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
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Giltwood Mirror with Eagle Decoration
Located in Brussels , BE
Empire gilded wood mirror with eagle decoration
19th century mirror in gilded wood. Empire. Eagle with outstretched wings. Condition as seen in pho...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
French 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
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish, Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Table Mirror, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Table mirror in mahogany on oak with brass urn-shaped pinnacles and four drawers.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
20th Century Italian Florentine Empire Style Gilt Mirror by Chelini
Located in Milan, IT
From Italy, by Chelini Firenze, a lovely late 20th century gold leaf gilded mirror with Empire style hand carved elements like quiver and torch.
Manufactured circa 1990s by Chelini Florence...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving
Early 19th century
Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire handcrafted mirror. Oval shaped hand carved wooden structure with silver foil finish.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Silver Leaf
Mid Century Terracotta Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Rare terracotta sunburst mirror with a convex mirror glass.
The mirror is in a good vintage condition.
1960s - Belgium
Dimensions:
Diameter: 42cm/16.53"
Diameter glass: ...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Terracotta, Mirror
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
French Empire Style Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Empire style mirror from the 1820s, featuring two slim Ionic ebonized columns, honey-toned burled wood and a restrained architectural schema. Simple and refined, the piece has an almost proto...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Empire Style Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Empire style wall or table mirror. The two part mirror having a gilt frame of Empire design with fully carved supports terminating in a molded top with lower circular ba...
Category
1890s 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
1820s Italian Inlaid Accent Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rectangular wooden accent mirror from 1820s Italy in the Empire style. With its exceptionally refined painted trompe-l'oeil and inlay decoration, architectural schema, and delicate e...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror in Mahogany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large 19th century Swedish Empire mirror with mahogany framework. With its simple, timeless lines and deep honey-toned hue, this handsome piece adds a touch of elegance and architect...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Oval hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Pair of Large Empire Style Mirrors, by Maison Krieger
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and impressive pair of Empire style gilt-bronze and burr, Amboyna Mirrors, By Maison Krieger.
Each mirror is over 328 cm high (129 inches) an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Italian Empire Gilded Mirror, Circa 1815
Located in CH
Italian Empire gilded mirror, Circa 1815
With a beveled mirror inset in to the frame, this Italian Empire gilded mirror represents a typical example of the quality work that was done during that period by craftsman. The gilded surface of the mirror with the typical Empire period decorations shows us how good quality work can last for long periods of time.
The French Empire period or second Neoclassicism was a period that followed the Directoire period. It lasted about 20 years, from 1800 to 1820. The ostentatious look of the works of art, furniture and paintings was exported all over Europe and the United States. The general representation followed the styles of ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt. Sphinxes, swans, lions, cornucopias, rosettes, Greek dancers, antique chariots...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Substantial Mahogany Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Cheshire, GB
Very large figured mahogany and ormolu mounted cheval mirror, the architectural top above rectangular mirror plate supported by turned pilasters. The square stepped base section havi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze And Ormolu Vanity Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu vanity mirror. The mirror is raised by a fine circular mottled ormolu base with elegant Coeur-de-Rai and interlo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
American Empire Style Zoomorphic Design Cheval Mirror
Located in New York, NY
American Empire-style (first quarter 20th Century) mahogany cheval mirror flanked by carved swans on a scalloped base with paw feet and an eagle finial.
Category
1910s Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Giltwood, Wood, Mirror
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
24-Karat Gold Leaf Giltwood Empire Beveled Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Spanish 19th century gold leaf giltwood rectangular mirror with beveled glass.
Empire style.
Made of carved wood, gesso and 24-karat gold leaf finish. It has a nice aged pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
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
Early 19th Century Empire Carved Gilded and Lacquered Wood Large Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire large wall mirror, 1800s wood hand carved with finely decorations. Lacquered wood with golden decorations. Refinement decorated in gold leaf. Defects...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Napoleon III Gilt Cheval Mirror
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Impressive continental cheval mirror with a mild carved design and a gilt surface.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Neoclassical Empire Oval Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire handcrafted mirror. Oval shaped hand carved wooden structure with gold foil finish.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical Empire St. Giltwood Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and large scale Italian early 19th century neo-classical Empire st. giltwood mirror. The mirror plate is framed within a lovely foliate band surrounded by a mottled bor...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Empire Mirror in Cherry Wood and Pure Gold Gilded Wood, circa 1810 Lucca Tuscany
Located in Prato, IT
Lucca Tuscany, early 19th century
Cherry veneer
Antique mirror
Capitals, bases, feet and central carving gilded with pure gold.
Dimensions: W 77 x H 150 cm.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Cherry, Mirror
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
Antique Geometrical Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror with Carved Crest
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840, 19th century.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Pair of Wall Mirrors, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of pillar mirrors in gold-patinated and stuccoed frame with profiled molding. The mirror panes are divided in the upper third. Patination is rubbe...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Feet Oval Vanity Table Double Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French empire style brass paw feet oval vanity table double mirror. Item features 3 brass paw feet, mirror on both sides, flame finials, great s...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
French Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
With an arched mirror set in a conforming frame and able to swing and adjust, flanked by a pair of columns with Corinthian capitals and urn finials, square plinth base. Casters.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Empire Commode in Walnut with Black Columns Mirror White Carrara Marble
Located in Prato, IT
Italia, 1810
Walnut veneer
Top in white Carrara marble
Columns in ebonized wood
Bases, capitals and paw carvings gilded in pure gold
Good conditions
Chest of drawers W126 x D56...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Carrara Marble
Austrian Empire Style Console and Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish Empire style wall hung console and mirror date to the 19th century and were acquired in Austria. The piece is fabricated in mahogany with bronze doré mounts.
Note: Pi...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century Empire Mirror with Brass Elements
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century Empire Mirror with Brass Elements
We present you a mirror from Q1 of the 19th century in a wooden frame.
There are rectangular...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
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
French Empire Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This French Empire trumeau mirror dates to the 1810s and was acquired from an estate in Albany, NY.
Note: Retains its original mirror.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Russian Mahogany Gilt Eagle and Bell Flower Garland Rope Wall Mirror, C. 1800
Located in Hollywood, 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
Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
By Palladio
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1960s signed "Palladio" of Italy wall-mounted Carrara marble console table with mirror. Elegant piece sculpted of iron with gold gilded paint.
Fabulous foyer piece.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
In walnut with ebonized trim, this stately mirror has exquisite lines and exemplifies the design motifs of the period. Burl walnut surrounds the glass that has survived more or less ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut
Large French Rococo Oval Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Chillerton, 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
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire handcrafted mirror. Oval shaped hand carved wooden structure with silver foil finish.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Silver Leaf
American Empire Dressing Mirror
Located in Wilson, NC
American Empire dressing mirror, this large mirror has stylized lyre shaped supports with one drawer below. It has an ogee shaped base with a round mol...
Category
1830s American Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Vintage Gilt Metal Sunburst Mirror with Light, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century backlit gilt metal sunburst mirror with convex glass.
This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior.
It has some age relat...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
19th Century Unique Empire Wall Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany with gilded bronze fittings. Solid softwood, Cuba mahogany veneer. Original glass, finely chased bronze fittings.
(M-32).
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Wall Mirror, Mahogany, Ebonized Carved Decor, South Germany, circa 1810
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful neoclassical Empire wall mirror, bright mahogany, carved ebonized (blackened) decor, South Germany, circa 1810.
The wood is mahogany veneer and solid wood, which has been ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Court Empire Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood, Cuba mahogany veneer. Original glass.
A good historical condition with a wonderful warm patina.
(M-31).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.
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