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.
$1,550Sale Price / set|26% Off
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.
Sterling Silver
$470Sale 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
Pair of Early 1800s Empire Baccarat Crystal and Bronze Tazza Centerpieces
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This pair of Empire-style tazza centerpieces showcases a sophisticated blend of finely cast bronze and Baccarat crystal in a striking three-tier structure. Each tazza is grounded by a solid bronze base, supporting tiers of Baccarat crystal bowls...
Crystal, Bronze
Large French Empire Coastal Scenic Painted Oval Tole Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire salver or oval metal tray decorated with an outstanding border. The tray features painted medallions and edges and has two hand grips. The painted coastal scene depicts...
Metal
Empire B&G 10 p. Coffee Service, Bing and Grondahl, B&G No. 102
Located in København, Copenhagen
Empire B&G 10 p. Coffee service. Bing and Grondahl, B&G No. 102. Contents: 1.25 dl. Measures: 7.8 cm. x 6.2 cm Old No. 102. New No. 305. 1st. factory quality., in...
Empire Style Marble and Bronze Antique Centrepiece by Robbe
Located in London, GB
In an ornamental style, with rouge griotte marble and burnished bronze depicting the three Graces, signed 'A. ROBBE. Paris.' This stunning French centrepiece...
Marble, Bronze
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...
Silver
Empire Double Headed Eagle Wall Mirror in Bronze, Spain 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, Spain, 1930s-1940s. Spectacular bronze wall mirror with a crowned double headed eagle surrounding a shield shaped beveled glass. This stunning br...
Bronze
$2,612 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 14.38 in
New Modern Centrepiece in Black Portoro Marble Creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects that characterise the exploration of one of the greatest pleasures afforded us, food. Mmairo loves wining and dining, good food...
Marble
$2,610 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 14.38 in
New Modern Centrepiece in Black Antique Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
Marble
Large Painted Gilt Plaster Frieze
Located in Vienna, AT
Made circa 1930, molded in relief with a Bacchanalian scene in an oak frame. Measures: 53 cm x 81 cm. Chip to lower right of frame with smaller chips and losses to edges.
$2,610 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 14.38 in
New Modern Centrepiece in Black Portoro Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
Marble
$291 / item
H 0.79 in Dm 13.78 in
Marble tray, Carrara white Minimalist Tray, Marblelous Ring Tray by Aparentment
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Marblelous Ring Tray is a minimalist style round shaped centerpiece made of treated Carrara marble, manufactured according to traditional methods. Josep Vila Capdevila, head des...
Marble, Carrara Marble
$1,565 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 14.38 in
New Modern Centrepiece in White Arabescato Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
Marble
New Modern Centrepiece in Marble Creator Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Centerpiece in White Michelangelo, Red Levanto and Black Marquinia marbles. Size: 12 x 60 x 35 cm 4.7 x 23.6 x 13.8 in, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Artemisia, Homage Collectio...
Marble
$1,564 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 14.38 in
New Modern Centrepiece in Black Marquina Marble creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
Marble
Coffee Service for 8, Ćmielów, Poland
Located in Chorzów, PL
This elegant coffee service for 8 was produced by the renowned Ćmielów porcelain factory in Poland, known for its fine craftsmanship and timeless designs...
Porcelain
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3.75 in W 4.25 in D 2.75 in
19th Century Baccarat Gilt Bronze & Crystal Double Salt Cellars, a Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
Excellent pair of gilt bronze double cherub salt cellars! Fully marked to bottom. Each with removable crystal bowls, which i will be including a 5th (incase one breaks!).
Crystal, Bronze
$1,758
H 45.28 in W 28.75 in D 3.55 in
Large French Antique Christ Crucifix 19th Century Fleur De Lis Corpus Painted
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Beautiful & impressive patinated French large crucifix with wood carved heraldic lily (Fleur de lis). Christ made from plaster and painted by hand, loo...
Plaster, Wood
Vintage Haviland Limoges Set of 4 Dinner + 4 Salad Plates Rivoli Pattern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of 4 dinner plates and 4 salad plates was made by Haviland, Limoges in rare Rivoli pattern. The decor consists of a wide band of leaves and berries or flower buds in war...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Large French Empire Hand Painted Tole Tray Floral Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire rectangular metal tray with rounded corner, featuring hand-painted floral and birds pattern. We see this early 19th Century versatile piece on a cocktail table, ottoman...
Metal
Sold
H 8.67 in W 6.89 in D 3.55 in
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, ...
Silver
Pair Vintage Baccarat Crystal Salt Cellars
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Baccarat crystal salt cellars in excellent condition with original box. The sides are facet cut in rhombus and triangular sh...
Crystal
Pair Vintage Baccarat Crystal Salt Cellars
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of Baccarat crystal salt cellars in excellent condition with original label present. The sides are facet cut in rhombus and tri...
Crystal
English Porcelain & Gilt Dinner Service For 12 People/ Serving Pieces
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Exquisite English Royal Worcester porcelain dinner service for twelve people with tableware serving pieces. The tableware is decorated with a wide cobalt blue edges and embossed gilt...
Gold
Limoges Porcelain Dinner Service For Ten People
By Limoges
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful French Porcelain dinner service for ten people made by limoges for Bernardaud. The tableware is decorated with a wide yellow edges and g...
Gold
Sold
H 9.26 in W 5.12 in D 6.5 in
19th Century Tea Coffee Water Silver Pot Rechaud Vienna 1817 Arms of Nobility
Located in Epfach, DE
Tea, coffee or water pot with rechaud, Vienna about 1817 silver 15 lot, like more as sterling silver Engraved coat of arms The weight is 860 gr Silver, the content of the jug is 0...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 4.34 in W 8.67 in D 3.55 in
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Empire Style Souce Boat with Little Ladle
Located in VALENZA, IT
Important Empire style souce boat in 800 silver made in Italy at the end of the 20th century entirely by hand. The Empire style is a current of Neoclassicism that affected 19th c...
Silver
Very Large Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Surtout De Table
Located in New York, NY
Finest quality and very large early 19 century French 1st Empire period ormolu bronze four section surtout de table.
Bronze
Rosenthal Bavaria Empire Plate
By Rosenthal
Located in Chorzów, PL
A plate marked with Rosenthal Bavaria, Empire model. Preservation condition good - a small crack is visible in the last photo.
Porcelain
Swedish Silversmith, Two Sugar Bowls in Silver, Empire Style
Located in København, Copenhagen
Swedish silversmith. Two sugar bowls in silver. Empire style with royal blue glass inserts. In very good condition. Stamped. Measures: 9.3 x 5 cm.
Silver