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Empire Dining Room 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.

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Style: Empire
Number in Set: Set of 2
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...
Category

Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask
Located in High Wycombe, GB
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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Damask, Silk, Velvet

Two Modern Trellis Back Armchairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany lattice back armchair, the rectangular back enclosing a lattice of interlacing C's above an upholstered drop-in seat, on square tapering legs. Inspired by an Empire origin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

Two Modern Trellis Back Dining Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany lattice back dining chair, the rectangular back enclosing a lattice of interlacing C's above an upholstered drop-in seat, on square tapering legs. Inspired by an Empire or...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

2 Karges French Empire Regency Klismos Dining Arm Chairs Provincial
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Karges French Empire dining arm or accent chairs. Painted white with gold carved accents, scrolled arms, brass plates, saber legs and red upholstery. Karges carefully crafts exquisite masterpieces in their Grand Rapids, Michigan facility. They do not do mass production and make each product upon order. Karges artisans are committed to let every chair, desk, table, bed, chest, sofa, and side piece emerge with integrity and handcraftsmanship and be its own unique piece. n 1886, Albert F. Karges, a first-generation German immigrant, invested $600 and began making moderately priced bedroom furniture of solid oak and walnut. At that time, the river port town of Evansville, Indiana was one of the largest hardwood furniture manufacturing centers in the world. The Company prospered through the turn of the century, and Albert's son Edwin F. Karges, Sr. joined the family business after World War I. He had a keen interest in European designs and traveled extensively in an effort to learn more about the old-world styles. Soon the Karges line took on a more classic look and began separating itself from its competitors as he began to develop his own ideas. Mr. ""K"", active in the company for over 60 years, left elegant, timeless designs, that are still best sellers after 30 years. After World War II Edwin's son, Edwin F. Karges, Jr., joined the business. He was graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Wood Technology, and his knowledge and skill in wood finishing provided the groundwork for developing the Karges finishing process. ""Eddie"", as he was known in the plant, was involved in all aspects of the business and will be ever regarded as the expert in matters relating to the unique Karges finish. In April of 2006, Ed Jr. passed away, leaving Karges personnel greatly saddened by the passing of this wonderfully kind and beloved man. Fortunately, however, he was a great teacher and saw to it that all were well-trained and equipped to carry on his dream for the Company. During the past 30 years, all four of Eddie's children have been involved in the business. Joan Karges Rogier, now President, worked alongside her father for nearly 30 years, representing the fourth generation of leadership. Joan brings to the Company a true understanding and appreciation of the strengths and experiences bequeathed by her predecessors as well as a sincere concern for the workers. She understands why Karges survived and why it remains strong today. Joan would tell you, ""The only way to make the very best furniture in the world is the slow, careful, hands-on way."" This quality philosophy trickles down to the work bench or desk of each employee. Joan's daughter Gretchen is the 5th generation of this amazing story, the child willing and able to work hard and take up the challenge of making furniture in the tried and true method of her progenitors. One might even say the American way. Gretchen has worked along side Ed, Joan, and an army of talented people who know and understand the goal: to make the best furniture possible. Gretchen and her husband Martin, Karges' safety director, maintenance guru and overall ""facilities engineer,"" have done everything required in a small family business. Everything from spearheading a media campaign to repairing damaged windows from a spring storm. Karges' story is not unique in American history, but it is indeed remarkable. As long as this group of dedicated artisans, family and beloved friends is able to continue practicing their craft, doing what will surely be missed should we not be on the scene, so we shall. In 2011 Karges Furniture will achieve the extremely rare distinction of being a 125-year-old, still-family-owned, American furniture manufacturing company. Bravo!! Stenella says: Karges is one of the most expensive and high end furniture manufacturers in the new furniture market. The used Karges furniture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Hardwood, Paint

Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and gent...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and gent...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Cherry, Fabric

DREXEL HERITAGE Mahogany Empire Style Dining Armchairs - Pair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining armchairs in the Empire style by Drexel Heritage. Solid mahogany with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, curved arms, upholstered seat in a red & silver col...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Rider Gold Velvet and Brass Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Parisian Flair. Our modern homage to an Empire style dining chair. Our rider dining chair is petite and glamorous, but ultra-comfy. Great as a dinin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Nickel

2 Kreiss Luxury Modern Empire Style Mahogany & Wicker Back Arm Chairs Suede Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful pair of Kreiss Luxury Empire style arm chairs. Made from mahogany with a wicker inset backing and swooping arms with bulbous fluted...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany

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 Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

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 Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Oak Dining Chair with Decorative Ears of Wheat Hand Carved, Made in Italy
Located in Barlassina, IT
Oak wood chair, with decorative ears of wheat hand carved on backrest and counter back. This armchair is inspired by Russian Empire style ( zar Nicola II )....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Oak

Pair of 19th Century Empire Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of 19th century Empire Lyre back dining chairs Wonderful pair of walnut dining chairs with carved double eagle head and lyre carving. Mea...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

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 Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Related Items
Danish A Frame Dining Chairs
Located in Oakland, CA
Solid walnut curved back dining chairs newly upholstered in an olive green wool fabric. Sturdy, dark walnut frames fully restored in a ...
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Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wool, Walnut

Danish A Frame Dining Chairs
Danish A Frame Dining Chairs
H 30 in W 19.5 in D 18.75 in
Set of 8 Neoclassical Brass Dining Chairs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
These 8 X back dining chairs have been completely restored. The chairs were taken apart and all the brass elements were wheel polished then clear coated to prevent tarnish. The gleam...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Dining Room Chairs

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Brass

Set of 10 French Empire Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 10 French Victorian (late 19th century) mahogany side / dining chairs with shaped open backs, leather seats, and fluted front legs.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

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Mahogany

Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
A lovely set of eight antique shield back dining chairs in the Sheraton style. They were made in England, and date from around the 19...
Category

1930s British Vintage Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs
Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs
H 38.98 in W 22.84 in D 21.26 in
Regency Era Set of Dining Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
This handsome set of 12 Regency period dining chairs is and exceptional example of Regency furniture in both construction and design. The chairs are crafted of rich mahogany and are ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Era Set of Dining Chairs
Regency Era Set of Dining Chairs
H 34.5 in W 20 in D 34.5 in
Set of Ten 18th Century Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Set of ten mahogany dining chairs including two carvers and 8 side chairs. Serpentine crest rail has a pierced splat above a slip sea...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

"Gaia" - Carved, Modern, Hand Finished Dining Chair, Ebonized, COM
Located in Hoboken, NJ
The Gaia chair is ideal as a dining side chair, but could be placed as a “slipper” almost anywhere for a stylish accent or convenient seating. Available in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Sapele Wood, Upholstery

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 Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

14 French Empire Dining Chairs. Circa 1820
14 French Empire Dining Chairs. Circa 1820
H 32.29 in W 17.52 in D 16.93 in
Set Of Four 19th Century Biedermeier Dining Room Chairs, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Biedermeier dining chairs in birch wood from circa 1820-1840, set of four. Lathed front legs, nice warm patina, plentiful carved back and removable sits.
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Birch

Karges French Regency Louis XVI Carved Walnut Oval Back Dining Chairs, Eight
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of eight French Regency Louis XVI style dining chairs By Karges Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous carved solid walnut frames, with blue and yellow striped uph...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

C1940 Bankers Dining Room Armchairs 3 Square Back Available
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous collection of hardwood bankers chairs often found in offices, jury rooms, conference centers etc. Created from oak maple and walnut these chairs are heavy duty quality seating, great for a dining area. 3 chairs available and have some variations to them, 3 are more square in the back. Different makers, some are gunlocke chair co...
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1940s American Vintage Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Maple, Oak, Walnut

Set of 10 Custom Round Back Modern Dining Chairs Arrondi Chair
Located in North York, ON
Set of 10 custom round back modern dining chairs Arrondi chair. Featuring sleek black lacquer frame design with modern velvet fabric. New and hand crafted by the Carrocel artisans. A...
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2010s Canadian Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Previously Available Items
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 Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

French Pair of Mahogany Empire Side Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This gorgeous pair of side chairs are a great accent to any living space. Recently upholstered in a green velvet, they remain quite comfortable. Floral ormolu adorns the seat back an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

DREXEL HERITAGE Mahogany Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style by Drexel Heritage. Solid mahogany with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, upholstered seat in a red & silver colored stripe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

English Regency Empire Style Wood Barrel Back Side Chairs, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
English Regency Empire style wood Barrel back side chairs - a pair. Item features curved barrel backs, saber legs, solid wood construction, beautiful ...
Category

Late 20th Century Asian Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood

CASSADY Solid Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style by Cassady Furniture. Solid cherry with baluster seatback, curved top, arching side rails aligning w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Rider Sky Velvet and Nickel Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Parisian flair. Our modern homage to an Empire style dining chair. Our rider dining chair is petite and glamorous, but ultra-comfy. Great as a dinin...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Dining Room Chairs

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Nickel

Rider Smoke Velvet and Nickel Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Parisian flair. Our modern homage to an Empire style dining chair. Our rider dining chair is petite and glamorous, but ultra-comfy. Great as a dinin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Dining Room Chairs

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Nickel

Pair of Russian Empire Neoclassical Brass Mounted Mahogany Side Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Russian Empire neoclassical side chairs, mahogany with fluted brass mouldings and fittings, the backs of joined latticework design with tight seats in dark chocolate brown ...
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Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Empire Mahogany Napoleon Style Dining Chairs Pair Ormolu Mounts
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of vintage French Empire style Napoleon chairs with Ormolu mounts. A good looking and decorative pair...
Category

20th Century French Empire Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Ormolu

Empire dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire dining room 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 dining room chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire dining room chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original dining room chairs, popular names associated with this style include Drexel, Modenese Gastone, Hickory Chair Furniture Company, and Jonathan Adler. 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 dining room chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $23,996 while the average work can sell for $3,929.

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