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.
$633Sale Price|35% Off
English Silver Plate Biscuit Box or Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver plate covered biscuit box or tea caddy with hinged finial lid top, attached claw footed gallery tray, and exterior repou...
Silver Plate
119-Piece Silver Plated Flatware for 12 Persons by SFAM Model Sans-Gêne Empire
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of silver plated tableware from the French brand SFAM (Société Française d'Alliage de Métaux). The cutlery is beautifully decorated in Empire style. SFAM ceased to exis...
Silver Plate
$1,250Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Candlesticks Empire Pattern by WMF Art Nouveau Silverplated
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Beautiful pair of antique candlesticks by WMF are stunning examples of silverplated pewter craftsmanship, made during the Art Nouveau period around 1900. They are part of the "Empire...
Silver Plate, Pewter
$480Sale Price|55% Off
Soviet Union Russian Silver Plated, Melchior 1970s, Marked, Free Shipping
Located in Sofia, BG
Vintage Russian German silver Melchior set of: 12 forks (six x two different ornaments) Six (Two dessert or cake and four tea ) spoons Three knives Four soup spoons ( one is differen...
Silver Plate
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
Pair of Antique Empire Style Four Branch Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique gilt candelabras are unmarked, but presumed to have been made in France between 1900 and 1920 in the Empire style. The can...
Bronze
$2,363Sale Price|24% Off
H 21.5 in Dm 5 in
Pair Antique English Old Sheffield Plate Rococo 3-Light Candelabra
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Pair of exceptional quality antique English “Old Sheffield Plate” three-light rococo style candelabra with central snuffer flame finial which is removable to reveal a center candle. The rococo bobeches are original and removable and the candelabra can be converted to one Five-light Candelabrum or the three light branches can be removed to make a lovely pair of single Candlesticks...
Silver, Silver Plate, Copper
Antique English Silver Plate Biscuit Box, circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English SilverPlate Biscuit Box, circa 1880.
Silver Plate
$2,685 / set
H 12 in Dm 5.25 in
Pair of Sheffield George III Sterling Silver Candlesticks, English, circa 1800
By John Green, Roberts, Mosley & Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of George III sterling silver candlesticks with weighted bases made by I G & CO., John Green, Roberts, Mosley & Co. Fully hallmarked on the bases and the bobeche. England, lat...
Sterling Silver
$893
H 9.85 in W 7.49 in D 5.91 in
Antique Victorian Silver Plated Biscuit by Box Fenton Brothers 19thC
Located in London, GB
This is a highly decorative antique Victorian silver plated folding biscuit box, the base bearing the makers' mark of the renowned silversmiths Fenton Brothers of Sheffield, England, circa 1890 in date and bearing the Staniforth's Patent mark as well as the registration number 3549. It has a beautifully shaped body sitting in a cast frame with remarkably chased branch supports and the original interior features elegant hand-pierced dividers. It opens out into two halves and is held shut by gorgeous laurel wreath loose ring handles at the top. This wonderful container could house anything from sweets to biscuits or trinkets. Whatever you choose to store in this lovely item you are sure to do it in style. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 25 x width 19 x depth 15 Dimensions in inches: Height 10 inches x width 7 inches x depth 6 inches Fenton Brothers Ltd Sheffield Firm established in 1875 at South Moor Works, East Street, Sheffield by John Frederick Fenton...
Silver Plate
$899 / set
H 12.75 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Pair of Antique English Edwardian Silver Plated Candlesticks
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique silver plated candlesticks are hallmarked "W.S.&Co." which we are unable to identify specifically, but believe t...
Metal
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.19 in W 12.01 in D 10.24 in
Gerald Benney Stainless Cutlery by Viners of Sheffield, British, 1970s
Located in Melbourne, AU
Superb set of 'Fisheaters', i.e. Six knives and six forks designed by Gerald Benney, in original box. The influence of Danish design is very clear, yet these are quintessentially midcentury British in their trim, measured and practical style. 'Gerald Benney CBE (21 April 1930 – 26 June 2008) was a British silver and goldsmith who along with David Mellor...
Stainless Steel
$1,250
H 11.5 in W 12 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Old Sheffield Plate Geo III Neoclassical Two-Light Candelabra circa 1800
By Adams
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of old Sheffield plate Geo III neoclassical two-light candelabra, circa 1800. The branch arms are removable to convert the candelabra into a pair of candlesticks. The oval bases...
Sheffield Plate
Pair of 19th Century Georgian Sheffield Plate Candlesticks
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of 19th century Georgian Sheffield plate candlesticks with gadroon borders and removable bobehces.
Sheffield Plate
$252
H 24 in W 12 in D 20 in
Jar Cookies Musical Biscuiter Music Box French Vintage Candy Dish Biscuit Bowl
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage musical cookie jar sugar bowl, bonbonniere, candy bowl, biscuit maker "Leaves", glass, brass, Art Nouveau, France, 1970s. The bonbonniere or biscuit jar is very elegant and ...
Brass
Art Deco Silvered Tea Pot from" Cafe du Grand Hotel" France
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique silver plated on brass collectible French Tea Pot from" Cafe du Grand Hotel" France. Art Deco style made by Boyron Lyon France. Circa 1940.
Silver Plate
19th Century Georgian, Sheffield Silver Plate Candlesticks, Pair
By Sheffield
Located in Soquel, CA
19th Century Georgian, Sheffield Silver Plate Candlesticks, Pair Pair of English, Georgian, George IV Sheffield silver plate candlesticks. Vintage, distressed silver finish. Silver ...
Sheffield Plate, Copper
$8,500 / set
H 18.25 in W 18 in D 6 in
Pair of English Regency Sheffield Candelabras, Matthew Boulton, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
A complete pair of English Regency Sheffield three-light candelabras with removable intertwined scrolled arms, original hand chased removable shell motif bobeches, beaded floral tape...
Sheffield Plate, Copper
Christofle "Malmaison" Silver Plated Flatware in New Box, Set of 49
By Christofle
Located in Ross, CA
Forty nine piece flatware set made by Christofle in France, in the Malmaison pattern. The service for twelve was made around 2000. All the pieces are hallmarked and come in a new box...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 0.88 in W 7.5 in D 0.88 in
3rd Quarter 19th Century Set of 8 Coin Silver Dinner Forks by Gorham
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
3rd quarter 19th century set of 8 coin silver dinner forks by Gorham, American. An elegant set in the "Josephine" pattern, designed by John Gorham & made by Gorham for Bigelow Brothe...
Silver
Sold
H 3.25 in W 13.25 in D 9.5 in
Antique Christofle French Empire Style Silver Plated Plateau or Warmer/Trivet
By Christofle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine French footed trivet or plateau. By Christofle. In silver plate. With a quatrefoil, lobed top with pierced ribbon work and a sunburst opening supported on 4 tapered Neoclas...
Silver Plate
Large Silver Plated Serving Tray - Christofle - Malmaison
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful large silver-plated tray, from the French brand Christofle. The name of the model is Malmaison. The tray is in incredibly beautiful condition, it looks as if it has hardl...
Silver Plate
Christofle, Paris - Large Vintage Malmaison Silver Plated Tray
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous vintage silver plated tray by the creme de la creme of makers, Christofle of Paris. Named after the Château de la Malmaison, ...
Silver Plate
1890s, Egypt Retour-Style Gilded Metal British Centerpiece
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Impressive centrepiece in gilded silver plate. The triangular base is in fusion finished with a soft chisel and supported by feets in spherical shape. The central part consists of three caryatids in fusion representing Greek vestals...
Vermeil
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H 0.79 in W 0.79 in D 9.45 in
60-Piece Set of Silver-Plated Flatware for 12 Made by Christofle, Malmaison
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of silver plated flatware for 12 persons from the French brand Christofle. The model's name is Malmaison, an elegant and ti...
Silver Plate
Antique Brass Russian Samovar
By Brothers Shemariny
Located in Sofia, BG
Samovar height 34 cm.
Brass
1880s Silver Eagle Motif Bottle Stand and Glass Decanters by EB Maltby
Located in Stamford, CT
1880s silver plate bottle stand by EB Maltby, New York. Silver plate Eagle motif. Cut glass tall decanters of the same period are included. Each decanter...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 12 in W 10 in D 10 in
Christofle, France Silver Plate Tilting Coffee Pot on Stand, 19th Century
By Christofle
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique Christofle, France silver plate tilting coffee pot on stand 19th century Antique ornate silver plated coffee pot on stand. Beautif...
Silver Plate
Vintage Large Malmaison Serving Tray with Handles by Christofle, Paris
By Christofle
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous vintage silver plated tray by the creme de la creme of makers, Christofle of Paris. The design of the "Malmaison" collection ...
Silver Plate
Late Empire Silver Plated British Oval Centrepiece
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Beautiful Late Empire oval bowl in silver plate. The boat-shaped structure is very slender, the wavy edge is enriched by an Empire-style decoration., the handles are cast and exquisi...