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.
A.Carrier French bronze 19th Neapolitan musician playing a tambourine.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible A.CARRIER bronze 19th Neapolitan musician playing a tambourine.
Bronze
Pair of French Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French gilt bronze and patinated bronze four-light candelabra. France, early 19th century. Measures: H 22 in.
Bronze
Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved. Column-shaft as holder for four Sweeping candelabra arms. Diameter:30cm height:52 cm.
Brass
Pair of Russian Empire Malachite, French Bronze Centrepiece/Tazzas by Thomier
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of Russian Empire Period malachite, French doré bronze and cut crystal Tazzas, signed THOMIRE A PARIS. The square malachite bowls are...
Crystal, Malachite, Bronze
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of vases Barbediene foundry France Napoleon III
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Barbadians of Napoleon III Pair of vases with enamel Barbediene French foundry Very good condition (some natural wear) Gilt bronze and enamel Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin...
Bronze, Enamel
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
Pair of French Empire Style Onyx and Gilded Bronze Tazzas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of hand carved and polished onyx tazzas in the Empire style with gilded bronze mounts.
Onyx, Bronze
19th century French Empire Period Elm Barometer signed Gabriel
Located in London, GB
Empire Cistern Barometer by Gabriel Of rectangular form, with the case waisted, veneered in burr elm with mounts in the manner of Percier and Fontaine, of cistern type, with bronze ...
Ormolu
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.
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
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble - 19th cent.
Located in Parma, Emilia-Romagna
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
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Tarzana, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock. The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Bronze
$32,500 / set
Pair of Empire style candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of gilt bronze and marble Empire style candelabra
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Continental Faux Painted Malachite Wooden Pyramids
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of continental faux painted malachite wooden pyramids.
Pair of gilded columns in Empire style - Italy, 1980s
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant pair of turned and carved columns in the round, made of wood and fully gilded with pure gold leaf, with a particularly brilliant and rich finish. The columns are inspired by ...
Marble
Candelabras Male and Female 18-Karat Doré Bronze after Clodion the pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine pair of Cherub candelabras cast in Lost Wax bronze with fine Hi-Quality details and black patina and 18-karat Doré gold-plated made from the originals of Clodion. Wired and r...
Bronze
French Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in London, GB
A Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period Constructed in tole, being hand painted and decorated in the French Empire Neo-Classical manner of Jacques-Louis David; the...
Tin
$2,238Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Clock Holder, Granite and Steel with Picture St Stephans Dome
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A beautiful and exclusive clock stand made of steel and granite. Holding a picture of the Stephans-dome. The most famous church in Wienna, Austria. High quality craftsmanship on all...
Granite, Steel
Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine Russian Empire gilt- and patinated bronze desk top inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810. Rectangular shaped base raised on four turned fee...
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Vases In Polychrome Porcelain
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair Of Empire Vases In Polychrome Porcelain
Porcelain
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
pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces. Each two arm sconce is centered by a beautiful foliate bottom finial where the...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Bronze Empire Candelabras, France, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant pair of bronze Empire style candelabras with fine details, raised on paw feet. Beautifully oxidized Verdigris patina.
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Oval Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Empire st. oval ormolu inkwell. The inkwell is raised by pawed feet below a lattice design with rosettes in the center. Above are two ink dispensers ...
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras with Three Arms
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Charles X (19th Century) bronze dore 3 arm candelabras with candlestick bases in two sections. (PRICED AS Pair)
Bronze
Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An Important and very rare Empire period Paris porcelain ormolu-mounted Empire rectangular shaped two-handled casket decorated and assembled by ...
Bronze