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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
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

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

Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire wall mirror, 1800s walnut wood hand carved with finely decorations. Elegant carved and gilded decorations. On the sides two columns with gilded corin...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mercury Glass, Walnut

1800s Antique Continental, Gilt Bronze, Ormolu, Empire Console and Pier Mirror!
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous 1800s Antique Continental, Gilt Bronze, Ormolu, Empire Console and Pier Mirror! Antique Empire console, pier mirror, continental, gilt bronze, ormolu, 1800s, 19th century!...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Large Antique French Giltwood Mirror, Empire Style Inspiration, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Large antique French mirror, Empire style inspiration, circa 1950. Large antique frame in carved natural wood, grooves and crosses decorati...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Giltwood

A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood

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

French Empire Large Self Standing Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Foyer French Empire mirror in original condition. Brass around the top and the bottom part of the column. Two small side drawers as well as middle glass shelf with the storage. Top p...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 43cm Ref.: 54676504 67 - 68
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

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

Early 19th Century French Empire Giltwood Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large French Empire carved and original water gilded Empire picture frame inset with a modern mirror, the corners of the deeply scooped sides set with palmettes.          
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

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

vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 40cm Ref.: 54676506 71
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

19th C. Empire Mahogany Frame Mirror W. an Inset Print after J.B. Camille Carot
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Empire Style Mahogany Frame Trumeau Mirror with an Inset Print Signed after Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Mirror glass appears to be original. Original Hardwood backing. Measur...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Hardwood, Mahogany

Large French Empire Ebony Black and Gold Carved Giltwood and Gesso Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirror is a large statement piece. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina. The neoclassical embo...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror

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

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

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

Early 19th Century French Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent early 19th-century French Empire trumeau mirror, elegantly patinated in a deep forest green and delicately accented with soft grey and gilded detailing. This exceptiona...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Pine, Giltwood

Antique Mirror With Frame Made In Mahogany, Denmark From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and originating from Denmark around the 1880s, is a stunning example of late 19th-century design and craftsmanship. The fram...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror With Frame Made In Mahogany With Marquetry From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
This pair of mahogany mirrors with marquetry from the 1890s is a splendid example of late 19th-century craftsmanship and design. Each mirror features a beautifully crafted mahogany f...
Category

1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings 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, deep tones of the...
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

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

Custom Mirror Hand-Made in our Workshop Using 24kt Gold Leaf and Ebonized Oak
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Custom Hand-Made Aged Mirror by our inhouse Old Plank workshop. The Mirror profile was copied from a 19th century original french Mirror we had in stock and since everyone seemed to ...
Category

2010s American Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

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.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foiled finished.
Category

1870s Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror. Item features burl wood, beveled glass, stately bronze mounts including human figured feet, maiden face...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Russian Mahogany Gilt Eagle and Bell Flower Garland Rope Wall Mirror, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Russian mahogany gilt eagle wall mirror with lambs tongue, beading, bell flower garland, and rope twisted border wall mirror. Mirror retains the original spotted glass...
Category

Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Giltwood

Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Plateau mirrors was used on the dining or dressing table, in front of guest of honor, to put flowers or candles on.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
$382 Sale Price
30% Off
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

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

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

19th Century French Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very impressive and good quality early 19th Century French Empire period cheval mirror. This stylish piece stands elegantly on its original guilded ram's feet. The mirror is suppor...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass

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

French Empire Gilt & Mother-of-Pearl Mirrors, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Gilt Metal and Mother-of-Pearl Mirrors, late 19th century, each rectangular frame with bellflower borders and interlaced mother of pearl roundels, enclosing mir...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Metal

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

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

Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
The mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the late Empire period, around the 1840s. The mirror is made from hig...
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish Empire Gilt Wood Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Giltwood Mirror, the deep triangular pediment with acanthine carving above a scrolling foliate and fruit urn frieze, the rectangular plate within a ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Antique Federal Flame Mahogany Reverse Painted Trumeau Wall Mirror 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Federal / Empire style flame mahogany trumeau / wall mirror - rectangular frame with carved pillars and stepped pediment holding a mirror and reverse painted coa...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Paint

Fine Antique French Gilded Mahogany Ormolu Napoleonic Empire Cheval Mirror 1815
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique French 1st Empire/Napoleonic period mahogany and ormolu monted cheval mirror, circa 1815. The mirror with a stepped top and removeable wooden gilded gesso cornice...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Fine Pair of Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirrors
By C. Werné 1
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Swedish Empire mirrors signed by master mirror maker C. Werne´, circa 1820, Sweden.      
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and architectural pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors. Each palatially scaled mirror with it's original mirror plates is raised on a s...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

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

Empire Psyche, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large standing mirror with rotating mirror in an arched frame. The mirror is held by lateral columns which end in fire-gilded bronze urns. The bases are also fire-gilt. The psyche st...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

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

19th Century Swedish Empire Mirror Sconces
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of Swedish Empire mirror sconces with imitated porphyry borders, circa 1830. Good restored condition, wear consistent with age and u...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass

19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style A dressing table mirror with tiltable mirror, which is fixed to the side with 19th cent...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Nutwood

French Empire Style Solid Walnut Bronze Ormolu Mantel Buffet Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Empire style solid walnut mirror is a striking statement of classical design and refined craftsmanship. Designed for placement above a mantel, buffet, or console, this wa...
Category

1990s Unknown Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Antique American Empire Arched Mahogany Wood Frame Looking Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Empire Arched Deep Mahogany Wood Frame Looking Glass Wall Mirror wit...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Mirror With Sculpted Coper And Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant ebony and embossed copper pareclose mirror from the beginning of the 19th century Very beautiful mirror which has a beautiful proportion decorated with embossed and fire-gil...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Copper

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...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

German Wooden Biedermeier/ Empire Trumeau Mirror with Brass a Appliques
Located in Hamburg, DE
The pillar mirror, also called trumeau is from the German Biedermeier period. The frame is made of mahogany and root wood veneer. On the frame above the mirror is a mythological scen...
Category

Early 18th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Psyche Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most detailed French 19th century Empire period ormolu mounted mahogany Psyche mirror. The mirror is raised by an impressive ormolu support below a thick mahogany b...
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

19th Century Second Empire Painted Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant, 19th-century, French Empire cheval mirror made in wood with hand carved giltwood mouldings and ormolu fittings. Fitted with neat drawer at the mirror. Painted in a deep ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

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

French 19th Century Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant French Empire mahogany cheval floor mirror, early 1800’s, retains the original glass and features a rectilinear mahogany frame which can pivot to adjust the angle or ref...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

Early 19th Century Italian Empire Gilt Wood Antique Rectangula Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant Italian antique mirror dating back to the early 19th century, during the Empire period. An extremely refined mirror. Made with a wooden frame finely decorate...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Poplar

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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