Empire Lounge 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.

Style: Empire

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Library Chairs

$8,178

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Library Chairs

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

An excellent quality pair of 19th century mahogany library armchairs, in the French empire taste, having swept back and moulded scrolling arms with C-scroll supports raised on elegant moulded sabre legs (A relative typical design in the early to mid-19th century these chairs are in the French Empire taste which was most popular at the time, with the added benefit of being much more sturdy and practical than the English Regency Chaise...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

French 7 piece 19th century empire mahogany salon suite

$10,897 / set

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....

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805

$39,500

French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An elegant and most decorative French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805. This exquisite chaise is raised by six elegant Mahogany legs with Ormo...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Ormolu

Ferguson Copeland Laced Leather Lounge Chairs

$2,956Sale Price|20% Off

Ferguson Copeland Laced Leather Lounge Chairs

By Ferguson Copeland

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 ...

Category

1980s Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cotton, Velvet

Danish Wingback Chair and Ottoman, Fabric and Walnut, 1950s Style

$1,658Sale Price|20% Off

Danish Wingback Chair and Ottoman, Fabric and Walnut, 1950s Style

Located in Antwerp, BE

White; Fabric; Wingback Chair; Ottoman; Danish Design; 1950s; Walnut; Wood; Scandinavia; Scandinavian Design; Empire; Pouf; Lounge Chair; Upholstery; Stylish 1950s high back lounge...

Category

1950s Danish Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Pair of Period Armchairs "Balloon Back" - Rococo Revival Style (19th Century)

$2,073Sale Price / set|50% Off

Pair of Period Armchairs "Balloon Back" - Rococo Revival Style (19th Century)

Located in Manzano, IT

prestigious pair of period armchairs dating from the second half of the 19th century, in the full Rococo Revival (Louis Philippe / Second Empire) style. These pieces represent the el...

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood

Side Chair by Friedrich Rambach, master carpenter, Stockholm active 1834-1861.

$2,950

Side Chair by Friedrich Rambach, master carpenter, Stockholm active 1834-1861.

Located in Stockholm, SE

A unique Empire lounge chair with brass detail on neckrest. By master carpenter Friedrich Rambach, active in Stockholm, Sweden between 1834-1861. Beautiful "Emma" chair like style wi...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

A Pair of Empire Walnut Salon Chairs, Each With Floral Carved Detailing

$2,385 / set

A Pair of Empire Walnut Salon Chairs, Each With Floral Carved Detailing

Located in Reading, Berkshire

A Pair of Empire Walnut Salon Chairs, Each With Carved Detailing & Relief Tulip Motifs. Turned & Reeded Legs, & Pale Green Upholstery. Gorgeous set of chairs ideally su...

Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Armchairs

$4,800 / set

Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Armchairs

Located in Sheffield, MA

The pair of late 19th century lounge chairs are in the Empire style. The curved arms end with carved acanthus leaves. The seats and borderin...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century

$2,073

H 36.23 in W 24.41 in D 22.05 in

Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century Elegant bergère armchair crafted from solid mahogany, representing fine European cabinetmaking of the early 1...

Category

1820s French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Modern Teak Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Denmark, circa 1970

$3,450 / set

H 36 in W 30.75 in D 31 in

Danish Modern Teak Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Denmark, circa 1970

By Arne Vodder, Maurice Villency

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Beautiful highback lounge chair with ottoman probably made around 1970 or early in that decade. It is Danish but we are unsure of the Designer and maker as it is unmarked. However, i...

Category

1970s Danish Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wool, Teak

French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite

$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...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

Rare Pair of Model 2254 Lounge Chairs by Børge Mogensen with Ottomans 1950s Wool

$5,916 / set

H 33.47 in W 25.99 in D 38.98 in

Rare Pair of Model 2254 Lounge Chairs by Børge Mogensen with Ottomans 1950s Wool

By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Rare pair of Model 2254. ''Slaedestolen'' lounge chairs with matching pair of Model 2248. ottomans. Designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia in the 1950s. The Model 2254. lounge cha...

Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wool, Oak

French 19th Century Rococo Style Armchair

$2,900

H 36 in W 23.75 in D 20 in

French 19th Century Rococo Style Armchair

Located in San Marino, CA

A Rococo style armchair from the 19th century, delicately carved with floral clasps to the crest and seat rails and to the tops of the cabriole l...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood

Gio Ponti Style Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

$10,500 / set

H 30 in W 28 in D 30 in

Gio Ponti Style Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

Located in Bernville, PA

Luxurious pair of midcentury lounge chairs and ottoman in the style of Selig Furniture Company. Professionally restored in a gloss finish and perfectly complimented with soft, cream ...

Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Three-Piece Giltwood and Aubusson Salon Suite

$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...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Silk, Wood

French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Chaise Longue or Daybed

$8,900

H 39.75 in W 89.5 in D 29 in

French Early 19th Century Directoire Period Chaise Longue or Daybed

Located in Round Top, TX

A very handsome early 19th century French Directoire period chaise longue or daybed in walnut. The walnut has a wonderful patina and striking grai...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Irish Mahogany Library Armchair

$8,884

H 37.41 in W 25.99 in D 26.38 in

19th Century Irish Mahogany Library Armchair

Located in Dublin, IE

A very fine early 19th century mahogany framed library armchair, the curved top-rail above button back upholstered in leather, with raised padded arm rests and down scrolled arms whi...

Category

19th Century Irish Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Danish Modern Scoop Arm Walnut Lounge Chair with Adjustable Ottoman

$2,450 / set

H 36 in W 26 in D 32 in

Danish Modern Scoop Arm Walnut Lounge Chair with Adjustable Ottoman

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Wonderful Danish modern scoop arm walnut lounge chair with adjustable ottoman. Solid walnut construction with very stylish swooped arms.

Category

1960s Danish Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Ralph Lauren Antique Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman

$11,500

H 37 in W 36 in D 36 in

Ralph Lauren Antique Style Lounge Chair and Ottoman

Located in New York, NY

Ralph Lauren antique style lounge chair and ottoman. The frame of the chair and ottoman is giltwood. Chair and ottoman is newly upholstered. Meas...

Category

1980s Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs

$11,845 / set

H 38 in W 32 in D 32 in

19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs

Located in Dublin 8, IE

19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...

Category

Mid-19th Century Irish Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Previously Available Items

Antique Empire Style Chaise Lounge

Sold

H 33.75 in W 71.5 in D 23.5 in

Antique Empire Style Chaise Lounge

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dimensions: 33.75”H x 71.50”W x 23.50” D Seat Height 18" Materials: Cherry Wood, Original Fabric

Category

1930s American Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Thonet Assymetrical Chair with Fornasetti Style Print, Empire, 1905

Sold

H 31.11 in W 26.78 in D 25.99 in

Thonet Assymetrical Chair with Fornasetti Style Print, Empire, 1905

By Thonet

Located in Antwerp, BE

Thonet; Fornasetti; Empire; 1905; Germany; Lounge chair; Armchair; Asymmetrical chair; saddle-shaped seat; This asymmetrical chair from Thonet features a saddle-shaped seat. The s...

Category

Early 1900s German Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Rattan

Pair of French Empire Style Armchairs

Sold

H 38 in W 29 in D 33 in

Pair of French Empire Style Armchairs

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

Pair of 20th century French Empire style carved wood and newly upholstered chairs.

Category

20th Century Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Impressive Pair of Gilt Bronze-Mounted and Lacquered Biedermeier Bergères

Sold

H 35.25 in W 29 in D 25 in

Impressive Pair of Gilt Bronze-Mounted and Lacquered Biedermeier Bergères

Located in Dallas, TX

Exceptional pair of neoclassic black lacquered finely chased gilt bronze mounts bergère armchairs attributed to Sébastien Youf of exquisite design and proportion. Each bergère in a b...

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Chair Pair with Leopard Print Covering

Sold

H 35.5 in W 28 in D 22 in

Empire Style Chair Pair with Leopard Print Covering

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Vintage pair of hand carved Empire style chair with leopard print seat tops featuring two carved female busts on each arm.

Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Empire-Style Mahogany Library Chairs

Sold

H 34 in W 26.5 in D 25 in

Empire-Style Mahogany Library Chairs

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Unusual set of four French Empire-style mahogany library chairs. Vintage from the mid-20th century.

Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Lounge Chairs

Pair of 19th Century Empire Armchairs

Sold

H 36.5 in W 25.25 in D 30.75 in

Pair of 19th Century Empire Armchairs

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Cool and funky pair of period French lounge chairs with gilded hardware.

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wood

Empire lounge chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire lounge chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lounge 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 lounge chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 lounge chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,559 and tops out at $9,000 while the average work can sell for $4,000.