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Empire Religious Items

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
Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Egg 19th century Rising Christ
Located in Sweden, SE
A rare and highly collectible Easter egg covered with exquisite miniature painting and gilding, created at the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory during the reign of Alexander II. The r...
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Gold

Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Egg 19th century Rising Christ
Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Egg 19th century Rising Christ

Russian Imperial Porcelain Easter Egg 19th century Rising Christ

19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of gilt bronze three-light candelabra with kneeling putto holding the candleholders raised on richly elaborate base, France, late 19th century. Measures: Height 12.50 in / 3...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders
19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders

19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders

Related Items
Antique Russian Wall Relief, Icon in Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small yet heavy wall relief - Russian icon in cast bronze. It depicts a seated Virgin Mary holding a very young Jesus and an Angel holding a crucifix. It w...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Antique Russian Wall Relief, Icon in Bronze, 19th Century
Antique Russian Wall Relief, Icon in Bronze, 19th Century

Antique Russian Wall Relief, Icon in Bronze, 19th Century

H 5.12 in W 3.94 in D 0.2 in
Imperial Company Disc Playing Music Box, American 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
The Imperial Company music box with one disc, the disc is titled The Geisha. Refinished mahogany case. The player is in working condition with good tone. Late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Mahogany

Imperial Company Disc Playing Music Box, American 19th Century
Imperial Company Disc Playing Music Box, American 19th Century

Imperial Company Disc Playing Music Box, American 19th Century

H 9.5 in W 24 in D 15.25 in
Russian Icon with Processional Cross 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Very beautiful Russian icon with a processional cross in its center from the 17th century We can see that the icon was created to accommodate the processional cross with the Chris...
Category

19th Century Belarusian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Wood

Russian Icon with Processional Cross 19th Century
Russian Icon with Processional Cross 19th Century

Russian Icon with Processional Cross 19th Century

H 16.93 in W 14.57 in D 0.99 in
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period
Located in London, GB
Constructed in two color gilt and patinated bronze; the feminine Grecian figures draped with diaphanous robes blowing bi-form trumpets of swept form, terminating in candleholders a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period

Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period

H 24.5 in W 12 in D 7 in
Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls One signed Lathrop on back of shoulders 5.5"W x 3"D x 16"H Small doll: 4"W x 2"D x 11.5"H
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Porcelain

Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls
Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls

Two 19th Century Bisque + Porcelain Dolls

H 16 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Russia / 19th century / Religious Icon / oak / Baroque / Antique Traditional antique Russian Icon from the estate of a collector. Hand painted in tempura on an oak wooden panel in t...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Oak

19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon
19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon

19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon

H 13 in W 10.63 in D 0.79 in
Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Softcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Softcover Book. Near Fine-very. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,1995. 'Fabergé Eggs - Imperial Russian Fantasies'. Elephant Folio, illustrated perfect-bound wraps, 68 pp. A visually sumptuous presentation of the famous - and very rare Fabergé Eggs...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Religious Items

Materials

Paper

Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Softcover Book
Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Softcover Book

Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Softcover Book

H 15 in W 10.5 in D 0.5 in
Russian 19th Century Silver Icon of Christ Pantocrator
Located in London, GB
Russian 19th century silver icon of Christ Pantocrator Moscow, 1883 Height 50cm, width 41.5cm, depth 3cm The piece, steeped in Russian Orthodox tradition, portrays Christ Pantocrator, a term synonymous with the 'Ruler of All'. Christ Pantocrator icons...
Category

1880s Russian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Russian 19th Century Silver Icon of Christ Pantocrator
Russian 19th Century Silver Icon of Christ Pantocrator

Russian 19th Century Silver Icon of Christ Pantocrator

H 18.9 in W 16.34 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Early to Mid-19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine pair of bronze Empire style candlesticks. In excellent original condition. France, early 19th century.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early to Mid-19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Pair of Early to Mid-19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks

Pair of Early to Mid-19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks

H 14.25 in W 6 in D 6 in
19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon “Full Cycle”
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Russia / 19th century / Religious Icon / oak / Baroque / Antique Traditional antique Russian Icon from the estate of a collector. Hand painted in tempura on an oak wooden panel in t...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Oak

19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon “Full Cycle”
19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon “Full Cycle”

19th Century traditional Russian Religious Icon “Full Cycle”

H 14.18 in W 12.21 in D 1.19 in
19th Century Cross
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century cross Nice xix century cross in olive wood. Measures: 23 x 12 cm. In good condition.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Cross
19th Century Cross

19th Century Cross

H 2.56 in Dm 1.97 in
Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of fine French Empire style brown patinated bronze candlesticks from the Napoleon III period. A fluted column beautifully decorated with ivy, rises on a tripod with claw-shape...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Bronze

Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders

Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders

H 11.82 in Dm 4.73 in
Previously Available Items
Early XIX° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chatolic Chalice
Located in VALENZA, IT
XIX ° Century Italian silver Liturgical Chatolic Chalice. The Chalice, smooth and very balanced in its shapes, is in Empire style and is characterized by the classic palmette design ...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Early XIX° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chatolic Chalice
Early XIX° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chatolic Chalice

Early XIX° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chatolic Chalice

H 8.67 in Dm 5.12 in
Antique Swedish Leather-Bound Bible Book, 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish leather-bound Bible, with brass brackets decorated with two hearts and two anchors. According to the estate in Sweden where I purchased this book, it belonged to a Scandinavi...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Brass

Antique Swedish Leather-Bound Bible Book, 1810
Antique Swedish Leather-Bound Bible Book, 1810

Antique Swedish Leather-Bound Bible Book, 1810

H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 8.27 in
Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Liturgical chalice in Italian silver from the 19th century. The goblet, very balanced in its forms, is in Empire style and is characterized by the c...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice
Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice

Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice

H 9.06 in Dm 5.32 in
Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice
Located in VALENZA, IT
XIX ° Century Italian silver Liturgical Chalice. The Chalice, smooth and very balanced in its shapes, is in Empire style and is characterized by th...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Silver

Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice
Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice

Early XIX ° Century Italian 800 Silver Liturgical Chalice

H 8.67 in Dm 5.12 in
Painted 19th Century Empire Style Tabernacle Pedestal from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This painted tabernacle pedestal is of the Empire style and was produced in France in the 1800’s. The Empire period reflected the ambitions of Napoleon: he wanted France to be the ul...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Religious Items

Materials

Wood

Painted 19th Century Empire Style Tabernacle Pedestal from France
Painted 19th Century Empire Style Tabernacle Pedestal from France

Painted 19th Century Empire Style Tabernacle Pedestal from France

H 37.875 in W 23 in D 15.75 in

Empire religious items for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire religious items 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 religious items created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire religious items made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 religious items differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $575 and tops out at $2,169 while the average work can sell for $1,090.

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