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.
Pair of Empire-Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patinated Bronze Stands
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire-style Neoclassical gilt and patinated bronze stands French, 20th Century 42cm high x 31cm wide x 31 cm depth Made from patinated bronze and gilt bronze in the French Empire style, with Neoclassical influences, these excellent stands were made in France in the 20th century. Placed upon four small gilt feet...
Bronze, 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
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza Made in Austria, circa 1920s An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Crystal, Ormolu
Pair of Fine Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patina Bronze Urns
Located in New York, NY
The superb pair of urns is formed in the classical Empire style, dating to the Empire period, and constructed in gilt bronze and patinated bronze. Each featuring a shallow, rounded b...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble vases French, early 20th century Measures: Height 52cm, width 21cm, depth 19cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Sterling Silver Imperial Fruit Bowl Natural Lapis Lazuli, Hot Enamel, Vermeil
By Konforti
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
Part of the magnificent "Swan Sky" table garniture, this monumental Imperial-style fruit bowl is an exceptional work of decorative art, meticulously handcrafted in mirror-polished 92...
Lapis Lazuli, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
A 19th C. Russian Ormolu Mounted Centerpiece with Porphyry and Carved Jade Cups
Located in New York, NY
A 19th C. Russian Ormolu Mounted Centerpiece with Porphyry and Carved Jade Cups. This Russian centerpiece is composed of a rectangular porphyry tray fitted with four carved jade cup...
Jade, Porphyry, Bronze
$24,000Sale Price / set|52% Off
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...
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Bronze Tazzas on Siena Marble Bases
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Pair of early 19th C. French patinated bronze tazzas, the shallow circular bowls with beaded rims over egg-and-dart borders, flanked by winged swan-form handles, each raised on a tur...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Swan Handle Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of comprises pendant krater-shaped porcelain vases. Each vase’s wide-lipped ovoid body is supported by a flared stem, which stands on a square-sided podium. Most strikingly...
Porcelain
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".
Bronze
$38,850 / set
Pair of Napoleon III Royal Rouge Griotte Athenienne
Located in New Orleans, LA
Royal Rouge Griotte Marble Athenienne After Pierre Gouthière Late 19th Century This monumental pair of Napoleon III gilt bronze-mounted Royal Rouge Griotte athenienne perfume vases ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in London, GB
A Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period Constructed in tole, being hand painted and decorated in the French Empire Neo-Classical manner of Jacques-Louis David; the...
Tin
$1,100
H 9.45 in W 23.63 in D 14.18 in
Modern Fruit Bowl "Utopia", in Brazilian Wood and Natural Copper, Brazil
By Atelier BAM
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Copper and wood fruit bowl, Modern styled inspired with geometry than enhances raw excepcional and rare natural material and textures, imbuia and copper - By Brazilian Designer Maker Atelier BAM Design of São Paulo. The modern design style is one of the most influential movements in contemporary Brazilian design. Among the main names of modernist designers are Lina Bo Bardi, Vilanova Artigas, Oscar Niemeyer, and a few others; giving a legacy maintained by contemporary architects like Isay Weinfeld...
Copper
Pair of Tazzas, France Empire Period
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Tazzas from the late part of the Empire period. Made in Red French Marble with a bowl in dark patinated bronze. Base decorated with gilt bronze.
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.125 in Dm 8.75 in
Tiffany & Company Vermeil Sterling Silver, Cut Crystal Centerpiece Vase
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Tiffany & Company gold over sterling silver banded crystal vase. The vase made of German cut crystal with faceting to main body. Marked “Sterling,...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Regency Tole Hot Water Urn
Located in Essex, MA
Chinoiserie decorated with cover with ball finial over a cylindrical body with lions head rings , lower spigot and pierced square plinth and paw feet.
Tin
$5,683 / item
H 25.99 in Dm 13.78 in
Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Vase by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze vase by Gherardo Degli Albizzi is made by monolithc pieces of marble and high quality chiseled bronzes. The highlights of this vase are...
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Cut Crystal and Ormolu Vase
Located in New York, NY
In the early 19th century the typical, but fine flower vase was made of porcelain. The better ones were mounted in gilt bronze. But the most fashionable were of cut crystal and gilt ...
Crystal
Hand Carved Lapis Lazuli Mosaic Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Exquisitely hand carved natural lapis lazuli stone mosaic bowl on round pedestal base.
Lapis Lazuli
$2,450
H 17 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
$19,850Sale Price / set|43% Off
H 23.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
Fine Pair of French 19th Century Marble and Gilt Bronze-Mounted Flambeaux Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th century Rouge-Royal marble and figural gilt bronze-mounted flambeaux urns surmounted with four ormolu figures of dolphins supporting the center urn with th...
Marble, Bronze
$14,850Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 36.75 in Dm 8.75 in
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
$3,373
H 0.99 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Picture Frame Sterling Silver Enamel resembling lapis lazuli stone Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with painted fired enamels resembling lapis lazuli stone. Shape taken from the panels of the North Door of the Baptistery of the F...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$2,450
H 17 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Fruit Triumph Centrepiece Vase
Located in VALENZA, IT
This centerpiece was made in Milan - Italy, by the prestigious silverware "Argenterie di Milano di Fiorentini" towards the end of the 70s. The fruit, all made and modeled by hand obt...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Snake Handled Meissen Urns
By Meissen Porcelain, Ernst August Leuteritz
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Stylish and chic pair of Meissen urns in Classic glazed white porcelain with gold accents. These urns are classical in form and feature entwined snakes as ...
Porcelain
$32,614
H 16.93 in W 19.3 in D 11.82 in
Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Neoclassical Style Vase, French, circa 1910
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and finely cast gilt and patinated bronze neoclassical style vase. This impressive vase is of oval shape with gilt and patinated bronze decoration of classical figures and...
Bronze
Sold
H 16.15 in W 10.24 in D 14.18 in
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Empire Style, 19th Century, Italy, 36cm
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Bronze
A fine 19th century French Empire gilt bronze plateau
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century French Empire gilt bronze mirrored plateau
Bronze
Sold
H 9.65 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Empire style cassolettes in sea green marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire style sea green marble and gilt bronze cassolettes, 19th century Pair of polished sea green marble and gilt bronze cassolettes resting on square bases decorated with laurel l...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Bronze Tazzas on Sienese Marble Pedestals, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of amphorae of fire-gilt bronze with oak leaf decoration on the walls. The tazze stand on square pedestals of yellow Siena marble.
Siena Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 14.25 in W 6.75 in D 6 in
Exceptional Pair of Baccarat Quality Crystal Dore' Bronze Cassolettes with Swans
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Crystal, Bronze
Malachite Spice Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small malachite spice bowl with fire-gilded bronze atlases on round base.
Malachite, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Plateau
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful 19th century French Empire pierced gallery gilt bronze plateau.
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
Pair of Gilt Paris Porcelain Vases with Painted Urban Scenes
Located in London, GB
This pair of Paris porcelain vases feature finely painted urban scenes: a depiction of Amsterdam on one vase and a view of Brussels on the other. The Amsterdam vase portrays a view of Dam Square...
Porcelain, Wood
19th C Empire Tole Painted Green & Bronze Jardinières Urns Cachepot, Pair
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A beautiful pair of tole jardinière Empire, 19th century Measures: Height 6” These pieces are an elegant touch to any room in the house. Very decorative in an office, entryway, a liv...
Tôle
Set of Grand Tour Empire Bronze Tazza and a Coffer on Sienna Marble Bases
Located in Nashville, TN
The tazza with intertwined dolphins supporting an open dish. The coffer in sacophogi form with gilt bronze accents. As a set of three. As garnitures for a chest or mantel or as desk...
Bronze
Sold
H 24 in W 15 in D 6 in
Important 19th Century French Marble and Bronze Mantel Clock with Cassolettes
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your mantel with this large antique Empire clock garniture set; crafted in Paris, circa 1860, the time keeper sits on a grey and beige ma...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 26.5 in W 13 in D 13 in
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
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Empire Tazzas, Surtout De Table
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A pair of Empire gilt bronze and cut-glass Empire tazzas, surtout de table.
Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Tazza, Early 19th Century
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of gilt bronze tazza, early 19th century.
Bronze