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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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Vintage Mid Century Royal Gallery Crystal Decanter France
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1960s Mid Century Modern elegant crystal glass decanter from France. This beautiful piece exudes style and glamour. Presenting itself as a crystal column with a facetted st...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

Christofle silver-plated champagne bucket
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Christofle Silver-Plated Metal Champagne Bucket This 1950s Christofle champagne bucket features a classic and elegant design. It's made of silver-plated metal with a hammered texture...
Category

20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Metal

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

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
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

Cristofle Silver Champagne Ice Bucket
Located in New York, NY
Cristofle silver champagne ice bucket. Neoclassical style hotel silver plate urn form ice bucket with Medici style foliate reed and bead h...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Silver

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian oval metal tray depicting watermelon on orange surface / made in Milan Italy in the 1950s Original Fornasetti label on the base Measures: width 18 inches, depth 13.5 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Barware

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray
FORNASETTI Watermelon Oval Metal Tray
$2,025 Sale Price
25% Off
H 1.58 in W 17.72 in D 13.39 in
Mid Century Georges Briard Serving Tray 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful glass tray by designed Georges Briard. This tray features a textured glass surface with a gold -leaf design (sunbursst) and decorative border pattern. An incredible addit...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Barware

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid Century Georges Briard Serving Tray 1960s
Mid Century Georges Briard Serving Tray 1960s
$150
H 1.5 in W 12.5 in D 10.5 in
Baccarat Crystal Decanter with Faceted Stopper, 20th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite crystal decanter is an authentic piece crafted by the renowned Baccarat glassworks, dating back to the 20th century. Showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, this decante...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

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

Silver-plate Ice Bucket by The Sheffield Silver Company with Lion Head Ring Hand
Located in New York, NY
Silver plate ice bucket by The Sheffield Silver Company. The ice bucket features lions head appliqués with ring handles, and original whi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Green Tole Serving Tray
Located in New York, NY
Green tole serving tray. Large antique American tole tray with canted sides in original painted condition, a beautiful steel blue speckled green. United States, mid 19th century Dim...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Metal

Green Tole Serving Tray
Green Tole Serving Tray
$350
H 2 in W 27 in D 21 in
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

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

Early 19th Century French Pewter Tankard with Coat of Arms, Dated 1806
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing at 10 inches in height, this large early nineteenth century French pewter tankard features a coat of arms with an eagle flanked by crowned lions. Below the coat of arms is a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Pewter

Pristine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt 1841 Empire Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Pristine condition Harcourt Empire 1841 whiskey decanter. Luxurious, beautifully proportioned, elegant gilt decoration, well balanced weight. A perfect complement for the finest whi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Barware

Materials

Crystal

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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