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.
French Antique Swan Neck Recamier Chaise Lounge
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fine antique French walnut recamier or chaise lounge with carved swan heads at posts, lovely neutral vintage upholstery and bolster pillow, circa 1930. The chaise rests on four ca...
Upholstery, Walnut
Fine French Empire Carved and Giltwood Méridienne, Circa 1810–1820
Located in New York, NY
Fine French Empire Giltwood Méridienne, Circa 1810–1820 A fine and elegant French Empire giltwood méridienne dating from the early 19th century, executed in the pure neoclassical tas...
Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Empire Style Ebonized Gray Leather Chaise Lounge
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century Empire style ebonized wood and gray leather upholstered chaise lounge featuring brass ormolu and a leather bolster.
Brass, Ormolu
$3,900Sale Price|37% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant Empire Period black lacquered walnut chaise or daybed with brass ormolu decoration. Has its original horsehair mattress. Frame is sturdy ...
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Chaise with Pink Cushion
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and large pink and gold cushion upholstery
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Bronze
20th Century Antique Classizim Style Empire Swan Chaise Lounge Birdseye Maple
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partially ebonized and gilded. Finely carved swans, feet carved with paws. Very high quality fabric.
Wood
$44,329
Méridienne empire
Located in PARIS, FR
Méridienne à dossier renversé et repose pied en bois mouluré, sculpté, noirci et doré reposant sur quatre pieds griffe. Couverture de tissu blanc.
Wood
Imperial Stylish Lion Salon Couch in Antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine detailed carving work on solid beechwood. Gilded. Armrests ended in protruding, winged, forward leaning lions heads in Bronze. Measures: Width:146cm height:117 cm Depth: 7...
Beech
Original antique French Empire Sofa Mahogany veneer with Columns
Located in Berlin, DE
Original French Empire sofa, circa 1800. Mahogany, right and left, each with columns and fire-gilt bronze fittings. Some bronze are missing.
Mahogany
Original Antique French Empire Sofa Mahogany Veneer with Columns
Located in Berlin, DE
Original French Empire sofa, circa 1800. Mahogany, right and left, each with columns and fire-gilt bronze fittings. Some bronze are missing.
Wood
French Empire Duchesse Brisée Armchair in Parcel Gilt
Located in London, GB
A fine early nineteenth-century French Empire period duchesse brisée armchair with accompanying footstool. This set is in the original paint with applied gilded highlights. The restr...
Pine
Empire Bench in Mahogany Denmark 1810 - 1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench crafted in mahogany with a beautiful grain pattern and harmonious proportions. Curved end panels with finely profiled spindle slats and gently arched legs...
Fabric, Mahogany
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Lounge W/ Red Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
A traditional late 19th-century Napoleon III chaise or daybed lounge sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid wood, it features elegant oval-back frames with...
Velvet, Wood
19th century William IV carved mahogany chaise longue
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century William IV carved mahogany chaise longue circa 1835. Fine quality late William IV chaise longue, one of the most elegant you will find of it's type. Profusely hand car...
Fabric, Mahogany
Neoclassical Style carved mahogany recamier / chaise by Baker
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Neoclassical Style carved mahogany recamier / chaise lounge manufactured by Baker,, Frame in excellent original condition.. original fabric upholstery has minor marks,,hav...
Brass
Harvey Probber Style Chaise Lounge, Mid-Century Modern
By Edward Wormley, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Harvey Probber
Located in Raleigh, NC
A stunning mid century modern chaise lounge newly upholstered in Kravet velvet. A piece most likely by Harvey Probber, although we have been unable to confirm. The frame is in very...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
French Louis XV Style '19th-20th Century' Gilt Chaise Longue
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XV style '19th-20th Century' gilt chaise longue with white damask upholstery and cushion.
Damask, Giltwood
Exquisite 19th Century French Daybed
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Exquisite 19th century French daybed, Louis XV style. As the stairways of houses and apartments in France are narrow, they build ...
Fabric, Walnut
Verner Panton for Verpan “Meridienne Welle” Chaise Longue
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Paris, FR
Perfectly conforming to the shape of the back, Verner Panton’s iconic Welle Meridienne exemplifies the designer’s fascination with organic forms and sculptural comfort. Designed as p...
Upholstery, Plywood
Pierre Chareau Designed Chaise Lounge French Art Deco
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Experience the epitome of vintage 1920s French charm with the Pierre Chareau Chaise Lounge Chair, a rare find that exudes the elegance of French Art Deco design. We are not exactly s...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Style Giltwood Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French Louis XV style giltwood bench. This stunning antique French gilt wood bench has excellent patina and has been profess...
Giltwood
19th Century Regency Mahogany Chaise Longue with Carved Eagles
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality 19th century regency period Mahogany chaise longue of rare design having Elegant carved decoration which includes eagles Head to back and scrolling end raised on unu...
American Mahogany
Sold
H 35.25 in W 64 in D 24 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Recamier in Striped Jacquard
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite early 19th century French Empire chaise longue, or recamier, sourced in Provence. Handcrafted from mahogany, the frame is carved with classical motifs, its scrolled ends...
Jacquard, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.5 in W 74.5 in D 26.5 in
1800's Antique Empire Style, Ormolu-Mounted, Mahogany, Chaise Lounge!
Located in Austin, TX
Charming 1800's Antique Empire Style, Ormolu-Mounted, Mahogany, Chaise Lounge! Antique Chaise Lounge, Empire Style, Ormolu-Mounted, Mahogany, Ormolu, 1800s, 19th Century! This antique chaise lounge is a stunning piece of furniture that will add a touch of elegance to any room. Crafted from mahogany and featuring ormolu mounts, this chaise is a true empire style piece. The upholstered cushions are striped and the frame is brown in color, giving it a beautiful and unique look. Measuring 74.5 inches in length, 26.5 inches in width, and 33.5 inches in height, this chaise is perfect for seating up to two people. It's an ideal addition to any room, including the living room, foyer, or entryway. This antique chaise lounge is a must-have for collectors of Victorian era furniture...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 33.47 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Elegant Daybed Beautifully Carved and Covered With Versace Fabric, Versace Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant Empire revival daybed beautifully hand carved with gold leaf swans heads, brass details and covered with a Gianni Versace silk. Part of G.Versace furniture collection...
Brass
Early 20th Century empire revival painted scandinavian day bed
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century empire revival painted scandinavian day bed circa 1900. Grand sized swedish day bed featuring scrolled end supports. Pine frame ha...
Fabric, Pine, Paint
Sold
H 34.5 in W 68 in D 24.5 in
French Antique Louis XVI Swan Neck Daybed or Chaise Lounge with New Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant 19th century French Empire walnut daybed or chaise lounge featuring carved swan neck ends. The cushioned seat is within padded ends of unequal height with gilded swan necked ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th-C. Empire Style Tufted Green Leather Chaise / Sofa / Recamier
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century Empire style green tufted leather chaise. It was manufactured in New York in approximately 1920 by Kroehler Manufacturing Company. It is marked. The oak...
Leather, Oak
French xix Empire Walnut Chaise Lounge Reupholstered with Vintage Fabric
Located in Santa Monica, CA
French 19th century Empire walnut chaise lounge reupholstered with vintage fabric.
Fabric, Walnut
Empire Style Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Upholstered Recamier
Located in Hanover, MA
Very dramatic and theatrical Empire/Regency style recamier chaise in ebonized mahogany with carved parcel-gilt and verde antique stained winged paw feet. Original upholstery is salm...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Viennese Chaise Longue, Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Austria. Cherry veneer with inlaid line. Minor fixes from the past. Very well preserved original upholstery, jacquard fabric typical of its period. Older protectiv...
Textile, Wood
Antique Neoclassical French "Swane Neck" Recamier c 1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
Neoclassical French swaneneck recamier. Decorative and elegant made in beech wood with beautiful carving work. Scraped to original light green color. France 1820 -1830. NB: F...
Fabric, Beech
French Empire Period Walnut Window Seat Banquette After Jacob
Located in Benington, Herts
An unusual and well drawn early 19th Century French Empire walnut window seat / banquette after the celebrated Jacob family. French circa 1810. The padded over-scrolled ends with o...
Walnut
19th Century Neoclassical French Empire Swan Neck Chaise Longue Daybed
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Early 19th century French Empire recamier, chaise longue, or daybed featuring an intricately carved swan on both the front and the back. Crafted...
Upholstery, Walnut