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.
Period Empire Bench with Four Carved and Parcel Gilt Lion Heads
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A superb and exceptionally rare Empire bench in cherry wood, distinguished by four exquisitely carved and parcel-gilt lion heads. It’s perfect proportions as well as masterfully hand...
Cherry, Giltwood
$7,150 / set
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...
Fabric, Mahogany
$4,170 / set
EARLY 19th CENTURY PAIR OF BERGÈRE ARMCHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Refined pair of Bergère armchairs, crafted from solid wood, carved and lacquered in Empire green. The armchairs feature a linear structure, with molded legs embellished with elegant ...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Settee 3-Seat Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Upholstered in Horsehair
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This handsome settee is in rare original condition retaining all the original timber and horsehair stuffings. The form is bold and fluid and the carved ornament very well executed. T...
Mahogany
$904Sale Price|20% Off
Chiavari Chair of Giltwood In A Faux Bamboo Style Striped Upholstered Seat
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Giltwood Chiavari Chair In A Faux Bamboo Style Complete With Original Striped Upholstered Seat The Chiavarina was created in 1807 by a cabinetmaker from Chiavari on the northweste...
Faux Bamboo, Upholstery, Giltwood
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.
Mahogany
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...
Bronze
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Empire Sofa, Carved Swan Arms, Linen Upholstery, 1900
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful painted and parcel gilt Empire sofa with medallions heads on the back, uprights modeled as swan heads in the arms, ( the swan heads are carved wood). This beautiful sofa ha...
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Milling Road for Baker French Empire Settee designed by Darryl Carter
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darryl Carter for milling Road by Baker. This settee has a white lacquer finish to the frame with new upholstery el tiger gray Chenil...
Wood
$4,108 / set
Pair of Empire Style Window Seats
Located in Lymington, GB
A smart pair of Empire-style window seats of superb quality, and in excellent condition. Supported on stained-oak tapering square legs with gilt-brass mounts and hairy paw feet. Upholstered and buttoned in faded vellum-green hide...
Wood
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Empire Style Mahogany Fauteuil with Black Damask Upholstery
Located in Trenton, NJ
This imposing mahogany fauteuil in the French Empire manner exemplifies the bold neoclassical aesthetic that swept European and American decorative arts in the early 19th century — a...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
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...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Empire Period Gilt and Painted Wood Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt and painted wood three-piece salon suite French, c. 1820 Sofa: Height 101cm, width 213cm, depth 72cm Chairs: Height 101cm, width 61cm, depth 56cm This exquisite t...
Wood
$7,060Sale Price|20% Off
Museum Court Empire Armchair circa 1830, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum court Empire armchair circa 1830, mahogany Solid mahogany body. Empire beginning of the 19th century. Armrests, curved volute-shaped, ending in carved dolphins. Rectangular b...
Brass
20th Century Antique Classizim Style Empire Swan Chaise Lounge Birdseye Maple
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partially ebonized and gilded. Finely carved swans, feet carved with paws. Very high quality fabric.
Wood
French Empire Sword Bench Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French gilt Empire sword bench with ultra sueded fabric. Beautiful carving details. Leave as is or have your upholstery shop recover and tighten frame.
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Brass, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two classicistic mahogany armchairs with brass decoration and openwork backs. The chairs stand on square pointed legs with H-shaped bracing, which merge into elegantly curved, high-s...
Brass
Pair Of Antique French Empire Style Upholstered Armchair Frames
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of burl walnut Empire style armchairs with upholstered seats and backs featuring fine craftsmanship with a square top rail and stylized carved accent on front of each arm suppor...
Brass
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx" Ormolu - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx/Lion" Ormolu - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H x 18" W x 20" D x 19.5" Seat height.
Bronze
Empire Banquette or Window Seat in Birch with Marquetry Inlays, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
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...
Birch
Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small, elegant Danish Empire bench crafted from mahogany, featuring delicate string inlays in satinwood on the ends. The seat has been newly upholstered in light gray linen, accented...
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
A Pair of French Empire Style Corner Chairs
Located in Vienna, AT
French Empire or Napoleon III style mahogany corner armchairs with ormolu mounts, arms rest on seated sphinx. Original upholstery, good original condition. New upholstery and also co...
Brass
Danish Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany and Blue-Grey Linen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench crafted in Cuban mahogany with beautiful grain figuring and harmonious proportions. Shaped end supports with finely profiled spindle splats and gently cur...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Fauteuils in Mahogany with Bronze Doré Ormolu, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite pair of Empire armchairs/ fauteuils in fine mahogany with bronze dore´ ormolu mounts decorating the upper crest and lower back splat, with rosettes and palmettes on legs...
Bronze
$13,600 / set
Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Giltwood
$2,369Sale Price / set|37% Off
French Empire Armchairs, Cherrywood, Carved Acanthus, 19th Century
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Fine quality French Empire cherrywood armchairs. Carved arms in shallow relief with acanthus leaves, elegant saber legs, beautiful patina color. To coat however you like.
Cherry
Dining Chairs Swedish Set of 6 Empire Mahogany Gilded Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Dining chairs Swedish set of 6 Empire mahogany gilded Sweden. A set of six dining chairs made during the Empire / Karl Johan period in Sweden 1810-1830. Veneered in a beautiful dark ...
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...
Bronze
Original antique Empire Sofa / canapé circa 1860-1870 Empire Room mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze. Top condition. Measurments: width:140cm Height: 100cm Depht: 80cm.
Mahogany
Grey-Painted Empire Style Sofa Frame, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-seater Empire-style sofa with a tall, straight backrest and straight armrests terminating in Egyptian-style caryatid figures. The sofa stands on seven tapering legs and has bee...
Wood
Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Mounted Mahogany Armchair, Circa 1880-1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Mounted Mahogany Armchair, Circa 1880-1890.
Bronze
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
Mahogany
Set of 4 mid 19th century Danish mahogany armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Beautiful set of 4 Danish empire armchairs circa 1860. Comprising of 2 armchairs and 2 open frame armchairs. Main feature being the scrolling arm and scrolling front leg. Carved b...
Fabric, Mahogany
$12,000 / set
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...
Walnut
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...
Ormolu
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Linen Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze I
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs. The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields. The seat has be...
Bronze
19th Century American Empire Side Chairs, Mahogany & Gold Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Empire mahogany veneer side chairs having an openwork urn-form splat back with an upholstered inset seat in a gold and red striped gradated fabric, standing on two...
Fabric
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 bo...
Giltwood
Bellanger French Empire Mahogany Pink and Red Stripe Upholstered Settee
By Bellanger
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style mahogany settee with a carved frame and striped blush pink and red upholstered seat, arms and back. (BELLANGER).
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
Wood
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair. Circa Late ...
Walnut
French Empire style Black Wood and Velvet Armchair, 1850s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1850 / armchair / wood, velvet / Empire / Antique French Empire style armchair made around 1850. This characterful chair features a blackened wooden frame with gracefully c...
Velvet, Wood
Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Mahogany
$1,824 / set
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Leather, Birch
$6,000Sale Price|38% Off
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...
Mahogany
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs in Black w/Gold Accents from the Mid-19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegan...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Carved Mahogany & Cut Velvet Upholstered Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking armchair is a fine example of 19th-century Empire furniture, marrying neoclassical authority with updated decorative luxury. The frame, likely crafted from mahogany or ...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Empire / Biedermeier Armchair, circa 1810, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany solid wood, partially veneered. Semicircular backrests, Bergeren-form. Restored and reupholstered with original Wollrips fabric covered. (C-147).
Mahogany
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, ...
Fabric, Wood
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...
Fabric, Mahogany
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.
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
$8,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs One Stamped J Louis
By Jean Pierre Louis
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic pair of French Empire period open armchairs each with a square back topped by a bow shaped carved frieze featuring folliate rosettes and downscrolled arms. Where the arms ...
Mahogany
Empire Style Tall Back Loveseat with Carved Mahogany Base
Located in New York, NY
Empire style tall back loveseat with carved mahogany base and claw feet. Newly upholstered in off-white fabric.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$7,600 / set
Pair of French Empire Style Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of elegant French Empire style side chairs. The chairs are burl with bronze mounts and feet. The black section to the front of the legs i...
Bronze
Pair of French Antique Walnut Empire Tulip Fauteuils or Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This set of two elegant Empire arm chairs stand out for their classic simple design and the beautifully shaped front legs. These comfortable and stylish chairs feature a wealth of fi...
Upholstery, Walnut
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.
Leather, Mahogany
$2,748Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Settee, France 1810, Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Settee, France 1810 Step back in time to the opulent era of 19th-century France with the exquisite Elegant Empire Settee, crafted in 1810. This resplendent sofa is a testament...
Bronze
Sublime French Empire Walnut Curvy Sofa with Gilded Swans and New Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A super elegant romantic French Empire walnut sofa having sexy curves, ebonized base and details with two gilded swans handles on each end. The new upholstery is neutral cream and includes two glamorous cylindrical pillows...
Walnut, Giltwood
Original Empire Set of a Sofa 2 Armchairs and 1 Table Mahogany with Bronze Figur
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze. The armchairs are made of a different fabric than the sofa and should b...
Mahogany