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.
Baccarat Harcourt 1841 36 Piece Set Champagne, Wine, Water, Liqueur Glasses
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Baccarat Harcourt 1841. The design has been chosen by some of the most notable figures in the world, Kings, Queens and Popes, for their t...
Crystal
English Caviar Dish
Located in New York, NY
An English gold metal over silver plate and glass caviar covered dish with lion paw feet, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century, England. Piece has an easy rolltop lid with cut...
Metal, Silver Plate
Baccarat Harcourt 48 Piece Set, Water, Red Wine, White Wine, Champagne Glasses
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Estate Baccarat Harcourt 48 piece set, 12 water, 12 red wine, 12 white wine, 12 champagne coupe glasses France, 20th Century Each piece has been examined and is in excellent conditio...
Crystal
Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Unbeatable age and patina on this black painted and gilt on oval tray. The tray features leaves in an oval pattern. As found in Sweden, we see this metal tray functioning on a coffee...
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Cut Crystal / Gilt Cold Liquor Cave
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-20th century French cut crystal champagne cave in a dome shape form with hand painted gilt gold design finial top and stem base. The cave features a...
Crystal, Gold Leaf
$573Sale Price|20% Off
Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Empire pattern biscuit barrel by WMF. High quality crafted from silverplated brass with a cut glass liner this piece can also perfectly be used as a ice cube to...
Silver Plate
Fine Estate Baccarat Crystal Empire Style Jonzac Decanter
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Fine estate Baccarat decanter in the rare Jonzac pattern which pairs beautifully with Empire and Harcourt patterns- the stopper is identical to Harcourt an...
Crystal
Ice Bucket with Lion Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A copper and brass ice bucket with lion head design, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century. This copper ice bucket with lid has brass lion head and loop design on sides (or fro...
Brass, Copper
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Late 18th Century Pewter Wine Beaker or Cup, Denmark
By Wiggers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish Pewter beaker or cup for wine or beer, Denmark Circa 1790-1810 The cup is marked with a large W on the base.
Pewter
Small Round Tray with Red Carrara Marble Top and Brass Edging
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round barware tray with red carrara marble top and brass edging. This tray was most likely an old table top, that is now being used as a tray.
Carrara Marble, Brass
A Very Fine Early 19th Century French Silver Tastevin or Wine Taster, Circa 1830
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine 19th century French silver (.950 fine) tasetvin / wine taster showing a circular bowl rising to a neoclassical inspired 'reeded & ribbon dado' decorated rim, sided by pie...
Silver
Pair of John Somers 'Copo de Whisky' pewter cups
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter – Pair of 'Copo de Whisky' Elevate your barware collection with this elegant pair of Copo de Whisky cups, crafted by the celebrated Brazilian pewter ar...
Pewter
19th Century, Silver Dredging Spoon
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish silver dredging spoon from circa 1820.
Silver
Sterling Silver Set of 6 bar spoons, long handle for cocktail mixing
Located in Milano, IT
Sterling Silver Set of 6 bar spoons, long handle for cocktail mix. The perfect gift for Cocktail and Bar Admirers. Elegant Empire Style spoons, very well hand re...
Sterling Silver
$650
H 9.5 in W 6.75 in D 6.75 in
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau St. Louis Silver Co. Oak and Silver Ice Bucket
Located in Centennial, CO
This elegant antique ice bucket was crafted by the St. Louis Silver Company, which was active from 1904-1912. The body was made of dense Flemish oak and ornamented with gorgeous art ...
Silver
Set of Six Crystal "Massena" Red Wine Glasses by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of six crystal "Massena" red wine glasses by Baccarat of France, circa 2000s. The Massena glass showcases Baccarat’s meticulous craftsmanship. Deep bevel cuts are etched directl...
Crystal
$789
H 8.47 in Dm 5.52 in
Ettore Sottsass Style Vintage Pear Shaped Brass Ice Cube Bucket or Holder, 1970s
By Turnwald Collection International, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Vintage Mid-Century polished brass and. Plastic ice bucket, box or ice cube holder made circa 1970s. This piece would look fantastic displayed on a brass and chrome Romeo Rega or Maison Jansen bar cart...
Brass
Set of Six Crystal "Massena" White Wine Glasses by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of six crystal "Massena" white wine glasses by Baccarat of France, circa 2000s. The Massena glass showcases Baccarat’s meticulous craftsmanship. Deep bevel cuts are etched direc...
Crystal
Art Deco Silver Overlay Ice Bucket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco glass ice bucket with a nickel handle. Molded bucket with a faceted design. Top of bucket has silver overlay band with intricate pierced design.
Silver, Chrome
$435 / set
H 5.52 in Dm 3.94 in
fferrone Set of 2 Contemporary Margot Champagne Coupe Glasses Handcrafted Czech
Located in Chicago, IL
Margot champagne coupe, set of two The Margot champagne glass coupe is a contemporary glassware set which is handcrafted without the use of molds, made one by one by master craftsme...
Glass
$360 / set
H 6.89 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
fferrone Set of 2 Czech Contemporary May Champagne Flute Glasses Handmade
Located in Chicago, IL
May champagne flute glasses, set of two A pair of Czech contemporary glass handcrafted is the perfect modern champagne glass. The May collection i...
Glass
Champagne Flutes Glasses Hand-Painted Flower Design, Set of 12
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous set of twelve (12) pink and white tulip Champagne flutes glasses, circa late-20th century. Glasses are beautifully hand-painted in pink, white, and a touch of yellow and g...
Glass
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
Crystal Wine/ Champagne Glasses Vintage Peill Glasses, Germany
Located in Bastogne, BE
Beautiful Vintage set of 6 crystal wine/champagne glasses. Produced in Germany, by the famous manufacturer Peill Glasses, in the 70- 80s. Colorless cut 24% Lead Crystal Wine...
Crystal
Vintage Lucite Faceted Swivel Top Candy Dish with Neon Infusion
Located in North Miami, FL
This faceted acrylic box with swivel top is a perfect decorative bowl or candy dish! THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR MIAMI, FLORIDA SHOWROOM.
Acrylic
$325 / set
H 4.93 in Dm 1.97 in
fferrone Set of 2 Czech Clear Contemporary Rasori Champagne Flute Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
Rasori champagne flute glasses, set of two As the designer's favorite street in Milan, her home away from home, the clear Czech contemporary Rasori Champagne Flute glasses are a p...
Glass
Large Brass Wine Champagne Cooler Bucket with Handle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This impressive wine or champagne bucket features a brass finish. As seen throughout Europe this cast bucket will elevate any occasion. The natural patina of a piece creates a distin...
Brass, Chrome
Mid 20th-Century Baccarat Style Crystal Decanter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This exquisite 20th-Century crystal decanter echoes the refined craftsmanship associated with Baccarat. Featuring a distinctive flat, flared bottom, this piece is designed for servin...
Crystal
Sold
H 9.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
Vintage French Empire Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket w/ Lion Heads
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket with Lion Head Drop Rings. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 9.5" H x 9" Diameter.
Silver Plate
Silverplate Champagne Bucket
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A silverplate champagne bucket/wine cooler with elegant coin-edge detail at the handles and the base. The ring pull handles facilitate easy carrying from the freezer to the table. Hi...
Metal, Silver
Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Unbeatable age and patina on this two hundred plus year old oval tray. As found in Sweden, we see this metal tray functioning on a bar area, with glass decanters and liquor bottles a...
Metal
English Caviar Dish
Located in New York, NY
An English silver plate and glass caviar covered dish with lion paw feet, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century, England. Piece could also be used for butter, if so desired. Pi...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 8 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
Vtg F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Ice Bucket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket. Item features is a nice small size, engraved "W.A.S., Many Thanks, T.G.W." to center, ve...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 42.88 in W 21.75 in D 15.13 in
Antique Pair of English Mahogany Cellarettes circa Mid-1800s with Lion Paw Feet
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique pair of Cellarettes or Liquor Cabinets imported from England, that were generally custom made wooden chests intended to transport or store a small number of alcoholic beverages. Made of finer woods, like mahogany or rosewood and in numerous shapes and sizes. You would often see Cellarettes placed in dining rooms. Men of considerable financial means had as many as three Cellarettes as a status symbol. The pair of Liquor Cabinets or Cellarettes were handcrafted from the finest mahogany and refinished in a traditional French polish. We believe that this pair of antique English Cellarettes...
Brass
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal
By Fabergé
Located in Milano, MI
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal. The set includes a new Faberge, two vodka glasses, a caviar bowl and a bottle. It includes a box. Egg - Ø 15 cm h 25 cm Fabergé refers to the renowned House of Fabergé, a company of Russian jewelers and craftsmen known for creating intricate and luxurious Fabergé eggs. The company was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, and subsequently continued by his son, Peter Carl Fabergé. Fabergé eggs are perhaps the Maison's most iconic and celebrated creations. These were decorated and jeweled eggs...
Crystal
19th Century Pair Of French Wine Bottle Coasters
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of French brass antique bottle holder coasters from the first part of the 19th Century. With their pierced design around the circumference and the shape of leaves, they are id...
Metal, Brass
French Empire Period Circular Brass & Mirrored Footed Plateau, Early 19th Cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of circular form with a raised brass gallery, the brass cast in pattern, with antique mirrored top, raised on small lion’s paw feet.
Brass
Set of 18 Crystal Glasses Made by Baccarat Model Jonzac
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of wine glasses from the French maker Baccarat. The model's name is Jonzac. The crystal is of a beautiful quality, with beautiful cut...
Crystal