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.
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Aesthetic Leather Giltwood Ottoman Footstools
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A dramatic pair of foot stools or ottomans crafted in the Napoleonic Empire or Aesthetic Movement style. The stools feature a dramatic tailored black leather upholstery with elegantl...
Leather, Giltwood
Late 20th Century William and Mary Style Upholstered Footstool Ottoman
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautiful late 20th century walnut and Upholstered William and Mary style footstool or ottoman in very good vintage condition. Measures 19" in width, 19" in depth and 10" tall.
Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Vintage Franco Albini Style Rattan Pouf Ottoman Footstools
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Franco Albini Vittorio Bonacina (attr.) Rattan Pouf Ottoman Footstools, late 1950s / early 1960s. A striking looking and versatile piece of furniture, a great addition to any room. L...
Rattan
Modern Leather Arch Base Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern leather arch base ottoman. Crafted in rich brown leather, this ottoman is accented with small brass nailhead trim. The unique open decorative arched base makes this small st...
Leather
$4,227 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Contemporary Repose Ottoman Footstool Black Smoke Steel & Natural Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Repose contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turn...
Brass, Steel
Pair of Midcentury Footstools, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood The fabric shows signs of use Good original condition.
Fabric, Wood
Ottoman-Zebra Hide Cube
Located in New York, NY
This Zebra hide cube ottoman provides a true ‘out of Africa’ sense to any space. Each ottoman has been upholstered with ethically and sustainably-sourced ...
Zebra Hide
Pair of Mid Century Ottomans with Cushion Tops
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. 1960. A stylish Square ottoman pair in a dark brown stain with square legs reminiscent of the type of furniture designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar from roughly the...
Wood, Fabric
Pair of Mid Century X Stretcher Ottomans or Footstools
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of Mid Century ottomans a xwith travel related print in the fabric. X Stretcher in dark walnut. Nice and tight, fabric is good. In excellent vintage condition...
Fabric, Walnut
Taylor King MCM Ottoman Footstool
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 MCM Upholstered...
Cotton
Ottoman-Zebra Hide Cube
Located in New York, NY
This Zebra hide cube ottoman provides a true ‘out of Africa’ sense to any space. Each ottoman has been upholstered with ethically and sustainably-sourced Burchell's Zebra hide. Due t...
Zebra Hide
$667 / set
H 10.63 in W 25.2 in D 11.42 in
PAIR OF VERSACE ITALY 2003 ILIAN RACHOV DESiGNED OTTOMAN FOOTSTOOLS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely well made pair of Ilian Rachov Designed for Versace Italy Footstools which are part of a huge...
Chrome
Brown Vintage Look Squared Ottoman
Located in IT
Brown vintage look squared ottoman Size to be confirmed: 120 x 120 cm H 40 cm.
Leather
Sold
H 5.5 in W 14 in D 9.75 in
Antique French Empire Mahogany Oval Footstool W Corzine Silk Velvet Stripe
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique French Empire Mahogany Oval Footstool W Corzine Silk Velvet Stripe
Velvet, Mahogany
Pair of mid 19th century Scandinavian stools
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of mid 19th century Scandinavian stools circa 1840. At the time of listing we have 2 pairs of identical stools, very much in the empire taste. Curule like shaped scrolled legs...
Beech
Sold
H 9.5 in W 19 in D 12 in
Antique American Empire Mahogany Brown Floral Needlepoint Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Mahogany Brown Floral Needlepoint Footstool Ottoman. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 9.5" H x 19" W x 12" D.
Mahogany
Mid century vintage French empire style Ottomans/a pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid century French empire style benches. These benches have been newly upholstered in a modern kelly green geometric fabric...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid century vintage French empire style ottomans /a pair
By Myer Shaffer
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid century vintage French empire style Ottomans. This pair of Ottomans have been newly upholstered in a modern Kelly green geom...
Upholstery
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Footstool with Storage
Located in Rio Vista, CA
19th Century diminutive American mahogany empire period footstool featuring a storage area under the top cushion. The mahogany frame has scalloped sides supported by short legs endin...
Brass
Sold
H 23 in W 25.5 in D 39.5 in
Classical Empire Figural Carved Mahogany & Upholstered Throne Bench 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Classical Empire style figural throne bench offers upholstered seat over carved mahogany base having floral and acanthus carved skirt, raised on caryati...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Sold
H 12 in W 24.5 in D 24.5 in
Antique Oversized American Empire Style Needlepoint Footstool, Lovebirds, c 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
A large antique American Empire footstool offers needlepoint upholstered seat with German Fraktur style design having lovebirds, hearts and flowers over walnut frame raised on ogee b...
Walnut, Upholstery
Sold
H 6 in W 14 in D 14 in
Vintage Empire Mahogany Serpentine Green Upholstered Bun Feet Ottoman Footstool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Empire Mahogany serpentine green upholstered bun feet small ottoman footstool. Item features green upholstered seat, bun feet, shapely ...
Mahogany
Pair of Vintage Carved Gilt X-Frame Stools
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of vintage carved and gilt ‘X’ frame stools with reeded frames and scrolled ends.
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 10 in W 23 in D 13 in
Antique Empire Small Mahogany Saber Leg Pink Needlepoint Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Mahogany saber leg small pink needlepoint footstool ottoman. Item features shapely saber legs, pink needlepoint seat, multi-co...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Benches
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular upholstered seats with klismos form bases with turned stretchers, bronze mounts and paw feet.
Mahogany