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.
to
30
Height
to
Width
to
262
2
134
125
5,858
2,382
1,235
776
680
567
527
515
465
414
372
363
360
269
264
155
67
66
9
191
62
2
11
28
17
2
2
4
4
15
11
1
1
222
148
132
76
73
230
119
33
32
19
264
264
264
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
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 Continental Hall Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Sarasota, FL
Classical hall mirror with giltwood and bronze ornamentation. The top is decorated with a pierced bronze gallery. At the center, a domed oil on panel depicts a classical woodland sce...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
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
French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror with Brass Inlays & Ormolu, circa 1790
Located in Miami, FL
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
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
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
$5,200 Sale Price
20% 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
19th Century Original Empire Style Large Console Mirror in Walnut Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 19th century Empire style console wall mirror in walnut . Column with marbled walnut wood with gold leaf on the end, three mirrors and top molded frame.
This important mirro...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Large French Empire Style Mirror with Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale French Empire style mirror with beautiful neoclassical embossed motif in classic French form. Will add elegance to any room! #5862
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
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
Vintage Empire Style Gilt Wall Mirror w/ Beveled Glass Edges & Cobalt Blue Trim
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Empire Federal Style Gilt Wall Mirror with Beveled Glass Edges and Cobalt Blue Trim
This vintage Empire Federal style gilt wall mirror features intricate carvings and a stu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mirror
Antique French gold leaf gilded mirror cabinet Empire era 1820s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Antique French gilded gold-leaf mirror 1820s Empire period,characteristics of the period are the four palmette decorations adorning the corners of the frame,original mercury mirror o...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
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
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
Empire Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular wall mirror in a gold-patinated, profiled frame with decorative acanthus leaf and scroll motifs in the corners.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
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 French Empire Period Cheval Mirror
Located in Winter Park, FL
19th century French Empire period cheval, or psyche mirror, made of solid walnut with beautiful wood grain and waxed patina. Nice proportions and large in scale for a tabletop mirror. Turned egg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
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
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
Giltwood empire mirror c 1860
Located in Houston, TX
Quality of the giltwood carving makes this piece special.
Original in every way with both the mirror plate and
The finely carved frame. The mirror is slightly hazey
And perfectly age...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
$10,000 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Empire Style Ormolu Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
19th century Empire style ormolu table mirror
French, 19th Century
Height 56cm, width 37cm, depth 4cm, depth when open 46cm
This fine table ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$8,277 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
$10,850
1970s Gilt Carved Resin Sculptural Wall Mirrors, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning wall mirrors you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
French Empire Period Carved Giltwood Mirror, Formerly a Barometer, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
In the shape of a lyre, the dial face replaced by a mirrorplate, in near perfect restored condition, the carving featuring grapes and vines, rosettes, acanthus leaves, and a star, fi...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
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
Empire Period Parcel-Gilt and Cherry Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and large Empire period mirror, dating from the early 1800s and French in origin.
The mirror frame in cherrywood with carved gilded neoclassical design and mirror plate in ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Fruitwood
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Empire Style Giltwood Wall Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire Style Giltwood Wall Mirror, with column form frame and beveled mirror. Overall in good condition, some minor loss to mirror silvering. 80" H x 52" W.
Category
20th Century Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
$2,350 / item
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
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
Empire Psyche Mirror in Mahogany, France, early 19th century
By P. Marcion
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Psyche mirror in solid and veneered mahogany with antique triangular pediment and feet carved in the shape of animal claws/paws (sphinx, lion).
The bronze parts are on the theme of n...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
$1,717 Sale Price
20% Off
Large 19th Century French Empire Dressing Mirror
Located in Martlesham, GB
A very impressive large 19th century mahogany and ormolu French Empire dressing mirror with an Egyptian influence, the pyramid shaped top with an ormolu face flanked by ormolu urns, ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Empire Style Wall or Table Mirror
Located in Manhasset, NY
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
Tall Empire Period Mahogany and Giltwood Mirror with Helmut Motif, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall Empire period mahogany and giltwood mirror with Helmut motif, France, circa 1810.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
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
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
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
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
Unusual Empire Mahogany Chest with Dressing Mirror, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Unusual Empire Mahogany Chest with Dressing Mirror, dating from the first quarter of the 19th century and French in origin.
The piece ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Continental Swedish Empire Gilt and Ebonized Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Swedish Empire giltwood wall mirror with ebonized column sides and trim and a carved eagle pediment over an arch form mirror.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror, Wood
Empire Wall Mirror, Baltic States, around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large wall mirror with brass profiles and mahogany veneered frame as well as a gable end rising in the middle. The mirror glass is frame-facetted.
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique 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
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
Glass, Mahogany
Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Antique standing mirror Classicism - Empire Walnut
Located in Würzburg, DE
✓ Beautiful brass ornaments
✓ High quality wood selection
✓ Rare find
Dimensions: W: 78cm H: 106cm D: 48cm
Item: Antique mirror
Item no.: 932
Epoch: Empire around 1800
Material: Wa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Nutwood
Mirror, Frame, wonderful swan decor, Empire, 1815, Vienna Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful wall mirror from the Empire period, around 1820, made in Vienna, Austria, Europe.
The mirror is in impressive good condition, only the mirror plate has been renewed to en...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Spruce
Danish 18th Century Empire Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Elegant Empire mirror with hand-painted flowers and statue in the upper glass part.
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
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
Table Mirror With Frame Made In Walnut From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This small table mirror, crafted from walnut wood and dating back to around the 1880s, is a charming and elegant example of late 19th-century design...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut
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
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
Empire Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire mirror, stuccoed and painted wood, scratched on the mirror
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
An Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany and Giltwood mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany and Giltwood mirror. This stunning Mahogany mirror is decorated with a Giltwood string of laurels at the b...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, 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
WOODEN WINDOW French 19th Century in Painted Wood.
Located in Madrid, ES
WOODEN WINDOW French 19th Century in painted wood.
Small defects.
Dim.: 175 x 90 cm.
good conditions
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
$2,099 Sale Price
20% Off
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Witch Ball
Cheval Mirror Vanity
Marlene Mirror
Antique Oak Shaving Stand
Makio Hasuike For Gedy
Swing Arm Mirror
Tin Ceiling Tiles
Venus De Milo Mirror
Luke Lightfoot
White Seid Mirror
Witches Balls
Antique Glass Witches Balls
Antique Witch Balls
Baker Constellation Mirror
Federal Mirror With Giltwood Eagle Ball And Chain
Formations Holly Hunt
Kroehler Mirror
Lane Rhythm Mirror