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.
A Pair of French Empire Style Corner Chairs
Located in Vienna, AT
French Empire or Napoleon III style mahogany corner armchairs with ormolu mounts, arms rest on seated sphinx. Original upholstery, good original condition. New upholstery and also co...
Brass
$5,544
H 31.11 in W 33.86 in D 25.6 in
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Tricoteuse Corner Chair, France, 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare Guillerme et Chambron Tricoteuse lounge chair, oak, fabric, France, 1960s. Edition Votre Maison. Newly reupholstered in Rose Uniacke textured linen. Wood frame in very good...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
$350Sale Price|60% Off
H 33.25 in W 27 in D 21.5 in
Chinese Mother of Pearl Intricately Inlaid Corner Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese Mother of Pearl Fine Intricately Inlaid Corner Chair Offered for sale is a lovely Chinese mother-of-pearl inlaid padouk wood corner chair with sturdy cross stretchers suppo...
Mother-of-Pearl, Padouk
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,685
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
$3,297 / set
H 27.56 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in
Antique 20th Century Set of French Arts & Crafts Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful seating arrangement of two corner chairs. The chairs were made in solid beechwood with original rush seats. This rustic set of antique double railed chairs with Classic...
Rush, Beech
$425
H 33.5 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Vintage Hickory Chair Co Georgian Style Mahogany Corner Accent Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Hickory Chair Co Georgian Style Solid Mahogany Corner Accent Side Chair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33.5" H x 27.5" W x 26" D x 19" Seat height x 31.5" Arm height.
Mahogany
French Caned Corner Chair
Located in New York, NY
18th century French hand-carved walnut corner chair with excellent detail. Lyrical shape with graceful arms - the chair back and shaped seat with antique caning. Fitted with vintage green leather...
Cane
English Mahogany Corner Chair
Located in Woodbury, CT
English mahogany corner chair with wavy ladder back, overupholstered seat and unique brass and wood armature for music or book reading. Also nicely sized for marrying the 18th and 2...
Mahogany
$525
H 34.5 in W 26.5 in D 28 in
Reproduction Italian Renaissance Style Mahogany Corner Side Chair w/ Carved Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Reproduction Italian Renaissance Style Mahogany Corner Side Chair w/ Carved Face. Ite...
Mahogany
$1,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 26.5 in D 21 in
Pair of Chinese Rosewood Corner Chairs with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, c. 1940
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of midcentury Chinese rosewood corner chairs. Beautifully formed, sculptural chairs with detailed mother-of-pearl inlay of floral and geometric patterns and intricately carved ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
George III Style Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Corner Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A George III Style Mahogany Upholstered Corner Chair Measures: 19" in width, 19" in depth and 32.5" H. Front corner to back corner is 26". Seat height is 19".
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 25.5 in D 24 in
Russian or Baltic Empire Desk or Corner Chairs With Stenciled Leather Seats
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Russian or Baltic Empire desk chairs or corner chairs with curved backs in partly ebonized wood with metal inlay elements, the upholstered seat raised on square legs tapering to turned legs at the front, with ebonized sabots. Upholstered in old stenciled leather...
Leather, Wood