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
1980s Empire Style Sculptural Daybed Bench Ottoman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, versatile piece you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the be...
Category
1980s English Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Swedish Empire Green Stripe Club Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Swedish Empire-style (20th Century) gilt club chairs with green lacquered claw feet and stripe upholstery (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
$15,000 / set
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
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
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of French Empire mahogany armchairs.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
$4,800 / set
Russian Empire Chartreuse Mahogany Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Russian Empire Upholstered Mahogany Chairs, early 19th century, with green cloth seats, partial gilt lions paw feet, marquetry inlay to top of backrest. 35" H x 20.5" W x 20....
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
$3,700 Sale Price / set
32% Off
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
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
French Empire Solid Mahogany Regency Side Chairs Figural Bronze Ormolu, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire solid mahogany Regency side chairs with figural bronze ormolu - a pair. Item features finely cast ornate bronze ormolu, slightly curved backrest, solid wood fra...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
Set of 6 Chairs, Empire Style, Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 chairs, Empire style, Belgium.
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$4,281 / set
Pair of Empire Armchairs, France ca. 1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Armchairs from France, Circa 1810
Discover this exquisite pair of Empire armchairs, crafted in France around 1810. These elegant chairs feature rich mahogany ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,805 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair Empire Gilt Arm Chairs Fauteuil
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of French Empire Revival armchairs in gilt
Frames have been hand carved and are very intricate
Very comfortable to sit in - solid and sturdy
Seats, ar...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and patinated Wood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality set of four French 19th century Empire style Mahogany and patinated Wood armchairs. Each attractive arm chair is raised on four tapered Mahogany legs. The...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire mahogany armchair with carved lion heads to the arms and lion's paw feet to the legs, upholstered in French Emp...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Bergere
Located in Hudson, NY
A classical French chair from the early 19th century. The form is good and the wood selection is detailed and in great shape. The closed arm style makes the...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,200
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Chairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze chairs
French, 19th century
Dimensions: Height 93cm, width 51cm depth 48cm
This pai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
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
$1,736 / set
pair of French early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany benches
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany benches. Each bench is raised by curved square legs and supported on paw feet connected by two turne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Wing-Back Armchairs
Located in Troy, NY
Exceptional Pair of late Empire Period Chairs, of Comfortable Size and Flowing Movement of Form. The accentuated wings beautifully complementing th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
Set Of 2 Antique Empire Style Armchairs Made In Mahogany From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Danish Empire style hand-polished mahogany armchairs with striped fabric from around the 1920s.
Measurements in cm: H:84 W:52 D:47 SH:50
This product will be inspected ...
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Empire armchair, French manufacture
Located in Baranzate, IT
Empire armchair made of wood and Vienna straw seat. France 1810.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
Suite of 8 Empire Style Chairs in Solid Cherrywood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Suite of 8 empire style chairs in solid cherrywood,
velvet to change
small old restorations.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Cherry
French Empire Period Swans' Heads Stool
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique stool is a classic example of Empire period design: with elegant curved armrests which are designed to look like swans' necks, the seat features skilfully-cast...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
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
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Leather, Birch
$2,128 / set
Restored Empire Sofa, Walnut, Spruce, Revived Polish, Austria, 1810s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This Empire-style sofa from the early 19th ceThis Empire-style sofa from the early 19th century was crafted in Austria and represents an exceptional example of furniture craftsmanshi...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Spruce
Pair French Empire Chairs
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Wonderful pair French Empire chairs, ebony legs and recently upholstered in linen, very good overall condition,
32" high
29" wide
30" overall depth
20" seat depth
14" seat height
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ebony
Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
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
Empire Style White and Gold Pair of Armchairs, Sharkskin Style Trim, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style white carved wood with gold highlights pair of armchairs.
Standing on two front tapered legs and two back saber legs. Straight apron and uprights, rectangular backseat ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
$5,550 / set
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Parcel Gilt
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire and parcel gilt bergère. Gilt swan arms and pawed feet.
Category
Late 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
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Tapestry, Walnut
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs One Stamped J Louis
By Jean Pierre Louis
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic pair of French Empire period open armchairs each with a square back topped by a bow shaped carved frieze featuring folliate rosettes and downscrolled arms. Where the arms ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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).
Category
20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Beech
C19th pair of Swedish armchairs with decorative fretwork detailing
Located in London, GB
A pair of pretty but not overly fussy late C19th upholstered later painted Swedish open armchairs.
The backs have a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers.
Reuphols...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Bergère Kidney Shaped Stool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire style Bergère kidney shaped stool.
This is a charming French empire style walnut stool, the stool has a charming golden colour an...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Fine Pair of Late 19th Century to Early 20th C Empire Parcel Gilt Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine late 19th century to early 20th century Empire mahogany and parcel gilt pair of benches. Tufted upholstery.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench
Dimensions : 19.75" Wide X 19.75" Deep X 19.75" Tall
This bench was made in France in the late 19th ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Consulate Mahogany Chairs Griffin Heads & Paw Feet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Very Important Empire Consulate Mahogany Chairs Griffin Heads & Paw Feet. Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with any ques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Three Antique Empire Side Chairs, 19th Century, Biedermeier
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of three antique Empire side chairs, 19th century, Biedermeier.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Seating
$5,827 Sale Price / set
38% Off
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
$5,223 Sale Price
20% Off
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
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Solid Mahogany Side Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and solid mahogany side chair. The chair is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet and square tapered legs. Each leg is accented with dec...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
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
$26,000 / set
19th Century Unique Empire Armchair Around 1820, France, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century Unique Empire armchair around 1820, France, Mahogany
Solid mahogany wood, France around 1820/30.
Finely carved swan's heads on each armrest. Extremely high quality a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
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...
Category
20th Century Empire Seating
Materials
Wood, Beech
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
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
Czech Empire Sofa, Made in 1810 and Restored, Yellow and Black
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier sofa
Completely restored, new upholstery included. Black lacquer. High gloss.
Category
1810s Czech Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
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
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
$4,059 / set
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
$1,665 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
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.