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
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Two pairs of candleholders in malm, which is a brass alloy with added copper. The cobber gives the brass a darker color.
The hei...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Marble & Bronze Mantel Clock with Cassolettes
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your mantel with this large Empire clock garniture set. Crafted in Paris, circa 1860, this French antique clock set is a stunning examp...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock, Machine Signed L. Moinet, France
By Louis Moinet
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock, machine signed L. Moinet A Paris. France, early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th c Second French Empire Pair of Silver Plated Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This classic pair of antique French candlesticks are hand crafted of silver plate and brass Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a round heavily embossed f...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Antique French Empire Style Gilt Eagle Motif & Emerald Glass Paperweight
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, early 20th century.
An antique French empire style paperweight. The paperweight features an emerald green glass base adorned with gilt bronze laurel wreaths surrounding a ce...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, 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
Attractive Vintage Vase Kaiser, Pavillon, Germany Porcelain Large Vase
By Kaiser
Located in Bastogne, BE
Attractive vintage vase with handles by Kaiser, Pavillon, Germany.
Baluster-shaped vase made of white high quality porcelain with gilding ...
Category
1980s German Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in New York, NY
An Exquisite Antique French Period Empire Neoclassical gilt bronze figural clock embellished with figure of a neoclassical woman and bird.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu, Steel, Enamel
Gilt Bronze Table Clock « the Gardener Angel » French Work, Circa 1805
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
"L''Amour jardinier" is a gilt bronze table clocks with a garden angel and garden decors.
The garden angel is on a scale and catches a butterfly. The m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts (CW5595). The quality is superb, chasing is 10 on 10. France, circa 1870. Dimensions: Height 15 1/2", the base i...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Princely Pomp Candlestick After Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. Fully sculpted figures (Viktoria). Carrying on the head and supporting with the hands torch-shaped shaft with 12 cornucopia, curved lighthous...
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1990s Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
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.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of 19th Century Empire Siena & Ormolu Candelabra In The Neoclassical Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning & most attractive pair of early 19th century Empire three-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in the Neoclassical style. Each candelabra is raised by four wreathed to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Pair 19th Century French Empire Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome pair of 19th century French Empire candlesticks, an urn atop a column supported by lions paw feet... lovely on a dinner table, in...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century
Provenance:
Private Melbourne Collection.
Description:
In full military dress, his sword sheathed and arms folded over his chest, his ri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique bronze candelabra with antique crystal, with 3 candleholders. Marble beige base 4" x 6".
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Period Porcelain Campana Vases, Parisian, circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Paris porcelain vases, designed in campana form with the front featuring circular vignettes with landscape scenes, on the reverse are framed musical trophies created t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Large Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux 1872 bronze "Le genie de la Danse" france.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible rare and large bronze for JEAN-Baptiste CARPEAUX 1872 representing "Le GENIE de la Danse".
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period gilt bronze figural clock.
Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Italian Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt Clock
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical parcel-gilt clock. Roman military Empire period mantel clock of obelisk form topped by an extraordinary eagle with outs...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Empire Venus Sculpture
Located in Ljungby, SE
A decorative sculpture depicting Venus emerging from the bath. The sculpture was made of plaster during the Empire period, likely in Sweden. The color is the original, restored finish.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Exquisite Period Empire Clock, featuring Cupid (in patinated bronze) with his bow & arrow, next to him a quiver & torch. The body of the clock with bas relier decoration and anthe...
Category
Early 1800s European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
A fine French Empire gilt bronze mantle clock signed Robillard A Paris
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century French Empire gilt bronze figural clock signed Robillard A Paris . Fine quality and casting . The gilt is in excellent condition . The clock is in working co...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Fire Gilded Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style fire gilded bronze mantel clock.
French fire gilded bronze mantel clock with separate bronze base and po...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
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
1900s Pair of Empire Style Petite Gilt Vases
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty pair of quadrangular-shaped crystal vases, decorated with exceptionally detailed gilt-brass ormolu mounts in the Louis XVI style. These vases date from around 1900 and ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Wonderful French Empire Dore and Patinated Bronze Cherub Putti Wreath Clock
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré and patinated bronze Cherub Putti wreath clock, not currently in working order, back cover is missing as is bel...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French 1870 Third Empire Napoleon III Pair of Urns in Marble with Gilded Ormolu
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of mythological Urns from the French third Empire period.
Fabulous decorative pieces, created in Paris, France during the period of the Third French Empire under Napoleon III...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Siena Marble, 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.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Rare 19th Century Russian Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
An Extremely Rare 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell. The inkwell features a circular base with a faceted crystal insert, framed by an ...
Category
1820s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Napoleon Bronze Sculpture Desk Inkwell, Signed Emile Pinedo
By Émile Pinedo
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Napoleon Bonaparte bronze desk inkwell, signed Pinedo with foundry mark. Mounted over a Green Alps marble.
Antique signed 19th large bronz...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Empire clock in bronze with two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th century
Weight: 11.00 kg
Sizes: H 51cm x L 39cm
France
very good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Period French Empire Mantle Clock
By Claude Galle
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 open 'wheel' of the chariot contains the outer enamel clock dial...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, 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...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pressed Wood Snuff Box, 19th Century "Fete Flamande"
Located in Spencertown, NY
Dancing scene with violinist and dancing couple.
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
French Portico Timber Clock, circa 1815
Located in Pymble, NSW
A brilliant French portico clock with ormolu mounts and pendulum mounted with 2 swans with 'blackened' necks and wings.
The timber is gleaming with its...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Burl
19th Century Antique Bronze Statue Of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Bilzen, BE
Old bronze statue from the beginning of the 19th century of Napoleon Bonaparte of fine quality.
Original aged patina
Total height 22 cm, base 8.8 x 8.8 cm, heigth figure 9 cm
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Empire style table clock and inkwell
Origin France Circa 1900
The watch has a Paris machine and it works
Golden bronze and Onix materials
Very good general condition
the marble ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Gilt and Opaline Glass Urn
Located in Dallas, TX
An Empire style gilt and opaline glass urn.
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Opaline Glass
Pair of gilt bronze Retour d'Egypte candlesticks, Empire period, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
The pair of candlesticks from the Empire period featuring caryatids are exquisite examples of neoclassical design, typical of the early 19th century, particularly during the reign of...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Centerpiece with Putto Decor, Bronze and Glass, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire centerpiece made of cut glass and fire-gilded bronze with griffin decor and small putto figure in the center.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Impt Pair of French Empire Ormolu Covered vases/Potpourris, Att. Thomier A Paris
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Rare Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu Covered Potpourris, Attributed to Thomier A Paris. This pair dates to 1810, which is the illustrious French Empire period. These remarkable urns serve as prime examples of the impeccable artistry and superior craftsmanship that characterized the first empire era. Notably, the urns feature figural cherub handles positioned atop rams' heads, engaging in musical endeavors, which adds an alluring touch of sophistication to their design.
The captivating allure of these urns is further enhanced by their meticulously hand-chiseled gilded bronze composition, adorned with a splendid two-tone finish. Standing at an impressive height of 24 inches, these urns exemplify an unwavering dedication to detail. Each urn boasts a main body adorned with elegantly crafted relief dancers...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali
Located in Benington, Herts
A large and impressive French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock of exceptional quality and colour.
French (possibly retailed in Italy) - Circa 1820.
The finely chased and original gilt bronze case depicting Orpheus playing his lyre with an eight-day bell striking movement, outside countwheel, backplate initialled and numbered 'A C D 1516’.
The dial with Roman numerals and inscribed Riccardo Pacinoti of Lavourne. It is a French movement (silk suspension) striking the hour and half hour. The case in the form of an oblong pillar cast with anthemium and cornucopia beneath a draped urn and a laurel wreath, flanked by the figure of Orpheus playing his lyre, the stepped plinth cast with wonderfully detailed underworld scenes, on leaf scroll feet.
In excellent condition the clock case has been cleaned with the movement completely overhauled and serviced to the highest standard by a specialist restorer.
In general 19th century French bronze clocks...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th c. French Empire Bronze Dore Nike Candelabra
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style bronze dore three arm candelabra, each featuring a classical winged victory or Nike figure positioned atop a tiered, architectural pede...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Large Sculpture of an Eagle in Silver Plated Metal, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, 20th century.
Sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, could be a sculpture for a desk or a nice centerpiece, Empire style, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Vintage Gilded Brass Bronze Figural Elephant Small Candlesticks, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gilded brass bronze figural elephant small candlesticks - a pair. Item features a gold gilded finish, great elephant form casting, nice small Size, very nice vintage item, gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire style bronze mantel clock.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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.
H: ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1900s Empire Style Urn Vase Pot, Rudolf Wächter, Germany
Located in Skien, NO
Elegant Vintage Empire-Style Urn Vase by Rudolf Wächter, 1960s
A stunning Empire-style urn vase or jardinière pot in glazed porcelain, adorned with exquisite rose decorations encirc...
Category
20th Century German Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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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