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Empire Decorative Objects

EMPIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Empire
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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Gold French Empire Pair of Embossed Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This graceful pair of antique French candlesticks are made of hand crafted brass and are in very good condition. Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a rou...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

French Empire Centerpiece Perfume Burner in Gilt Bronze and Marble
Located in Paris, FR
Ormolu perfume burner or potpourri holder that serves as a striking table centerpiece. The openwork lid is adorned with palmettes, foliage, small flower...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Heavy French Brass Empire Candlesticks, a pair
Located in Malibu, CA
This pair of beautiful brass candlesticks have classical simplicity. Exquisitely crafted in the distinct style of the 1st empire period in France. Quite heavy with a smooth patina, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Le Roy et fils French, c. 1810 Height 36cm, width 37cm, depth 14cm This refined mantel clock was created during the Empire period by the esteem...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Enamel

Crystal and Gilt Bronze Vase by Boin-Taburet
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A classic and opulent crystal and gilt bronze Louis XVI-style vase, its goblet-shaped heavy crystal bowl diamond cut and fluted to refract the light...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire Portal Clock, 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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pr. of Old Paris Miniature, Gilt Decorated Footed Urns With Garden Scenes, c1800
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of Old Paris Miniature, Gilt Decorated Footed Urns with garden scenes, c1800. Miniature urns of this type are rare and the decoration is exceptional. The urns have bolted construction with scrolling handles and molded face mask terminals. The beautiful hand painted panels are of a seated young man and woman in traditional dress in a neoclassical garden with classical urns, landscaping, architecture and a fountain. Fine condition with mild typical wear to the gilt. Trent Antiques has been a respected name in antiques for...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Atrium Form Dutch Fruitwood Gilt Metal Mantel Clock
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The top tier with the clock works decorated with a pair of gilt putti above a gilt garland, and outer enamel dial. The corners with gilt herons and leaves. ...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks Signed Gérard-Jean Galle, Paris, 1810s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Magnificent Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks Signed Gérard-Jean Galle, Paris, 1810s A rare and exceptionally fine pair of French Empire candlesticks in mercury-gilded bronze...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Bronze Marble Figural Clock, c. 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Verde Antico Marble Figural Clock, circa 1830, the clock surmounted with seated figures of Apollo and Diana, each holding a torch, the clock w...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

French Inlaid Portico Empire Style Mantle Clock
Located in Kingston, NY
French 19th-century mantle clock features a bronze and inlaid veined wood veneer portico design. The clock is adorned with gilded ornaments, including a decorative pendulum and intri...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair Antique French 'Sevres' Red Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pot Pourri Urns 1804-1809
Located in Portland, OR
Pair of Antique French 'Sevres' porcelain lidded pot pourri and gilded bronze lidded urns, 1804-1809. The urns having a rich red ground with gilded panels, the domed lids with gilded bronze eagle...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of fine French Empire style brown patinated bronze candlesticks from the Napoleon III period. A fluted column beautifully decorated with ivy, rises on a tripod with claw-shape...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Meissen Snake Handled Vases 19th Century
Located in Hudson, NY
A large and decorative pair of Meissen porcelain vases, of ancient Roman krater form, with handles shaped as entwined serpents. Highly ornamental, these vases represent an interesti...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Wall-Mounted Flower Basket, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A vase-shaped, semi-circular flower basket from the 19th century. The wall is adorned with intricate leaf motifs and rosettes, defined by vertical struts. A narrow beaded brass band ...
Category

19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. High quality work of applied arts in Neoclassical (Biedermeier) style. The fork of...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Ferdinand Barbedienne Set of Gilt Bronze-Mounted Champleve Onyx Garniture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Ferdinand Barbedienne set of gilt bronze-mounted champleve onyx garniture. It consist of two urns and one large oval vase/jardiniere. The vase...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Fine Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Miami, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire candlesticks. We are pleased to present you a gorgeous pair of French Empire period, original gilt bronze candlesticks, finely chiseled of ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Italian Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt Clock
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical parcel-gilt clock. Roman military Empire period mantel clock of obelisk form topped by an extraordinary eagle with outs...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

c1810 Pair Antique Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks/ Candle Holders. Highly detailed. When I saw these I was thinking that they are stunning.
Category

1810s Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Malachite Allegorical Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mounted malachite allegorical mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50m, width 21cm, depth 14cm This fine mantel clock is an excellent ex...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

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.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, 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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Figural Candlestick, 1800-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Patinated and parcel gilt cast bronze figural candlestick on a circular marble base with square plinth. The figure, standing on one foot, holds a leafy form fire gilt candle cup abov...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Preparatory Drawings Empire Antique Inspirations 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice sketches of characters. Representing different emotions, clothes and personalities. We have a portrait of a strong woman with arrows. Below this woman, there is a representation of oriental characters, also called barbarians during Antiquity. Finally, on the left, another woman is represented with her head in her hands and sitting on a Klismos chair. This chair is typical of the ancient period. It is written at the bottom right "March 15", surely the date of creation of this sketch. The Empire style and period are inspired by Greco-Roman art, it is called the neoclassical. The woman on this drawing wears an empire style dress...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper

Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French burnished gilded Empire candlesticks with light collars. The stems are fluted and decorated with acanthus leaves.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

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 ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Yellow Tole Lavabo
Located in Essex, MA
With a removable cover with gallery and finial, tapered body with spigot lacking handle, all above the rectangular basin.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Bronze and Marble Two-Armed Candelabrum, 19th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
A wonderful 19th century candelabra in the French Empire style, made of patinated bronze, gilt bronze and marble. The stem represents a woman holding aloft a two-armed torch, the who...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair Neoclassical Paris Porcelain Gilt Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair neoclassical Paris Porcelain gilt vases. Exceptional pair of large white and gilt painted campana form urns with strigilated patterning on body dow...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular lidded box depicting a woman reclining on a Recamier playing the harp. The underside with a star surrounded by banding with stippling decoration.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Auguste Cain Silvered Bronze Lion & Ostrich Sculpture 19th Century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Auguste Cain Silvered Bronze Lion & Ostrich (1822-1894). This fine bronze shows a male lion standing proud, his front right foot is perched on a rock and his left stands firmly on his pray, an ostrich; he has a full mane and a curling tail, has good detail in the fur and the feathers of the ostrich. Signed "A. Cain" and a foundry mark. Perfect Size to locate on a desk. Auguste Nicholas Cain (1821 – 1894) was a Paris born French sculptor in the Animaliers school who was known for his bronze sculptures...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Period Marble and Ormolu Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period marble and ormolu clock. French Carrara marble Portico clock with extensive ormolu fretwork mounted on two finely decorated marble columns ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Pair of bronze and black stone candlesticks in Empire style, France ca. 1870
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1870 / 2 candlesticks / bronze, stone / Antique / Empire A set of two French Empire candlesticks in bronze with feet and body of black natural stone. The striking contrast...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Urns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Empire Urns. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Candelabras Pair 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candelabras made of gilt bronze. Made in France In Late Empie Style during the 19th century. Top candle holder decorated with a loose torch.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Category

1880s European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Multi-gemstone, Bronze

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Gilt Chinoiserie Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire gilt chinoiserie vases. Pair hand-painted and gilt French vases of the Empire period with mask handles and gilt surrounds centering on ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Vieux Paris Campagna Form Urns
Located in Savannah, GA
Hard paste porcelain with polychrome and gold leaf - iron bolt. Impasto decoration. Lovely colors. These classical form urns are clearly a pair, but not an identical pair. Each has a...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Vieux Paris Campagna Form Urns
Pair of Vieux Paris Campagna Form Urns
$550 Sale Price / set
75% Off
Italy Late 18th Century Pair Empire Brass Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italian late 18th Century pair of Empire burnished brass candleholders This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt bronze clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire French, Early 19th Century Height 45cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm This superb gilt bronze clock, created by the renow...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Russian Tazzas, 19th Century
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).
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Egg style Faberge Blue Savoia Enamel Medium Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very decorative Empire-style crystal sweet box, or Bonbonnière, intricately clad in a gilt-brass frame, with elaborately worked gilt metal mounts of the ar...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Empire decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Franco Salimbeni, and Alexandre Vossion. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $170 and tops out at $148,649 while the average work can sell for $4,772.

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