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.
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
$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
$1,828Sale Price|40% Off
Duncan Phyfe Style Love Seat Settee with Scrolling Arms
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Duncan Phyfe style loveseat settee with scrolling arms and featuring a floral print upholstery and matching side pillows. Infuse your home with timeless sophistication with Hollywood...
Mahogany
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
Empire Revival Upholstered Mahogany and Ormolu 7-Piece Salon Set
Located in Queens, NY
7-Piece French Empire Revival (3rd quarter 19th Century) salon set comprised of a settee, 2 armchairs, and 4 side chairs with mahogany frames mounted with ormolu embellishments, upho...
Fabric
20th Century antique Empire Style Lion canapé Sofa beech bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style. Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
Beech
Italian Empire Ram's Head Settee
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Ram's Head Settee. A neoclassical parcel-gilt and parcel ebonized carved wood three-seat settee with ram's head arm-rest terminals all resting on four hoofed front fee...
Cherry, Giltwood
Empire period ormolu and mahogany swans' heads stool
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and mahogany swans' heads stool French, Early 19th Century Height 68cm, width 77cm, depth 39cm This beautiful antique stool is a class...
Ormolu
$556Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Dolphin Armchair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is 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 usually ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A French Empire Dolphin Armchair...
Cotton, Wood
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
Pair of large Empire style Giltwood Upholstered Armchairs Fauteuils
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage (20th century) hand-carved giltwood armchairs in the French Empire style with lovely red upholstered seats, seatbacks and armrests with petit point embroidered flora...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Bronze
$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
$1,623
Sofa, Historismus, 1880s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - Original upholstery - Wooden parts has some signs use - Good, original condition.
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Franch Empire armchair , in Carved Solid Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century Franch Empire chair with armrests in carved solid mahogany , wax polished Measure cm: H 92/42 x W 56 x D 50.
Mahogany
Set of 4 natural rustic style chairs en wood and leather from the 1930s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Set of 4 natural rustic style chairs en wood and leather from the 1930s - dark solid wood frame, oval back with carved details with brown leather seat with studded finish and underst...
Animal Skin, Wood
Regency Style Armchair, Fruitwood & Mohair, Parcel Gilt, Sweden, 1890s
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Regency style armchair featuring a Fruitwood frame with hand-carved matte ebonized plume body details and traditional 22-karat gilded parcel gilt detail on stylized heron heads at arm fronts and legs. Mint restored with new Moss Green mohair upholstery. Available at 200 Lexington...
Gold Leaf
$4,646 / item
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...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Empire Bergère Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover an exquisite pair of Empire-style armchairs from the 19th century, crafted from luxurious mahogany. These elegant chairs embody timeless sophistication, featuring high backs...
Mahogany
Rare and Magnificent Mid 19th Century Brazilian Empire Grand Settee
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this Brazilian Empire Settee, circa 1850, a captivating piece that exudes history and craftsmanship. Originating from a prominent coffee ...
Cane, 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
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
$41,831Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Mahogany
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Armchairs with Bronze Trim, Green Seats, France
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th century) mahogany armchairs with bronze trim and eagle heads with green seat.
Bronze
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
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.
Wood
Early 19th Century Empire Pear-Wood Sofa, Restored, Made in Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Austrian Empire inlaid sofa Made of pear-wood. (Inlaid) Completely restored. Surface was done by shellac polish.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Pearwood
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
Set of Ten French Empire Mahogany Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of ten mahogany dining chairs made in the neoclassical French empire taste. The chairs feature decorative bronze mounts ...
Bronze
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Tapestry, 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
19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 19th century Danish revolving desk armchair in mahogany with marquetry and brass casters, from the Empire period. Ca 1850, Denmark.
Brass
Pair 19th C French Mahogany Empire Upholstered Armchairs With Bronze Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of period French Empire mahogany bergeres with stylized carved dolphins decorating the arm and gilt bronze mounts. The central bronze mount depicting the helmeted god Mercury an...
Bronze
Ann Getty's antique prototype, c.1810 French Empire chair
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ann Getty's original c.1810 antique prototype chair that Louis Rossi reproduced exclusively for the “Ann Getty House Collection" - a furniture line of original and authentic reproduc...
Silk, Fruitwood, Upholstery
Empire Style Black and Gold Armchair - 19th century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Materials: Upholstery fabric - Wood Measures : 60x64cm H:96cm SH:44cm Place of origin: France Period: 19th century This armchair is characterized by a black-painted wooden frame and...
Fabric, Wood
$7,200Sale Price|28% Off
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Empire mahogany desk chair or fauteuil de bureau.
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...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Six French Empire Carved and Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome set of six French Empire carved and bleached mahogany dining chairs. The intricate carvings on the chairs showcase the craftsmanship and elegance of the French Empire style....
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century Mahogany Bergères Armchairs
Located in London, by appointment only
A pair of Austrian Empire period large scale mahogany bergères, the square chamfered backs are enriched with bold pierced flutes and the arms terminate in column supports with brass ...
Mahogany
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs. This statement making pair of throne armchairs are raised by patinated Brass casters the scr...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Imperial Stylish Lion Salon Couch in Antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine detailed carving work on solid beechwood. Gilded. Armrests ended in protruding, winged, forward leaning lions heads in Bronze. Measures: Width:146cm height:117 cm Depth: 7...
Beech
Vintage Pair of Empire Style Fauteuils with Carved Dolphin Arms by Century, USA
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th c., high quality American made pair of custom upholstered Fruitwood frame armchairs, labeled under seat. This pair of armchairs from Century Furniture Industries in Hickor...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$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
Pair of Mahogany Empire Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Empire armchairs. Solid mahogany with fine carved details throughout.
Mahogany
Empire Style Walnut Tub Chair in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire Style Walnut Bergere Chair in the manner of Jacob Desmelter with nicely carved rams head resting on articulated hoof feet.
Walnut
$4,996 / set
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, ca. 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany Dimensions: sofa height 113 cm seat h...
Fabric, Walnut
French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805. This exquisite chaise is raised by six elegant Mahogany legs with Ormo...
Ormolu
$6,925Sale 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
$6,404Sale Price / item|20% Off
Set of Empire Armchairs / Chairs, Maple Wood, Paris, 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Seat group made of maple wood with rosewood intarsia, France, presumably G. Alphonse Jacob, the last of the famous Eben family, probably second quarter of the 19th century. Semi-circ...
Maple
Pair of 19th Century Armchairs from the Empire Period
Located in NICE, FR
These splendid Empire period armchairs symbolize the opulence, refinement and luxury characteristic of the Napoleonic era. Beautifully carved and adorned with sophisticated details, ...
Fabric, Wood
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.
Ormolu
Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Fabric, Wood
pair of French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Birch and Ormolu armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive pair of French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. Birch and Ormolu armchairs. This exceptional pair of throne chairs are raised by front squar...
Ormolu
Pair of Gianni Versace Armchairs from the Vanitas 1994 Collection
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A 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 taper do...
Mahogany
$16,000 / set
Pair of French Empire Barrel Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of French Empire Barrel Armchairs, 19th century This beautiful pair of French Empire barrel armchairs dates back to the 19th century and combines elegance with exceptional craft...
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Living Room Set with Gilt Swan Neck Carvings
By Zone Creations
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Voici une version enrichie de votre description pour dépasser largement les 110 mots (environ 160 mots ici). Elle utilise un vocabulaire spécifique aux antiquités pour attirer les ac...
Bronze
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire mahogany armchair with carved lion heads to the arms and lion's paw feet to the legs, upholstered in French Emp...
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: ...
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Armchairs, Pierre-Benoît Marcion, France, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Set of eight armchairs by the French ébéniste Pierre-Benoît Marcion, with carved lion's heads and paw feet. The frame is made of polished mahogany. The backrests and seats are newly ...
Fabric, Mahogany