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. 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.
1860s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Onyx, Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
1910s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1970s Russian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1810s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1990s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1830s European Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Silver
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Marble, Bronze
19th Century German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
19th Century German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1930s French Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1820s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1810s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
1810s Italian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1990s Italian Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
1770s German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1810s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
1970s Danish Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Marble, Bronze
1890s American Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Tin
1940s Russian Vintage Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Silver
1820s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
1820s Russian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
1790s Italian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1810s French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze