelabra Gilded and Brown Metal 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique tall empire style 3-armed floor candelabra made of a combination of gilded and brown-patinated metal and bronze. Made in Denmark by skilled metalworkers circa 1880-1900 Very...
Metal, Bronze
A Pair of Gilt Bronze and Patinated Candelabra with Winged Victories.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A pair of gilt bronze and patinated candelabra with winged victories, Empire period, 19th century. Pair of Empire period candelabra from the 19th century, Napoleon 1st, gilt and pat...
Bronze
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 ...
Metal
Porcelain Vase, Europe, Beg. of 19th Century
Located in Rīga, LV
Porcelain vase, Europe, beg. of 19th century Additional Information: Materials: Porcelain, overglaze hand painting, underglaze hand painting Vintage from the 19th century Style...
Porcelain
Candlesticks Empire France
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candlesticks made in France during the late Empire period. Made from gilt- bronze. Standing on a round foot with a baluster shaped stem. Loose cuffs. Cannelated frame.
Silver, Brass
$1,850 / set
Pair Empire Style Bronze Candle Holders
Located in San Francisco, CA
each heavy candle holder surmounted by a shallow candlecup with flared lip raised on a gadrooned support above a ring of stylized leaves; all over a cylindrical base adorned with app...
Bronze
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Bronze Clock Depicting Urania Greek Muse of Astronomy
By Lesieur
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A magnificent large gilded and patinated bronze period French Empire mantle clock depicting Urania the Greek Muse of Astronomy standing on a stepped rectangular gilded bronze base her left elbow resting on a large gilded globe of the heavens with a central band showing the signs of the zodiac...
Bronze
$551Sale Price|20% Off
Pill Box Empire style handpainted Sterling Silver fine hand engravings Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a hand-painted miniature with fired enamel by the painter Romano Buccioni in the Louis XVI Empire style of the second hal...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$1,800 / set
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.
Bronze
A pair (2) of figural Empire candelabra candles. Paris, 19th century.
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair (2) of figural Empire candelabra candles. Paris, 1815s Gilt bronze. Recessed pedestal base with palmette and floral decoration on a square plinth. The pair, dressed in antiqu...
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 3.5" H x 6.5" W x 3.25" D.
Marble
French Empire Patinated Bronze Tripod Candelabras, Lion's Paw Feet, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabras. These tall three light patinated bronze candelabras have a tripod base with very detailed lion's paws. The columns are fluted with palmettes...
Bronze
X-Small Egg style Faberge Yellow Enamel hand painted wreaths Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco 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
$1,750Sale Price / set|20% Off
Fine Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Miami, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire candlesticks. We are pleased to present you a gorgeous pair of French Empire period, original gilt bronze candlesticks, finely chiseled of ...
Bronze
Wonderful Pair French Patinated Dore Bronze Empire Neoclassical Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Patinated & Dore Bronze Empire / Neoclassical Candelabras
Bronze
Photo Frame Heart-Shaped Fired Enamel on Guillochè Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped rounded frame with oval photo in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè. With hinged silver-gilt foot engraved in Empire style. ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra having female attendants in flowing gowns holding gilded torchieres, standing on parcel gilt plinths, 19th century, now mounted as lamps
Bronze
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.
Located in Middleburg, VA
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box. Exquisite Indian craftsmanship made of teak with decorative brass on a patinated red lacquered surface with intricate ...
Brass
Pair of Empire Style Bronze Ewers, Late 19th or Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An important pair of Empire style bronze ewers, late 19th or early 20th century. A pair of Empire style patinated bronze ewers with marble base, late 19th or early 20th century. Di...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock, Circa 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1830, the white enamel dial and movement strike on bell surmounted by a standing classical figure resting on an amphora pouring water, ...
Bronze, Enamel