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.
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
Pair of Empire Style Vases in Blue and Gold Porcelain
Located in Prato, IT
Germany, mid-20th century Empire style Blue and gold painted porcelain and white background band with floral decoration Dimensions cm W28 x D20...
Porcelain
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...
Bronze
Viennese Empire Portal Clock With Caryatids And Gilded Fittings, Around 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Complete Vienna clock on six stocky ball feet made of alabaster, architecturally structured wooden case with fruitwood veneers in the shape of a portal, steps in front flanked by two...
Alabaster, Brass
Unusual Pair of Empire Two Branch Candelabra in Gout d'Egypt or Egyptian Style
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual pair of French Empire or possibly Russian two branch candelabra in the gout d'Egypt or Egyptian style which was extremely popular, circa turn of the 18th century. Set on square patinated bronze bases each female figure stands upon a finely cast ormolu...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Bronze and Marble Desk Top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
Empire bronze and marble desk top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium. This magnificent large scale empire period desk top inkstand has a true country house presence about it. The sig...
Marble, Bronze
Imperio Obelisk in Tortoiseshell Inlaid with Semi-Precious Stones
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Huge obelisk from the French imperial period in tortoiseshell with semi-precious stones resting on balls.
Tortoise Shell
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th C. Sicilian Glass Pharmacy Jar Set, 3 Pieces
Located in Ross, CA
Originally handblown in Sicily in the early 19th century, this impressive pharmacy pot incorporates two separate containers and a lid, and would have been...
Blown Glass
Unusual Pair Of Russian Empire Figural Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
An important pair of Russian Empire Figural patinated and Dore Bronze six-light candelabras with maidens and putties with verde antico marble bases. Eac...
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks, circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
A superb pair of early 19th C French empire bronze candlesticks. This very fine pair of early 19th century French candlesticks are...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabra with Caryatids
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Empire bronze and marble candelabra with three branches each. The lights are supported by bronze caryatids with dark brown patina, who are dressed in long tunics à l’antique ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Red Tôle and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Neoclassical style red tôle and gilt bronze vases French, late 19th Century Height 53cm, width 24cm, depth 17cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mounted red...
Metal, Ormolu
Italian Empire Silver and Silver Gilt Inkstand
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of oval shape, with a cupid holding a bow and arrow riding aloft a gilt dolphin forming a lid over a compartment, flanked by ink and sand pots on masked plinths cast with Medusa masks and mounted to a lion's-paw footed oval galleried tray...
Silver
Monumental Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms. Measures: Diameter 33cm, height 62cm.
Brass
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”.
Bronze
Two Empire Period Gilt Porcelain Vases by Dihl Et Guérhard
Located in London, GB
These beautiful painted and gilt vases were crafted in circa 1810 by the important Parisian porcelain factory, Dihl et Guérhard (French, 1781-circa 18...
Porcelain
Fine 19th century French ormolu mantel clock (pendule) by Leroy a Paris, c. 1825
By LeRoy
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A most beautiful French ornolu mantel clock by Leroy à Paris A lovely French late Empire/early Charles X mantel clock with an ormolu case, c. 1825. The ormolu brass case depicts a celebration of Science and Learning. It is dominated by a rectangular superstructure containing the movement, flanked by an engine-turned column with a celestial globe on top on the left and an elegant lady reading a book on the right. The superstructure is surmounted by a bookcase and a bust of Socrates...
Brass, Ormolu
Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris
By Thiéry Paris 1
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock by Thiéry, Paris. Thiery Paris, late 18th century. The drumcase cont...
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Bronze
$7,917 / set
French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Empire influenced green marble clock set. Having the arched clock with a white enamel clock face, an eight day striking m...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Mantel Empire clock bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Magnificent empire clock in its original gilding , one of the most beautiful models executed at this time.The beauty of this woman standing ,the base decorated with children one of w...
Bronze
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
Cachepots in porcelain circa 1870 signed H.B &Cie - Choisy le Roi pair.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of planters in porcelain circa 1870 signed in the base H.B & Cie - Choisy le Roi representing "Chimeras winged"
Porcelain
$6,850 / set
Pair of Gilded, Mirrored, Period Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of period, hand carved, gessoed, and 22-karat gold gilded, Second Empire, French sconces. Each with gilt bronze arms, and inset with original, mercury glass mirrors. Each with...
Bronze
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
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
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
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
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Empire Period Pair of Bronze Candleholders, Neoclassical
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Emprie Period pair of bronze candleholders, neoclassical A rare collector quality pair of French First Empire candleholders. A classical bi...
Alabaster, 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
$32,500 / set
Pair of Empire style candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of gilt bronze and marble Empire style candelabra
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock "Pouring Wine"
Located in Tarzana, CA
A fine Early 19th century French Empire ormolu bronze mantel clock. Depicting a winged cherub standing atop a barrel while a kneeling lady pouring wine ...
Bronze
French Empire Fire-Gilded Bronze Candlesticks, Circa 1800
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders in fire-gilded bronze. They feature decorations of fluting and acanthus leaves. The candle sleeves are removable.
Bronze
$2,294Sale 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
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
Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze Cut-Glass Centerpiece
Located in New York, NY
Cut-glass centerpiece with gilt bronze mounts. Hair line crack in bowl.
Bronze
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
19th Century French Empire Dore Bronze Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Empire doré bronze clock, France, 1880s.
Bronze
Bronze Dore Antique Photo Frame 7" H x 9-1/2" W
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bronze Dore Antique Photo Frame. Excellent condition. 7" H x 9-1/2" W.
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Vases In Polychrome Porcelain
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair Of Empire Vases In Polychrome Porcelain
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock
By Normant
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Vase-shaped mantel clock in gilded porcelain. Breguet hands track the hours and minutes on white, enamel dial with hours marked in Roman numerals. The porcelain is interspaced with g...
Porcelain
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Rouge de France marble and Ormolu urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative pair of French 19th century Empire st. Rouge de France marble and Ormolu urns. Each wonderful lidded urn is raised by an Ormolu rimmed circular marble base supporti...
Marble, Ormolu
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
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
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