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
Rare Pair of French Empire Period Stools (Tabourets) by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
**Pair of Neoclassical Tabourets by Jean-Joseph Chapuis, Brussels, circa 1810** An elegant pair of neoclassical stools combining sculptural form with remarkably forward-looking craf...
Wood, Cane
$960Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Curule Stool, Beech Wood, Upholstered Seat, France
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
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.
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
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
French 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Stool / Upholstery Seat
Located in Carmine, TX
A handsome French 19th-century Empire stool crafted in richly figured walnut, featuring elegant curved X-form supports joined by a turned stretcher. The generously upholstered seat p...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Empire style curule stool with striped upholstery, France, 20th century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A refined French Empire‑style stool featuring an elegant X‑frame in cherrywood and a softly upholstered seat in pale striped fabric. The intersecting curved legs meet at a central ro...
Fabric, Cherry
Empire-Style Stool, Brown Wood and Fabric, Early 20th Century, France
Located in High Point, NC
A brown wood, Empire-style stool, dating to the early 20th century and made in France. The wood frame is finished in fabric, combining structural presence with tactile comfort. The E...
Fabric, 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
Pair Arbus Style Cerule Stool's Needlepoint Tapestry
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of Arbus style French Empire Cerule Stools, birch wood, needlepoint tapestry 22"h x 23"w x 14.25"d, 17.75"h to top of seat Provenance- Property fro...
Birch, Tapestry
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
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
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
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
Empire period ormolu and mahogany swans' heads stool
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and mahogany swans' heads stool French, Early 19th Century Height 68cm, width 77cm, depth 39cm This beautiful antique stool is a class...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Stool / Upholstery Seat
Located in Carmine, TX
This elegant 19th-century French Empire-style curule stool features a finely crafted walnut frame with graceful X-shaped legs inspired by classical Roman design. The upholstered burg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
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
Balny jeune - tabouret de bibliothèque à système vers 1810 - acajou et velours
Located in PARIS, FR
Tabouret à système Acajou et placage d'acajou Estampillé sur deux traverses Dimensions : H. 57 ; P. 35 ; L. 42 (cm.) Paris, vers 1810 - 1820 Inusuel tabouret haut à marchepied escam...
Mahogany
$3,250Sale Price / set|29% Off
Empire Style Velvet Upholstered Curule Stools, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Blue Velvet and Golden Upholstered Curule Stools, with carved wood X-form bases. 19" H x 18.25" W x 16" D. Provenance: From a One Central Park West Estate.
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
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
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
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
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
Empire-Style Parcel Gilt Stools, Carved Wood, Egyptian Motifs, France
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
$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
19th Century Stool Original Paint
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A 19th century mountain stool with the original faded cream paint remains. As easthetic pleasing as functional thing to have in your home.
Elm
17th Century English Oak Joint Stool / Bench
Located in San Francisco, CA
17th century English oak joint stool / bench Jacobean style stool / bench Hand crafted English oak Measures: 18" wide x 12" deep x 16" high. The oak shows some distress...
Oak
19th Century French Louis XV style piano bench or stool
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Elegant French Louis XV style footstool dating to the late 19th century, circa 1880. Raised on four gracefully cabriole legs, the stool displays the characteristic movement and refin...
Fabric, Wood
Midcentury Tripod Tabouret or Stool Hair, France, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Design stool or tabouret.
Brass
$3,750
H 18.5 in W 17 in D 17 in
French 19th Century Walnut Curule Stool with Corinthian Capitals and Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut X-form curule stool from the 19th century, with Corinthian capitals and new upholstery. Created in France during the 19th century, this walnut stool features a square...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,087
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
Pair of 19th Century French Upholstered Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops. The seats are newly upholstered in linen and have nail head trim decoration. The frames of the stools are...
Abalone, Oak
Art Nouveau Savonarola Style Stool, Wood Construction, Antique, 1900s
Located in New York, US
Art Nouveau Savonarola Style Stool
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish Gustavian bench with carving around all sides and tapered square legs.
Pine
Stool in pine and sheepskin, Sweden, Late 19th – Early 20th Century
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Crafted from an old support pillar, this piece carries the weight of history within its solid pine structure. Its rustic form has been thoughtfully adapted with a seat in high-qualit...
Sheepskin, Pine
Leandro Bar Stool, Solid Beech Wood with Brass, Upholstered Seat, New
Located in Westport, CT
The Leandro Bar Stool is a refined bar or counter stool handcrafted in plated brass and beech. The shown in leather, it provides comfort while maintaining a clean, architectural silh...
Brass
Pair of Antique Swedish Satin Birch Biedermeier Stools
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique Swedish satin birch Biedermeier stools. They were recently imported from Sweden, they date from around the 1880-1900 period. They are of outstanding quali...
Cotton, Satin Birch
Pair of 20th Century Danish Inlaid Mahogany Tabourets or Stools
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of 20th century Danish stools or tabourets, crafted in mahogany with graceful, well-balanced lines. Simple decorative inlay follows the arms, skirt, and upper legs, adding subtl...
Damask, Mahogany
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
Sold
H 18 in W 16 in D 16 in
Set of three square 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
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
Sold
H 21 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
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 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