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Empire Bottles

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
Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century
Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century

Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century

$1,040Sale Price|20% Off

Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A pretty crystal, stoppered bottle, intricately clad in an openwork gilt-brass motif of entwined poppies and mistletoe. This square-sided Art Nouveau period bottle features a simple,...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Unique & Rare Collection, Straw Marquetry Bottles, 18Th. C. Set of 7
Unique & Rare Collection, Straw Marquetry Bottles, 18Th. C. Set of 7

Unique & Rare Collection, Straw Marquetry Bottles, 18Th. C. Set of 7

$3,975 / set

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 ...

Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Straw, Blown Glass

Pair of Empire Style Bronze Ewers, Late 19th or Early 20th Century.
Pair of Empire Style Bronze Ewers, Late 19th or Early 20th Century.

Pair of Empire Style Bronze Ewers, Late 19th or Early 20th Century.

$2,914 / set

Pair of Empire Style Bronze Ewers, Late 19th or Early 20th Century.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

An important pair of Empire style bronze ewers, late 19th or early 20th century. A pair of Empire style patinated bronze ewers with marble base, late 19th or early 20th century. H: ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Bottles

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters
Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters

Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters

$3,950 / set

Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters

Located in Los Angeles, CA

French or possibly Russian. Finely chased bronze details. Handcut crystal. Rare.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Related Items
Pair of 19th Century Italian Bronze Athéniennes
Pair of 19th Century Italian Bronze Athéniennes

Pair of 19th Century Italian Bronze Athéniennes

$9,071

H 43.31 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in

Pair of 19th Century Italian Bronze Athéniennes

Located in London, GB

A pair of late 19th century Italian, attractively patinated bronze Athéniennes (or incense burners) , the bowls supported by four uprights, each with hairy paw feet, on plinth base. ...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham
Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham

Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham

$1,650

H 10.5 in Dm 4.75 in

Art Nouveau - Style Sterling Silver Pedestal, Based Vase by Gorham

By Gorham Manufacturing Company

Located in New York, NY

Art Nouveau-Style, sterling silver, pedestal-based vase, Gorham Mfg. Company, Providence, Rhode Island, year-hallmarked for 1923. Hammered in design and chased with flowers. Measures...

Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Bottles

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of Italian 18th century Oil and Vinegar Flacons
Set of Italian 18th century Oil and Vinegar Flacons

Set of Italian 18th century Oil and Vinegar Flacons

$971

H 9.06 in W 5.12 in D 2.76 in

Set of Italian 18th century Oil and Vinegar Flacons

Located in Vosselaar, BE

A set of handblown early 18th century Oil and Vinegar Flacons. Following the French Court etiquette rules and a taste for luxury spreaded around Europe in the 18th century. Eating be...

Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Glass

Crystal Perfume Bottle with Stopper
Crystal Perfume Bottle with Stopper

Crystal Perfume Bottle with Stopper

$349

H 7 in Dm 2.75 in

Crystal Perfume Bottle with Stopper

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful cut glass or crystal perfume bottle. The bulbous bottle with the elongated matching Stopper is lovely combination The piece is a nice stand-alone piece or works well as...

Category

20th Century European Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair
19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair

19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair

$3,160Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 10.75 in W 4.125 in D 3.75 in

19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair

Located in Atlanta, GA

These urns are extremely high quality in decoration and casting. True Neoclassical gilt bronze grand tour objects and what makes it better? A PAIR!.

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Rare Pair of Bas-Relief in Turkish Marble, 18th Century
Rare Pair of Bas-Relief in Turkish Marble, 18th Century

Rare Pair of Bas-Relief in Turkish Marble, 18th Century

$15,545 / set

H 19.69 in W 18.12 in D 2.37 in

Rare Pair of Bas-Relief in Turkish Marble, 18th Century

Located in Roma, IT

These pair of bas-relief in Turkish marble is an original pair of decorative object realized in Italy in the 18th century. Original Turkish marble. ...

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Marble

Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases
Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases

Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases

$9,500 / set

H 21 in Dm 4.5 in

Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Long Island City, NY

A Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases Each of elongated baluster form, finely painted romantic scene , the reverse a river scene with a castle in ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century

Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century

$9,000 / set

H 33.47 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in

Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century

Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Previously Available Items
Set of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Crystal Perfume Bottles, Bronze
Set of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Crystal Perfume Bottles, Bronze

Set of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Crystal Perfume Bottles, Bronze

Sold

H 3.75 in Dm 1.75 in

Set of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Crystal Perfume Bottles, Bronze

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This set of four early 19th century French Empire period crystal perfume bottles features cut crystal stoppers and a bronze case. The rim of the bottles are surrounded by bronze band...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask
Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask

Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask

Sold

H 7.49 in Dm 3.75 in L 7.49 in

Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Paris, FR

Pink opaline flask with white enamel decorations featuring palmettes, small dots, and floral motifs. Gold bands accent the base and the neck. The opaline imitates porcelain and is em...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Opaline Glass

Empire bottles for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire bottles for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bottles created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, crystal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire bottles made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 bottles differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,950 and tops out at $3,950 while the average work can sell for $3,950.

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