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.
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
$29,200Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Dore Bronze Centerpiece with Griffins, Att. Thomire A Paris
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Dore Bronze Centerpiece with Griffins, Attributed to Thomire A Paris, Circa 1820 The centerpiece is formed as an oval openwork basket raised on a sculptural Griffin su...
Bronze
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
Pair of Russian Imperial Cut Crystal and Doré Bronze Centerpieces W/ Masks
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of hand diamond cut Russian crystal and doré bronze mounted oval shaped centerpieces in the Louis XVI style, attributed to the Imperial Russian Glass Manufactory, early 1800s. Each beautiful hand diamond cut crystal bowl...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Doré Gilt Bronze Etageres Bases by Thomire
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French bases for etageres. By Pierre-Phillippe Thomire. In doré gilt bronze. Each with a central column with a mounting thread to the top surrounded by a la...
Bronze
Antique Paris Porcelain Pierced Basket with Gold Decoration France Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This elegant Paris Porcelain pierced basket is oval shaped, with lavishly gilded latticework. The Empire style is timeless, and the latticework of the baskets lends delicacy and light to the design. The white line across the top of the base accentuates the richness of the gold, adding a touch of intensity to the overall design. The long rectangular base of the basket harmonizes with its oval shape, creating a pleasing visual balance. Filled with flowers, this is the perfect centerpiece for a formal dining room table...
Porcelain
19th Century Table Centrepiece (Surtout De Table) Paris 1825–1830 Fire-Gilded
Located in Epfach, DE
Table centrepiece (surtout de table), Paris, c. 1825–1830 This extraordinary centrepiece was created in Paris around 1825/1830, at a time when French table culture was experiencing ...
Bronze
A French Empire Sèvres Porcelain Centerpiece around 1820, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
A French Empire Sèvres Porcelain Centerpiece around 1820, Paris A French porcelain centerpiece. Mint green metal top. Base: Navette-sha...
Metal
Large French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Footed Bowl
Located in Essex, MA
French Empire bowl with snake handles and beaded edge, reeded shallow bowl, square base with censor and wreath mounts, plinth base.
Other
19th Century French Bronze Dore Compote with Ebonized Figures
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore compote with 3 Egyptian ebonized figures and crystal bowl.
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted / Cut Glass Empire Style Centerpiece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Step into the splendor of the 19th century with this exceptional Empire-style tableware centerpiece, a captivating union of gilt bronze mounts and cut glass that epitomizes the opule...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Russian Empire Malachite, French Bronze Centrepiece/Tazzas by Thomier
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of Russian Empire Period malachite, French doré bronze and cut crystal Tazzas, signed THOMIRE A PARIS. The square malachite bowls are...
Crystal, Malachite, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mirror Plateau with Mascaron Feet, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mirror Plateau with Mascaron Feet, Paris, circa 1810 An elegant and refined Empire mirror plateau in fire-gilded bronze, most likely Parisian work from the...
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze Table Top Perfume Burner
Located in Paris, FR
An ormolu table top perfume burner "potpourri" decorated with antique masks flanked by griffons resting on a foot chiselled with crosspieces, above a rectangular base decorated on th...
Marble, Bronze
A Rare Pair of Antique Russian Crystal and Dore Bronze dolphin Centerpieces
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Russian Diamond Patterned Cut Crystal Centerpieces with Gilt Bronze Mounts and Mercury Gilded Bronze Dolphin Heads. The wavy edge of the elegantly cut bowls perfectly frame...
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece. This most elegant centerpiece is raised by an oval Ormolu base with intricately sc...
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted Amethyst Crystal Scalloped Rim Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality 19th century Russian Empire period Dore bronze mounted amethyst crystal scalloped rim tazza/cache-pot. The crystal is of a beautiful rich amethyst purple color. The crystal is beautifully hand-cut and shaped with a scalloped rim. The crystal is mounted on an incredible dore bronze base with the finest quality. The base is all hand-burnished and matted with an acanthus leaf design and is resting on a square plinth with an acanthus leaf border. The Crystal is easily attributable to the Imperial Russian Glass...
Crystal, Bronze
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
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
French, Early 19th Century, Empire Style, Pierced Porcelain Basket
Located in Lantau, HK
French Empire Paris porcelain gilt reticulated centerpiece basket. Ideal decorative centerpiece to hold flowers or fruits on a dinning table Ref AACPO18 Shipping included Free and...
Porcelain
French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and finely detailed French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece. The stunning cut Crystal bowl is raised on four straight legs displaying clawed f...
Crystal, Ormolu
$2,160Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century (Early) French Empire Gilt Bronze Center Piece
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Early) French Empire Gilt Bronze Center Piece Unique piece purchased in France. See detailed photos.
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most elegant French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal centerpiece. This stunning centerpiece is raised by a circular Ormolu band with an intricate s...
Crystal, Ormolu
Large Russian Empire Porcelain Gold-Ground and White Bisque Figural Centrepiece
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and large Russian Empire porcelain gold ground and white bisque figural reticulated centrepiece. A large filigree basket supported by three a...
Gold
$9,500
French Mirrored Plateau
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire bronze dore, reticulated feather and paw foot, mirrored plateau.
Bronze
19th Century, French Empire Ground Crystal and Gilt Bronze Vase Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th century, French Empire ground crystal and gilt bronze vase centrepiece This Empire centerpiece, made in France at the beginning of...
Crystal, Bronze
Elegant French Empire Table Plateau in Bronze with nice patina from the 1810s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Table Plateau in Bronze with a lovely patina. Worn in the original mirror glass. (see pictures). Made in France during the 1810s Wear consistent with age and ...
Bronze
Wonderful Ormolu Cut Crystal and Finely Chased Dore Bronze Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French cut crystal and doré bronze centerpiece bowl.
Crystal, Bronze
$3,575Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Italian Empire Period Bronze and Brass Tazzas, 19th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
Elegant pair of 19th-century Italian Empire tazzas, also referred to as decorative stands or compotes are the perfect decorative centerpiece for refined interiors and collectors, sho...
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 1810 Paris Empire Milieu De Table Paws Gilt Bronze Mirror Centrepiece
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant and rare so called Milieu de Table made in Paris in 1810 ca. This fine Empire table centre piece in original condition consists of a mirror mou...
Bronze
21th Century Italian Sterling Silver Empire Style Centerpiece Dish on Feet
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large round centerpiece in sterling silver. The centerpiece plate was made in the Empire style, without using borders but embossing and chisel...
Sterling Silver
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Glass Ormolu-Mounted Neoclassical Urns
Located in Roslyn, NY
Pair of lovely French empire style bronze and glass urns. Please note, they are blown glass and one is slightly higher than the other. The base measures 3" x 3".
Bronze
XXI Century Italian Solid 800 Silver Centerpiece Cachepot Empire Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
The body of the centerpiece is flared with embossments and chisels depicting acanthus leaves and flowers surrounded by a shiny curved frame. Knurling was carried out between the embo...
Silver
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Crystal, Bronze
19th, Circular Ormolu Bronze French Centerpiece with Mirror
Located in IT
19th, circular Ormolu bronze French centerpiece with mirror (surtout de table) Diameter cm 75, H 9 cm, 11 cm the highest point (harps) This splendid French centerpiece has a roun...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Tazzas, France Empire Period
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Tazzas from the late part of the Empire period. Made in Red French Marble with a bowl in dark patinated bronze. Base decorated with gilt bronze.
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Rare Empire French Fire Gilded Center Piece Tazza Warrior Horses Harp
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Thomire & Cie.
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
More than 200 years old showpiece for on the table. Made from glass, fire-gilt bronze and green veined marble. Beautiful horses with a warrior and mythological figures with harp and ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Paris Porcelain Neoclassical Corbeille or Centrepieces
Located in Essex, MA
19th century pair of gilt and bisque porcelain Empire centrepieces Of Sevres form though Old Paris porcelain Each with three neoclassical female...
Porcelain
Empire Style Marble and Bronze Antique Centrepiece by Robbe
Located in London, GB
In an ornamental style, with rouge griotte marble and burnished bronze depicting the three Graces, signed 'A. ROBBE. Paris.' This stunning French centrepiece...
Marble, Bronze
French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Mirrored Surtout De Table Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French Mid-19th Century Empire st. ormolu mirrored surtout de table centerpiece. The impressive cent...
Ormolu
Italian Empire Silver and Silver Gilt Inkstand
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of oval shape, with a cupid holding a bow and arrow riding aloft a gilt dolphin forming a lid over a compartment, flanked by ink and sand pots on masked plinths cast with Medusa masks and mounted to a lion's-paw footed oval galleried tray...
Silver