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.
$7,074Sale 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
$1,665Sale Price|43% Off
Antique Empire Charles X Inlaid Walnut & Brass Sofa, 1910s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Important sofa in transition style between empire and Charles X. Walnut wood veneer, brass inlays and small parts.
Brass
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
Russian Empire Period Desk Chair
Located in Pembroke, MA
Lovely burled birch wood ("loupe de bouleau de Carélie") desk chair from the Russian Empire, and recently reupholstered in French damask fabric wi...
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Burl, Birch
$15,000 / set
Pair of Swedish Empire Green Stripe Club Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Swedish Empire-style (20th Century) gilt club chairs with green lacquered claw feet and stripe upholstery (PRICED AS Pair)
Giltwood
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 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Silk, Walnut, Paint
$41,544 / item
Salon empire
Located in PARIS, FR
Mobilier de salon en acajou et bois doré, comprenant quatre chaises, quatre fauteuils, deux bergères et un canapé. 4 Chaises : Hauteur : 91 cm – Largeur : 49 cm – Profondeur : 38 cm 4 Fauteuils : Hauteur : 97,5 cm – Largeur : 63,5 cm – Profondeur : 51 cm 2 Bergères : Hauteur : 99 cm – Largeur : 70 cm – Profondeur : 54 cm 1 Canapé : Hauteur : 106 cm – Largeur : 181 cm – Profondeur : 62 cm Provenance : Vente Palais GALLIERA...
Wood, Mahogany
Empire Style Pair Of Italian Chairs "King" With "Vienna Straw"
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Empire Style Pair of Italian Chairs (Lucca) "King" with "Vienna Straw" We kindly suggest you read the entire description, as we aim to provide detailed technical and historical info...
Straw, Walnut
$1,450 / set
French Empire Style Walnut Armchairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Walnut Arm Chairs, with scroll form crest and white silk upholstery on four scroll form legs. 37.5" H x 22.5" W x 19" D; seat: 17" H. Provenance: From a...
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
Antique chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest are covered with new fabric. Dimensio...
Walnut
$10,000 / set
Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular arched padded back above a padded seat and tapering front legs topped with the head of a sphinx and ending in paw feet.
Wood, Fabric, Mahogany
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 ...
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Pair of Late 19th Century Carved and Painted Wood Classical Style Open Armchairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of chairs Swedish or Scandinavian in manufacture were made circa 1880-1900. Of large-scale and finely carved they are in the Empire or Regency taste. Decorative elements in...
Wood
Empire-style Bergère, 1900s
Located in Brussels, BE
Empire-style Bergère, 1900s
Fabric, Wood
French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Gold Leaf
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
19th Century Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A 19th Century Swedish bench from the Empire period, the back panel decorated with a classical scene of a pair of griffon. New seat cushion in plain linen.
Wood, Paint
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...
Mahogany
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Empire Barrel Chairs
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of 4 Empire Barrel chairs dates back to around 1810-20. They come from France. The chairs have a very pretty walnut veneer. They have a v...
Walnut
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
$2,850 / set
Pair of Swedish Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Essex, MA
Generous scale with slightly arched crest rail with scroll carving terminating with bird heads over an upholstered back and bowed seat, scrolled arms with bird terminals raised on cu...
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...
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating what many experts consider t...
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench with Cane Seat and Rare Provenance A refined and architectural 19th-century Brazilian bench, exquisitely crafted in solid tropical hardwoo...
Wood
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Wood
$1,256Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair French Empire Mahogany with Green Beige Tufted Seat Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent pair of French Empire Carved Mahogany with Green and Beige Tufted Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. The chest measures 18.5" in width", 18.5" in depth and 35" in height. S...
Mahogany, Upholstery
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....
Fabric, Wood, Beech
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
19th Century Empire Style a Russian Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid mahogany. Straight frame on saber-shaped legs with laid sheet. Strongly curved supports for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish....
Mahogany
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
$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 Maitland-Smith Neoclassical Leather-Wrapped Lion Head Armchairs
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking pair of Maitland-Smith armchairs in the neoclassical taste, handcrafted in the Philippines and richly detailed with the brand’s signature decorative flourishes. Each chair f...
Mahogany
$2,200 / set
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...
Wood
$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
Suite of 8 Empire Style Chairs in Solid Cherrywood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Suite of 8 empire style chairs in solid cherrywood, velvet to change small old restorations.
Cherry
$3,806Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 ...
Mahogany
$26,000 / set
French 19th Century Empire Three-Piece Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece group of empire seating includes canape and two bergeres canape - H 36 in; bergere - H 35-1/4.
Wood
Set of Four Swedish Empire Side Chairs by F. Pettersson, Mid 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Swedish Empire side chairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegantly curved backs, with straight wo...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Wood
Pair of Shepherdesses Chairs in St. Dominique Blond Mahogany
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Shepherdesses in St. Dominique Blond Mahogany Sculpted heads of Eagles with hamstrung front feet ending in doe hooves. Rare pair of chairs purchased in France. Age appropria...
Leather, Mahogany
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
Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose. These...
Velvet, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of French Mahogany Armchairs With Rams Heads Attributed to Jacob Desmalter
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of French Empire mahogany ram's head armchairs attributed to celebrated French furniture maker Jacob Desmalter ( 1770 - 1841 ). Circa 1805. 30" h x 25.5" w x 25" d Se...
Mahogany
Original antique Empire Armchair circa 1860-1880 Massive Mahogany bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire armchair circa 1860-1880 massive mahogany 2 beautiful armchairs from an Empire room. Each 2 figures provided cast bronze. The chairs have a nice curve, in a top...
Mahogany
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
Tapestry, Walnut
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...
Wood
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
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench Dimensions : 19.75" Wide X 19.75" Deep X 19.75" Tall This bench was made in France in the late 19th ...
Mahogany
French, Empire Provencal Armchair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A rare, beautiful, early-19th century Napoleon I, First Empire provencal armchair, a period piece, newly upholstered in the traditional laurel-leaf ...
Wood
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
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Tapestry, Walnut
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...
Brass, Ormolu
Romantic Canape French, 19th Century in Oilwood
Located in Madrid, ES
romantic canape French, 19th century in Oilwood. Upholstered seat and back, decorated with floral motifs. Usage signs. Dimensions: 104 x 235 x 64 cm good conditions
Wood
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
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...
Mahogany, Giltwood
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...
Brass
Pair Empire Gilt Arm Chairs Fauteuil
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of French Empire Revival armchairs in gilt Frames have been hand carved and are very intricate Very comfortable to sit in - solid and sturdy Seats, ar...
Giltwood
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
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