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
Vintage handmade rustic scrubs pine Irish hall bench
By Child & Child
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handmade rustic vintage scrubbed Pine Irish hall bench. This bench is in a country Empire style and features one large drawer with two solid...
Category
1980s Irish Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Midcentury Vintage Empire Inspired Newly Upholstered Bench
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid century vintage newly upholstered empire inspired bench. This bench has been upholstered in a black cotton with a large button in the center. The bench has a dark walnu...
Category
20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
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 upholstered in a dark chocolate...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee
An Empire finely carved dark figured mahogany three seat settee, the back is surmounted by facing scrolls with strigilated flutes be...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
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
Birch, Upholstery, Wood
Antique Empire Chairs from Around 1810-1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Empire chairs from around 1900
Solid wood mahogany. Seat upholstered and covered with black fabric. Very stable and robust built. Hind...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
2 small gaps at the top of the armrests,
which does not interfere with the stability of the chair
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
20th Century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, Black
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, black
Very specific finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Partially gilded. Cum...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Beech
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German born architect worked mostly in Copenhage...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
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
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
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
Antique Sofa, 20th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
Dimensions:
Height: 40 (seat), 70 ( six backrests ) cm Width: 80 cm Length : 175 Seat ( 210 whole ) cm.
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
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 Revival Lacquered Swan Neck Settee, 20th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant French Empire style settee offers a truly spectacular silhouette that is sure to impress. Wonderfully detailed featuring a reeded top rail, down swept arms are intricately ha...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th century French Empire daybed.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Original Antique French Empire Sofa Mahogany Veneer with Columns
Located in Berlin, DE
Original French Empire sofa, circa 1800.
Mahogany,
right and left, each with columns and fire-gilt bronze fittings.
Some bronze are missing.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Incredible Neoclassical French Empire Swan Neck Daybed or Single Bed
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Early 20th century French Empire daybed featuring carved swan neck ends. Crafted from rich walnut having gorgeous neoclassical motifs of rosettes ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
The set of 10 Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs comprise of a group with 2 arm chairs and 8 side chairs. All chairs with a carved top rail and featuring a fully upholstered back which...
Category
2010s Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Bellanger French Empire Mahogany Pink and Red Stripe Upholstered Settee
By Bellanger
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
19th Century French Empire Cherry Wood Desk Barrel Armchair with Gilt Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1870 and built of cherry, the armchair stands on tapered front legs ending with paw sabot feet, over a bombe apron decorated with a brass laurel leaf motif mount. The rounded rail back over shaped slat, is embellished with gilt metal mounts, ending scrolled armrests decorated with elegant gilt bronze Egyptian female figure supports. The seat is dressed with black vinyl leather like upholstery, and embellished with decorative brass nail head trim. The comfortable barrel desk chair...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Rider Gold Velvet and Brass Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Parisian Flair. Our modern homage to an Empire style dining chair. Our rider dining chair is petite and glamorous, but ultra-comfy. Great as a dinin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Seating
Materials
Nickel
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
Mahogany, Fabric, Ebony, Upholstery, Cotton
19th Century Continental Walnut Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality continental carved walnut armchair, remaining in very good condition.
Width: 73cm Depth: 102cm Height: 100cm.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
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
French Empire Style Bench with Hand-Carved Swan Figureheads
Located in Middletown, MD
Freshly reupholstered late 19th century Empire style bench in a neutral cream-colored fabric. Artisan crafted in solid, rich walnut wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century, Pair of French Empire Style Wood Armchairs
Located in IT
19th century, Pair of French Empire style Wood Armchairs
This delightful pair of wood armchairs was made in France in the nineteenth century in the Empire style. The plant is strai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
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
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
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
Living Room Suite in the Antique Empire Style Beech Hand Carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on sculpturally carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of French Empire-Style Ebonized and Parcel Gilt Bergeres
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of handsome empire style chairs from the late 20 th century.
These chairs have a curved and reeded backs, the gilded arm.
Fronts in the form of swans, the seat frames with gil...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
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
French Empire Armchair with Red Floral Striped Damask Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
French Restoration mahogany armchair having a rectangular headrest topped by a tapering gadrooned crest, upturned scroll arms with acanthus embellishments, upholstered back and seat ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
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.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bergère Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
The beautiful design of this pair of French upholstered bergère chairs exemplifies the artistry and elegance of the Empire period. Exhibiting perfect proportions, the chairs are enha...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
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
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
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 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 Empire Style Gilded Scroll Arm Window Bench with Winged Eagle Supports
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire style gilded scroll arm window bench with beautifully carved winged eagle supports on down swept legs with feathered claw feet.
This extraordinary piece features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Natural Fiber, Giltwood, Leather, Linen
Empire Period Mahogany Sofa-Bed, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa-bed of the Empire period in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes. This sofa is decorated in front of a lyre in the center,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
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
Empire Style Sofa 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style sofa made in high quality wood and red fabric. in a very good condition. with some nice details in the middle of the bench.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
White Wingback Chair With Ottoman, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
White; Fabric; Wingback Chair; Ottoman; Danish Design; 1950s; Walnut; Wood; Scandinavia; Scandinavian Design; Empire; Pouf; Lounge Chair; Upholstery;
Stylish 1950s high back lounge...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Baltic Mahogany Long Bench - Antique Empire Silk Sofa, Canapé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique Baltic long bench with two pillows made of hand carved Mahogany, in good condition. The three seater sofa, settee is stand...
Category
Mid-19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
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
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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