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.
Vintage Russian Soviet Classic Large Crystal and Silver Circular Bowl, ca. 1945
Located in New York, NY
A Russian Classic, silver and hand-cut crystal circular serving bowl of unusually large dimensions, manufactured in Moscow, circa 1945. Silver rim features repeating oak leaf design,...
Crystal, Silver
19th Century French Empire Bronze Centerpiece with Glass Bowl & Sphinx
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire bronze centerpiece with 3 winged sphinx figures connected with centered filigree stretcher supporting a (modern) round clear glass bowl
Bronze
$325
H 2.5 in W 16.25 in D 15.75 in
Vintage English Silver MFG Victorian Silver Plated Large Clam Shell Dish Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage English Silver MFG Victorian Silver Plated Large Clam Shell Dish Bowl. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 2.5" H x 16.25" W x 15.75" D.
Silver Plate
$2,800
H 8.63 in W 13.25 in D 9 in
19th Century French Empire Revival Bronze and Cut Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
19th century gilt bronze centerpiece in the French Empire style with oval cut glass bowl supported by two stylized dolphins on oval base raised on lion paw feet. 13 1/4 inches wide,...
Bronze
Tiffany Sterling Silver Bowl in Classic Clover Pattern
Located in New York, NY
Clover sterling silver bowl. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Tapering sides and turned-down rim with bunched blossoms. A beautiful piece in this gilded age high-low pattern that c...
Sterling Silver
Rare Large Lalique Crystal Leaf Bowl
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare large Lalique crystal leaf bowl Solid worked crystal, cut and shaped into a leaf shape. Extremely detailed design. Very rare and of high ...
Crystal
$350
H 8.5 in W 15.5 in D 12.5 in
Decorative Crafts Inc. French Victorian Style Bronze Centerpiece Fruit Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Decorative Crafts Inc French Victorian Style Bronze Centerpiece Fruit Bowl. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 8.5" H x 15.5" W x 12.5" D.
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Export Bowl
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-painted export bowl with wonderful vibrant colors in patterns of florals, birds and butterflies.
Stoneware
19th Century Spongeware Serving Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century spongeware bake dish or serving bowl. This sponge bowl is in great condition and is very hard to find is this form. Great in the ...
Mid-Century French Cut Crystal Centerpiece Compote Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a dining table, entry console, or bar with this striking French cut crystal centerpiece compote. Crafted in France circa 1970, the sculptural bowl is raised on a solid pedest...
Crystal
19th Century Large Japanese Imari Polychrome Bowl with Scalloped Edge
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a large Japanese Imari polychromed and gilt with foliate panels inside and out, accented with geometric designs and finished with a scalloped rim or edge, dating to...
Porcelain
$1,200
H 3.75 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Dish Server by Gelb, Paris in Box
By Gelb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modernist silver plate and crystal caviar serving bowl, dish, or chiller designed by French silversmith Gelb in the 1980s. Sophisticated design with a streamlined geometric shape, ...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
$3,398
H 3.35 in Dm 9.06 in
19th Century Vintage Crystal Glass Fruit Bowl Signed " VAL ST LAMBERT BELGIQUE"
Located in Beirut, LB
Vintage Crystal fruit / serving bowl in fruits and flowers patterns , diverging between opaque and transparent parts of the glass, with a silver rim circulating the top stamped and ...
Crystal
19th Century Blue and White Staffordshire Bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century blue and white Staffordshire bowl.
Porcelain
19th Century Silver and Cut Crystal Candy Dish
Located in Paris, FR
A candy dush in silver and blown crystal cut in oves and cut known as "diamond point". The candy dish is decorated with antique motifs representing deities: on one side, Poseidon emerging from the wave trident by hand, on the other side Hermes god...
Crystal, Silver
c. 1930 Italian Silver Covered Candy Dish by Romeo Mirocoli
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930 silver covered candy dish by Romeo Mirocoli, Milan, Italy. 800 standard silver. Empire taste with swan handles & bead & laurel leaf banding. Gilded interior. Dragon mark. ...
Silver
Sold
H 3.75 in Dm 7.09 in
Round Silver Detachable Base Saucière, Gilded Inside, Swedish Late Empire 1830s.
By Johan Petter Grönvall 1
Located in Knivsta, SE
Round Silver Two-Piece Saucière with Detachable Base, Gilded Inside, Swedish Late Empire 1830s. Silver stamps on the piece date the piece to 1831. A silver bowl used for serving sau...
Silver
Malachite Spice Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small malachite spice bowl with fire-gilded bronze atlases on round base.
Malachite, Bronze
Porcelain Sauce Boat, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain sauce boat, 19th century Empire period white porcelain sauceboat, 19th century. Measures: H: 17 cm, W: 25 cm, D: 10 cm SM0714.
Porcelain
Large English Bowl By Ridgways Royal Semi Porcelain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large bowl made in England by Ridgways and part of the Zenda collection. The piece has beautiful foliage that is hand painted and scalloped edges.The piece has no chips or losses ...
Porcelain
21st Century Italian Sterling Silver Gianmaria Buccellati Caviar Bowl
Located in VALENZA, IT
Important bowl for caviar by Gianmaria Buccellati. The body was made in two parts, cup and base. The welded edge with small leaves characterizes the Classic Empire style. A wire circ...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.19 in W 1.19 in D 0.79 in
Russian Repousse Cups Ivan Frolov St. Petersburg 1743, Fyedor Petrov Moscow 1778
Located in Sofia, BG
2 Russian cups with etched decor and repulsed scrolls Russia, Ivan Frolov, St. Petersburg 1743, and Fyedor Petrov, Moscow 1778, H 3 cm, 70 g.
Sterling Silver
19th Century Pink Opaline Bowl
By Baccarat
Located in Paris, FR
Pink and white opaline bowl decorated on the exterior with a frieze of palmettes, small white dots, and thin, gold embellishments. It rests on a short, pedestal foot that is also acc...
Opaline Glass
Early 19th Century Empire Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Paris, FR
White and blue porcelain centerpiece, featuring two winged Cupids in bisque leaning on gilded quivers. They are wearing a crown on which is resting the pierced basket, in the manner ...
Porcelain
19th Century Pink Opaline Bowl
By Baccarat
Located in Paris, FR
Pink and white opaline bowl decorated on the exterior with a frieze of palmettes, small white dots, and thin, gold embellishments. It rests on a short, pedestal foot that is also acc...
Opaline Glass