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Empire Pillows and Throws

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
18th Century French Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 25'' X 13'', handmade 18th Century Piece
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 12" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 28" X 13", Circa 1850s
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

20th Century Antique Araffia Velvet Textile Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
20th Century Antique Araffia Velvet Textile Pillow
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton, Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 15" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow. Classical and Victorian, it's done by French Tapestry maker back in 1900s.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Circa 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

19th Century Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century Ikat Tapestry Pillow 23" x 16" , handmade Pillow, authentic Early-19th Century Piece in great Condition
Category

19th Century Turkish Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Feathers

Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 16'' X 14" , Circa 1850s
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 14" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 1720 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1720 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Category

1720s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 18" x 12", authentic 16th century European piece
Category

16th Century European Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 19'' X 14''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 19'' X 14'', Wool, Empire Traditional, Handmade and Needlework,
Category

Early 1700s Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Italian Florentine 18th Century - 16" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 19" X 12", handmade piece , from mid-16th century
Category

16th Century Turkish Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Circa 1850 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Category

1850s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Flemish 17th Century - 18.5" x 17.5"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Flemish 17th Century - 18.5" x 17.5"
Flemish 17th Century - 18.5" x 17.5"
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
1800 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow With Grapes on Ivory Background - 2
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1800 antique French Aubusson tapestry pillow with grapes on ivory background 20'' x 15''. Features needlework. Handmade.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Ca.1920 Antique Suzani Pillow - 20'' X 20''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1920 Antique Suzani Pillow 20'' X 20'', Handmade and Needlework
Category

1920s Uzbek Vintage Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 21'' X 20''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 21'' x 20". Empire and Traditional
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Aubusson French 1800 - 19" x 19"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Aubusson French 1800 - 19" x 19"
Aubusson French 1800 - 19" x 19"
$1,760 Sale Price
20% Off
French Silk Tapestry Pillow 1850
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" X 17"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Brussels 16th Century Pillow - 21" x 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

1860s Antique French Aubusson Tapesatry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapesatry Pillow
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Category

17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

19th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 26" X 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Aubusson French 1800 - 10.5" x 20"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Aubusson French 1800 - 10.5" x 20"
Aubusson French 1800 - 10.5" x 20"
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Brussels 16th Century - 17" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Brussels 16th Century - 17" x 13"
Brussels 16th Century - 17" x 13"
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 15" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

1850s Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Italian Florentine 18th Century - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Category

17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow 24" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 7"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 7"
Category

Mid-17th Century German Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

1900 Antique Susani Embroidery Pillow - 21 X 12
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 antique susani embroidery pillow. 21 X 12.
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 1920s Vintage Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow Ca. 1920
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

18th Century Antique French Needlepoint Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Antique French Needlepoint
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" X 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 1880 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Empire pillows and throws for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire pillows and throws for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage pillows and throws created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with animal skin, fur and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire pillows and throws made in a specific country, there are Australia, and Oceania pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original pillows and throws, popular names associated with this style include Schumacher, and Emily Barbara. 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 pillows and throws differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $239 and tops out at $239 while the average work can sell for $239.

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