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 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
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
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...
Mahogany
$6,387Sale 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
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Chaise with Pink Cushion
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and pink and gold patterned damask upholstery.
Bronze
French Empire Revival, Bronze, Mahogany, Tapestry, Armchairs, France, 19th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
French Empire Revival, Bronze, Mahogany, Tapestry, Armchairs, France, 19th c. A finely cast pair of Napoleon lll Arm Chairs. Each mahogany chair decorated with exceptional dore bron...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Sofa Berlin Brandenburg Mahogany Carved Gilded Lions
Located in Epfach, DE
Provenance: noble Family "von Puttkamer" from Berlin Brandenburg; on the back original marked with pencil "Henriette von Puttkamer" and a transport sticker, made of paper, from the railway "Waren (Müritz)" (Henriette v. P. lived from 1799 until 1878) This piece of furniture from the time of the German Empire has a tasteful lightness that is underlined by the extraordinary design. Both ends of the backrest are crowned by a reclining, hand-carved and gilded lion...
Mahogany
$2,317Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
Antique French Empire Regency Inlaid Mahogany Swivel Piano Harpist Stool Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Inlaid Mahogany Swivel Piano Harpist Stool Chair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H x 17.5" W x 18" D x 20" Seat height.
Mahogany
19th Century Walnut Curule Chair with Floral Tapestry Upholstery
Located in High Point, NC
This striking curule-form chair takes its silhouette from the ancient X-frame seat, its scrolled cross-legs terminating in carved feet at both front and back. A tall, gently curved b...
Oak
19th Century French Mahogany Dolphin Armchair with Bronze Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany round back carved dolphin arm chair with bronze trim and gold upholstery
Bronze
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
19th C Italian Biedermeier Mahogany Reclining Lounge Chair w/ Cast Iron Hardware
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C Italian Biedermeier Mahogany Reclining Lounge Chair with Cast Iron Hardware. Item features a reclining back, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, distressed finish, nicely ...
Iron
Set of Four French Empire Period Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin-Head
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant and decorative set of four French Empire period armchairs, crafted in solid walnut during the early 19th century, circa 1810–1825. These finely proportioned fauteuils disp...
Upholstery, Walnut
Swedish Empire Club Chairs, Gilt Finish, Green Stripe Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
2 Swedish Empire-style (20th Century) gilt club chairs with green lacquered claw feet and stripe upholstery (PRICED EACH)
Giltwood
Restoration Period Turkish Sofa With Swan Neck
Located in Charmes, FR
Turkish or billiard sofa, restoration period, swan neck decoration, discolored and stained fabric on the cushion as well as a small, unusual and decorative acro model
Wood
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
A 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu and Leather armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and most handsome Continental 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu and Leather armchair. This wonderful chair is raised by curved Mahogany legs leading to a c...
Ormolu
$2,317Sale 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
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A striking pair of late French Empire mahogany armchairs, highly decorated with gilded bronze mounts on the upper back rail and all round the bottom of the seat as well. The curved open front arms terminate in carved dolphins. The chairs have been re-upholsterd in a cream and dark green striped antique silk fabric...
Silk, Mahogany
Pair of Baker Empire Style Mahogany Occasional Side Chairs
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of empire style occasional arm chairs by Baker Furniture with black on black striped upholstery and mahogany frames with decorative brass accents. Cushions are removable. Backs ...
Mahogany
$2,688Sale 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
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Parcel Gilt
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire and parcel gilt bergère. Gilt swan arms and pawed feet.
Mahogany
$4,800 / set
Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of late 19th century lounge chairs are in the Empire style. The curved arms end with carved acanthus leaves. The seats and borderin...
Linen, Wood
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Chairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze chairs French, 19th century Dimensions: Height 93cm, width 51cm depth 48cm This pai...
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee An Empire finely carved dark figured mahogany three seat settee, the back is surmounted by facing scrolls with strigilated flutes be...
Mahogany
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
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 ...
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Giltwood
$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
Pair 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs with Leather & Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of antique 19th century French Empire mahogany armchairs, beautifully crafted with tailored architectural lines, leather upholstery, and finely detailed bronze mounts. The Emp...
Bronze
Empire Period Mahogany Sofa-Bed, 19th Century
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Sofa-bed of the Empire period in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes. This sofa is decorated in front of a lyre in the center,...
Bronze
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
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
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
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...
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Style Brass Harp Lyre Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Style Brass Harp / Lyre Back Side Chairs - a Pair. Item features solid wood construction, harp backs, finely cast brass or bronze mounts, white dis...
Fabric, Wood
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
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
Important Empire Early 19th Century Fauteuil by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Despite his long life, very little is known about the general production of menuisier (chairmaker) Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864) and even less about his use of bent laminates, which must be viewed as the most advanced of its kind until the appearance of Michael Thonet’s work of the 1830s. The profound reverence for the classical world in enlightened circles in early 19th century Europe and the United States often resulted in the archaeological resurrection of the art, architecture, and design of ancient Greece and Rome. No chair employing the innovative technique of bending wood more boldly expresses this allegiance to the past than this armchair painted in le style antique and based on the ancient Roman sella...
Cane, Bentwood
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French mid-19th century Empire style mahogany and ormolu mounted pair of armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet and e...
Ormolu
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
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...
Bronze
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
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Empire Mahogany Armchair upholstered in pink striped fabric
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous French Empire style armchair done in mahogany and upholstered in striped fabric in dusty rose and pale pink with seashell motif. The chair ha...
Bronze
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...
Ormolu
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
Antique Pair of French Empire Neoclassical Louis XVI Harp Lyre Back Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of antique harp back side chairs with brass or bronze mounts in the French Empire / Louis XVI taste. Item features solid wood construction, harp back...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Upholstery, 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
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
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
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).
Wood, Beech
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...
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
Pair of Empire Period Mahogany Fauteuils, France ca. 1810-20
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Empire Period French carved mahogany fauteuils from the early 19th century. Each with a rectangular padded back with downcurved reeded arms, the bow front upholstered seat...
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs with Green Seats
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany Armchairs with bronze trim and eagle heads with green seat Both chairs are in antique condition.
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Side Chair, Antique, Griffin Legs, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany sleigh back side chair with bronze griffin legs and trim and red seat
Bronze
Set of Four Antique Mahogany Dining Chairs with Brass Wire, 1810
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