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Empire Glass

EMPIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Empire
Antique Bohemian Glass Clear Glass Engraved Horses Ship 19th Century 1800-1820
Located in Nový Bor, CZ
Antique glass goblet , cylindrical in shape with engraving, On one side, an engraving of a boat being pulled upstream by a team of horses, Above ...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Baccarat, Set of Eleven Overlay Crystal Items, Bright Crimson, France 1920
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, set of 10 high-end liquor glasses and 1 Serving plate made by Baccarat. In the colors bright crimson and clear crystal. The glasses and the serving plate are in...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal

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. ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Glass

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...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

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...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Brass

Baccarat Antique Sand Dunes Rock Paperweight
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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Glass

Set of Glasses, Octagonal Cut, Empire, Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Glass without damage.
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Empire Style Glass and Brass Column Table Lamp, France Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
French pair of column table lamp, Empire style, brass and glass circa 1960 These can be rewired to USA and EU or UK standards. Very good condition For shipping: 14/26/56 cm 3.3...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Glass

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Glass

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

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.
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Glass

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Quitandeira, Traditional Fruit Box in Glass, by Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
To perpetuate the memorable wooden boxes at fairs in Brazil, the architect and designer Tiago Curioni, a Brazilian based in Portugal, recreated the glass boxes, in a limited series of 30 units. Named as Quitandeira, it has a system of glass rulers...
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2010s Brazilian Empire Glass

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1930s Slender Art Deco Topaz Glass Vase, Signed by Schneider
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, slender and museum quality French Art Deco "Cubist style" glass vase by Schneider is decorated with an "acid etched" slanted rectangular pattern on top and bands of a...
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1930s French Vintage Empire Glass

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Bohemian Handmade Moser Roemer Lidded Gilt Glass Candy Dish/Box
Located in Vilnius, LT
Bohemian glass lidded candy dish/box. Transparent glass decorated with raspberry colour glass, gilt trims and gold pattern through the glass.
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Mid-20th Century Czech Empire Glass

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Glass

Postmodern Set of Six Baccarat Crystal Champagne Coupes, France
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France by Baccarat, 1960s. These six coupes are made in thin crystal. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they c...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Glass

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Crystal

Hermann Michel Art Deco Glass Vase, 1930s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Art Glass vase by Hermann Michel, 12, rue Martel, Paris, France, ca.1930. Three flowers and butterflies. Height : 7.5"(19cm), Diameter : 8.1"(20.5cm). Signed "HEM" (see last photo). ...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Glass

Antique French Baccarat/Saint Louis Crystal Liqueur Glasses
Located in Vilnius, LT
The set of 6 pieces French Baccarat / Saint Louis liqueur glasses from 1900's. Each glass is etched and hand painted with golden flower girandoles and...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal, Gold

Kyohei Fujita 'Dream' Blown Glass Box
Located in New York, NY
Kyohei Fujita exquisite molded hexagonal Liuli blown glass box with gold and silver leaf inclusions, Japan, 1995. Etched signature 'Kyohei Fujita' to underside. Literature: Fin Lyn...
Category

1990s Japanese Empire Glass

Materials

Glass

Antique Baccarat Red White and Blue Convex Glass Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Antique Baccarat faceted art glass paperweight with closepack cane millefiori mushroom at center, surrounded with a blue torsade ribbon. Paperweigh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Saint Louis Set of Eleven Colorful Crystal Wine Glasses
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A riotously colourful set of eleven Rhine wine, or 'Roemer', glasses in sparkling Saint-Louis crystal. The tulip-shaped chalice of each is cut to clear with tall and pointed lozenges...
Category

20th Century French Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal

Daum Nancy French Art Deco Acid-Etched Vase, 1930s
By Daum
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco acid-etched glass vase by DAUM (Nancy), France, 1930s. Color : green. Measures: height : 8.3"(21cm), diameter : 7.1"(18cm). Signed "Daum + Nancy France" on the base (...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Asprey & Co Cut Crystal Sterling Silver Mounted Decanter 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A vintage sterling silver mounted diamond pattern crystal square Brierley decanter and stopper with silver collar and halllmarks  for London 1979 with the makers mark of the world renowned retailer Asprey and Co. The tapering rectangular shaped diamond pattern crystal decanter features a sterling silver mounted ris with a faceted cylindrical glass stopper; Add an elegant touch to your next dining experience. Condition: In excellent condition, with no dings dents or chips, please see photos for confirmation.   Dimensions in cm: Height 27 cm x Width 9 cm x Depth 9 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 11 inches x Width 3 inches x Depth 3 inches Asprey was established in England in  1781 and founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847 the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street, the premises Asprey occupies today. From its central London location Asprey advertised 'articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment.' An early specialty was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. The main competitors at the time were H.J. Cave & Sons. Asprey was recognised for its expertise when it won a gold medal for its dressing cases at the International Exhibition of 1862 but lost out to its rivals, H.J. Cave & Sons in 1867. The company consolidated its position through acquisitions. In 1859 Asprey absorbed Edwards, an award winning maker of dressing cases and holder of a Royal Warrant. The company also purchased the Alfred Club at 22 Albemarle Street, which backed on to the New Bond Street store and meant that Asprey now had entrances on two of London's most fashionable streets. In 1862, Asprey was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales, later to be crowned Edward VII, granted another Royal Warrant. In 1953, for the coronation of Elizabeth II, Asprey paid homage with the Asprey Coronation Year Gold Collection, which featured a dessert, coffee and liqueur service in 18-carat gold and weighed almost 27 pounds. In April 1953, it went on show in the New Bond Street store and subsequently toured the United States. As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewellers and watchmakers including Ernest Betjeman, the father of the distinguished poet John Betjeman, one of the most highly regarded craftsman and designers of his day. In the twenties, commissions poured in from around the world, from American millionaire J. Pierpont Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Asprey cigarette cases became collectable amongst young sophisticates who delighted in its other modern products, including travel clocks, safety razors and automatic pencil sharpeners. Asprey Jewellery...
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Late 20th Century British Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Antique Baccarat Acid Etched Cameo Glass Box with Leaf & Vine Motif
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Baccarat acid etched cameo glass box with leaf & vine motif and bronze mounts. Circa 1890 - 1910.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Glass

Previously Available Items
Baccarat Crystal Champagne Flutes Set of 6
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 ...
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Late 20th Century French Empire Glass

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Crystal

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...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Glass

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Bronze

Biedermeier Crystal Glass Decorated in Relief with 50's Rose Stem
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...
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1950s German Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Nancy Tumblers Set
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...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Nancy Tumblers Set
Baccarat Nancy Tumblers Set
H 3.94 in Dm 2.96 in
Baccarat Crystal Nancy Tumbler Glasses Set of 6+6
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...
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Late 20th Century French Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Crystal Malmaison Glasses Set of 8
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 ...
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Late 20th Century French Empire Glass

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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 ...
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1920s French Vintage Empire Glass

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Brass

Rare Russian Collection Baccarat Tsarina Cobalt Blue Overlay Tall Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Baccarat Tsarina limited edition Russian series cobalt glass overlay, hand cut crystal tall decanter. Only ninety pieces were produced, this ...
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20th Century French Empire Glass

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Glass, Cut Glass

Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Whiskey Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Harcourt 1841 design is the oldest in the Baccarat collection, a classic which has graced the tables of Kings, Queens and notable celebrities. Excellent condition.
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20th Century French Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal

Antique French Empire Art Deco Frosted Glass Flambe Lamp Chandelier Flame Torch
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique frosted glass flambe (flamed or torchiere) lamp shades. Great for use on chandeliers or pendant lamps. 3 available.   
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Early 20th Century Empire Glass

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Glass

French Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Glass Baccarat Style Tantalus
Located in New York, NY
Fine quality French gilt bronze and cut crystal glass Baccarat style Tantalus/ Box with six cordials.
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Empire Gold Gilt Bronze and Crystal Vase, circa 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and substantial French Empire gold gilt bronze and crystal vase, circa late 19th century, France. Both crystal and gilt bronze are substantial; crystal has a beautif...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Glass

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire glass for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage glass created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire glass made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original glass, popular names associated with this style include and Baccarat. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for glass differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $367 and tops out at $126,260 while the average work can sell for $2,200.

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