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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 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 particular...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Metal

Antique Original Stand Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special LARGE standing mirror in empire style. Folding mirror on two sides. Dimensions:  Height: 180 ( 205 ) cm for mirr...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Antique Mirror, Mahogany, Denmark, 1840
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror with hand polished mahogany originally from Denmark around the 1880s. Dimensions in cm: H: 153 W: 59.
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant Table/Wall Mirror in Plated Silver. Empire Style, 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant table/wall Mirror in plated silver. The mirror can be used both as a table mirror and for a wall ( see photos ). Beautifully decorated in Empire style and made in France duri...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Silver Plate

Regency Style Bulls Eye Eagle Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A large Regency style mirror with birds eye maple round frame and domed glass central mirror. Topped with a large hand cast black resin eagle and accented on the bottom with matching...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin, Birdseye Maple

Mahogany and Gilt Metal Large Wall Mirror in Empire Taste
Located in Pewsey, GB
This is a large and imposing mahogany and gilt metal mounted wall mirror in the Empire taste, some aging to silvering of mirror plate as seen. Very heavy. Length 167 cm and Width ...
Category

1920s British Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Elegant Table Mirror in Gilded Bronze. French Empire from the, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Mirror in gilded bronze and with a marble center. Very nice original gilding with beautiful details. French Empire from the 1820s. Good size for the dressing table or a...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze

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 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

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

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

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

Back Room Mirror in Lacquered Wood
Located in Alba, IT
Beautiful mirror in the back of the room in gold and green lacquered wood characterized in the central part by a large medallion within festoons, while festoons with floral motifs st...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

French Empire Mahogany Mantle Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stately, Empire style mantle mirror from France with some light foxing throughout the original mercury mirror plate. The minimally carved mahogany has ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a very good condition, beautifully patinated. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: ...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

19th Century White Empire Scallop Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Empire style mirror hand carved with intricate and ornately carved leaf and shell motifs, circa 1850.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Paint

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

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

Large French Empire Mirror with Worn Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th century French Empire mirror with original mercury glass mirror. Large scale Empire Gold Gilt mirror is a large statement piece. The...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

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

Mirror, Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1880
Located in Lejre, DK
This beautiful hand-polished mahogany mirror is from the late Empire period and was crafted in Denmark around the 1840s. It features intricate carvings along the frame, adding a touc...
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Fireplace Mirror in Pompeian Red with Golden Decorations
Located in Prato, IT
Rectangular mirror born to be placed on the fireplace. The mirror is divided into three original parts separated by frames with a golden border. Original the color that recalls the f...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Silver Table Mirror Oval Frame Made in Italy, 1950
Located in Palermo, IT
Ancient gouache silver oval frame from the mid-20th century, in good condition. empire style,with lacquered wood.
Category

1950s European Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Silver

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

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

Empire Herringbone Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire herringbone gilt wood mirror. Walnut herringbone veneer frame with interior wide Mecca gilt band with further palm foliate border framing original slightly distressed mirror plate. Some wear to wide gilt band otherwise a handsome neoclassical mirror...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Mid-19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mantel Mirror
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century French Empire style mahogany mirror features columns on the sides with bronze ancient Egyptian heads at the capital and bare feet for plinth bases. The Egyptian motif is a reference to Napoleon Bonaparte's return from his campaign in Egypt. The triangular pediment at the crown is detailed with a bronze plaque of the goddess Diana upon her chariot with a quiver of arrows on her back. Her chariot is led by two deer. A handsome mirror...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Table Mirror, Walnut, 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
Small table mirror in walnut wood with small metal foot from around the 1880s. Dimensions in cm: H:30 W:15.5.
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Walnut

Mirror, Mahogany, Marquetry, 1910
Located in Lejre, DK
Small mirror in mahogany wood with intarsia from around the 1910s. Dimensions in cm: H: 77 W: 97 This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by our edu...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Wood and Gilded Stucco Overmantel Mirror, Empire Period, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period overmantel mirror, in wood and stucco gilded with gold leaf. This mirror is framed by two antique style pilasters in wood and stucco, gilded with gold leaf. A rectangul...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Stucco, Wood

Late 19th Century Large Empire Style Painted Gilt Wood Wall Mirror or Trumeau
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th century large empire style painted gilt wood wall mirror or trumeau Large rectangular mirror with architectural structure: the central field, consisting of a lower mirro...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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

Elegant Empire Table Mirror in Gilded Bronze
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and rare empire table mirror in gilded bronze. Very good quality. Made i France around 1820, with original mirror glass with patina. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Mirror, Mahogany, 1890
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror made of dark stained mahogany wood from around the 1890s. Dimensions in cm: H:153 W:59 This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by ou...
Category

1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror, Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1880
Located in Lejre, DK
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautiful and unique piece of furniture from the late Empire period. This mirror was crafted in Denmark around the 1840s and features intric...
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror, Hand Polished Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
The mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a stunning piece from the late Empire period, hailing from Denmark around the 1890s. The rich, deep mahogany wood has been carefully hand-poli...
Category

1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror, Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1880
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

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

Mahogany Mirror, Marquetry, 1890
Located in Lejre, DK
Mahogany mirror with marquetry from the 1890s. We have two in stock. Dimensions in cm: H:77 W:93.
Category

1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror, Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1880
Located in Lejre, DK
Mirror of hand-polished mahogany, with carvings, made in Denmark from around the 1880s. Dimensions in cm: H:118 W:53 This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional...
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror, Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1880
Located in Lejre, DK
Mirror of hand-polished mahogany, with carvings, made in Denmark from around the 1880s Dimensions in cm: H:130 W:63.
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Large Psyche Mirror in Walnut and Bronze Empire Style, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
large psyche mirror in walnut and bronze Empire style, circa 1900.  
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

George III Mahogany Gilded Empire Style Mirror, circa 1780
Located in Lincoln, GB
This George III mahogany gilded Empire style mirror is 150cm tall with beautiful detailing all around. There is some fantastic gilding around the edges, with a particularly magnifice...
Category

18th Century British Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Mounted Mahogany Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire style gold bronze mounted carved mahogany mirror.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Convex Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning early 19th century French Empire mahogany framed convex mirror with a thin gilt bronze laurel wreath trim. Unlike most convex mirrors ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Symmetrical Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This beautiful Empire style mirror is dripping with exceptional details. The giltwood frame has a fantastic patina throughout, with spots of French red peaking through. Detailed moti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mercury Glass, Wood, Giltwood

Antique French Giltwood Mirror, Empire Period, circa 1810
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French giltwood wall mirror, Empire period, circa 1810. Antique gold leaf frame, period Empire, adorned with palmettes and vegetal mot...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Distinguished Scandinavian Empire Inlaid Mahogany Wall Mirror, C. 1830
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This fine Empire period Mahogany wall mirror features an upper section centering a socalled Patera oval fruitwood inlay, the mirror glas accented with French style square raised corn...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Fruitwood

19th Century Mahogany Wood Frame Trumeau Mirror
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship of the mid-19th century beveled mahogany wood frame hanging trumeau wall mirror with inlaid top design details. The mirror is in great condition with appropri...
Category

1840s European Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Mahogany

Empire Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An early Empire 19th century mirror in mahogany and birth. Mahogany and birch veneered. Painted black with bronze decorations.   
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

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

Set of Five Italian Midcentury Made Bronze and Brass Barber Wall Mirrors
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare group of practical size vintage Empire mirrors. If you are looking for a quality made and practical size mirror then one of these Empire Revival specimens could be yours to own and enjoy soon. If you are looking for a set of identical mirrors for a project you are working on then you are even more lucky, because this beautiful and truly decorative set really is a rare find. All hand-crafted in the mid 1900s these beautifully designed and quality made mirror frames really are a joy to behold. Their gilt surface makes the stylish and symmetrical bronze mask ornaments on top stand out even more, making them like the icing on the cake of these easy to mount and highly stylish wall mirrors. We don't have to go into all the places and spaces where this set can and will look amazing, our designer clients are much better at that than we are. No matter where you decide to have these on display/where you decide to use them, they will never fail to impress. Again great value for money. Especially when taken into account that perfect packing and worldwide delivery from our store to your door in just 4 to 6 days are complimentary. No matter if you purchase one or all. Maximum height x width x depth: 30.4 x 19.9 x 1.3 inches. Height of these mirrors without the bronze mask sculpture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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, Paint, Wood

19th Century French Bronze Empire Period Adjustable Pedestal Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
A superb French bronze empire period mirror, circa 1820. This fine quality superbly detailed French bronze empire period adjustable pedestal mirror is intended for use on a dressing table or chest of drawers. It dates to circa 1820 and has a circular adjustable mirror in an ornate bronze frame with panelled mahogany back. This is supported in the raised arms of an elegant Grecian lady...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century Large French Empire Wall Mirror
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
An attractive 19th century French Empire rectangular frame wall mirror. The deep square frame with ebonized black wood frame and gold gi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Ebony

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

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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