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.
$1,661Sale 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
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
1870 French Empire Marquetry Inlaid Suite Berger Armchairs & Settee Canape, Pair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French marquetry inlaid circa 1870 Empire style three piece suite with neoclassical detailing A very rare and good looking set, th...
Silk, Hardwood
Pair of 19th century Empire Style Chairs with Sphinxes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire style chairs late 19th century. The rectangular backs carved with cornucopiae and laurel at the cresting, the arms supported by winged sphinxes, on sabre legs, each co...
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).
Mahogany
20th Century Empire Style French Garniture Living Room Sets
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial garniture in French Empire style. Solid, ebonized beechwood. Fine engraved and silver plated Empire mountings and caryatides. Measures: Kanapee/sofa: Width 108 cm, heigh...
Wood, Beech
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
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
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
French Empire Duchesse Brisée Armchair in Parcel Gilt
Located in London, GB
A fine early nineteenth-century French Empire period duchesse brisée armchair with accompanying footstool. This set is in the original paint with applied gilded highlights. The restr...
Pine
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.
Mahogany
$1,749 / set
French Arm Chairs Gilt Seats Empire Hand Carved
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French gilt arm chairs in the Empire manner Very comfortable with wide arms and cushioned seats, backs and arms Chairs have just been reupholstered hence odour and s...
Giltwood
pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany benches
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany benches. Each wonderful bench is raised by four scrolled legs with carved lion paws at the bo...
Mahogany
$1,746Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs. Measures 22" in width x 22" in depth x 34.5" in height . Seat height is 20".
Hardwood, Upholstery, Paint
Danish Empire Set of 4 Small Chairs, Elm Wood with Hand Embroidered Seats 1850s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of four antique danish empire or Biedermeier style dining chairs handmade by a skilled danish master carpenter in Denmark the middel of the 19th. The frame is made of elm wood, ...
Wool, Wood, Elm
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.
Wood
$3,330Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique Italian empire bench early 19th century. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood. Characterized by a seat with folding panels.
Walnut
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.
Bronze
$1,190Sale Price / set|30% Off
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...
Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany
$7,950 / set
1900s French Bronze-Mounted Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly-upholstered in Cheetah pattern fabric. Nicely chased bronze mounts. Strong and sturdy. Very unusual.
Bronze
Imperial Stylish Lion Salon Couch in Antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine detailed carving work on solid beechwood. Gilded. Armrests ended in protruding, winged, forward leaning lions heads in Bronze. Measures: Width:146cm height:117 cm Depth: 7...
Beech
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...
Wood
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.
Beech
$3,146Sale Price / set|30% Off
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...
Mahogany, Upholstery, Giltwood
French Napoleonic 2nd Empire Style Polychrome and Giltwood Armchair Throne
Located in New York, NY
Monumental Napoleonic throne armchair, finely carved with polychrome and gilt surfaces throughout with large coat of arms of the Napoleonic Second Empire (1852-70) on the crest rail,...
Wood
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Giltwood
Late 19th-C. French Empire Gilt Bronze Mahogany Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 19th century French Empire mahogany side chairs with gilt bronze mounts. Note the griffins on the legs! The fabric appears to be silk. It is vintage and in ver...
Bronze
Dutch Marquetry Empire Settee, circa 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Offers mahogany frame with inlays in satinwood of flowers and foliage along back crest, "S" scroll arms and slipper feet. Features upholstered seat, back and inside and outside arms....
Cotton, Twill, Upholstery, Satinwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
$1,750
French Empire Fauteuil
Located in Sharon, CT
Impressive black armchair of typical French Empire form, beautifully upholstered. Subtly incised palmettes where the arm rails meet the seat. Original b...
Wood
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
Six Early 19th Century Venetian Chairs, Walnut, Empire Style, wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
6 early 19th century Venetian chairs in carved walnut, original upholstered spring seats in pink velvet, still usable. Clean and sanitized upholstery, structure polished with transpa...
Walnut
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Pair 19th C French Mahogany Empire Upholstered Armchairs With Bronze Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of period French Empire mahogany bergeres with stylized carved dolphins decorating the arm and gilt bronze mounts. The central bronze mount depicting the helmeted god Mercury an...
Bronze
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
Handsome Empire Style Walnut & Upholstered Armchair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic Empire style armchair having walnut frame with gilded dolphins on the arms and cranberry upholstery. Duffy
Upholstery, Walnut, Giltwood
$8,327Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Beech Bergeres, New Upholstered
Located in Darmstadt, DE
An elegant pair of Empire/Biedermeier bergères crafted from solid beech wood in the early 19th century. Both chairs have been fully restored, hand-polished, and newly upholstered wit...
Beech
Empire Style Velvet Upholstered Curule Stools, Pr.
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Blue Velvet and Golden Upholstered Curule Stools, with carved wood X-form bases. 19" H x 18.25" W x 16" D. Provenance: From a One Central Park West Estate.
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly...
Ormolu
Pair of Animal Print Curved Arm Empire Style Accent Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bold and stylish pair of Empire style accent chairs featuring elegantly curved armrests and a sculptural silhouette, upholstered in striking animal print fabric. The combination of...
Mahogany
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...
Bronze
Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Brass
Empire Revival Upholstered Mahogany and Ormolu 7-Piece Salon Set
Located in Queens, NY
7-Piece French Empire Revival (3rd quarter 19th Century) salon set comprised of a settee, 2 armchairs, and 4 side chairs with mahogany frames mounted with ormolu embellishments, upho...
Fabric
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
$23,791 / set
Pair of Sanderson armchairs by Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Philippe Starck Sanderson Armchair, Ca. 1998 Silver leaf–gilded wood, seat and back reupholstered in pale yellow cotton satin. Hotel label affixed beneath the seat. The model was ...
Gold Leaf
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 ...
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Carved Mahogany & Cut Velvet Upholstered Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking armchair is a fine example of 19th-century Empire furniture, marrying neoclassical authority with updated decorative luxury. The frame, likely crafted from mahogany or ...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair Antique Russian Empire Chairs, Circa 1820-1830
Located in Rochester, NY
A great looking pair of antique Russian Empire circassian walnut chairs in beautifully aged original finish / finely detailed ormolu mounts / gilded paw like front feet / newly con...
Ormolu
$2,617 / set
Late 19th Century Empire Mahogany Arm Chairs
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique Empire style armchairs. The armrest and legs are made of solid mahogany, the backrest is made of veneered mahogany. An elegant design with curved armrests and taper...
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire Armchair Reupholstered with Gilt Bronze Mounts, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
This French Empire armchair highlights the refined craftsmanship and symbolic motifs characteristic of early 19th-century design. The solid wooden frame is embellished with cast bron...
Bronze
Side Chair by Friedrich Rambach, master carpenter, Stockholm active 1834-1861.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique Empire lounge chair with brass detail on neckrest. By master carpenter Friedrich Rambach, active in Stockholm, Sweden between 1834-1861. Beautiful "Emma" chair like style wi...
Brass
$32,000 / set
French Empire Mahogany 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 5 French Empire-style (19th Cent) mahogany salon set with bronze trim and gold damask upholstery (2 arms: 27\"w 27\"d 40\"h/2 sides: 21\"w 23\"d 37¼\"h/1 loveseat) Antique co...
Bronze
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
French Empire Mahogany Side Chair
Located in Queens, NY
"French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany sleigh back side chair with bronze griffin legs and trim and red seat Antique condition. Shows wear"
Bronze
French Empire Style Curule Stool with Gilded Accents and Linen Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood curule stool from circa 1900 with gilded accents, curved X-shaped legs, carved campanula and rosettes motifs, newly re-upholstered in linen fabric....
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Stunning Victorian Empire Style Gilt Carved Wood Executive Swivel Chair
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this one-of-a-kind executive swivel chair, packed with character and timeless elegance. Crafted with exceptional attention to detail, this stunning piece...
Brass
$1,831 / set
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Leather, Birch
$3,996Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Mahogany
French Empire Settee, Hand-Carved Fruitwood, Velvet Upholstery, 1810
Located in Johns Island, SC
French Empire Settee. This french empire period settee is hand carved of lemon fruitwood or Ash wood and has a lattice velvet uphulstry in an olive green and gold color. The settee h...
Velvet, Fruitwood
Pair of Period Armchairs "Balloon Back" - Rococo Revival Style (19th Century)
Located in Manzano, IT
prestigious pair of period armchairs dating from the second half of the 19th century, in the full Rococo Revival (Louis Philippe / Second Empire) style. These pieces represent the el...
Wood
$6,629
Empire Armchair
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved and painted Empire design library armchair, taking its inspiration from the designs of the Roman period. To be upholstered in the clients own material. Please note we are c...
Mahogany
$11,747Sale Price / set|21% Off
Early 19th Century, Empire Cherrywood Seating Group, 2 Armchairs and 6 Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful unique seating group consisting of 2 armchairs and 6 chairs. The group dates back to the Empire period of the early 19th century, circa 1800-1810. All chairs are made of so...
Upholstery, Cherry