Empire Vases and Vessels
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.
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.
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century Russian Empire Vases and Vessels
Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Glass
20th Century French Empire Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
18th Century European Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Malachite
1870s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Opaline Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1860s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
1870s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Vases and Vessels
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
1880s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel
1850s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Metal
1980s German Vintage Empire Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Berlin Iron, Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Gold Plate, Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Vases and Vessels
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1820s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Cut Glass
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Copper, Ormolu
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Gold Plate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Vases and Vessels
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Griotte Marble, Bronze
1810s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1810s French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-20th Century German Empire Vases and Vessels
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century French Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
1810s German Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
Late 20th Century French Empire Vases and Vessels
Malachite, Ormolu