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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
Pair 19th Century Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century diminutive Italian Empire Scalamandré Tiger Velvet Bergère chairs composed of mahogany and gilded accents. and newly upholstered in Scalamandré Tiger Velvet.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Early 19th Century Mahogany Daybed
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany sleigh bed, circa 1805, by Jacob Frères and designed by the architect Louis-Martin Berthault. This rare model, practically identical to one made for Madame Récamier (See do...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Rare Needlepoint Empire Salon (One Sofa and Two Armchairs)
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa and two armchairs in mahogany. The armrest is adorned with dolphins and saber-shaped legs. Circa, 1830. Rare upholstery of complete needlepoint...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Empire Sofa Schumacher Sabi Tiger Velvet
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century Empire sofa. This handsome burl veneer sofa features ebonized and gilt columns, urn finials, with two hidden drawers, all newly upholstered in Schumacher abstract ...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood, Burl

Oak Antique Empire Danish Sofa 1800s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Absolutely stunning, this early 19th-century sofa hails from the Empire period, showcasing impeccable craftsmanship and timeless design. Built to withstand the test of time, this Dan...
Category

1850s Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Antique Pair French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date. The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. Th...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Danish 19th Century Antique Leather Klismos Chairs, set of 2
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A beautiful 19th-century oak Klismos chair, crafted in Denmark in the around 1860s. The design, featuring a wide, curved backrest and sabre legs, harkens back to Ancient Greece (5th ...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Faux Leather, Beech, Oak

Late 19th Century Empire Mahogany Arm Chairs
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique Empire style armchairs. The armrest and legs are made of solid mahogany, the backrest is made of veneered mahogany. An elegant design with curved armrests and taper...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A graceful 19th-century French Empire daybed, expertly carved from solid mahogany with curvaceous swan motif. Featuring a sleigh-like profile and perfectly symmetrical, allowing the ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Textile, Mahogany

Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with leafy cornucopia carvings, carved top rail, great antique sofa. Cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Located in Trenton, NJ
nfuse your home with timeless sophistication with this Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa. Its ebonized wood frame features exquisite carvings that highlight the skill and craftsmanship...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
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

19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Framed Upholstered Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very beautiful North American Empire style mahogany wood framed upholstered sofa with matching bolster pillows and mahogany frame scroll...
Category

1820s American Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Vintage Oxblood Leather Tufted Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Stunning vintage tufted oxblood leather Chesterfield sofa, exuding timeless elegance. The rich, smoky burgundy hue adds depth and sophistication, truly coming to life when illumina...
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Leather

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century Empire style bench featuring Neoclassical style carved swan frame newly padded and upholstered in a Chanel style chuncky tweed.
Category

20th Century Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830. solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with lace up padding. very com...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs. Offered is a lovely pair of early 19th century French period Empire chairs, fauteuils or side chairs. This pair of chairs are adorned with ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire mahogany armchairs - swan shaped armrest - attributed to Bellange
By Lelièvre Paris, Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of Empire mahogany armchairs in the style of French cabinet maker Pierre Antoine Bellangé (Bellangé was an official supplier to Imp...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Meyer Gunther Martini French Empire Swan Armchairs Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of 1970s Meyer Gunther Martini French Empire Swan Armchairs...
Category

1970s Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Cotton, Wood

French Newly Upholstered & Painted Iron Empire Daybed from Paris
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic French Louis XVI Neoclassical French Empire daybed newly reupholstered with modern plush bolster pillows. Bed frame is solid painted iron turn of the century from France and ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Iron

Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests. Measures: Seat height 17.5 Arm height ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany

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

Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Rolled Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Rolled Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with cornucopia carvings, spiral carved top rail, great antique sofa to reup...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Four Italian Dining Chairs Empire Style Red Gold Upholstery 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A set of four solid walnut chairs in the fabulous Empire style with ormolu decorations, made in Italy in the 20th century, in good condition. The walnut frame is beautiful in color ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

Lacquered Empire Style Sofa with Leopard Fabric
Located in San Francisco, CA
Great statement piece with white lacquer wood finish and leopard printed upholstery. Loads of drama for either a simple or layered decor.
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
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...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

Side Chair by Friedrich Rambach, master carpenter, Stockholm active 1834-1861.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique Empire lounge chair with brass detail on neckrest. By master carpenter Friedrich Rambach, active in Stockholm, Sweden between 1834-1861. Beautiful "Emma" chair like style wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Indian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Reed, Teak

Swedish Empire Karl Johan Wood Sofa 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire Karl Johan style sofa dating c. 1830
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Birch

19th Century Antique Empire Bench in Mahogany
Located in Valby, 84
A refined and elegant Empire-style bench, crafted from rich mahogany and featuring a beautifully curved and detailed backrest. The symmetrical design is highlighted by an interwoven ...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wool, Mahogany

Empire Banquette or Window Seat in Birch with Marquetry Inlays, circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
A Swedish Empire banquette/sofa in birch with marquetry embellishments which include foliage and urns and line-inlaid figures of the four cardinal virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. Lower cabinets open to reveal drawers, while top cabinets offer shelving. Note: Needs upholstery...
Category

Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Birch

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Beech

Antique French Empire Napoleonic Ormolu Parcel Gilt Bureau Desk Armchair, 1815
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & stylish antique French Empire Napoleonic parcel gilt and ormolu mounted French Fauteuil de bureau (desk chair), circa 1815. The chair back and armrest of hooped shaped form,...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

Mid 19th century French empire mahogany and leather reclining chair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality mid 19th century French mahogany and leather reclining chair circa 1860. We are pleased to be able to offer this stunning french flame mahogany reclining chair for sale...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair French double cane 19th century. Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Bench
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Vintage French Empire Bench
Vintage French Empire Bench
$1,721 Sale Price
25% Off
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category

1940s English Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Empire Period Armchairs and Bergere by P.BELLANGÉ
By Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in Paris, FR
EXCEPTIONAL seats by Pierre Bellangé PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS, circa 1805 Mahogany with mahogany veneer. Powerful tapered front legs with three scalloped rings, and sabre back legs. Slight...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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

French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

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

Set of Six Napoleonic Empire Style Bronze Mounted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of six mahogany dining chairs made in the grand Napoleonic Empire taste. The chairs feature beautifully crafted mahogany frames with rich, deep woodgrains on the fi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Seating

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Empire mahogany armchairs by Jacob Frères, France, 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of mahogany Empire gondola armchairs, very confortable gondola chair model. The armrest are swan-shaped and front legs are lion-legs-shaped. The seats are covered with a ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

French Empire Style Mahogany Daybed with Ormolu Mounts and Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
20th century French Empire style mahogany daybed on casters with ormolu gilt bronze mounts in floral/thistle decoration and original wood jo...
Category

20th Century French Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Tapestry, Birch

1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Empire Marquetry Sofa in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays, circa 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely and well-proportioned marquetry sofa with arched back, scroll arms and short Grecian curved legs in mahogany embellished with inlays of festoo...
Category

1810s Dutch Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood

A Pair of Elegant Louis XVI Style Bergere Armchairs With Cream Damask Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Matching Pair of Empire Design Bergere Arm Chairs With Scroll Backs Upholstered in Cream Damask. Perfect For Any Library, Study or Lounge Space. Height to arms 67.5cm Height...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Damask

Rare Set of Twelve 19th Century Empire Chairs in Mahogany, Brass and Velvet
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Set of Twelve Early 19th Century Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany, Inlaid Brass and Velvet This is a very large and rare set of twelve elegant dining chairs from the (late) ‘em...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Brass

Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask Upholstery & Red Velour Piping. Quality and luxurious designed chairs, elegant but robust with rich ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Empire Seating

Materials

Damask, Silk, Velvet

Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular arched padded back above a padded seat and tapering front legs topped with the head of a sphinx and ending in paw feet.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Mahogany

Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
$3,850 Sale Price / set
61% Off
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke Dimensions : 36.5" Tall X 25" Wide X 21" Deep SH - 17.5" AH...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Swedish Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Generous scale with slightly arched crest rail with scroll carving terminating with bird heads over an upholstered back and bowed seat, scrolled arms with bird terminals raised on cu...
Category

1830s European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The early 19th century desk chair with ram's head arms and turned legs, is attributable to Jacob Desmalter and dates to circa 1805.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Monumental Walnut and Velvet Throne Chair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Empire style (19th Cent) monumental walnut throne chair with carved figure with wreath and red cut velvet upholstery Antique condition. Show...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut, Velvet

Pair of 19th century Swedish Gothenburg gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century gothenburg gilt armchairs circa 1870. Fine quality pair of swedish gothenburg gilt armchairs circa 1870. Slipper like shaped backs, the shaped arms supported by...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Beech, Giltwood

Pair 19th Century Ebonized Empire Style Black Hair Hide Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century ebonized mahogany Empire style fauteuil with winged caryatids, newly upholstered in a deep espresso hairhide.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Superb Bronze Mounted Eagle French Empire Mahogany Empire Daybed Chaise
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
There are daybeds and then there are MASTERPIECES posing as daybeds! This is a decadent and absolutely superior piece with crisp, naturalistic eagles and paw feet and the more usual ...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

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, tables 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 Italy 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, Century Furniture, and Drexel. 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 $325 and tops out at $151,397 while the average work can sell for $4,884.

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