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.
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 Signed French Neoclassical Style Designer Quality Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Two classic vintage Karges French Empire neoclassical dining chairs, arm chairs or accent chairs. These luxurious chairs are painted white with gold c...
Category
1990s American Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Style Painted Armchair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire style painted armchair, circa late 20th century. With paint intentionally distressed to imitate age. Possibly made by Hendrix and Allardyce. Seat dimentions, Width 20"-18", De...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Continental Walnut Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality continental carved walnut armchair, remaining in very good condition.
Width: 73cm Depth: 102cm Height: 100cm.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Pair of Armchairs in Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Lovely Italian antique armchairs, set of 2, 1800. These armchairs are of the period Empire in solid walnut wood. The seat Upholstered in fabric. Beautiful swirl armrests. This beauti...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Empire Fauteuils
Located in New Orleans, LA
Matching pair of Empire armchairs attributed to Henri Jacob. Seats and backs are covered in muslin. Painted off white with gold detailing. Very stable construction.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swedish Empire Birch Wood Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Birch Wood Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden.
This Swedish pair of armchairs are veneered in a warm golden honey color. Style is ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Birch, Wood
Adelsnäs Manor House Bergere
Located in New York, NY
A large-scale Swedish late Empire bergere, circa 1820-1830, with a curved top, small wings, straight armrests raised on curved supports and a tight seat raised on square tapered legs...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
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
19th Century, Pair of French Empire Style Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, Pair of French Empire style Wood Armchairs
This delightful pair of wood armchairs was made in France in the nineteenth century in the Empire style. The plant is strai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Antique Set of Two Armchairs in Mahogany Empire Style, 1920
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Danish Empire style hand-polished mahogany armchairs with striped fabric from around the 1920s.
Measurements in cm: H:84 W:52 D:47 SH:50
This product will be inspected ...
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Living Room Suite in the Antique Empire Style Beech Hand Carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on sculpturally carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in...
Category
20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French Empire Armchair with Red Floral Striped Damask Upholstery
Located in New York, 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, Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Empire Style Armchair
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An oak framed 19th century Empire style armchair or desk chair with leather upholstered seat. C. 1860.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Oak
Antique French Empire Napoleonic Ormolu Parcel Gilt Bureau Desk Armchair, 1815
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & stylish antique French Empire Napoleonic parcel gilt and ormolu mounted French Fauteuil de bureau (desk chair), circa 1815.
The chair back and armrest of hooped shaped form...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Danish Empire-Style Inlaid Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Norwalk, CT
An attractive, well-proportioned pair of Danish Empire-style armchairs in mahogany with delicate band inlay and marquetry inlaid Classical female figures to back splats. Urn-form tur...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German born architect worked mostly in Copenhage...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
Empire Armchair, France, circa 1800-1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique French Empire armchair features a very pretty mahogany veneer. The highlight of this piece are the finely carved dolphin shaped armrests. This Classic Empire piece dates ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Danish Late Empire Armchairs, 1810-1820
Located in Nordhavn, 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
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu desk armchair. The armchair is raised by handsome lightly curved square legs with finely carved recessed d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
Armchair for a Dog by Jacob, Empire Period, Early 19th Century
Located in Valbroye, CH
A small Empire armchair (bergère) for a dog (e.g. pug dog) delivered by Jacob Desmalter in 1809 for the Hotel de Monaco for Marshal Davout, currently Embassy of Poland, under number ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Textile
Empire Armchair in Mahogany, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire armchair on square-pointed legs with a straight frame and upholstered seat, backrest and armrests. The backrest with pedimented volute decoration has black inlays in the form ...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Empire Armchair from the Palace of Fontainebleau
Located in Valbroye, CH
An empire armchair, curved back and carved flowers decoration in cream lacquered beech and rechampi in purple.
Numerous inventory numbers of the Palais de Rambouillet...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Armchairs with Fretwork Detailing to Their Back S
Located in London, GB
A pair of charming late 19th century upholstered painted Swedish open armchairs with a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers to their backs.
Recently reupholstered in a light vintage French linen...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Style Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
The delicate curves and elegant details on these chairs will capture anyone's attention. These 19th Century Swedish style chairs have fresh guilti...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French Pair 19th C. Empire Style Fauteuils, Newly Upholstered in Belgian Linen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pair of Empire style armchairs, with their original painted finish, from the 19th century. These antique fauteuils from France each fea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front legs have a hand carved decor. Their plain d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
Empire Style Chairs 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style chairs made in high quality wood and red fabric. in a very good condition.
PRICE PER PIECE.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Very Fine and Rare Pair of Early 19th C Italian Empire Carved and Gilt Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare pair of Empire period mahogany and parcel gilt armchairs. Fine French polished wood and finely detailed gilt carving . Covered in a dark blue leather
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Armchair, 1850
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style armchair made around 1850 in black wood and green-yellow velvet.
Has some nice sculptural details carved in the wood. Is easy to mo...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
DREXEL HERITAGE Mahogany Empire Style Dining Armchairs - Pair
By Drexel
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining armchairs in the Empire style by Drexel Heritage. Solid mahogany with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, curved arms...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Mid-19th Century French Walnut and Gilt Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of mid-19th century French walnut and gilt armchairs circa 1840.
Fine and rare pair of French walnut armchairs. Shaped backs which leads down the arms which are supported by ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Empire Armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A pair of EMpire style armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1870.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and changing the upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions height 101 cm...
Category
1870s Scandinavian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Armchair, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire armchair with high backrest and straight armrests as well as carved caryatids as supports on the front straight pointed legs. Solid mahogany.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Empire-Style Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Bergeres
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of handsome empire style chairs from the late 20 th century.
These chairs have a curved and reeded backs, the gilded arm.
Fronts in the form of swans, the seat frames with gil...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
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
Set of 4 Mid-19th Century Danish Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Beautiful set of 4 Danish armchairs circa 1860.
Comprising of 2 armchairs and 2 open frame armchairs. Main feature being the scrolling arm and scrolling front leg. Carved back r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Amazing Set of Armchair and 2 Chair First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of armchair and 2 chair First Empire Napoleon III early 19th Century
France
measure armchair: 86cm x 64cm x 54cm
measures chairs: 82cm x 50cm x 45cm
wood
proveniente : Roman...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
French Empire Period Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An early 19th century French Empire Bergère, a very elegant and comfortable Fruitwood armchair. The armrests are beautifully carved in dolphins h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Tapestry, Wood
French Empire Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Impressive walnut and gilt Empire style armchair with finely carved golden wings to the arms and further carved gilt detail to the legs and seat rails. An antique caviar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Pair Armchair
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century French Empire style handcrafted gilt bronze mahogany framed upholstered pair of armchair. Each armchairs is set on four straight mahogany legs, the front two of which ar...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
Antique French Empire Giltwood Winged Griffin Needlepoint Inlay Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire giltwood winged Griffin needlepoint and inlay parlor arm chair. Item features gold gilt wood winged griffin arm supports, bell flower, pinwheel, and ribbon inla...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Library Armchair
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Fine Quality Early 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Period Library Armchair, Of Bold Proportions, With Fine Ormolu Mounted Decoration Throughout, Having Upholstered Back Ov...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Armchair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A dining armchair in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, curved arms, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and ge...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
Baltic Set of 6 Empire-Armchairs, Mahogany, Design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Located in Göttingen, NI
A rare Baltic set of 6 Empire-armchairs - design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Mahogany richly carved and veneered
Side frame construction with inlaid upholstered seat on turned f...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style White and Gold Pair of Armchairs, Sharkskin Style Trim, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style white carved wood with gold highlights pair of armchairs.
Standing on two front tapered legs and two back saber legs. Straight apron and uprights, rectangular backseat ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
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
Late Empire Armchair in Mahogany with Light Striped Fabric from 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Late empire armchair in mahogany with light striped fabric from around the year 1840. Stands in very fine used condition.
Dimensions in cm...
Category
1840s Unknown Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
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
Antique Empire Armchairs, Sweden, circa 1900
Located in Chorzów, PL
Vintage armchairs from around 1900. Furniture in very good condition.
Dimensions: 88 cm / seat height. 43 cm / width 58 cm / depth 60 cm.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
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
Set of Empire Armchairs, Ca.1820
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Set of two early Empire armchairs made of solid mahogany wood and sheepskin.
With carved sculptured armrests and lion's paw feet to the legs.
A great patina on this set of French s...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
CENTURY Empire Style Carved Dolphin Head Occasional Chair
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Empire style occassional chair by Century. Fruitwood with carved gold painted dolphin heads, ebony painted arms, carved acanthus leaves to knees and straight legs. Features a stri...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fruitwood, Fabric
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs One Stamped J Louis
By Jean Pierre Louis
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic pair of French Empire period open armchairs each with a square back topped by a bow shaped carved frieze featuring folliate rosettes and downscrolled arms. Where the arms ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Danish Late Empire Armchairs, C. 1810-1820
Located in Nordhavn, 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
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, more furniture and collectibles 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 Jacob Freres Rue Meslée, Modenese Gastone, Century Furniture, 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 $90,000 while the average work can sell for $5,225.
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