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
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
Category
20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Benches
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular upholstered seats with klismos form bases with turned stretchers, bronze mounts and paw feet.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Leather Desk Armchair with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1890 and built of mahogany, the armchair stands on tapered legs decorated with gilt b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Ebonized Cross-Sword Bench with Gilt Highlights
Located in San Francisco, CA
the rectangular upholstered seat above an ebonized wooden frame raised on splayed swords with gilt handles; newer upholstery
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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....
Category
20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Set of Three Painted Pine Children's Chairs
Located in Baltimore, MD
These delightful plank seat children’s chairs are in a rustic Empire style, with a scroll at the top of the back rail and turned legs at the front. In old worn buttermilk paint. Seat...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Library Chairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An excellent quality pair of 19th century mahogany
library armchairs, in the French empire taste, having
swept back and moulded scrolling arms with C-scroll
supports raised on elegant moulded sabre legs
(A relative typical design in the early to mid-19th century
these chairs are in the French Empire taste which was most
popular at the time, with the added benefit of being much
more sturdy and practical than the English Regency Chaise...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Baltic Set of 6 Empire-Armchairs, Mahogany, Design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Located in Göttingen, NI
A rare Baltic set of 6 Empire-armchairs - design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Mahogany richly carved and veneered
Side frame construction with inlaid upholstered seat on turned f...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century Empire Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of 19th century Empire Lyre back dining chairs
Wonderful pair of walnut dining chairs with carved double eagle head and lyre carving.
Mea...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
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
Empire Style White and Gold Pair of Armchairs, Sharkskin Style Trim, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style white carved wood with gold highlights pair of armchairs.
Standing on two front tapered legs and two back saber legs. Straight apron and uprights, rectangular backseat ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Set of Six Italian Neoclassical Klismos Empire Dining Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant late 19th century set of six Italian Neoclassical Klismos shaped Empire side or dining chairs:
standing on four tapering and partially fluted legs topped by paterae ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Late 19 Century Empire Style Gondola Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very nice set of dining/occasional gondola chairs; two open armchairs and four side chairs. The chair frames are of mahogany and are richly decorated with gilded bronze mounts feat...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
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: ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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 classic look and historic c...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Birch
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Two French Empire Armchairs, 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.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Cherry
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.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Rare Set of Jacob Frères Empire Chairs and Armchairs
Located in Paris, FR
Rare set of 6 chairs and 6 armchairs, painted and partial gilt.
The underside of each backseat is stamped JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLEE.
This stamp was used between 1796 and 1803.
Empir...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Empire Armchairs, Ca.1820
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Set of two early Empire armchairs made of solid mahogany wood and sheepskin.
With carved sculptured armrests and lion's paw feet to the legs.
A great patina on this set of French s...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
19th Century Pompeian Style Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Exceptional 19th century Danish masters work in Pompeian style. Ca 1850 Denmark.
The armchair is carved in walnut wood with marquetry inlaid.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Mahogany Bench Settee with Bronze Ormolu and Even Arms
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire mahogany bench settee with bronze ormolu and even arms. Item features finely cast bronze ormolu, brass rolling casters, tap...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Napoleonic Swan Chair in the Empire Style Beechwood Poliment Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact Fine-carved sculpture made of solid beech. Poliment gilded. Arranged frame on plastically carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in swan head. High-backe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Beech
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Chair by Modenese Gastone Interior
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this wonderfully upholstered empire side chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal sa...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Late Empire Armchair Made In Mahogany With Light Striped Fabric From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire armchair from around 1840 exudes timeless elegance with its mahogany frame and light striped fabric upholstery. Crafted during the height of the empire period, it sh...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of 6 French Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 French Empire dining chairs in mahogany with bronze mounts are a stylish expression of the genre, with exotic imported ma...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Chairs French 20th Century Green Leather
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire Revival Side Chairs
Early 20th century
The green leather seat can easily be changed to suit your interior
Good vintage condition with nice patina
Frames are sound and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
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 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Armchair by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this breathtaking upholstered empire armchair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in deta...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Carved Chair with Armrests by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Come have a seat at this wonderfully upholstered chair with armrests by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium flo...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Elegant Danish Empire Armchair, circa 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and decorative Empire armchair. Made in mahogany, with light wood inlaid (lemon tree). Oval backboard in ebonised wood. Front of arms in the form of wooden cut grippers with ...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Velvet, Wood, Fruitwood
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mounted Side Chairs
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A pair of Empire Period gilt-bronze mounted side chairs.
French, Circa 1820.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Danish Late Empire Armchairs, C. 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
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.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
Bar Stool in Black Finish with Gold Leaf Finish and Blue Italian Fabric
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exquisite empire-style bar stool in black finish with gold leaf applications. This seating item, which goes with the Modenese Home Bar set, has a damascus...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Solid Mahogany Side Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and solid mahogany side chair. The chair is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet and square tapered legs. Each leg is accented with dec...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
Pair Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bergere armchairs with red & gold upholstery, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Parcel Gilt and Ebonized Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique piece Empire style parcel gilt and Ebonized armchair.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood, Ebony
Pair of French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mounted armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet with a roset...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
20th Century French antique Empire style set with Two Armchairs and sofa beech
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, carved, colored and gilded.
Cambered frame on curly legs. Braced supports for slightly rising armrests ending in rolled-up volutes.
High-rimmed, slightly curved bac...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Beech
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
Chair Kohn Nr.321, since 1906, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state. Perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish. New upholstery surface on the original core.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1830s European Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Daybed with Ormolu Mounts and Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
French Empire style mahogany daybed on casters with ormolu gilt bronze mounts and chocolate velvet upholstery.
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
2 Kreiss Luxury Modern Empire Style Mahogany & Wicker Back Arm Chairs Suede Seat
By Kreiss
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful pair of Kreiss Luxury Empire style arm chairs. Made from mahogany with a wicker inset backing and swooping arms with bulbous fluted...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany
Pair Of Early 19th C French Empire Armchairs In The Manner Of Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional pair of early 19th century French Empire mahogany armchairs with ormolu mounts attributed to Jacob-Desmalter (1770-1841) , upholstered in a striking deep red velvet, r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Feet Swivel Leather Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th c. American Empire mahogany carved column paw feet swivel leather stool. Item features adjustable swivel seat, original brown leather upholstery, solid mahogany and wood carved corinthian column pedestal base with carved paw feet, rare antique item...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Carved Sitting Chair by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Come have a seat at this wonderfully upholstered chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal satin fab...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Four Italian Dining Chairs Empire Style Red Gold Upholstery 20th Century
Located in Milan, IT
A set of four solid walnut chairs in the fabulous Empire style with ormolu decorations, made in Italy in the 20th century, in good condition.
The walnut frame is beautiful in color ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
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, ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
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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