Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
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.
1820s Italian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1850s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Faience
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1990s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Other, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Amethyst, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1990s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1790s Italian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Malachite, Bronze
1830s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1940s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century European Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ormolu
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
2010s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf
1890s American Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Marble, Bronze
1810s Italian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1810s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century European Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
2010s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1960s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 2000s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1820s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1990s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
1930s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Silver
19th Century German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold, Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Enamel