Empire Furniture
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.
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Velvet, Wood
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Velvet, Feathers
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Furniture
Cherry, Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Swiss Empire Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Textile, Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Fabric, Birch
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal
1960s Irish Vintage Empire Furniture
Chrome, Bronze, Brass, Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s Empire Furniture
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Ebony, Burl
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Velvet, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Wood, Burl
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Crystal
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Ormolu
2010s Australian Empire Furniture
Fur
Early 2000s French Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Stone, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Slate, Wrought Iron
1990s Empire Furniture
Stone, Iron
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Birch