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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Empire
Pair Of Fine French Empire Giltwood Armchairs In Apple Green Silk
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire style armchairs, carved and water gilded with burnishing. Upholstered in apple green silk with rope piping and horsehair.
These chairs and the matching ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fruitwood
Empire Period Armchairs and Bergere by P.BELLANGÉ
Located in Paris, FR
EXCEPTIONAL seats by Pierre Bellangé
PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS, circa 1805
Mahogany with mahogany veneer. Powerful tapered front legs with three scalloped rings, and sabre back legs.
Slight...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Weiningen, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Birch
A set of chairs from the mid-19th century, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chairs from around 1860, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition.
Dimensions: height 86 cm / seat height. 44 cm / width 43 cm / depth 48 cm
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
19th century French empire mahogany armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french empire revival mahogany armchair, circa 1860.
Single french armchair made in mahogany. Shaped back linking to the padded armrests and scrolled arms. Front scroll...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
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
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
armchairs height 98 c...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Eclectic Set, Unique Set of 4 Armchairs Each in Different Design
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the set of 4 Empire armchairs.
Each armchair carries a typical motif of the empire style. Refers to the moment of re-discover of classical o...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
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 Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose.
These...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Velvet, Giltwood
Armchair, Northern Europe, around 1900. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique armchair from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation, the seat is covered with new fabri...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of early 20th Swedish carved birch armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of early 20th Swedish carved birch armchairs circa 1920.
Good quality pair of birch armchairs in the karl johan taste.
Shaped and carved back rest, flowing to the scrolling ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Armchairs
Materials
Birch
Empire Style Mahogany Armchair
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely empire style mahogany armchair from the end of the 19th century
Very good quality bronze and beautiful mahogany
Very beautiful armchair which can be used as a library chair or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 4 mid 19th century Danish mahogany armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Beautiful set of 4 Danish empire armchairs circa 1860.
Comprising of 2 armchairs and 2 open frame armchairs. Main feature being the scrolling arm and scrolling front leg. Carved b...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810, Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810
Step back in time to the opulent era of 19th-century France with the exquisite Elegant Empire Salon Suite, crafted i...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Empire Fauteuils 'd'Officier' with Lion Heads, Budapest, circa 1805/10
Located in Greding, DE
Beech, finely carved with lion heads, rosettes, acanthus friezes and foliage. Original gilding and setting in "verde antico", gilded brass applications.
The pair of armchairs follows...
Category
Early 1800s Hungarian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Empire Armchair, circa 1812
Located in Lučenec, SK
This armchair was obtained at an auction near Lyon, France. This armchaor was completely restored as it was in a very bad condition. It is fairly comfortable, suitable companion for ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Pair of Danish Empire Mahogany With Inlay Arm Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Danish early 19th century empire armchairs.
Crafted in mahogany with ebony and satinwood marquetry on backrest and apron.
Apron and upper part of backrest decorated...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
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
Birch, Upholstery, Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Fabric, Wood
Two French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Fine quality French Empire cherrywood armchairs.
Carved arms in shallow relief with acanthus leaves, elegant saber legs, beautiful patina color.
To coat however you like.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cherry
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
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
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
19th Century Pompeian Style Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Exceptional 19th century Danish masters work in Pompeian style. Ca 1850 Denmark.
The armchair is carved in walnut wood with marquetry inlaid.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
Mahogany, Fabric
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
Late Empire Armchair Made In Mahogany With Light Striped Fabric From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire armchair from around 1840 exudes timeless elegance with its mahogany frame and light striped fabric upholstery. Crafted during the height of the empire period, it sh...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Original antique Empire Armchair circa 1860-1880 Massive Mahogany bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire armchair circa 1860-1880 massive mahogany 2 beautiful armchairs from an Empire room.
Each 2 figures provided cast bronze.
The chairs have a nice curve, in a top...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
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 classic look and historic c...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
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 Empire Style Lion Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Empire style lion armchair
Imperial stylish lion armchair in Empire style.
Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood....
Category
20th Century Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Noble Venetian Armchair in Blue and Gold Fabrics with Pillow
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Complete a lavish living room set up with this sophisticated royal blue armchair. The carefully selected upholstery fabric adds a unique charm on the gold-painted solid wood of this sofa. The deep seated...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Armchairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire-Style Italian Armchair with Cushion in Walnut and Gold Leaf Finish
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exquisitely carved armchair in walnut finish with gold leaf decorations. Cushion and fabrics are 100% customizable, this particular model uses an exclusive grey damascus. This majest...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Armchairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Unique Empire Armchair Around 1820, France, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century Unique Empire armchair around 1820, France, Mahogany
Solid mahogany wood, France around 1820/30.
Finely carved swan's heads on each armrest. Extremely high quality a...
Category
Early 19th Century French 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 French Armchairs Fauteuil White Carved Back Early 1900s Antique Empire
Located in LONDON, GB
Unusual early 1900s French antique pair of armchairs in original white paint with carved backs and beautiful curved arms and legs. They hark back to Napoleon's favorite Empire style ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bentwood
Pair of 20th Century French Armchairs Neo Gotic Style
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of polished wrought iron armchairs dating from the 70s. French work. Neo-Gothic style. Beautiful work done by hand. Measures: 54 x 86 x 48 cm 3250 EURO.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Armchairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Armchairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze armchairs.
French, 19th century
Dimensions: Height 108cm, width 70cm, depth 60cm
This pair of French Empire style fa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Empire Style a Russian Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid mahogany. Straight frame on saber-shaped legs with laid sheet. Strongly curved supports for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish....
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century France Furnished Armchair Group
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid maple. Curved frame on curly legs. Strong curved supports in rolled volutes ending for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish. Seat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Maple
Important French Empire Early 19th Century Armchair
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An impressive Napoléonic Empire mahogany armchair, attributed to Jacob-Desmalter (1770-1841). With a pedimented top rail above a rectangular padded back and seat covered in red and g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Museum Court Empire Armchair circa 1830, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum court Empire armchair circa 1830, mahogany
Solid mahogany body. Empire beginning of the 19th century. Armrests, curved volute-shaped, ending in carved dolphins. Rectangular backrest framing flanked by classicist carved lion heads and elaborately inlaid brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves below. Straight frame on baluster and saber legs, some of which are also inlaid with brass. Scattered rich and intricately inlaid brass inlays.
The seat and backrest are classically upholstered and covered with a fine velvet upholstery fabric.
Untouched original condition.
Such a piece of furniture is indeed part of the courtly inventory, see
comparable model, literature reference: German classicism...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Plum Wood Swan Armchairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A pair of Empire / Biedermeier plum wood from circa 1815, newly upholstered with new fabric in classicist style. The armrests, backrest and seat are upholste...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Elegant Danish Empire Armchair, circa 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and decorative Empire armchair. Made in mahogany, with light wood inlaid (lemon tree). Oval backboard in ebonised wood. Front of arms in the form of wooden cut grippers with ...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany, Velvet, Wood, Fruitwood
Important Empire Early 19th Century Fauteuil by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Despite his long life, very little is known about the general production of menuisier (chairmaker) Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864) and even less about his use of bent laminates, which must be viewed as the most advanced of its kind until the appearance of Michael Thonet’s work of the 1830s.
The profound reverence for the classical world in enlightened circles in early 19th century Europe and the United States often resulted in the archaeological resurrection of the art, architecture, and design of ancient Greece and Rome. No chair employing the innovative technique of bending wood more boldly expresses this allegiance to the past than this armchair painted in le style antique and based on the ancient Roman sella...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
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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