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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
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

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

19th Century French Mirror - Empire Style - Gilded
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique French mirror with an image of an eagle in the top, made of wood and gesso. Beautiful gilding, which contrasts beautifully with the black lacquer in the frame. Th...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Period Giltwood Large Italian Empire Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame. Early 19th century. Internal measurements cm 37.5 x 45.5. Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certific...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

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

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

19th Century Grey-Green French Empire Antique Gilded Wood Trumeau Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century French Empire trumeau mirror, patinated in grey-green and embellished in partial in gilded finish, in good condition...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 48cm Ref.: 84654522 21
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

Empire Double Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, 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 bronze mirr...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Large Antique Neoclassical Empire Mirror in Mahogany w/ Original Glass, c. 1810
Located in Miami, FL
An large and well restored architectural neoclassical mirror on a plinth base and turned split columns that support a pediment top. This North German mahogany mirror has it original ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Small Empire Giltwood Trumeau Mirror with Painting
Located in Doylestown, PA
Unique 19th century Empire giltwood trumeau wall mirror with an original painted landscape on top, circa 1850. The tranquil scene in the manner of Hungarian landscape painter, Karoly...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Large Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany with Columns and Carved Capitals, c. 1810
Located in Miami, FL
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

Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1960s signed "Palladio" of Italy wall-mounted Carrara marble console table with mirror. Elegant piece sculpted of iron with gold gilded paint. Fabulous foyer piece.       
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Empire Style Rectangular Wall Mirror with Beige and Gilt Frame
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style Mirror, France, 1930s. Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornamentation with gilded details . The fra...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

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

18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Pine

Spanish Empire Console Table with Mirror in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Spanish Empire console with mirror in mahogany and rosewood with satinwood inlays, circa 1810.
Category

1810s Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Rosewood

20th Century Giltwood Pier Mirror
Located in Ross, CA
Vintage Empire style beveled pier mirror in giltwood frame. Mirror has two sections a smaller rectangle on the top and longer on the bottom. The top sides form columns with fleur de...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Giltwood Pier Mirror
20th Century Giltwood Pier Mirror
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
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

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

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

Rectangular Empire Mahogany Wall Mirror, England Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th Century Empire mahogany veneer wall mirror. This rectangular wall mirror is magnificent with its tiered graduated frame. The outermost frame is flat leading to anot...
Category

1890s English 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

Handsome 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with Bronze Eagle
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful French Empire style mirror in mahogany with bronze eagle and good ormolu swag with great detail and nice size. #3521.   
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mantle mirror (c. 1800) exhibits calculated restraint in the surface decoration, the gold gilt molding is largely plain and smo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

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

19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Empire Table Mirror
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique Empire rustic vanity mirror / table mirror. The Mirror has original paint in colorful color. This orginal painted mirror ha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Pine

Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 38" H x 22" W x 4.5" D
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Pair Of Italian Neoclassical Painted And Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Small mirrors nice to flank a painting or other artwork. Arched scrolled crest over a mirror plate surrounded by a white painted border.
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

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

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. ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Mirror

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

18th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewood, gilded frame adorned with water leaves and pearl friezes, in good condition. The mirror is consisting its original mirror glass...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Early 20th C Empire Bronze & Gilt Mounted Mahogany Console / Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Empire Neoclassical Brass Mounted and Mahogany Wall Mirror in good condition. Solid Mahogany frame. Measures 18" in width and 36" tall. Mirror glass is 15"W x 2...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish 19th Century Empire Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Swedish Empire style trumeau exudes a simple refinement in its symmetry and composure. A simple pediment sits atop a painted black and decorative gilt cornice...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

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

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, Wood, Giltwood

Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded. Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Empire White & Gold Rectangular Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful large Empire gold gilt and ivory mirror which is an elegant statement piece. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely early painted white washed gesso patina, and t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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

French Empire Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire gold gilt mantle mirror from the 1800’s. The carved frame has its original gold gilt finish revealing the reddish bole beneath with decorat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood, Mirror

20th Century Italian Florentine Empire Style Gilt Mirror by Chelini
Located in Milano, MI
From Italy, by Chelini Firenze, a lovely late 20th century gold leaf gilded mirror with Empire style hand carved elements like quiver and torch. Manufactured circa 1990s by Chelini Florence...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Wood, Mirror

Large early 19th century gilded over mantle
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Large early 19th gilded over mantle , great decorative mirror French circa 1830’s with original mirror and back boards Some minor damage to the plaster work and some foxing to th...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso

Antique Empire Reverse Painted Still Life Giltwood Trumeau Wall Mirror 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire Trumeau mirror offers giltwood column form frame with upper having reverse painted floral still life, 19th century. Measures - 34.5''H x 18.5''W x 3.5''D....
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A courtly, Empire mirror from France with its original mirror plate. The frame is made of beveled mahogany decorated with gilt bronze stars, a motif commonly found throughout the Emp...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Empire Style Mirrors, by Maison Krieger
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and impressive pair of Empire style gilt-bronze and burr, Amboyna Mirrors, By Maison Krieger. Each mirror is over 328 cm high (129 inches) and ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

Large French Rococo Oval Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A large French Rococo oval gilt wall mirror The mirror has an exquisite gilt frame in the Rococo style, it is decorated with arrows and quiver, and many...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

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 Mirror in Mahogany from the Late Empire perid from about 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror in mahogany wood from the late Empire period from around the 1840s. Light in colour, due to sunlight over the years. Dimensions in cm: H:1...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 43cm Ref.: 84654535 40-41
Category

1960s Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

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

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

American Classical Empire Style Over Mantel Mahogany Trident Pediment Mirror 49"
Located in Dayton, OH
American Classical Empire style Pediment Mirror, circa last quarter 20th century. Features a mahogany frame with an arched pediment over acanthus carved spandrels set around a triden...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with Bronze Doré Mounts-c. 1810-20
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Small period French Empire mahogany trumeau with gilt bronze mounts representing cornucopias, ivy and marguerite flowers. The mirror is of small proportions with original glass. A ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

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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