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
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
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
$1,750 / item
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs. This statement making pair of throne armchairs are raised by patinated Brass casters the scr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
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
Pair of French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Vienna, AT
Walnut frame with a tapestry manufactures about 1870 in France, carved with acanthus leaves and palmettes and painted with gold, the armrests supported by gilt griffins partialy pai...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
$3,963 / set
Pair of Empire Armchairs in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays Original Cane Seat
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning pair of Empire armchairs from Copenhagen, circa 1810, made from solid mahogany with intricate satinwood inlays on the backrest, apron, and front legs.
The chairs feature t...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Cane, Fruitwood, Mahogany
French Empire Figural Ebonized Giltwood Armchair with Dolphins by Century 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire style chair by Century Furniture offers maple frame with upholstered seat and back, flanking giltwood carved dolphins beneath each ebonized arm, and raised on slightl...
Category
20th Century American Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of early 20th century 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
Fabric, Birch
Pair of Consulat Ebony-Inlaid Birchwood Armchairs Stamped Jacob Frères
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The curved pierced back with a palmette-inlaid shaped splat terminating in dolphin supports raised on an upholstered seat, on front carved joined hairy animal legs (pieds de bîches) and hoof feet and back sabre legs; stamped: JACOB FRERES RUE MESLEE under the front rail. For a similar dolphin support, see Madeleine Jarry and Pierre Devinois, Le Siège Français, pp. 267 and 271 illustration 264 for an armchair at the Musée Marmottan stamped G. Jacob and executed in 1792.
Provenance: Millicent Rogers
her son, Arturo Peralta Ramos II
Jacob Frères was the stamp used by brothers Georges II (1768-1803) and Francois-Honore Jacob (1770-1841) from 1796 to 1803. They were sons of Georges Jacob (1739-1814), arguably the best-known chair maker who worked for aristocracy and royalty during the reign of Louis XVI.
The Jacob Frères firm's most famous client was Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. She would have most likely seen the work of their father during the revolution in a progressive aristocrat's house. She used them to decorate various Imperial residences, such as the Tuileries palace, and remained a loyal customer, using them almost exclusively, until her death. When Georges II (the elder brother) died in 1803, Georges came out of retirement to help the remaining son, Francois-Honoré (who changed his named to Jacob Desmalter) from a new partnership called Jacob Desmalter Et Cie. (stamped Jacob D. R. Meslée, on two lines), which continued to be an influential supplier for the Imperial period and is credited with helping to define the Empire style as it is known today.
Millicent Rogers, born Mary Millicent Abigail Rogers, was a Standard Oil heiress, but she wasn’t a poor little rich girl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Vintage Henry P. Urban Chairs With Carved Frames & Faux Paint
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Highly decorative Pair of Empire Style Faux Painted and Parcel-Gilt Armchairs
by Henry P. Urban.
Chairs painted with faux paint Both in good condition with very minor nicks and scu...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint
A pair of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A massive pair of Biedermeier armchairs made in the mid-19th century. Upholstered in an elegant jacquard fabric. A beautiful, stable frame connects the armchairs together. Very good ...
Category
1870s Scandinavian Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Set of Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four French Empire fauteuils-armchairs in carved and veneered mahogany with beautiful carving and scale.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
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
$15,000 / set
Late 19th Century Franch Empire armchair , in Carved Solid Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century Franch Empire chair with armrests in carved solid mahogany , wax polished
Measure cm: H 92/42 x W 56 x D 50.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of late 19th century lounge chairs are in the Empire style. The curved arms end with carved acanthus leaves. The seats and borderin...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Linen, Wood
$4,800 / set
Pair of Empire design Fauteuils in Mahogany, France, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined pair of Empire design Fauteuils, each constructed in richly-figured mahogany. The pair French in origin, and dating from the fourth quarter of the 1800s.
Each chair with upholstered seat and back surrounded by exposed frames. The seats flanked by carved down-swept arms, and resting atop four splayed tapering legs.
Reference: "The Antiques Directory...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery
19th C Italian Biedermeier Mahogany Reclining Lounge Chair w/ Cast Iron Hardware
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C Italian Biedermeier Mahogany Reclining Lounge Chair with Cast Iron Hardware. Item features a reclining back, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, distressed finish, nicely ...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Iron
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
$1,400 Sale Price / set
36% Off
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
Vintage Pair of Empire Style Fauteuils with Carved Dolphin Arms by Century, USA
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th c., high quality American made pair of custom upholstered Fruitwood frame armchairs, labeled under seat.
This pair of armchairs from Century Furniture Industries in Hickor...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Armchairs Pair of Swedish Mahogany Brown Gilded Details Green and White Seat
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs made in Sweden during the Karl Johan period 1810-1840. Frame made in mahogany with gilded details. Upholstered in a durable outdoor Rogers and Goffigon stripe.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
French Arm Chairs Gilt Seats Empire Hand Carved
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French gilt arm chairs in the Empire manner
Very comfortable with wide arms and cushioned seats, backs and arms
Chairs have just been reupholstered hence odour and s...
Category
1920s Vintage Empire Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
$1,763 / set
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 Armchairs, Pierre-Benoît Marcion, France, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Set of eight armchairs by the French ébéniste Pierre-Benoît Marcion, with carved lion's heads and paw feet. The frame is made of polished mahogany. The backrests and seats are newly ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, 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
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
French Empire Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany round back dolphin arm chair with bronze trim and gold upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Green Armchairs with Bronze Mounts
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany Armchairs with bronze trim and eagle heads with green seat
Both chairs are in antique condition.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Blond Mahogany Swivel Leather Chair with Bronze Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire blond mahogany swivel armchair upholstered in gilt embossed red leather with brass nail head trim and having bronze embellishments and medallions throughout with hoof s...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Consulate Arm Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Consolate mahogany (circa 1800) open arm chairs with beige leather seat and square back with an open X design (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
$28,000 / set
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire mahogany armchair with carved lion heads to the arms and lion's paw feet to the legs, upholstered in French Emp...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Mahogany
Splendid pair of 19th-century Russian Empire armchairs
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This splendid pair of 19th-century Russian Empire armchairs exemplifies the opulence and craftsmanship synonymous with the period. Carved from rich, dark wood, these chairs feature g...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Empire Walnut and Gilded Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century French Empire Walnut and Gilded Armchair is a luxurious piece of furniture. This armchair exudes elegance and sophistication, making it a perfect addition to any ho...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of French Empire mahogany armchairs.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of 4 Danish Empire Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 lovely Danish chairs with light birch inlays in back and front frieze. Newly upholstered.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Armchairs
$12,000 / set
Set Of 2 Antique Empire Style Armchairs Made In Mahogany From 1920s
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
French Empire Salon Set After Jean Francois Bellange
By Bellanger
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This three piece early 19 Century salon set features finely carved gold leaf gilded frames accented by rosettes palmettes and acanthus characterizing most French Empire furnitur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Beech
$15,000 / set
C19th pair of Swedish armchairs with decorative fretwork detailing
Located in London, GB
A pair of pretty but not overly fussy late C19th upholstered later painted Swedish open armchairs.
The backs have a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers.
Reuphols...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Pine
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
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
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 Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Schöfflisdorf, 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
$2,136 / set
2 armchairs Classicism - Empire Walnut
Located in Würzburg, DE
✓ Top condition
✓ Wonderful wood carvings
✓ High quality walnut
Dimensions: W: 60cm H: 92cm D: 48cm
Item: Antique armchair
Item no.: 927
Epoch: Empire around 1800
Material: Walnut
...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Walnut
Antique Empire / Biedermeier Armchair, circa 1810, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany solid wood, partially veneered. Semicircular backrests, Bergeren-form.
Restored and reupholstered with original Wollrips fabric covered.
(C-147).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
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
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
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and patinated Wood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality set of four French 19th century Empire style Mahogany and patinated Wood armchairs. Each attractive arm chair is raised on four tapered Mahogany legs. The...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Empire armchair, French manufacture
Located in Baranzate, IT
Empire armchair made of wood and Vienna straw seat. France 1810.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
French 19th Century Empire Three-Piece Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece group of empire seating
includes canape and two bergeres
canape - H 36 in; bergere - H 35-1/4.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
$26,000 / set
Pair Of French Early 19th Century Empire Period Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated wood armchairs. The pair are raised on front circular tapered legs with gilt carved foliate bands at the top and bottom wh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Armchairs
Materials
Wood
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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