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.
Early 19th Century Paris Porcelain Tea Service with Rich Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This refined Paris porcelain tea service dates from the early 19th-century and beautifully reflects the elegance and technical mastery of F...
Porcelain, Paint
$2,096Sale Price|30% Off
Early 20th Century Large Russian Imperial Brass Samovar Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous, early 20th century large Russian imperial brass samovar set. Tray and bowl included. Measures 16" in width, 16" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Brass
$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
$920Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Silver
19th Century Empire Old Paris porcelain tea and coffee set
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Empire Old Paris porcelain tea and coffee set An early 19th Century Old Paris porcelain coffee, tea set with green painted French country scenes and gold paint. The gol...
Porcelain
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service. Antique Empire Paris porcelain by Darte Frères 1795-1825 in a rich mocha faux tortoise pattern with neoclassical decorativ...
Porcelain
$328Sale Price|54% Off
Vieux Paris 'Old Paris' Tea Caddy or Apothocary Jar Painted with Harbor Scene
By Old Paris
Located in Mobile, AL
This empire period Old Paris tea caddy, canister or jar from the 1830's is sure to delight. It was likely designed and sold as a tea canister, but a lidd...
Porcelain
$3,850 / set
Set of Six Bird Coffee Cup Trios
By Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester
Located in New York, NY
Set of six bird coffee cup trios. Strikingly modern looking antique set of six FB&B Worcester trios of six teacups and six coffee can with six saucers ...
Porcelain
White and Gilt Neoclassical Cupid Arrow Cup & Saucer
Located in New York, NY
White and gilt neoclassical cupid arrow cup & saucer. Empire period designed white and gilt porcelain Valentine cupid's arrows and floral sprays. Under-glaze marks for Vienna. ...
Porcelain
Italian Solid 800 Silver Tea-Coffeset Empire Style with oblong tray
Located in VALENZA, IT
Impressive Empire-style tea and coffee set on a base with a tray. The set is in the classic Napoleonic Empire style, with a base and gilded interior for the milk jug and sugar bowl. ...
Silver
Service à thé en porcelaine de Sologne décor or fin Francais style Empire 20ième
Located in London, England
Ce service à thé de style Empire, provenant de Sologne, est un véritable bijou du 20ème siècle. Composé de 15 pièces en porcelaine fine, chaque élément est délicatement décoré à l'or...
Gold Leaf
$774Sale Price|20% Off
Capodimonte Porcelain, Bronze and Gold Teapot Late 1800s
By Capodimonte
Located in Milano, MI
Capodimonte porcelain teapot, bronze and pure gold, made in the late 19th century Ø cm 23 Ø cm 14 h cm 30 Capodimonte porcelain is an excellence of Italian craftsmanship, with a ri...
Bronze
Fabergé Porcelain Tea, Coffee Cups Set of Four in a Velvet Case
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Fine porcelain set of four Fabergé original porcelain coffee or tea cups, service for four. Enjoy the start to your day with the classical sophistication only from Faberge. These s...
Porcelain
$8,639Sale Price|38% Off
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Silver Coffeepot Empire Style, Rome, Italy
Located in VALENZA, IT
Impressionante caffettiera italiana in stile impero, realizzata alla fine del 18° Secolo. Di forma tonda, è caratterizzata dalle classiche palmette che la collocano con il pieno sti...
Silver
Coffee Pot Silver European 19th Century Empire Blackened Handle, Austria
Located in New York, NY
Coffee pot silver European 19th century blackened handle Austria. An exquisite example of a empire coffee pot made during the 19th century in Austria. Ov...
Silver
Antique English Silver Plate Biscuit Box, circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English SilverPlate Biscuit Box, circa 1880.
Silver Plate
Antique Chinese Porcelain Tea Set, 3 Person, Early 20th C., Hand-Painted
Located in Bastogne, BE
This charming antique porcelain tea set, crafted in China at the dawn of the 20th century. Hand-painted with exquisite detail and accented ...
Porcelain
Four Gilded Age Mansard, Paris Sevres Style Porcelain Tea Services
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Sharon, CT
Each service comprised of a cup, saucer and dessert plate. 12 pieces in all. All hand painted in 24 Ct. gold by the Paris firm Mansard c. 1890. Blanks most likely Sevres. Cup handles...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Coffee and Tea Set
Located in Pasadena, CA
Mid-Century coffee set with coffee pot, tea pot, cream and sugar. Newly polished silver plate over brass. Bottom of coffee pot is stamped "silver plate." Coffee pot measurements: ...
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
$14,950 / set
H 15 in W 7.38 in D 8.5 in
Early 20th Century Five-Piece Louis XV Style Sterling Silver Tea and Coffee Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine early 20th century five-piece Louis XV style sterling silver tea and coffee service set. The finely chased ovoid shaped ...
Silver
Paris Porcelain Tea Service, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
Comprising 2 pots, creamer (handle restored), covered sugar (finial restored), and 8 cups and saucers.
Porcelain
Haviland Limoges Gilt Porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 12
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 20th century Haviland, Limoges France gilt porcelain tea / coffee service for twelve people. Each piece is great condition. Marks (Tower) Haviland Limoges, France undersigned. Alltogether 27 pieces. Set include 12 tea / coffee cups 4" x 2.3". 12 tea / coffee saucers...
Gold
19th Century English Tableware Tea/Coffee Service
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century English Sheffield silver plate tableware five pieces tea/coffee service. The coffee/tea features intricate exterior floral details and paw. The set include a tall ...
Silver Plate
$704 / set
Limoges coffee service
By Limoges
Located in MADRID, ES
Hand painted coffee set by Limonges. Composed of; 1 bowl, 7 small bowls, teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug and 14 cups with plates.
Porcelain
German Silver Gilt Tea and Coffee Service, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
Of antique form and decoration, the neck of the kettle with chased masks with fruit and foliage, the lip of the spout with a stylized mask terminating below with another mask. The li...
Silver
$995
H 10.5 in W 8.75 in D 5.5 in
Antique English Double Shell Silver Plated Folding Biscuit Barrel or Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique biscuit barrel or box was made by the Reproduction Sheffield & Silver Plate firm of England and dates to approximately 1920 and don...
Silver Plate
Mid Century Gold Lustre Fine Porcelain Tea Pot British Royal Worcester
Located in London, by appointment only
Imbued with a radiant opulence characteristic of the discerning tastes of the 1970s, this exquisite Royal Worcester teapot commands attention with its captivating gold lustre finish....
Porcelain
1868-1900 German Silver 5-Piece Tea & Coffee Service
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1868-1900 German silver 5-piece tea & coffee service with tray. Empire taste. Tray, coffee pot, teapot, cream jug & covered sugar (the 2 latter with gilt wash interiors, expected wea...
Silver
Christofle Coffee & Tea Set with Rosewood Handles & Large Tray
By Christofle
Located in Ross, CA
Christofle silverplated coffee and tea set of five, made in France in the 1980's. The set includes a large oval tray with handles on each end, a coffee pot, tea pot, lidded sugar bow...
Silver Plate
1868-1900 German Silver 4-Piece Tea & Coffee Service
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1868-1900 German silver 4-piece tea & coffee service. Empire taste. Comprised of: coffee pot, tea pot, cream jug & covered sugar. All raised on scroll legs with bell flowers & acant...
Silver
Goldsmith G. Keller - Teapot In Sterling Silver Nineteenth
By Georges Keller
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ovoid-shaped solid silver teapot decorated with palm leaves, zoomorphic spout, cover taken represented by a swan with outstretched wings, blackened pear handle. empire style. Dimensi...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Paris Porcelain Three-Footed Gilded Coffee Cups. Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb pair of opulent 'Porcelain de Paris' three-footed coffee cups with matching saucers – one blue, one burgundy – each richly embellished with hand-painted gilt detailing in ey...
Porcelain
1948-1951 Bing & Grondahl coffee service for 8, Denmark
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1948-1951 Bing & Grondahl coffee service for 8, Denmark. In their rare & elegant "Empire" pattern with swags of flowers over fish scale molded borders. Consisting of 8 cups & saucers, 8 cake plates, leaf shaped sweetmeat, round shaped sweetmeat, cream & sugar with tray, and coffee pot with cover...
Porcelain
Porcelain Tea Service, 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain tea service, 1900 Porcelain tea service with battle decoration signed and marked, in the Napoleon Bonaparte style, 1900 Measures: H: ...
Porcelain
20-Piece Porcelain Tea Set Made by Raynaud Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Great set of porcelain coffee and pastry service from the French brand Raynaud Limoges. The service has a beautiful deep blue color, with a bit of a cl...
Porcelain
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 4.14 in W 4.14 in D 1.78 in
Red And Gold Limoges Porcelain Coffee Service Empire Style Early 20th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Elegant coffee service of empire style of the beginning of the 19th century. Made of Limoges porcelain, the service is composed of 10 cups, 10 saucers, a coffee pot, a milk jug and a...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Porcelain Tea Trios by Raynaud Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of 12 porcelain cups and saucers with 12 pastry plates, by the French brand Rauynaud Limoges. The porcelain is decorated with beautif...
Porcelain