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 Oval French Brass Cooler For Champagne Glasses or Jardiniere
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fabulous brass wine or champagne glass cooler from France. This bowl has great, charming and unbeatable patina and wear. Impressive piece with both form and function standing alone o...
Metal, Brass
Silver-Plated Empire Style Champagne Stand, 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Silver-Plated Empire Style Champagne Stand, 20th Century An elegant silver-plated champagne stand in the Empire style, crafted during the 20th century. Raised on a circular engine-t...
Silver Plate
$615
H 25.99 in W 16.54 in D 7.88 in
Vintage Elegant Silver-plated Champagne/ Wine Cooler on Stand 20thCentury
Located in London, GB
This is a fabulous vintage silver-plated champagne/wine cooler on a stand, late 20th Century in date. It features an oval-shaped cooler raised on a circular column on a circular ped...
Silver Plate
20th Century Champagne Bucket
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
20th century French champagne / wine bucket with ring handles. Internal reference: C Code: 8731 Dimensions: H: 8" (20.3 cm) Di: 10" (25.4 cm)
Aluminum
Champagne or Wine Cooler Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Champagne or wine cooler decorated with heavy red deer antlers.
Antler
$2,050 / set
H 9.85 in W 21.26 in D 2.37 in
Vintage Silver Plated Caviar & Champagne Cooler 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous Vintage silver plated caviar and champagne / vodka cooler set. It comprises four glass caviar dishes and silver plated covers, a champagne/wine cooler in the centr...
Silver Plate
$455Sale Price|30% Off
H 7.68 in W 7.49 in D 5.91 in
An English Silverplate Champagne Cooler, Early 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An English Silverplate Champagne Cooler, Early 20th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: The stepped circular base to cylindrical body with rising curved...
Silver Plate
$750
H 9.5 in W 12 in D 8.5 in
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Silver Plate Champagne Bucket, Wine Cooler
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French Art Deco period silver plate footed champagne bucket features classic Art Deco motifs. Spiral florettes and a gadrooning garland motif surround th...
Silver Plate
19th Century Silver Plated Medicis Champagne Bucket or Wine Cooler
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant champagne bucket, dating from the Napoleon III period (circa 1870), is crafted in the refined Médicis form, a timeless silhouette inspired by classical antiquity and hig...
Silver Plate, Silver Leaf
$7,079Sale Price / item|48% Off
H 11.62 in W 16.54 in D 9.06 in
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Champagne Bucket
By Mario Vallè
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large champagne bucket in 800 solid silver. Completely handmade, it was made by hammering a silver plate and giving it the shape of a 2-seater champagne bucket, The upper barrel was ...
Silver
Stunning Champagne Wine Bucket Cooler, Polished Brass, France
Located in Paris, FR
One of a kind gorgeous designer's Champagne and wine bucket cooler, in About the artist: Polished brass. About the artist: E.H. Graduate in ceramic design and metal sculpture (2...
Brass
19th Century Mahogany And Brass Wine Cooler
Located in Copenhagen, K
19th Century Wine Cooler In Mahogany And Brass Very nice mahogany wine cooler with brass insert.
Brass
$1,469
H 12.21 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Antique Art Deco Silver Plated Champagne Cooler Mappin & Webb 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant large banquet sized antique English Art Deco silver plate champagne cooler bearing the makers mark of the renowned silversmith and retailer Mappin & Webb, and ...
Silver
$1,850
H 10.25 in W 13.5 in D 10 in
Late 19th c Lightly Hammered Copper and Cast Brass Wine Cooler or Jardinière
Located in valatie, NY
Late 19th c Lightly Hammered Copper and Cast Brass Wine Cooler or Jardinière. The top banded with brass molding with studded brass rivets. the sides with 2 cast brass pendant handles...
Brass, Copper
Silver-plated champagne bucket, Christofle, 1960s
Located in PARIS, FR
Silver-plated ice bucket or champagne bucket with double sculpted side handles, contoured base and decorative relief frieze. Neo-classical Empire style, from Christofle's Malmaison c...
Metal
19th Century French Second Empire Pair Wine Coolers
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Second Empire Pair Wine Coolers Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear see detailed photos or message us wit...
Ceramic
Mid 20th Century Rounded Silver Plated Champagne Wine Bowl Cooler
Located in IT
Large silver-plated champagne or wine cooler with lion heads and rings as handles. The cooler is large so that multiple bottles can be cooled at the same time. Probably from France...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.26 in W 11.62 in D 7.09 in
Silver Plated Decanter with Claw Feet, Needs a few Restorations, French, 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice decanter is made of silver plated bronze and brass with claw feet. It needs a few Restorations. French, circa 1900.
Bronze
Painted Tinplate Wine Cooler, 19th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A painted tinplate wine cooler/planter, 19th century.
Metal
French Tole Grape Basket with Vinyard Crest
Located in Essex, MA
Red painted with the Rully family crest.
Empire Occasional Commode
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire occasional commode now converted with wine rack inside, first half of the 19th century. The alteration to accommodate the wine rack is mid to late 20th century.
Brass
French Empire Rafraichissoire (Wine Table)
Located in Doylestown, PA
A French Empire "rafraichissoire" wine table with dark green stone top inset with two tin ice buckets, over a stand with two shelves and a single drawer (for your corkscrew!). In fr...
Marble
Antique French Empire Wine Rack
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Cabinet converted into a wine rack Circa 1880s
Mahogany