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
33
Height
to
Width
to
275
2
143
129
5,863
2,462
1,219
787
686
568
541
489
483
427
371
358
344
277
274
163
67
57
8
208
59
2
10
27
17
2
1
4
4
15
10
1
1
232
155
138
83
77
238
129
33
33
20
277
277
277
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
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
Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror in Mahogany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large Swedish Empire mirror features a mahogany frame, characterized by its clean, classic lines and a deep honey-toned hue. The design exudes timeless elegance and architectura...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, 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
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
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
FRENCH WALL MIRROR early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
WALL MIRROR French Early 20th Century in carved and gilded wood.
Dim.: 130 x 84 cm.
good conditions
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
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
$1,721 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
Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Mounted Mahogany Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire style gold bronze mounted carved mahogany mirror.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Large Golden Oval Perfect Frame
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6480 - Large golden oval frame, perfect for a mirror or an important painting. For the mirror it's better to mount Yourself, due to transport problems from Italy. On request I can ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique French Empire Gilt Wood Vanity or Table Mirror c. Mid 19th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
This elegant French Empire gilt wood vanity mirror dates to the mid-19th century and beautifully reflects the refined neoclassical taste of the period. Designed for use atop a dressi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Empire Wall Mirror, Mahogany, Ebonized Carved Decor, South Germany, circa 1810
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful large Empire Wall Mirror, bright mahogany, carved black decor, South Germany, circa 1810.
The wood is mahogany veneer and solid wood, which has been bleached and stained fo...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
Restored Empire Dressing Mirror, Mahogany, Brass, Bone, Polished, France, 1800s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Empire style dressing mirror (table mirror) comes from France from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is made of solid oak wood veneered with mahogany and adorn...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique 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
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
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
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
Louis XVI Style Blue Grey Carved Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Discover the timeless beauty of our exquisite blue-grey Louis XVI style 19th-century mirror from France. This stunning piece features a hand-carved frame that showcases the intricate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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
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
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
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mounted Mahogany Cheval Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire gilt and patinated bronze mounted mahogany cheval mirror or 'Psyché'.
French, circa 1820.
This fine Empire style mahogany cheval mirror or 'Psyché' is of e...
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
Empire Style Giltwood Looking Glass
Located in Vista, CA
Empire-style giltwood looking glass, the frame with projecting floral block-carved corners surrounding a carved frieze panel depicting griffins flanking an urn issuing a putti figure...
Category
20th Century European Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, 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
French Empire Style Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This French Empire style mirror, features elegant Ionic ebonized columns and a honey-toned burled wood frame. Its design embodies a restrained architectural elegance with a proto...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
Italian 19th Century Empire St. Cherrywood and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scaled Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood and ormolu mirror. The rectangular mirror is flanked by two circular columns with bottom block feet decorated b...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
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
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The mirror is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. The original central mirror pl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
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
$1,016 Sale Price
43% Off
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
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.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Luke Lightfoot
Saloon Mirror
Tin Ceiling Tiles
Vintage Fun House
Alhambra Mirror
Antique Chinese Jade Mirror
Antique Glass Witches Balls
Antique Witch Ball
Antique Witch Balls
Convex Mirror Dragon
Depose Mirror
Dressing Table With Sconces
Federal Mirror With Giltwood Eagle Ball And Chain
Karges Mirror
Large Convex Bronze Mirror
Small French Convex Mirrors
Swing Arm Mirror
Turner Eagle