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
Vintage Italian Empire Style Gold Giltwood Swedish Gout Stool Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Empire Style Gold Giltwood Swedish Gout Stool Footstool Ottoman. Item features bun feet, solid wood construction, gold gilt distressed finish, nicely carved details, ...
Fabric, Wood
$3,309 / set
Antique Empire Style Ottomans
Located in Rīga, LV
Pieces are fully restored: new upholstery with coordinated trim, wood was restored and new lacquer applied, brass details are cleaned and refinished
Fabric, Wood
American Empire Long Ottoman with Upholstered Burgundy Velvet and Tapestry Top
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire long rectangular ottoman with supple upholstered burgundy velvet top bordered by a dense earth-toned floral tapestry fabric, resting on a mahogany veneer base having ...
Fabric
French Empire Sword Bench Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French gilt Empire sword bench with ultra sueded fabric. Beautiful carving details. Leave as is or have your upholstery shop recover and tighten frame.
Wood
$1,654Sale 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...
Fabric, Walnut
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
Mies Van der Rohe Barcelona Ottoman or Bench
Located in North Miami, FL
Cream tone leather tufted top cushion and straps with a stainless steel frame in wonderful original condition.
Stainless Steel
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
Vintage Marge Carson Brass Stools/Ottomans
By Marge Carson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the allure of authentic 1970s American design with this exquisite pair of brass poufs by celebrated designer Marge Carson. Each piece showcases a stunning brass base that ...
Brass
$3,400 / item
H 18.12 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Burgundy Cylinder Wood Ottoman with Velvet Upholstery by Lorenza Bozzoli Couture
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning ottoman comprises a burgundy upholstered velvet seat and fringes whose colors flow into a smooth geometric motif. Juxtaposing the vibrant solid red of the cushion are p...
Textile
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
$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 ...
Leather, Walnut
$5,903 / 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
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...
Leather, Wool, Oak
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
$4,800 / set
H 8 in W 12.5 in D 9.75 in
French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Footstools, Green Silk Damask Upholstery
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Pair of French ottomans, upholstered, padded and buttoned, with separate top cushions, Napoleon III Style, often referred to as "Le Style Rothschild...
Damask, Silk, Giltwood
$3,450 / set
H 36 in W 30.75 in D 31 in
Danish Modern Teak Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Denmark, circa 1970
By Maurice Villency, Arne Vodder
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...
Wool, Teak
Sold
H 20 in W 23 in D 16 in
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 19 in W 36 in D 26 in
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman. Item featured is a very rare model, shapely raised box form, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, black ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 4 in W 15 in D 11.5 in
Berkey & Gay Furniture Mahogany Empire Rectangular Very Low Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Berkey & Gay Furniture Mahogany Empire Rectangular Very Low Footstool Ottoman. Item features solid mahogany wood frame, carved bun feet, original label, ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 27.56 in W 66.54 in D 17.33 in
Early 20th Century Empire Style Bench Upholstered with Elegant Red Fabric
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This large empire style bench is truly refined, fully padded and covered in elegant shiny red fabric. Finished on each side, it can also be positioned in the center of the room. Perf...
Fabric, Upholstery
Sold
H 12 in W 21 in D 17.5 in
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Upholstered Ottoman Footstool on Wheels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Upholstered Ottoman Footstool on Wheels. Item features rolling casters, upholstered seat, beautiful...
Mahogany
Midcentury Vintage Empire Inspired Newly Upholstered Bench
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage newly upholstered empire inspired bench. This bench has been upholstered in a black cotton with a large button in the center. The bench has a dark walnu...
Wood
Sold
H 20 in W 23 in D 23 in
Ralph Lauren Henredon Mahogany Empire Style McDowell Stool Leopard Ottoman Bench
By Henredon, Ralph Lauren
Located in Dayton, OH
The McDowell stool is a modern take on Neoclassicism and French Empire styling. Made by Henredon for Ralph Lauren. Features an "X" form mahogany frame with claw feet, spindled stretc...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 21 in W 31.5 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Regency Empire Style Curule Iron Figural Swan Bench After Maison Jansen
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful iron curule bench stylized after Maison Janse, circa 1970s. Features a woven metal seat and figural brass swan heads.
Brass, Iron
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
Antique Empire Crotch Mahogany Black Needlepoint Small Ottoman Footstool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Empire Crotch Mahogany Black Needlepoint small ottoman footstool. Item features black needlepoint seat with flower design, beautiful wo...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 11 in W 18 in D 12 in
Antique Victorian Empire Crotch Mahogany Floral Needlepoint Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Empire crotch mahogany floral needlepoint footstool ottoman. Item features beautiful wood grain, very nice antique, great style and form. Circa 19th century. Measur...
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire Giltwood Stool
Located in Hamburg, PA
A unique giltwood footstool with hoof feet and garland design. Inspired by French and Italian Empire-style antiques. This bench would make a great accent piece in any room. The ottom...
Upholstery, Giltwood