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.
19th Century (Late) French Empire Style Porcelain Jardiniere
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Late) French Empire Style Porcelain Jardiniere. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Porcelain
Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Can & Saucer Duo hand painted, French circa 1800
By Paris Studio
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain coffee can and saucer duo made by a French Old-Paris maker, dating to the very early 19th century, circa 1800. The fine quality and very good / ex...
Porcelain
French Empire Style Porcelain Cartographic Cabinet Plate
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A beautiful French Empire style porcelain cartographic cabinet plate made circa 1825 featuring a map of North America highlighted with an apple-green an...
Porcelain
Fine Old-Paris Porcelain Saucer with 'En Grisaille' Decoration, French Ca 1810
By Paris Studio
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain saucer made by a French Old Paris maker, dating to the early 19th century, circa 1810. The saucer is very well painted "en grisaille" with a deer ...
Porcelain
1982-2006 Pair of Italian Demitasse Cups & Saucers by Richard Ginori
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1982-2006 Pair of Demitasse Cups & Saucers by Richard Ginori. Elegant for espresso or demitasse. Rapallo pattern in Empire taste. 3.75" dia. saucer, 3 1/8" h. We are a family bu...
Ceramic
$1,080Sale Price / set|22% Off
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Sèvres Style Parcel-Gilt Porcelain Jardinière
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY
A late 19th century Sèvres style parcel-gilt porcelain jardinière Finely painted with numerous colored flowers with green and gold trim, gilt ram heads on either side. In late ...
Porcelain
$2,488
H 2.56 in Dm 5.12 in
Set of ‘Farfalle’ Butterflies Cups and Saucers by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, 1955
By Piero Fornasetti, Richard Ginori
Located in London, GB
A rare and early set of 'Farfalle' (Butterflies) ceramic cups and saucers designed by Piero Fornasetti, circa 1955. Produced in collaboration with the historic Italian ceramics compa...
Porcelain
19th Century Majolica Jardinière by Minton and Carlo Marochetti
By Minton
Located in London, GB
This exquisite jardinière was manufactured by the celebrated English company Minton, who are famous for their ceramics. It was designed by Baron Carlo Marochetti (1805-1867), an Italian-born sculptor who worked in London in the latter part of his career. His most famous work is the bronze sculpture of Richard the Lionheart...
Majolica
Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze Mounted Sèvres Style Iridescent Vases Each of elongated baluster form, finely painted romantic scene , the reverse a river scene with a castle in ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Richard Ginori Italian Porcelain Espresso Coffee Tea Cup Saucer
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian porcelain espresso coffee or tea demitasse cup and saucer 'Toscana' by designer Richard Ginori, circa mid-20th century, ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Richard Ginori 33-Piece Gilt Demitasse Service
Located in Vista, CA
33-piece white and green porcelain Richard Ginori demitasse service for 8, with gilt trim, scalloped rims and brand stamp at undersides. Includes 12 d...
Porcelain
$3,744 / set
H 4.34 in W 4.73 in D 5.52 in
Dagoty Manufacture of Empress Joséphine Wife of Napoleon 1st Swan Cup
By Dagoty
Located in Paris, FR
This very rare set of 12 delicate cups swan shape with their saucers is signed by Dagoty, one of the favorite manufacturers of Empress Joséphine's first Napoleon wife well known for ...
Porcelain
$25,000 / set
H 26 in W 12 in D 9 in
Beautiful Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze, Enamel and Sèvres Style Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Beautiful Pair of Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Mounted White Sèvres Style Vases Gilt bronze tops above a long neck with raised gold designs. The painted fron...
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Sevres Porcelain Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century 'Sevres' porcelain hand-painted classical vases, depicting romantic scenes to the panels, set in a dark blue background with gilded decoration and...
Porcelain
$2,350 / set
H 2.37 in Dm 4.34 in
Set of 'Soli e Luni' Sun and Moon Cups and Saucers by Piero Fornasetti, c.1955
By Piero Fornasetti, Richard Ginori
Located in London, GB
A rare and early set of four espresso cup and saucers designed by Piero Fornasetti, Italy, circa 1955. Produced by the historic Italian ceramics company, Richard Ginori, these beauti...
Ceramic
Sevres Porcelain Trembleuse Cup and Saucer First Size
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : 18th Century Sevres 1st Size Trembleuse Cup and Saucer Date : Late 18th Century c1790 Marks : Interlaced L mark in blue. Incised OO mark on b...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Sèvres Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very fine quality pair of French ormolu-mounted jewelled Sèvres porcelain lidded vases. Having classical romantic scenes and landscapes set between the cobalt blue, the gilded ormo...
Ormolu
Adda Bonfils for Ipsens, Terracotta Sculpture of Mother and Child
Located in København, Copenhagen
Adda Bonfils (1883-1943) for Ipsens Copenhagen. Large terracotta sculpture of mother with child. Dated 1911. Measures: 38 x 26 cm. Stamped. In very good condition.
Terracotta
Sèvres Ceramic Gilded Bronze Box Paul Milet, France
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Pretty ceramic box by Sèvres finished with elegant decorations in Empire style in gilded bronze, on the lid is applied a medallion also in gilded bronze which represents a graceful cupid in flight, smiling for having hurled his arrow of love,(Cupid or Amor are named in Latin of Eros, the God of love and desire, son of Venus); the medallion, excellently executed, bears the signature of Julien Prosper Joseph Marie Edmond Legastelois, known as Julien Prosper Legastelois, a renowned French sculptor and famous medalist, born in Paris on 24 May 1855 and died in the same city in 1931. On the bottom of the box is the brand "MP Sèvres" which identifies the author of this “jewel”, it is Paul Millet. Paul Milet...
Bronze
19th Century French Faience Masonic Cachepot
Located in Winter Park, FL
An unusual 19th century French faience cachepot from Nanteuil, hand painted with Freemason or Masonic symbols. Please refer to photos for ...
Faience
Selection of Modernist Ceramic Plaques
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of modernist ceramic plaques, circa 1950s. They are: 1) Mischievous boy ceramic plaque, in the manner of Pablo Picasso, French, circa 1950s. It is pictured at the top and ...
Alabaster, Bronze
Sold
H 16.54 in W 9.85 in D 7.09 in
20th Century French Empire Style Hand Painted Red Ceramic Amphora Vase, 1920s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful ceramic vase in the shape of an amphora painted in shades of red with central portrait. Beautiful handles in black and gold. Perfect French style empire of classic style an...
Ceramic
Vase by Christian Dior
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vase by Christian Dior.
Terracotta
Set of Six Creil Montereau Plates, circa 1810
Located in Doylestown, PA
A rare set of six Creil octagonal plates with blue trim, circa 1810, in great condition, stamped "Creil" on bottoms.
Faience
Pair of Old Paris Campagna Form Urns
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of Old Paris porcelain campagna form urns each centering hand-painted reserves of landscapes and interior scenes, resting on square gilt plinths, circa 1835-1840.
Porcelain