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Empire Models and Miniatures

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
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful French late 19th century chest of drawers in black ebonized wood and cherrywood reproduces with perfect proportions in scale a miniature cabinet with three drawers and an upper flap door that opens to reveal a white marble top and an oval mirror inside, nice hand carved band on top with geometrical pattern and molded base. The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful. The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Vintage empire style jewelry or trinkets chest of drawers.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a Vintage empire style jewelry or trinkets chest of drawers. This chest of drawers features its original solid brass hardware. This diminutive chest of drawers is made of dar...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

Miniature Portrait of Napoleon on Porcelain, ebonized frame, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Oil on porcelain in a black wooden frame. Image size: 8 x 6 cm.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood, Paint, Porcelain

Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed
Located in New York, 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 Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

French 1890s Empire Style Lit en Bateau Doll Bed with Out-Scrolling Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style wooden lit en bateau doll bed from the late 19th century, with out-scrolling accents. Created in France during the last quarter of ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

Miniature Antique Empire chest of drawers
Located in Ballard, CA
exquisite exemple of a miniature sample of an empire chest made by a "Compagnon" most likely this was for the mentor to judge the ability of his pupi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire miniature commode. A well executed miniature chest made of walnut and veneer of walnut with two large drawers below a smaller top drawer and with solid walnut columns. Inscription written in ink on the back of each of the large drawers: Don D...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Walnut

Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Plaster

Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella on the Appian Way, Early 19th Century Circular
Located in Paris, FR
A large circular micromosaic panel representing the so called "Tomb of Cecilia Metella on the Appian way" near Rome. This plate shows superior quality and m...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble

19th Century Nutwood and Bronze Empire Miniature Chiffonier / Chest of Drawers
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted masterpiece from the mid-1800s. This unique, top quality and great condition miniature is an absolute joy to own and look at. Top quality miniatures are hard to find and...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bronze, Brass

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Related Items
Antique Miniature Mahogany Bow Chest
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and elegant mid-19th century mahogany miniature bow fronted chest having well figured top above two short and two long drawers raised on elegant splay feet.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Miniature Mahogany Bow Chest
Antique Miniature Mahogany Bow Chest
H 14.5 in W 13 in D 7.5 in
Late 19th Century Pennsylvania Miniature Walnut & Pine Paneled Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Late 19th century miniature two-drawer chest of drawers. With paneled sides and turned feet and knobs. Cosisting of Walnut with a pine secondary and nail construction. Fo...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Miniature 19th Century Victorian Figured Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c. Charming antique miniature chest of drawers. The chest has a marble top. The case is figured mahogany, with four stacked drawers, the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble, Brass

Caned Regency Sleigh California King Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Regency style Anglo-Indian bed. With a modestly scrolled headboard and footboard with caned panels. Reeded rails, flowerhead carved roundels, scroll carvings and turned tapered leg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Cane, Wood

Caned Regency Sleigh California King Bed
Caned Regency Sleigh California King Bed
H 53 in W 78.25 in D 100 in
Top Quality 19th Century Jewelry, Treasure Box, Cabinet w Drawers & Mirror Doors
Located in Lisse, NL
A beautiful antique and all handcrafted jewelry box with a striking velvet lining. This rare and larger size jewelry box or casket makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A French Empire style marble-top mahogany bedside cabinet (nightstand - end table) with elegant beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1870 Hand-crafted in France in the secon...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble, Brass

Jim Rose Legacy Collection - Chest of Drawers, Solid Cast Iron Miniature
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite miniature chest of drawers is inspired by Shaker furniture. Made from solid cast iron with a natural rust patina and vintage nail heads for the drawer pulls, The artis...
Category

Early 2000s American Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Steel

Rare and Unusual 19th Century Louis XVI Style Dog/ Doll Bed or Baby Crib
Located in Buchanan, MI
Rare and unusual 19th century Louis XVI style dog/ doll bed or baby crib. The ultimate in luxury for your little furry friend.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Oak Cigar Humidor Box Cabinet with Cedar Interior Drawers
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very decorative pretty late 19th century Victorian oak cigar humidor, shaped as little drawer cabinet with metal decoration. On the metal shield on the left door it reads a W, on th...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal

Caned Regency Sleigh King Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Regency style Anglo-Indian bed. With a modestly scrolled headboard and footboard with caned panels. Reeded rails, flowerhead carved roundels, scroll carvings and turned tapered leg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

Caned Regency Sleigh King Bed
Caned Regency Sleigh King Bed
H 53 in W 82.25 in D 96 in
Antique Crotch Mahogany Victorian Empire Dovetailed Baby Bed Doll Cradle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique crotch mahogany Victorian dovetailed baby bed cradle. Item features hand dovetailed construction, beautiful crotch mahogany woodgrain, very nice antiq...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

19th Century Painted Wood Carousel Swan Child's Seat with Bell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Whimsical 19th century Continental painted and carved wood swan form carousel seat with bell.  
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Antique Miniature French Marble Top Empire Commode w/ Bronze Mounts 1820's
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Antique Miniature Commode. French, circa 1820's marble top Empire commode with bronze mounts. 19" W x 11.25" D x 14.75"H. Very Good antique c...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Wood

"Micromosaic of the Doves"
Located in Vicenza, VI
Marble tile containing a micromosaic of the Roman tradition belonging to the second half of the eighteenth century, characteristic micromosaics for the very reduced shape of the tess...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble

"Micromosaic of the Doves"
"Micromosaic of the Doves"
H 2.96 in W 2.56 in D 0.6 in
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Stamford, CT
Charming miniature 19th century French Empire mahogany three drawer commode on ball feet with brass ring drawer handles and escutcheons. With a white marble top. These miniatures w...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble, Brass

Miniature French Walnut Empire Chest of Three Drawers with Secret Compartments
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality French Empire period walnut 3 drawer commode, with one small and 2 large drawers, possessing wonderful old color and patina. This piece, possibly a cabinet makers samp...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Froelich Furniture Mahogany Salesman Sample Miniature Empire Dresser Chest
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage mahogany salesman sample Empire chest of three drawers, made in Indonesia for Froelich Furniture.   
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

English Midcentury Miniature Staircase Model In Mahogany
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Decorative miniature midcentury carved circular staircase model in mahogany, England, 1950s.  
Category

Mid-20th Century English Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Miniature Commode, Model Chest of Drawers, French Empire, 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Model chest of drawers France Mahogany Empire circa 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 47 x 30 cm Description: Model- or miniature furniture standing on solid block feet in...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Mahogany

Miniature Spelter Figure of Napoleon Bonaparte on Horseback, France Circa 1920
By P. Rigual
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An early 20th century gilt patinated spelter figure of Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback, dressed in military attire and tri-corn hat, mo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Spelter

Emperor Francis Joseph I, Fine Miniature Porcelain Portrait Signed, Austria 1822
Located in Sofia, BG
Francis Joseph I (18 August 1830 – 21 November 1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, King of Croatia, King of Bohemia, and monarch of many othe...
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode made of solid walnut with three dovetailed drawers, turned columns and a top that is faux painted to look like veined bla...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire style vitrine made of solid mahogany with brass-mounted classical columns. Glass door opens to one removable shelf. Working lock and key. All original.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Mahogany Vitrine
19th Century French Mahogany Vitrine
H 23.5 in W 19.5 in D 13 in
Miniature French Empire Period Burl Walnut Commode or Chest Meuble de Maitrise
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This miniature chest from the early 19th century is a "meuble de maitrise" or masterwork created by a cabinetmaker's apprentice to prove mastery of his Craft at the end of his appren...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Models and Miniatures

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Empire models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage models and miniatures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire models and miniatures 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 models and miniatures, popular names associated with this style include Atelier de moulage du Louvre, and Germain Pilon. 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 models and miniatures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $385 and tops out at $63,613 while the average work can sell for $2,080.

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