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.
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...
Bronze
French Empire Boxwood Tabatière with Erotic Enamel Plaque and Gilded Bronze Acce
Located in Kastrup, DK
A French Empire tabatière, exquisitely crafted from boxwood. The lid is adorned with an erotic enamel plaque, elegantly framed by a gilded bronze band, while the underside features a...
Bronze, Enamel
Candelabras Pair 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candelabras made of gilt bronze. Made in France In Late Empie Style during the 19th century. Top candle holder decorated with a loose torch.
Bronze
Marble Vase, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large lidded vase with a gadrooned wall with acanthus leaves and pine node. Marbre griotte and gilt bronze.
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Portico Clock Signed Cellier à Paris, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small portico clock made of gray marble with gilded applications. The cylindrical movement is enclosed between two columns, above which a figural top piece in the form of a seated Ch...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Fine Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Candlesticks
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant French Empire or neoclassical pair of doré bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted candlesticks. Measures: 4.75W x 11 H.
Crystal, Bronze
$940Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Detailed Ovoid Form Candle Holders
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Ovoid Form Candle Holders/ Candlesticks. Highly detailed antiquity.
Bronze
$63,719 / set
Empire Torchères, Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Empire torches or candelabra on a three-pass base tapering to the top and inlaid with brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves and floral motifs. Rising above three ...
Mahogany
$1,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Pair French Carved Alabaster Lighted Urn Torchieres
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair French Carved Alabaster Lighted Urn Torchieres Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with details.
Alabaster
French Empire Style Philosopher Bronze Clock Mount
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Philosopher Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock Mount, mid-19th century, depicting Socrates seated on rocky outcropping, writing "Oui / Lame / est / immortalle" [Yes ...
Bronze
Terracotta Bust Of Alexandre Brongniart After Jean-antoine Houdon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Patinated terracotta bust representing Alexandre Brongniart (1770-1847) son of the architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813), future mineralogist and director of the nation...
Terracotta
19th-Century Flame Mahogany Mantel Clock by Breguet Raised by Lion Paw Feet
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
An extremely rare mantel clock with a figured mahogany-veneered case by A-L Breguet Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), who was of Swiss origin, is undoubtedly the most celebrated clockmaker of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in France. He is responsible for the invention of the self-winding watch, the tourbillon and the sympathetic watch ( a watch that is placed in a cradle of a special clock. It is then linked by means of a pin fixed behind the clock dial. Built into the motion work which, when released by the clock, automatically sets the hands to the clock's time as well as correcting the watch's regulator necessitated by any degree of inaccuracy registered at the moment of synchronisation) and many other horological improvements and developments. Around the year 1807 Breguet brought in his son, Antoine-Louis (born 1776), as a business partner, and from this point, the firm became known as Breguet et Fils. Breguet had previously sent his son to London to study with the great English chronometer maker John Arnold...
Brass
French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze dore figure of perched eagle with spread wings (19/20th Cent.)
Bronze
Red Photo Frame French Empire Louis XVI style Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, with French Empire Louis XVI style border and rich ornamentation around th...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Mantel Clock with Putto in Chariot, signed Thiery à Paris, Early 19th C.
Located in Greding, DE
Empire mantel clock made of fire-gilded bronze. The scene shows a putto in a richly decorated chariot pulled by a jumping poodle. The clockwork is elegantly integrated into the wheel...
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock of Seated Cupid Holding a Rose
By Claude Hemon, Pierre-Victor Ledure
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Finest quality period French Empire clock depicting a seated winged cupid holding a rose; the case in gilt and patinated bronze. The clock show a gilt cupid...
Marble, Bronze
$15,103 / set
Pair of 19th Century French Parisian Vases
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine pair of antique porcelain vases, dating from the early 19th century in the Empire period, set on a square base and spreading socl...
Porcelain
$804 / set
Pair of French Porcelain Pharmacy Pots
Located in London, GB
Pair of French porcelain pharmacy pots. Gorgeous early C20th Pharmacie Métadier jars by Goumot-Labesse of Limoges. In excellent condition with no chips or cracks. Height 28cm Diame...
Porcelain
Photograph Frame Large Imperial Style White Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver shaped photograph frame with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and rich friezes in Louis XVI French Empire style. External measurements...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Clock Empire France
Located in New York, NY
A table clock made in France during the Empire 1790-1820. Made from blackened wood and burnt-gilt bronze. Godronned urn-formation, lion mascarons, pine cone all Empire attributes
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
Pair of 19th C French Gilt Bronze Ram’s Head Candlesticks w Musical Motifs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Ram’s Head and Musical Motif Decoration A richly detailed pair of 19th century French gilt bronze candlesticks, exemplifying...
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
“Horatius & the Fall of Rome” French Empire Antique Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH RESTAURATION ORMOLU & PATINATED BRONZE FIGURAL MANTEL CLOCK OF ROMAN PHILOSOPHER HORATIUS Paris, circa 1820; silk-suspension movement signed "Etablissement Barbot de Paris" 2...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent condition with finely chased dore bronze mounts. Has key and pendulum.
Bronze
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
$796Sale Price|25% Off
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820. The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Siena Marble, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Patinated and Gilded Bronze Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive pair of candelabra made in the era of Napoleon III in France circa 1870 are very powerful and impressive. Heavily cast with references to the classical past and profu...
Bronze
Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.
Bronze
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4.75" H x 11.5" W x 6.25" D.
Marble, Bronze
$6,135Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Bronze
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Richard Klemm Dresden Miniature Porcelain Portrait Cabinet Vase of Antoinette
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an excellent high quality porcelain vase. It is depicting a portrait of Antoinette in the center framed with gilt wreath of olives leaves against ...
Porcelain
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock
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
$11,995Sale Price / set|20% Off
Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire clock garniture with gilt bronze and Baccarat crystal. An important French Baccarat cut-crystal and ormolu mantel clock with four Corinthian style columns. The cut-crystal features a cross hatched diamond patterns throughout. The clock comes with two large Baccarat crystal and gilt...
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.
Brass
Pair Of 19th Century Doré Bronze Portrait Medallions Mounted on Carrara Marble
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 19th Century round French Royalty Doré bronze portrait medallions mounted on Carrara marble. Portraits are gold in color and trim and framed in 1.5" dark wood frame. Round br...
Marble, Bronze
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock, Early 19th Century, Austria
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
Bronze
Pair of Empire-Style Bronze and Siena Marble Candlesticks – Circa 1830
Located in IT
This exquisite pair of Empire-style candlesticks from circa 1830 features intricate bronze detailing atop rich Siena marble bases. Resting on tripod bases with lion paw feet, these c...
Siena Marble, Bronze
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
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Period Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly
By Gaston Jolly
Located in London, GB
Depicting a young woman seated at a table holding a book and looking at a celestial globe, above the central dial signed 'Gaston Jolly Paris' and flanked by two busts.
Bronze, Ormolu
19th century pair of French Empire ormolu candlesticks
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A magnificent pair of Empire ormolu candlesticks in the maner of Jean Demosthene Dugourc. Each with fluted, tapered shaft and delicate ornamentation, surmounted by three female heads...
Bronze
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez French, circa 1815 Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Gilt-Bronze & Variegated Green Marble Desk Set, c.1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
The base is composed of variegated green marble with a pen tray, ormolu trim and patarae motif. The ormolu well with lid is beautifully decorated with laurel wreath garland surround...
Marble
$7,400 / set
Pair of French Empire Style Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of bronze candelabras with a male figural base.
Bronze
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain Candlesticks with Lion Heads
Located in København, Copenhagen
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain candlesticks with lion heads. Dated 1969-1974. Model number 1/15. Measures: 23 x 8 cm. In excellent ...
Porcelain
French Gilt Bronze and Black Slate Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Gilt Bronze and Black Slate Mercury Compensated Mantel Clock, retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co., Philadelphia, early 20th century, the arched case in the French Empire style...
Slate, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Guilloché Decoration
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, early 19th century (circa 1805–1815). Each candlestick is formed with a tapering cylindrical shaft rising from a broad circula...
Bronze
Small French Empire Style Bust of Napoleon I
Located in Queens, 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."
Marble, Bronze
Empire-style portal clock, France, early 19th century, black
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire-style portal clock, France, early 19th century. Open portal case made of black stone with gilt bronze appliqués, enamel dial with Roman numerals, movement with hook escapement...
Belgian Black Marble
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze & Crystal Candlesticks
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze & Crystal Candlesticks in the Empire taste. France, circa 1930. Dimensions: Height 11 3/4" Diameter 4 3/4" CW5690
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, by Viennese Master, Dated 1804
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, plain silver candle holders on a round stand, foot laterally profiled, centred raised smooth shaft, in the lower third constriction by profiled bead ring, shaft widening...
Silver
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 hands are openwor...
Bentwood
$850Sale Price|29% Off
Tripod Cachepot Brass Bowl
Located in Sheffield, MA
Charmingly elegant antique Empire style brass bowl centerpiece on tripod hoofed feet and decorative handles in an 'abstract' animal form. Lovely aged brass patina all-over, can easil...
Brass
Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The adjustable spyglass with gilt brass trim and original leather case.
Lacquer
$2,529Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Bronze Fire-Gilded Pendule
Located in Berlin, DE
Great bronze pendulum. Base and pedestal with lavish floral and figurative embellishments such as rocaille, acanthus leaves, cartouches, garlands, putti and central masks. Additional...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell. Item features decorative cast bronze sphinx like figures all mounted on an oval green marble base wh...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample
Located in Dallas, TX
Charming French late 19th century Empire style salesman sample. Makes a fine accessory.
Wood
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...
Porcelain
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