Empire Chairs
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.
49
6
to
11
55
46
55
49
49
5,167
3,792
970
405
242
159
106
91
80
80
73
55
54
49
47
45
44
31
3
33
13
6
8
2
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
28
17
8
10
6
10
6
10
6
6
6
9
53
24
13
13
11
51
22
14
8
5
6
1
1
1
1
Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Empire
14 French Empire Dining Chairs. Circa 1820
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very smart set of fourteen solid and elegant dining room chairs dating from 1820' s between the Empire and the Restauration period.
Although very similar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
19th Century Mahogany Pair of Library Armchairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very fine quality pair of 19th century mahogany
French Empire library armchairs having well figured
Top rails over enclosed swept arms with c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Four Late Empire Klismos Chairs . Denmark 1840's
Located in Kastrup, DK
A set of four elegant Late Empire Klismos chairs in a classic design.
Crafted with quality, featuring frames made of mahogany and polished beech, tastefully refinished with French po...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech, Mahogany
Antique chair, Northern Europe, circa 1890. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from the end of the 19th century, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest are covered with new f...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 96 cm / seat height. 45 cm / width 47 cm...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Antique chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest are covered with new fabric.
Dimensio...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
MID 19th CENTURY SET OF EIGHT EMPIRE CHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant set of eight Empire style chairs, made of solid carved mahogany, with pure gold finishes. The front legs are shapely and straight, while the rear ones are flared, creating a ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Gold
Empire Style Six French Chairs " Gondola" Model
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects.
Six sophisticated and beautiful French chairs " a gondola" model made of fine walnut wood and with seat upholstery in sturdy purple cotton; very refined are the rounded carvings made by hand where the backrest joins the front legs; the six chairs, due to their practical and comfortable shape, are optimal to be placed around a table as dining chairs; they are a typical and classic example of the empire style in the so-called " a gondola" shape. "Empire style gondola chairs...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Walnut
21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the exclusivity of Italian handcraftsmanship is wrapped up in this chair with armrests by the producer Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat, bac...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the preciousness of Italian craftsmanship is wrapped up in this empire-style chair from Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat and the back are pa...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Set of Empire Armchairs / Chairs, Maple Wood, Paris, 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Seat group made of maple wood with rosewood intarsia, France, presumably G. Alphonse Jacob, the last of the famous Eben family, probably second quarter of the 19th century. Semi-circ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Maple
Set of Four Baltic Empire Karelian Flame Birch Dining Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Set of two Baltic empire karelian flame birch dining chairs from circa 1810-1820.
Very elegant and architectural craftsmanship.
Upholstered with fabric from Manuel canvas.
Category
1810s Baltic Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Antique Bergere Barley Twist Library Armchair with Brown Leather Seat
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Bergere library armchair with barley twist form & brown leather upholstered seat, 1800s
One popular furniture technique is a type of wood turning that first appeared in England and France in the 1600s.
Furniture with spiral-turned legs or trim was known as "barley twist" or "barley sugar...
Category
19th Century British Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Leather, Cane, Beech
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
Antique Empire Chairs from Around 1810-1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Empire chairs from around 1900
Solid wood mahogany. Seat upholstered and covered with black fabric. Very stable and robust built. Hind...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
2 small gaps at the top of the armrests,
which does not interfere with the stability of the chair
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Tapestry, 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 Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
17th Century Italian Black Lacquered Herringbone Cane Seat Chiavari Chair
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration is a solitary black lacquered Chiavari chair in beautiful vintage condition. Featuring turned legs and hand carved purple willow frame and backrest in a restrained 17th century Empire style and painted in a black lacquer with a herringbone woven cane seat.
Chiavari chairs originated in the city of Chiavari, Italy and are the creation of early 17th century Italian cabinet...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Hardwood, Cane
Empire Style Padded Chair
Located in Premariacco, IT
Single chair from the 1950s in wood with backrest and seat in the original fabric of the time.
Shows normal signs of wear, note how little it has been used. The seat is still prot...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Chairs
Materials
Fabric, 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 Chairs
Materials
Pine, Paint
Around 1800 Baltic States 4 Dining Chairs Mohagony Brasswire Decor
Located in Epfach, DE
4 chairs for a dining room, around 1800, provenance probably from a noble household in the Baltic States
Mahogany, backrests and seat frames decorated with brass wire, designed in s...
Category
1810s Baltic Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Impressive 12 Chairs First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Cent Sold at Sotheby's
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive 12 chairs first Empire Napoleon III early 19th century.
Sold at Sotheby's for €25,000
golden wood and silk
80cm x 48cm
provenance: Roman family.
perfect condition for...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Wood
17th Century Gilded Italian Chiavari Chairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration are a pair of antique Italian 17th century gilded Empire Chiavari chairs. Gilded willow hardwood with woven...
Category
Early 17th Century Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Set of Six Italian Neoclassical Klismos Empire Dining Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant late 19th century set of six Italian Neoclassical Klismos shaped Empire side or dining chairs:
standing on four tapering and partially fluted legs topped by paterae ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Empire Chairs French 20th Century Green Leather
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire Revival Side Chairs
Early 20th century
The green leather seat can easily be changed to suit your interior
Good vintage condition with nice patina
Frames are sound and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
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 Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Chair by Modenese Gastone Interior
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this wonderfully upholstered empire side chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal sa...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Carved Chair with Armrests by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Come have a seat at this wonderfully upholstered chair with armrests by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium flo...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Rare Set of Jacob Frères Empire Chairs and Armchairs
Located in Paris, FR
Rare set of 6 chairs and 6 armchairs, painted and partial gilt.
The underside of each backseat is stamped JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLEE.
This stamp was used between 1796 and 1803.
Empir...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Wood
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Armchair by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this breathtaking upholstered empire armchair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in deta...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Chair French Desk Chair 20th Century to be Re-Uphostered
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire Revival side chair desk chair
Early 20th century
The fabric seat can easily be changed to suit your interior
Good vintage condition with beautiful patina
Frame is s...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Materials
Wood, Fabric
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 Chairs
Materials
Bentwood
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 Chairs
Materials
Ormolu
Chair Kohn Nr.321, since 1906, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state. Perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish. New upholstery surface on the original core.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire Chairs
Materials
Brass
Four Italian Dining Chairs Empire Style Red Gold Upholstery 20th Century
Located in Milan, IT
A set of four solid walnut chairs in the fabulous Empire style with ormolu decorations, made in Italy in the 20th century, in good condition.
The walnut frame is beautiful in color ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Carved Sitting Chair by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Come have a seat at this wonderfully upholstered chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal satin fab...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Chairs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Set of Eight 19th-Century Empire Ash Chairs in Salmon Pink Upholstery
Located in Opole, PL
Set of Eight 19th-Century Empire Ash Chairs in Salmon Pink Upholstery
We present you a set of eight chairs with softly upholstered spring seats.
This furniture is from the late 19t...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Ash
Set of 6 Chairs, Empire Style, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 chairs, Empire style, Belgium.
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Empire Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Chairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze chairs
French, 19th century
Dimensions: Height 93cm, width 51cm depth 48cm
This pai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Empire Style Window Seats
Located in Lymington, GB
A pair of Empire-style window seats of superb quality, and in excellent condition.
Supported on stained-oak tapering square legs with gilt-brass mounts and hairy paw feet.
Upholstered and buttoned in faded vellum-green hide...
Category
20th Century Empire Chairs
Materials
Wood
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 Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Carved Walnut Wood Four Antique Chairs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Series of four refined early 19th century authentic Italian Empire walnut wood four chairs. Refined decoration the back is carved in the shape of a lyre. The legs are very elegant straight. The seat is wide and comfortable rustic in handwoven straw in excellent condition. Antique goods...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Eight Dining Empire Style Chairs Upholstered French Elm and Burr Elm, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
Set of eight French dining chairs circa 1920
Empire style, solid elm and elm burr
They can be recovered to suit your interior.
In very good condition, solid and sound.
Shippin...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Elm
Italian 19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Empire Side Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Back decorated in various inlaid woods showing vines, flowers etc.,
The tops of the back chair rails are mounted with eagle heads, and are joined together with a turned gilded deco...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Wood
Cockpit Chair in Wood Upholstered Velvet Dedar France
By Dedar
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Elegant and refined mahogany cockpit chair...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Set of Three Antique Empire Side Chairs, 19th Century, Biedermeier
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three antique Empire side chairs, 19th century, Biedermeier.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Chairs
Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
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 Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of ormolu mounted and lacquered metal curule chairs in the Empire style
Located in London, GB
These beautiful, simple, and sophisticated, curule chairs were executed in the Empire style, combining the majesty of Roman rule with Napoleonic imperial France. Long a symbol of rule and power, curule chairs originally appeared in the Roman Republic, called sella curulis, seats reserved exclusively for those who held imperium, i.e. those who held positions of military or governmental command. Inherited by many subsequent civilisations, and a favourite of European kings wishing to frame their own authority within this Roman tradition, they feature heavily in Empire period France, holding a particular associated with Napoleon. These particular pieces are made of lacquered metal and are mounted with ormolu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Chairs
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
1870 French Empire Marquetry Inlaid Suite Berger Armchairs & Settee Canape, Pair
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French marquetry inlaid circa 1870 Empire style three piece suite with neoclassical detailing
A very rare and good looking set, th...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Silk, Hardwood
Suite of 8 Empire Style Chairs in Solid Cherrywood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Suite of 8 empire style chairs in solid cherrywood,
velvet to change
small old restorations.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs
Materials
Cherry
19th Italian Empire Walnut 8 Chairs 1800
Located in Roma, RM
Group of Eight Italian walnut chairs, inlaid with fruit wood, Campania region , likely from the city of Naples.
Circular shape with an arched back that makes back support comfortable...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Antique chairs, Northern Europe, around 1870. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A set of chairs from the 19th centuries.
Furniture in very good condition, professionally renovated. The seats have been covered with new fabric.
Dimensions: height 87 cm / seat h...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Empire chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire chairs 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 chairs, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Century Furniture, Dedar, and Europa Antiques. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $325 and tops out at $73,317 while the average work can sell for $3,878.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Gustavian Painted Chair
Mid Century Folded 1960 Chair
Scandinavian Chair Leather Metal
Accent Chairs White
Black Gold Dining Chairs
Bamboo Leg Chair
French Cane Chairs Pair
Ornate Carved Chairs
Wood Beach Chairs
White Accent Chairs
Early 20th Century Animal Skin Chairs
Italian Oak Dining Chairs
Golden Fabric Chair
Vintage Fiberglass Chairs
White Oak Upholstered Chair
Antique Circular Chair
Scandinavian Painted Chairs
Pair Of Rush Chairs