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.
$1,704Sale Price|20% Off
20th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Giltwood
Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving Early 19th century Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47 Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Wood
$10,850
Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
In walnut with ebonized trim, this stately mirror has exquisite lines and exemplifies the design motifs of the period. Burl walnut surrounds the glass that has survived more or less ...
Walnut
Round Empire Style Gold Mirror by Randy Esada Designs, 2010s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round Empire style gold mirror by Randy Esada Designs. Beautiful gold gilding and beveled mirror. Additional information: Materials: Giltwood, Gold, Mirror Color: Gold Brand: ...
Giltwood
19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Giltwood
19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Marble
Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany & Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company Additional information: Materials: mahogany, mirror Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Mahogany
Late Empire Antique Mirror Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from rich mahogany wood, dates back to the late Empire period around the 1840s. It is a stunning example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristi...
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
With an arched mirror set in a conforming frame and able to swing and adjust, flanked by a pair of columns with Corinthian capitals and urn finials, square plinth base. Casters.
Mahogany
Late Empire Antique Mirror Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from rich mahogany wood, dates back to the late Empire period around the 1840s. It is a stunning example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristic...
Mahogany
Antique French Giltwood Mirror, Empire Period, circa 1810
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French giltwood wall mirror, Empire period, circa 1810. Antique gold leaf frame, period Empire, adorned with palmettes and vegetal mot...
Mirror, Giltwood
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings, Danish Design From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship from around the 1880s. The rich, warm tones of th...
Mahogany
Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Bronze
Italian Empire Walnut Brass & Giltwood Cheval Mirror Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
important and rare and completely intact, retaining antique beveled mirrorplate, the pivoting mirror held in place within the columned frame by brass arrow parts, the frame surmounted by a neoclassical pediment adorned with brass decoration, below the mirror is a shaped tray and lower still a hexagonal stretcher supporting the carved giltwood rams heads and hoof feet which are painted a dark green, this mirror is a lovely example of Lucchese neoclassical furniture.
Brass
Mirror Made In Mahogany, Marquetry From 1910s
Located in Lejre, DK
This small mirror, crafted from mahogany wood and featuring intricate intarsia, dates back to around the 1910s. It is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship and desi...
Mahogany
French Empire Vanity Mirror with Original Reverse Etched Glass Panels circa 1800
Located in valatie, NY
French Empire vanity mirror with original reverse etched glass panels, circa 1800, of classical figures. It has original gilded classical mounts. ...
Wood, Mirror
Empire Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An early Empire 19th century mirror in mahogany and birth. Mahogany and birch veneered. Painted black with bronze decorations.
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mirror
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French Empire period mirror.
Mahogany
19th, Circular Ormolu Bronze French Centerpiece with Mirror
Located in IT
19th, circular Ormolu bronze French centerpiece with mirror (surtout de table) Diameter cm 75, H 9 cm, 11 cm the highest point (harps) This splendid French centerpiece has a roun...
Bronze
$1,058Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Mirror with Brass Elements
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century Empire Mirror With Brass Elements A mirror in a wooden frame, dated to the first quarter of the 19th century. The wooden frame...
Brass
Empire Style French Mirror with Porcelain Gold Frame, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Luxury mirror Massive figured frame made of porcelain, covered with enamel and painted with gold. Beautiful floral decor. There is a possibility...
Porcelain, Mirror
19th Century French Bronze Empire Period Adjustable Pedestal Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
A superb French bronze empire period mirror, circa 1820. This fine quality superbly detailed French bronze empire period adjustable pedestal mirror is intended for use on a dressing table or chest of drawers. It dates to circa 1820 and has a circular adjustable mirror in an ornate bronze frame with panelled mahogany back. This is supported in the raised arms of an elegant Grecian lady...
Bronze
Restored Empire Dressing Mirror, Mahogany, Brass, Bone, Polished, France, 1800s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Empire style dressing mirror (table mirror) comes from France from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is made of solid oak wood veneered with mahogany and adorn...
Brass
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Gilt Wood Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This round mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Empire style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been hand carved, with careful attention to symm...
Gold Leaf
$1,322Sale Price|24% Off
H 23.43 in W 12.21 in D 1.97 in
Louis the xvi Style Gilt and Painted Wood Mirror, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Louis the XVI style mirror is made of gilt and painted wood. This is a French work, 19th century.
Mirror, Wood
Italian 19th Century Venetian Oval Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A lovely Venetian mirror from Italy, oval in shape with an intricate crown. The original plate is heavily foxed which adds intrigue, a sense of mystery to the reflection (best for di...
Mirror
Mid 20th Century Venetian Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A Venetian mirror in the classical style from the mid 20th century.
Mirror
$901
H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Colored Mirror with Irregular Shape in the style of Ettore Sottsass, Italy 2010s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made with different colored mirrors, wood and metal. Limited production. This mirror is in excellent original condition and ready to become a piece in a home. The decorative objec...
Metal
Antique Gold Empire Trumeau Mirror, Foxed, circa 1820
Located in Hastings, GB
Antique gilt empire mirror, English, circa 1820 An impressive empire Trumeau mirror Original beveled mirror with exquisite full foxing all-over Fabulous classical pilaster detail to...
Wood
Pair of French Louis XV Style Gilt Oval Mirrors
Located in Cypress, CA
Pair of French Louis XV style gilt oval mirrors. Mid-20th century. The mirrors are surmounted with a carved gilt ribbon, each decorated in a fruiting, floral and foliate motif t...
Mirror
Cheval Mirror in Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant cheval mirror in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer from the 19th century from England Very beautiful mirror which has its original glass which is beveled Very beautiful pa...
Mahogany
$5,895
H 72 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in
Large Edwardian Cheval or Dressing Mirror of Satinwood from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English cheval or full-length dressing mirror from the Edwardian era, featuring a mirrored glass panel framed in satinwood with inlaid stringing around the circumference...
Metal
19th Century English Regency Gilt Neoclassical Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century carved giltwood mirror. The oval mirror plate within rectangular frame, surmounted by classical frieze with figures flanked by Reeded Pilasters.
Mirror, Giltwood
$6,876
H 69.49 in W 42.13 in D 23.43 in
French Empire Hardwood and Gilt Metal with Candles Cheval Mirror, circa 1810
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original circa 1810 French Empire Cheval mirror with gold gilt bronze candlestick holders and fitti...
Mirror, Hardwood
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame. English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely Georgian giltwood picture frame Carved pine with shallow gesso and gilt Original patina Internally or sight measures 19.25 x 24 inches. 48.5 x 61 cm Free UK shipping
Giltwood
Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany & Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company Additional information: Materials: mahogany, mirror Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Mahogany
Antique Mirror, Walnut, Marquetry, 1880
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror in walnut with marquetry from around the 1880s. Dimensions in cm: H:41 W:74. This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by our educated...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Veneered Walnut and Giltwood Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large handsome veneered walnut and hand-carved giltwood frame with the original beveled glass from the Piemontese Region.
Walnut, Giltwood
Large 19th Century Empire Parcel Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately green painted and parcel gilt Empire mirror with a triangular cornice over a wide highly decorated frame surrounding a mirror plat...
Wood
French 19th Century Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning, symmetrical Empire style mirror from 19th century France! With its original mirror plate, some wonderful foxing is present while providing a clear reflection. The square ...
Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Giltwood, Paint
Sold
H 156.5 in W 67.5 in D 49.5 in
Important Empire Style Bronze and Brass Psyche Mirror, French, Circa 1880
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This important Empire style Psyche mirror is made of bronze and brass. This is a French work, circa 1880.
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Wall Mirror
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period walnut mirror features its original mercury glass. Its walnut frame is detailed with bronze plaques of rosettes in the bottom corne...
Bronze
Sold
H 15.95 in W 9.45 in D 5.32 in
Early 19th Century Bronze Crystal Putto Table Mirror, Attr. Escalier de Cristal
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century bronze crystal Zephyr table mirror, attr. L'Escalier de Cristal On a flat, round base made of crystal glass with cut and polished decoration and bronze beaded rim stands a putto figure with butterfly wings depicting Zephyr , the personification of the West wind made of black patinated bronze; above his head Zephyr is holding the bronze mount for the adjustable mirror in the form of a twisted cord. Round adjustable mirror with neoclassical lanzetto leaf and pearl rim showing very fine chasing as well as excellent gilding with matte and polished parts, the back plate made of gilt bronze. The combination of the materials bronze and crystal glass, the excellent craftsmanship as well as the figure of the Zephyr boy, which can be found on other mirrors made by the French manufacturer L'Escalier de Cristal suggest this mirror to be a product of this manufacturer. The luxury store of the Maison a L'Escalier de crystal was stablished in 1802 by Mme. Désarnaud, it supplied clocks, lamps and other objects d'art to the ruling families of Europe. The business was located in the Palais Royale, a centre of excellence for the high quality jewelers, silversmiths and manufacturers of Objets de Vertu, for which Paris was renowned. The firm specialized in objects of great technical and aesthetic innovation, many composed entirely of crystal and gilt bronze. For the realization of its models, Escalier De crystal most often called upon Parisian artists specializing in a specific technical field. The individual components were then assembled to the firm's own designs - much in the tradition of the 18th-century marchands-mercier, from whom they inherited their specialist profession. The firm exhibited to great acclaim at the 1819 Exposition des produits de l’industrie an outstanding gilt bronze-mounted crystal dressing table (exhibited in the Musee de Louvre...
Crystal, Bronze
Napoleon III Gilt Cheval Mirror
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Impressive continental cheval mirror with a mild carved design and a gilt surface.
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 36.62 in W 17.72 in D 1.19 in
Wall Mirror, Sweden, 19th Century - Wood Inlay Black and Mahogany Empire Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mirror from Karl Johan-period from the 19th century. It has a lovely wooden inlay in the border. The top and the bottom is removable if you just want the middle part. It is 93 x45 ...
Mahogany
Ornate French Chelsea House Empire Style Blue and Gold Mirror Scalloped
Located in Dayton, OH
French inspired mirror by Chelsea House. Features blue accents framed between gold boarders, gadrooning, scalloping and a beveled mirror.
Mirror, Hardwood
Empire-Period Cheval Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
This French cheval mirror captures the luxury of the Empire period in grand style. Crafted of mahogany, the period piece is graced by intricate doré bronze mounts that embody the cla...
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Gilded and Painted Trumeau Mirror
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century gilded and painted Trumeau mirror This is a beautiful antique mirror. There is ample amount of loss to the gilding, but this is easily restored, or displayed as is. P...
Giltwood, Paint