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.
Empire Style Tall Back Loveseat with Carved Mahogany Base
Located in New York, NY
Empire style tall back loveseat with carved mahogany base and claw feet. Newly upholstered in off-white fabric.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
Mahogany
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,995 / set
H 24 in W 63 in D 33 in
Pair of Chrome Framed Grey Velvet Loveseats Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vintage 1970's chrome framed cantilevered loveseat sofas in the style of Milo Baughman and similar to seating groups of the period by Selig and Bernhardt's Flair division. T...
Steel, Chrome
$12,000
H 34 in W 42 in D 22 in
19th Century Victorian Mahogany "Tête-à-Tête" (Head to Head) Lovers Settee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and rare English 19th Century Victorian mahogany "Tête-à-Tête" (Head to head) Lovers or Kissing Settee, The rounded arched crests over S-shape...
Mahogany
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
Elegant French Style Carved Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and deep French Style sofa with elaborately carved and shaped frame with a floral basket crest. The arm ends with carved acanthus leaves and bell flowers along the front frame and skirt. Raised on short fluted tapering legs in front and square in back. Upholstered in a very pleasing Aqua tweed fabric. Along with two matching pillows and two complementary machine embroidered pillows with leaves...
Wood
Fancy Louis XVI Giltwood Sofa Loveseat with New Silk Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Louis XVI style sofa having carved gilded wood and beautiful new upholstery. The lovely frame displays fluted columns topped by acanthus leaves. The base is composed of fluted and ta...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Vintage Brighton Pavilion Pagoda Loveseat, Bamboo & Rattan, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming Brighton Pavillion Pagoda style loveseat with beautiful fretwork back and sides. Very fine detail. A beautiful and special piece. Use as is or ad...
Bamboo, Rattan
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
Suelo Modern Loveseat
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® modern loveseat is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. This ...
Hardwood
French Giltwood Loveseat Sofa
Located in Vilnius, LT
French handcrafted and gilded wood loveseat sofa circa 1950s. The sofa is upholstered with red and gold colour damask pattern. Very good vintage condit...
Textile, Wood
$24,950 / set
H 38 in W 66 in D 28 in
Pair of Louis XVI Style Carved and Laqué Gilded Bergère Settees or Loveseats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Louis XVI style carved and Laqué gilded bergère settees. The elegant pair of carved loveseats, upholstered in a blue velvet, with padded backs and sides and a cushion seat,...
Wood
19th Century French Empire “Kissing Settee” with Privacy Screens
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful French Empire walnut “kissing settee” with carved swan arms, crests, and corners, privacy screens which raise up on each side, adorned with striped satin upholstery and s...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 37 in W 47 in D 26 in
Antique French Empire Mahogany Carved Paw Feet Pink Parlor Settee Loveseat Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire mahogany carved paw feet pink parlor settee loveseat sofa. Item features carved paw feet, barrel back, pink upholstery, solid mah...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 36.5 in W 28 in D 80 in
Antique American Empire Federal Mahogany Scalamandre Parlor Settee Sofa Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian parlor settee or sofa. Made of mahogany featuring rolled arms and blue silk scalamandre upholstery with insects and bolster pillows. Th...
Silk, Mahogany
Sold
H 46 in W 27 in D 53 in
Antique French Empire Mahogany Figural High Back Swan Settee Tufted Bench
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Empire figural high back settee. Features tufted modern vibrant paisley upholstery with tall rounded back, gilt accents, and carved swan / bird head arms. Measure: 53"...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 30.5 in W 51.5 in D 17.5 in
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Loveseats in Neo-Classical Style
Located in Queens, NY
2 French Empire style (19th Cent) Neo-classic design mahogany and gilt trim loveseats having a filigree back and arms ending in Egyptian heads with a yellow upholstered seat(PRICED E...
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Empire Sofa
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish late Gustavian, Empire sofa in original color and very good proportions, circa 1830.
Pine
Sold
H 37.25 in W 52 in D 19 in
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee with Scroll Arms and Gilt Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Empire Period Settee in Mahogany with Scroll Arms featuring Gilt Accents and Splay Legs, France circa 1820. The wood finish is in a dark chocolate hue juxtaposed against the light be...
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Empire Style Swan Settee After a Design by Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Essex, MA
Empire style carved and gilt swan settee. Swans supporting tub form. After a design by Jacob-Desmalter for the Empress Josephine.
Beech
Empire Style Sofa with Mahogany Base
Located in Troy, MI
Small French Empire style sofa with new off white upholstery, circa 1930. Mahogany frame with curved feet. Seat is 18.5" tall and 23" deep. Arms are ...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique French Empire Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Empire loveseat with bronze trim.
Bronze