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.
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This superb Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. it has a rectangular shape with rounded sides Table Cigar Box has hand engraving, with orange and ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, by Jakob Krautauer, Vienna, 1803
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, plain silver candlesticks on a round base, foot profiled at the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre, constriction in the lower third by a profiled band, shaft widen...
Silver
19th Century French Empire Bronze Eagle on Yellow Marble Base
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) bronze figure of eagle perched on yellow marble column base
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 3.5" H x 6.5" W x 3.25" D.
Marble
Antique French Empire Gilt-Tooled Morocco Leather Box, 1820
Located in Roma, IT
A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box This wonderful rectangular box is decorated overall with sets of lace pattern friezes. In Morocc...
Leather, Wood
Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg. The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire mantel clock in mercury-gilt bronze, France, early 19th century Magnificent French Empire-era clock, made in mercury-gilt bronze with a fine allegorical scene: an angel playin...
Bronze
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Marble, 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
Pair Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze & Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire patinated bronze & gold bronze candelabra, Circa 1860. These handsome patinated candelabra would be a fine addition to any sideboard or large server...
Bronze
Palace size Marble and Bronze Dore’ Clock Adorned with Psyche and Amor Figures
Located in Houston, TX
Amazing clock depicting the tale of Amor and Psyche which Is about the god of love in Greek mythology. Large bronze Dore figures adorn the pediment sta...
Bronze
19th c, French Empire Table Clock
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century French, Charles X bronze, brass and sienna marble table clock from the Empire period. Signed Ravrio Bronzier, ca 1820 France.
Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze
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
19th Century Pair of French Empire Porcelain Vases Dagoty Paris
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, important pair of hand-painted Parisian porcelain Medici vases. They feature elegant neoclassical motifs on the bodies: swans with outstretched wings and panoplies. The to...
Porcelain
Pair French Empire Figural Bronze Candelabra Signed Chibout
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This finely detailed, and hand chased pair of bronze candelabra were made by Pierre Chibout. Active 1806-24, he worked with Claude Francois Rabiat who's workshop he took over in 181...
Bronze, Ormolu
Large Neoclassical Cache-pot Vase in Green Marble Rome 19th Century Grand Tour
Located in Pistoia, IT
Imposing serpentine marble vase, also called "Prato green." Rome, neoclassical period, first half of the 19th century. In the Neoclassical period Roman workshops produced fine marble...
Marble
An Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, C. 1815
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, c. 1815, attributed to Baccarat. Made from the finest quality mercury gilding ormolu, this clock depicts an allegory seated...
Crystal, Ormolu
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...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Monumental Marble and Bronze Dore’ Clock Adorned with Psyche and Amor Figures
Located in Houston, TX
Amazing clock depicting the tale of Amor and Psyche which Is about the god of love in Greek mythology. Large bronze Dore figures adorn the pediment standing on a rectangular Marble b...
Bronze
French Empire Style Cupid Riding Panther Gilt Metal and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Cupid Riding Panther Mantel Clock, gilt metal mounted siena marble, brass clock face marked "Quartz" with Roman numerals with foliate friezes to either side, on r...
Siena Marble, Metal, Brass
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
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Allegorical Clock Depicting Roman Triumph and Power
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural gilt bronze French Empire clock, ‘Allegory to Triumph and Power’. A Roman emperor stands to the right of the central rectangular plinth housing the movement; atop the plint...
Bronze
$4,720Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Malachite on a Bronze Doré Gilded Stand Desk Decorative Object LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire Style Malachite on a Bronze Doré Gilded Stand Desk Decorative Object LA. A Beautiful Empire style malachite orb on a bronze Doré stand retour d'Egypte of 3 figures of standing...
Malachite, Multi-gemstone, Bronze
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
Unusual Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock in the Form of an Accanthus Plant
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Exceptional French Empire Mantel Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze A rare and visually arresting French Empire mantel clock, masterfully crafted in the form of a sculptural acanthus...
Bronze
French early 19th century Porphyry and Ormolu garniture Clock Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and complete French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Porphyry and Ormolu garniture clock set. This wonderful three piece garniture set is comprised of a central clock ...
Porphyry, Ormolu
19th Century American Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras with Gilt Finish
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Empire bronze dore 5 arm candelabras with square shaped bases and wreath designs. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Bronze
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A superb pair of French Empire candlesticks, finely cast and richly adorned in mercury-gilt bronze, dating to the 1820s. Thes...
Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock with Putto in Chariot, signed Thiery à Paris, Early 19th C.
Located in Greding, DE
Empire mantel clock made of fire-gilded bronze. The scene shows a putto in a richly decorated chariot pulled by a jumping poodle. The clockwork is elegantly integrated into the wheel...
Bronze
$3,400
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Brass
French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Bronze
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze. Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze with dark patinated column. French Empire during the 1820s. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon. Stained.
Plaster
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.
Walnut
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
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet,...
Stone
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4. Two pairs of candleholders in malm, which is a brass alloy with added copper. The cobber gives the brass a darker color. The hei...
Brass
19th Century Meissen Group of Calvary General Mikhail Kutuzov with Aide de Camp
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large 19th century Meissen porcelain Group of Russian Calvary General, believed to be Mikhail Kutuzov, the hero of Borodino, with aide de camp, marked with the Meissen underglaze blue crossed swords, and incised and impressed with numbers. While Russia endured great hardships during Napoleon's invasion, it was the skill of her general's and a terrible Russian winter...
Porcelain
Empire Style Solid Silver Column Clock
Located in Charmes, FR
early 19th century empire-style column clock in sterling silver (swan hallmark) and gilt bronze in very good condition, probably Swiss work we have not had the movement overhauled gr...
Silver
$1,190Sale Price / set|30% Off
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
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Isaac Pearson Reading PA Walnut Tall Clock with Rare Jacob Kunsman Case, C 1845
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid Empire walnut veneered tall clock with swan’s neck split pediment crest with bullseye rosettes and three wooden ball & spire finials surmounting an arched front glass ...
Metal
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock. Item features a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Bronze
French Empire Bronze and Marble "Knight" Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Bronze and Siena Marble "Knight" Clock, circa 1830, the standing figure in armor above a circular gilded dial, the movement with strike on bell, on a graduated Sienna m...
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century Candlestick Lightshade Vienna by Balthasar Wigand Mother of Pearl
Located in Epfach, DE
Mother of pearl light shade or candlestick by Balthasar Wigand Vienna about 1810-1820 with very fine painting from the Galitzerberg in Vienna. B...
Bronze
Rare Gilt-bronze French Empire Charles X Sunflower Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Gilt and patinated bronze. The original movement has been cleaned and revised and is in perfect working condition (runs for around one week). Overall authentic condition with its ori...
Bronze
$3,248 / set
Pair of Empire Candlestick, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of candlesticks made of burnished and fire-gilt bronze. The spouts are surrounded by three satyr masks crowned by flames. The pyramidal shaft is decorated with torchbearers in r...
Bronze
Unique & Rare Collection, Straw Marquetry Bottles, 18Th. C. Set of 7
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this rare and exceptional collection of seven French 18Th C. Straw Marquetry Bottles. These were made by convicts in the 18Th century. This is a very rare collection, you ...
Straw, Blown Glass
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
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Ormolu
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain Candlesticks with Lion Heads
Located in København, Copenhagen
Two Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain candlesticks with lion heads. Dated 1969-1974. Model number 1/15. Measures: 23 x 8 cm. In excellent ...
Porcelain
Empire Giltwood Candleholders with Stylized Palms, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Executed as stylized palms on rectangular landscape bases. The girandoles, each with four nozzles, are crafted in gilt-patinated wood with stucco elements. In unrestored original con...
Wood, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century Empire Gold Brown Gilt Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Early 19th Century Empire Gold Brown Gilt Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock French, Early 19th Century Height 54cm, width 52cm, depth 20cm Dating to the early 1800s and desi...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Empire Giltwood Carved Frame
Located in New Orleans, LA
Period Empire giltwood frame.
Giltwood
Pair of French Empire Crystal, Ormolu and Marble-Mounted Cornucopia Vases
Located in New York, NY
A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire style cornucopia vases. Each vase features a gracefully fluted cut crystal horn rising from a finely chased ormolu moun...
Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
Wonderful Pair French Patinated Dore Bronze Empire Neoclassical Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Patinated & Dore Bronze Empire / Neoclassical / Napoleonic Substantial Candlesticks Each With 3 Eagles, In The Manner Of Claude Galle.
Bronze
A fine 19th century Carrera marble bust of Napoleon by Antonio Piazza
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Italian Carrera marble hand carved marble bust of Napoleon . Signed Antonio Piazza
Carrara Marble
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
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