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.
Empire Period Large Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jar
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Porcelain, Paint
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 Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
By Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter Napoleon III style French silver and glass jug Circa 1930 Origin France Excellent quality cut crystal, could be baccarat The silver part ha...
Crystal, Silver
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th C. Sicilian Glass Pharmacy Jar Set, 3 Pieces
Located in Ross, CA
Originally handblown in Sicily in the early 19th century, this impressive pharmacy pot incorporates two separate containers and a lid, and would have been...
Blown Glass
$3,000 / set
H 12 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Set of 5 Large Vintage Venetian Glass Apothecary Jars with Lids and Fruit Handle
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare vintage cobalt blue venetian glass apothecary jars. Set of 5. Each jar has a lid with glass fruit or flower as handle. Perfect for vanity or bathroom storage. Very good conditio...
Blown Glass
Antique Terracotta Pot or Jug
Located in Austin, TX
This Vintage Terracotta Pot or Jug is a delightful piece that exudes rustic charm and timeless appeal. Crafted from natural terracotta, it showc...
Terracotta
Large Amber Apothecary Glasses, Jars Bottles
Located in Vienna, AT
Brown/amber apothecary pharmacy glasses from the 1920s-1930s.
Glass
19th Century French Napoleon III Jardinière or Cachepot
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry jardinière with inlaid veneers of mahogany and exotic woods, in a lattice pattern. Bronze mounted with two handles, gallery and trim...
Bronze, Zinc
French Victorian Porcelain Apothecary Jars
Located in Queens, NY
4 French Victorian white porcelain apothecary jars with decorative rectangular decal with floral trim. (PRICED EACH, please specify jar label ...
Porcelain
Multi-Color Porcelain O-Jar with Lid
By Erin Turkoglu
Located in Helsinki, FI
O-Jar is a sculptural hand made porcelain vessel. A soft pink colored matte porcelain body is complemented with an oversized ball cap. The inside of the...
Porcelain
French Apothecary Jar with Lid
Located in Houston, TX
The jar maintains its original painted label in a beautiful orange and gold patina. While the jar is now empty the label translates from the French word Chiendent to Quackgrass in En...
Blown Glass, Paint
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire style (19th Cent) gilt bronze urns with finial top and handles with claw feet on square base (matching clock: Inv. #032441) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Dore Patinated Bronze Urns on Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of quality bronze Dore Urns on Pedestals. The pair are in wonderful vintage condition. one small bend to the lip or edge of one - not greatly noticeable or offense...
Gold, Bronze
French 19th Century Flat Lidded Glass Jar
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Petite, clear glass jar with lid. This sweet little jar is raised on a short pedestal and is crowned with a flat lid. The lid overhangs the jar and has a ‘t...
Glass
19th Century French Napoleon III Jardinière or Cachepot
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 19th century French Napoleon III marquetry jardinière with inlaid veneers of mahogany and exotic woods, in a lattice pattern with unusual green color. Bronze-mounted with two ...
Bronze, Zinc
Large Antique Meiji Period Porcelain Imari Lidded Jars Urns
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Indulge in the splendor of the Meiji period with this remarkable pair of antique porcelain lidded jars, crafted circa 1885. Standing at an impressive 20 inches tall with a diameter o...
Porcelain
Sold
H 6.7 in W 3.55 in D 1.97 in
Viennese Silver Jug With Finest Enamel Painting, Hermann Boehm, Circa 1870
By Herman Boehm, Viennese Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Viennese Enamel Work from around 1870: Silver vessel on an oval plan, with a large, offset, domed foot, baluster-shaped body with a large, broad spout, on the back a siren hol...
Silver
Sold
H 4.5 in W 4.75 in D 3.75 in
19th Century French Empire Chinoiserie Red Tole Tea Caddy Sarcophagus Box
Located in Pearland, TX
A stunning antique French Empire Period red tole sarcophagus shaped tea caddy box in a Chinoiserie style with original working lock and key, circa 1800-1820. This lovely box is decor...
Sheet Metal
Antique French Empire White Opaline Jar with Lid and Eagle Motif
Located in Toronto, ON
A well preserved and unique French opaline glass jar from the Empire period. Opaline glass was made in France between the years of 1810-1890. This Empire opaline jar with lid has a g...
Opaline Glass
Neoclassical Ormolu Mounted Patinated Bronze and Marble, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A NEOCLASSICAL ORMOLU MOUNTED PATINATED BRONZE AND MARBLE French, late 18th century H. 35,5 cm Medici-shaped vase of patinated and fire-gilt bro...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
A PAIR OF NEOCLASSICAL GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE CASSOLETTES 19th century French, 1st quarter of 19th century H. 30 cm On rectangular base with applied winged putto heads two Amph...
Bronze
Large Decorative 19th Century Copper Storage Churn
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large decorative 19th century copper storage churn circa 1870. Stunning churn/still or water container made in copper, complete with original patina. Beehive shaped with ribbin...
Copper, Zinc
Empire Gilt Bronze Vase, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire style vase in glass with an enneagone neck, frame and girdle in chiseled gilt bronze. Period Napoleon III France circa 1870, in a very good g...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire French Gilded Bronze Vases
Located in IT
Pair of 19th century Empire French gilded bronze vases, engraved body with bacchanal and musical allegory.
Bronze
Sold
H 9.5 in Dm 4.25 in
19th Century French Hand-Painted Porcelain Urn with Lid and Napoleonic Bee Motif
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This 19th century French porcelain urn with lid features hand-painted Napoleonic motifs, notably the Napoleonic bee, a symbol chose...
Porcelain
Empire Porcelain French Tureen Centerpiece
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique elegant France Empire tureen, porcelain gilt: a perfect gift for Christmas time. O/3720 -
Porcelain
19th Century Royal Copenhagen Apothecary Jar
Located in Copenhagen, K
Great pharmaceutical apothecary jar from Royal Copenhagen. Made for "Måge", translate seagull, Pharmacy in 1850-1870.
Porcelain
19th Century Apothecary Jar by Royal Copenhagen
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice porcelain apothecary jar with a brass lid by Royal Copenhagen.
Brass