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.
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Sceaux Faux Porphyry Tobacco Jars, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of jars with covers with old repairs and chips.
Faience
19th Century Majolica Palissy Tobacco Jar Thomas Sergent
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Palissy tobacco jar attributed to Thomas Sergent, circa 1880 unsigned. Naturalistic movement of the end of 19th century. The jar have the shape of a trunk with a bir...
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
19th Century Opaline Glass Jar
Located in High Point, NC
19th century blue opaline glass jar from France with hand painted floral decorations on lid and base.
Art Glass
19th Century Treenware Walnut Tobacco Jar
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand turned treen tobacco box made from walnut. The lid is expertly turned and is topped with a finial over a fabulous hand turned base. The walnut is a handsome color...
Walnut
19th Century Majolica Elephant Tobacco Jar Onnaing
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica tobacco jar signed Onnaing, circa 1890. The two handles are elephants heads, decorated with corn, the handle of the jar is a corn.
Majolica
19th Century Delft Polychrome Faience Vase
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century delft faience polychrome painted vase with round body and narrow neck ending in an open bulb. Beautifully decorated in blue, orange, brown and green with large medalli...
Faience
19th Century French Pottery Tobacco Jar Humidor Renaissance Style
Located in Austin, TX
Rare complete 19th French pottery tobacco jar inspired by the Renaissance with medallions with his two pewter lids. Pottery from North of France No...
Pewter
19th Century French Desvres Faience Jardinière
By Desvres
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Desvres faience jardinière, or planter. Hand painted in typical floral design with beautiful vivid colors of blue, green, yellow and red on white ground. Footed...
Faience
$1,800 / set
H 21.75 in W 9 in D 7 in
Pair of 19th Century French HB Quimper Hand Painted Faience Tall Neck Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Quimper, France circa 1880, this elegant pair of antique faience vases showcases the refined artistry of HB Quimper. Each vase features a graceful tall neck rising from a ...
Ceramic, Faience
$476Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in Dm 5 in
19th Century European Black Lacquered Chinoserie Painted Tea/Tobacco Caddy Jar
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A large English lacquered papier-mâché container from the Aesthetic Movement period, featuring a decorative chinoserie painting of stylized Asian figures, pagodas, and a garden bridg...
Papercord
$1,400 / set
H 8 in W 5.5 in D 5 in
19th Century French Figural Barbotine Faience Pig Tobacco Jars, Set of 2
By Onnaing
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Northern France circa 1880, this engaging pair of antique figural faience tobacco jars is executed in the manner of Onnaing, reflecting the lively humor and expressive mod...
Faience, Majolica
19th Century English Tobacco Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
A piece that bridges the line between function and quiet artistry, this 19th-century English tobacco jar carries the charm of something handmade, meant to be lived with. Its barrel f...
Maple, Walnut
$2,800
H 9.3 in W 10.5 in D 5 in
19th Century Majolica Monkey Pianist Humidor Tobacco Jar Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Amusing Majolica monkey pianist tobacco jar Sarreguemines, circa 1880.Rarely found complete with his lid ,he wear a costume of Oriental style, he play piano and two books are represe...
Ceramic, Faience, Majolica
Creil Et Montereau Tea or Coffee Pot, Napoleonic Military, circa 1820
Located in Doylestown, PA
A Creil et Montereau coffee pot with Napoleonic Military decoration, circa 1820, with small lid.
Faience
Tall Pitcher with Handle, Creil et Montereau, circa 1820
Located in Doylestown, PA
A rare tall pitcher by Creil et Montereau circa 1820 with transfer decoration depicting the Virgin Mother with two child angels titled “La Belle Jardiniè...
Faience
Creil Demitasse Cups and Saucers, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A grouping of 8 pieces of early 19th century Creil transferware, demitasse cups a saucers.
Faience
Collection of 4 Misc. Creil Pictorial Plates
Located in Doylestown, PA
A misc. collection of 4 Creil et Montereau plates, French Empire 19th century with black and yellow glaze.
Set of 6 Pictorial Plates, Creil et Montereau
Located in Doylestown, PA
A partial set of 6 yellow and black glazed pictorial plates showing the months of the year, French, Creil et Montereau, early 19th century.
Faience
Set of 4 French Empire Plates, Military Theme
Located in Doylestown, PA
A set of 4 ceramic transfer-ware plates with French Empire military theme decoration, yellow and black glazed stamped on reverse Choisy.
Faience
Group of Eight Yellow Creil et Montereau Plates, French Empire
Located in Doylestown, PA
A collection of eight assorted ceramic plates in yellow glaze with various military, hunting, etc. scenes on each, from Creil et Montereau, circa 1810, France.
Faience
French Empire Creil Plate "La Fille"
Located in Doylestown, PA
An early 19th century French Empire period pictorial plate from Creil, circa 1810, depicting a wonderfully stylized scene of a man courting a woman. Great graphic appeal. Signed "Mon...
Faience
Set of Four Creil Plates, Napoleon
Located in Doylestown, PA
A set of four Creil Montereau decorative plates illustrating the battles and exploits of Napoleon, circa 1870. Signed on reverse of each.
Faience