Skip to main content

Empire Benches

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.

to
2
27
13
41
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
37
5
1,539
1,443
252
214
137
130
101
100
87
86
69
67
65
62
51
41
41
27
2
31
8
3
2
1
1
37
25
17
12
8
34
12
12
10
6
41
41
41
1
Style: Empire
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier

19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier

$14,900

19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany

Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle
Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle

Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle

$2,295

Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle

Located in Baltimore, MD

What an outstanding Box Bench! The oak and the pine contrast beautifully to create a deep rich warmth perfect for this piece. For most of its length the top rail is flat, only follo...

Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Oak, Pine

Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays
Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays

Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays

$1,760

Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays

Located in Kastrup, DK

Small, elegant Danish Empire bench crafted from mahogany, featuring delicate string inlays in satinwood on the ends. The seat has been newly upholstered in light gray linen, accented...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood

20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench
20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench

20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench

$1,495

20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench

Located in Houston, TX

20th Century Empire style bench featuring Neoclassical style carved swan frame newly padded and upholstered in a Chanel style chuncky tweed.

Category

20th Century Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Painted Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle
Painted Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle

Painted Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle

$1,995

Painted Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle

Located in Baltimore, MD

This Box Bench has a great form and has all the characteristics we look for in a Central European Storage Bench. For most of its length the top rail is flat, only following a curve ...

Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Oak, Pine

Late Empire Bench in Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820
Late Empire Bench in Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820

Late Empire Bench in Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820

$2,235

Late Empire Bench in Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Late Empire bench crafted in beautiful mahogany with profiled round legs in the classic Empire style. The bench has been newly upholstered in a soft dove-blue fabric, creatin...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Large Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Large Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings

Large Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings

$5,527

Large Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings

Located in Kastrup, DK

Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat. Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt woodcarved details. Resting on elegant turned taper...

Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay

Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay

$2,042

Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs. The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields. The seat has be...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French
Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French

Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French

$3,500

Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French

Located in El Monte, CA

A highly decorative and unique 19th century French empire painted and parcel gilt cast iron upholstered bench. Parcel gilt border is of a rich gold with warm red undertone painting jester...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Iron

Rare Pair of 1st Empire Benches from Parma, 18th Century Italian Settees
Rare Pair of 1st Empire Benches from Parma, 18th Century Italian Settees

Rare Pair of 1st Empire Benches from Parma, 18th Century Italian Settees

$31,295 / set

Rare Pair of 1st Empire Benches from Parma, 18th Century Italian Settees

Located in New Orleans, LA

A rare and important pair of 18th-century neoclassical -1st Empire benches from Parma, retaining their original gilded and polychrome finish. Each with finely carved lion-head arm te...

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Late Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820
Late Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820

Late Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820

$2,235

Late Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Late Empire bench crafted in beautiful Cuban mahogany with profiled round legs in the classic Empire style. The bench has been newly upholstered in a soft dove-blue fabric, c...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Elegant Antique French Carved Wood Recamier Bench with Bronze Mounts
Elegant Antique French Carved Wood Recamier Bench with Bronze Mounts

Elegant Antique French Carved Wood Recamier Bench with Bronze Mounts

$3,840Sale Price|20% Off

Elegant Antique French Carved Wood Recamier Bench with Bronze Mounts

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Elegant and rare French 19th century mahogany recamier bench having pronounced curved sides and lovely carved cabriole legs that terminate in gilded hairy paw feet. There are other g...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Bronze

Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet
Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet

Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet

$6,500

Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet

By J. Horner

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Note: Full price include new upholstery service, buyer to provide fabric. Mint condition empire sofa sette loveseat couch fine carved details lions feet. The frame is stunning vint...

Category

20th Century American Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays
Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays

Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays

$2,429

Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays

Located in Kastrup, DK

A beautiful Empire bench crafted from mahogany with gracefully curved legs. The end panels feature central inlays of walnut and light maple detailing. The seat has been newly upholst...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Maple

Late Empire bench in Polished Beech, Denmark
Late Empire bench in Polished Beech, Denmark

Late Empire bench in Polished Beech, Denmark

$1,844

Late Empire bench in Polished Beech, Denmark

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant late Empire bench in polished beech, newly upholstered in a light velour blend. The seat rests on gracefully curved legs — a refined example of Danish craftsmanship from the ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Empire Style High Sided Bench with Gilt Details and Mohair Velvet Upholstery
Empire Style High Sided Bench with Gilt Details and Mohair Velvet Upholstery

Empire Style High Sided Bench with Gilt Details and Mohair Velvet Upholstery

$1,995 / item

Empire Style High Sided Bench with Gilt Details and Mohair Velvet Upholstery

Located in Troy, MI

Circa 1920s French Empire style wooden stool has an antique white painted frame with gilded details and new gray mohair velvet upholstery. Two stools available at the time of posting...

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Benches

Materials

Gesso, Upholstery, Wood

Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780
Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780

Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780

$5,200

Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780

Located in Jersey City, NJ

Settee has a mahogany frame with tapered hand front legs with hand-carved decorative flowers on each leg and the seat back. The cushion is upholstered in a modern striped fabric.

Category

1790s French Antique Empire Benches

Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench
Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench

Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench

$3,364Sale Price|20% Off

Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Antique Italian empire bench early 19th century. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood. Characterized by a seat with folding panels.

Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Walnut

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench

$13,100

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench. This wonderful rectangular bench with a fitted leather seat is raised by four scrolled legs with a bottom Ormolu ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Ormolu

Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads

Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads

$3,750

Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads

Located in Atlanta, GA

An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé

19th Century French Empire Style Canapé

$3,400

19th Century French Empire Style Canapé

Located in Mt Kisco, NY

An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Early 19th Century French Empire Style Bench
Early 19th Century French Empire Style Bench

Early 19th Century French Empire Style Bench

$2,200

Early 19th Century French Empire Style Bench

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Early 19th Century Empire Sitting Bench. Age appropriate wear. Reupholstered with Velvet fabric. See detailed photos & any questions, please message us.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Velvet, Hardwood

Period Empire Bench with Four Carved and Parcel Gilt Lion Heads
Period Empire Bench with Four Carved and Parcel Gilt Lion Heads

Period Empire Bench with Four Carved and Parcel Gilt Lion Heads

$4,800

Period Empire Bench with Four Carved and Parcel Gilt Lion Heads

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

A superb and exceptionally rare Empire bench in cherry wood, distinguished by four exquisitely carved and parcel-gilt lion heads. It’s perfect proportions as well as masterfully hand...

Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Cherry, Giltwood

Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools

Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools

$13,800 / set

Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Bench - a Pair
Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Bench - a Pair

Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Bench - a Pair

$3,200 / set

Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Bench - a Pair

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Benches - a Pair. Pair features serpentine carved rails with stunning cornucopia details, shapely frames with beautiful cro...

Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Linen Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze I
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Linen Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze I

Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Linen Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze I

$2,235

Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Linen Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze I

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs. The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields. The seat has be...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Empire Bench i Mahogany
Elegant Empire Bench i Mahogany

Elegant Empire Bench i Mahogany

$2,423

Elegant Empire Bench i Mahogany

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Empire bench crafted in Cuban mahogany. Gracefully curved ends with finely profiled splats. Newly upholstered in exclusive fabric from Colefax & Fowler. Recently restored and...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench

Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench

$8,000

Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench

Located in New York, NY

Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dentil carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Walnut

Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench

Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench

$4,995

Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench

Located in Germantown, MD

An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...

Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Benches

Materials

Mahogany

Bench In Beech Elegant Empire
Bench In Beech Elegant Empire

Bench In Beech Elegant Empire

$2,824

Bench In Beech Elegant Empire

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Empire bench in beech with curved end panels and slats. Refined design with encircling profiles. Under the slats is a decorative fan-shaped semi-arched carving. The bench re...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark
Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark

Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark

$5,726 / set

Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark

Located in Kastrup, DK

Pair of Empire benches crafted in mahogany. The high, architecturally designed sides feature string inlay in satinwood, topped with an ebonized panel and mounted with gilt bronze orn...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Brass

19th Century Painted Swedish Bench
19th Century Painted Swedish Bench

19th Century Painted Swedish Bench

$7,919

19th Century Painted Swedish Bench

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

A 19th Century Swedish bench from the Empire period, the back panel decorated with a classical scene of a pair of griffon. New seat cushion in plain linen.

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Wood, Paint

French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures
French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures

French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures

$9,800

French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French Empire style walnut bench from the mid-19th century, with carved swan heads and new upholstery. This French walnut backless bench features an exquisite silhouette, flanked w...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

Empire Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt X-form Bench, France, circa 1820
Empire Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt X-form Bench, France, circa 1820

Empire Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt X-form Bench, France, circa 1820

$5,900

Empire Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt X-form Bench, France, circa 1820

Located in Atlanta, GA

An Empire mahogany and parcel-gilt bench, with X-shaped frame in the neoclassical taste. Dating from the first quarter of the 1800s, and most likely French in origin. Similar stools ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier
Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier

Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier

$5,109

Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier

Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR

Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench with Cane Seat and Rare Provenance A refined and architectural 19th-century Brazilian bench, exquisitely crafted in solid tropical hardwoo...

Category

1850s Brazilian Antique Empire Benches

Materials

Wood

French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"
French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"

French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"

$1,995

French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"

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 ...

Category

1990s Empire Benches

Materials

Gold Leaf

Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden
Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden

Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden

$1,800

Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden

Located in New York, NY

Bench Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen century Sweden. A stool made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black and upholstered in a beige linen.

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Benches

Empire benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire benches 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 benches 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, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Marco Belloni , and Modenese Gastone. 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 benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $975 and tops out at $50,062 while the average work can sell for $5,200.

More Ways To Browse

Webbed Bench
Wendell Castle Bench
West Country Settle
Windsor Bench Settee
Wood Theater Seats
Wooden Church Bench
Wrought Iron Mesh Bench
15th Century Bench
1960s French Provincial Sofa
1990s Metal Benches
7 Foot Bench
Acacio Gil Borsoi
Alligator Bench
Anglo Indian Hall Bench
Antique Cherub Bench
Antique Green Wood Bench
Antique Pub Bench
Arco Slim
View All Popular Benches Searches