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
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
Christian Dior Red Velvet Salon Mirror, Paris, 1950s
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Classic and elegant Empire-style salon mirror by Christian Dior in Paris. Covered in rich red velvet, the front is applied with neoclassical design elements in brass including rosett...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
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
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Empire Gentlemans Dressing Shaving Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive antique 19th century (circa 1880s) English Empire gentleman's dressing mirror. Made from mahogany with a beveled wooden frame supported by exceptional barley twist upright...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt Brass Pier Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This timeless piece features a swing open cabinet and pull out drawer. The drawer and lower cabinet door are keyed for secure locking, complemented by one barreled skeleton key. This...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
French Painted Faux Marble Wood Empire Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful French painted faux marble wood empire mirror. amazing hand painted details. Very old and original details. Add some French style to your home.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
DIA Neoclassical Bronze, Brass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury neoclassical influenced mirror surrounded by brass trim and a bronze frame, made by Design Institute of America.
Category
20th Century American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Huge Mirror, Frame, mahogany, faceted, console available, ~1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful floor or full length mirror, from the Empire period, made around 1810 in Austria.
This huge mirror is still in its original condition - about 20 years ago the surface was...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Spruce
Mirror, Frame, wonderful swan decor, Empire, 1815, Vienna Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful wall mirror from the Empire period, around 1820, made in Vienna, Austria, Europe.
The mirror is in impressive good condition, only the mirror plate has been renewed to en...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Spruce
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
19th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French rectangular wall mirror made of hand carved gilded Pinewood with its original mirror glass, in good condition. The arched mirror is particularized by detailed flower carvings and fittings. The Parisian décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Gilded Wood Trumeau, Floor Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A typical 19th century French carved and partial gilded Trumeau mirror, in good condition. The antique Floor mirror is consisting its original mir...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Pair of Metal Wall Glass Mirrors, Parisian Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of wall mirrors with an arched top, made of hand crafted metal in good condition. The large mirror is consisting its original mirrored, leaded glass particularized by detailed flower crafting. The Parisian décor pieces represent the First French Empire...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
19th Century Blue-Grey French Antique Pair of Tall Allegorical Glass Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare pair of tall, antique French trumeau mirrors, in good condition. These antique slender mirrors are consisting partial gilded finish and the frames are patinated in the traditi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
18th Century French Antique Gilded 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
Charming vanity mirror, table swivel mirror, bronze marble, Empire, 1820, France
Located in Wien, AT
Charming table mirror, a high quality work, made around the 1820s in France.
The stand is out of bronze with a red marble base. The bronze stand is very delicately worked, with man...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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
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
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
19th Century French Empire Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unusual French gilt balloon empire mirror. Fantastic size mirror with lovely personality and details.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Italian Empire Walnut Psyche Table Mirror with Gold Gilt Swans and Ebony Inlay
Located in Encinitas, CA
Impressive Italian 19th century Empire style "psyche" table mirror. circa 1830.
The oval walnut swivel mirror frame is suspended between a pair of gold gilt carved swans with acanthus vestments, resting on hoofed feet mounted to the base.
Octagonal marquetry of walnut burl veneers on the oval frame's reverse is embellished with ebony and linden floral inlay. The mirror glass is accented by a gilt beaded border, and the walnut veneered pediment-shaped base is trimmed in gilt palmette.
The mirror tilt...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold
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...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Porcelain, Mirror
19th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black-gold, antique French wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Parisian mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pine
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
Vintage Italian American Federal-Style Oval Mirror with Eagle Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the sophistication of our vintage Italian American Federal-style oval wall mirror. This exquisite piece is hand-crafted from premi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Giltwood, Mirror
French Empire Style Gilt Leaf and Urn Motif Wall Mirror
Located in Peabody, MA
French empire style wall mirror featuring a classic motif of gilt leaf and flower vining emanating from a center urn, circa 1960s.
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
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
Napoleon I Empire French Gold Leaf Wood Mirror
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Elega...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mercury Glass, 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 French Empire Style Trumeau Mirror with Matching Console Table
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century French Empire style trumeau mirror with matching console table, featuring a decorative mythological "Verre Églomisé" reverse paint...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
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 Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style mahogany and ormolu-mounted freestanding Cheval swiveling mirror. The oval framed mirror plate surmounted with Empire style ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Italian Empire Period Walnut and Ebonized Demilune Console Tables with Mirrors
Located in Firenze, IT
These beautiful antique Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors date back to early 19th Century. We can assume they were made in Florence, Italy and they come from a vill...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Giltwood
Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Wall, Pier Mirror, 1820s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mahogany wall mirror with gilt detailing. Manufactured in Denmark in the early to mid-19th century.
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror.
Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s.
This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Period Mahogany Mirror, Type "Psychee"
Located in Sofia, BG
Empire period mahogany mirror. The triangle topped frame holding the mirror supported on two columns with two removable bronze candleholders. Standing on four carved griffon legs, th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany, Swans in Bronze D'Ore Ormolu, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A very beautiful Empire mirror in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with satinwood inlaid bandings. The book-matched figured mahogany draws the eye upward to the stepped pediment that...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Impressive Royal Early 19th Century German Empire Mirror
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare early 19th century German Empire giltwood trumeau mirror. The large rectangular plate surmounted by a scrolled pediment enriched with wines leaves and a central medallion encl...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Empire Giltwood Mirror with Eagle Decoration
Located in Brussels , BE
Empire gilded wood mirror with eagle decoration
19th century mirror in gilded wood. Empire. Eagle with outstretched wings. Condition as seen in pho...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror with Brass Inlays & Ormolu, circa 1790
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Empire cheval mirror in mahogany with brass inlays & ormolu mounts, on double lyre-pedestal with original mirror. France, circa 1790.
Dimensions: 34" wide x 19 3/4" deep x ...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
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...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt and Beige Rectangular Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful Empire period large rectangular mirror with neoclassical relief ornamentation with gilded details and a very nice patina in beige color with red accents, France, circa 1810...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
French Empire Tall Carved Gitwood and Gilt-Gesso Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a flat bottom and sides and top with convex form, the surfaces all decorated with gilt-gesso decorations consisting of friezes of foliate scrolls, neoclassical rosettes, and e...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gesso
Napoleon III Gilt Cheval Mirror
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Impressive continental cheval mirror with a mild carved design and a gilt surface.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
By Palladio
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
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
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
Brass, Metal
Little Mirror in Rosewood and Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Little oval-shaped mirror in rosewood and gilt bronze standing on a tubular structure. Frame in gilt bronze. Figure of a child on its knees supporting the mirror with his two spared arms. Molded base in wood and chiseled and gilt bronze. Octagonal stand...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Gilt Carved Painted Beech Wood Swedish Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful beechwood trumeau features fine carvings of two columns and a basquet filled with fruit and flowers. The high relief woodwork is partially guilt and has retained it's ...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Beech
Mid-19th Century Empire Mirror by Testolini, Murano for Empire Hapsburg Vienna
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important Mirror Made by Verreries Artistiques Testolini Venice, for Empire Hapsburg Vienna. The precious mirror is carved by hand and entirely decorated with gold leaf, copper and s...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Oval hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Neoclassical carved Trumeau mirror with beautiful figures and decoration throughout.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Tall Stately Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany with Columns, Denmark, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A very beautiful tall stately and elegant Empire mirror in fine Cuban mahogany with well-articulated carvings of anthemions as antefix decorating the crown molding. Turned columns wi...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
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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