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 Mantel Clock in Gilded Wood, Warrior Design, Austria, 1820-1830
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
Grey/Black Marble Bilboquet with Gilded Bees, Empire Classic Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This elegant bilboquet in grey and black marble is inspired by classical designs from the previous century. It is finely adorned with small gilded bee motifs, popular during the Empi...
Marble
Pair of Empire Six-Light Candelabra Attributed to Escalier De Cristal circa 1819
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A remarkable and highly important pair of Empire gilt-bronze and cut-crystal six-light candelabra attributed to Escalier De Cristal De Paris. French, circa 1819. This exceptional pair of candelabra can almost certainly be attributed to the workshops of l'Escalier de Cristal de Paris. They relate in particular to a dressing table and chair, now in the collection of the Louvre, which formed part of a toilette suite that was exhibited by L'Escalier de Cristal at the 1819 Paris exhibition of the Produits de l'industrie. The present candelabra may very likely have been made as part of this suite. In 'Baccarat: La Legende du Cristal', it states: "A l'Exposition des produits de l'industrie française de 1819, Mme Désarnaud présente une toilette, une cheminée, deux grands candélabres, deux tables, une grande pendule et plusieurs vases, en cristal et bronze...
Crystal, Bronze
Beautiful Pair of Russian Imperial Glass and Ormolu Mounted Tazza Centerpieces
By Imperial Russia
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Russian Empire Imperial Glass Manufactury and ormolu mounted white opalescent tazza centrepieces, each white opaline bowl beautifully hand cut and hand polished in flutted design with ribbed border; the Ormolu very finely hand chisseled and finished in two tome dore bronze gold...
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
Ormolu, 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 ...
Crystal, Ormolu
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.
Bronze
Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French Empire pendulum clock finely crafted of gilt bronze, featuring a young spinner wearing a classical dress, seating on the dial near a lyre ...
Bronze
Royal Empire Mantel Clock / Pendulum Clock, Fire-Gilt, Around 1805-1815, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire mantel clock / pendulum clock, fire-gilt, around 1805-1815, Paris Solid bronze, fire-gilded, Paris around 1805-1815, original French Empire from the first period. ...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Candelabras with 7 Lights
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a pair of 19th Century French Empire Style candelabras with 7 lights, featuring a luxurious design typical of the French Empire period. These decorative collectibles exude el...
Metal, Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell. This wonderful rectangular inkwell is raised on circular toupie shaped Ormolu f...
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Bisque Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Mantel Clock French Empire ormolu mounted Bisque porcelain mantel clock surmounted by a winged...
Porcelain
French 19th Century Empire St. Three Piece Porcelain from Limoges, France
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome 19th century French Empire st. three piece Limoges porcelain set, from Limoges, France. The three pieces, one bowl and two vases, are hand painted with wonderful scen...
Porcelain
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Sculpture of Soldier
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Statue of Soldier. Continental gilt bronze figure of a Classical soldier, late 19th century, with sword extended, resting on a gilded octagonal m...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Ormolu, Bronze
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:...
Crystal, Bronze
French Ormolu Table Clock, Bacchant Sitting On Wine Barrel, Paris, Around 1840
Located in Vienna, AT
Fire-gilded bronze table clock: a childlike bacchanal seated on a wine barrel under an arched vine arbour, holding grapes and a wine glass in his hands, on an oval base with an appli...
Bronze
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu Candelabras
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu and marble candelabras. Each candelabra is raised on a marble base with concave sides below the ormolu...
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Gilt-Bronze Clock Depicting Diana the Huntress. French, c 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire Period gilt bronze clock depicting Diana the huntress. The dial signed 'Thomas a Paris'. The white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands, the case sur...
Bronze
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 Bronze Inkwell Set, Swan Design, Antique, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) 4 piece bronze inkwell set with swan design. Inkwell, paperweight, pen holder, sandwell for cleaning nibs.(PRICED AS SET...
Bronze
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
$8,191Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Bronze
$9,650 / set
Antique Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Incredible pair of Empire style candelabra of gilt and patinated bronze. The backs are flat in order that they might be close to a wall.
Bronze
Early 19th Century Cup in Egyptian Porphyry and Bronze with Cupids
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Imposing cup in red, Egyptian porphyry featuring three cupids on a circular base. The patinated bronze cupids serve as the supporting stem for the wide-rimmed cup. Two of the cupids ...
Porphyry, 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
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
$960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Grainger Worcester Covered Urns, Porcelain, Pair, Hand-Painted, 1890
Located in Montreal, QC
This pair of simulated marble covered urns are amphora-shaped, raised on gilt hoof feet on a stepped trefoil base, each domed cover has a lobed fini...
Porcelain
19th Century Pair of French Empire Urns, Porcelain, 1880
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century French Empire Urns. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Porcelain
French Empire Steel Inkwell with Gilt Bronze Trim and Glass Inserts
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
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet. Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround. Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension. The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...
Ormolu
Pair of Large Fuseau Vases in Porcelaine de Paris, Empire Period
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large pair of painted fuseau vases in Porcelaine de Paris from the Empire period. The neck and the pedestal of the vases are in burnished gold and feature laurel crowns and stylized ...
Porcelain
Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
Ormolu
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Style Picture Frames
Located in London, GB
Pair of late 19th century French Empire style picture frames French, Late 19th century Height 16cm, width 11.5cm, depth 2/ 7 cm Circular in shape and mounted in an easel style, this...
Metal
$8,369 / set
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabras
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Stunning pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabras, featuring a winged cupid. He is standing on a sphere and holding a torch, which is surrounded by three curving candle branch...
Bronze
French Empire Candlesticks, Gilt Bronze, Fluted Design, 1800s
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French burnished gilded Empire candlesticks with light collars. The stems are fluted and decorated with acanthus leaves.
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
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Set 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 lacquered round ...
Bronze
Pair French Empire Bronze & Ormolu Medici Putti Vases on Grey Marble Plinths
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of French Empire Period Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Medici form Vases on Grey Marble Plinths, with neoclassical Putti Motifs. The pair of vases are constructed in the Medici f...
Marble, Bronze
Seated Female Figure in French Fire-Gilt Clock from Empire Era
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French fire-gilt clock depicting a seated female figure - Urania, I presume, judging from the iconography. Empire Era, 1800-1815. The gilding sh...
Bronze
French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire Ormolu and marble vert mantel clock of Cupid whispering. Wonderful original fire gilded mercury ormolu. The quality of the casting and chasing is superb, from the indiv...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century (Mid) Bronze Revolutionary Rooster Ornament
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century Bronze Revolutionary Rooster Ornament Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Pair of Ormolu Candlesticks with Original Handcut Threads
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire pair of ormolu candlesticks with original handcut threads. A very elegant pair of candlesticks with original orm...
Ormolu
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Magnificent Antique French Empire Gold Bronze & Marble Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1880.
Bronze
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Heinrich Goeschl, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style: The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Porcelain
1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and high quality pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks, circa 1805. This wonderful pair of ewer designed candlest...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
Located in London, GB
A very unusual French Empire Genre Arcadian mantel clock of a hunting scene. The primary subject is that of a finely dressed woman in riding habit, hat, whip and gloves riding side saddle on a fine patinated bronze hunter...
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm This fine gilt bronze man...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Marble and Bronze D'ore Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of antique French empire marble and bronze D'ore candelabra.
Marble, Bronze
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 lacquered round ...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set 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
Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Important pendulum in gilded bronze and onyx from the nineteenth century. The enamel dial. Made for the russian market. Large: 60 x 55 x 18 cm.. With pendulum and key 6550 euros.
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
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Porcelain
$10,534Sale Price|51% Off
19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine and decorative Swedish Cartel clock. Very elaborately carved wooden case flanked by two sculptural dolphins. The dial signed P. Ericsson Stoc...
Giltwood
French Empire Ormolu Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A fine French Empire ormolu desk standish. Set upon a circular base with top and bottom mouldings cast with leaf and dart decoration. The space be...
Ormolu
Empire period bronze and ormolu Grecian style pair of classical urns, circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
This superb quality pair of French Empire classical twin handled urns is very stylish and cast in very heavy solid bronze with alternate sections highlighted with original ormolu whi...
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century, French, Gilt Bronze Monkey Chef
Located in London, GB
A fantastically modelled gilt bronze monkey chef, he stands proudly on a black polished stone base.
Bronze
Pair of Continental Faux Painted Malachite Wooden Pyramids
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of continental faux painted malachite wooden pyramids.