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.
19th Century Empire Bergére Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Empire bergére chair ebonized featuring swan arms and brass ormolu. Recently upholstered in striated verde green silk velvet.
Brass
Swedish Empire Painted Parcel Gilt Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A glamorous Swedish Empire style settee from the early 19th century (circa 1820) as a painted wood frame sheltering the fully upholstered interior of a single bench cushion, three ba...
Gold
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant French Empire chandelier featuring a sculptural alabaster bowl and six-point illumination. A refined French Empire–style chandelier distinguished by its balanced proportions...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Spanish Empire Rectangular Mirror in Gold Leaf Giltwood and Beveled Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Rectangular Empire Style Beveled Mirror in Giltwood Late 19th century-1930s. Large size. This stunning rectangular wall mirror / console mirror was hand-crafted in carved wo...
Gold Leaf
$1,575Sale Price|30% Off
Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Commode, Console or Chest of Drawers. Features a rectangular form made from walnut with lacquered and gilt columns and a marble top. The...
Marble, Brass
French Empire 19th Century Mahogany Console Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with dark stone top. The dense, marbleized stone of charcoal-hue is more recent in age but its faux leather finish has impa...
Marble
Mid-Century French Empire Style Chaise With Mahogany And Bronze Frame
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome mid-century French Empire style mahogany chaise lounge. Th frame is mahogany with heavy ormolu adorning it. It is unmarked. A striking piece for a variety of setti...
Bronze
Monumental Neo-Classical Caryatid Marble Fireplace - Wall Console – Empire
Located in Beervelde, BE
This monumental Neo-Classical fireplace surround, carved from luminous white marble, is conceived as a true architectural and sculptural masterpiece. Created during the late Louis XV...
Marble, Carrara Marble
$2,590Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage French Empire Style Birdseye Maple Ormolu Sideboard Display Cabinet 69"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful French Empire style Buffet Cabinet. Made in Egypt, circa 1980s. Features a serpentine form with a marble top over an attractive birdseye maple case accented by ornate o...
Marble
French 19th Century Burled Mahogany Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A spectacular French Empire style petite commode from the 19th century made of bookmatched burl mahogany and decorative ormolu hardware. The commode’s top is dark, nearly black marbl...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large 19th century French Empire trumeau mirror that is bold yet refined, using Neoclassical decorative elements to project a respect for history and luxury. Across the frieze alon...
Gold
Vintage Atmos Jaeger le Coultre Mantle Clock 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very elegant Vintage Atmos perpetual mantle clock by Jaeger-Le Coultre, with a jewelled movement bearing their ref No. 88942 and dating from Circa 1950. The clock is disp...
Brass
$9,468Sale Price|20% Off
Faux Malachite Empire style Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Stunning French Empire Style Center Table Faux Malachite Stunning Center Table
Ormolu
French 19th Century Gold Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mirror (c. 1800) is symmetrical to hang in either direction, exhibiting low-relief floral decorations that leave ample space for the gilt molding to reveal its red...
Gold
French Empire Nightstand with Drawer and Door 19th Century in Solid Walnut
Located in Milano, MI
Antique Bedside Table in Empire Walnut with an elegantly threaded brass drawer surmounting a door concealing two interior shelves. The cabinet is solid walnut and has been fully line...
Brass, Bronze
French Early 19th Century Fruitwood Empire Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire style bibliothèque or display cabinet, handcrafted using solid fruitwood and two glass-front doors accented with brass. The clean, straight lines allow t...
Brass
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
French 19th Century Walnut Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome French Empire walnut commode from the 19th century, circa 1850. The top planks still bear the low ridges across the grain from being cut and milled by hand nearly two cent...
Brass
Fine French Empire Mahogany Gilt Figural Sphinx Pier Console Table c. 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE FRENCH EMPIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY CONSOLE TABLE With polychromed winged sphinx supports Paris, France circa 1815 38" H x 45 5/8" W x 19 1/4" D A perfectly balanced ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Danish Architect’s Drawing Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Architect’s Drawing Cabinet / Plan Chest Danish design, c. 1920 Exceptionally well-crafted drawing cabinet from around 1920, made as a unique piece and originally commissioned for a...
Mahogany, Maple
45-Piece Dinner Set - Leclair Limoges - Classic Design with Gold Laurel Trims
By Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful porcelain dining set, made by the French brand Limoges, complete for 12 people. A classic and timeless design, with gilded edges, a laurel border, and gold accents. The s...
Porcelain
Putti Baroque Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Porcelain rose
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Restored Solid Brass Chandelier with Cherub & Hand-Painted Porcelain Roses – 9 Lights A true masterpiece of classic lighting design, this opulent chandelier is crafted e...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Italian, Tuscany, Empire Period Walnut & Ebonized Center Table, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular walnut top above a conforming apron raised on rectangular ebonized columnar legs joined by a lower ebonized circular level on small square feet
Walnut
Empire Period Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Empire period chest of drawers from France featuring a striking Cuban mahogany burled veneer. This piece has three drawers, all with original gilt bronze hardware and pulls. There ar...
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French photo frame in Empire style, dating from the late 19th century. The frame is decorated with finely detailed gilt copper ornaments that give it a refined and timeless c...
Copper
Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection Burl Wood and Ebonized Regency Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Biedermeier style round pedestal breakfast table, game table, or center table From the exclusive "Stately Homes" Collection by Baker Furniture USA, C...
Ebony, Burl
Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Bookcase Bibliotheque Display cabinet 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Empire Mahogany & ormolu mounted bookcase display cabinet, circa 1910. This elegant antique cabinet is made of the finest mahogany, the top with an archite...
Ormolu
Brass And Cut Frosted Glass Pendant Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Brass and frosted glass cut to clear pendant, rewired and ready to hang. New single socket and wire. Original ceiling cap and hardware to hang included. Good overall condition, ready...
Brass
$700Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage French Empire Style Birch Upholstered Library Accent Arm Chair Green
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century French Empire Style Upholstered Arm Chair. Made from birch with a high back featuring a scalloped crest rail, green velvet upholstery and downswept scrolled acant...
Fabric, Birch
19th Century Candlesticks - Empire Style - Gilded and Patinated Bronze - France
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant pair of French candlesticks in Empire style, circa 1880–1890. Made of finely cast and engraved bronze with a beautiful contrast between the gilded and dark patinated sections...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Period Hand Carved Walnut Armchairs, Bergeres
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of early 19th century French Empire period walnut armchairs features hand carved details of laurels on the seat back and shells at the top of the armrests. The seat backs a...
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,162Sale Price|20% Off
Empire style. Huge glass table lamp by Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge table lamp from Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s. The glass body is 39 centimeters high made of one-piece molded glass with engraved and cutted details. The base and the struct...
Chrome, Bronze, Brass, Metal
Baccarat Harcourt 1841 36 Piece Set Champagne, Wine, Water, Liqueur Glasses
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Baccarat Harcourt 1841. The design has been chosen by some of the most notable figures in the world, Kings, Queens and Popes, for their t...
Crystal
Italian Empire-Style Chandelier in Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1950s Empire-style chandelier crafted in gilt brass and richly adorned with hand-cut Bohemian crystal beads. The piece features a classic basket form with a tapered upper sec...
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A breathtaking Dutch-made, French Empire style buffet of flamed mahogany with coordinating dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The slab exhibits constellations...
Brass, Bronze
Side Table with Hand polished Mahogany top From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
Side table or jewellery table from around 1890, made in mahogany and hand-polished for a deep, warm finish. A classic antique piece with fine detailing, suitable for use in an entryw...
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th century French Empire daybed.
Bronze
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Stone, Iron
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame A distinguished French Empire bronze relief plaque depicting Napoleon I crowned with the classical laurel wreat...
Bronze
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
Antique Empire Mahogany Dining Table, Round, Oval
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Empire Round Dining Table, Mahogany, 54", Circa1890's Antique, Empire Mahogany Dining Table Smooth top Comes with one leaf Round or ...
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed, Frame Only
Located in Houston, TX
This listing is for bed frame only. Mattressm bedding and pillows not included and shown only for decorative purposes. A period Italian Empire queen bed...
Mahogany
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Marble, Brass
$115Sale Price|72% Off
Vintage Dinky Toys Autocar Chausson Méccano – 15 cm Long - 2Y02
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore a piece of history with this vintage Dinky Toys model, featuring the classic Autocar Chausson by Méccano. Perfect for collectors and vintage toy enthusiasts, this model car showcases the timeless design and craftsmanship that Dinky Toys is renowned for. Details: Type: Vintage Model Car...
Metal
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design. Newl...
Bronze
$9,153Sale Price / item|20% Off
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal
Fine Early 19th-Century Portrait Miniature of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Bilzen, BE
Fine Early 19th-Century Portrait Miniature of Napoleon Bonaparte Watercolor on Paper Original Period Frame An evocative and finely executed early 19th-century portrait miniature de...
Wood, Paper
$1,724Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Ceramic Vases from the First Empire period 1810
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of ceramic vases from the First Empire period - 1810, French manufacture Ø 10 cm h 18.5 cm The two vases are in really good conditions, hand painted and sculpted in the detai...
Ceramic
Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Brass
$4,309Sale Price / item|20% Off
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal
Antique French Empire style Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in Aachen, NRW
A striking and highly decorative French Empire–style chandelier featuring 12 elegantly sculpted bronze swan arms. The central body is finished in deep black, beautifully contrasted b...
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stately 19th century mahogany secretaire a abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal St. Anne marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” above the floor. The desk front...
Marble, 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
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Metal, Bronze
French Ebonized Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Classic, French Empire round end table of white marble top on a tripod base with recent painted finish. The mottled stone top is mostly white with faint gray veining and offers a rai...
Marble, Brass
French Vintage Empire Style Crystal Basket Pendant Chandelier in Brass and Glass
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal basket pendant chandelier, 1970s – timeless elegance in a compact form. An elegant French vintage Empire-style crystal basket chandelier from the 1970s, ...
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Empire Polished Ebony Nightstand - Single Antique Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Empire nightstand, bed side table made of hand crafted shellac polished Ebony, in good condition. The si...
Metal
$672Sale Price|75% Off
Wilhelm II 1901 Zwei Mark Coin – Historical German Collectible - 2Y104
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This remarkable piece of numismatic history is a Wilhelm II Zwei Mark coin from the German Empire, minted in 1901. In excellent condition, this coin is an exquisite addition to any c...
Metal
$3,632Sale Price|25% Off
Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Bronze