Skip to main content

Empire Bed Coronas

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
1
1
2
10
7
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Style: Empire
Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century
By Empire Furniture
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire Canopy bed France Napoleon III From the 19th Century, In mahogany wood with appliqués in gilded bronze and classical figures. Fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. Ceilin...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Wood

Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century
Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century

Empire Canopy Bed Napoleon III 19th Century

French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona
Located in Essex, MA
With acorn and oak leaf crest and scrolled swans. Probably used over a bed.
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Other

French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona
French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona

French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona

Related Items
Large Italian Giltwood Bed Canopy 'Corona'
Located in Houston, TX
Large Italian giltwood bed canopy, or corona (also known in France as a ciel de lit), circa 1760-1780. Hand carved giltwood with painted detail decoration. ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Large Italian Giltwood Bed Canopy 'Corona'
Large Italian Giltwood Bed Canopy 'Corona'

Large Italian Giltwood Bed Canopy 'Corona'

H 11 in Dm 31 in
Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed
Located in Huntington, NY
This rare cabinet makers example of an antique Empire mahogany sleigh bed, As Dog bed. With new poly foam bed covered in black & white ticking.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed
Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed

Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed

H 14.5 in W 34 in D 14.75 in
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French Empire mahogany alcove daybed and bed crown hand-crafted in France in the 19th Century. A rare lit de repos made of mahogany most likely from Cuba or the Antilles and fitted with brass and ormolu figurines...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown

French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown

H 41 in W 85 in D 57.88 in
French Empire Style Carved Iroko Bed Full Size, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire bed circa 1960 Full-size bedding Massive carved iroko and fabric The fabric has to be recovered The side boards will be made to have th...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

French Empire Style Carved Iroko Bed Full Size, circa 1960
French Empire Style Carved Iroko Bed Full Size, circa 1960

French Empire Style Carved Iroko Bed Full Size, circa 1960

H 45.28 in W 58.08 in D 84.65 in
19th Century Spanish Painted Bed
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century Spanish painted bed. Beautifully decorated with had painted floral decorations. One might say "Spanish Bloomsbury!" We can have wooden slats made for the bed o...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Wood

19th Century Spanish Painted Bed
19th Century Spanish Painted Bed

19th Century Spanish Painted Bed

H 58.67 in W 50.01 in D 78.75 in
Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding pair of period Empire bronze-mounted beds in overall very good condition. The figural end column forms feature well cast busts and feet, and there are wreaths, Angels,...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds

Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds

H 45 in W 84 in D 45.25 in
Italian 19th Century Canopy Bed with Silver Friezes and Upholstered Purple Silk
Located in Firenze, IT
One of a kind canopy bed or day bed made up of two scrolled silver columns and upholsterd with an Italian vintage pure silk brocade. Sourced in a private residence in Venice this 19...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Silver

Italian 19th Century Canopy Bed with Silver Friezes and Upholstered Purple Silk
Italian 19th Century Canopy Bed with Silver Friezes and Upholstered Purple Silk

Italian 19th Century Canopy Bed with Silver Friezes and Upholstered Purple Silk

H 80.71 in W 78.75 in D 58.27 in
19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Bradenton, FL
Attributed to R.J. Horner & Co. Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo bed. The bed is beautifully designed utilizing various type of maple--birds-eye maple. The faux bamboo spindles are fin...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Birdseye Maple

19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed
19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed

19th Century Faux Bamboo Bed

H 66 in W 84 in D 46 in
French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This Suite Comprises of a Large Gentleman's Wardrobe, a Ladies Wardrobe, Super King Size Bed. Marble Top Commode and a Pair of Marble Top Bedside C...
Category

1870s Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Marble

French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870
French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870

French Empire Bedroom Suite Walnut Nightstands Bed Commode 1870

H 59 in W 78 in D 84 in
French Giltwood Louis XVI Style Full Size Bed, C 1900
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French giltwood Louis XVI style full size bed C 1900. Interior Dimensions : 52.5' W x 81.25" D.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Giltwood

French Giltwood Louis XVI Style Full Size Bed, C 1900
French Giltwood Louis XVI Style Full Size Bed, C 1900

French Giltwood Louis XVI Style Full Size Bed, C 1900

H 57 in W 53.5 in D 86.5 in
Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...
Category

1810s European Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Metal

Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original

Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original

H 69.69 in W 85.83 in D 77.17 in
18th Century Rosewood Tester/Canopy Bed
Located in West Hollywood, CA
An 18th century Rosewood tester bed from an important palace in Goa. The posts are beautifully carved and the solid wood headboard adds a touch of simplicity and sturdy elegance. Cro...
Category

18th Century Indian Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Rosewood

18th Century Rosewood Tester/Canopy Bed
18th Century Rosewood Tester/Canopy Bed

18th Century Rosewood Tester/Canopy Bed

H 82 in W 50 in D 81 in
Previously Available Items
French Boat Bed Mahogany Wood 19th Century Empire Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Boat bed made of mahogany wood. 19th Century Empire style. France. Dimensions 110 x 220 x 118cm. Needs revisions, never restored.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Mahogany

French Boat Bed Mahogany Wood 19th Century Empire Style
French Boat Bed Mahogany Wood 19th Century Empire Style

French Boat Bed Mahogany Wood 19th Century Empire Style

H 43.31 in W 86.62 in L 43.31 in
French Empire Style Oak Single Bed Head Board
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire style oak single bed head board This is a superb piece, unfortunately we only have the headboard rather than the whole bed It useable with a divan bed or similar fixed to the wall to make your own bed into a French Chateau bed...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Oak

French Empire Style Oak Single Bed Head Board
French Empire Style Oak Single Bed Head Board

French Empire Style Oak Single Bed Head Board

H 57 in W 48 in D 3 in
Empire Bed Canopy in Gilt Sculpted Wood, Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Empire bed canopy in gilt sculpted wood - early 19th century.  
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Wood

Empire Bed Canopy in Gilt Sculpted Wood, Early 19th Century
Empire Bed Canopy in Gilt Sculpted Wood, Early 19th Century

Empire Bed Canopy in Gilt Sculpted Wood, Early 19th Century

H 13.39 in W 35.04 in D 8.67 in
Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Sleight Bed
Located in Paris, FR
Early 19th century Empire-period monumental slight bed crafted from molded mahogany, mahogany veneer and gilt bronze. Sleigh bed is defined as a style of bed with curved or scrolled headboards and footboards thus resembling a sled or sleigh. The Empire sleigh bed was created in France during the Directoire period (1795-1799) and became popular during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Restauration period. They were scrolled pieces, which were usually fitted with finest chiseled ormolu decoration. Our bed is topped by a round bed crown in mahogany veneer, decorated with gilt bronze flowers and mask. It supports the majestic beige curtains. Tailored mattress and bed base. The bedspread is made out of the same fabric as the curtains. The bed displays a detailed ormolu decoration featuring the sleep: the sleeping mask...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Bronze

Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Sleight Bed
Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Sleight Bed

Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Sleight Bed

H 46.07 in W 79.14 in L 46.07 in
Empire Period Gilt Wood Bird Bed Corona
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Period fine quality gilt wood carved bird, perched with wings spread and holding a drapery ring.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bed Coronas

Materials

Giltwood

Empire Period Gilt Wood Bird Bed Corona
Empire Period Gilt Wood Bird Bed Corona

Empire Period Gilt Wood Bird Bed Corona

W 28 in D 11 in

Empire bed coronas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire bed coronas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bed coronas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, other and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire bed coronas made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bed coronas, popular names associated with this style include Coduri of Lyon, and France. 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 bed coronas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,800 and tops out at $7,792 while the average work can sell for $5,796.

Recently Viewed

View All