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.
Danish Empire Style Piano Chair / Stool with Velvet Seat, Early 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
This elegant piano chair, stool, or bench in the Empire style—is distinguished by its characteristic intersecting semicircular frame that forms both the base and armrests. The chai...
Textile, Velvet, Mahogany
Swedish 1830s Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Stool with Spindle Arms
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Empire style painted wooden Curule stool from the mid-19th century, with spindle arms, X-form base and new upholstery. Created in Sweden during the first half of the 19th c...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Swedish Antique Taboret Stools from the Empire Period in Yellow Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of antique taboret stools from the empire period, around 1840. The stools are Swedish and made in solid yellow birch. Curved legs and turned armrests. The seats can be taken out...
Birch
Set of 3 Italian Empire style Painted and Giltwood Stools, C. 1890.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A refined trio of stools, each featuring a white-painted and giltwood frames with classical carved details and turned tapering legs. The combination of painted surfaces, gilded acce...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Empire Style High Sided Bench with Gilt Details and Mohair Velvet Upholstery
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s French Empire style wooden stool has an antique white painted frame with gilded details and new gray mohair velvet upholstery. Two stools available at the time of posting...
Gesso, Upholstery, Wood
Mid 19th century Swedish birch empire stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch empire stool circa 1850. Scandinavian empire period stool made in birch. Shaped support handles which flow through to the 4 splayed legs. Original floral ta...
Tapestry, Birch
$2,261 / set
Pair of mid 19th century Swedish empire stools
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of mid 19th century Scandinavian stools circa 1840. At the time of listing we have 2 pairs of identical stools, very much in the empire taste. Curule like shaped scrolled legs...
Beech
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Upholstery, Wood
Empire-Style Curule Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant 19th-century Empire-style curule stool standing on veneered, curved X legs linked by a turned baluster-shaped stretcher and terminating in lion's paws. The padde...
Beech
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench Dimensions : 19.75" Wide X 19.75" Deep X 19.75" Tall This bench was made in France in the late 19th ...
Mahogany
$7,950 / set
1900s French Bronze-Mounted Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly-upholstered in Cheetah pattern fabric. Nicely chased bronze mounts. Strong and sturdy. Very unusual.
Bronze
Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Brass
Swedish Late 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Stool
Located in Skanninge, SE
A very stylish and elegant 19th century model. Newly upholstered in cream white/yellow fabric. The mahogany frame is in a good unrestored condition. This stool/banquette is free stan...
Bronze
French Empire Style Curule Stool with Gilded Accents and Linen Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood curule stool from circa 1900 with gilded accents, curved X-shaped legs, carved campanula and rosettes motifs, newly re-upholstered in linen fabric....
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Painted Empire Stool or Bench, Sweden, Late 19th Century
Located in Skanninge, SE
Very stylish stool/bench or banquette. Late 19th Century. Painted wood and recently reupholstered. With wood-carved Rams heads and hoof feat. Painted wood in gray, green, and some...
Birch
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Foot Swivel Leather Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Foot Swivel Leather Stool. Item features an adjustable swivel seat, brown leather upholstery, solid mahogany wood carved Corinthian...
Leather, Mahogany
20th century modern empire style stool with cowhide upholstery
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 20th century Empire inspired upholstered stool. The stool has been newly upholstered in a natural cowhide and sits on top of an aluminum Empire style base.
Metal
19th Century, Four Tuscany Curule Wood Stools
Located in IT
19th Century, Four Tuscany Curule Wood Stools These four elegant stools were crafted from fine wood in Tuscany, Italy, during the early decades of the 19th century. The distinctive...
Wood
Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen century Sweden. A stool made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black and upholstered in a beige linen.
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Ormolu stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Ormolu stool. This wonderful swivel stool is raised on triangular Mahogany base with three protruding...
Ormolu
French Empire Walnut Bergère Kidney Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire style Bergère kidney shaped stool. This is a charming French empire style walnut stool, the stool has a charming golden colour an...
Walnut
$2,200 / set
Pair of Empire Style Parcel Gilt Stools
Located in El Monte, CA
A magnificent pair of Empire-style parcel-gilt stools that exude timeless elegance. Each stool features a carved wooden frame with a cream and gilt finish showcasing the luxuriousnes...
Wood
French Empire Period Swans' Heads Stool
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique stool is a classic example of Empire period design: with elegant curved armrests which are designed to look like swans' necks, the seat features skilfully-cast...
Ormolu, Bronze
$550
H 17.5 in W 21.5 in D 14.1 in
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Waterfall Bench Stool With Faux Snake Skin Upholstery
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Lucite stool with faux snake skin upholstery. Elegant and chic, this gleaming lucite stool is attributed to Hollis Jones. Original chrome-plated casters, the lucit...
Upholstery, Lucite
Kurt-Eric Blücker, Stool, Birch, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch stool designed and produced Kurt-Eric Blücker, Munkedal, Sweden, 1970s. Seat height 16.75”.
Birch
$2,174
H 20.3 in W 36.2 in D 15.4 in
Antique Early 1900s Gothic Revival Stool or Table with Hand Carved Elements
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, practical and highly decorative seat / hall bench with quality carvings. This beautifully carved and striking stool is surrounded by a number of very well designed and execu...
Oak
English Crule Painted & Upholstered Piano Bench, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English painted and upholstered crule piano bench with adjustable seat and connecting stretchers, Early 19th century.
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Antique Swedish Stools
Located in London, GB
A wonderful pair of antique Swedish stools. They were recently imported from Sweden, they date from around the 1900-10 period. They are of outstanding quality with a beautiful and u...
Cotton, Wood
Early 1900s French Pine Train Station Stool
Located in Burton, TX
Found in France, this Early 1900s French Pine Train Station Stool features a finger hold in the top for easy transport. The size of the piece lends it to be used as a stool or a sid...
Pine
Kai Kristiansen Walnut and Mohair Mohair Velvet Bench
Located in London, England
A beuatiful bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar in Denmark. This hand-made to order bench has a solid walnut frame ...
Mohair, Oak, Walnut
$3,700
H 20 in W 24 in D 17.75 in
"Hand Forged Iron Bench with Fortuny Fabric and Bronze Details, 1960s"
By Ironies
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"One of a kind" unique hand forged iron Base bench, with cast bronze details, newly upholstered in a one-of-a-kind Fortuny fabric.
Bronze, Iron, Metal
Contemporary Bench with Handwoven B&W Upholstery
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Cloud collection was created around the concept of tress. These contemporary styled benches and stools are made with cotton fabric and foam stripe...
Fabric
Pair of giltwood stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of regency style stools ,gilded wood, one of the most beautiful models of the regency elegant and refined ,cushions on the top decorated with pom-poms the quality and the workma...
Fabric, Giltwood
$3,800
H 17.5 in W 50 in D 19 in
Tri-Mark Designs Bench with Chrome Frame & Ivory Bouclé Upholstery c. 1970s
By Tri-Mark
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sexy sleek chrome bench by Tri-Mark Designs newly reupholstered in soft highly durable ivory bouclé. Ivory bouclé is breathable and keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Strong bookend style chrome legs support a soft and comfortable upholstered seat. Clean lines. High art look. A good choice for a sleek art filled entry or passage way, or in a large walk in closet...
Metal, Chrome
Contemporary Bench with Handwoven Orange Upholstery
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Cloud collection was created around the concept of tress. These contemporary styled benches and stools are made with cotton fabric and foam stripe...
Fabric
Pair, Late 19th Century Gray Swedish Curule Stools
Located in Round Top, TX
This romantic pair of Empire style painted wooden Curule stools are from Sweden, late 19th century. Noted style elements include out-scrolling and decorative base. It is the lovely ...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
20th Century Empire Style Painted and Gilded Stool
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th Century Empire style painted and gilded stool. Circa 1940.
Upholstery, Wood
Mid 19th century Swedish birch empire stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch empire stool circa 1850. Scandinavian empire period stool made in birch. Shaped support handles which flow through to the 4 splayed legs. Original floral ta...
Tapestry, Birch
Antique French Tabouret Seat
Located in Buxton, GB
This exquisite piece of furniture is an Antique French Tabouret Empire Style, crafted from high-quality mahogany wood in France during the peri...
Hardwood
1920s Scroll Side Bench / Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
1920s scroll side bench / stool, window seat, tall rolled sides, French Empire Style, with gilt wood trim. tufted cushion. French, 20th century
Muslin, Giltwood
Sold
H 28.35 in Dm 19.69 in
French Gueridon Side Round Table in Mahogany with Tripod Columns Brass Decors
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful French Empire style gueridon round table from 19th century in mahogany. A simple apron showcases the deep toned wood. Three columnar legs with decorative brass ormolu cap...
Wood
19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century Italian Empire style walnut stool. Interesting carving with a gold gilt finish. A nice accessory piece. Circa 1860.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 18.9 in W 43.31 in D 16.15 in
Antique Decorative Ormolu Mounted French Empire Duet Stool 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic and highly decorative antique French Empire mahogany duet stool, circa 1830 in date. It has been crafted from fabulous solid mahogany and is smothered in fabulo...
Mahogany
Empire-Style Stools, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of mahogany Empire style stools with paw feet and x-shaped frames with balustered stretchers. The stools have been reupholstered and hand-polis...
Wood
19th Century French Empire Upholstered and Gilt Painted Stool Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant painted wood bench was crafted in northern France, circa 1890. The antique seat stands on carved spiral etched legs decorated with brass flor...
Walnut, Upholstery
Antique French Painted and Parcel Gilt X Frame Stool
Located in Sherborne, GB
A French early 19th century painted and parcel gilt X frame stool on opposing shaped X form supports each centred by a lotus leaf adorned roundel, finishing on ball and lotus leaf ca...
Beech
Empire Walnut Mechanical Piano Stool in Raspberry Velvet
Located in Malibu, CA
Rare Piano stool with beautiful geometric pedestal base. This mechanical chair raises & lowers without a creak. A perfectly crafted piece reupholstered in playful raspberry velvet...
Velvet, Walnut