Empire Sterling Silver
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
19th C. Kirk & Son "Repoussé" 117-Piece Sterling Silver Flat Service, 111.8 Oz
By Kirk & Son
Located in Germantown, MD
A S. Kirk & Son, Sterling Silver Repousse set of flatware. 117 gorgeous pieces. Hand chased and hand decorated by prominent American silversmith Samuel Kirk who introduced the Repou...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Picture Frame miniatures and borders in Russian Empire Fabergé style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on guilloche and fine hand-painted miniatures of laurel friezes and borders in Ru...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Style Sugar Bowl in 800 Silver, Italy, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Empire style sugar bowl in 800 silver, Italy, 1950s
It belonged to my maternal great-grandparents and is in excellent condition. Very small signs of the time. Gr. 166,00.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
Located in Firenze, FI
6238-7239- Pocket cigarette case with spring button in 925/1000 fire-enamelled sterling silver with beautiful vessel miniature hand-painted by th...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame oval photos French Empire Napoleon III style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and hand-painted miniature of a garland of flowers with oval border, intern...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Louis XVI White Photo Frame Sterling Silver Enamel on Guillochè Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and hand-painted miniature of a garland of flowers with oval border interna...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This divine Table Box is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Table Box hand-painted miniature has a Rectangular shape with rounded corners.
On the cover there is a beautiful hand-engraved...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box with inward corners in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and a fine round miniature in the centre, diameter cm. 4....
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Empire Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Blue Glass Liners Return from Egypt
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
French Napoleonic Empire table set "return from Egypt"
Made of sterling silver and cobalt blue liners
Collectible for it's beauty and hallmarks that were only used during
Napoleons E...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Elegant pair of Salt Cellars in Silver from GAB. Empire style in 1909
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Elegant pair of Salt Cellars in Silver from GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) from Sweden in Empire style dated in 1909 = G7.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Picture Frame internal border with enamelled leaves Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Behold the epitome of elegance and craftsmanship: a square table photo frame, meticulously crafted from 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver. This masterpiece features translucent fi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame with two-tone enamel stripes on guilloché Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone enamel stripes on guilloché and fine hand engravings French Empire style. With 2 oval photo holders, internal ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table box in 800/1000 silver gold plated with translucent enamel on guilloché and beautiful enamel miniature hand painted by the painter Renato Dainelli in early 1900s Engl...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame with enamel on a sunburst guilloché Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Embrace a timeless treasure that echoes grandeur: an exquisite oval-shaped photo frame, sculpted from 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver. Its translucent enamel adorns a sunburst g...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Photograph Frame Large Imperial Style White Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver shaped photograph frame with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and rich friezes in Louis XVI French Empire style. External measurements...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Antique French Silver Gilt Fruit Knives, Mother of Pearl Handle, Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of antique French silver gilt fruit knives with mother of pearl handle, Paris 1820
This exquisite pair of early 19th century silver fruit knives...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
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 ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Gold
Red Photo Frame French Empire Louis XVI style Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, with French Empire Louis XVI style border and rich ornamentation around th...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late 18th Early 19th Century Italian Silver Wax Jack
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
The round-shaped bowl flat chased ...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
21st Century Italian Sterling Silver Gianmaria Buccellati Caviar Bowl
Located in VALENZA, IT
Important bowl for caviar by Gianmaria Buccellati. The body was made in two parts, cup and base. The welded edge with small leaves characterizes the Classic Empire style.
A wire circ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Georgian Silver Mustard Pots Blue Glass Liners 1st Empire Tableware a pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Museal Antique Georgian Sterling Silver Mustard pots
Style: Empire, Georgian, Antique, Regency, Napoleonic
Material sterling Silver with cobalt blue...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Silver Pair of Candlesticks Period of Classizism Augsburg Germany Haller
Located in Vienna, AT
Gorgeous pair of candlesticks / period of classizism.
Made in Augsburg (circa 1800)
Master: Johann Rudolf Haller (1757 - 1844)
The silversmith received licence of manufacturing...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Set Of Rare Danish Antique Silverware By Nicolai Brandt, Horsens (1787-1813).
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice set of solid silver and horn cutlery for six persons, by famous silversmith Nicolaj Brandt, Horsens, Denmark, 1787-1813.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century, Silver Dredging Spoon
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish silver dredging spoon from circa 1820.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Photo Frame inserted into a harp-shaped object Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval photo frame inserted into a harp-shaped object, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guilloché inspired by a model created by Peter Carl Fab...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Italian Empire Silver Candlesticks, Milan, circa 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of elegant Empire candleholders on an unfilled base, conical structure, offset olive-shaped grommets with a flat, plate-shaped drip edge, smoo...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Antique Empire Silver Lidded Jug With Cockerel, Germany, Circa 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Empire silver lidded jug with a stepped, funnel-shaped foot on a square plinth, a large fluted ring decorated with acanthus leaves, in which the smooth, raised bulbous vessel rests, ...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-engravings fire enameled hand-painted like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful hand-painted enameled ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Viennese Empire Portal Clock With Caryatids And Gilded Fittings, Around 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Complete Vienna clock on six stocky ball feet made of alabaster, architecturally structured wooden case with fruitwood veneers in the shape of a portal, steps in front flanked by two...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Unmarked, France, 19th Century
A remarkable 19th-century French si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This superb Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
it has a rectangular shape with rounded sides Table Cigar Box has hand engraving, with orange and ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Silver Augsburg Empire Huilière Spice Set Master Johann Matthias Lang Made, 1802
Located in Vienna, AT
Gorgeous as well as rarest silver Augsburg Empire Huilière or spice Set
Period: Empire
Dating: 1802
Material: solid silver 800 and opal glass
Manufactory:
Johann Matthias Lang (Master Since 1782), died after 1806 or this master created for example a gilded Torah Shield...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Empire, Sterling Silver-Mounted Two-Piece Fish Set in Original Box, Paris
Located in New York, NY
Empire, French, sterling silver-mounted, two-piece fish serving set in original box, Paris, circa 1875. Monogrammed with a script letter B. Original box (which comes with the set) has the same gilt letter B monogram on its lid. Fish serving knife measures over 12 1/2 inches long x 2 inches (at widest point) x 1 inch high when lying flat; serving fork measures 11 inches long x 2 1/2 inches wide (at widest point) x 1 inch high when lying flat. Handles of both pieces are engine turned in design. Blade of knife (which is silver...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Silver Two-Bottle Cruet Stand
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
The central loop carrying-handle w...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Handbag perfume holder enamel on guilloché and fine hand engravings Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
4824-5542 - Rectangular handbag perfume holder with rounded sides in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and pin. With translucent 2-color striped fire enamel on gui...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Picture Frame large size Red Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped photograph frame in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guillochè with borders and laurel frieze in Louis XVI French Empire style. Exte...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Photo Frame with Interlacements in French Empire Louis XVI Style Sterling Silver
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and with convex border with enamelled lines, on which are applied interlace...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Photo Frame Large Imperial Style White and Green enamel on Sterling Silver Salim
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped frame for photographs in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent two-tone fired enamels on guillochè and rich friezes in the French Empire Louis XVI style ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box “The Great Odalisque” Fired Enamel on Guilloche Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
table box in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with edges with fire - enamelled stripes and upper frame with insertion of paillons in pure gold and beautRectangular iful fire-enam...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Photo Frame Heart-Shaped Fired Enamel on Guillochè Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped rounded frame with oval photo in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè. With hinged silver-gilt foot engraved in Empire style. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
21th Century Italian Sterling Silver Empire Style Centerpiece Dish on Feet
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large round centerpiece in sterling silver.
The centerpiece plate was made in the Empire style, without using borders but embossing and chisel...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Koch & Bergfeld Silver Salad Cutlery Set German
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Fine German salad cutlery set in 800 silver with rich decorated handles in empire style. All hallmarks for 800 silver and makers hallmark. The spoons are...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Inkstans Empyre Style
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Empire style 800 silver inkstand
The base of the inkstand, completely handmade, is shaped like a "cathedral". The classic "palmettes" of the Empire style have been chiseled around i...
Category
1990s Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Empire Style Sugar Bowl on Feet
Located in VALENZA, IT
Important Italian sugar bowl in 800 solid silver made in Florence.
The Empire style is characterized by the Classic leaves, embossed and finely chis...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Antique Vienna Empire Silver Sugar Urn, Budapest, Hungary, Circa 1805
Located in Vienna, AT
Empire silver sugar vase, pressed bulbous body on a high, offset round stand with a fluted rim, the upper half of the vessel chased with flowers and feathered...
Category
Early 1800s Hungarian Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Silver Candy Dish, Egyptian Style, First Empire
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century silver drageoir or candy dish adorned with Egyptian head and on the collar with openwork palmette motifs. On the two spiral handles are suspended two twisted rings. The base is decorated with curving tubular patterns. The removable lid features floral finial. The interior of the candy dish is entirely lined with vermeil. The candy dish is characteristic of the Egyptian style that developed after the return of the Egyptian campaigns of Napoleon the first. With the «Description of Egypt...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
German Two Chandeliers Silver, Friedlander Brothers, Germany, circa 1890
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Silver German nicest pair of chandeliers
Transition period / Empire (made circa 1880-1900).
Silver 800
branded by German Crescent with Crown.
Silver weight: 1479 grams / 3257 Lb
...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Vintage Swedish Silver Candlesticks Candleholders Neoclassical Empire
By Ceson
Located in Sweden, SE
A pair silver neoclassical candlesticks with elegant and strict contours, nothing superfluous... Made in 1970-1980ss by "CESON", Sweden.
Size app.: 6.5 cm (roughly 2.6 in) high, 8.6 ...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Gilt Silver Pink Enamel Miniature Vase early 20th century Finnish Master
By August Hollming 1
Located in Sweden, SE
Hallmarks: 'A*H' , mark '88' and image of a female head in a kokoshnik, leads to the time of Imperial Russia and Finish silversmith August Frederik Hollming (1854 – 1913), who worked at Faberge. Unusual and incredibly beautiful empire style miniature vase. The elegant jewelry work and design of the vase vaguely resembles a beautiful pearl drop. The color palette and tone of the vase changes surprisingly depending on the lighting. By level of jewelry craftsmanship and fantasi with which this vase is made, we assume that the vase was made by a very high class Finnish jeweler by A. F. Hollming, comparable to famous Russian jewelers such as Carl Fabergé. The design of his jewelry was surprisingly modern and ahead of its time. Full handmade: hand-drawn, embossing, hand chased, engraved and casting of finest quality. Besides the bottom there are few hallmarks on applied garlands. Comes from Swedish estate.
Size app.: 13 x 9 cm (roughly 5.11 x 3.54 in). Weight app. is 195 gram (app. 0.42 lb). Very good condition, minimal wear. Silver, enamel, gilding. Please study good resolution images for cosmetic condition. In person actual colors may appear darker or brighter than in our pictures, strictly depending on sufficient light in your environment. Volume weight measures some 1 kg packed for shipment.
August Frederik Hollming was born in Loppi, Finland. Hollming was apprenticed to the goldsmith Carl Friedrich Ekholm in Helsinki at the beginning of the 1870s. In 1876, he settled in St. Petersburg and registered as a goldworker. In 1880, he qualified as a master and opened his workshop at 35 Kazanskaya Street, St. Petersburg, he was soon thereafter hired by Fabergé. In 1900, the Hollming workshop moved to 24 Bolshaya Morskaya, St. Petersburg, under the same roof as Fabergé. The eldest son August Väinö Hollming...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
Swedish Gilt Heavy Silver Mustard or Sauce Cup Antique Empire Mug 1827
Located in Sweden, SE
Fine and solid creation by unidentified Swedish silver works presumably in Stockholm, date mark is 1827. Stylish and authentic creature of classical geometry would accomplish your Em...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Sterling Silver
Materials
Gold Plate, Silver
Empire sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire sterling silver 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 sterling silver created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire sterling silver made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sterling silver, popular names associated with this style include Giorgio Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni, Arval Argenti Valenza, and Viennese Manufactory. 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 sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $198 and tops out at $16,131 while the average work can sell for $3,392.