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Empire Armchairs

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
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Period Hand Carved Walnut Armchairs, Bergeres
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of early 19th century French Empire period walnut armchairs features hand carved details of laurels on the seat back and shells at the top of the armrests. The seat backs a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

French 19th Century Velvet Armchair with Fringe
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Napoleon III style armchair with a tall back at a slight recline in an angular profile that is at once restrained and welcoming. This example is upholstered in...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Henredon Mahogany Distressed Leather French Empire Regency Club Lounge Armchair
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare vintage Henredon Furniture Jockey club / lounge / library / office elbow arm chair. Made of mahogany featuring Empire / Regency styling with scrolled arms and distressed leathe...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

French 19th Century Mahogany Pair of Empire Arm Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This stunning pair of French Empire style mahogany barrel (or tub) armchairs are 19th century, reflecting the period’s extravagance and passion for noble materials in every aspect of...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair 19th Century Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century diminutive Italian Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère chairs composed of mahogany and gilded accents. and newly upholstered in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Pair 19th Century Ebonized Empire Style Black Hair Hide Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century ebonized mahogany Empire style fauteuil with winged caryatids, newly upholstered in a deep espresso hairhide.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Empire mahogany armchairs by Jacob Frères, France, 19th century
By Madeleine Castaing, Jacob Frères
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of mahogany Empire gondola armchairs, very confortable gondola chair model. The armrest are swan-shaped and front legs are lion-legs-shaped. The seats are covered with a ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Antique Pair French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date. The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. Th...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins' Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine Empire armchair with four elegant saber legs, upholstered in vertical cream and crimson stripes, and featuring ornately carved dolphins' heads at the base of each shaped arm r...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Empire Period Fauteuils with Vintage Upholstery, Early 19th C.
Located in Morristown, NJ
A fine matched pair of French Empire period fauteuils, each with a rectangular padded back, removable cushioned seat, and elegantly reeded and carved arms. The mahogany frames displa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category

20th Century French Empire Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany

Antique Mahogany Child Armchair, France
Located in Munich, DE
This charming children’s armchair is made out of mahogany with fine carving. It is newly upholstered with a discretely patterned fine, lustrous fabric in green with golden spots. Paris, circa 1810...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of Neoclassical Style Empire Armchairs with Gilt Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant pair of neoclassical-style armchairs in the French Empire tradition, crafted with refined mahogany frames and adorned with intricate gilt accents. These striking chairs featu...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Armchairs

Materials

Gold

Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests. Measures: Seat height 17.5 Arm height ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century Pair of Mahogany Armchairs in the Directoire style
Located in NICE, FR
Elegant pair of Empire period armchairs, 19th century, crafted in solid wood and representative of refined French taste. These seats stand out with their finely chiseled bronze orn...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Antique French Empire Bergere
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely period French Directoire bergere, restored and upholstered in silk velvet. Lovely armchair with beautiful turned legs and columnar supports at the arms.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

French Federal EmpireStyle Victorian Cherry Wood Armchairs, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Amazing set of 4 Empire Style Armchairs, ornately decorated with bronze appliqué, leaf foot caps and stunning bronze griffin arm details. The commanding chairs are made of solid Cher...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

18th Century French Neoclassical Mahogany High Back Armchairs, Silk Upholster
Located in Firenze, IT
These French Neoclassical mahogany armchairs, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century are a legacy of craftsmanship, a touch of Parisian elegance for your home, potentially a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Silk, Wood, Mahogany

Pair of Danish Late Empire Birch Armchairs With Inlay, 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs. Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron. The tops of the bac...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category

20th Century French Empire Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany

French Empire Armchair with Red Floral Striped Damask Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
French Restoration mahogany armchair having a rectangular headrest topped by a tapering gadrooned crest, upturned scroll arms with acanthus embellishments, upholstered back and seat ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery

Pair of Empire mahogany armchairs - swan shaped armrest - attributed to Bellange
By Lelièvre Paris, Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of Empire mahogany armchairs in the style of French cabinet maker Pierre Antoine Bellangé (Bellangé was an official supplier to Imp...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs in Black w/Gold Accents from the Mid-19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegan...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular arched padded back above a padded seat and tapering front legs topped with the head of a sphinx and ending in paw feet.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
$3,850 Sale Price / set
61% Off
Pair of Empire Style Armchairs with Versacesque Decoration
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of maximalist empire revival style armchairs featuring Versace inspired motifs. The chairs have a classic gondola shaped frame with faux leather naugahyde upholstery. The faux l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Armchairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Late 19th Century Empire Mahogany Arm Chairs
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique Empire style armchairs. The armrest and legs are made of solid mahogany, the backrest is made of veneered mahogany. An elegant design with curved armrests and taper...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Armchairs from the Empire Period
Located in NICE, FR
These splendid Empire period armchairs symbolize the opulence, refinement and luxury characteristic of the Napoleonic era. Beautifully carved and adorned with sophisticated details, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

French Empire Green Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th century) mahogany armchairs with bronze trim and eagle heads with green seat.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830. solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with lace up padding. very com...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Empire style Black Wood and Velvet Armchair, 1850s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1850 / armchair / wood, velvet / Empire / Antique French Empire style armchair made around 1850. This characterful chair features a blackened wooden frame with gracefully c...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Category

17th Century North American Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mounted armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet with a roset...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Ormolu

An Elegant Pair Italian Empire Pale-green Painted and Parcel-gilt Armchairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
each with incurved back sloping to join a tight seat flanked by bowed arms ending in swan neck terminals; raised on cabriole legs; adorned overall with giltwood acanthus leaves, bell...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood

The Last King's Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare and important carved mahogany Empire Period armchair attributed to Jacob Desmalter, France circa 1800, of neoclassical form inspired by the design of Percier et Fontaine, architects to the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the armrests beautifully carved with leopards heads and torso, the front legs ending in carved paw feet. Attributed to Jacob Desmalter. France, circa 1800. Provenance: The front under railing stencilled “Raincy” period paper labels hand written: Mrs Duque Orlean, Grand Salon, Palais Royal. This chair was part of a large salon suite (this one is number belonging to King Louis Philippe - Duke of Orléans - the last king of France. An almost identical model was known to be part of the collection of Molly de Balkany who had an important collection of Empire furniture. Sister of Robert De Balkany...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A striking pair of late French Empire mahogany armchairs, highly decorated with gilded bronze mounts on the upper back rail and all round the bottom of the seat as well. The curved open front arms terminate in carved dolphins. The chairs have been re-upholsterd in a cream and dark green striped antique silk fabric...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Near Pair Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare near pair of finely crafted Empire-style desk chairs, attributed to renowned French cabinetmaker Jacob Desmalter, dating from circa 1800–1809. These elegant chairs feature bol...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

French, Empire Provencal Armchair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A rare, beautiful, early-19th century Napoleon I, First Empire provencal armchair, a period piece, newly upholstered in the traditional laurel-leaf ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Swedish Empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900. We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden. Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table.  Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Empire Style Carved Fruitwood Open Armchairs
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of 19th century fruitwood armchairs feature carved acanthus leaves and reeded arms.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fruitwood

Empire Style Carved Wood and Gilded Armchair and Settee Suite
Located in El Monte, CA
This exquisite Empire style armchair and settee suit, hand carved and rendered in a striking combination of gilded and cream-painted wood, exemplifies the grandeur of the Napoleonic ...
Category

20th Century Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood

A Pair of Elegant Louis XVI Style Bergere Armchairs With Cream Damask Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Matching Pair of Empire Design Bergere Arm Chairs With Scroll Backs Upholstered in Cream Damask. Perfect For Any Library, Study or Lounge Space. Height to arms 67.5cm Height...
Category

20th Century French Empire Armchairs

Materials

Damask

Leather and wooden Empire style side/desk chair from the early 20th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this stylish green leather and wood Empire-style side or desk chair from the early 20th century. This green leather and wooden chair from the early 20th century can be us...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century Empire Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Armchair
Located in El Monte, CA
A stately 19th Century Empire Style armchair crafted from Mahogany with detailed gilt carvings and a neoclassical print green silk upholstery. Featuring a gilt sunburst and Eye of Go...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Empire Barrel Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of French Empire Barrel Armchairs, 19th century This beautiful pair of French Empire barrel armchairs dates back to the 19th century and combines elegance with exceptional craft...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

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 Armchairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Library Chairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An excellent quality pair of 19th century mahogany library armchairs, in the French empire taste, having swept back and moulded scrolling arms with C-scroll supports raised on elegant moulded sabre legs (A relative typical design in the early to mid-19th century these chairs are in the French Empire taste which was most popular at the time, with the added benefit of being much more sturdy and practical than the English Regency Chaise...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Napoleonic Swan Chair in the Empire Style Beechwood Poliment Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact Fine-carved sculpture made of solid beech. Poliment gilded. Arranged frame on plastically carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in swan head. High-backe...
Category

20th Century French Empire Armchairs

Materials

Beech

Pair of Stately Antique French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of high quality gorgeous vintage French Empire style club chairs from Bloomingdale's with handsome carved dolphin armrests. Probably walnut, faux painted a greige color. #4271 ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair 19th C French Mahogany Empire Upholstered Armchairs With Bronze Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of period French Empire mahogany bergeres with stylized carved dolphins decorating the arm and gilt bronze mounts. The central bronze mount depicting the helmeted god Mercury an...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Empire Fauteuils in Mahogany with Bronze Doré Ormolu, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite pair of Empire armchairs/ fauteuils in fine mahogany with bronze dore´ ormolu mounts decorating the upper crest and lower back splat, with rosettes and palmettes on legs...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Bronze

Empire Armchair with winged Caryatids and yellow Silk Fabric, France circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Empire fauteuil in mahogany and yellow silk morée upholstery with red piping and carved winged caryatids, France c. 1800. Lit.: J. Mottheau, Meubles et Emsembles Directoire Empire, T...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs Stamped "Jacob D R Medee"
Located in Stamford, CT
This pair of capacious, perfectly designed and executed chairs was created by the workshop of George Jacob and his son, Francois, during the Empire period at their Parisian workshop ...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century English Regency Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of English Regency mahogany frame dining chairs, early 19th century. Features exquisite carved back-splats in conjunction with further foliate carvings to the top crest, strip...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery, Giltwood

Pair of Late Empire Armchairs in Birch from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Late Empire birch armchairs, upholstered in red fabric and from around the 1840s, make a beautiful and period feature in any interior with their...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

19th Century Gold Gilt and Painted Empire Armchair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful Empire chair that we purchased in Naples, Italy. This is a classic style, with a fun pop of color with blue velvet that can be left as is or can be reupholstered ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Empire Monumental Walnut and Velvet Throne Chair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Empire style (19th Cent) monumental walnut throne chair with carved figure with wreath and red cut velvet upholstery Antique condition. Show...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs

Materials

Walnut, Velvet

Empire armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, Jacob Freres Rue Meslée, Modenese Gastone, and Jean Joseph Chapuis. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $151,397 while the average work can sell for $5,637.

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