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 - 20" x 18"
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 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 - 19" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" 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 - 23" 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 - 14" 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 - 22" 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 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 - 23" 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 - 21" 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 - 14" 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 - 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 - 22" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 26" X 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique French Aubusson Pillow - 18" X 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique French Aubusson Pillow - 19" X 21"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Wool
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
Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 24" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique French Aubusson Pillow 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" X 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 13" X 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified, Some Imperfections
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wood, Feathers
1850 Amritsar Pillow - 20" X 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow 20" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow 24" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" 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 - 20" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" X 17"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique French Tapestry Pillow 18th Century - 14" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 15" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Wool
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Metal
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Silk
17th Century European Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century European Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow, Handmade piece from 17th Century
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Metal
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool
Circa 1850 Antique Needlepoint Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique Needlepoint Tapestry Pillow
Category
1850s Unknown Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Metal
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow, handmade antique pillow,
woolen and filled with top quality feather
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Metal
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Metal
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 16" X 11", Woolen authentic Flemish tapestry pillow
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Authentic Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Authentic Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Florentine Metallique & Silk Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Metallique & Silk Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Metal
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 23'' x 23'', Empire and Traditional.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Floral European Brussels Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Floral European Brussels Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 16" X 14", Authentic Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Textiles
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool
1850s Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Textiles
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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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