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.
Small Rectangular 19th Century Wooden Mirror and Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Danish or Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror. This classic rectangular mirror features the original mirror. Wonderful mirror that can be displayed on a vanity or hung verticall...
Wood, Mirror
Late 19th Century Table Mirror / Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming French gilt bronze mirror, late 19th century, in Empire style. The rectangular frame is richly decorated with acanthus leaves and classical motifs, crowned with a laurel wre...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Empire Table Mirror
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique Empire rustic vanity mirror / table mirror. The Mirror has original paint in colorful color. This orginal painted mirror ha...
Pine
Small Late 19th Century Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror, circa 1860-1900. This small rectangular veneered mirror can either stand on a table or hang on a wall.
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Table Mirror Dated, 1870
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique rustic vanity mirror / table mirror dated 1870. The Mirror has nice carved details on the top This orginal painted mirror...
Pine
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Metal
P.-B. Marcion, Empire Period Dressing Table, France, circa 1810
By P. Marcion
Located in PARIS, FR
Empire period dressing table, decorated with rich chiseled and mercury gilded bronze ornamentation. Surmounted by an oval-shaped psyche mirror, decorated with a frieze of ivy and sma...
Marble, Bronze
$383Sale Price|30% Off
Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Plateau mirrors was used on the dining or dressing table, in front of guest of honor, to put flowers or candles on.
Bronze
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...
Walnut
An Empire Style Table Mirror, With a Portrait of Empress Joséphine
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mother of Pearl Table Mirror, With a Portrait of Empress Joséphine. The arched frame with anthemion ornament and fronted by a circular Portrait Mini...
Bronze
Table mirror with black glass decorated with gold motifs
Located in Milano, IT
The small mirror has a rectangular-shaped frame made of black stained glass with plant and floral gold leaf decorations. The object can be traced back to the late 1700s and is in the...
Glass, Stained Glass
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Gentleman's Shaving or Dressing Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century American Empire gentleman's tilt-top shaving mirror of mahogany. The original mirror glass is in a beveled frame with a dome top and is supported by beautifully crafter ...
Mahogany
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style A dressing table mirror with tiltable mirror, which is fixed to the side with 19th cent...
Nutwood
$1,438Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror, 1800s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique table mirror in mahogany. On the sides the mirror is supported by two columns. Antique mercury mirror.
Mahogany
Empire French Period Mirror "Psychee"
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Empire French period mirror "Psychee" in mahogany marketry.
Mahogany
Italian Fruitwood Dressing Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Antique Empire fruitwood dressing mirror with neoclassical giltwood details and original glass. Newly restored, Italy, circa 1800. Dimension: 21.5" W x 16" D x 36.5" H;19.5" W at base.
Fruitwood
$3,078Sale Price|35% Off
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...
Gold
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...
Mirror, Giltwood
Table Mirror with Caryatid in French Empire. Gilded and dark.patinated bronze
Located in Knivsta, SE
Very elegant Table Mirror with Caryatid in French Empire from the 1820s in gilded and dark.patinated bronze. High quality of the casting. The original glass with patina. (See pict...
Bronze
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 ...
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...
Mirror, Walnut
Table Mirror, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Table mirror in mahogany on oak with brass urn-shaped pinnacles and four drawers.
Brass
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.
Bronze
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...
Mirror, Wood
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...
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
LATE 19th CENTURY SMALL MIRROR IN NEO GOTHIC STYLE
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant small mirror made of wrought iron and hand-forged, in neo-Gothic style. Its "gate" shape evokes that of a Gothic window or stained glass window, characterized by an ogival pr...
Wrought Iron
Bronze Table Mirror and Picture Frame
Located in London, GB
Organic table mirror pivots into a picture frame by touch. The bronze has been cast into a relief of natural lines inspired by Art Nouveau depicting a landscape and sunset. The frame...
Bronze
Original Murano glass mirror, Italy 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Charming Murano glass mirror made in Venice (Italy) in the 1950s. The mirror can be used as a hand mirror or wall mirror. The mirror is in a good, vintage condition. Dimensions: Wid...
Murano Glass
$6,450Sale Price|40% Off
H 26.5 in W 21.5 in D 11 in
19th Century Antique Chinese Turtle Shell Vanity Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a rare and unusual antique, Chinese vanity mirror presented in a turtle shell. The mirror is in a mahogany frame, expertly carved with lo...
Marine turtle
Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Plateau mirrors was used on the dining or dressing table, in front of guest of honor, to put flowers or candles on.
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Painted Child Size Vanity Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A second half of the 19th century Scandinavian vanity mirror for kids. This Little hand painted in "Faux bois" technique mirror has a little...
Mirror, Pine
19th Century Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Swing Mirror
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique 19th century fine quality antique Victorian mahogany swing mirror with an exquisite pierced carved mahogany swan neck top, reeded carved mahogany frame with original mirror p...
Mahogany
$2,385
H 16.78 in W 8.86 in D 6.5 in
Luxurious 19th-Century Rococo Revival Vanity Mirror with Gilt Bronze Frame
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This elegant Rococo Revival tabletop vanity mirror displays exceptional 19th-century European craftsmanship. The finely cast gilt bronze (ormolu) frame features openwork scrolls, ac...
Onyx, Metal
19th Victorian Mahogany Shaving Mirror or Chest Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Victorian Mahogany Shaving Mirror or dress mirror to go on the table or on the Chest. Mirror comes apart for easy handling Measures 21.75" in ...
Mirror, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Brass Table Mirror - Rococo Style
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique table mirror, made of finely cast bronze. Beautiful gold-colored patina and decorated in Rococo style. Monogrammed with the letters B.P. The mirror glass has a ...
Brass
Sliver Plate 'Plateau' mirror, Late 19th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very finely cast silver plated frame 'plateau' with floral decoration, showing beautifully detailed fruit and flowers. Fitted mirror glass, this would also make a stunning picture ...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 23.5 in W 20 in D 7 in
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Oval Vanity Table Double Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Oval Vanity Double Mirror. Item features 3 brass paw feet, mirror on BOTH sides, flame finials, great style and form. Circa Early 20th Cent...
Brass
Sold
H 11.81 in W 5.91 in D 3.94 in
Charming vanity mirror, table swivel mirror, bronze marble, Empire, 1820, France
Located in Wien, AT
Charming table mirror, a high quality work, made around the 1820s in France. The stand is out of bronze with a red marble base. The bronze stand is very delicately worked, with man...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 19.3 in W 13.78 in D 7.88 in
Elegant Table/Wall Mirror in Plated Silver. Empire Style, 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant table/wall Mirror in plated silver. The mirror can be used both as a table mirror and for a wall ( see photos ). Beautifully decorated in Empire style and made in France duri...
Silver Plate
Elegant Table Mirror in Gilded Bronze. French Empire from the, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Mirror in gilded bronze and with a marble center. Very nice original gilding with beautiful details. French Empire from the 1820s. Good size for the dressing table or a...
Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
Elegant Empire Table Mirror in Gilded Bronze
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and rare empire table mirror in gilded bronze. Very good quality. Made i France around 1820, with original mirror glass with patina. Wear consistent with age and use.
Gold Plate, Bronze
Sold
H 15.95 in W 9.45 in D 5.32 in
Early 19th Century Bronze Crystal Putto Table Mirror, Attr. Escalier de Cristal
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century bronze crystal Zephyr table mirror, attr. L'Escalier de Cristal On a flat, round base made of crystal glass with cut and polished decoration and bronze beaded rim stands a putto figure with butterfly wings depicting Zephyr , the personification of the West wind made of black patinated bronze; above his head Zephyr is holding the bronze mount for the adjustable mirror in the form of a twisted cord. Round adjustable mirror with neoclassical lanzetto leaf and pearl rim showing very fine chasing as well as excellent gilding with matte and polished parts, the back plate made of gilt bronze. The combination of the materials bronze and crystal glass, the excellent craftsmanship as well as the figure of the Zephyr boy, which can be found on other mirrors made by the French manufacturer L'Escalier de Cristal suggest this mirror to be a product of this manufacturer. The luxury store of the Maison a L'Escalier de crystal was stablished in 1802 by Mme. Désarnaud, it supplied clocks, lamps and other objects d'art to the ruling families of Europe. The business was located in the Palais Royale, a centre of excellence for the high quality jewelers, silversmiths and manufacturers of Objets de Vertu, for which Paris was renowned. The firm specialized in objects of great technical and aesthetic innovation, many composed entirely of crystal and gilt bronze. For the realization of its models, Escalier De crystal most often called upon Parisian artists specializing in a specific technical field. The individual components were then assembled to the firm's own designs - much in the tradition of the 18th-century marchands-mercier, from whom they inherited their specialist profession. The firm exhibited to great acclaim at the 1819 Exposition des produits de l’industrie an outstanding gilt bronze-mounted crystal dressing table (exhibited in the Musee de Louvre...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
Gilt bronze framed circular mirror on a cylindrical support with square stepped base.
Bronze
Sold
H 67.72 in W 29.53 in D 9.06 in
Neoclassical Style Brass and Lacquered Metal Console and Mirror Decorated with P
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Empire style console and mirror are made of brass and lacquered metal with decorated mirror. This is a French work, circa 1940. Console and mirror can be sold separately.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 16.93 in Dm 5.12 in
Early 19th Century Empire Female Bacchantes Caryatids Gilt Bronze Table Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century Empire Female Bacchantes caryatids gilt bronze table mirror. A rare and beautiful Empire gilt-bronze table mirror, a so-...
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Empire Inlaid Mahogany Vanity Mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century empire inlaid mahogany vanity mirror, circa 1840. Characterful mahogany vanity mirror. Typical empire inspired pediment with the mirror suspended between a pair o...
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Dressing Table Mirror, 1800s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique table mirror in carved walnut. On the sides the mirror is supported by two columns. On the front two drawers. Antique mercury mi...
Walnut
Antique Italian Tuscan Empire Console -FINAL Clearance SALE
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique elegant walnut Tuscan Empire console: sizes cm. 86 x depth 41 x h. 81 cm. - Marble top :"green Alps" - Can be combined with this antique photographed mirror : sizes cm. 78/81...
Walnut