Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
Style: Empire
Color: Brown
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1805-1810 Circa
Located in Milano, IT
Charles-François Delamarche
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Paris, circa 1805-1810
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-coloured paper
It measures 15.74” in height, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Wood
Swedish Backgammon in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Empire 1820/30s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Backgammom Box in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Swedish Empire (Karl Johan) 1820/30s. Complete with two Die made in bone and Playing Pieces for two players.
This beautifully crafted backgammon box...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
King Edward VIII Coronation Flag 1937
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH King Edward VIII, this flag was produced to commemorate th...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
19th Century Italian Ringed Double Sided Stone Tub
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century ITALIAN RINGED DOUBLE SIDED STONE TUB
WIDTH 74cms
LENGTH 160 cms
DEPTH 62cm
WEIGHT 300Kg
MANUFACTURE Italian
Material Limestone
THICKNESS OF TH...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box with Floral Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. Its inside is gold plated. Lid and bottom are covered in the same floral design reminiscent of a bouquet or floral ornament. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box Empire Style Floral Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. Its inside is gold plated. Its shape is reminiscent of a book and lid and bottom are covered in a unique floral ornamental desi...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Italian Bronze Double Inkwell 19th Century Siena Marble Empire - Napoleon III
Located in Madrid, ES
A Italian Bronze Double Inkwell 19th Century
Siena marble.
Empire - Napoleon III
Length: 28 cm. Height 9.5 cm. Depth 17.5 cm.
very good condition
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Rare French early 19th century Napoleonic medal cabinet on four gilt bronze pawfeet, a hinged door to the top and front opening to reveal four drawers containing 184 very fine bronzed plaster medals...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Coronation Flag, 1937
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH King George VI in 1937. Flag shows King George VI alongside Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
19th Century Gold French Empire Hexagonal Giltwood Verre Églomisé Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold patinated, antique French hexagonal barometer made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. The top part of the Parisian décor piece is enhanced by flower carvings. The glass dial is particularized with Verre Églomisé. The thermometer represent the First French Empire time...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Giltwood
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal, Silver
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Apprentice Commode in Walnut with Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th century French Empire Apprentice Commode in walnut with lift top. Table top item.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Empire Style Ibach Model 2 Grand Piano Mahogany Case Ormolu Mounts
Located in Leeds, GB
Empire style, 1901, Ibach model 2 grand piano with a mahogany case and gate legs. Entire cabinet decorated with ormolu mounts depicting classical scenes of gods, goddesses and wreaths. This piano is one of 12 unique instruments made as exhibition models...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
Regiment Des Dromedaires Camel Saddle
Located in New Orleans, LA
This fascinating piece of military history is a camel saddle created for and used by the Dromedary Regiment (Regiment des Dromedaires) during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaigns between 1798-1801. The term “dromedary” refers to the dromedary camel...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Brass, Iron
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Spanish Navaja, Spain, 1806
Located in Paris, FR
Spanish Navaja, Spain
1806
This exceptional knife lates of the Spanish wars (1808-1813). Superb quality. The Blade is engraved on one face « LA INVENCI...
Category
Early 18th Century Spanish Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very funny little snuff box with a text about Etimologie; the true learning or real learning, on the lids outside and a hidden erotic motive on the inside of the lid.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Paper
Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The adjustable spyglass with gilt brass trim and original leather case.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lacquer
19th-Century French Empire Bronze Napoleon Commemorative Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (19th Century) bronze inkwell in the form of Napoleon's casket covered by a shroud with a crown finial top and resting on a tiered base with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
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Backgammon Roarshax Wood Case with Glass Chips and Dice
Located in Naucalpan, Edo de Mex
Backgammon is a very old strategic board game, from which its origin is still undefined. A true Classic game about tactics and luck played around the globe.
Taking this Classic as inspiration, Orfeo collaboration joined skills to create a board game with stimulating materials and astounding chips.
Shined a spotlight on to the raw materials used to create it. The exterior of the board is composed of two elements, a metalic box and a thinly sliced oyster cut veneer of parota wood. The oysters are sourced from reclaimed branches of these gigantic trees; a material that is commonly discarded as fire wood given the difficulties of processing it.
Underneath the wood they have used a single sheet of meticulously oxidized metal that is laser cut to size, then assembled into a box by one of their master craftsmen. Opening the chest you’ll find a treasure of glass checkers and dice handmade by Orfeo Quagliata’s artisans.
Orfeo takes his most interesting glass techniques to apply them to all the chips in the game. The checkers are manufactured in two different processes. The "Barcodes" technique is a fine linear design with schemes of different colors that contrast between one competitor and another.
Thin strips of different colored glass are placed next to each other and then fused into a single piece, from which circular pieces are drilled, ground and hand polished to form the chip.
The more sober and bitone "Roarshax" technique presents an electrifying texture on the top of a transparent body.
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Japanese Art / Kimono Art / Tapestry, the King of Peacocks
Located in Shibuya City, Tokyo
This Kimono Tapestry, carefully and painstakingly embroidered by Japanese craftsmen, is the only one of its kind in the world.
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Embroidered Holy Spirit Panel
Located in New York, NY
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Paris 1937 -- Exposition Internationale
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Located in London, GB
Original French poster for the Exposition International in Paris, 1937.
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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 ...
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Leather Backgammon Set
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Located in Milan, IT
Dynamic and unpredictable, this backgammon boardgame set is a lavish accent piece for both modern and traditional interiors. The set box is crafted exclusively of Canaletto walnut, w...
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Verner Panton Rug for Edward Fields
Located in Chicago, IL
Panton for Edward Fields custom Op-Art rug.
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Guapo Backgammon
Located in Paris, FR
Backgammon Guapo with solid mahogany and
solid walnut case, with walnut hinge and magnetic
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Walnut
Umbertine Rifle Cabinet Walnut Italy 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Umbertine fusilier in walnut carved on the uprights with zoomorphic heads, Italy, last quarter of the 19th century. Decorated with metal studs and leather inserts fixed on the gun holders...
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19th Century Italian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
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Beige Backgammon Box Game
By Cassigoli
Located in Milan, IT
Wooden handmade backgammon game dressed in fine and soft genuine leather with brass dice in palladium plating. Available in different colors. Pleas...
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Fine Antique English South Staffordshire or Battersea Enamel Snuff Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An excellent quality late 18th or early 19th century Battersea enamel snuff or patch box. The pink enamel background with white enamel lattice and a raised gold around the hand paint...
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Bronze, Enamel
Italian Renaissance Chrome Armillary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (20th Century) chrome armillary globe with a rust patina.
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Chrome
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
H 14.75 in W 19 in D 11.25 in
Antique French Silver Neptune Table Bell, circa 1880
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Antique French silver Neptune table bell, circa 1880.
The handle in the form of a Neptune standing with his trident and dolphin, on a domed decorated bo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century European Inlaid Box For 2 Sets of Playing Cards
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century European Inlaid Game Box For Two Decks of Playing Cards.
The box is richly decorated with inlaid fruitwood and holds two set of playing cards.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fruitwood
"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...
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Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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Marble
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...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble, Brass
H 11.75 in W 16.5 in D 8 in
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...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak, Walnut
H 18 in W 21.25 in D 14 in
Set of 26 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 26 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books.
It is a collection containing works of the Famous Swedish author August Strindberg...
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Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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Leather, Paper
Chopin Liszt Period Pleyel Grand 1841 French Empire Biedermeier
By Pleyel
Located in Ettlingen, DE
A very rare French Pleyel Grand Piano, exactly the same model as Frederic Chopin chose for his personal use in his Paris apartment. This model has as w...
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1840s French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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Bronze, Copper, Iron
Set of 24 European 19th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 24 French and Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books dated from 1822-1872. One book is dated 1929. In some of these books are included the original ma...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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Paper, Leather
Collection of 30 Swedish 20th Century Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 30 Swedish decorative antique leather-bound library books.
It is a collection of the works of the Famous Swedish author August Strindberg...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Empire Chess Set Game
Located in Kastrup, DK
Early 19th century Empire mahogany chess set with drawer.
Checkerboard with inlaid squares of mahogany and satinwood.
The chess set is complete with 32 original hand-carved pieces,...
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Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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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...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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Wood
Empire collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Atelier de moulage du Louvre, Charles Francois Delamarche, and George Bullock. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $125 and tops out at $78,500 while the average work can sell for $2,224.
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