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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
Late 19th Century Large Empire Style Painted Gilt Wood Wall Mirror
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

Genovese Mirror With Walnut Inlays & Small Parts in Brass
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Genoese walnut mirror with brass inlays and hardware. Excellent construction, on the back it still bears eighteenth century butterfly nailing confirming the Direttorio style...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

Late 19th C. French Overmantel Mirror
Located in Houston, US
This is an impressive classically styled yet restrained overmantel mirror and frame, painted with gilded decorative elements. Fluted pilasters are topped with a classical urn with pe...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Empire Period Trumeau
Located in Pembroke, MA
Empire painted trumeau mirror with neoclassical detailing, including winged cherub, in dark green and gold.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Paint

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

French Empire Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cheval Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A centrally pivoted cheval mirror with gilded bronze mounts; the arched beveled mirror framed in mahogany with gilded bronze rosettes; the mirror...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

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

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

Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Italian Empire Period Carved Giltwood & Gilt-Gesso Mirror, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
of rectangular shape and having a coved form with a rabbet of carved gesso, now fitted with a modern mirrorplate
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

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

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

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

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

Metal, Brass

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

19th Century Oval Gilt Florentine Mirror, Original Mirror Plate, AT ca. 1810
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Stunning gilt 19th century Florentine wall mirror from the period around 1810 in Austria. Arftully handcarved out of softwood, this large mirror was part of the inventory of a small ...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Softwood, Giltwood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

French Empire Style Solid Walnut Bronze Ormolu Mantel Buffet Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Metal accents. 48" h x 53 7/8" w x 2 3/8" d. Condition Finish loss on edge. Scratches. Dents along edges. Oxidation to metal. Dimensions 48 x 54 x 4 in
Category

1990s Unknown Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings, Danish Design 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, warm tones of th...
Category

1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

1820s Italian Inlaid Accent Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small wooden accent mirror from Italy in the Empire style, featuring exceptionally refined painted trompe-l'oeil and inlay decoration, architectural schema, and delicate ebonized acc...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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

A large French Empire wood and gesso mirror, C 1840.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The two-tone painted, rectangular frame with ornate gilt highlights throughout. Perfect in an entryway, to elongate a hall way or above a mantel horizontally. The neutral mirror may...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Wood

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

French Empire Style Gilt Red Poppy Design Trumeau / Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) carved giltwood trumeau / wall mirror with painted upper panel of red poppies and flowers (signed).
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Empire Style Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire Style Giltwood Wall Mirror, with column form frame and beveled mirror. 80" H x 52" W. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Collection.
Category

20th Century Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, 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

Pair of French Empire Style Mahogany Sphinx Figure Wall Mirrors
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany wall mirrors with gilt sphinx heads and trim with tapered inset inlaid design marble sides (Related item: 055517)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Marble

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: 28cm Ref.: 87456412 60
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Resin

Custom Mirror Hand-Made in our Workshop Using 24kt Gold Leaf and Ebonized Oak
Located in Chicago, 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

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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