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Empire Barware

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
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Empire Barware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Late 18th Century Pewter Wine Beaker or Cup, Denmark
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.
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Pewter

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal, Gold Leaf

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Metal

Fine Estate Baccarat Crystal Empire Style Jonzac Decanter
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...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Copper and Brass 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Barware

Materials

Brass, Copper

19th Century, Silver Dredging Spoon
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish silver dredging spoon from circa 1820.
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver

Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
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...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Barware

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Pair of John Somers 'Copo de Whisky' pewter cups
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...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Pewter

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...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Barware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Related Items
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
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Gustavian, 18th Century Plate Rack with Original Rosemåling Painting
Located in New York, NY
Gustavian Swedish 18th century plate rack with original gorgeous rosemåling painting, circa 1800, origin: Northern Sweden.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tortoise Bamboo and Wicker 6 Bottle Wine Rack
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A handmade Mid-Century Modern wine rack created from bentwood bamboo and wicker. Two layers of bamboo are carefully woven together creating a space for 6 bottle so wine (or other bev...
Category

Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Empire Barware

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Mid-Century Orange & Black Serving Tray w/ Ivory Grips, c.1960s–70s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A bold pop of color for your bar cart or coffee table, this mid-century serving tray features a saturated Hermès-orange field framed by a slim black rim with ivory ribbed handle grip...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Barware

Materials

Plastic, Masonite, Paint

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.
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Acrylic

18th Century European Carved Pine Trunk
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th century European carved pine trunk Brilliant antique trunk / blanket chest from Europe. This can also be used as a toy chest, games chest, linen chest, etc. The chest meas...
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Pine

18th Century European Carved Pine Trunk
18th Century European Carved Pine Trunk
$745
H 15 in W 33 in D 15.5 in
Six-Piece Cut Crystal Liquors Set Four Decanters, Claret & Pitcher, 19th Century
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and exceptional 19th century crystal drinks set attributed to Baccarat. The service consists of four matching decanters, a claret jug and a matching water pitcher. Eac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Napoleon III Liquor Cabinet "Cave à Liqueur" with Crystal Interior
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful Napoleon III period "Cave à liqueur" liquor cabinet with inlaid brass en fruitwood veneer. The cabinet contains four carafes and 12 glasses on a wooden stand with bronze ...
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Mid-Century Baccarat Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac Crystal Decanter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand-blown Baccarat Remy Martin Louis XIII crystal decanter bottle with stopper, circa 1957-1967. This piece is an exact replica of a rare decanter us...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Crystal Champagne Flutes, Set of 8
Located in Miami, FL
A truly elegant and fine quality Baccarat crystal champagne flutes, set of 8 still available. Beautiful details that will enhance any table and delight your guests. Designed by Valer...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Elegant Baccarat Crystal Decanter with Stopper
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant Baccarat crystal decanter is a testament to the timeless sophistication and craftsmanship for which the brand is renowned. Made in the 20th century, this exquisite piece...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

French serving tray with chinoiserie painting on black metal, early 19th century
Located in Salzburg, AT
Antique serving tray from France at the beginning of the 19th century. The oval metal tray has an all-round gallery border with 2 handles. The gallery border has a beautiful hand-p...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Metal, Gold

Previously Available Items
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Barware

Materials

Brass, Chrome

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...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Metal, Silver

Silverplate Champagne Bucket
Silverplate Champagne Bucket
H 9.38 in W 8.5 in D 7.88 in
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...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Barware

Materials

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...
Category

20th Century English Empire Barware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

English Caviar Dish
English Caviar Dish
H 4.38 in W 5.25 in D 5.38 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Pair of English Mahogany Cellarettes circa Mid-1800s with Lion Paw Feet
Located in Chicago, 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...
Category

1860s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal
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...
Category

1940s Russian Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

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...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

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.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

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...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

French White Pierced Porcelain Compote Basket Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A French round pierced white Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France. Great as a stand...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Porcelain

Christofle Silver Plated Bottle Opener with Portrait of Napoleon the Emperor
Located in London, GB
Silverplated bottle opener by Christfole, Gallia collection, representing a medal with the French Emperor Napoleon in profile and the inscription "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR". On the back,...
Category

1980s French Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Empire barware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire barware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage barware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire barware made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Denmark pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original barware, popular names associated with this style include Baccarat, Cristalleries De Baccarat, Fabergé, and Wiggers. 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 barware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $198 and tops out at $15,500 while the average work can sell for $1,268.

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