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.
Set of Six French Empire Mahogany Swan Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant set of six French Empire-style side dining chairs, each featuring a remarkable carved swan neck decorative motif. The chairs are constructed from radiant mahogany with arc...
Fabric, Damask, Mahogany
Set of Six Early 20th Century French Empire Mahogany Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Astoria, NY
A refined set of six French Empire-style dining chairs dating to the early 20th century and sourced from Provence, France. Hand-crafted in solid mahogany, the chairs display the clas...
Linen, Mahogany
Set of 4 French Empire Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs in the Maison Jansen Style
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
An elegant and highly refined set of four French Empire style side chairs, executed with remarkable sophistication and craftsmanship in the manner and quality associated with the leg...
Silk, Mahogany
Rare Set of Twelve 19th Century Empire Chairs in Mahogany, Brass and Velvet
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Set of Twelve Early 19th Century Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany, Inlaid Brass and Velvet This is a very large and rare set of twelve elegant dining chairs from the (late) ‘em...
Brass
Set of 6 French Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 French Empire dining chairs in mahogany with bronze mounts are a stylish expression of the genre, with exotic imported ma...
Bronze
1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of Six Napoleonic Empire Style Bronze Mounted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of six mahogany dining chairs made in the grand Napoleonic Empire taste. The chairs feature beautifully crafted mahogany frames with rich, deep woodgrains on the fi...
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Brass, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two classicistic mahogany armchairs with brass decoration and openwork backs. The chairs stand on square pointed legs with H-shaped bracing, which merge into elegantly curved, high-s...
Brass
Antique 19th C Empire Star & Shield Coat of Arms Dining Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire star & shield coat of arms dining chairs Priced each. Additional information: Materials: Mahogany Color: Olive Period: 19th Century Styles: Empire Numb...
Mahogany
$7,390 / set
Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
This set of 10 Empire Upholstered Chairs features 2 arm chairs as well as 8 side chairs. All of the chairs in this set feature a fully upholstered back for maximum comfort. And the d...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Italian Empire Dining Chairs From Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of Italian early 19th Century Empire dining chairs in solid walnut. This Tuscan pair of chairs, with swan decoration on the back, was likely crafted in the city of Lucca. This...
Walnut
Set of 6 American Empire Mahogany Dining Chairs, Gondola Style
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Empire wood dining chairs in mahogany veneer with sloped gondola backs with an openwork, urn-form center topped by a carved foliate neoclassical crown...
Mahogany
$3,412Sale Price / set|35% Off
Set of Three Elegant Mahogany, Empire Style Chairs, One Pair and a Single Chair
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous chairs white great patina and beautiful lines on these Swedish Empire style chairs. They are late 1800s, early 1900s Swedish. We can recover chair for you on request. Touch ...
Mahogany
$7,150 / set
Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
The set of 10 Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs comprise of a group with 2 arm chairs and 8 side chairs. All chairs with a carved top rail and featuring a fully upholstered back which...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Ten French Empire Mahogany Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of ten mahogany dining chairs made in the neoclassical French empire taste. The chairs feature decorative bronze mounts ...
Bronze
Set of Six French Empire Carved and Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome set of six French Empire carved and bleached mahogany dining chairs. The intricate carvings on the chairs showcase the craftsmanship and elegance of the French Empire style....
Upholstery, Mahogany
$12,000 / set
Set of 6 Empire Barrel Chairs, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and original set of 6 early 19th century Empire barrel chairs stands out for its elegant design. The chairs feature a beautiful walnut...
Walnut
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Empire Barrel Chairs
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of 4 Empire Barrel chairs dates back to around 1810-20. They come from France. The chairs have a very pretty walnut veneer. They have a v...
Walnut
Six Early 19th Century Venetian Chairs, Walnut, Empire Style, wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
6 early 19th century Venetian chairs in carved walnut, original upholstered spring seats in pink velvet, still usable. Clean and sanitized upholstery, structure polished with transpa...
Walnut
Danish Empire Set of 4 Small Chairs, Elm Wood with Hand Embroidered Seats 1850s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of four antique danish empire or Biedermeier style dining chairs handmade by a skilled danish master carpenter in Denmark the middel of the 19th. The frame is made of elm wood, ...
Wool, Wood, Elm
$897Sale Price / item|20% Off
Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask Upholstery & Red Velour Piping. Quality and luxurious designed chairs, elegant but robust with rich ...
Damask, Silk, Velvet
Dining Chairs Swedish Set of 6 Empire Mahogany Gilded Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Dining chairs Swedish set of 6 Empire mahogany gilded Sweden. A set of six dining chairs made during the Empire / Karl Johan period in Sweden 1810-1830. Veneered in a beautiful dark ...
Hall Chair In Late Empire Style Made In Mahogany & Floral Fabric, 19th century
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining or hall chair in late Empire style, crafted in mahogany and upholstered in floral fabric. Classic design with period-typical lines and a gently curved back. A decorative chair...
Fabric, Mahogany
$11,512Sale Price / set|21% Off
Early 19th Century, Empire Cherrywood Seating Group, 2 Armchairs and 6 Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful unique seating group consisting of 2 armchairs and 6 chairs. The group dates back to the Empire period of the early 19th century, circa 1800-1810. All chairs are made of so...
Upholstery, Cherry
Set of six chairs, Northern Europe, turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of antique chairs from around 1900, Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 100 cm / seat height 45 cm / width 45 c...
Fabric, Wood
set of six French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu dining chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome set of six French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu dining chairs. This wonderful set are raised by four circular tapered front legs while the back legs display ...
Ormolu
$1,923 / set
Set of chairs, Poland, 1920s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of chairs, Poland, 1920s. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: oak dimensions height 95 cm seat height 47 cm width 43 cm depth 48 cm
Fabric, Walnut
$6,994 / set
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Set of Twelve 20th Century Blue Velvet Chairs, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Chairs designed by Prof. Rajmund Halas. It is jar type model. Made of beechwood. Chairs are after a complete upholstery renovation, the woodwork has been refreshed. Seat and back is ...
Velvet, Beech
Queen Anne Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Queen Anne or Georgian style dining chairs By Universal Furniture Singapore, Late 20th Century Carved mahogany frames, with upholstered seats. Measures: 22....
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of Eames upholstered side chairs by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
This set of side chairs by Charles and Ray Eames are post-war classics. The seats are elephant hide gray fiberglass with olive green naugahyde upholstery and they sit on cast aluminu...
Aluminum
$10,020 / set
H 31.7 in W 25.6 in D 22.64 in
Set of 6 Contemporary Dining Chairs With Upholstered Seat and Back
Located in New York, NY
This exceptionally versatile dining Chair adapts seamlessly to any setting, from homes to offices. Its bold architectural design features a wooden frame with striking angular-cut leg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$3,560Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 40.5 in W 23 in D 21 in
Set of 6 Maison Jansen Cerused Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Hanover, MA
1stdibs SATURDAY SALE 60% discount Stamped Maison Jansen gorgeously finished set of 6 dining chairs each stamped "Jansen" in cerused oak with a clear shiny gloss finish and brass em...
Brass
Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Side Chair
Located in London, GB
Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze side chair French, late 19th century Measures: Height 94cm, width 52cm, depth 52cm Crafted from mahogany, this unusual side chair...
Ormolu
Set of Eight 19th Century Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of eight mahogany dining chairs in the Queen Anne style, consisting of six side chairs and two armchairs, the shaped central splat back with carved shell decoration flanked by ...
Mahogany
Set of 6 19th century Regency mahogany dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 19th century regency mahogany dining chairs circa 1820. Good quality set of 6 regency dining chairs, made in fine mahogany. Carv...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of 8 Fine French 1930s Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of eight fine French Art Deco mahogany dinning chairs with wood backs. A matching table is available (not included in price), please see last picture.
Mahogany
Set of 6 19th Century English Mahogany Chairs in Mohair Fabric
Located in Richmond, VA
Set of 6 19th century English mahogany chairs with satinwood inlay and mohair fabric. Set consists of 2 arm chairs and 4 side chairs and are in...
Mohair, Mahogany, Satinwood
$3,495 / set
H 45.75 in W 18.75 in D 19 in
Set of Six Mid-20th Century French Oak Mutton Leg Dining Chairs, Tapestry
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This set of six French oak mutton leg side chairs or dining chairs from the mid twentieth century are of hand pegged construction. These tall dining chairs with arched backs are upho...
Tapestry, Upholstery, Oak
Set of 3 Early 19th Century Sabre Leg Klismos Form Side Chairs
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Three sabre leg Klismos form side chairs of European beech and mahogany with seats upholstered in suede. Denmark, circa 1820.
Suede, Beech, Mahogany
Sold
H 32.75 in W 19.25 in D 19.5 in
Set of Six Early 20th Century French Empire Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant set of six early 20th century French Empire-style gondola dining chairs sourced in Provence, France. Hand-crafted from solid mahogany, each chair features the classic barr...
Chenille, Mahogany
Empire Style French Antique Dining Chairs
Located in Austin, TX
Set of eight dining chairs from France in the Empire style. This set is made of Cuban flamed mahogany and has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. The round...
Upholstery, Wood
Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
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 handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 8 Kindel Empire...
Cherry, Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
Six 19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Dining Chairs W/ Floral Tapestry
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant set of six late 19th century French Empire dining chairs sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully hand-crafted from solid mahogany wood with handsome gondola frame. The ...
Tapestry, Mahogany
Set of 4 early 19th Swedish mahogany empire dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 4 early 19th Swedish mahogany empire dining chairs circa 1820. Good quality set of Karl Johan period Swedish dining chairs. Shaped roundel back...
Ormolu
Opulent Set of 8 Empire Style Dining Chairs with Versace Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dramatic and sublime set of 8 Empire style custom dining chairs having glossy maple or mahogany frames adorned with warm bronzey gilded details on the corinthian column backs and ros...
Upholstery, Maple
Sold
H 38 in W 24 in D 24.5 in
Maslow Freen French Empire Style Mahogany Upholstered Dining Chairs - Set of 8
By Maslow Freen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Maslow Freen French Empire Style Mahogany Upholstered Dining Chairs - Set of 8. Listing includes (6) Side chairs, (2) Armchairs, wooden ball form finials, nice wide seats, so...
Mahogany
Antique Empire Style Gondola Chairs, Set of 6 With Carved Swan Heads
Located in Houston, TX
Elevate your dining space with these Vintage French Dining Chairs, featuring intricately carved swan heads and solid wood craftsmanship. Their rustic allure and supple upholstery off...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Empire Style Dining Chairs - Set of 8
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Empire Style Dining Chairs - Set of 8 Enhance your dining room with this exquisite set of Vintage Empire Style Dining Chairs, cons...
Velvet, Walnut
Set of Eight Empire Style Fruitwood Gondola Chairs by Baker
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous set of eight gondola dining chairs by Baker crafted in the empire taste. The frames feature a gracefully curved scoop or spoon back constructed from radiant fruitwood. The s...
Fabric, Fruitwood
Early 20th century 13 piece mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century 13 piece mahogany salon suite circa 1920 Very much in the empire taste. Furniture could work split, such as the dining chairs and armchairs providing seating for...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Eight Empire Style Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Austin, TX
Set of eight dining chairs from France in the Empire style. This set is made of Cuban flamed mahogany and finished with a lustrous French polish. They are strong and comfortable with...
Upholstery, Wood