Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper, Wood
Mid-18th Century European Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Stone
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Earthenware
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Carrara Marble, Metal
1950s American Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1810s Italian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
1880s Hungarian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver, Sterling Silver
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1930s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver, Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Stone
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century German Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Opaline Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint, Porcelain
1950s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
1950s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
1930s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
Early 1900s English Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
1930s English Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut
Early 20th Century German Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble
Early 20th Century French Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver, Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze, Brass
1950s French Vintage Empire Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper