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.
to
64
260
207
461
17
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
282
164
33
40
19
28
16
20
14
18
13
19
39,926
21,337
8,447
3,989
1,637
1,450
1,190
1,090
975
915
914
824
739
645
506
481
336
259
9
347
105
20
34
21
21
3
6
1
5
8
2
3
8
4
457
213
210
110
99
382
242
58
32
31
481
466
466
11
2
2
2
1
Style: Empire
Pair of French Armchairs Fauteuil White Carved Back 1800s 1900s Antique Empire
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual Late 1800s early 1900s French antique pair of armchairs in original white paint with carved backs and beautiful curved arms and legs. They hark back to Napoleon's favorite Em...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bentwood
$2,895 Sale Price
58% Off
French Consulate-Inspired Fireside Chair in H&S Tweeds – Tent by Darren Henault
Located in New York, NY
The Fireside Chair, inspired by the classic French consulate chair, is designed with both historical significance and modern versatility. Its low seat,...
Category
2010s American Empire Seating
Materials
Beech
French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mahogany Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
French Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany five-piece salon suite
French, Late 19th Century
Sofa: Height 107cm, width 162cm, depth 65cm
Armchair: Height 101cm, width 68cm, depth 6...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Set of 5 French Empire Mahogany Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 5 French Empire-style (19th century) mahogany salon or living room set with bronze trim and red damask upholstery.
Measurements:
2 arms 27½" W 28" D 40½" H
2 sides 22½...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
$34,500 / set
Empire-Style Italian Armchair with Cushion in Walnut and Gold Leaf Finish
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exquisitely carved armchair in walnut finish with gold leaf decorations. Cushion and fabrics are 100% customizable, this particular model uses an exclusive grey damascus. This majest...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Mahogany Sofa, Restored, Original Upholstery, France, 1860s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire Mahogany Sofa
Origin: France
1860s
This item features classic Empire elements. This style, originating in 19th century France, was made to...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Restored Empire Mahogany Living Room French Seating Set, 3pcs
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
French Empire three-piece suite.
Made of mahogany wood.
Completely restored, new upholstery included.
Surface was done by shellac polish.
Sofa dimensions:
Height: 92cm
Seat h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
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.
Category
1850s American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Noble Venetian Armchair in Blue and Gold Fabrics with Pillow
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Complete a lavish living room set up with this sophisticated royal blue armchair. The carefully selected upholstery fabric adds a unique charm on the gold-painted solid wood of this sofa. The deep seated...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Around 1800 Baltic States 4 Dining Chairs Mohagony Brasswire Decor
Located in Epfach, DE
4 chairs for a dining room, around 1800, provenance probably from a noble household in the Baltic States
Mahogany, backrests and seat frames decorated with brass wire, designed in s...
Category
1810s Baltic Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four French Empire fauteuils-armchairs in carved and veneered mahogany with beautiful carving and scale.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Gold Gilt and Painted Empire Armchair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful Empire chair that we purchased in Naples, Italy. This is a classic style, with a fun pop of color with blue velvet that can be left as is or can be reupholstered ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Armchair with winged Caryatids and yellow Silk Fabric, France circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Empire fauteuil in mahogany and yellow silk morée upholstery with red piping and carved winged caryatids, France c. 1800. Lit.: J. Mottheau, Meubles et Emsembles Directoire Empire, T...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
Armchairs Set of 4 French White Green Empire Chairs France
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs set of 4 French white green Empire chairs France . A set of 4 armchairs made during the Empire period. Painted in a distressed white with dark g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
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.
Category
1880s Czech Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$1,685
19th Century Empire Tub Armchair
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique Empire tub armchair, circa 1820, mahogany with finely carved details. Newly upholstered with beautiful crème colored fabric.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
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...
Category
1980s English Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810, Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810
Step back in time to the opulent era of 19th-century France with the exquisite Elegant Empire Salon Suite, crafted i...
Category
Early 1800s 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
$4,208 Sale Price
30% Off
French Empire Revival Green Leather Top Bronze Griffin Mahogany Desk & Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Revival Style Green Leather Top Mahogany Bureau Plat Executive Writing Desk & Chair with Bronze Griffin Ormolu by Global N.Y. Listing includes a very impressive...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchairs - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchair in Blue Patterned Stripped Silk Blent - Pair
This Antique French Empire armchair...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
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.
Category
20th Century English Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
$3,783 Sale Price
30% Off
Empire Style Mahogany Armchair
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely empire style mahogany armchair from the end of the 19th century
Very good quality bronze and beautiful mahogany
Very beautiful armchair which can be used as a library chair or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Neoclassical Empire Early 19th Century Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual North European mahogany desk armchair with original brass castors. Fully carved armrests with eagle heads, the design probably by a designer from Berlin or Copenhagen (e.g...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Armchairs, France ca. 1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Armchairs from France, Circa 1810
Discover this exquisite pair of Empire armchairs, crafted in France around 1810. These elegant chairs feature rich mahogany ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,851 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Near Pair Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare near pair of finely crafted Empire-style desk chairs, attributed to renowned French cabinetmaker Jacob Desmalter, dating from circa 1800–1809. These elegant chairs feature bol...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Sofa, 1810-15
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Empire settee dates back to around 1810-15 and comes from France. The elegant settee has a cherry wood frame with hand carved details on armrests and front legs. The sett...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Cherry
Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Settee has a mahogany frame with tapered hand front legs with hand-carved decorative flowers on each leg and the seat back. The cushion is upholstered in a modern striped fabric.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Seating
19th Century, Four Tuscany Curule Wood Stools
Located in IT
19th Century, Four Tuscany Curule Wood Stools
These four elegant stools were crafted from fine wood in Tuscany, Italy, during the early decades of the 19th century. The distinctive...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Empire Striped Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire ivory painted open Armchairs with gilt trim and green stripe upholstered seat and back
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
$32,500 / set
19th Century Vintage Empire Mahogany Salon, Set of 5
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four fauteuils and one large sofa. Mahogany wood. Beautifully restored. Very comfortable and elegant. French work of the beginning of the 19th century, Empire period. Sold as ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$11,088 Sale Price / set
47% Off
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Wing-Back Armchairs
Located in Troy, NY
Exceptional Pair of late Empire Period Chairs, of Comfortable Size and Flowing Movement of Form. The accentuated wings beautifully complementing th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Sofa, XX th, Mahogany, Gray
Located in Nice, FR
Empire style sofa Structure in solid mahogany with brass medallions Renovated upholstery, thick cotton fabric, gray color. The large seat cushion is ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Solid Mahogany Regency Side Chairs Figural Bronze Ormolu, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire solid mahogany Regency side chairs with figural bronze ormolu - a pair. Item features finely cast ornate bronze ormolu, slightly curved backrest, solid wood fra...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
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.
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Beech
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
$5,286 Sale Price
20% Off
A French Empire style ebonized and giltwood stool, C. 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This X-frame stool has a deep ebonized frame with lovely giltwood embellishments. The X-shaped supports are joined by a central stretcher and surmounted by a neutral upholstered seat...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, 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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret
Presenting a rare and exquisite French Empire-style salon set, attributed to Alexandre Maigret, a distinguished cabi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Cherry
$10,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Late Empire Armchairs in Birch from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Late Empire birch armchairs, upholstered in red fabric and from around the 1840s, make a beautiful and period feature in any interior with their...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Birch
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
$1,550 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Mahogany Bergere With Blade Leather Upholstery
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
French Empire Mahogany Bergere With Blade Leather Upholstery. Circa 1810.
Gorgeous piece purchased in France. Beautiful proportions.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Messa...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Set of Two Antique Empire Side Chairs, circa 1830, Empire / Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Very good original condition with new cover fabric. Solid and compact. Perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood
$2,022 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
$7,600 / set
French Empire Bergere
Located in Hudson, NY
A classical French chair from the early 19th century. The form is good and the wood selection is detailed and in great shape. The closed arm style makes the...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,200
2 armchairs Classicism - Empire Walnut
Located in Würzburg, DE
✓ Top condition
✓ Wonderful wood carvings
✓ High quality walnut
Dimensions: W: 60cm H: 92cm D: 48cm
Item: Antique armchair
Item no.: 927
Epoch: Empire around 1800
Material: Walnut
...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
a Pair of Newly Upholstered French Empire Armchairs One Stamped J. Louis
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic pair of French Empire period open armchairs in well figured and carved mahogany; each with a square back topped by a bow shaped carved frieze featuring folliate rosettes and downscrolled arms. Where the arms join the chair rail there are carved anthemians and palmettes. These two chairs are presented in the green Empire fabric...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Original French Empire Sofa and Armchair Set Made from Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive mahogany partly carved. Cambered frame on curly legs. Supports bracing supports for slightly rising armrests in rolled-up volute. High-awned, slightly curved backrest frame w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
$6,656 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Side Chair
Located in London, GB
Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze side chair
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 94cm, width 52cm, depth 52cm
Crafted from mahogany, this unusual side chair...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
20th Century Empire Style Lion Kanapee Sofa
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.
(B-Sam-60).
Category
20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Beech
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
Pair of French Empire Style Campaign Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Empire style Campaign chairs. The pliant metal frame with brass lion's paw feet mounts and saber form legs designed to fold and accommodate fabric upholstery over th...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
$4,800 / set
Antique Swedish Empire Giltwood Settee
Located in London, GB
An incredibly beautiful antique Swedish Empire gilt wood settee. This was recently imported from Sweden, we would date it to around the 1880-1900 period.
The quality is outstanding,...
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Giltwood
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs made in Lindome outside Gothenburg. Flared saber legs at the front and back. Made around 1810. In good condition.
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
$5,550 / set
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.