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
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
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
French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style mahogany and ormolu-mounted freestanding Cheval swiveling mirror. The oval framed mirror plate surmounted with Empire style ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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 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
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
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
Italian Walnut Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian walnut mirror. Antique provincial bleached walnut mirror with later antiqued plate with clean modern classic lines. Italy, circa 1820.
...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
French 19th Century Empire Giltwood Wall Mirror with Original Mirror Glass
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful Empire gold gilt mirror with neoclassical embossed motifs: a classic French form. A lovely rectangular shape, the surfaces all decora...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French Empire Large Self Standing Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Foyer French Empire mirror in original condition. Brass around the top and the bottom part of the column. Two small side drawers as well as middle glass shelf with the storage. Top p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
French Empire Tall Carved Gitwood and Gilt-Gesso Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a flat bottom and sides and top with convex form, the surfaces all decorated with gilt-gesso decorations consisting of friezes of foliate scrolls, neoclassical rosettes, and e...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gesso
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
Mirror With Sculpted Coper And Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant ebony and embossed copper pareclose mirror from the beginning of the 19th century
Very beautiful mirror which has a beautiful proportion decorated with embossed and fire-gil...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Copper
Pair of Italian Empire Period Walnut Demilune Console Table with Mirror
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful antique early 19th century Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors in rich brown walnut wood and black ebonized wood with gilt accents come from a villa in...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mercury Glass, Wood, 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
White Painted French Mirror
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French neoclassic style white painted and rubbed mirror with a molded cornice, paneled uprights each with flowerhead reliefs and with a beveled mirror.
Dimensions: 52" W x 4.5" D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century North Italy Neoclassical Walnut Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century North Italy Neoclassical Empire period Walnut and Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
A very rare and elegant North-Italian walnut veneered and giltwood overmantel mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut, 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
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
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
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
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
Russian Mahogany Gilt Eagle and Bell Flower Garland Rope Wall Mirror, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, 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
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
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
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
Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Neoclassical carved Trumeau mirror with beautiful figures and decoration throughout.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Little Mirror in Rosewood and Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Little oval-shaped mirror in rosewood and gilt bronze standing on a tubular structure. Frame in gilt bronze. Figure of a child on its knees supporting the mirror with his two spared arms. Molded base in wood and chiseled and gilt bronze. Octagonal stand...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
19th Century Swedish Empire Mirror Sconces
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of Swedish Empire mirror sconces with imitated porphyry borders, circa 1830.
Good restored condition, wear consistent with age and u...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass
FRENCH WALL MIRROR 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH WALL MIRROR 19th Century
with a wooden frame and golden plaster, topped by a finial with an urn, plant motifs and scrolls.
Signs of use and small flaws.
Dim.: 123 x 147 cm
goo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Mirror With Frame Made In Mahogany With Marquetry From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
This pair of mahogany mirrors with marquetry from the 1890s is a splendid example of late 19th-century craftsmanship and design. Each mirror features a beautifully crafted mahogany f...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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.