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
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.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Pearwood
Late Empire bench in Polished Beech, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant late Empire bench in polished beech, newly upholstered in a light velour blend.
The seat rests on gracefully curved legs — a refined example of Danish craftsmanship from the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
19th Century Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A 19th Century Swedish bench from the Empire period, the back panel decorated with a classical scene of a pair of griffon.
New seat cushion in plain linen.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
Bench In Beech Elegant Empire
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire bench in beech with curved end panels and slats.
Refined design with encircling profiles.
Under the slats is a decorative fan-shaped semi-arched carving. The bench re...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
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...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Seating
Materials
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...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
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
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
2 small gaps at the top of the armrests,
which does not interfere with the stability of the chair
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
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...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
$4,800 / set
French Empire Gueridon Side Table with Tripod Columns Brass and Marble Top
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful French Empire style gueridon table from 19th century. Beautiful black fossil marble over a mahogany body. A simple apron showcases the deep toned wood. Three columnar leg...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Antique French Empire Mahogany Carved Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 35 1/4 in W: 23 1/2 in D: 21 1/2 in SH: 17 1/4 in
A distinguished pair of antique French Empire mahogany carved armchairs, dating to the late 18th or early 19th cen...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
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 Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four French Empire fauteuils-armchairs in carved and veneered mahogany with beautiful carving and scale.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Silk, Hardwood
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
$1,950
Pair of Mahogany Empire Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Empire armchairs.
Solid mahogany with fine carved details throughout.
Category
1810s Russian 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
Pair of Napoleonic Empire Style Gondola Chairs with Dolphins
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of carved walnut gondola chairs featuring dolphins. Crafted in the grand Napoleonic French empire taste with a curved crestrail and intricately carved splat centered by...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
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.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
$7,950 / set
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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Beech
Pair of Empire design Fauteuils in Mahogany, France, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined pair of Empire design Fauteuils, each constructed in richly-figured mahogany. The pair French in origin, and dating from the fourth quarter of the 1800s.
Each chair with upholstered seat and back surrounded by exposed frames. The seats flanked by carved down-swept arms, and resting atop four splayed tapering legs.
Reference: "The Antiques Directory...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Pair of 19th century Swedish Gothenburg gilt armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century Gothenburg gilt armchairs circa 1870.
Fine quality pair of Swedish Gothenburg gilt armchairs circa 1870. Slipper like shaped backs, the shaped arms supported by...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Giltwood
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Pine
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
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine 'Bergère' armchair in solid mahogany, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$1,660
Rare French Empire Chair - From the Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
For sale is a rare French Empire side chair, a stunning example of early 19th-century craftsmanship. Hand-carved from rich fruitwood, this chair features a gracefully turned, back sc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood
Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Note: Full price include new upholstery service, buyer to provide fabric.
Mint condition empire sofa sette loveseat couch fine carved details lions feet.
The frame is stunning vint...
Category
20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Bench - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Cornucopia Carved Mahogany Slipper Benches - a Pair. Pair features serpentine carved rails with stunning cornucopia details, shapely frames with beautiful cro...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of ormolu mounted and lacquered metal curule chairs in the Empire style
Located in London, GB
These beautiful, simple, and sophisticated, curule chairs were executed in the Empire style, combining the majesty of Roman rule with Napoleonic imperial France. Long a symbol of rule and power, curule chairs originally appeared in the Roman Republic, called sella curulis, seats reserved exclusively for those who held imperium, i.e. those who held positions of military or governmental command. Inherited by many subsequent civilisations, and a favourite of European kings wishing to frame their own authority within this Roman tradition, they feature heavily in Empire period France, holding a particular associated with Napoleon. These particular pieces are made of lacquered metal and are mounted with ormolu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu, Metal
Pair of Russian Neoclassic Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pair of Russian neoclassic mahogany and brass stools.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of six chairs, Northern Europe, turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of antique chairs from around 1900, Northern Europe.
Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 100 cm / seat height 45 cm / width 45 c...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
French Empire style walnut Armchair - blue green yellow - France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty Empire-style walnut armchair with carved palmettes and acanthus leaves.
The armrests are fluted.
The legs are saber-shaped.
The armchair is upholstered with floral tapest...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
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".
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery, Paint
Set of 6 American Empire Style Carved Wood Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Empire wood dining chairs in mahogany veneer with sloped gondola backs with an openwork, urn-form center topped by a carved foliate neoclassical crown...
Category
20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire-Style Canape Upholstered in Red Fabric
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Empire-style canapé, upholstered in red fabric. Characterized by its sturdy structure in light-toned wood with a varnished finish, contrasting with the rich, detailed upholstery.
The...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
$13,800 / set
Mid 19th century Swedish birch empire stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch empire stool circa 1850.
Scandinavian empire period stool made in birch. Shaped support handles which flow through to the 4 splayed legs. Original floral ta...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Birch
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Foot Swivel Leather Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Foot Swivel Leather Stool. Item features an adjustable swivel seat, brown leather upholstery, solid mahogany wood carved Corinthian...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small, elegant Danish Empire bench crafted from mahogany, featuring delicate string inlays in satinwood on the ends.
The seat has been newly upholstered in light gray linen, accented...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
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
$1,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Set of 5 French Empire Mahogany Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 5 French Empire-style (19th century) mahogany salon or living room set with bronze trim and red damask upholstery.
Measurements:
2 arms 27½" W 28" D 40½" H
2 sides 22½...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
$34,500 / set
Pair of Antique Empire Mahogany Armchairs, Brass and Gilded Decor
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of Swedish empire armchairs with a frame in mahogany made around 1830 to 1840. The chairs have decorative elements in brass, glided Egyptianized sphinx heads in the armrests and...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Style Gilt X Frame Stool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century Empire style gilt X frame stool.
A superb antique neoclassical X frame stool in the Empire style, the stool has relatively new upholstery and the show wood is carved ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Seating
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.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Empire Style Dutch Marquetry Inlaid and Carved Side Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 1/4 in W: 17 1/4 in D: 20 1/2 in SH: 19 1/2 in
Pair of Antique Dutch Empire Style Marquetry Inlaid & Carved Side Chairs – 19th Century Neoclassical Elegance
Ele...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Ormolu stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Ormolu stool. This wonderful swivel stool is raised on triangular Mahogany base with three protruding...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1990s Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
$1,596 Sale Price
20% Off
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....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Elegant Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Empire armchairs crafted from Cuban mahogany, featuring classic details from the period.
The backrests have an oval recess, adorned with line inlays in satinwood an...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
$3,451 / set
Late 19th Century Franch Empire armchair , in Carved Solid Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century Franch Empire chair with armrests in carved solid mahogany , wax polished
Measure cm: H 92/42 x W 56 x D 50.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 6 Empire Barrel Chairs, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and original set of 6 early 19th century Empire barrel chairs stands out for its elegant design. The chairs feature a beautiful walnut...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
$12,000 / set
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...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Three Elegant Mahogany, Empire Style Chairs, One Pair and a Single Chair
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous chairs white great patina and beautiful lines on these Swedish Empire style chairs. They are late 1800s, early 1900s Swedish. We can recover chair for you on request. Touch ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,412 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Pair of early 20th century Swedish carved birch armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of early 20th Swedish carved birch armchairs circa 1920.
Good quality pair of birch armchairs in the karl johan taste.
Shaped and carved back rest, flowing to the scrolling ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Birch
Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Empire benches crafted in mahogany.
The high, architecturally designed sides feature string inlay in satinwood, topped with an ebonized panel and mounted with gilt bronze orn...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
Painted Empire Stool or Bench, Sweden, Late 19th Century
Located in Skanninge, SE
Very stylish stool/bench or banquette.
Late 19th Century. Painted wood and recently reupholstered.
With wood-carved Rams heads and hoof feat.
Painted wood in gray, green, and some...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Birch
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.