Skip to main content

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.

1
to
8
7
1
1
1
97
10
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Item Ships From: Illinois
Style: Empire
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 beverag...
Category

1860s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Thomas Wallis II Antique 1800s Pair of Sterling Silver Goblets
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Georgian English sterling silver goblets; an addition to our range of wine and drink related silverware. These exceptional antique George III English sterling silver goblets have a plain circular bell shaped form to a waisted pedestal onto a circular foot and square foot. The upper rim of each body is embellished with a bright cut engraved band of floral and foliate ornamentation. The circular feet are ornamented with bands of tooled decoration. Each square foot is accented with a simplified pin struck border. Condition These antique goblets...
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

English Chippendale Mahogany Cellarette with Original Bracket Feet, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany cellarette with a hinged scalloped compartmentalized lid, flanking brass side handles, interior lock with key, exposed dovetails, and resting on the orig...
Category

1780s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Colorful Antique Hobbs Drinking Glasses in Blue and Pink, Set of 3 1800s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of three Hobbs drinking glasses in seaweed blue, ruby, and flashed cranberry. This vintage hard-to-find set of three will make a great addition to a bar. Made in the 1890s. ...
Category

1890s American Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Glass

Hammered Brass jardinière with Lion Handle with Paw Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oval brass hammered jardinière with paw feet, the lion handles are a great touch - a great oval shape and size for center piece, kitchen island - or as a p...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique English Silver Plated Bottle Coasters with Turned Wooden Inserts
By APEX
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of wine bottle coaster was made by the Apex Company of England in approximately 1920 in a period Art Deco style. The bottle coasters are composed of silver plate with a sty...
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

Georgian Dram Drinking Glass Hand Blown, English, circa 1800
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good English hand blown, Georgian drinking dram glass, which we date to the turn of the 18th Century, Circa 1800. This glass is individua...
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Glass

Set of Four Lion Stirrup Cups with Matching Lion Head Pitcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In the Style of Gucci and Ralph Lauren we have four lion stirrup cups and a lion head pitcher of frosted bulb glass. The cups have different finishes, but we feel like this patinatio...
Category

20th Century Empire Barware

Materials

Brass

1800s Russian Silver Kiddush Vodka Cup / Beaker
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Russian silver Kiddush cup / beaker; an addition to our range of drinks related silverware This fine antique ...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Silver

Pair of Antique English Silver Plated Bottle Coasters with Turned Wooden Inserts
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of large wine bottle coasters are unsigned with respect to the maker, but originate from England and date to approximately 1920and done in...
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Barware

Materials

Silver Plate

A Fine 19th Century Georgian Style Inlaid Mahogany Tantalus, U.K. Circa 1860
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome and finely proportioned 19th century inlaid mahogany Tantalus in the form of a Georgian side cabinet, showing a richly figured & finely constructed mahogany case with...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Mahogany

Large English Wine Compendium or Cellarette of Patinated Oak
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English cellaret or wine cooler compendium of patinated oak from the mid-19th century, featuring a classical sarcophagus with a hinged lid and a fitted interior with roo...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Barware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique English Sheffield Silver Goblet, circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is an attractive goblet and has room for engraving if desired.
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique 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.

Recently Viewed

View All