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Empire Mirrors

EMPIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Empire
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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold

Antique early 20th century small oval gold leaf and paint gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a beautiful small oval mirror that was crafted in France in the early 20th century, around 1910. The mirror features a frame made of lime wood and is adorned with plaster mol...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

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...
Category

20th Century Spanish Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

19th Century empire revival mahogany pier mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century empire revival mahogany pier mirror circa 1870. Excellent quality pier mirror using the finest mahogany.  Architectural cornice top with cresent shape which showcases t...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

Small English Rectangular Mahogany and Gilt Wall Mirror, Scandinavian
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular antique wall mirror in Mahogany and gilt inner frame This Scandinavian mirror is on the smaller size, but totally charming with regards to the warmth of the wood and the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Empire Style Gilded Tole Toleware Mirror Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning Empire style toleware mirror. The gilded resin or plastic frame surrounds a glass mirror. Made in Italy, circa 1950s. Beautiful mirror for any room or your hall entry. Nice ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Resin

Empire Neoclassical Gilt Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire Neoclassical gilt mirror. Antique Italian gilt Neoclassical mirror frame with interior leaf and dart holding with large ogee band and o...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood

19th Century Mahogany Standing Tilting Floor Mirror from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately mahogany adjustable/tilting floor mirror standing over 5.5' tall. Note the elegant finials and central flourish that crown the mirror, resting on elaborately carved lion's fe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Early 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An early 19th century painted and parcel-gilt Empire trumeau mirror with horse and chariot scene.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Table Mirror / Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming French gilt bronze mirror, late 19th century, in Empire style. The rectangular frame is richly decorated with acanthus leaves and classical motifs, crowned with a laurel wre...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Carved Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive late 19th Century Empire carved giltwood Mahogany wall Mirror, Circa 1890s. Measures 49.5" in width, 4" in depth and stands 33" in height.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

A large French Empire wood and gesso mirror, C 1840.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The two-tone painted, rectangular frame with ornate gilt highlights throughout. Perfect in an entryway, to elongate a hall way or above a mantel horizontally. The neutral mirror may...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood

Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassical giltwood mirror. Antique gilt carved mirror with scrolled acanthus surround, leaf-tipped outer edge with cor...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Vintage Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Heavy gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 55cm/ 21.6" Diameter glass: 1...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Resin

Empire Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large wall mirror in the Neoclassical Empire style, circa 1810. The rectangular frame is gilded and adorned with applied stucco ornaments, including stylized acanthus leaves and leaf...
Category

1810s Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass

19th Century American Empire Mahogany Gentleman's Shaving or Dressing Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century American Empire gentleman's tilt-top shaving mirror of mahogany. The original mirror glass is in a beveled frame with a dome top and is supported by beautifully crafter ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840. The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border. The qua...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Elegant Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fine period French antique, good sized Gilt Empire mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame. From near Paris, France! #8435
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

19th Century Large Mahogany Mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
Large mirror made of mahogany, the mirror itself consists of two panels in a large mahogany frame with two candleholders on each side. Originates...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Pier Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
A handsome and stately French Empire mirror with gilded hand carved detail.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Walnut, Giltwood

Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
A good sized Gilt Empire antique mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame, lambs tongue design inner slip. Mirror in good condition. Original boarded bac...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror

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...
Category

20th Century Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Wall Mirrors, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of pillar mirrors in gold-patinated and stuccoed frame with profiled molding. The mirror panes are divided in the upper third. Patination is rubbe...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century Pair of Mahogany Mirrors, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of mahogany mirrors from Denmark, circa 1840-1860, with a carved and scrolled pediment and turned side columns. This pair is solid and ready to hang securely. There is expecte...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Russian Pair of Antique Beechwood, Brass Wall Mirrors and Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian pair of wall mirrors and console tables, nightstands made of hand crafted Karelian Beechwood in good condition. The floor mirrors are supported by two arched legs ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Marble

Napoleonic Empire Antique Giltwood Wall Mirror c1850s
Located in High Peak, GB
P0290 Outstanding 19th century Napoleonic Empire gilded wall mirror / over mantel mirror of versatile form, can be positioned either way, having replacement glass in moulded gold lea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Beautiful Empire French Period Trumeau
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful Empire French period Trumeau.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mercury Glass, Gesso, Wood

Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Small Rectangular 19th Century Wooden Mirror and Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Danish or Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror. This classic rectangular mirror features the original mirror. Wonderful mirror that can be displayed on a vanity or hung verticall...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Mirror

24-Karat Gold Leaf Giltwood Empire Beveled Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Spanish 19th century gold leaf giltwood rectangular mirror with beveled glass. Empire style. Made of carved wood, gesso and 24-karat gold leaf finish. It has a nice aged pa...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Wonderful 19th century gilded wall mirror , empire style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very good quality 19th century gilded wall mirror in the empire style French circa 1840’s with original backboards and mirror plate Height It can hang landscape or portrait Heig...
Category

1840s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Italian Empire Period Carved Giltwood & Gilt-Gesso Mirror, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
of rectangular shape and having a coved form with a rabbet of carved gesso, now fitted with a modern mirrorplate
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Large French Carved Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century French Carved Painted and Giltwood Mirror. This Impressive mirror features a rectangular frame adorned with finely carved trailing floral and foliage garlands, a h...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Large early 19th century empire style over mantle
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very decorative early 19th century empire style overmantle miror French circa 1840’ s with original backboards and mirror plate Height 157 cms or 62 inches Width 115.5 cms or ...
Category

1840s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

A French Empire gold mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fine and Large Antique hand carved giltwood frame with beautiful floral, scroll and rosette decorations. A statement piece for your entryway...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Wood

Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian mirror dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined mirror. Made of fine walnut wood and characterized by an el...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Table Mirror Dated, 1870
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique rustic vanity mirror / table mirror dated 1870. The Mirror has nice carved details on the top This orginal painted mirror...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Pine

1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category

1950s Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Metal

Very Tall 8' Antique Empire Style Mirror, Italian, Walnut, Marble, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an extraordinary 8' tall antique Empire Style console mirror. An Italian extended pier mirror in walnut with a marble plinth, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1860. Of impressive stature and exceptional craftsmanship, this piece is ideally suited to grand reception rooms or palatial entrance halls. Striking proportion at 99.5'' (253cm) in height, creating an unmissable focal point Beautifully figured walnut stocks, displaying deep caramel hues and rich grain interest Topped with a delightful crown pediment, finished with gilt relief moulding for an elegant flourish Original mercury glass mirror plate, with charming foxing and light, age-related character Fascia adorned with gilt artistry, elevating the warm walnut tones beneath Cool grey marble tabletop sits at 85cm, perfect for display or utility in a hallway setting Serpentine pilaster supports, a classical touch, terminating with darling gilt hoof foot mounts Stands upon a plinth base with deep apron, grounding the mirror with architectural poise Presented in two parts for ease of placement, and secures to the wall with brass fittings Maximum mounting width of 99cm (39'') across the rear edge of the plinth This antique Italian pier mirror...
Category

1860s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Marble

Leitizia Bonapartes, Madame Mere Dressing Mirror and Jewellery Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A mahogany cheval mirror and jewellery cabinet, once belonging to Leitizia Bonaparte, Napoleon's mother. The veneered semi circular topped mirror framed by columns topped with gilt bronze cassolettes and single arm candle holders. The bottom section is fronted by two doors which open to reveal nine shallow leather cartonniers and six jewellery drawers; the whole carcass richly decorated with gilt bronze friezes and various classical motives. Similar gilded bronze mounts are found on various pieces of furniture in the collection of the Louvre Paris. This rare museum worthy piece of furniture came from the Chateau Du Pont Sur Seine. The piece is not stamped but the quality of the mahogany and the amount of finely chiseled and burnished gilt bronze mounts, plus the presence of the cartonnier and jewellery drawers almost certainly point to a royal provenance and which almost certainly came from the workshop of Georges Jacob. The Chateau De Pont Sur Seine was originally built in 1632 and hosted such important historical figures as Catherine de Medicis and Cardinal Richelieu. In the late 17C it was acquired by the Duc de Saxony, one of Louis XVI’s uncles whose family maintained ownership until 1792 until the start of the French Revolution when they had to vacate to escape the guillotine. While it suffered damage by the revolutionairies it was still very habitable and in 1805, Napoleon purchased the chateau for his mother Madame Letizia Bonaparte where she resided until Napoleon’s fall from grace in 1814. Madame Mere...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is origina...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

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: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Gold Giltwood Wall Mirror Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood wall mirror in the Neoclassical-Empire design, circa 19th century, Europe. The Empire period was another or second phase to Neoclassism. Mirror has beautiful, detaile...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

Italian Carved Giltwood & Whitewashed French Empire Style Balloon Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood and whitewashed balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has tassel appointments. It is in very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Poplar

Gorgeous Pair of Empire Style Black & Gold Wall Mirrors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirrors which are elegant statement pieces. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina, and t...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror

Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s. Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Italian Walnut Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian walnut mirror. Antique provincial bleached walnut mirror with later antiqued plate with clean modern classic lines. Italy, circa 1820. ...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

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 ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror is the perfect size for the dressing room, bath, or any cozy niche. The design also lends itself to either horizontal or vertical hanging...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Early 19th Century Biedermeier or Empire Demi Lune Console with Mirror
Located in Greven, DE
Antique demi-lune console with pillar mirror North Germany Mahogany Biedermeier/Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 234 x 88 x 51 cm single height console: 78 cm, sing...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Early Mid-Century Empire Style Black and Gild Greek Key Mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
Large and impressive mirror from mid-century with black paint and gilded Greek key. The mirror has a large and deep frame molding. To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha De...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Large Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany with Columns and Carved Capitals, c. 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite Empire mirror in Cuban mahogany with carved anthemions as antefix decorating the crown molding and columns with carved acanthus capitals flanking the mirror and frieze, ...
Category

1810s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Antique Geometrical Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror with Carved Crest
Located in Miami, FL
About This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840, 19th century. The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

P.-B. Marcion, Empire Period Dressing Table, France, circa 1810
By P. Marcion
Located in PARIS, FR
Empire period dressing table, decorated with rich chiseled and mercury gilded bronze ornamentation. Surmounted by an oval-shaped psyche mirror, decorated with a frieze of ivy and sma...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th century Swedish empire revival birch pier mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century Swedish empire revival birch pier mirror circa 1890. Fine architectural pier mirror made in birch. Rich golden empire revival birch, with architectural cornice.  ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Birch

Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Empire Gilt Classical and Foliate Carved Triptych over Mantel Mirror 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Empire triptych over mantel wall mirror features Classical foliate and bead carved and gilt frame surrounding each of three mirror panels, 19th century Measures: 30" H x 62.25" W x 4...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.

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