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 of Antique Empire Mahogany Armchairs, Brass and Gilded Decor
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of Swedish empire armchairs with a frame in mahogany made around 1830 to 1840. The chairs have decorative elements in brass, glided Egyptianized sphinx heads in the armrests and...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Gianni Versace Armchairs from the Vanitas 1994 Collection
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare pair of elegant and unique mahogany and gilt armchairs designed by Gianni Versace, part of the 1994 Vanitas Furniture collection. The front legs have columnar shaping and tape...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in San Francisco, CA
Elegant Empire Period black lacquered walnut chaise or daybed with brass ormolu decoration. Has its original horsehair mattress.
Sturdy and sound, b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Fauteuils, 19th Century, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French Empire Mahogany fauteuils, 19th century, circa 1810. 3 pairs available.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scale French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee. This exceptional settee is raised by seven supports, with four being circular front legs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
French Empire Black Leather Swivel Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ormolu mounted mahogany open swivel base arm chair with black leather seat and back.
Antique condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century, Empire Cherrywood Seating Group, 2 Armchairs and 6 Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful unique seating group consisting of 2 armchairs and 6 chairs. The group dates back to the Empire period of the early 19th century, circa 1800-1810. All chairs are made of so...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
$11,795 Sale Price / set
21% Off
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,496 Sale Price
30% Off
Italian 19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Empire Side Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Back decorated in various inlaid woods showing vines, flowers etc.,
The tops of the back chair rails are mounted with eagle heads, and are joined together with a turned gilded deco...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine 'Bergère' armchair in solid mahogany, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$2,470
Antique 19th Century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Dolphins' Heads Fauteuils, Manner of Bellangé
By Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Dolphins' Heads Fauteuils, Manner of Bellange
A pair of Empire walnut fauteuils or armchairs 'aux Dauphine'' (with dolphins' heads) in the manner o...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Set early Empire solid mahogany wood and sheepskin armchairs, France 1820s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1820 / 2 armchairs / mahogany, sheep skin / Romantic / Antique / Empire
Set of two early Empire armchairs constructed of solid mahogany wood and with sheepskin upholstery. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
Pair of Early Chiavari Chairs by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Sharon, CT
Extraordinary light and strong, probably out of rosewood. Early version in untouched condition. Missing their rush seating-one chair retains remnants of early (if not original) rushing. These chairs were originally designed in 1807! in answer to a Challenge to design a 'modern' chair. These chairs were very popular amongst the nobility in the 19th century, and were the model for Gio Ponti's update Classic Super Leggera Chair.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins' Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine Empire armchair with four elegant saber legs, upholstered in vertical cream and crimson stripes, and featuring ornately carved dolphins' heads at the base of each shaped arm r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A good pair of period 19th century fauteuil with new velvet upholstery, circa 1810-1820, mahogany with carved accents to the arms. They display all the classical elements of the last...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
$4,760 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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...
Category
20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Italian Empire Style Gold Giltwood Swedish Gout Stool Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Empire Style Gold Giltwood Swedish Gout Stool Footstool Ottoman. Item features bun feet, solid wood construction, gold gilt distressed finish, nicely carved details, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
Antique 19th C Empire Star & Shield Coat of Arms Dining Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire star & shield coat of arms dining chairs
Priced each.
Additional information:
Materials: Mahogany
Color: Olive
Period: 19th Century
Styles: Empire
Numb...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Style Brass Harp Lyre Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Style Brass Harp / Lyre Back Side Chairs - a Pair. Item features solid wood construction, harp backs, finely cast brass or bronze mounts, white dis...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th-C. French Empire Gilt Bronze Mahogany Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 19th century French Empire mahogany side chairs with gilt bronze mounts. Note the griffins on the legs! The fabric appears to be silk. It is vintage and in ver...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Danish Late Empire Birch Armchairs With Inlay, 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
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Plum Wood Swan Armchairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A pair of Empire / Biedermeier plum wood from circa 1815, newly upholstered with new fabric in classicist style. The armrests, backrest and seat are upholste...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
$7,462 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs Attributed to Jacob Desmalter
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Stamford, CT
A very fine pair of French Empire mahogany armchairs attributed to Jacob Desmalter, circa 1805. The shaped backs ending in beautifully...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
The Last King's Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare and important carved mahogany Empire Period armchair attributed to Jacob Desmalter, France circa 1800, of neoclassical form inspired by the design of Percier et Fontaine, architects to the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the armrests beautifully carved with leopards heads and torso, the front legs ending in carved paw feet. Attributed to Jacob Desmalter. France, circa 1800.
Provenance: The front under railing stencilled “Raincy” period paper labels hand written: Mrs Duque Orlean, Grand Salon, Palais Royal. This chair was part of a large salon suite (this one is number belonging to King Louis Philippe - Duke of Orléans - the last king of France.
An almost identical model was known to be part of the collection of Molly de Balkany who had an important collection of Empire furniture. Sister of Robert De Balkany...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$24,500
Pair of Danish Empire Mahogany With Inlay Arm Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Danish early 19th century empire armchairs.
Crafted in mahogany with ebony and satinwood marquetry on backrest and apron.
Apron and upper part of backrest decorated...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Pair of Empire Period Gondola Children Chairs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite pair of children's chairs embodies the elegance and sophistication of the 19th-century Empire Period. Crafted from fine veneers and intricately carved wood, these chai...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Beech, Upholstery
$2,960 / set
Pair Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bergere armchairs with red & gold upholstery, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Sofa Bench Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire settee late 19th century 1870- 1890. Ebonized mahogany frame, French polished (Black) with captivating carved female heads under armrest, legs terminating into animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$6,000 Sale Price
38% Off
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
$3,746 Sale Price
25% Off
20th Century Empire Style Painted and Gilded Stool
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
20th Century Empire style painted and gilded stool.
Circa 1940.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
A Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Settee
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Settee.
France, Circa 1890.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Couch
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze couch
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Height 107cm, width 192cm, depth 72cm
This beautiful canapé style couch...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century English Regency Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of English Regency mahogany frame dining chairs, early 19th century. Features exquisite carved back-splats in conjunction with further foliate carvings to the top crest, strip...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery, Giltwood
$3,146 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Empire Custom Painted Sofa
Located in New York, NY
Custom painted Empire sofa. Sofa has a down filled seat cushion. Legs and frame has carvings.
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
French Empire Style Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A true masterpiece of early 19th-century design, this luxurious armchair boasts an ebonized wood frame adorned with intricate gold detailing. The sweeping, low arms gracefully terminate in hand-carved stylized swans, embodying the grandeur of classical French aesthetics.
The finely carved frame is further embellished with palmette and lotus leaf motifs, lending an air of regal sophistication. The fully upholstered inside back and seat cushion, crafted in plush crushed...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
$5,844 / item
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
$12,000 / set
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
$8,184 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Fine Empire Period Bronze and Mahogany Desk Chair by Jacob Freres
By Jacob Frères
Located in Montreal, QC
Fine Empire ormolu-mounted mahogany desk armchair upholstered in gilt-tool leather. Signed: "Jacob Freres, rue de Meslee" Provenance: Partridge Fine Arts, New Bond Street, London.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
$2,200 / set
Antique French Empire Bergere
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely period French Directoire bergere, restored and upholstered in silk velvet. Lovely armchair with beautiful turned legs and columnar supports at the arms.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
$2,280 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Antique Empire / Regency Carved Ebonised Double Ended Couch
By Druce & Co.
Located in Tonbridge, Kent
Step into the captivating and opulent world of the Regency/Empire period with this exquisite double end sofa, a harmonious blend of exquisite craftsm...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Velvet, Ebony
$5,047 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Swedish Salon Group with Gilt Caryatids and Laurel wreath Decorations
Located in New York, NY
Empire style grouping from the early 20th Century beautifully made in mahogany in Stockholm, Includes sofa, table, two armchairs and two side chairs.
Length of sofa 50...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
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
$12,640 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Six Early 19th Century Venetian Chairs, Walnut, Empire Style, wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
6 early 19th century Venetian chairs in carved walnut, original upholstered spring seats in pink velvet, still usable. Clean and sanitized upholstery, structure polished with transpa...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs.
Measures 22" in width x 22" in depth x 34.5" in height . Seat height is 20".
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery, Paint
$1,746 Sale Price / set
30% Off
19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Pair Armchair
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century French Empire style handcrafted gilt bronze mahogany framed upholstered pair of armchair. Each armchairs is set on four straight mahogany legs, the front two of which ar...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Bench - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Benches - a Pair. Pair features serpentine carved rails with stunning cornucopia details, shapely frames with beautiful cro...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman. Item featured is a very rare model, shapely raised box form, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, black ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Birch and Mahogany Armchairs with Inlays and Ivory Linen Upholste
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Pair of Elegant Empire Armchairs with Beautifully Preserved Patina.
This pair of Empire armchairs is crafted from solid birch, featuring rectangular inlays in darker mahogany on t...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Birch, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Pink Chaise
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and large pink and gold cushion upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany Armchair upholstered in pink striped fabric
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous French Empire style armchair done in mahogany and upholstered in striped fabric in dusty rose and pale pink with seashell motif. The chair ha...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Lion Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Empire style lion armchair
Imperial stylish lion armchair in Empire style.
Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood....
Category
20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beech
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
Sofa Bench French Empire Mahogany Brass Brown France
Located in New York, NY
A rare sofa made in France during the Empire period, circa 1790-1810. Mahogany frame with gilded brass decor shaped as palm leaves. Tapered legs en...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
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.