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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
18Th. C French Empire Collection of Rare Straw Marquetry Bottles, 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

18Th. C French Empire Collection of Rare Straw Marquetry Bottles, Set of 7
18Th. C French Empire Collection of Rare Straw Marquetry Bottles, Set of 7

18Th. C French Empire Collection of Rare Straw Marquetry Bottles, Set of 7

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

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

Handbag perfume holder enamel on guilloché and fine hand engravings Salimbeni.
By Salimbeni, Giorgio Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
4824-5542 - Rectangular handbag perfume holder with rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and pin. With translucent 2-color striped fire enamel on gui...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Bottles

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Handbag perfume holder enamel on guilloché and fine hand engravings Salimbeni.
Handbag perfume holder enamel on guilloché and fine hand engravings Salimbeni.

Handbag perfume holder enamel on guilloché and fine hand engravings Salimbeni.

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 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.

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

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

Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters

Related Items
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair

19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair

H 8.25 in W 10.5 in D 5.75 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 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

H 21 in Dm 4.5 in
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Urns
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A beautiful pair of gilt bronze urns. They have great details.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Urns
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Urns

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Urns

H 8.75 in Dm 5.25 in
18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle
Located in Basildon, GB
An 18th Century German, or possibly Bohemian, Clear Glass Bottle. Flattened octagonal shape. Hand decorated with blue, orange, yellow and green flowers and a green/blue bird on the ...
Category

18th Century German Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Glass

18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle
18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle

18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle

H 5.91 in W 2.76 in D 2.17 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

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

H 10.75 in W 4.125 in D 3.75 in
18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle
Located in Basildon, GB
An 18th Century German, or possibly Bohemian, Clear Glass Bottle. Flattened octagonal shape. Hand decorated with blue, white and orange flowers. 14.5cm / 5.75" High
Category

18th Century German Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Glass

18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle
18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle

18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle

H 5.71 in W 2.56 in D 2.17 in
18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle
Located in Basildon, GB
An 18th Century German, or possibly Bohemian, Clear Glass Bottle. Flattened octagonal shape. Hand decorated with blue and orange flowers and a pair white birds on the front. 12.3cm ...
Category

18th Century German Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Glass

18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle
18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle

18th Century German Clear Glass Decorated Bottle

H 4.85 in W 2.37 in D 1.97 in
Antique 19th Century French Mouth Blown Glass Wine Bottle Straw Basket Caged
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique demijohn is a beautifully crafted, handmade and mouthblown green glass wine bottle that is housed in a rustic straw basket. Dating ba...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Wicker, Straw, Rattan, Glass

Antique 19th Century French Mouth Blown Glass Wine Bottle Straw Basket Caged
Antique 19th Century French Mouth Blown Glass Wine Bottle Straw Basket Caged

Antique 19th Century French Mouth Blown Glass Wine Bottle Straw Basket Caged

H 10.63 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in
Early 20th Century Greek Style Green Ewer Pitcher
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant Verdi green glazed Grecian style terra cotta ewer, circa 1920s measuring 27 inches tall, 11 inches diameter. The green and black glaze with a stippled effect in a jade green color.
Category

1920s American Vintage Empire Bottles

Materials

Terracotta

Early 20th Century Greek Style Green Ewer Pitcher
Early 20th Century Greek Style Green Ewer Pitcher

Early 20th Century Greek Style Green Ewer Pitcher

H 27 in Dm 11 in
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Turquoise Posy Holder
By Alexander MacRae
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver posy holder; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver posy holder has a conical shaped form onto three legs. The surface of the holder has a frosted finish and is embellished with bright cut engraved Greek Key fret band ornamentation in addition to stylized leaf motifs. The body is further ornamented with an applied knop encircled with bead ornamentation flanked with a scalloped border and collet set cabochon turquoises. The upper portion of this impressive example of Victorian silverware is encompassed with a protruding undulating band accented with further collet set turquoise alternating with a swagged chain articulating from ring loops. The upper rim is embellished with a large applied bead decorated border. The vessel terminates with a bright cut engraved layered leaf texture to an applied ball motif. This impressive holder is supported by three hinged legs, conjoined with a silver chain. This antique posey holder...
Category

1870s English Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Turquoise Posy Holder
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Turquoise Posy Holder

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Turquoise Posy Holder

H 5.3 in W 2.8 in D 1.7 in
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Japanese bronze vases depicting scenes with different birds. These would make a wonderful pair of lamps.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Empire Bottles

Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases

Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases

H 12 in Dm 5 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

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

H 33.47 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Previously Available Items
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

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

H 3.75 in Dm 1.75 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

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

Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask

H 7.49 in Dm 3.75 in L 7.49 in
19th Century French Opaline Glass "Service De Nuit"
By Jean-Baptiste Desvignes
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A 19th century French Opaline glass "Service de Nuit" three gradual sized bottles with stoppers, one lidded sugar bowl and one cup, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Opaline Glass

19th Century French Opaline Glass "Service De Nuit"
19th Century French Opaline Glass "Service De Nuit"

19th Century French Opaline Glass "Service De Nuit"

H 7.63 in Dm 2.5 in
Set of 19th Century Baccarat "Empire" Vanity Decanter and Lidded Jar
By Baccarat
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A French Second Empire period crystal decanter and a crystal lidded jar from Baccarat Paris embossed in gold with the "Empire" design. Stamped on th...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Set of 19th Century Baccarat "Empire" Vanity Decanter and Lidded Jar
Set of 19th Century Baccarat "Empire" Vanity Decanter and Lidded Jar

Set of 19th Century Baccarat "Empire" Vanity Decanter and Lidded Jar

H 8.5 in Dm 4.5 in

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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