Empire Porcelain
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
Gilt and Painted Neoclassical French Empire Bird Plate
Located in New York, NY
Gilt and painted neoclassical French Empire bird plate. Large old Paris Porcelain circular serving dish with hand painted gilt foliate scrolled border with wide bands centering a pai...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Richard Ginori Vintage Italian White & Gold Coffee or Tea Cup Saucer, Set of 12
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful vintage set of 12 Italian designer white porcelain with gold coffee or tea cup and saucer set by Richard Ginori, Italy, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. Colors include...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Porcelain
Materials
Gold
Pair of Porcelain Urns, Empire circa 1800
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of porcelain urns from the empire period, probably Russian. Painted with flowers and gilded.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of First-Empire Period 2-Handled Porcelain Vases with Westall Venus Scenes
By Porcelaine de Paris, Richard Westall
Located in New York, NY
An incredible and rare pair of French Paris Porcelain First-Empire Period Winged Sphynx-form double- handled porcelain vases with mythological scenes of Venus and Cupids after Richar...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Early 19th Century German Porcelain Cup
Located in Paris, FR
Porcelain cup decorated with a scene depicting Erigone lying down on a cheetah skin and eating grapes. In Greek mythology, Dionysus (also known as Bacchus...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Category
18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Potpourri Vase KPM Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely rare and KPM Berlin Potpourri vase.
Extremely richly painted and rarely executed (highest version).
Measures: Height ca. 35 cm.
O...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Empire Coffee Pot with Gold Decoration, 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique Meissen Empire coffee pot with gold decoration. 19th century.
Measures: 27 x 20 cm.
1st factory quality.
In good condition with wear in the ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Limoges, France, Two Candlesticks and a Dish in Hand Painted Porcelain
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Limoges, France. Two candlesticks and a dish in hand painted porcelain with a green edge and gold decoration, 1930s-1940s.
The candlestick measures: 16 x 8 cm.
The dish measures: 2...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Magnificent French Empire Napoleonic Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pedestals Pair
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally large and magnificent pair of French Empire Napoleonic Sèvres porcelain gilt bronze mounted pedestals. These are a exceptionally beautiful pair of 19th century 24-karat raised gold decorated, gilt bronze-mounted, onyx and Sèvres porcelain pedestals...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Paris Porcelain Floral Ewer and Basin
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Paris porcelain ewer; (finial repaired) and matching basin, having brightly painted flowers to both; some rubbing to the ewer.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Large Fuseau Vases in Porcelaine de Paris, Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Large pair of painted fuseau vases in Porcelaine de Paris from the Empire period. The neck and the pedestal of the vases are in burnished gold and feature laurel crowns and stylized ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Paris Porcelain Vase
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Paris porcelain urn with swan’s head handles; beautifully painted frolicking cupids to the front, and matte and burnished framed musical motifs to the back. Some rubbing consistent...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Period Sèvres Porcelain Pale Blue and Faux Porphyry Ground Vases
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite large pair of Empire period Sèvres Porcelain pale Celeste blue and faux porphyry ground vases. Each vase is intricately hand painted with meticulous detail and further adorned with 24-karat hand painted gilt decoration. The bases are a very unusual hand painted faux porphyry porcelain. Each vase and base is marked with various pressnumera and Sèvres signs...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Two Antique Meissen Plates in Pierced Porcelain with Hand Painted Floral Motifs
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Two antique Meissen plates in pierced porcelain with hand painted floral motifs.
Museum Quality. Dated 1773-1814.
Measures: 23 cm.
In very good condition.
Stamped: Marcolini.
Category
1770s German Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Plate by Stone, Coquerel and Legros in Paris
By Athanase Marie Martin Coquerel, François Antoine Legros
Located in Paris, FR
Earthenware plate from the Creil factory, decorated with a mythological scene in a landscape. In this scene, a young man and Cupid are hunting together, accompanied by a Nymph who is...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Earthenware
Antique 19th Century Meissen Egg Floral Gilt Trinket Box, France, 1875, Cobalt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Egg-shaped box, Meissen (Germany) dated to 1875 based on its mark, with gilding, cobalt blue accents and tremendous floral design.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
White and Gilt Neoclassical Arrow Cup & Saucer
Located in New York, NY
White and gilt neoclassical arrow cup & saucer. Empire period designed white and gilt porcelain with cupid's arrows and floral sprays. Under-glaze ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Royal Copenhagen Figure H.C. Andersen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Royal Copenhagen figure H.C. Andersen
Measures: 19 cm.
In perfect condition.
Designed by Hanne Warming.
2. Factory quality.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Empire Porcelain
Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An Important and very rare Empire period Paris porcelain ormolu-mounted Empire rectangular shaped two-handled casket decorated and assembled by ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Bronze
Pair of "Darte Brothers" Porcelain Plates of Lioness and Cheetah
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique Darte Brothers cobalt blue porcelain plates magnificently painted with lioness and cheetah in lush green landscapes, decorated wi...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Porcelain Vases
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Empire porcelain vases of egg-shaped form modelled with soft-paste porcelain handles representing 'Pheme', the personification of fame and renown. Decorated with a dark blue ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Gilt Chinoiserie Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire gilt chinoiserie vases. Pair hand-painted and gilt French vases of the Empire period with mask handles and gilt surrounds centering on ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Ground Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
These excellent gilt ground vases are high quality antique pieces, dating from the Empire period in France at the start of the 19th century. Each vase is set on a square base, is mounted with twin scrolling handles inset with neoclassical masks, and has a flared gilt ground neck. Both vases are also decorated to the front with depictions of winged putti on gilt ground; one vase shows the putti playing musical instruments, while the other shows them holding writing tablets and laurel wreaths. The reverse of each vase is Neo-Gothic in character, showing medieval church arches...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
French, Early 19th Century, Empire Style, Pierced Porcelain Basket
Located in Lantau, HK
French Empire Paris porcelain gilt reticulated centerpiece basket.
Ideal decorative centerpiece to hold flowers or fruits on a dinning table
Ref AACPO18
Shipping included
Free and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Gilded and Painted Paris Porcelain Vase, France circa 1815
Located in CH
A large gilded and painted Paris Porcelain Vase, France circa 1815
The picture in the front reproduces a painting by the French artist Louis Ducis (14 July 1775, Versailles - 2 March 1847, Paris) of Torquato Tasso...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
French Gilt and Painted Porcelain Pitcher
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
French gilt and painted porcelain pitcher. Fine Empire period gilt painted milk pitcher with rich mocha brown ground and neoclassical gilt garlands and floral swags. Markings for Darte Frères...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of “Old Paris” Porcelain Coolers, Yellow Bands, Floral Wreaths
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères, Paris, made, circa 1820.
Porcelain, partially painted and gilded.
Measures: 14 1/4 in. high, 10 3/8 in. wide (through the handles), 7 3/4 in. deep.
Signed (with stencil, in black, on the bottom of each): Darte. f.
Recorded: cf. Régine de Plinval de Guillebon, Porcelain of Paris, 1770–1850 (New York: Walker and Company, 1972), p. 333 no. 79 illustrates the mark on these coolers.
Some of the most beautiful porcelain produced in Paris during the Empire/Restauration periods was made or sold by the firm of Darte Frères. Although the Darte family, which came from Namur, then in The Netherlands, had set themselves up in the business of the manufacture of porcelain as early as 1794–95, by 1803 the three Darte brothers had decided, as Régine de Plinval de Guillebon notes (ibid., p. 231), that “each should have his own establishment,” and, indeed, by 1804 their prior business partnership had been “annulled,” and from that point forward there were two businesses using the name Darte.
The Darte brothers, Louis Joseph and Jean François, began independent operation in 1804 at the Hôtel Montalembert, at 90, rue de la Roquette. Their business arrangements were only formalized in 1808, at which time they began to use the name “Darte Frères.” They remained in the business until 1825, when their partnership was dissolved.
Darte Frères produced a large variety of porcelain, including vast dinner and...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Antique Royal Copenhagen Blue Flower Tureen in Empire Style
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Rare antique Royal Copenhagen blue flower tureen in Empire style,
circa 1850s.
Measures: 40 x 25 cm.
In good condition. 1st. factory q...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Porcelain
Large Antique B&G Bing & Grondahl Vase in Purple with Handles in Gold
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large antique B&G Bing & Grondahl vase in purple with handles in gold with faun-face.
Early stamp. Dated 1888, with monogram.
1st. factory quality. In perfect condition...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Porcelain
Empire Sèvres Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fabulous Empire porcelain centerpiece.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Medici-Form Vases
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Schoelcher, Paris, France, circa 1830.
Porcelain, painted and gilded.
16 1/4 in. high, 9 1/2 in. wide, 9 1/2 in. deep.
Ex Coll.: by repute, Joseph Bonaparte...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Sensational B&G 'Bing & Grondahl' Large Egg Shaped Vase in Empire Style
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sensational B&G (Bing & Grondahl) large egg shaped vase in Empire style on stand. Lid with mythological figures in biscuit. Decorated with the Stock Ex...
Category
20th Century Danish Empire Porcelain
Paris Porcelain Vase with Landscape Scene, France c. 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Paris porcelain vase of good quality, almost two feet in height. The body with painted figural and landscape vignettes on opposing sides, contained by acid-etched gilt border...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Period Porcelain Campana Vases, Parisian, circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Paris porcelain vases, designed in campana form with the front featuring circular vignettes with landscape scenes, on the reverse are framed musical trophies created t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Corner Pieces Sevres France Empire Style 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Corner Pieces Sevres France Empire Style 19th Century
in black ebonized wood with bronze applications, 19th
H 135 cm
Bronzes surmounted by porcelain vases in shades of Sevre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Schoelcher Manufacture : Empire Paris porcelain sauce boat 19th century - signed
By Marc Schoelcher
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Empire Paris Porcelain sauce boat ; bearutiful 19th century production enhanced with fine gold, decorated with hand-painted polychromatic flowers, antique-style masks on the sides, a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Richard Ginori Porcelain "Voliere" Set of Six Coffee Cups, Italy, 2018
Located in Cagliari, IT
The Volière collection is pure poetry, however you want to write it, your table will be like a score. Between colors, tones and shades, fall in love with the perfect agreement. Each piece has been decomposed into its features, to create variations of shades. Every detail, every sign is designed to create color paths in over 50 color variations.
In this set are depicted six birds out of...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Empire porcelain for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire porcelain for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage porcelain created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire porcelain made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original porcelain, popular names associated with this style include Porcelaine de Paris, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Meissen Porcelain, and Richard Ginori. 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 porcelain differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $160 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $2,200.
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