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Empire Seating

EMPIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Empire
Empire Ottoman/Italian Zebra Upholstery
Located in Malibu, CA
Flame mahogany curvy 19thC English Empire period ottoman in Italian Zebra Upholstery on the original casters.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

1980s Empire Style Sculptural Daybed Bench Ottoman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, versatile piece you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the be...
Category

1980s English Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Late 19th Century Empire Style Childrens Chair
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant and rare childrens 'Bergère chair made in Empire style. Made of finely carved beechwood. At the top swan heads, which is a typical ornate of the Empire style. Upholstered ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Empire Armchair, circa 1812
Located in Lučenec, SK
This armchair was obtained at an auction near Lyon, France. This armchaor was completely restored as it was in a very bad condition. It is fairly comfortable, suitable companion for ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

An Elegant Pair Italian Empire Pale-green Painted and Parcel-gilt Armchairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
each with incurved back sloping to join a tight seat flanked by bowed arms ending in swan neck terminals; raised on cabriole legs; adorned overall with giltwood acanthus leaves, bell...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

EIGHT MID 19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Eight chairs in carved solid mahogany with pure gold finishes. The front legs are shapely and straight, the rear ones are flared. The backrest is embellished with a wooden leaf decor...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Gold

An Empire Walnut Upholstered Salon Chair With Decorative Inlay & Ceramic Castors
Located in High Wycombe, GB
An Empire Walnut Upholstered Salon Chair With Decorative Inlay & Ceramic Castors 1800s
Category

19th Century British Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholst...
Category

1840s Scandinavian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair. Item features a coral floral needlepoint upholstery, torch and flame carved crust, gold painted finish, very...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut

Empire style living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique living room set imported from Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and back...
Category

1840s Scandinavian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

19th Century Empire Revival Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Period Empire side chair: This highly stylized chair has brass inlay and ormolu features to include reclining goddesses, feathers and detailed Roman feet all newly upholstered in a b...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Pair of French Consulate Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Consolate mahogany (circa 1800) open arm chairs with beige leather seat and square back with an open X design (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Vintage Empire Style Needlepoint Floral Tapestry Footstool
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Vintage Empire Style Needlepoint Floral Tapestry Footstool. 28 1/2" long by 15 1/2" wide by 7 1/2" tall. Needle work is in great condition and I just love the fringe on the edge.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating

Materials

Textile, Wood

Henbdrix And Allardyce Painted Empire Style Armchair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire style painted armchair, circa late 20th century. With paint intentionally distressed to imitate age. Attributed to Hendrix and Allardyce, "Mai Mason". Seat dimensions, Width 2...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

19th Century Rustic Swedish Antique Empire Stool with Original Paint Genuine
Located in Boden, SE
A beautiful Empire Stool from Umeå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Scraped by hand to its well preserved original color. Newly dressed in beautiful linen fabric. The stool is stabl...
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Pine

Mid-19th Century 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 t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Birch

Pair of Early 19th Century Italian Hall Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Step into the elegance and grandeur of the Napoleonic period with this exceptional pair of early 19th century Italian mahogany hall chairs. During the Napoleonic period, hall chairs ...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Armchair, France, circa 1800-1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This gorgeous French Empire armchair features a very pretty mahogany veneer. The highlight of this piece are the finely carved dolphin shaped armrests. This Classic Empire piece date...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Set of Two Armchairs in Mahogany Empire Style, 1920
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Danish Empire style hand-polished mahogany armchairs with striped fabric from around the 1920s. Measurements in cm: H:84 W:52 D:47 SH:50 This product will be inspected ...
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Two Baltic Empire Karelian Flame Birch Dining Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Set of two Baltic empire karelian flame birch dining chairs from circa 1810-1820. Very elegant and architectural craftsmanship. Upholstered with fabric from Manuel canvas.
Category

1810s Baltic Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French
Located in El Monte, CA
A highly decorative and unique 19th century French empire painted and parcel gilt cast iron upholstered bench. Parcel gilt border is of a rich gold with warm red undertone painting jester...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Iron

Pair of Swedish Empire Birch Wood Armchairs 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Stockholm Birch Wood Armchairs in the Empire / Karl Johan period, circa 1810-1830 Sweden. This Swedish pair of armchairs are veneered in a warm golden honey color. Style is ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Birch, Wood

Pair of Antique Danish Late Empire Armchairs, 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs. Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron. The tops of the bac...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Birch

Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cherry

CASSADY Solid Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style by Cassady Furniture. Solid cherry with baluster seatback, curved top, arching side rails aligning w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
This set of 10 Empire Upholstered Chairs features 2 arm chairs as well as 8 side chairs. All of the chairs in this set feature a fully upholstered back for maximum comfort. And the d...
Category

2010s Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

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...
Category

1870s North American Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany, Satinwood

Bellanger French Empire Mahogany Pink and Red Stripe Upholstered Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style mahogany settee with a carved frame and striped blush pink and red upholstered seat, arms and back. (BELLANGER).
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Armchairs with Fretwork Detailing to Their Back S
Located in London, GB
A pair of charming late 19th century upholstered painted Swedish open armchairs with a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers to their backs. Recently reupholstered in a light vintage French linen...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Pine, Paint

Small Stool Empire-Style from the 20th Century, Portugal
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Empire style emerged in France during the early XIX century under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. It is characterized by its prominent straight lines and geometric ...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Empire Seating

Materials

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...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cherry

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Birch

17th Century Italian Black Lacquered Herringbone Cane Seat Chiavari Chair
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration is a solitary black lacquered Chiavari chair in beautiful vintage condition. Featuring turned legs and hand carved purple willow frame and backrest in a restrained 17th century Empire style and painted in a black lacquer with a herringbone woven cane seat. Chiavari chairs originated in the city of Chiavari, Italy and are the creation of early 17th century Italian cabinet...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Cane

Empire Style Armchair, 1850
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style armchair made around 1850 in black wood and green-yellow velvet. Has some nice sculptural details carved in the wood. Is easy to mo...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Armchair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A dining armchair in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, curved arms, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and ge...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category

20th Century French Empire Seating

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany

Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and gent...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Cherry, Fabric

French Empire Fauteuil
Located in Sharon, CT
Impressive black armchair of typical French Empire form, beautifully upholstered. Subtly incised palmettes where the arm rails meet the seat. Original b...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dental carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut

Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and gent...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Empire Style Ebonized Cross-Sword Bench with Gilt Highlights
Located in San Francisco, CA
the rectangular upholstered seat above an ebonized wooden frame raised on splayed swords with gilt handles; newer upholstery
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Empire Mahogany Wood and Veneer Sofa from the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Empire Mahogany wood and veneer sofa from the late 19th century We present you this antique Empire sofa circa 1860 of a beautiful form. It has ri...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery

Set of 4 Mid-19th Century Danish Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Beautiful set of 4 Danish armchairs circa 1860. Comprising of 2 armchairs and 2 open frame armchairs.  Main feature being the scrolling arm and scrolling front leg.  Carved back r...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Burlwood Caned Chairs, Pair
Located in Copake Falls, NY
A pair of empire style side chairs dating from the late 1800’s. Seat backs are decorated with perched crest rails and lyre back splats covered in rich burlwood veneers. Hand caned se...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cane, Wood, Burl

CENTURY Empire Style Carved Dolphin Head Occasional Chair
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Empire style occassional chair by Century. Fruitwood with carved gold painted dolphin heads, ebony painted arms, carved acanthus leaves to knees and st...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Fruitwood, Fabric

Pair of Empire Side Chairs, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of two Empire Side Chairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant chairs stand out for their plain design and the beautifully designed front legs. The side chairs have a cher...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cherry

Set of Three Painted Pine Children's Chairs
Located in Baltimore, MD
These delightful plank seat children’s chairs are in a rustic Empire style, with a scroll at the top of the back rail and turned legs at the front. In old worn buttermilk paint. Seat...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire Seating

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gold Gilt and Painted Empire Armchair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful Empire chair that we purchased in Naples, Italy. This is a classic style, with a fun pop of color with blue velvet that can be left as is or can be reupholstered ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

Empire Armchair with winged Caryatids and yellow Silk Fabric, France circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Empire fauteuil in mahogany and yellow silk morée upholstery with red piping and carved winged caryatids, France c. 1800. Lit.: J. Mottheau, Meubles et Emsembles Directoire Empire, T...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Pair of Antique Danish Late Empire Armchairs, C. 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs. Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron. The tops of the bac...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Birch

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...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Brass

Elegant French Empire Five Piece Mahogany Salon Set with Bronze Swan Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning parlor set of antique French Empire mahogany and bronze upholstered sofa or loveseat, two armchairs and two side chairs. Fre...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

Late Empire Armchair in Mahogany with Light Striped Fabric from 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Late empire armchair in mahogany with light striped fabric from around the year 1840. Stands in very fine used condition. Dimensions in cm...
Category

1840s Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Italian Empire Walnut Stool, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The x-frame stool with dragon heads and paw feet.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Beech Bergeres, New Upholstered
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The pair of bergeres from the Empire / Biedermeier period was made of solid beech wood. The bergeres are completely reupholstered and covered with new fabric. The seat cushion is loo...
Category

19th Century German Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Beech

Set of 6 Empire Barrel Chairs, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and original set of 6 early 19th century Empire barrel chairs stands out for its elegant design. The chairs feature a beautiful walnut...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut

Empire seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Drexel, and Jacob Freres Rue Meslée. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $275 and tops out at $90,000 while the average work can sell for $5,026.

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