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.
HAND CARVED & PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles Please...
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Period Gilt and Painted Wood Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt and painted wood three-piece salon suite French, c. 1820 Sofa: Height 101cm, width 213cm, depth 72cm Chairs: Height 101cm, width 61cm, depth 56cm This exquisite t...
Wood
19th Century French Empire Mahogany 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 5 French Empire-style (19th Cent) mahogany salon set with bronze trim and gold damask upholstery (2 arms: 27\"w 27\"d 40\"h/2 sides: 21\"w 23\"d 37¼\"h/1 loveseat) Antique co...
Bronze
Empire Swedish Salon Group with Gilt Caryatids and Laurel wreath Decorations
Located in New York, NY
Empire style grouping from the early 20th Century beautifully made in mahogany in Stockholm, Includes sofa, table, two armchairs and two side chairs. Length of sofa 50...
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire Style Walnut, Bronze, and Marble Table and Chairs Living Room Set
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style walnut and marble eight-piece salon set with golden and light yellow fabric and bronze mounts. Impressive French Empire-style eight-piece salon suite made of wal...
Marble, Bronze
Empire Revival Upholstered Mahogany and Ormolu 7-Piece Salon Set
Located in Queens, NY
7-Piece French Empire Revival (3rd quarter 19th Century) salon set comprised of a settee, 2 armchairs, and 4 side chairs with mahogany frames mounted with ormolu embellishments, upho...
Fabric
$5,016 / set
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, ca. 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany Dimensions: sofa height 113 cm seat h...
Fabric, Walnut
$40,840 / item
Salon empire
Located in PARIS, FR
Mobilier de salon en acajou et bois doré, comprenant quatre chaises, quatre fauteuils, deux bergères et un canapé. 4 Chaises : Hauteur : 91 cm – Largeur : 49 cm – Profondeur : 38 cm 4 Fauteuils : Hauteur : 97,5 cm – Largeur : 63,5 cm – Profondeur : 51 cm 2 Bergères : Hauteur : 99 cm – Largeur : 70 cm – Profondeur : 54 cm 1 Canapé : Hauteur : 106 cm – Largeur : 181 cm – Profondeur : 62 cm Provenance : Vente Palais GALLIERA...
Wood, Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Living Room Set with Gilt Swan Neck Carvings
By Zone Creations
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Voici une version enrichie de votre description pour dépasser largement les 110 mots (environ 160 mots ici). Elle utilise un vocabulaire spécifique aux antiquités pour attirer les ac...
Bronze
$23,623Sale Price / set|25% Off
Empire-style Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Bronze
$3,079Sale Price|51% Off
20th Century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, Black
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, black Very specific finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Partially gilded. Cum...
Beech
Restored Empire Seating Set, Spruce, Cherry Wood, Polish, Austria, 1850s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sofa dimensions Height: 70 cm (27.6 in) Width: 130 cm (51.2 in) Depth: 53 cm (20.9 in) Seat height: 48 cm (18.9 in) Armchair dimensions Height: 70 cm (27.6 in) Width: 65 cm (27.6 in...
Upholstery, Wood, Spruce, Lacquer, Fabric, Cherry
1870 French Empire Marquetry Inlaid Suite Berger Armchairs & Settee Canape, Pair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French marquetry inlaid circa 1870 Empire style three piece suite with neoclassical detailing A very rare and good looking set, th...
Silk, Hardwood
French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mahogany Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
French Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany five-piece salon suite French, Late 19th Century Sofa: Height 107cm, width 162cm, depth 65cm Armchair: Height 101cm, width 68cm, depth 6...
Ormolu
Living Room Suite in the Antique Empire Style Beech Hand Carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on sculpturally carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in...
Wood
20th Century Empire Style French Garniture Living Room Sets
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial garniture in French Empire style. Solid, ebonized beechwood. Fine engraved and silver plated Empire mountings and caryatides. Measures: Kanapee/sofa: Width 108 cm, heigh...
Wood, Beech
Original Empire Set of a Sofa 2 Armchairs and 1 Table Mahogany with Bronze Figur
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze. The armchairs are made of a different fabric than the sofa and should b...
Mahogany
Empire Seating Suite, stamped Henri Jacob (Master 1779), France, Early 19th C.
Located in Greding, DE
Empire seating suite in mahogany, consisting of a two-seat sofa and four armchairs (two not shown). The frames display a refined Neoclassical vocabulary, with winged caryatids suppor...
Velvet, Mahogany
Living Room Suite in the antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on sculpturally carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in...
Beech
Elegant French Empire Five Piece Mahogany Salon Set with Bronze Swan Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning parlor set of antique French Empire mahogany and bronze upholstered sofa or loveseat, two armchairs and two side chairs. Fre...
Ormolu
$11,519Sale 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
Rare Needlepoint Empire Salon (One Sofa and Two Armchairs)
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa and two armchairs in mahogany. The armrest is adorned with dolphins and saber-shaped legs. Circa, 1830. Rare upholstery of complete needlepoint...
Mahogany
Restored Empire Seating Set, Walnut, Inlaid, Revived Polish, Austria, 1810s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Armchair Dimensions: Height: 91 cm (35.83 in) Width: 69 cm (27.17 in) Depth: 65 cm (25.59 in) Seat height: 42 cm (16.54 in) Sofa dimensions: Height: 91 cm (35.83 in) Width: 155 cm (...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Living Room and Gilded Bronze Caryatid Head
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Empire style mahogany and gilded bronze decorated living room with caryatid heads and claw feet. Bench, two armchairs, two chairs. Period 19th century. Tapestry to restore. Armc...
Mahogany
Antique living room set from the end of the 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique living room set from around 1890, France. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Seats and backrests have been covered with new fabric. Dimensions...
Walnut, Fabric
19th Century Original French Empire Sofa and Armchair Set Made from Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive mahogany partly carved. Cambered frame on curly legs. Supports bracing supports for slightly rising armrests in rolled-up volute. High-awned, slightly curved backrest frame w...
Mahogany
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret Presenting a rare and exquisite French Empire-style salon set, attributed to Alexandre Maigret, a distinguished cabi...
Wood
$11,088Sale Price / set|47% Off
19th Century Vintage Empire Mahogany Salon, Set of 5
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four fauteuils and one large sofa. Mahogany wood. Beautifully restored. Very comfortable and elegant. French work of the beginning of the 19th century, Empire period. Sold as ...
Mahogany
$8,950Sale Price / set|39% Off
H 46.5 in W 79 in D 32.25 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XVI style 19th century giltwood carved three-piece salon suite, comprising of a three-corps settee and...
Fabric, Giltwood
$31,950Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 44.5 in W 63.25 in D 31 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Three-Piece Giltwood and Aubusson Salon Suite
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style three-piece giltwood carved and silk Aubusson tapestry three-piece salon suite, comprising of a settee and two fauteuils (armchairs), the Aubusson silk...
Silk, Wood
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 44.49 in D 23.63 in
Art Nouveau Mahogany Living Room Set, 1910, Set of 3
Located in Opole, PL
Art Nouveau Mahogany Living Room Set, 1910, Set of 3 This parlor set, crafted in Italy, beautifully embodies the graceful aesthetic of Art Nouveau. At the...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$1,249Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 38.98 in W 46.46 in D 24.41 in
French Louis XVI Style Carved Wood Settee Sofa with Pair of Armchairs, Vintage
Located in Andernach, DE
Beautiful remake of Louis XVI style settee and the matching armchairs. Wonderfully hand carved and hand painted, this set is quite gorgeous indeed. Approximately crafted in the 1960s...
Fabric, Beech
$2,895 / set
H 39 in W 50 in D 20 in
Antique Salon Set, Austrian, Inlaid, 5-Piece Set, Settee with 4 Chairs!!
Located in Austin, TX
Charming Antique Salon Set, Austrian, Inlaid, 5-Piece Set, Settee with 4 Chairs!! Beautiful curved lines! Neutral upholstery color! Great pieces for the parlor or your living are...
Fabric, Wood
$4,549
H 38.59 in W 24.81 in D 22.05 in
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Living Room and Gilded Bronze Caryatid Head
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Empire style mahogany and gilded bronze decorated living room with caryatid heads and claw feet. Bench, two armchairs, two chairs. Period 19th century. Tapestry to restore. Armc...
Mahogany
$10,265 / set
H 48.43 in W 59.85 in D 25.6 in
Theatrical "Egyptian" Living-Room Set, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and extravagant living-room set comprised of a settee, two armchairs and a table, of Egyptian inspiration. Polychrome decor. The seating pieces are raised on paw feet (front)...
$27,450Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 46.5 in W 68 in D 26.25 in
Palatial 19th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th century Louis XV style giltwood carved three piece salon suite, comprising of a canapé (Settee) and two fauteuils à la reine...
Fabric, Wood
$2,613Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 77.17 in D 32.68 in
Set of French sofa 2 armchairs 2 chairs carved painted wood - Louis XV style
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent set consisting of a sofa / bench, two armchairs à la reine and two Louis XV style chairs. Each piece is in painted and gilded rechampi wood, molded and carved with scrol...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$3,733Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 49.61 in D 21.66 in
Living Room Sets Elegant Shape and Design, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Living room sets elegant shape and design 1950s, feet in spiked wood, new cloth, black and white checked and white fabric rear.
Fabric, Wood
$47,500 / set
H 51.25 in W 78.5 in D 38 in
Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Five-Piece Salon Suite, Circa 1880
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XV style giltwood carved five-piece salon suite, comprising of a canapé (Settee) and four fauteuils à la reine (Armchairs), all of ...
Fabric, Wood
$6,800 / set
H 40 in W 26 in D 63 in
French Giltwood and Tapestry Five-Piece Salon Suite Louis XVI Style, circa 1890
Located in New York, NY
French giltwood and tapestry five-piece salon suite Louis XVI style, circa 1890. Comprising a canape and four fauteuils upholstered in French Aubusson tapestry's depicting children a...
Wool
French 7 piece 19th century empire mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
7 piece 19th century french empire mahogany salon suite circa 1880. Rare 7-piece salon suite made in rich mahogany. Set comprises of a 2-seat sofa, 2 armchairs and 4 open armchairs....
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique living room set from the end of the 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique living room set from around 1890, France. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Seats and backrests have been covered with new fabric. Dimensions...
Walnut
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany dimensions : sofa height 113 cm sea...
Mahogany
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique living room set from Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and backrests of ...
Velvet, Walnut
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique living room set imported from Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and back...
Velvet, Walnut
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholst...
Velvet, Walnut
Sold
H 36.62 in W 80.32 in D 27.56 in
Antique Set in the Empire Style, Northern Europe, Around 1820, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique set in the Empire style, Northern Europe, around 1820. After renovation. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. ...
Walnut
Sold
H 49.22 in W 89.38 in D 30.32 in
Antique Living Room Set, Northern Europe, Around 1880. After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
A living room set consisting of two armchairs and a sofa from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and backrests...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Italian Empire Swans Chairs in Cream and Gold Finish with Velvet Upholstery
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Neoclassical Revival Italian 19th chairs. A very nice and decorative Chair model with a pair of beautiful swans at back of the chair. Nicely cut decor around the chair seat & reede...
Pine
Sold
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Italian Empire Swans Chairs in Cream and Gold Finish with Velvet Upholstery
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Neoclassical Revival Italian 19th chairs. A very nice and decorative Chair model with a pair of beautiful swans at back of the chair. Nicely cut decor around the chair seat & reede...
Walnut
1970s Empire Influenced 3 Piece Mahogany Suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
1970s Empire influenced 3-piece mahogany suite, circa 1970. Shaped backs and scrolled arms with show frame sides. All standing on tapered legs. Up...
Mahogany
19th century 7 piece French empire mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century 7-piece french empire mahogany salon suite, circa 1860. Rare 7-piece salon suite made in rich mahogany. Set comprises of a 2-seat sofa, 2 armchairs and 4 open armchai...
Mahogany