Empire Furniture
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 Ships From: Florida
Style: Empire
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp.
Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three dolphin decorated scrolled arms. A finely chiselled stem...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Lampea A. Moderateur Steel & Brass Column Lamps, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire Lampea A. Moderateur Steel & Brass Column Lamps
France, circa 1830s
A stunning pair of French Empire Lampea A. Moderateur Steel and Brass Column Lamps from the 1830s. Each lamp stands 26.5 inches high to the top of the socket and 23 inches high to the top of the column, with a diameter of 5.75 inches. These lamps feature a sleek and tailored design, embodying the elegance of the French Empire style.
The lamps are fitted with beautifully patinated brass mounts, complementing the equally muted patina on the steel columns. The makers' plate on each lamp is inscribed with "Lampe à...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Maitland-Smith Empire-Style Pedestal Jardinière Planter, circa 1980
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome vintage jardinière in the Empire style manufactured by Maitland Smith in the 1980s with cylindrical polished-chrome planter trimmed with brass over a cast and fabrica...
Category
1980s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza
Made in Austria, circa 1920s
An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Category
20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Baltic Mahogany Long Bench - Antique Empire Silk Sofa, Canapé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique Baltic long bench with two pillows made of hand carved Mahogany, in good condition. The three seater sofa, settee is stand...
Category
Mid-19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique American Empire Style Cuban Mahogany Game Table
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant American Empire style game table, circa 1835. This versatile piece showcases classic design with a practical function. The swivel top, supported by a graceful cylinder column...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table. This striking table features bronze decorative trim as well as gilt bronze legs decorated with eagles ring handles an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Marble Top Center Table Bleached Mahagony
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th century French Empire round black marble top over bleached mahogany base Center Table. Table features three column supports, applied bronze wreath mounts at joints, splaye...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Pair of elegant antique French Empire bronze four light candelabras converted to table lamps. The outstandi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Meyer Gunther Martini French Empire Swan Armchairs Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of 1970s Meyer Gunther Martini French Empire Swan Armchairs...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Baker Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Anglo Indian Empire Settee or Sofa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual 19th Century Anglo Indian sofa handcrafted in teak with pegged construction featuring a rolled crest with carved pineapple and inscribed sea serpents, rounded arm ca...
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Reed, Teak
Dutch Marquetry Empire Settee, circa 1825
Located in Miami, FL
Offers mahogany frame with inlays in satinwood of flowers and foliage along back crest, "S" scroll arms and slipper feet. Features upholstered seat, back and inside and outside arms....
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Twill, Upholstery, Satinwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
19th Century Grey-Green French Empire Antique Gilded Wood Trumeau Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century French Empire trumeau mirror, patinated in grey-green and embellished in partial in gilded finish, in good condition...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Category
1920s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style commode, or chest of drawers, made of solid and veneer of mahogany. Four dovetailed drawers: three with decorative cast brass pulls and escutcheons...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category
1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Banquette or Window Seat in Birch with Marquetry Inlays, circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
A Swedish Empire banquette/sofa in birch with marquetry embellishments which include foliage and urns and line-inlaid figures of the four cardinal virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. Lower cabinets open to reveal drawers, while top cabinets offer shelving.
Note: Needs upholstery...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
19th Century Black French Empire Polished Ebony Secretary, Antique Birch Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Ebony, in good condition. The b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and very high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table. This handsome table is raised by a triangular base with concave side...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sunburst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815.
Dimen...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk.
In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Fossilized marble cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Fossilized marble cabinet. This wonderful demi lune shaped cabinet is raised on four Mahogany block fe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Marble-Top Console
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire marble-top console table made of solid walnut. Large drawer with original fine cast bronze decoration. Bronze mounted turned column supports in fr...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Empire Style Cocktail Table with Italian Portoro Marble
By Baker, Knapp & Tubbs
Located in Miami, FL
Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Empire Style Cocktail Table with Italian Portoro Marble
Offered for sale is an elegant Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Empire-style coffee table. The table is created wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage French Empire Bench
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Empire Dorè Patinated And Bronze Candelabra Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century bronze and patinated candelabra mounted as a lamp. Lamp features a lovely patinated Diana the Huntress statue with wings and arc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Heavy 19th century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Two Candelabra Lamp with Black Tole Shade. Shade is decorated with gilt wreaths that add contrast nicely with the black shade. Gilt f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany and Ormolu armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and high quality French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany and Ormolu armchair. This solid Mahogany desk/armchair is raised by 'S' scrolled Mahogany legs decorat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
French Turn of the Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany and Ormolu Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Hand Carve Wood Painted Meridienne Daybed 18Th. C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Periode Painted Meridienne, Daybed, late 18Th C.
This Meridienne can float in a room as the back is also upholstered or be against the wall.
This fabulous large daybed...
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scale French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee. This exceptional settee is raised by seven supports, with four being circular front legs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
pair of 19th century Empire Period Giltwood and Marble consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive pair of Continental 19th century Empire/Restauration Period Giltwood and Fleur de Pêcher marble consoles. This stunning pair of consoles is raised o...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Empire St. three door armoire in satinwood and mahogany with beveled mirrors. All highly decorated with fire-gilded ormolu mounts. Inside lays fift...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu And Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, giltwood, ormolu, and Alabastro marble center table. The circular table is raised by elegant ball feet below t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Round Mahogany Side Table - Antique Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French Empire side table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Honduran Mahogany in good condition. The detailed small center table is composed with a black marble top, standing on three arched legs, supported by a wooden base, resisting on three round feet. The Parisian table is enhanced by detailed gilded wood carvings...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
By Old Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Corinthian Column Marble Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style Corinthian column table lamp in marble. A decorative carved spiral, twists around the marble column, which is topped and tailed with a brass capital...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Italian Empire Pedestal Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century Round Marble Top Italian Pedestal. Top sits over three ebonized column supports with carved gilt wood accents at top and bottom. The ebonized columns are a key fea...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire Period commode from Normandy made of solid cherry wood. Three dovetailed drawers with brass knobs and one hidden top drawer. Large brass mounted turned c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most decorative French 19th century Empire St. mahogany and ormolu center table. The circular table is raised by fine bun feet below elegant scrolled legs with hand...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Crouch Mahogany Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 19th century Empire st. crouch mahogany, ormolu, and Coquillier de Bilbao marble center table. The circular table is raised by three elegant square tapered leg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewood, gilded frame adorned with water leaves and pearl friezes, in good condition. The mirror is consisting its original mirror glass...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940.
Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb.
Original patin...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany adjustable height tabletop desk, made for writing or reading in bed. Beautifully crafted desktop has a green leather writing surface, wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s
A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.