Empire Rugs and Carpets
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
1900's Persian Sarouk Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79155 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 11'02 x 18'05. This magnificent hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug exudes timeless elegance, evoking the golden age of Persian rug weaving...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug 5'7'' x 4'5'' , handmade and hand-knotted, empire traditional style
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 19th century French Empire drop front secretary with black as a marble top and side columns with bronze mounts, three drawers below and one drawer above. Double brass locking syste...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Mahogany
1900s Antique European Rug 13′ × 16′3″
Located in Los Angeles, US
Savonnerie Carpets – During the early seventeenth century, a weaver named Pierre DuPont traveled to the Levant. Upon his return, he claimed to have discovered the technique of creati...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese Peking rug with a spacious open field design on a creamy yellow field and pretty blue accents featuring a dragon inside a central medallion .
Measures: 6'2'' x 8'8''
Chinese dragons...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
1920s Antique Indian Agra Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
1920s Indian Vintage Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early-19th Century Antique Uzbek Samarkand Rug-7'5'' X 4'6''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early-19th Century Antique Uzbek Samarkand Rug from Uzbekistan
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet ( 8'8" x 12'6" )
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet
8' 8" x 12' 6"- 264 x 381
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
1920's Persian Sarouk Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79018 Antique Red Persian Sarouk Rug, 04'02 x 06'06. This hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug is a testament to the opulent artistry and enduring legacy of Persian weaving....
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Jewel Tone Early 20th Century Superfine Quality Antique Persian Jozan Souf Mat
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century collector caliber Persian Souf carpet handwoven in the Jozan Region.
Measures: 2'3" x 2'7"
Souf rugs are very rare technique foun...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Antique Rug Ivory Tree Of Life Organic Handwoven Oriental Area Rug
Located in Wembley, GB
An extraordinary early 20th-century Ivory rug with an incredible densely woven multi-coloured tree-of-life design with two sinuous trees on each side of the central field, each with ...
Category
1890s Caucasian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Antique Persian Souf Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Souf carpet woven somewhere in Iran. Whereabouts are unknown but we suspect it’s from the sarouk Jozan region.
2'1'' x 2'7''
Souf r...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Antique Indian Agra Rug - 11'4'' X 9'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century French Charles X Period Aubusson Carpet (15'8"x16'3"-478x495)
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Aubusson Carpet - 1st Empire Period
French 19th century rooms must often have been square since so many carpets of the c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Large Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking rug with pictorial dragons found in 5 round circular round motifs on a bone colored ground. Exceptional quality too.
11'1'' x 15'3''
Chinese dr...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Very Fine French Aubusson Carpet of the 19th Century
Located in Rome, IT
A very fine French Aubusson carpet of the 19th century.
Measures: cm 530 x 480.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Distressed Antique Lavar Kermanshah Rug
Located in New York, NY
Highly decorative 19th century Persian Lavar Kermanshah rug.
4' x 6'4''
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-8'8'' X 5'8''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an antique Khotan Samarkand Rug with birds designs on a red background.
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Style Needlework Rug in Green and Pink
By Savonnerie
Located in Richmond, London
A fine French Empire style needlework carpet, in deep green with pink and beige tones. Wonderfully decorative bold pattern and colours will certainly make a room.
Possibly Portugu...
Category
20th Century Portuguese Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
1920 Floral Yellow Needlepoint Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Needlepoint rugs were created using the traditional needlework weaving technique that is used to make everyday items from furniture to carpets and artwork. However, it has a fascinat...
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1920's Antique Persian Sarouk Carpet with Timeless Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79151 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 09'00 x 12'00. This exquisite hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug is a magnificent example of the enduring artistry and craftsmanship that ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Mini Turkish Mat Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mini size Turkish rug from the third quarter of the 20th century
Measures: 1'6” x 2'8".
Category
20th Century Turkish Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Antique Turkish Oushak Floral Rug 10'x7'10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Turkish Oushak Floral Design 10'x7'10''
Category
Early 1900s Turkish Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century Antique Figural Pictorial Baloutch Rug 4'11'' X 3'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Baloutch Rug Made for a Noble Man 4'11'' X 3', handmade and hand-knotted, inspired by the story of beauty and the beast
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Authentic Oriental Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Muted Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson ( 13 6'' x 16'3'' - 410 x 495 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet ( 13 6'' x 16'3'' - 410 x 495 )
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet (11' x 12'10"-335 x 390)
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet
11' x 12'10" - 335 x 390
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Late-19th Century Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Late-19th Century Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Authentic Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1920s Antique Indian Rug - 14'10'' X 11'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
1920s Asian Vintage Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1950's Turkish Sivas Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53067 Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug, 07'10 x 11'06. A dazzling vision of Anatolian artistry, this hand-knotted wool vintage Turkish Sivas rug exudes a regal presence with its radiant col...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 14'8'' X 12'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Caucasian Lenkoran Wool Runner-9'6'' X 3'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Caucasian Lenkoran Woolen Runner
Category
Early 1900s Caucasian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-9'9'' X 5'5''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an antique Khotan Samarkand Rug, circa 1900s.
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Ca.1880 Antique Collectible Savonnerie Rug 6'1'' X 3'4''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Savonnerie Carpets – During the early seventeenth century, a weaver named Pierre DuPont traveled to the Levant. Upon his return, he claimed to have discovered the technique of creati...
Category
1880s Spanish Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1990s Savonnerie Area Rug-10'0" X 8'0"
Located in Los Angeles, US
21th Century Authentic Savonnerie Area Rug 10'0" X 8'0", handmade and hand-knotted, wool on cotton foundation, reproduction
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Oversize Indian Rug - 18'0'' X 12'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
1920s Indian Vintage Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Authentic Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Oriental Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Savonnerie Carpet ( 8'x13'6" - 243x412 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Savonnerie Carpet from Empire Period
(8' x 13' 6" - 243 x 412 cm)
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
1900s Antique Indian Agra Rug - 12'5'' X 11'10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Chinese Runner
Located in New York, NY
Rare short and narrow antique soft blue Chinese runner.
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
19th Century Tribal Muted Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and carpets for both interna...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Samarkand Rug-4'7'' X 2'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up For Sale Is An Antique Samarkand Uzbek Tribal Rug
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Zabihi Collection Ivory Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese Peking Dragon motif rug with a spacious open field design on an ivory ground
Measures: 7'3'' x 9'7''
Chinese dragons are an important and powerful...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool
Antique Persian Bokhara Wool Rug-7'2'' X 4'10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
This is an Antique Persian Bokhara Woolen Rug
Category
Early 1900s Persian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Late-19th Century Khotan Samarkand
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 16'2'' X 12'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Botanical Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western styles results in an exceptionally alluring appearance that has been beloved by western consumers historically and today. The outstanding old Amritsar carpets were created by influential exporters to fuel the demand for exotic rugs...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Mid-19th Century Indian Amritzar Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western st...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Decorative Khotan Samarkand Rug-6'2'' X 4'4''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is a 1900s Antique Decorative Khotan Samarkand Rug. This rug is made of wool on a cotton foundation. It is tribal and traditional
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Turkish Prayer Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
1900s Antique Turkish Prayer Rug, handmade and hand-knotted
Category
Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Persian Tabriz With Animal Print Rug-11'4'' X 9'1''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Persian Tabriz With Animal Print Rug 11'4'' X 9'1''
Category
Early 1900s Persian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Persian Dorokhsh Rug - 8′10″ × 11′7″
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Persian Dorokhsh Rug 11'7'' X 8'10'', Traditional and Tribal, Authentic
Category
Early 1900s Persian Antique Empire Rugs and Carpets
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire rugs and carpets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire rugs and carpets 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 rugs and carpets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire rugs and carpets made in a specific country, there are Asia, West Asia, and India pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 rugs and carpets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $52,500 while the average work can sell for $7,850.