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
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Large Fruit Vase Napoleon III, Empire 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Large fruit vase Napoleon III - Empire 19th Century
made of crystal and bronze.
A bright crystal flowerpot is mounted on a spiral rod formed by two swimming fish. French tan.
Width:...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th century pair of French Empire ormolu candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Porcelain Urn with Nautical Scene
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) white and gilt trimmed urn with scene of boats by coast and 2 handles with lion heads.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Paint, Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Empire Apprentice Commode in Walnut with Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th century French Empire Apprentice Commode in walnut with lift top. Table top item.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
A French Empire Clock of the Roman Goddess Aurora Announcing a New Day
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire allegorical mantel clock with a case of finely chased and gilt bronze. Aurora stands to the left of the circular clock plinth draping a starry cloak over the g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon III Crystal Vase, Empire, France 19th Century with Video
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III Crystal Vase - Empire - France 19th century
with gilt bronze and diamond padding on the bases.
Classic proportions and design.
H-35cm. Width: 20cm, Height: 35cm, Depth: ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Period French Empire Mantle Clock Depicting a Winged Cupid Playing a Lute
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine quality chased and gilded French Empire mantle clock depicting a standing winged cupid to the right of the clock plinth playing a lute. He looks to his right reading his sheet music and other elements including a torch, flambeau, wreath etc. On the left side of the clock plinth is a three legged...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire German Ormolu Mntd Mahogany Turtle Feet Jardiniere, Klinkerfuss & Münch
By Johannes Klinkerfuss
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic and Very Important Empire Period German Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Jardiniere Mounted on Dore Bronze Turtle Feet, In The Manner Of Johannes Klinkerfuss And Casimir Münch. This is truly a masterpiece jardiniere and was crafted by two of the greatest cabinet-makers of all time Johannes Klinkerfuss and Casimir Münch. This piece has an octagonal form with foliate and swan-decorated dore bronze hand-chiseled and two-tone matted gold gallery above a molded top. The gorgeous mahogany wood glistens beside the dore bronze mounts. Each inch of this piece is crafted of the finest quality. The upper mahogany jardiniere is mounted on eight gorgeously life-like top-quality dore bronze turtles, each hand-chiseled, chased and matted with two-tone gold.
Stuttgart, Circa: 1815.
Provenance: The Tony Ingrao...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bisque Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase 19th century 4 Seasons Putti Allegory
Located in Sweden, SE
Empire Vase (Tazza) produced in bisque porcelain by top level manufacture, possibly in Germany or France, in the second half of the 19th century and decorated with finely crafted fin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle
Located in Hamburg, DE
This cylindrical marble box with a lid is a sophisticated decorative piece that blends vintage charm with historical design influences. Crafted in the 1970s, it features a lightly pa...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Ormolu Bronze Cassolettes or Censers/Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of early 19th century, French ormolu bronze cassolettes. The censers having pierced tops and Candlestick receivers on the revers.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock of Seated Cupid Holding a Rose
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751-1843) Empire marble mantel (fireplace) clock. 1st quarter 19th century; Rouge Griotte marble and bronze doré...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair French 19th C. Blue & 2-Tone Gold Ground Porcelain Vases w/ Gold Handles
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Pair of French 19th Century Empire Blue and Two-Tone Gold Ground Porcelain vases with White Medallion Gold Handles. Each piece is beautifully hand-painted with gorgeous l...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Gilded Empire Hoop Sconce for Candles with Winged Figure and Three Eagles, 1860s
Located in New York, NY
AIS3010
A single gilded and patinated bronze candle sconce composed of a winged cherub or angel figure holding a fine, spiral bead-wrapped, reeded hoop, mounted with three eagles ho...
Category
1860s Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Figural Bisque Porcelain w Gilt Bronze Clock Napoleonic Officer 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Made of bisque porcelain in the middle of 19th century, presumably by Royal French Porcelain Manufacture de Sevres, the clock in the form of a scene where an elegant officer was depi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
French Circa 1870 Bronze Brass Mounted Letters Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French circa 1870 bronze brass mounted letters box. Period Second Empire. Patinated bronze with superb quality brass Egyptian & Greco-Roman motif mounts...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Griotte Marble, 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
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Single French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19thC French Empire style candelabra in yje manner of Thomire featuring a finely chased patinated bronze statue of Nike or Winged Victory holding aloft five gilt bronze can...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire period gilt bronze figural clock representing Amour & Psyche.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver, Brass
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Female Figures Vestals Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful French early 19th century Empire pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candlesticks with female figure decoration in the manner of Claude Galle:
Each candlestick with a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
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.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders from around 1820. They are made of fire-gilded bronze. Decorative acanthus leaves adorn the candleholders, along with fluting. Removable candle ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Superb Antique Italian Neoclassical Empire Bronze Figural Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A pair of superb antique Italian empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural candelabra lamps with royal markings, 19th century. Measure: Overall height 38.50”.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Fire Gilded Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful fire gilded Empire mantel clock with a shepherdess on top with a wreath and ribbon. On the left a staff with pan flute.
At the bottom of the clo...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire girandoles, France, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of French girandoles made of burnished and partly fire-gilt bronze, on a red marble base over spherical decoration. The candelabra figures, designed as Apollo and Diana, carry...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl Vase in Pink with Handles in Gold, Early Stamp
Located in Copenhagen, DK
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.
Category
1860s Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Table Clock Empire Period France
Located in New York, NY
A mantel clock made during the Empire period 1790-1820 in France. Made from burnished gilt bronze. The Greek God Apollo is playing the lyre with his feet resting on a guilded stool.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th c. French Empire Style Electrified Candelabra
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style candelabra. Each gilt-trimmed bronze candelabrum features a central urn-top arm surrounde...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Pair of Antique Austro-Hungarian Silver Candlesticks with Chased Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of silver candlesticks are hallmarked by an unknown maker, and believed to have originated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and date to approximately 1850, and done in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Pair of Paris porcelain standing baskets, Empire-period
Located in Paris, FR
Important pair of openwork baskets in white hard porcelain with gold decoration. The body, of flared circular shape, features a regular openwork design with ogive motifs, enhanced by...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Straight Crystal Vases with Ormolu Detail
Located in Toronto, ON
This gorgeous pair of Empire period French antique straight crystal vases epitomizes classic elegance and timeless beauty. The crystal is expertly cra...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Vert Patricia Marble Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble clock, signed Armingault à Paris. The clock is raised by an impressive rectang...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Metal, Copper
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Metal Four-Light Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt-metal four-light candelabras, probably French, c. 1900, designed in the Empire style, the base with acanthus borders, the body having reeded, beaded, fluted decorations ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Empire Figural Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
First quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751–1843), gilt bronze and marble, figural basket, possibly Nike, holding aloft a flared, reticulated b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Neoclassical ‘Old Paris’ Porcelain Vases
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine pair of early French Empire porcelain vases, (unsigned but attributable to either the Nast or Dagoty factories in Paris). Each vase has a large gilded satyr’s heads to the sid...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Wonderful Empire Dore Bronze Rock Crystal Neoclassical Figure Candlestick Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Empire doré bronze rock crystal neoclassical figure candlestick lamp
Stamped made in France on base
Completely rewired.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Crystal & Gilt Bronze Vase
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very high quality cut crystal and ormolu gilt bronze, France, by Baccarat, 19th century. Scroll handles featuring classic heads at the bottom.
Dimensions: Height: 12 1/4" Diameter...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century Clock, Baillon in Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a unique, authentic antique French table or mantel clock. It is in finely chiseled and gilded bronze. The dial with outer Arabic numerals and inner Roman numerals and a fine pair of pierced gilt brass hands for the hours and minutes. Next to the clock is a tall lady figurine, accompanied by a child. The woman is holding a book in her right hand and a feather pen in her left hand. On the other side, the child draped in the Antique is standing on books and holding a paper. The white marble base rests on four small spinning feet.
This clock was made by Jean-Baptiste Baillon III, one of the most skilled and innovative makers of his day. Baillon achieved almost unprecedented success to become “the richest watchmaker in Europe” - F.J. Britten. He was also one of the most important clockmakers of the eighteenth century and undoubtedly the most famous member of a long line of clockmakers. His success was largely due to his ability to organise a vast and thriving private factory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye which was unique in the history of eighteenth century clockmaking. The renowned horologist, Ferdinand Berthoud was among many to be impressed by its scale and quality and in 1753 noted that Baillon’s “house is the finest and richest Clock Shop. Diamonds are used not only to decorate his Watches but even Clocks. He has made some whose cases were small gold boxes...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, 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."
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Matte and Burnished Gilt Porcelain Vases
Located in Firenze, IT
Pair of French 19th century Empire porcelain two handles baluster-shaped vases. The body of each vase is in two-toned gold exceptionally tooled with matte and glazed gold. The vases ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris
Located in London, GB
Superb quality French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock in a beautifully restrained case. The casting and gilding of the finest quality. A classically dressed maiden st...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Two-Tone Pair Fine Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze two-tone pair of fine candelabras.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Period Marble and Ormolu Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period marble and ormolu clock.
French Carrara marble Portico clock with extensive ormolu fretwork mounted on two finely decorated marble columns ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Palatial pair of "Chevaux de Marly" france bronzes circa 1850
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large pair of "Chevaux de Marly" in bronze with spectacular work on the bases. Circa 1850 in perfect conditions.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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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