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...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
$2,690
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 24.41 in
LOUIS XVI FRENCH CARVED GiLTWOOD DOUBLE CANED BERGERE SETTEE SOFA WINDOW SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptional sublime Louis XVI French Carved Giltwood and double Caned Bergère Window seat or Settee P...
Rattan, Giltwood
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
$5,450
H 37.41 in W 90.56 in D 29.93 in
Antique Biedermeier Sofa Couch 4-5 Seat, 19th/20th Century Swedish
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Biedermeier 4-5 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and central motifs in the highest...
Birch
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
Antique Petite Sheraton Style Mahogany Camel Back Settee
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Petite Sheraton Style Mahogany Camel Back Settee This beautiful antique Sheraton style Mahogany settee, circa 1910 combines classic charm with fine craftsmanship. The gracef...
Brass
Edwardian Black Chinoiserie Bergère Cane Settee
Located in Hastings, GB
English Edwardian chinoiserie Beech Wood bergère cane settee, circa 1900 Decorated with painted oriental scenes and figures, in superb condition for it’s age All cane work is in good...
Cane, Wood
$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
19th Century Anglo-Indian Carved Ebony Settee
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Anglo-Indian hand-carved ebony settee upholstered in natural creamy white ecru linen.
Upholstery, Velvet, Rosewood
Antique French Carved Gilt Wood Settee
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French carved gilt wood settee. This was made in France, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. It is of amazing quality, with beautiful and intricate carving...
Cotton, Cane, Giltwood
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 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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....
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
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