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 Museum Ormolu Mantle Clock, Pendule 'Au Char', Thomire, Paris, Ca 1820
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite mantel clock made of fire-gilded and patinated bronze from the early 19th century: Structure in the form of a rectangular gilded base on four conical feet with chiselling, ...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a br...
Bronze
Rare Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze Genie Oil lamps w/ Medusa Masks
Located in New York, NY
Rare Pair of French Empire Period (Circa 1810) Dore Bronze Genie Oil lamps of finest quality, chasing, and two tone gilding w/ Medusa Masks on Gray Marble Bases Each lamp is conceiv...
Marble, Bronze
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Bronze
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
Reloj de sobremesa francés en bronce dorado, época Imperio, siglo XIX
Located in MADRID, ES
Espectacular reloj de sobremesa francés, época Imperio (1800-1815), en bronce dorado. Medidas: 41,5 cm largo x 65 cm alto x 14,5 cm fondo. El cuerpo del reloj está elevado sobre una...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Portico Clock
Located in Dublin, IE
A fine early 19th century French Empire period Portico clock of exceptional quality in the Neo-classical style, the clock housed in a richly figured mahogany case with four tapering ...
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze & Marble Statue Clock of Homer by Ravrio 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very Fine antique French Empire gilt bronze statue clock, depicting Homer in the Ruins of Troy, by André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814), circa 1810. This e...
Marble, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum. Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
Of majestic scale with the ormolu gilding in very good condition in working order.
Bronze
$11,500 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras
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
French Bronze Military Officer Bust
Located in Queens, NY
French bronze life size bust of a military officer in uniform raised on a square plinth (19th Cent.)
Bronze
A Pair French 1st Empire Period Ormolu & Verde Antico Marble Figural Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fine and Unusual Pair of French 1st Empire Period Doré Bronze and Verde Antico Marble Figural Neoclassical Five-Arm Candelabra. Each candelabrum features a tall central shaft issui...
Marble, Ormolu
$14,850Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair French 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Urn Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style patinated-bronze and gilt-bronze mounted allegorical covered urn vases lamps in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (Fr...
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
$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
A Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze and Verde Marble Tazzas, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Bronze, Gilt Bronze, and Verde Marble Tazzas, 19th Century Each tazza with a shallow bronze inner bowl with leaf-and-dart rim projecting from a lobed gilt br...
Marble, Bronze
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
Picture Frame square Sterling Silver Enamel Empire-style friezes Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square shaped frame with Empire-style friezes and borders, in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on a sunburst guilloché pattern. Exterior 13.8 x 13.8...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
A small well cast late 19 Century Bronzed Metal Statue of Napoleon on horseback
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A well cast patinated bronzed metal statue of Napoleon Bonaparte in full military garb on his horse Marengo. The statue is ona faux speckled green marble metal base. The statue...
Metal
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Clock Depicting Urania Greek Muse of Astronomy
By Lesieur
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A magnificent large gilded and patinated bronze period French Empire mantle clock depicting Urania the Greek Muse of Astronomy standing on a stepped rectangular gilded bronze base her left elbow resting on a large gilded globe of the heavens with a central band showing the signs of the zodiac...
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...
Brass
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 French Empire Malachite and Gilt Bronze Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine 19th century French Empire malachite and gilt bronze centerpiece. Cut crystal top bowl .Fine mercury gilt bronze sphinx's.
Malachite
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
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century 50cm x 26cm x 15cm good condition
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
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
Terracotta Bust Of Alexandre Brongniart After Jean-antoine Houdon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Patinated terracotta bust representing Alexandre Brongniart (1770-1847) son of the architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813), future mineralogist and director of the nation...
Terracotta
Picture Frame large size Red Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped photograph frame in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guillochè with borders and laurel frieze in Louis XVI French Empire style. Exte...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Brule-Parfums in Manner of Thomire 19th Century
Located in Essex, MA
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze Brule-Parfums in manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire, 19th century each openwork cover with an acorn finial above the body having a rim cast to show...
Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Griotte Marble Vase
Located in London, GB
A magnificent quality French Empire/Directoire urn in superb original condition. Constructed of lovely patinated bronze, fire gilded Ormolu and griotte marble. In the gout d'Egypt or...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Wonderful French Empire Dore and Patinated Bronze Cherub Putti Wreath Clock
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré and patinated bronze Cherub Putti wreath clock, not currently in working order, back cover is missing as is bel...
Bronze
Photograph Frame Large Imperial Style White Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver shaped photograph frame with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and rich friezes in Louis XVI French Empire style. External measurements...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French 19th-Century Gilt-Bronze Figural Candles Stone Material, Gilt Paint, 1920
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This antique figural candlestick holder is crafted in gilt bronze (ormolu) and is attributed to French production of the 19th century. The piece features a finely detailed sculptural...
Stone
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
Marble Vase, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large lidded vase with a gadrooned wall with acanthus leaves and pine node. Marbre griotte and gilt bronze.
Griotte Marble, 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...
Marble, Ormolu, 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 French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire miniature commode. A well executed miniature chest made of walnut and veneer of walnut with two large drawers below a smaller top drawer and with solid walnut columns. Inscription written in ink on the back of each of the large drawers: Don D...
Walnut
$431Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Empire Style Table Decoration after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, engraved and silvered. Three columns shafts with full-plastic, finely engraved swans. Funnel-shaped insert.
Bronze
Paris Porcelain Floral Vase with Caryatid Handles
Located in Sarasota, FL
Paris porcelain floral vase with caryatid handles. Exceptional quality enameling of flowers. Finely executed caryattid handles. The vase is unsigned, as it is typical for Paris porce...
Porcelain
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 ...
Ormolu
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
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
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1840, in two parts, the upper section with a seated lute player aside the circular metal dial, the movement strike on bell, the lower se...
Metal
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks. With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns. The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish. The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Bronze
$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
$360Sale Price|20% Off
1900s Empire Style Crystal Urn Vase
Located in Skien, NO
Empire Style Crystal Vase from 1900s This striking Classic Empire-style vase from ca. the middle of the 20th century showcases exceptional craftsmanship in high-quality crystal. The...
Crystal
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century Provenance: Private Melbourne Collection. Description: In full military dress, his sword sheathed and arms folded over his chest, his ri...
Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze vases French, late 19th century Measures: Height 46cm, diameter 19cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mou...
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
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. ...
Alabaster, Brass
Danish Rectangular Empire Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish gilt gold art frame found in a market in Denmark. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has wonderful patina throughout and would loo...
Gold
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
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
$24,796 / set
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Each with a winged Victorian female figure carrying a torchère on their hea...
Siena Marble, 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.
Tin