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.
19th Century Empire Bergére Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Empire bergére chair ebonized featuring swan arms and brass ormolu. Recently upholstered in striated verde green silk velvet.
Brass
French Regency Style Ebonized Chair W/ Gilt Neo-Classical Swans & Tiger Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a killer chair! It is a regency style ebonized arm chair with neo-classical giltwood swan arms and paws. The tiger velvet is new. The chair is unmarked and is possibly by Pat...
Velvet, Fruitwood, Giltwood
Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century Elegant bergère armchair crafted from solid mahogany, representing fine European cabinetmaking of the early 1...
Mahogany
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...
Walnut, Velvet
Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair French double cane 19th century. Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Bronze
Pair of Mahogany Bergère Armchairs, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Pair of Mahogany Bergère Armchairs, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century A refined pair of bergère armchairs crafted from solid mahogany, representing fine European cabinetm...
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany 'Egyptian' Bergère Attributed to Desmalter, circa 1805
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare and important circa 1805 'Egyptian-style' bergère believed to be an early work of famed French Empire furniture-maker François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter of 'tub-chair' fo...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
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.
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
$1,540Sale Price|44% Off
First Empire Bergère Armchair, Fruitwood, Upholstered, France, c. 1810
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive 'Bergère' armchair in solid wood, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink and...
Fruitwood
$1,573Sale Price|44% Off
First Empire Bergère Armchair, Mahogany, Upholstered, Circa 1810
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine 'Bergère' armchair in solid mahogany, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink a...
Walnut
$2,353Sale Price / set|37% Off
French Empire Armchairs, Cherrywood, Carved Acanthus, 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.
Cherry
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke Dimensions : 36.5" Tall X 25" Wide X 21" Deep SH - 17.5" AH...
Bronze
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Carved Mahogany & Cut Velvet Upholstered Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking armchair is a fine example of 19th-century Empire furniture, marrying neoclassical authority with updated decorative luxury. The frame, likely crafted from mahogany or ...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Empire-style Bergère, 1900s
Located in Brussels, BE
Empire-style Bergère, 1900s
Fabric, Wood
Pair of large Empire style Giltwood Upholstered Armchairs Fauteuils
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage (20th century) hand-carved giltwood armchairs in the French Empire style with lovely red upholstered seats, seatbacks and armrests with petit point embroidered flora...
Upholstery, Wood
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Mohair, Mahogany
Empire Style Walnut Tub Chair in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire Style Walnut Bergere Chair in the manner of Jacob Desmelter with nicely carved rams head resting on articulated hoof feet.
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Parcel Gilt
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire and parcel gilt bergère. Gilt swan arms and pawed feet.
Mahogany
Pair Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bergere armchairs with red & gold upholstery, Circa 1890.
Ormolu
A fine pair of French 19thc Empire walnut and gilt bronze mounted large bergeres
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine pair of 19th century Empire walnut and gilt bronze mounts. Large size and very fine quality pair .
Bronze
$54,000 / set
French Empire Silk Bergère Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire mahogany bergère (armchairs) upholstered in red silk with scrolled back above winged caryatid arm uprights & a loose seat cushion, (early 19th century).
Silk, Mahogany
$28,000 / set
French Empire Gold Bergère Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th century) mahogany swan design Bergère armchairs with bronze trim, griffin legs, and gold upholstery.
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...
Gold Leaf
French Empire Period Walnut & Upholstered Officer’s Bergere, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a concave and arched backrest, the with shaped open armrests allowing a sword and scabbard to remain on the sitter, raised on carbriole legs, the inside of legs with antique i...
Walnut
$8,238Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Beech Bergeres, New Upholstered
Located in Darmstadt, DE
An elegant pair of Empire/Biedermeier bergères crafted from solid beech wood in the early 19th century. Both chairs have been fully restored, hand-polished, and newly upholstered wit...
Beech
$7,532Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Wood
$3,200
French Empire Bergere
Located in Hudson, NY
A classical French chair from the early 19th century. The form is good and the wood selection is detailed and in great shape. The closed arm style makes the...
Mahogany
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Wood Marquise with Carved Palmettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood marquise chair from the 19th century, with carved palmettes. Born in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this French Empire style m...
Upholstery, Wood
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...
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Bergère Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover an exquisite pair of Empire-style armchairs from the 19th century, crafted from luxurious mahogany. These elegant chairs embody timeless sophistication, featuring high backs...
Mahogany