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
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
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
Small Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gold Bronze Cheval Mirror, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Unusual Small Size Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gold Bronze Cheval Mirror, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Wall Mirror With Faux Marble Att. To Maitland-Smith
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French Empire style wall mirror attributed to Maitland-Smith. It has a brass eagle crest and faux marble columns. The mirror itself is cased in mahogany. It is unmarked and...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foiled finished.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century German Empire Antique Cherrywood Freestanding Floor Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique German floor mirror made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Cherrywood in good condition. The tall freestanding mirror is consisting its origina...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
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
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
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Foot Tall Dressing Cheval Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Foot Tall Beveled Glass Dressing Cheval Mirror. Item features metal urn finials, metal trim to frame, gold gilt painted details, "anti...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
Mid 19th century Danish empire mahogany mirror on cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Danish mahogany mirror on cabinet circa 1860.
Beautiful piece of mid 19th century Danish furniture strong in the influence of the regency period.
Comprising of 2 p...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Gold Giltwood Wall Mirror Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood wall mirror in the Neoclassical-Empire design, circa 19th century, Europe. The Empire period was another or second phase to Neoclassism. Mirror has beautiful, detaile...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The original mirror plate is flanked by two most impressive architectural columns with rounded feet, elegan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
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
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, Pine, Giltwood
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
Rare Imposing Empire Period Walnut and Gilt Bronze Cheval Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This magnificent First Empire period cheval mirror, standing at over 1.90 meters in height, is an exceptional example of early 19th century French craftsmanship. Designed as a freest...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
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
Regal Monumental Empire Giltwood Overmantel or Console Mirror
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very regal monumental Empire giltwood overmantel or console mirror with original plate, wonderful "Sparkly" patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Vintage sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare and beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 54cm
Ref.: 54676501
62
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Resin
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
Mirror, Giltwood
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: 42cm
Ref.: 54676503
65 - 66
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin
Regency Style Bulls Eye Eagle Mirror
Located in Montclair, 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
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
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 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
$468 / item
Period Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted trumeau with gilded bas relief figures on pale blue field. All paint appears to be original. The mirror is not original.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
$12,500
Table Mirror with Caryatid in French Empire. Gilded and dark.patinated bronze
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very elegant Table Mirror with Caryatid in French Empire from the 1820s in gilded and dark.patinated bronze.
High quality of the casting. The original glass with patina. (See pict...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
1956 Biswanger French Empire Carved Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1956 Biswanger Mirror Co. French Empire style Carved Mahogany Trumeau Mirror. Measures 16.5" in width, 33" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$1,046 Sale Price
25% Off
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 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
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Small Late 19th Century Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror, circa 1860-1900. This small rectangular veneered mirror can either stand on a table or hang on a wall.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Gilded Wood Empire Pier Mirror
Located in Burbank, CA
Antique 19th century gilded wall mirror for sale. It's made of solid wood, and has beautiful carved wood and details throughout, and balls at the top. The wood is gilded, and shows w...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror with Brass Inlays & Ormolu, circa 1790
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
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
Neoclassical Gilt Empire Mirror, France
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Giltwood. Empire mirror.
france 20th century
Patinated art glass.
brass ornaments.
compact messurements!
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Tall Stately Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany with Columns, Denmark, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
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
Vintage gilded resin 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.: 54676502 63
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
19th Century Empire Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror, 1800s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique table mirror in mahogany. On the sides the mirror is supported by two columns. Antique mercury mirror.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
$1,424 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Wall Mirror, Sweden, 19th Century - Wood Inlay Black and Mahogany Empire Vintage
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mirror from Karl Johan-period from the 19th century. It has a lovely wooden inlay in the border. The top and the bottom is removable if you just want the middle part. It is 93 x45 ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
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: 17cm
Ref.: 87456410
Ref.: 51
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
French Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany, Swans in Bronze D'Ore Ormolu, circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
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
Empire Giltwood Carved Frame
Located in New Orleans, LA
Period Empire giltwood frame.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Empire French Period Mirror "Psychee"
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Empire French period mirror "Psychee" in mahogany marketry.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Second Empire Giltwood Rectangular Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Second Empire Giltwood Rectangular Mirror, late 19th century, with foliate and scroll frame, William Schaus label to reverse. Mirror: 29" H x 33" W; frame: 42" H x 45.5" W x 2.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Second Empire Giltwood Mirror, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Second Empire Giltwood Mirror, late 19th century. Mirror plate: 31.5" H x 21.25" W; frame: 47.25" H x 42.5" W x 4.5" D. Provenance: From an Upper East Side, New York City Collection.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mirror
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French Empire period mirror.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th Century Silver Backed Crackle Foxed Giltwood Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Sometimes mirrors are all about the frames, this stunning French mirror is all about the almost other Worldly foxed mirror plate, it is truly spectacular, over more than 150 years the silver backed...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th, Circular Ormolu Bronze French Centerpiece with Mirror
Located in IT
19th, circular Ormolu bronze French centerpiece with mirror (surtout de table)
Diameter cm 75, H 9 cm, 11 cm the highest point (harps)
This splendid French centerpiece has a roun...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Classical Three Panel Horizontal Mirror, Circa 1820s
Located in Sarasota, FL
A classical three panel horizontal mirror. Wooden with decorative veneers. Above is an oil on canvas, richly carved on top with a fig leaf and arch motif. Continental, circa 1820's.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Canvas, Mirror, Wood
Italian Fruitwood Dressing Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Antique Empire fruitwood dressing mirror with neoclassical giltwood details and original glass. Newly restored, Italy, circa 1800.
Dimension: 21.5" W x 16" D x 36.5" H;19.5" W at base.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Fruitwood
French Empire Gilt Swan Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire gilt oval horizontal wall mirror with swan-shaped sides and urn top with floral decoration.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassical giltwood mirror. Antique gilt carved mirror with scrolled acanthus surround, leaf-tipped outer edge with cor...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Mahogany fram mirror with the original glass with gilt decoration.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
$590 Sale Price
24% Off
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
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
Neoclassical Style Brass and Lacquered Metal Mirror with Cup and Swan Necks.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Empire style mirror is made of brass and lacquered metal with decoration. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal, Brass
$2,136 Sale Price
32% Off
French Empire Style Beige Painted Trumeau Mirror with Carved Gilt Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style beige painted trumeau mirror from the 20th century with gilded décor. This exquisite French Empire style trumeau mirror from the 20th century is a testament to ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.
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