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.
Baccarat Harcourt 1841 36 Piece Set Champagne, Wine, Water, Liqueur Glasses
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Baccarat Harcourt 1841. The design has been chosen by some of the most notable figures in the world, Kings, Queens and Popes, for their t...
Crystal
$15,430 / set
Att. Moser, Glassware Service (43 pieces), 1950s
By Saint Louis, Moser
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb glassware service composed of 43 pieces featuring glass cutting techniques in the style of Moser’s “Splendid” model, with gold thistle decorations along the rim reminiscent of...
Glass
French 19th Century Cobalt Blue Glass with Bronze Rim
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Denmark, a very versatile glass with a bronze rim. We see this piece being used for display, a cocktail glass as well as a penholder. We are very impressed with the unbea...
Art Glass
Mid-19th Century White Opaline Bowl with Brass Handle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Denmark, we see this charming bowl with a etched brass handle used as a decorative piece as well as functional. This could be displayed on a coffee table as well used as ...
Brass
Antique Baccarat Set of 12 Cordial Glasses by St. Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 12Cordial glasses set of 1st Empire Cut-Glass from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. These Glasses are very rare. Museum pieces. The set provenance:...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Champagne Flutes Set of Six, Crystal, France
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of six Harcourt 1841 white wine glasses by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. Pure, powerful and elegant at the ...
Crystal
Antique Baccarat Set of 10 Cordial Glasses by St. Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
10 Important Cordial glasses of 1st Empire Cut-Glass from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. These Glasses are very rare. Museum pieces. The set provenance: Co...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Antique Baccarat Champagne Flutes from Sainte Anne factory in Voneche, 1810 cca.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Champagne Cut-Glass Flutes from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauri...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg. The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Bronze
Antique Victorian Opal Glass Biscuit Jar Box Hand Painted Floral Motif Gnome Lid
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Victorian Satin / Opaline Glass Biscuit Jar with Hand-Painted Floral Décor and Silverplate Lid, Late 19th Century A charming and finely crafted Victorian satin or opaline gl...
Silver Plate
$3,400
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Brass
Large Set of 25 Antique Baccarat Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne, Voneche 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Cut-Glass Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1810 circa. Similar pieces are in fundus of the Louvre collection. "Gobele...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
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
Pair of Large Danish Vaseline Opaline Wine Glass or Vases
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish pair of large white Vaseline opaline wine glasses or vases.
Blown Glass, Art Glass, Opaline Glass
Important Set of 7 Empire Baccarat Tumbler glasses, Sainte Anne in Voneche 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 7 piece set of 1st Empire Cut-Glass Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1810 circa. Similar pieces are in fundus of the Louvre collection. "Gobelet...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Antique Baccarat Set of 12 Wine Glasses from Sainte Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 12 glasses set of 1st Empire wine Cut-Glass goblets from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauric...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Antique Baccarat Set of 12 Port Wine Glasses by St. Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 12 glasses set of 1st Empire wine Cut-Glass goblets from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauric...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Antique Baccarat Set of 6 Wine Glasses from Sainte Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 12 glasses set of 1st Empire wine Cut-Glass goblets from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauric...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Ten Antique Baccarat Port Wine Glasses by St. Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 10 piece set of 1st Empire Port wine Cut-Glass goblets from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mau...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
$630Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set of Five 19th Century Glasses with Gold Leaf Motive
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice set of five German glasses with gold motives. Gilding very nicely preserved.
Glass
Set of Glasses, Octagonal Cut, Empire, Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Glass without damage.
Brass, Iron
French 19th Century Glass Cheese Dome
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French hand blown dome used for covering cheese or pastries, most likely for display in a mercantile shop. Be sure to view the detailed images of this culinary antique.
Blown Glass
Antique Green Opaline Uranium Glass Tazza Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Rostock, MV
Opaline Alabaster glass with turned-out wavy rim. Enamel and gilding decoration featuring vines and grapes. Bohemia, 19th century.
Opaline Glass
$435 / set
H 5.52 in Dm 3.94 in
fferrone Set of 2 Contemporary Margot Champagne Coupe Glasses Handcrafted Czech
Located in Chicago, IL
Margot champagne coupe, set of two The Margot champagne glass coupe is a contemporary glassware set which is handcrafted without the use of molds, made one by one by master craftsme...
Glass
$360 / set
H 6.89 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
fferrone Set of 2 Czech Contemporary May Champagne Flute Glasses Handmade
Located in Chicago, IL
May champagne flute glasses, set of two A pair of Czech contemporary glass handcrafted is the perfect modern champagne glass. The May collection i...
Glass
$1,200
H 7.9 in W 4.9 in D 2.5 in
Moser, Czech, Heavy Intaglio Cut Glass, Flower, Glossy and Satin Vase, Signed
By Moser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing heavy cut work in this beautiful Moser vase. Sand blasted signature in bottom and plastic label in front. Moser. Czech Republic. Nice glossy and satin finish.
Art Glass
"Mondrian" Moser Crystal Vase
By Moser
Located in Paris, FR
The crystal Vase "Mondrian" was designed by Michal Kožený for the famous luxury glass factory Moser. Made of the most luxurious Czech crystal, this Mondrian vase...
Crystal
Set of Six French Champagne Flutes in Crystal Glass, Ca. 1870
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A beautiful set of six handmade French Champagne flutes in crystal glass, fabricated around 1870. These antique glasses are mouth-blown and facet cut.. Please take notice of the...
Crystal
$215 / set
H 2.56 in Dm 1.58 in
fferrone Set of 2 Czech Contemporary Dearborn Mini Shot Liqueur Glasses Handmade
Located in Chicago, IL
Dearborn shot liqueur mini glasses, set of two. A pair of Czech contemporary glass handcrafted is the perfect modern shot glass or liqueur glass for after dinner libations. Also t...
Glass
$310 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 1.58 in
fferrone Set of 2 Contemporary Minimal Revolution Liqueur/Espresso Glasses
Located in Chicago, IL
Revolution liqueur / espresso, set of two Strikingly simple in form, the Revolution collection is handcrafted in the Czech Republic by master glassblowers, and formed from a pure ...
Glass
$3,676
H 5.32 in Dm 9.06 in
Antique French Turquoise Enamelled Opaline Dish, Plate, Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Rostock, MV
Exceptional turquoise Opaline Glass serving dish with gilding and enamel decoration stands on a 5-feet base features turned-out scalloped rim very ...
Opaline Glass
Zoomorphic Partridge Ewer Blue French Glass Late 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Original zoomorphic pitcher ewer in the shape of a partridge. Beautiful item made of silver plate for the head of the partridge nicely chiseled showing the lovely texture of feathers and blown blue glass for the body part, with a handle on the back. Yellow-colored glass eyes. The Head of the partridge is mounted on a hinge forming a movable lid for the pitcher-ewer. This kind of pitcher ewer was mainly used to serve delicious alcohol or liquor with flavor and aroma, such as pear, and mirabelle plum, as it was during the "Belle Epoque" a very fashionable and refined custom. This colored blown glass was produced by the Portieux Crystal factory created in 1705, it has a written mark "Deposé" beneath the body of the ewer, french work from the late 19th century, probably from Napoleon III period. The history of this factory known as the "Portieux crystal factory" actually begins in Tonnoy in 1690. In 1698, Duke Leopold I of Lorraine granted letters patent to Sieur de la Pommeraye, owner of the premises, associated with François Magnien, holder of the know-how, the exclusivity of glass manufacturing and trade in his duchy. In 1898, the Grand Duchess of Vladimir, wife of the brother of Tsar Nicolas II, discovered the factory while on a cure in Contrexéville. She will become a frequent customer. in 1960, the company supplies many prestigious customers: Maxim's, Brasserie Lipp, Hôtel de Crillon, Le Bristol...
Silver Plate
$1,446 / set
H 4.93 in Dm 3.94 in
6 Pcs. Set of Baccarat Crystal Champagne Coupes "Moliere" from 1916-1936's
By Baccarat
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 6 pcs. of Baccarat crystal champagne coupes "Moliere" from circa 1916-1936's. Very good/excellent condition.
Crystal
Set Of 24 Empire Style Cobalt Blue & Gold Crystal Goblets Glasses, Italy, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A comprehensive collection of 24 luxurious vintage neoclassical Florence Empire-style royal blue goblets and drinking glasses dated around the 1970s by Interclass, Italy. The set con...
Gold
Art Deco Elegance: Signed Gilly Acid-Etched Glass Bowl (1930s) -1Y09
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Step back in time and add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with this exquisite Art Deco glass bowl, signed by Gilly. Dating back to the 1930s, this piece exudes the charm an...
Blown Glass
Vintage Glass Shoe-Shaped Decanter (Mid-20th Century) -1Y02
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of whimsy and sophistication to your bar or dining area with this unique vintage glass shoe-shaped decanter from the mid-20th century. ...
Glass
Bronze Mounted Green Glass Bowl in French Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional bowl crafted from cut green glass with finely cast bronze mounted frame with neoclassical motifs, including wreaths, griffins and torches. In very good condition. One s...
Bronze
Baccarat Antique Sand Dunes Rock Paperweight
By Baccarat
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique French Baccarat Sand Dunes (or Rock) paperweight of small Size dating from the mid 19th century. The paperweight of small rounded and domed form contains sand-like designs mottled with translucent green drawn up in two peaks. With a polished pontil and slightly concave base the paperweight is not marked but a well recorded design by renowned French glass makers Baccarat. Provenance: Acquired in the UK Art...
Glass
Biedermeier Crystal Glass Decorated in Relief with 50's Rose Stem
By Biedermeier
Located in Milano, MI
Biedermeier crystal glass / goblet with relief decorations and rose stem, made in the 1950s Measures: Ø cm 10 H cm 21 Biedermeier is was an a...
Crystal
Baccarat Nancy Tumblers Set
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 6 Nancy tumblers by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. The Nancy Tumbler is characterized by its delicate crosshatching of lines etched into the base of the Baccarat clear crystal highball glass...
Crystal
Baccarat Crystal Nancy Tumbler Glasses Set of 6+6
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 6+6 Nancy tumbler and water glasses by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. The Nancy Tumbler is characterized by its delicate crosshatching of lines etched into the base of the Baccarat clear crystal highball glass...
Crystal
Baccarat Crystal Malmaison Glasses Set of 8
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 8 Rhine wine glasses model Malmaison by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. Pure, powerful and elegant at the ...
Crystal
Baccarat Crystal Champagne Coupe Glasses Set of 8
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 8 Harcourt 1841 Champagne coupe glasses by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or d...
Crystal
Baccarat Crystal Champagne Flutes Set of 6
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 6/eight tall Harcourt 1841 Champagne flutes by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. Pure, powerful and elegant ...
Crystal
Vintage French Green Opaline Glass and Brass Ashtray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Exquisite French green opaline ashtray, circa early 1920's. This petite round green opaline ashtray is flanked by three brass splay feet. It is ...
Brass