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.
Estate Baccarat Empire Harcourt Pitcher
Located in New York, NY
Fine Baccarat Empire Harcourt cocktail/water pitcher. The Empire Harcourt pattern is one of Baccarat's most sought after designs. A classic since 1841, it has graced the tables of n...
Crystal
Antique French Porcelain Pitcher Hand Painted Empire Period, Circa 1815
Located in Katonah, NY
Made in the Napoleonic period, this exquisite French porcelain pitcher was hand-painted in the Empire style. It boasts classical and rococ...
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Danish Pewter Tankard Jug with Lid
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Found in a market in Copenhagen, this Danish tankard dates from the Early-19th Century. This jug features a handle as well as a lid. Charming jug standing alone or would make a wonde...
Pewter
Empire Rare Beverage Dispensers with Monochrome Decoration
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of beverage dispensers in caramel-colored lacquered tin. They are decorated with monochrome village scenes and landscapes dotted with ruins. Th...
Tin
Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Water Decanter for Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Located in Accord, NY
The Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Water Decanter was designed in collaboration with Laureen Barber and Philippe Gouze for Dan Barber's James Beard Award winning restaurant, Blue Hill at St...
Crystal
$425 / item
H 15 in Dm 4.5 in
Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Magnum Wine Decanter for Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Located in Accord, NY
The Deborah Ehrlich Crystal Magnum Wine Decanter was designed in collaboration with Laureen Barber and Philippe Gouze for Dan Barber's Michelin Aw...
Crystal
Mid-Century Baccarat Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac Crystal Decanter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A hand-blown Baccarat Remy Martin Louis XIII crystal decanter bottle with stopper, circa 1957-1967. This piece is an exact replica of a rare decanter us...
Crystal
$850
H 15.5 in W 9 in D 7 in
Antique French T&V Limoges Porcelain Painted Pitcher For Pitkin & Brooks Chicago
By Tressemanes & Vogt, T&V Limoges
Located in Forney, TX
A beautiful large antique French export hand-painted Limoges porcelain pitcher (would also make a wonderful vase) with gilt handle and accent...
Porcelain
21st Century Blown Glass "Dafne Bottle with 2 Glasses"
By [1+2=8], Andrea Barra
Located in Milano, IT
Yes, it's true, it's a bottle, a decanter, but it is also an excuse to embellish the table, a even if you only load it with water, the "twisted" processing of the glass, gives ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Set of 10 Cobalt Empire by Baccarat Goblets
By Baccarat
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1860s, Baccarat, France. These antique Baccarat water goblets are perfect for water or wine. The pattern is Empire and the look is Baroque...
Cut Glass
Baccarat Crystal Pitcher
By Baccarat
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant handcrafted water pitcher (or carafe) from the renowned house of Baccarat crystal. Part of the Assas pattern series, this slender water ju...
Crystal
$4,494
H 9.85 in W 10.24 in D 7.49 in
Vintage Harcourt Crystal Champagne Cooler by Baccarat 20th Century
By Baccarat
Located in London, GB
A fabulous Baccarat 'Harcourt' crystal and gold-plated champagne cooler, dating from the 1970s. The tapering octagonal crystal bucket has an acid-etched Baccarat mark on the undersi...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Jug in Pottery Beautiful Old Patina, France 18th Century, Quimper HR
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Jug has a great old Patina. It is from France made in the 18th Century. The material is Pottery and the condtion is Fair. the decor is "fleur de Lys".
Pottery
$682
H 7.06 in W 7.75 in D 4.75 in
Masons Ironstone Large Jug or Pitcher in hand painted chinoiserie ptn, Ca 1815
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare, large ironstone pottery jug or pitcher in the Fenton shape made by Mason's Ironstone, England and dating to the late Georgian period, circa ...
Ironstone
18th Century French Bronze Tankard
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous 18th century French bronze tankard. This large tankard is made of a mixture of copper and nickel to make bronze. It has a be...
Bronze, Copper
1950s French Signed Harcourt Baccarat Water Pitcher
Located in Roma, IT
Baccarat superb crystal water pitcher of the famous Harcourt model. Clear crystal, beautiful shine, signed with the Baccarat stamp under the base. This artwork, never before on the...
Crystal
Caffettiera in argento 800, stile neoclassico, Italia, XX secolo
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegante caffettiera in argento 800, di manifattura italiana, databile con buona probabilità alla prima metà del Novecento. L’opera è punzonata con il titolo “800” e un secondo march...
Silver
Paris porcelain milk jug, early 19th century - signed Halley
By Lebon-Halley 1
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Empire Paris porcelain milk jug signed Halley under the base (specialized in porcelain decoration and retail), early 19th century production circa 1805. Beautiful model enhanc...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Pewter Tankard with Coat of Arms, Dated 1806
Located in Fayetteville, AR
Standing at 10 inches in height, this large early nineteenth century French pewter tankard features a coat of arms with an eagle flanked by crowned lions. Below the coat of arms is a...
Pewter
Empire Silver Ewer with its Bowl by Edme Gelez
By Edme Gelez
Located in Paris, FR
A silver ewer provided with a winged putto-shaped high handle resting on an angel head. A wide frieze with an alternation of Cupids and flowery foliages on matting background decorat...
Silver
Antique Royal Copenhagen Chocolate Pot in Hand Painted Porcelain, 1820-1850
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique Royal Copenhagen chocolate pot in hand painted porcelain with pink ribbon and gold decoration. Dated 1820-1850. Measures: 22 x 20 c...
Porcelain
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
19th Century Empire Silver Ewer with its Bowl by Edme Gelez
By Edme Gelez
Located in Paris, FR
Silver ewer with a cupid-shaped handle and accompanying bowl. The striking, high handle in the shape of a winged cupid attaches to the pitcher at the paunch with an angel's head. The...
Silver
Early 19th Century Empire Porcelain Set Coffee Pot and Pitcher
Located in Paris, FR
Empire porcelain set composed of a coffee pot and a pitcher for hot milk. They are decorated with medallions featuring musical and revolutionary motifs. Gold trim surrounds the medal...
Porcelain
19th Century Empire Silver Ewer with its Bowl by Edme Gelez
By Edme Gelez
Located in Paris, FR
Silver ewer with a cupid-shaped handle and accompanying bowl. The striking, high handle in the shape of a winged cupid attaches to the pitcher at the paunch with an angel's head. The...
Silver
Anton Michelsen Unique Coffee Pot in Real Three Tower Silver, c. 1854
Located in Lejre, DK
Unique Anton Michelsen Silver Coffee pot. Monogram A.M. Manufactured in the year 1854. With a heating silver bowl underneath. Made for heating with oil. The total weight is 1.325gr.
Silver
French Porcelain Water Pitcher and Basin
Located in New York, NY
French Empire gilt porcelain ewer with mask handle and navette shaped basin, both with anthemion and Greek key banding with floral swags. Dimension: Pitcher 11.5" H to handle x 5" ...
Porcelain