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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
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

19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century French Empire mahogany and gilt armchair. Upholstered in a red velour fabric. Makes an elegant statement!!
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage French Empire Sofa With Carved Swan Arms
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful painted and parcel gilt Empire sofa with medallions heads on the back, uprights modeled as swan heads in the arms, ( the swan heads are carved wood). This beautiful sofa ha...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Wood

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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Wood

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

19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Empire Style Ottomans
Located in Rīga, LV
Pieces are fully restored: new upholstery with coordinated trim, wood was restored and new lacquer applied, brass details are cleaned and refinished
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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

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, upholstere...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of 19th Century English Regency Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of English Regency mahogany frame dining chairs, early 19th century. Features exquisite carved back-splats in conjunction with further foliate carvings to the top crest, strip...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery, Giltwood

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

Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

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

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

Jean-Joseph Chapuis Rare Pair of Empire parcel-gilt japanned Fauteuils
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Despite his long life, very little is known about the general production of menuisier (chairmaker) Jean-Joseph Chapuis 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 nine-teenth-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 curulis (folding stool); With a curved toprail decorated with putti supporting a medaillion and flanked by scrolling acanthus, the arms with ball finials, above a caned seat, on curved supports terminating in foliate gilt-metal sabots. This merger of technological innovation with fashionable aesthetics parallels the work of the American Samuel Gragg...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bentwood

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.  
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Pair of Consulat Ebony-Inlaid Birchwood Armchairs Stamped Jacob Frères
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The curved pierced back with a palmette-inlaid shaped splat terminating in dolphin supports raised on an upholstered seat, on front carved joined hairy animal legs (pieds de bîches) and hoof feet and back sabre legs; stamped: JACOB FRERES RUE MESLEE under the front rail. For a similar dolphin support, see Madeleine Jarry and Pierre Devinois, Le Siège Français, pp. 267 and 271 illustration 264 for an armchair at the Musée Marmottan stamped G. Jacob and executed in 1792. Provenance: Millicent Rogers her son, Arturo Peralta Ramos II Jacob Frères was the stamp used by brothers Georges II (1768-1803) and Francois-Honore Jacob (1770-1841) from 1796 to 1803. They were sons of Georges Jacob (1739-1814), arguably the best-known chair maker who worked for aristocracy and royalty during the reign of Louis XVI. The Jacob Frères firm's most famous client was Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. She would have most likely seen the work of their father during the revolution in a progressive aristocrat's house. She used them to decorate various Imperial residences, such as the Tuileries palace, and remained a loyal customer, using them almost exclusively, until her death. When Georges II (the elder brother) died in 1803, Georges came out of retirement to help the remaining son, Francois-Honoré (who changed his named to Jacob Desmalter) from a new partnership called Jacob Desmalter Et Cie. (stamped Jacob D. R. Meslée, on two lines), which continued to be an influential supplier for the Imperial period and is credited with helping to define the Empire style as it is known today. Millicent Rogers, born Mary Millicent Abigail Rogers, was a Standard Oil heiress, but she wasn’t a poor little rich girl...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Chairs With Red Silk Upholstered Seat
Located in Sheridan, CO
Extraordinary pair of French Empire style mahogany chairs featuring a tub or gondola form frame. Minimally decorated having a curved back,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Very Fine and Rare Pair of Early 19th C Italian Empire Carved and Gilt Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare pair of Empire period mahogany and parcel gilt armchairs. Fine French polished wood and finely detailed gilt carving . Covered in a dark blue leather
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Side Chairs, Circa 1820-1830
Located in Rochester, NY
A good pair of antique Russian Empire circassian walnut side chairs in beautifully aged original finish / finely detailed ormolu mounts / gilded paw like front feet / newly construct...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

Armchairs Pair of Swedish Mahogany Brown Gilded Details Green and White Seat
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs made in Sweden during the Karl Johan period 1810-1840. Frame made in mahogany with gilded details. Upholstered in a durable outdoor Rogers and Goffigon stripe.  
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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

Rare and Magnificent Mid 19th Century Brazilian Empire Grand Settee
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this Brazilian Empire Settee, circa 1850, a captivating piece that exudes history and craftsmanship. Originating from a prominent coffee ...
Category

1850s Brazilian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cane, 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...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Pair of 19th Century Armchairs from the Empire Period
Located in NICE, FR
These splendid Empire period armchairs symbolize the opulence, refinement and luxury characteristic of the Napoleonic era. Beautifully carved and adorned with sophisticated details, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

21st Century Empire-Style Bed Bench with Plated Fabric by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
This lovely pleated bench by Modenese Gastone Interiors will make a classy statement at the foot of a bed or as part of the decor in any living or night ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Pair of Swedish Antique Taboret Stools from the Empire Period in Yellow Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of antique taboret stools from the empire period, around 1840. The stools are Swedish and made in solid yellow birch. Curved legs and turned armrests. The seats can be taken out...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Birch

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

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...
Category

20th Century Empire Seating

Materials

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.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

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

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, uph...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair French Empire Tub Chairs Arm Chair Fauteil Gilt Frame
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning pair of French Empire style gilt tub arm chairs These really are every interior designers dream, elegant and cool Hand carved gilt frame very intrivcate with acanthus leaf m...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Giltwood

Unique Empire Three-Piece Suite from Czechia 'Bohemia', 1810s, Fully Restored
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Czech lack Empire three-piece suite. Made of paer wood. Completely restored, new professional upholstery included. Surface was done by high gloss polish. Dimensions: Sofa Hei...
Category

1810s Czech Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Pearwood, Lacquer

1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive 'Bergère' armchair in solid wood, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink and...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Continental Walnut Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality continental carved walnut armchair, remaining in very good condition. Width: 73cm Depth: 102cm Height: 100cm.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut

Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Wood And Giltwood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking pair of French 19th century Empire style Patinated wood and Giltwood armchairs. The pair of throne chairs are raised on impressive front quiver like circular tapered legs ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

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.
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Brass

21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the exclusivity of Italian handcraftsmanship is wrapped up in this chair with armrests by the producer Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat, bac...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Seating

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Vintage Pair of Empire Style Fauteuils with Carved Dolphin Arms by Century, USA
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th c., high quality American made pair of custom upholstered Fruitwood frame armchairs, labeled under seat. This pair of armchairs from Century Furniture Industries in Hickor...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood

Set of Four French Empire Fauteuil Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Frères
Located in Long Island City, NY
These four early 19th-century Empire fauteuil armchairs, in the manner of the Jacob Frères cabinetmaking firm of the late 18th century, each feature a distinctive pediment-shaped cre...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Empire Style Padded Chair
Located in Premariacco, IT
Single chair from the 1950s in wood with backrest and seat in the original fabric of the time. Shows normal signs of wear, note how little it has been used. The seat is still prot...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, 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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

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 Unknown Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Category

20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

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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