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 Empire Sofa or Settee Constructed in Mahogany with Horsehair Upholstery
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique Empire Sofa or Settee Constructed from Mahogany and Upholstered in Horsehair. Our Exquisite looking Empire Sofa looks to have been made in the early 1800's and typically we w...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
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
French Empire Settee, Hand-Carved Fruitwood, Velvet Upholstery, 1810
Located in Johns Island, SC
French Empire Settee. This french empire period settee is hand carved of lemon fruitwood or Ash wood and has a lattice velvet uphulstry in an olive green and gold color. The settee h...
Velvet, Fruitwood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Gustavian Settee in Pale Grey with Linen Upholstery
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Gustavian settee crafted from beech and painted in pale grey, with a beautiful age-related patina revealing the warm tone of the wood in several areas. The settee is decorat...
Fabric, Beech
$1,282
H 35.83 in W 75.99 in D 25.2 in
Antique Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Turned Legs and Brown Upholstery, 1830s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique Empire sofa from the 1830s, crafted in mahogany with turned legs and brown upholstery. The sofa has a classic period appearance and measures 193 cm in width. — Period: 1830s...
Mahogany
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The sofa has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade. France...
Brocade, Beech
$6,000
H 26 in W 95 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Antique Louis XVI Style Gilt Wood Settee
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Louis XVI style gilt wood settee with Aubusson style upholstery, circa 1900. The back with Aubusson style upholsterery with a foliate carved gilt wood frame, an Aubusson upho...
Gold Leaf
Vintage French Louis XVI style Carved Gilt Settee C. 1960's
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 38.5 inches high x 65.75 inches wide x 32.5 inches deep. Seat Height 21 inches A refined expression of neoclassical elegance, this vintage French Louis XVI style settee...
Wood, Upholstery
English Chippendale Mahogany Needlepoint Sofa, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany sofa with serpentine back, flanking scrolled arms, floral needlepoint upholstery, and terminating on car...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sofa With Sculptural Armrests in Oak and Brown Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, oak, fabric, Czech Republic, 1960s A comfortable and bulky three seat sofa with a soft feel. This sofa is made in the Czech Republic in the 1960s. One of the elegant character...
Fabric, Oak
Semi Antique Sheraton Style Carved Mahogany Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A three seat settee with curved back sections. Each with fluted supports and arms. The backs with carved lotus flowers flanking open X supports. The arms with turned supports. Raised...
Fabric, Mahogany
Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa in Orange Red Upholstery
By Theo Ruth
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Theo Ruth for Artifort, sofa, fabric, lacquered steel, The Netherlands, 1970. A Dutch two-seat sofa in orange red colored fabric by Theo Ruth. The back tilts slightly backwards and ...
Steel
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....
Guillerme & Chambron Sofa in Teal Upholstery
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron, sofa, oak, fabric, France, 1960s Beautiful two-seat settee by Guillerme & Chambron, in solid oak. The back of the seat has been beautifully finished with woode...
Fabric, Oak
Early 19th Century Empire Settee
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A well-proportioned Empire settee with a crest rail inlaid with a diamond and stringing pattern in contrasting wood. The swept arms and tapered saber legs give it the clean, confiden...
Fabric, Wood
Antique Anglo Indian Caned and Carved Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial 19th century Anglo Indian settee handcrafted in teak in an elegant Empire form featuring caned sides, back and seat, carved seashell and floral motifs, stylized turn...
Brass
Sold
H 37.21 in W 86.42 in D 27.56 in
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
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
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
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...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
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