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
Antique 17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 19'' X 12''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 19'' X 12''. Empire and Traditional, handmade and needlework.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Mid 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Pillow 20'' X 14'', handmade french piece in great condition
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Circa 1860 Antique French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Tapestry Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1880 Antique Uzbak Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique Uzbak Pillow
Category
1880s Uzbek Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Mid 17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
Mid-17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1660 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1660 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1660s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Fabric, Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow 20" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Fabric, 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
Fabric, Wool
French Aubusson 1800 - 17.5" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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
17th Century Antique Caucasian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Caucasian Pillow - 25'' X 11''
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
Mid-18th Century French Part Metallic Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Part Metallic Tapestry Pillow - 23" x 9"
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique 19th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 24'' X 15''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th century French tapestry pillow. Tribal and traditional.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
Aubusson French 1800 - 16" X 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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 - 22" x 20"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Andorran Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 21" x 14"
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 - 21" 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 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" 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 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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" 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 17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 20'' X 16''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 17th century Brussels tapestry pillow. 20'' x 16'' x 6''.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 20'' X 14'', Needlework and Handmade, Brussels.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
Early-19th Century English Tapestry Pillow 14" X 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early-19th Century English Tapestry Pillow 14" X 8", Animal Print Style , Authentic
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Circa 1880 Antique Bessarabian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique Bessarabian Pillow
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1880 Antique Bessarabian Pillow - 27 X 13
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1880 antique Bessarabian pillow 27 X 13, handmade authentic, tribal and traditional.
Category
1850s European Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1640s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1920 Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 17'' X 10'', Wool , Handmade, Traditional
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1870 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
16th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 25'' X 21''
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th-century antique Flemish tapestry pillow 25'' X 21''. Empire and traditional.
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
Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Pillow in Blue
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Toile De La Prairie with a self welt finish. A meadow’s worth of songbirds, butterflies, blooming branches, and seed pods intermingle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Cotton
Circa 1920 Antique Suzani Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique Suzani Pillow
Category
1920s Uzbek Vintage 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
Antique 16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 29'' X 18''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 16th-century Brussels tapestry pillow. Empire and Traditional Design.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 19" X 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 19" X 11", Woolen Piece
Category
17th Century German Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique 16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 15'' X 12''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 16th century Brussels tapestry pillow. 15'' X 12'' x 6''.
Category
16th Century French Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
Circa 1900 Antique Suzani Embroidery Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 Antique Suzani Embroidery Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Metal
Throw Pillow Made from 17th Century Brussels Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 19" x 11"
Category
17th Century Turkish Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 24" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian 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
Circa 1650 Antique Brussels Baroque Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1650 Antique Brussels Baroque Pillow
Category
1650s Unknown Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 18 X 17, handmade and needlepoint, wool pillow, traditional and empire design.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
Brussels 17th Century - 18" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th 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, Feathers
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown 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
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
18th Century Metallic Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Metallic Tapestry Pillow 22'' X 12'', Authentic 18th Century Empire Piece
Category
18th Century Antique Empire Pillows and Throws
Materials
Wool
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.