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.
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
By Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter Napoleon III style French silver and glass jug Circa 1930 Origin France Excellent quality cut crystal, could be baccarat The silver part ha...
Crystal, Silver
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu-Mounted Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock. The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Rare Empire Clock Cabinet Sideboard, Antique Northern Swedish Country Gustavian
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique clock cabinet from Sweden made during the transitional time between the gustavian and empire period. The cabinet is from Northern Sw...
Pine
EARLY 19th CENTURY VIENNESE EMPIRE CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful clock in walnut root, enriched with maple fillets and with an ebonized wooden base. The decoration of the clock features gilded bronze friezes, inspired by classical elemen...
Bronze
Pair of Large Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Empire Style Vases
Located in London, GB
These splendid malachite and ormolu mounted vases are executed in the French Empire style, and are emblazoned with gilt decoration that has an unmistakable air of confidence, pride, ...
Malachite, Ormolu
A Pair of Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt Floor Candelabras, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt Floor Candelabras, 19th Century Description: Each with a tapered faux marble column shaft rising to double foliate collar and leaf carved d...
Wood
Pair Empire Period North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, & Tôle-Peinte Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
An extremely rare and unusual Pair Of North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, and Tôle-Peinte Potted Hyacinths/Cachepots, Possibly Baltic, Circa 1815-1825. Each Modeled As A Tôle-Peinte Sp...
Crystal, Ormolu, Tin
$1,700 / set
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends A pair of bookends. Each bookend features a metallic sculpture of a big cat, with one being a lion and the other a tiger. The sculptures are mo...
Marble, Metal
$2,850 / set
French Empire Doré Bronze Candlesticks, A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of French Empire Doré Bronze Candlesticks. These candlesticks feature a fluted and diamond-patterned shaft rising from a circular molded base with guilloché border. The upper se...
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of urns feature neoclassical motifs, including acanthus leaves, egg and dart borders, and Bacchus mask handles. The Verde antico marble plinth bases are mounted wi...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Bronze Sphinx
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) bronze reclining winged sphinx figure mounted on a tripartite black marble base
Bronze
Louis Marie Moris French bronze Napoleon on horseback . (1818-1883)
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large French bronze of Napoleon on horseback . Crossing the Alps on Marengo. Fine detail on a marble base . Large and impressive scale
Bronze
A Pair of French Empire Style Bronze and Sienna Marble Tazze, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Bronze and Sienna Marble Tazze, 19th Century Provenance: Purchased from a private Melbourne collection, 2009. Description: Each with a shallow ovoid...
Marble, 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
$12,000 / set
Pair of American Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Empire bronze dore 5 arm candelabras with square shaped bases and wreath designs. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Bronze
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 crafted, offering a clear, radiant ...
Crystal, Ormolu
$24,497 / set
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights French, 20th Century Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Snake Handled Meissen Urns
By Meissen Porcelain, Ernst August Leuteritz
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Stylish and chic pair of Meissen urns in Classic glazed white porcelain with gold accents. These urns are classical in form and feature entwined snakes as ...
Porcelain
19th Century Gilt Brass Table Mantle Clock
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century gilt brass mantle clock with the glass hood. Decor of foliage, arrows, and bow. Crowned by an angel with lyre. The glas dome has protected it beautifully and it is...
Bronze
19th Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb 19th century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Egyptian style Mantel Clock This clock was produced in the Fr...
Brass
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Wood
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.
Marble, Bronze
Antique Mantel Clock in Gilded Bronze, Empire Restoration Style, 1800s
Located in MADRID, ES
Spectacular mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock Early 19th century, Empire–Restoration period Dimensions: 56 cm high, 40 cm wide, and 15 cm deep. Paris movement with Brocot suspension ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival (mid-19th Century) urns / candleholders with rouge and black marble bodies, gilt bronze ornamentation and a removable top piece that flips to reveal a c...
Bronze
Pr. 19th Century Russian Cobalt Blue & Gold Ground Swan Handle Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality pair of Russian Empire cobalt blue and gold ground swan handle porcelain vases. Each piece is of Amphora form with a gorgeous 24K gold matted, burnished, and shiny front and backside decoration. The front panels consist of a young girl and a young boy, where the young girl is seen holding food on her head with a water pale in her hand walking through the town, while the boy is seen holding a basket of fruit up and walking it back home. The reverse of each of the vases is also elaborately decorated with one of the scenes being a comfy home with a beautiful woody landscape with a deer running through the backyard, while the other vase has a gorgeous landscape scene with a man riding a horse in the background. On either side of the vases are two-tone matte and burnished 24K gold swan form handles. Underneath the handles are 24K gold hand-painted decorations over a cobalt blue ground. The body runs down a waisted gold neck onto a rounded base which sits on a square gold plinth...
Porcelain
19th Century French Candlestick
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French candlestick is a stunning example of French craftsmanship, made of brass with intricate detailing. The candlestick features a textured body resembling scales...
Brass
$2,850 / set
A Pair of French Tole Urns
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of French Empire period toleware vases with black and gilt decoration the body with anthemion and patera decoration, standing on acanthus leave...
Tin
Rare Model Empire Clock Depicting Faustulus Discovering Romolus and Remus
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The highest quality late French Empire/Charles X mantle clock in terms of bronze casting, chasing, and gilding. The partially clad figure of Fau...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
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 ...
Silver
Pair French Empire Egyptian Doré Bronze Candelabra Designed by Charles Percier
Located in New York, NY
Thomier A Paris, A Monumental & Quite Rare Pair of French Empire Egyptian Style Doré Bronze and Patinated bronze Seven Light Candelabras After Designs by Charles Percier, Signed ...
Bronze
Italy Mid-18th Century Empire Pair Brass Candle Holders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy Mid-18th Century pair of brass Empire five lights candleholders or table lamps This wonderful pair of brass candle holders, is a magnificent hand made work by Italian artisan...
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE)
Bronze
Mid 19th c. Early French Silvered & Dore Bronze With Honey Alabaster Vase
Located in Louisville, KY
For those with discriminating taste for French antiques, this 19th century French Silvered and Dore Bronze with Honey Alabaster vase is nothing short of magnificent! Created in the style of Edouard Lievre, this vase is masterfully crafted with cast bronze with areas that have been silvered to showcase the intricate detail and texture. The side handles are silvered bronze with wreath hangers. At the base of the honey alabaster stone vase is a cherub face with silvered leaf head...
Alabaster, Silver, Bronze
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th c. French Empire Salmon Tole Monteiths or Cachepot Jardinieres
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair antique early 19th century French Empire tole monteiths or cachepot jardinieres decorated with a garland of gold leaves on a salmon tan ground. Measure 12" across over handles x...
Metal
$520Sale Price|20% Off
A 19 Century Bronze Statuette of a Standing Napoleon in uniform on a pedestal
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19 Century bronze statuette of Napoleon Bonaparte in uniform, standing with the trademark right hand tucked in his jacket and the other behind his back after an 1840 model ...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Empire-Style Longcase Clock
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive mahogany longcase clock with gilt and sculpted decorative bronze elements such as fantastic animals, diamond-shaped patterns, scrollwork, and foliage. This floor clock is ...
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock. The foliate and fruit engraved gilt-brass dial with enamel painted roman numerals. Inside with eight day movement w...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
$495Sale Price|37% Off
Bronze French Empire Style Candelabrum
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Bronze French Empire style candelabrum.
Bronze
Pair of French Empire style Bronze and Bronze Dore Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Spectacular Pair of French Empire style Bronze & Bronze Dore 12 light Figural Candelabra, late 19th Century, each depicting a standing winged Victory with outstreached ...
Marble, Bronze
A Rare Pair of French 19 Century Gilt Bronze Dolphin Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
These are an exceptionally rare pair of stylized standing gilt bronze dolphin six arm candelabra plus a central stem raised on a rectangular gilt bronze malachite veneered bases. T...
Malachite, Bronze
19th Century Russian Tazzas, Dolomite & Fire-Gilt Bronze, Empire Style
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of dolomite tazzas, Shelyabinsk region (Urals), fire-gilt bronze. Russia, Ekaterinburg, 19th century. Provenance: Ex collection Dolf Selbach (1929-2010).
Stone, Bronze
19th century French Empire Tole Monteiths or Cachepot Jardinieres
By Thomas Hope
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair antique early 19th century French Empire neoclassical tole monteiths or cachepot jardinieres circa 1820. Oval shape with handles at the side. Decorated with gold winged horses o...
Metal
Pair of Two white Opaline Glass Flower Vases Italy 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful collection of Vases made of opal glass made by Opalina Fiorentina, Italy. These types of articles and jewelry boxes were mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohem...
Glass
Mid 20th century framed Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian framed bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold detail...
Porcelain
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of spectacular and prominent antique French Empire-style figural patinated and gilt bronze candelabra. Each candelabrum takes the form of a fully modeled winged female figure,...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Griotte Red marble inkwell, Empire Period, early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of Tall Italian Torchères, Likely Naples, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A refined pair of Italian torchères made from mahogany, dating to the early 19th century and likely originating from Naples. The torchères rest on tripod bases with elegantly curved ...
Marble
French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Portico Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu portico clock. The clock raised on a rectangular base with finely chased borders and satin and burnish finish interlocking circ...
Ormolu
Cupid's Fire French Empire Mantel Clock by Bergmiller
By Bergmiller
Located in New Orleans, LA
French Empire Mantel Clock Bergmiller Circa 1810 A radiant expression of French Empire luxury, this exceptional mantel clock by Bergmiller combines the artistry of mercury-gilt bron...
Bronze
EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Brass
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, Empire style, France, early 19th century Magnificent mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, made in France around 1810-1820, at the height of the Empire ...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Brass Candle Sconces, Swan Design, Antique, 1820
Located in Austin, TX
Candle holder sconces from France from the Empire period. This finely cast pair of sconces features a solid brass structure with a swan holding two chained candle...
Bronze
Pair of French Early 19th C. Patinated and Dore Bronze Egyptian Revival Chenets
Located in New York, NY
This pair of French chenets from the Early 1800s is a stunning example of Egyptian Revival design. The chenets feature a stately dark patina bronze sphynx...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th-Century French Marble & Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Neoclass
Located in Berlin, DE
Elevate your interior with this exceptional antique French figural mantel clock, beautifully crafted in the 19th century in a refined Neoclassical / Empire style. Featuring a strikin...
Marble
Pair of 19th Century Aleppo Marble Cassolettes with Bronze Mounts, Empire style
Located in NICE, FR
Elegant pair of decorative cassolettes dating from the 19th century, crafted from richly veined Aleppo marble, prized for its warm tones and distinctive clouded pattern, widely used ...
Marble, Bronze
$3,601Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Portal Clock, Mahogany and Bronze, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Portal clock on a rectangular, stepped base in mahogany veneered with small bun feet. The stepped architrave is supported by four smooth columns, the capi...
Bronze
$9,500 / set
Black and Gold Carved Vase Statues - Set of 2
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved painted black and gold vase statues, the vase and base can be separated. Sits very tall at 7 feet but is very lightweight being made from wood. Likely originated in Franc...
Wood