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.
$3,800
Empire Chaise Longue
Located in Pueblo, CO
This elegant American empire chaise lounge has a shaped and carved 3/4 back, with roping and cornucopia. One side out-scrolled arm and the other side ending in circular fashion roll...
Walnut
Early 20th Century Wood Pair of Empire Upholstered Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
Here is a bed frame, its dark walnut, purple/plum upholstered panel the first thing to catch the eye. Dating to Early 20th Century and originating from France, it reflects the design...
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century Wood Pair of Empire Upholstered Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
This bed frame carries genuine presence, its dark walnut, purple/plum upholstered panel immediately setting the tone for the piece. Originating in France during Early 20th Century, i...
Fabric, Walnut
Danish Empire Bench in Cuban Mahogany and Blue-Grey Linen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench crafted in Cuban mahogany with beautiful grain figuring and harmonious proportions. Shaped end supports with finely profiled spindle splats and gently cur...
Fabric, Mahogany
Antique French sofa from the 19th century in Empire style with a silk seat
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful antique French bench in Empire style features a silk upholstered seat with an elegant pattern and a wooden base with brass details. The bench has been reupholstered an...
Silk, 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...
Walnut, Fabric
Antique Mahogany Child Armchair, France
Located in Munich, DE
This charming children’s armchair is made out of mahogany with fine carving. It is newly upholstered with a discretely patterned fine, lustrous fabric in green with golden spots. Paris, circa 1810...
Fabric, Mahogany
Fauteuil d'époque Empire en noyer, tapisserie refaite.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Fauteuil d'époque Empire en noyer, tapisserie refaite.
Walnut, Tapestry
Antique French Armchairs, White Carved Back, Empire Style, Circa 1900
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual Late 1800s early 1900s French antique pair of armchairs in original white paint with carved backs and beautiful curved arms and legs. They hark back to Napoleon's favorite Em...
Bentwood
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.
Mahogany
$12,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Federal EmpireStyle Victorian Cherry Wood Armchairs, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Amazing set of 4 Empire Style Armchairs, ornately decorated with bronze appliqué, leaf foot caps and stunning bronze griffin arm details. The commanding chairs are made of solid Cher...
Bronze
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...
Upholstery
French 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Stool / Upholstery Seat
Located in Carmine, TX
This elegant 19th-century French Empire-style curule stool features a finely crafted walnut frame with graceful X-shaped legs inspired by classical Roman design. The upholstered burg...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret Presenting a rare and exquisite French Empire-style salon set, attributed to Alexandre Maigret, a distinguished cabi...
Wood
19th Century French Mahogany Armchair with Coral Striped Damask
Located in Queens, NY
French Restoration mahogany armchair having a rectangular headrest topped by a tapering gadrooned crest, upturned scroll arms with acanthus embellishments, upholstered back and seat ...
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Empire carved mahogany armchair, curly arms, early 19th century Italy
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant Empire-style armchair, made in Italy in the early 19th century, of fine solid mahogany and veneer.The frame is distinguished by its harmonious proportions and the quality of ...
Silk, Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
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...
Pine
$1,396Sale Price|30% Off
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 ...
Gold Leaf
$3,496Sale Price|30% 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
Chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 96 cm / seat height. 45 cm / width 47 cm...
Walnut
Armchair, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Armchair, Northern Europe, circa 1900. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. dimensions : height 82 cm seat height 47 cm width 56 cm de...
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating what many experts consider t...
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Fauteuil d'époque Empire en noyer, tapisserie refaite.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Fauteuil d'époque Empire en noyer, tapisserie refaite.
Tapestry, Walnut
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...
Fabric, Wood
$6,648
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
$1,927Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Pair of Empire Walnut Salon Chairs, Each With Floral Carved Detailing
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Pair of Empire Walnut Salon Chairs, Each With Carved Detailing & Relief Tulip Motifs. Turned & Reeded Legs, & Pale Green Upholstery. Gorgeous set of chairs ideally su...
Walnut
Empire-style Bergère, 1900s
Located in Brussels, BE
Empire-style Bergère, 1900s
Fabric, Wood
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...
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Mohair, Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Living Room Set with Gilt Swan Neck Carvings
By Zone Creations
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Voici une version enrichie de votre description pour dépasser largement les 110 mots (environ 160 mots ici). Elle utilise un vocabulaire spécifique aux antiquités pour attirer les ac...
Bronze
$8,000Sale Price / set|38% Off
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 ...
Cherry
Bat Chiavari Chair by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Toronto, CA
Originally developed in early 19th century Chiavari by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi, the Chiavarina chair distilled ornate Empire styles into a lighter, more refined construction that w...
Brass
Set of Six French Empire Carved and Bleached Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome set of six French Empire carved and bleached mahogany dining chairs. The intricate carvings on the chairs showcase the craftsmanship and elegance of the French Empire style....
Upholstery, Mahogany
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...
Bronze
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.
Mahogany
Set of Four Swedish Empire Side Chairs by F. Pettersson, Mid 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Swedish Empire side chairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegantly curved backs, with straight wo...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Wood
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Silk, Walnut, Paint
19th Century Empire Style a Russian Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid mahogany. Straight frame on saber-shaped legs with laid sheet. Strongly curved supports for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish....
Mahogany
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...
Fabric, Wool, Wood
Pair of Continental Rustic Style Wooden Armchairs with Carved Owl Head Armrests
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Continental Rustic style open armchairs having gold and brown upholstered seat and back with carved owl arm supports (PRICED AS PAIR)
Gold
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
$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
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Living Room and Gilded Bronze Caryatid Head
Located in Marseille, FR
19th Empire style mahogany and gilded bronze decorated living room with caryatid heads and claw feet. Bench, two armchairs, two chairs. Period 19th century. Tapestry to restore. Armc...
Mahogany
$4,800 / set
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...
Brass
$7,276Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century France Furnished Armchair Group
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid maple. Curved frame on curly legs. Strong curved supports in rolled volutes ending for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish. Seat...
Wood, Maple
Empire armchair, French manufacture
Located in Baranzate, IT
Empire armchair made of wood and Vienna straw seat. France 1810.
Straw, Wood
19th Century (Early) French Consulate Empire Chair
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century (Early) French Consulate Empire Chair Beautiful piece purchased in France Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Mahogany
$12,000 / set
Set of 4 Danish Empire Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 lovely Danish chairs with light birch inlays in back and front frieze. Newly upholstered.
20th Century Napoleonic Swan Chair in the Empire Style Beechwood Poliment Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact Fine-carved sculpture made of solid beech. Poliment gilded. Arranged frame on plastically carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in swan head. High-backe...
Beech
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 ...
Mahogany
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...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Spruce
Czech Empire Sofa, Made in 1810 and Restored, Yellow and Black
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Hassle-free US shipping: We provide all necessary 100+ year-old certifications to ensure a flat 15% customs rate for our US clients. This sofa is a grand representative of the Empir...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Empire Style Armchairs in Gilt and White Wood, 1950s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Empire style armchairs in white carved wood with gold highlights. Standing on two front tapered legs and two back saber legs. Straight apron and uprights, rectangular backse...
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Bench, Velvet Upholstery, Hardwood
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Early 19th Century Empire Sitting Bench. Age appropriate wear. Reupholstered with Velvet fabric. See detailed photos & any questions, please message us.
Velvet, Hardwood
Large armchair in walnut, leather and bronze, Empire style, circa 1930/1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Large armchair in walnut, leather and bronze, Empire style, circa 1930/1950 the leather on the back of the seat back has been replaced
Brass
set of six French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu dining chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome set of six French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu dining chairs. This wonderful set are raised by four circular tapered front legs while the back legs display ...
Ormolu
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...
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 ...
Wood
$7,600 / item
5 French Empire Style Sphinx Mahogany Benches
Located in Queens, NY
5 French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany square benches with bronze trim and winged sphinx legs (PRICED EACH).
Bronze