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.
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 43cm Ref.: 84654535 40-41
Resin
Vintage brass sunburst mirror 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brass sunburst or flower mirror with convex glass. This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior. Good condition. France - 19...
Brass
$469 / item
Vintage Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Heavy gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 55cm/ 21.6" Diameter glass: 1...
Mirror, 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: 42cm Ref.: 54676503 65 - 66
Resin
$323 / item
Vintage brass sunburst mirror 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brass sunburst or flower mirror with convex glass. This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior. The mirror is made from pat...
Brass
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
Mirror, Resin
Sunburst Flower Mirror in Rattan, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
French 1960s handcrafted rattan double layered flower shaped mirror A lovely Mediterranean style handcrafted rattan flower shaped mirror with two layers of petals in two sizes and py...
Wicker, Mirror, Rattan
1960s Metal Sunburst Mirror
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Metal Sunburst mirror. One rod is missing a circle, as shown in picture.
Metal
Gilt Resin Sunburst Mirror
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice sunburst mirror is made of gilt resin with a concave mirror. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Mirror, Resin
$1,362Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.38 in Dm 21.66 in
French Bamboo Rattan Sunburst Mirror / Wall Mirror, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching bamboo and rattan sunburst mirror with looped details. Handcrafted in France, 1960s. This cool rattan wall mirror combines midcentury and chinoiserie accents. It has all...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Iron, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Round Sunburst mirror in Gilt Metal and Smoked Bronze Glass, Spain, 1960s Beautiful gilt iron double layered sunburst mirror with smoked glass in bronze color. This sunburst mirror...
Metal, Iron
Stunning Starburst Sunburst Mirror Gilded Resin, Belgium, circa 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful starburst sunburst mirror. Made of gilded resin and wood. It measures approximate 20 3/8" in diameter, mirror only is approximate 7 1/8" in diameter. It stands approximat...
Mirror, Resin
Spanish Metal Sunburst Mirror, 'circa 1960s'
Located in London, GB
Spanish tôle sunburst mirror in copper patina (c. 1960s) with leaf motif rays and rope-pattern mirror border. In fair-to-good overall condition. Some minor age-related blemishes appe...
Sheet Metal
Sold|$480
H 1.5 in Dm 13.13 in
Beautiful Starburst Sunburst Gilded Resin Convex Mirror Belgium, circa 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A petite starburst sunburst mirror. Made of gilded resin and wood. It measures approximate 14.5" in diameter, mirror itself is approximate 3 3/4" in diameter. It stands approximate 1...
Mirror, Resin
$3,465
H 29.34 in W 23.63 in D 1.78 in
Riviera Style Vintage Rattan Oval Wall Mirror Sunburst Mirror, 1960s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern Vintage organic sunburst mirror or wall mirror from rattan and mirror glass, 1960s Italy. While the large Size from this sunburst mirror allows to hang up in an en...
Rattan, Mirror
Beautiful Starburst Sunburst Gilded Resin Convex Mirror Belgium, circa 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A petite starburst sunburst mirror. Made of gilded resin. It measures approximate 14" in diameter, mirror itself is approximate 5.25" in diameter. It stands approximate 1" from the w...
Mirror, Resin
Vintage Giltwood Sunburst Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite gilded wooden sunburst mirror, dating from the early 20th century, is a fine example of timeless craftsmanship and artistic elegance. The mirror is shaped as a radiant...
Giltwood
Rattan Sunburst Rhombus Wall Mirror, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Handcrafted Mediterranean style rattan rhombus shaped mirrors, Spain, 1960s. These rattan mirrors can be placed in two positions, as a rhombus or in square shape. They will be a nice choice for a beach house or countryside house decoration or to place in any natural, bohemian or fresh decoration. Beautiful placed above a double vanity...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Vintage brass sunburst mirror 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brass sunburst mirror with convex glass. This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior. The mirror is made from gilt metal. I...
Brass
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
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
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
Resin
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
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
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: 17cm Ref.: 87456410 Ref.: 51
Mirror, 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. - Beautifully patinated mirror, still with a part of the original sticker. 1960s - ...
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: 48cm Ref.: 84654522 21
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: 25cm Ref.: 84654611 53
Resin
Vintage Brass Sunburst Mirror 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Midcentury brass sunburst or flower mirror with convex glass. This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior. The mirror is made from b...
Brass
Small 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: 25cm/9.84".
Mirror, Resin