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.
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
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
Pair of Elegant Gilded and Dark Patinated Empire Candlesticks, circa 1810
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of extremely elegant gilded and dark patinated bronze Empire Candlesticks. Probably made i Paris around 1810. Beautiful contrast between the gilded and dark patinated bronze. ...
Bronze
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
Bronze
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
$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
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire miniature commode. A well executed miniature chest made of walnut and veneer of walnut with two large drawers below a smaller top drawer and with solid walnut columns. Inscription written in ink on the back of each of the large drawers: Don D...
Walnut
Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The adjustable spyglass with gilt brass trim and original leather case.
Lacquer
$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
Pair of Empire "Retour d' Egypt" Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of "Retour d' Egypt" candlesticks. Patinated Bronze shafts toped with fire gilt bobeches on top of figural Caryatids standing on a round base encircled with floral decoration.
Bronze
$5,000Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire style bronze mantel clock.
Brass, Bronze
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 French Empire Bronze and Marble Campana Form Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of Classical style urns are finely cast featuring acanthus leaves, mask form handles, and laurel leaf wreaths on Sienna marble plinth form bases.
Bronze
$6,122Sale 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
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Ram Head Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire bronze dore 6 arm candelabras with 3 ram heads and 3 claw feet supported on a 6 sided triangular base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Ormolu
Royal Copenhagen Figure H.C. Andersen
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen figure H.C. Andersen Measures: 19 cm. In perfect condition. Designed by Hanne Warming. 2. Factory quality.
$2,350 / set
Restauration Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Restauration Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, circa 1830, each with five branches on reeded leaf-capped tapering columns and conforming bases. 38.5" H x 10.25" W x 6.25" D.
Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
Empire Clock, "The Astronomy Lesson", early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
A mercury gilt bronze clock depicting two young women dressed in antique style sitting in Etruscan-style shepherdesses on either side of a draped table with claw feet, studying a map...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent condition with finely chased dore bronze mounts. Has key and pendulum.
Bronze
Antique Empire Head of Hermes Carved Wood Messenger of Zeus God of Merchants
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful head of Hermes wearing his winged helmet is carved out of boxwood and has preserved the original gilding. The head is mounted on a blacke...
Boxwood, Oak
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
$3,995Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century French Empire Style Portico Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style portico clock. This e Empire style clock features Carrara marble, bevelled glass, bronze accents and a crystal r...
Rare Empire French Fire Gilded Center Piece Tazza Warrior Horses Harp
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Thomire & Cie.
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
More than 200 years old showpiece for on the table. Made from glass, fire-gilt bronze and green veined marble. Beautiful horses with a warrior and mythological figures with harp and ...
Marble, Bronze
$2,524Sale 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
$4,521Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Inkstans Empyre Style
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Empire style 800 silver inkstand The base of the inkstand, completely handmade, is shaped like a "cathedral". The classic "palmettes" of the Empire style have been chiseled around i...
Silver
Pair of Empire Style Silvered and Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Marble Bases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very large French 19th century French Empire style silvered and gilt bronze candelabra with marble bases.
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
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
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
French Empire Steel And Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (19th Century) steel inkwell with gilt bronze trim with four original glass inserts and a side drawer.
Bronze, Steel
$3,579Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Wall-Mounted Flower Basket in Scandinavian Design
Located in Greding, DE
A vase-shaped, semi-circular flower basket from the 19th century. The wall is adorned with intricate leaf motifs and rosettes, defined by vertical struts. A narrow beaded brass band ...
Wood
Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl Vase in Pink with Handles in Gold, Early Stamp
Located in København, Copenhagen
Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl vase in pink with handles in gold. Early stamp. Dated 1865. 1st. assortment. In perfect condition. Measures 29.5 x 14.5 cm.
Gilt Bronze Ink Stand with Candlestick, French Empire
Located in Knivsta, SE
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze ink stand with candlestick. French empire, probably made in Paris around 1810. The gilt bronze with some patina. Wear...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Clock from the 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style gilt bronze clock from the 19th century. 19th century Empire style gilt bronze clock with porcelain dial, minor restoration to the porcelain to be expected, movement to...
Bronze
Pair of Empire Period Silver Candlesticks England circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Empire period standard silver candlesticks from England circa 1820. Each stick has a squared tapered shaft decorated with still-leafed border as well as beaded bandi...
Silver
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...
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Marble Paperweight with Figural Bronze Bird of Prey 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Late 19th century nice quality bronze and dark green marble work. The finely detailed plumage of the bird with its fierce gaze demonstrates the handiwork of the craftsman. In a world...
Marble, Bronze
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
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
Clock Pendulum Empire France
Located in New York, NY
Table pendulum clock made in France during the empire period, 1790-1810. Made from gilt bronze. Depicting a man holding a cornucopia.
Bronze
Antique Alabaster Sculpture, Woman with a Basket of Grapes, Italy, 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Antique alabaster sculpture, woman with a basket of grapes, Italy, 19th century An elegant antique sculpture carved in alabaster, depicting a young peasant woman carrying a basket o...
Alabaster
Very Handsome Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Brass Candlesticks, Circa 1820
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome & tall pair of early 19th century French Empire gilt brass candlesticks. Both showing reeded columns rising up from circular bases decorated by hand with finely chiseled motifs, to similarly addressed urn-shaped nozzles with detachable bobeches. Constructed in three sections, with the nozzle and column firmly attached to the base by means of a full length threaded metal post...
Brass
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras with Sphinx Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire bronze dore 4 arm candelabras with figural sphinx decorations on the triangular bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Bronze
Birth of the King of Rome, Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze clock representing The Birth of the King of Rome or the allegory of the Birth of Love Empress Marie-Louise is standing near a cradle filled with roses with a winged cupid in the middle; decor of an Athenian woman with rams' heads and a curtain draped...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Ljungby, SE
An Empire mantel clock in gilded wood, made in Austria or Germany 1820-1830. It features a warrior dressed in classical armor with his arm resting atop the clock. The clock pillar is...
Wood
$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
Pressed Wood Snuff Box, 19th Century "Fete Flamande"
Located in Spencertown, NY
Dancing scene with violinist and dancing couple.
Pair Bronze Candelabras - Large French Cherub Manner Clodion
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style bronze cherub candelabras Good size to them at three feet - 91 cm - tall Classic French Empire look, great interiors driven pair In the manner of...
Bronze
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble - 19th cent.
Located in Fidenza, IT
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble from the first half of the 19th century. The corbels feature the face of a female figure, probably a goddess or ...
Marble, Bronze
Fine Quality Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze lamps on square base. Each of the four sides of the base having a reef design. The rest of the...
Bronze, Ormolu
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...
Bronze
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
19th Century French Empire Malachite and Gilt Bronze Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine 19th century French Empire malachite and gilt bronze centerpiece. Cut crystal top bowl .Fine mercury gilt bronze sphinx's.
Malachite
Italian empire style table stand in finely crafted brass and bronze early 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Table stand in finely crafted brass and bronze, early 1900s Table stand with double display, in brass and bronze. The two brass rod displays are adjustable. The structure is...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Three-arm Silver Plated Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
Antique three-arm candle holder, crafted in a silver plated metal with rich classical detailing. The central stem is adorned with a pinecone motif, symbolizing abundance and elegance...
Metal
French Empire Mahogany and Cut Crystal Columned Portico Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare example of a late French Empire portico clock combining the use of mahogany casing with gilt bronze mounts and cut crystal. The four pillars linking the top and bottom section...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Patinated Bronze Empire Period Medici Urns
Located in Montreal, QC
Paire of Patinated Bronze Empire Period Medici Urns
Bronze
Wonderful Pair Dore Bronze Two-Arm Winged Putti Cherub Neoclassical Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of doré bronze two-arm winged putti cherub neoclassical candelabras Measures: 18" H x 6.5" W x 4" D.
Bronze