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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 French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Vienna, AT
Walnut frame with a tapestry manufactures about 1870 in France, carved with acanthus leaves and palmettes and painted with gold, the armrests supported by gilt griffins partialy pai...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

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

French Empire Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany round back dolphin arm chair with bronze trim and gold upholstery
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Armchairs in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays Original Cane Seat
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning pair of Empire armchairs from Copenhagen, circa 1810, made from solid mahogany with intricate satinwood inlays on the backrest, apron, and front legs. The chairs feature t...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cane, Fruitwood, Mahogany

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

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

Antique French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs w/ Neoclassical Bronze Ormolu - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Neoclassical Bronze Ormolu - a Pair. Item features finely cast ornate bronze ormolu, slightly curved backrest, solid wood frames, beau...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Figural Ebonized Giltwood Armchair with Dolphins by Century 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire style chair by Century Furniture offers maple frame with upholstered seat and back, flanking giltwood carved dolphins beneath each ebonized arm, and raised on slightl...
Category

20th Century American Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

Large Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat. Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt woodcarved details. Resting on elegant turned taper...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Elegant French Empire Five Piece Mahogany Salon Set with Bronze Swan Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning parlor set of antique French Empire mahogany and bronze upholstered sofa or loveseat, two armchairs and two side chairs. Fre...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

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

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

A pair of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A massive pair of Biedermeier armchairs made in the mid-19th century. Upholstered in an elegant jacquard fabric. A beautiful, stable frame connects the armchairs together. Very good ...
Category

1870s Scandinavian Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Vintage Henry P. Urban Chairs With Carved Frames & Faux Paint
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Highly decorative Pair of Empire Style Faux Painted and Parcel-Gilt Armchairs by Henry P. Urban. Chairs painted with faux paint Both in good condition with very minor nicks and scu...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint

French Empire Green Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th century) mahogany armchairs with bronze trim and eagle heads with green seat.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Parcel Gilt and Ebonized Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique piece Empire style parcel gilt and Ebonized armchair.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ebony, Giltwood

Cockpit Chair in Wood Upholstered Velvet Dedar France
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Elegant and refined mahogany cockpit chair...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Rider Gold Velvet and Brass Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Parisian Flair. Our modern homage to an Empire style dining chair. Our rider dining chair is petite and glamorous, but ultra-comfy. Great as a dinin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Seating

Materials

Nickel

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

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

Sofa, Historismus, 1880s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - Original upholstery - Wooden parts has some signs use - Good, original condition.   
Category

1880s Czech Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut bench from the mid-19th century, with carved swan heads and new upholstery. This French walnut backless bench features an exquisite silhouette, flanked w...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

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...
Category

1820s European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, ca. 1890. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany Dimensions: sofa height 113 cm seat h...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, 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

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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Iron

Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
The set of 10 Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs comprise of a group with 2 arm chairs and 8 side chairs. All chairs with a carved top rail and featuring a fully upholstered back which...
Category

2010s Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

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 Stately Antique French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of high quality gorgeous vintage French Empire style club chairs from Bloomingdale's with handsome carved dolphin armrests. Probably walnut, faux painted a greige color. #4271 ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

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

Pair of Empire Side Chairs, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of two Empire Side Chairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant chairs stand out for their plain design and the beautifully designed front legs. The side chairs have a cher...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Cherry

Pair of Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Brass, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two classicistic mahogany armchairs with brass decoration and openwork backs. The chairs stand on square pointed legs with H-shaped bracing, which merge into elegantly curved, high-s...
Category

Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Brass

Empire Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt X-form Bench, France, circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Empire mahogany and parcel-gilt bench, with X-shaped frame in the neoclassical taste. Dating from the first quarter of the 1800s, and most likely French in origin. Similar stools ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair of 20th Century French Armchairs Neo Gotic Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of polished wrought iron armchairs dating from the 70s. French work. Neo-Gothic style. Beautiful work done by hand. Measures: 54 x 86 x 48 cm 3250 EURO.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Seating

Materials

Iron

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

pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical/Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side chairs. Each wonderful chair is raised on four square curved legs all connec...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Ormolu

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 ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

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...
Category

1920s Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Giltwood

Venetian lacquered and gilded gold leaf drawing room, late 18th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Refined Venetian drawing room dating from the latter part of the 18th century, consisting of a sofa, two armchairs, two chairs, and an elegant coffee table with a green marble top. T...
Category

18th Century European Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wool, Wood

Antique living room set from the end of the 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique living room set from around 1890, France. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Seats and backrests have been covered with new fabric. Dimensions...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

Empire Stool with Giltwood Lion Heads and Paw Feet, Sweden, Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Swedish Empire stool with giltwood lion heads and paw feet, Sweden, circa 1810. Featured in our gallery windows (photographs attached) p...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Giltwood

French Empire Salon Set After Jean Francois Bellange
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This three piece early 19 Century salon set features finely carved gold leaf gilded frames accented by rosettes palmettes and acanthus characterizing most French Empire furnitur...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Beech

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

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

Late Empire bench in Polished Beech, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late Empire bench in polished beech with newly upholstered seat in light ivory velvet blend. Elegant slightly curved legs. Denmark, 1820–30
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen century Sweden. A stool made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black and upholstered in a beige linen.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating

Bellanger French Empire Mahogany Pink and Red Stripe Upholstered Settee
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style mahogany settee with a carved frame and striped blush pink and red upholstered seat, arms and back. (BELLANGER).
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany

Baltic Set of 6 Empire-Armchairs, Mahogany, Design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Located in Göttingen, NI
A rare Baltic set of 6 Empire-armchairs - design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch Mahogany richly carved and veneered Side frame construction with inlaid upholstered seat on turned f...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs Attributed to Jean-Pierre Louis
By Jean Pierre 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 original now faded and worn gros point green upholstery and have their original casters. These two armchairs are actually part of a set of six. The set was split up in three sets of two's to make them more saleable. Four of the six have been re-upholstered in sympathetic empire fabric...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany, Silk

White Wingback Chair With Ottoman, Denmark, 1950s
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...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Pair of French Empire Green Armchairs with Bronze Mounts
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.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Shepherdesses Chairs in St. Dominique Blond Mahogany
Located in Scottsdale, 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...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pair of French Consulate Arm Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Consolate mahogany (circa 1800) open arm chairs with beige leather seat and square back with an open X design (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

French Empire Blond Mahogany Swivel Leather Chair with Bronze Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire blond mahogany swivel armchair upholstered in gilt embossed red leather with brass nail head trim and having bronze embellishments and medallions throughout with hoof s...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Mahogany

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"
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Bronze

Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Giltwood

Ferguson Copeland Laced Leather Lounge Chairs
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

1980s Vintage Empire Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cotton, Velvet

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

Impressive 12 Chairs First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Cent Sold at Sotheby's
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive 12 chairs first Empire Napoleon III early 19th century. Sold at Sotheby's for €25,000 golden wood and silk 80cm x 48cm provenance: Roman family. perfect condition for...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating

Materials

Wood

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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