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 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
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
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
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
Pair of Mahogany Armchairs from the Consulat Period
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of mahogany armchairs from the Consulate period. Attractive three-baluster backrests. Front legs in the shape of sword scabbards. Fine quality of carving and craftsmanship. Fran...
Mahogany
Antique Empire Custom Painted Sofa
Located in New York, NY
Custom painted Empire sofa. Sofa has a down filled seat cushion. Legs and frame has carvings.
Upholstery, Wood
$700Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century Regency Style Ebonized Gold Painted Upholstered Stool Pouf Bench
Located in Dayton, OH
This beautiful vanity stool showcases a sophisticated blend of French Empire and Regency styling, featuring an expertly ebonized black wood frame accented with gold detailing. The ro...
Fabric, Hardwood
Empire Period Gilt and Painted Wood Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt and painted wood three-piece salon suite French, c. 1820 Sofa: Height 101cm, width 213cm, depth 72cm Chairs: Height 101cm, width 61cm, depth 56cm This exquisite t...
Wood
Late 19th Century Empire Ebonized Opera Chairs With Custom Tiger Upholstery-Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
An unexpected marriage of old-world elegance and playful sophistication, this pair of late 19th century Empire opera chairs has been refreshed with striking tiger-inspired upholstery...
Walnut, Upholstery, Paint
$3,716 / set
Pair of Empire Style Window Seats
Located in Lymington, GB
A smart pair of Empire-style window seats of superb quality, and in excellent condition. Supported on stained-oak tapering square legs with gilt-brass mounts and hairy-paw feet. Upholstered and buttoned in faded vellum-green hide...
Wood
Turkish Sofa From The Empire Period
Located in Charmes, FR
Elegant Empire period sofa, early 19th century, with a solid mahogany frame. It features a straight backrest framed by flat uprights topped with turned pommels, typical of the Empire...
Wood
Rare Set of Twelve 19th Century Empire Chairs in Mahogany, Brass and Velvet
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Set of Twelve Early 19th Century Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany, Inlaid Brass and Velvet This is a very large and rare set of twelve elegant dining chairs from the (late) ‘em...
Brass
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs Stamped "Jacob D R Medee"
Located in Stamford, CT
This pair of capacious, perfectly designed and executed chairs was created by the workshop of George Jacob and his son, Francois, during the Empire period at their Parisian workshop ...
Mahogany
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
Restored Empire Seating Set, Walnut, Inlaid, Revived Polish, Austria, 1810s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Armchair Dimensions: Height: 91 cm (35.83 in) Width: 69 cm (27.17 in) Depth: 65 cm (25.59 in) Seat height: 42 cm (16.54 in) Sofa dimensions: Height: 91 cm (35.83 in) Width: 155 cm (...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
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
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...
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Rare Pair of 1st Empire Benches from Parma, 18th Century Italian Settees
Located in New Orleans, LA
A rare and important pair of 18th-century neoclassical -1st Empire benches from Parma, retaining their original gilded and polychrome finish. Each with finely carved lion-head arm te...
Upholstery, Wood
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 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scale French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee. This exceptional settee is raised by seven supports, with four being circular front legs...
Upholstery, Giltwood
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu bench. This wonderful rectangular bench with a fitted leather seat is raised by four scrolled legs with a bottom Ormolu ...
Ormolu
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
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
$5,693Sale Price / set|38% Off
Set of Three Antique Empire Side Chairs, 19th Century, Biedermeier
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three antique Empire side chairs, 19th century, Biedermeier.
Restored Empire Seating Set, Spruce, Cherry Wood, Polish, Austria, 1850s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sofa dimensions Height: 70 cm (27.6 in) Width: 130 cm (51.2 in) Depth: 53 cm (20.9 in) Seat height: 48 cm (18.9 in) Armchair dimensions Height: 70 cm (27.6 in) Width: 65 cm (27.6 in...
Upholstery, Wood, Spruce, Lacquer, Fabric, Cherry
$22,800 / set
Empire Period patinated Wood and Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated Wood and Giltwood armchairs. Each wonderful armchair are raised by two front circular tapered...
Giltwood
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.
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Bench, Velvet Upholstery, Hardwood
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Early 19th Century Empire Sitting Bench. Age appropriate wear. Reupholstered with Velvet fabric. See detailed photos & any questions, please message us.
Velvet, Hardwood
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
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Upholstery, Wood
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
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
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
Fauteuil d'époque Empire en noyer, tapisserie refaite.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Fauteuil d'époque Empire en noyer, tapisserie refaite.
Tapestry, Walnut
Empire Revival Lacquered Swan Neck Settee, 20th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant French Empire style settee offers a truly spectacular silhouette that is sure to impress. Wonderfully detailed featuring a reeded top rail, down swept arms are intricately ha...
Velvet, Wood
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...
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...
Brass
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Upholstery, Wood
Amazing Set of Armchair and 2 Chair First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of armchair and 2 chair First Empire Napoleon III early 19th Century France measure armchair: 86cm x 64cm x 54cm measures chairs: 82cm x 50cm x 45cm wood proveniente : Roman...
Wood
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...
Pine
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
$12,000 / set
Pair of Empire Armchairs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Empire Armchairs Mahogany Frame with Saffron Yellow Wool and Vintage Tape Trim France, Circa 1830 23”W x 24”D x 36”H
Wool, Mahogany
$1,626Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Wingback Chair and Ottoman, Fabric and Walnut, 1950s Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
White; Fabric; Wingback Chair; Ottoman; Danish Design; 1950s; Walnut; Wood; Scandinavia; Scandinavian Design; Empire; Pouf; Lounge Chair; Upholstery; Stylish 1950s high back lounge...
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Unique Empire Armchair Around 1820, France, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century Unique Empire armchair around 1820, France, Mahogany Solid mahogany wood, France around 1820/30. Finely carved swan's heads on each armrest. Extremely high quality a...
Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke Dimensions : 36.5" Tall X 25" Wide X 21" Deep SH - 17.5" AH...
Bronze
19th C Biedermeier Italian Burl Fruitwood Curule Base Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of 19th C Biedermeier Ebonized & Fruitwood Curule Base Side Chairs. Item features shapely sabre legs, ebonized back splats, rolled backs, beautiful original veneer and solid woo...
Fruitwood
19th Century French Empire Walnut and Gilded Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century French Empire Walnut and Gilded Armchair is a luxurious piece of furniture. This armchair exudes elegance and sophistication, making it a perfect addition to any ho...
Upholstery, Walnut
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 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
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...
Ormolu
$899Sale Price|51% Off
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...
Mahogany
Splendid pair of 19th-century Russian Empire armchairs
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This splendid pair of 19th-century Russian Empire armchairs exemplifies the opulence and craftsmanship synonymous with the period. Carved from rich, dark wood, these chairs feature g...
Wood
Pair of Shepherdesses Chairs in St. Dominique Blond Mahogany
Located in Phoenix, 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
Danish Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany and Blue-Grey Linen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench crafted in Cuban mahogany with beautiful grain figuring and harmonious proportions. Shaped end supports with finely profiled spindle splats and gently cur...
Fabric, Mahogany
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...
Ormolu
Antique Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs, Circa 1810, Wood, Saber Legs
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.
Wood
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...
Beech
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...
Mahogany
Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French
Located in El Monte, CA
A highly decorative and unique 19th century French empire painted and parcel gilt cast iron upholstered bench. Parcel gilt border is of a rich gold with warm red undertone painting jester...
Iron