Skip to main content

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.

to
158
973
11
21
788
164
11
49
54
33
11
7
2
2
4
29
11
11
4
26,160
14,092
9,038
5,631
3,856
3,069
2,302
1,697
1,334
1,306
1,139
1,091
940
914
665
637
586
808
567
237
148
140
485
409
909
695
93
35
22
Height
to
Width
to
984
973
984
31
13
11
5
5
Style: Empire
Gilt Bronze Box With Miniature Of Napoleon Bonaparte, 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Gilt bronze box with miniature of Napoleon Bonaparte painted on porcelain from the 19th century. 7.5 x 9.5 cm, height 3.4 cm
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

An empire mantel clock "AU PORTEFAIX" after Jean andre reiche
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
MANTEL CLOCK "Au bon sauvage" or "PORTEFAIX", late Empire, after a design by J.A. REICHE (Jean-Andre Reiche, 1752-1817), Paris, 19th century. Gilt ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Dore Bronze Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Empire doré bronze clock, France, 1880s.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze lamps on square base. Each of the four sides of the base having a reef design. The rest of the...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frames
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Europe, a pair of impressive rectangular antique wooden frames in silver gilt leaf with great patina. This set would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Leaf

A pair of elegant candelabra with caryatids, Empire, early 19th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of elegant candelabra with caryatids, Empire, early 19th century A very elegant and high-quality French pair of candelabra in gilt and dark-patinated bronze. Each candelabrum...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Russian Empire Malachite, French Bronze Centrepiece/Tazzas by Thomier
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of Russian Empire Period malachite, French doré bronze and cut crystal Tazzas, signed THOMIRE A PARIS. The square malachite bowls are...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Malachite, Bronze

A Pair of Late Empire Silver Candlesticks by Caspar Julius Worm (1788-1857)
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of late Empire silver candlesticks crafted by master silversmith Caspar Julius Worm. Created in Copenhagen in 1837, these candlesticks are richly decorated with intricate acan...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Pair of Antique Second Empire Style Five-Arm Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A large pair of Charles X bronze and marble five-light candelabra now fitted as table lamps. This striking pair combine honey-colored Siena marble and dark crisp scrolling bronze in ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

X-Small Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts (CW5595). The quality is superb, chasing is 10 on 10. France, circa 1870. Dimensions: Height 15 1/2", the base i...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Fine 19th century French ormolu mantel clock (pendule) by Leroy a Paris, c. 1825
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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th century pair of French Empire ormolu candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
A magnificent pair of Empire ormolu candlesticks in the maner of Jean Demosthene Dugourc. Each with fluted, tapered shaft and delicate ornamentation, surmounted by three female heads...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Neoclassical Marble and Glass Swan Vases
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of neoclassical marble and glass swan vases.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Garnitures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze and dore bronze compote/tazas with finely chased details. Can be used to hold a topiary or a thick candle. Base is 7" Top is 11.5".
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Bowl w Winged Lady's and Dolphins Base Gold Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare find of this centerpiece bowl in a golden Dore' finish. With two winged nude Angles for handles. All supported by four Dolphins in a bronze patina finish. Still has the Origin...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century, French Chiselled and Gilt Bronze Table Clock
Located in IT
19th century, French chiselled and gilt bronze table clock This table clock was made of chiselled and gilded bronze in the early 19th centur...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of First-Empire Period 2-Handled Porcelain Vases with Westall Venus Scenes
By Richard Westall, Porcelaine de Paris
Located in New York, NY
An incredible and rare pair of French Paris Porcelain First-Empire Period Winged Sphynx-form double- handled porcelain vases with mythological scenes of Venus and Cupids after Richar...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Empire Skeleton Clock with Vestal Virgins
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic two dimensional French Empire skeleton clock, the finely chased and mercury gilded case depicts Amour holding a flaming torch and a banner, symbol of war, seated on a quiver full of arrows and set on top of the dial and movement. The dial is framed by two vestal virgins...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Period Egyptian Style Porcelain Candelabra
Located in London, GB
French Empire period Egyptian style porcelain candelabra French, c. 1815 Height 81cm, width 27cm, depth 27cm These extremely fine candelabra date from the early 19th Century, during the period of Napoleonic dominance in Europe. It was during this period that interest in the ancient civilisation of Egypt started to become fashionable, in large part due to Napoleon's conquest of the region at the turn of the 19th Century. Each candelabrum is modelled as a standing cross...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century (Early) French Clock Marble & Ormolu
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Early) French Clock Marble & Ormolu Unique clock purchased in France. Gorgeous Marble. impeccable condition. See Detailed Pics.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Incredible pair of Empire style candelabra of gilt and patinated bronze. The backs are flat in order that they might be close to a wall.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large Fuseau Vases in Porcelaine de Paris, Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Large pair of painted fuseau vases in Porcelaine de Paris from the Empire period. The neck and the pedestal of the vases are in burnished gold and feature laurel crowns and stylized ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century. This Empire style box makes a wonderful addition to a collection of these classic brass boxes. This box is ve...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample
Located in Dallas, TX
Charming French late 19th century Empire style salesman sample. Makes a fine accessory.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Large Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux 1872 bronze "Le genie de la Danse" france.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible rare and large bronze for JEAN-Baptiste CARPEAUX 1872 representing "Le GENIE de la Danse".
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with three tones of gold and royal blue enamel. The hinged lid is embellished with a multicolored gold medallion in relief featuring a bouquet of roses and tulips, se...
Category

Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold

19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of handcrafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Each...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Candelabras
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning pair of period Empire gilt patinated brass and bronze candelabras. Born in France in the early 19th century, fine quality and detailing, elaborately decorated, unique d...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-engravings fire enameled hand-painted like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful hand-painted enameled ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Small Round Tray with Red Carrara Marble Top and Brass Edging
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round barware tray with red carrara marble top and brass edging. This tray was most likely an old table top, that is now being used as a tray.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814
Located in Bilzen, BE
Combat of March 30, 1814. On the heights of Saint Chaumont where an Artillery post served by students of the École Polytechnique fought fiercely and was saved from death by General S...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Royal Empire Mantel Clock / Pendulum Clock, Fire-Gilt, Around 1805-1815, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire mantel clock / pendulum clock, fire-gilt, around 1805-1815, Paris Solid bronze, fire-gilded, Paris around 1805-1815, original French Empire from the first period. ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Lion Head and Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver salt cellar with Lion head and paw feet detail, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century. Piece is a salt or pepper cellar vessel. A great piece for a dining t...
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century French Gilt Bronze Empire Figural Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
First quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751–1843), gilt bronze and marble, figural basket, possibly Nike, holding aloft a flared, reticulated b...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figurative Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt bronze figurative mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 33cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm This superb mantel clock is a wonderful example of the...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena 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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

18th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Europe, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these p...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Early 19th Century Pewter Bowl Planter With Handle, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Danish Pewter Bowl or Planter With Handle and Makers Mark Circa 1800. This handmade piece would look wonderful sitting on a window sill holding ...
Category

Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Pewter

Empire Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque, Ormolu, France, Paris, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque - In the study room Paris fire-gilt bronze, enamel Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 28 x 19 cm Description: Scenery mounted on an oval...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Italian Black Toleware Bucket Bin Container
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant and versatile black metal container featuring an image of a French carriage. This sturdy piece with two handles looks wonderful standing alone or functional holding newspaper...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Egg style Faberge Savoia blue Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Set of 2 Swedish Brass Chamber Candle Holders with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on these candleholders from the early 1800's. We see these chamber candlesticks on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these s...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Metal

Fine Napoleonic Antique French Empire Cabinet Bronze Officer Twisting Mustache
Located in New York, NY
A debonair French Napoleonic era patinated bronze high ranking officer in full regalia leans against a gnarled tree trunk while twisting his handsome mustache in this delightful and ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style. France, circa 1890. Width 15 1/2" Height 18" Depth 5 1/2"
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Bronze Ewers in The Manner of Claude Galle
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of empire gilt and patinated bronze ewers in the manner of Claude Galle. French, Circa 1820.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière French, c.1820 Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm Made in the early nineteenth ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, ca. 1840
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Clock, circa 1840, surmounted by a seated woman resting on a cushion, and holding a dove, circular white enamel dial, the movement strike on bell, o...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Elegant Gilded and Dark Patinated Empire Candlesticks, circa 1810
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of extremely elegant gilded and dark patinated bronze Empire Candlesticks. Probably made i Paris around 1810. Beautiful contrast between the gilded and dark patinated bronze. ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Antique Empire Crystal Glass Chandelier, Parisian Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French chandelier, pendant made of hand crafted polished brass, in good condition. The hand blown cut crystal prisms are attached, halted to the ceiling lamp brass f...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Metal, 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.

Recently Viewed

View All