Empire Textiles
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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Empire
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Mid 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 20'' X 14'', floral style , handmade French piece
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
Mid-17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool
19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Textile
17th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" X 7"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Aubusson French 1800 - 23" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s Albanian Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Aubusson French 1800 - 15" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 16" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Aubusson French 1800 - 19" x 17"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Brussels 16th Century - 19" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Italian Florentine 18th Century Pillow - 15" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Italian Florentine 18th Century Pillow - 21" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Aubusson 1800 - 17.5" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Brussels 17th Century - 18" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Silk Tapestry Pillow 1850
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Aubusson French 1800 - 16" X 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 14" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 21" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Italian Florentine 18th Century - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Aubusson French 1800 - 24" x 20"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Flemish 17th Century - 18.5" x 17.5"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Aubusson French Tapestry 1850 - 21" x 19"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 24" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 22" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 30" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
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 Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 15" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 21" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 21" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25'' x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 14" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 21" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Empire textiles for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire textiles 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 textiles created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire textiles made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Unknown pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original textiles, popular names associated with this style include Schumacher, Emily Barbara, and Josephine de Beauharnais. 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 textiles differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $220 and tops out at $26,342 while the average work can sell for $2,500.
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