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.
$78,500
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique ...
Crystal, Silver
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
12 Limoges Raised Gilt Enameled Napoleonic Plates, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
12 Limoges raised gilt enameled Napoleonic plates, circa 1900, each one decorated with gilt laurel surround, filled with golden bees, the center with Napoleonic crest of laurel wreath and monogrammed 'N'. The porcelain is made by Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges...
Porcelain
Set of 4 French 19th Century White Opaline Candy Dishes Leaf Shaped
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of four French 19th Century white opaline candy dishes in the shape of leaves. The trays or dishes feature an applied gilt decoration. They are very functional pieces an...
Opaline Glass
Antique Vienna Empire Silver Lidded Jug With Handle, By Ignatius Haller, 1803
Located in Vienna, AT
Early silver lidded jug with a smooth finish on a round, funnel-shaped base with a profiled rim, slight nodule above the constriction, egg-shaped raised body with a recessed neck con...
Silver
Fine Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Candlesticks
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant French Empire or neoclassical pair of doré bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted candlesticks. Measures: 4.75W x 11 H.
Crystal, Bronze
Antique Vienna Empire Silver Lidded Jug With Handle, Anton Kilitzky, 1806
Located in Vienna, AT
Early silver lidded jug with a smooth finish on a round, funnel-shaped base with a profiled rim, slight nodule above the constriction, egg-shaped raised body with a recessed neck con...
Silver
$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
Antique Vienna Empire Silver Lidded Saucepan On Lion's Legs, Dated 1794
Located in Vienna, AT
Early silver saucepan, round, flared vessel with smooth walls and outwardly stepped rim, standing on three lion legs with fur relief and sculpted paws, mounted on the body of the ves...
Silver
Pair Of Viennese Imperial Porcelain Glass Coolers, Cobalt And Gold, Dating 1811
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare pair of elegant oval porcelain vessels on offset, fluted feet, with bulging, raised walls, fluted, indented straight opening rim with ten crenellated-like cut-out small segments...
Porcelain
$2,550
H 7 in W 9.5 in D 6.25 in
Art Deco Sterling Silver-Gilt Egyptian-Revival Two-Handled Centerpiece
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco, sterling silver-gilt, Egyptian Revival, two-handled centerpiece, inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Birmingham, England, 1922, Bracker and Sydenham - makers. Mea...
Sterling Silver, Gold
19th Century Spinach Leaf Flow Blue Spatter Ware
By Societe Ceramique Maestricht
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great 19th century flow blue spinach spatter. Signed Societe ceramique maestricht made in Holland Decorated with the “stick spatter” method, in which s...
Pottery
Set of 12 English Raised Gilt Porcelain Dinner Service Plates
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A regal set of 12 elaborately gild service plates, by Royal Worcester. The set with delicate broad gilt borders with a white porcelain background. The mark on the back from 1950.
Porcelain
$695 / set
H 4.75 in Dm 3.5 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Etched Honey Jar with Bumblebee Finial on Lid
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver-mounted etched honey jar with bumblebee finial on lid, Lebkuecher and Company, Newark, New Jersey, 1896-1909. Measures over...
Sterling Silver
Belgian Crystal Candlesticks Holders Val Saint Lambert, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Belgian crystal candlestick holders from luxury maker Val Saint Lambert, Belgium. Pair have a hexagon base (a nice alternative to round) and measure 9.63" Height. Markers' acid mark on bottom "Val Saint Lambert" as shown in last image. Dimensions: 5" base x 9.63" Height. Very Good condition as shown in images. No chips noted. Belgian VSL crystal...
Crystal
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks. With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns. The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Mahogany Tea Stove with 3 Dolphins
Located in Delft, NL
An early 19th century mahogany tea stove with 3 dolphins An early 19th century Dutch mahogany tea stove with 3 dolphins on a triangle base with ball legs....
Copper
$3,600 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.8 in
A Set of 12 Cobalt Blue & Raised Gilt Antique Limoges Dinner Plates Circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive set of dinner or presentation plates by one of Limoges re known Gilded Age factories, William Guerin. This plate features an elaborate design of raised tooled gilding o...
Gold, Enamel
Antique French Continental .800 Silver Tea Strainer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tea strainer is hallmarked by an unknown maker, but originated from France and dates to approximately 1890 and done in a period Victo...
Silver
$3,677
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
$144Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 8.47 in
French Barbotine Enameled Plates Birds in Vine, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French plate, enameled barbotine Birds in vine Some very light chips on the edges of the plate (please see photo). Comes with the plate holder if you want to hang it on the wall. Goo...
Enamel
Haviland Limoges Gilt Porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 12
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century Haviland, Limoges France gilt porcelain tea / coffee service for twelve people. Each piece is great condition. Marks (Tower) Haviland Limoges, France undersigned. Alltogether 27 pieces. Set include 12 tea / coffee cups 4" x 2.3". 12 tea / coffee saucers...
Gold
Sold
H 1.5 in W 2.5 in D 1.75 in
Empire Set of Four French Sterling Silver '.950' Footed Open Salt Cellars-Venner
By Isabelle Venner
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Empire, sterling silver (.950), footed open salt cellars with matching spoons and liners, Paris, circa 1900, Isabelle Venner, maker. Each ...
Sterling Silver, Gold
Sold
H 2.37 in Dm 5.32 in
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Collecting Cup, Cobalt and Gold, Sorgenthal, 1799
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Cylindrical white cup, the upper part wrapped in a cobalt blue band as a background for delicate gold painting: oval medallions and diamond surrounded by dense feather and berry tend...
Porcelain
Sold
H 3.55 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Antique Vienna Empire Silver Mocha Pot, by Johann Gutmann, Dated 1798
Located in Vienna, AT
Early silver jug of cylindrical form with beak spout and pearl band relief on the upper rim, plug-on lid with slight bulge and pine knob with star-shaped leaf cuff, turned wooden han...
Silver
Sold
H 9.45 in W 0.79 in D 0.79 in
130-Piece Silver Plated Flatware Made by Christofle Model Malmaison in Canteen
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful silver plated cutlery, 130 pieces in total, from the French brand Christofle. The model's name is Malmaison. A classic and timeless design that suits any table setting. The...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 0.2 in W 3.15 in D 1.97 in
Christofle Silver Plated Bottle Opener with Portrait of Napoleon the Emperor
By Christofle
Located in London, GB
Silverplated bottle opener by Christfole, Gallia collection, representing a medal with the French Emperor Napoleon in profile and the inscription "NAPOLEON EMPEREUR". On the back,...
Silver Plate
Vintage Brass Lidded Footed Lion Head Coal Ash Bin Hob Scuttle Ice Bucket
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Empire style brass coal bin with scrolled feet, lion’s head handles, lid, and handled liner. Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an Ame...
Brass
Antique French Stone Mortar, Around 1800
Located in Hamburg, DE
Antique large mortar from France from the years around 1800. The household object has the classic design of a mortar. The hollowed hemisphere has three handles on the upper outer edg...
Stone
Sold
H 3.93 in Dm 2.71 in
Pair Of Antique Vienna Silver Empire Spice Bowls by Georg Kohlmayer, ca. 1815
Located in Vienna, AT
Two tall silver spice bowls on a round base with guilloche ribbon decoration, stem in the form of a cut-out lyre with a flower garland, above a smooth bowl with a slightly flared mouth rim worked out as a cord ribbon. Finest handwork by the Viennese Empire silversmith Georg Kohlmayer...
Silver
19th Century Pair of Silver Sauces with Eagle Heads, German
Located in Epfach, DE
A very fine and elegant pair of silver sauces with eagle heads, silver massiv, silver 800 German, circa 1880 lie well in the hand for pouring together 0,...
Silver
French Empire Pair of Paris Porcelain Cups and Saucer, circa 1820
Located in CH
Pair of French Empire Paris porcelain cups and saucers, circa 1820 In the form of "Tasse Jasmin" typical of the French Empire period,...
Porcelain
19th Century French Empire Mercury Gilt Plateau
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire Mercury gilt bronze pawed foot plateau. Original mirrored surface.
Doré Bronze Canopy Cave à Liqueur
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare and stunning cave à liqueur is crafted of beautifully detailed doré́ bronze in the form of a canopy. When locked, the canopy secures the three crystal decanters. A turn of...
Crystal, Bronze