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 French Recamier Sofa Bench, Ebonized Mahogany, Circa 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Mahogany, Fabric, Ebony, Upholstery, Cotton
Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Ormolu
Dutch Marquetry Empire Settee, circa 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Offers mahogany frame with inlays in satinwood of flowers and foliage along back crest, "S" scroll arms and slipper feet. Features upholstered seat, back and inside and outside arms....
Cotton, Twill, Upholstery, Satinwood, Kingwood, 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
Empire Marquetry Sofa in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely and well-proportioned marquetry sofa with arched back, scroll arms and short Grecian curved legs in mahogany embellished with inlays of festoo...
Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Sofa with Carved Details
Located in King's Lynn, GB
A superb example of antique French Empire craftsmanship, this early 19th-century carved flame mahogany sofa showcases the strong, symbolic design language of the period. The shaped b...
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee An Empire finely carved dark figured mahogany three seat settee, the back is surmounted by facing scrolls with strigilated flutes be...
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Settee / Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century French Empire style handcrafted gilt bronze mahogany framed upholstered settee / sofa. The settee features four straight mahogany legs, the front two of which are set on...
Bronze
19th Century Mahogany Wood Frame Inlay Marquetry Top Settee
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Fine quality and beautifully hand carved with inlaid marquetry mahogany wood frame settee. The settee features a wood frame inlaid top foliate decoration , resting on four square hand carved tapered feet terminate with metal cup hardware...
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century Empire Walnut Upholstered Settee
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely tailored walnut Empire settee. The top rail is flanked by two graceful sloping arms, joining two brass classical female heads crowing two front straight tapering le...
Brass
Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Note: Full price include new upholstery service, buyer to provide fabric. Mint condition empire sofa sette loveseat couch fine carved details lions feet. The frame is stunning vint...
Upholstery, Walnut
Milling Road for Baker French Empire Settee designed by Darryl Carter
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darryl Carter for milling Road by Baker. This settee has a white lacquer finish to the frame with new upholstery el tiger gray Chenil...
Wood
Settee 3-Seat Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Upholstered in Horsehair
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This handsome settee is in rare original condition retaining all the original timber and horsehair stuffings. The form is bold and fluid and the carved ornament very well executed. T...
Mahogany
Rare and Magnificent Mid 19th Century Brazilian Empire Grand Settee
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this Brazilian Empire Settee, circa 1850, a captivating piece that exudes history and craftsmanship. Originating from a prominent coffee ...
Cane, Wood
A Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Settee
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Settee. France, Circa 1890.
Ormolu
Milling Road for Baker French Empire design by Daryl Carter settee
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darrell Carter for milling Road by Baker furniture Company. The settee has a white lacquered finished to the frame with newly upholst...
Wood
Italian Empire Ram's Head Settee
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Ram's Head Settee. A neoclassical parcel-gilt and parcel ebonized carved wood three-seat settee with ram's head arm-rest terminals all resting on four hoofed front fee...
Cherry, Giltwood
$2,750
H 29 in W 54 in D 28 in
Danish Mid-Century Settee or Loveseat in the Style of Kurt Olsen Style, 1950s
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Lovely and charming settee or loveseat made in Denmark, circa 1950. The style is similar to Kurt Olsen but the Designer and maker of this settee is unknown. Light but still sturdy an...
Wool, Beech
$3,482Sale Price|30% Off
H 16.93 in W 70.08 in D 28.35 in
Louis XIV Style French Large Bench Dark Oak from 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
This beautiful Louis XIV style French bench was made in solid patinated oak in the early 1920s. Fully restored and newly upholstered with a large wool colorful geometric, this large ...
Oak
19thC French Oak Bank Waiting Bench
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC French Oak Bank Waiting Bench, the matching Counter is also available separately Ideal for a hotel reception or Lobby, restaurant etc Pr...
Oak
$15,000
H 45 in W 60 in D 32 in
English Mahogany Camel Back Settee Upholstered in White Muslin, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany camel back settee with flanking scrolled brass tacked arms, removable cushion, carved floral knees, and terminating on trifod splayed feet. Settee is upholstered in ...
Brass
American Victorian Wicker Loveseat
By Larkin & Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
Antique American Victorian natural wicker high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on back and apron. New custom cushion upholstered in art N...
Brass
$15,000
H 25.5 in W 88.25 in D 27.25 in
English Regency Mahogany Recamier with Flanking Lion Medallions, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany upholstered recamier with fluted scrolled inward arms, flanking lion medallions, carved molded reeded skirt, and terminating on the original winged lions paw...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$3,741Sale Price|30% Off
H 37.41 in W 78.75 in D 27.56 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofa Couch Empire 19th C 3-4 Seat Lion Feet
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted birch figured veneers in the sort after mid oak French polish finish. The sofa is approx 200cm long. It has swooping l...
Birch
$6,441Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Channeled Fleure Sofa in Teal Blue Velvet with Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The award winning Fleure Sofa is an eye-catching design which commands an audience. Exuding a contemporary vibe but with traditional style cues, as demonstrated by the exquisite flut...
Brass
Antique French Church Pew Bench Double Seat Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
UNIQUE Carved Oak Antique French Double Church Pew, Entry Bench, Settee or Banquette c.1900-20 ~~Classic French flair decorator piece~~ Perfect for living area seating, entry, hall...
Oak
$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
19th Century Empire Walnut Upholstered Settee
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely tailored walnut Empire settee. The top rail is flanked by two graceful sloping arms, joining two brass classical female heads crowing two front straight tapering le...
Brass
American Mahogany Classical Swan Sofa, Philadelphia, Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany classical upholstered sofa with swans head arm rest, carved corner cornucopia, and terminating on ebonized lions paw feet....
Sold
H 32 in W 45.5 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Bench Settee with Bronze Ormolu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Bench Settee with Bronze Ormolu. Item features a finely cast bronze ormolu, brass rolling casters, tapered legs, very nice antique item, g...
Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Empire Settee
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted with premium walnut burl wood, its rich wood grain and warm tones exude a sense of timeless luxury. Long sweeping armrests and tapered legs, along with an upholstered cushi...
Wood
Antique Anglo Indian Empire Settee or Sofa
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual 19th Century Anglo Indian sofa handcrafted in teak with pegged construction featuring a rolled crest with carved pineapple and inscribed sea serpents, rounded arm ca...
Reed, Teak
White Swedish Empire Bench Settee, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely lines of this Swedish Empire style bench are accented with carved details along the skirt and clean profile of the eight legs. Please enlarge and examine the close up pho...
Muslin, Linen, Wood
1900's Empire Ivory Tan Silk/Satin Upholstered Settee
Located in Louisville, KY
This early 1900's settee is a unique Empire style with simplistic and elegant lines with scrolls and intricately carved claw feet. This piece is done in a beautiful ivory and tan sil...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage handmade rustic scrubs pine Irish hall bench
By Child & Child
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handmade rustic vintage scrubbed Pine Irish hall bench. This bench is in a country Empire style and features one large drawer with two solid...
Wood
French Empire Sofa, 1810-15
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Empire settee dates back to around 1810-15 and comes from France. The elegant settee has a cherry wood frame with hand carved details on armrests and front legs. The sett...
Cherry
Sold
H 33.75 in W 48.5 in D 25.5 in
1950s French Empire / Neoclassical Style Carved Mahogany and Leather Settee
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome piece! It is a 1950s carved mahogany Empire style settee in green leather. It is unmarked. Note the carved swan arms! I have the chairs too. My shipping is for...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 31.7 in W 72.05 in D 24.02 in
French Empire Elm Burl Sofa Banquette, French, Early 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Elegant Empire burl elm banquette or sofa. France circa 1810, The green mattress is not included, we will make a slats base. Good antique condition. Shipping: Colis 1: L 62 P ...
Elm
Antique Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat With Red White Upholstery
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning antique carved mahogany settee features scroll arms and carved claw feet. Newer upholstery is a red and white woven tapestry fabric featuring a petite geometric print of cherries.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Faux Alligator Croc Leather Settee Sofa
Located in West Hartford, CT
A stunning, totally refurbished Empire sofa with scrolled arms and intricate carvings throughout the mahogany frame including the paw feet. The settee has been updated with a luxurio...
Textile, Faux Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 25 in W 66 in D 21 in
19th C Diminutive Classical Mahogany Recamier with Gilt Eagle & Claw Feet
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful diminutive Empire mahogany recamier with gilt eagle and ebonized claw feet, freshly appointed with satin upholstery all around, including a fitted cylinder pillow. Dating...
Upholstery, Mahogany