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 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 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
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs Stamped "Jacob D R Medee"
Located in Stamford, CT
This pair of capacious, perfectly designed and executed chairs was created by the workshop of George Jacob and his son, Francois, during the Empire period at their Parisian workshop ...
Category
Late 18th Century 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
$5,897 Sale Price / set
38% Off
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 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
$4,500 / set
Empire-style Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
$32,498 / set
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
Pair of Empire Style Curule Seats, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of mahogany Empire style stools or Curule seats standing on curved X-legs finished by lion paws, linked each other by turned baluster shaped stretche...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
$5,897 / set
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
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
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
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
Two Modern Trellis Back Dining Chairs
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany lattice back dining chair, the rectangular back enclosing a lattice of interlacing C's above an upholstered drop-in seat, on square tapering legs. Inspired by an Empire or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
$3,210 / set
Duncan Phyfe Style Love Seat Settee with Scrolling Arms
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Duncan Phyfe style loveseat settee with scrolling arms and featuring a floral print upholstery and matching side pillows. Infuse your home with timeless sophistication with Hollywood...
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$1,828 Sale Price
30% Off
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
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
$1,787 / set
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
armchairs height 98 c...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
$3,069 / set
Late 19th Century Set of Six Italian Neoclassical Klismos Empire Dining Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant late 19th century set of six Italian Neoclassical Klismos shaped Empire side or dining chairs:
standing on four tapering and partially fluted legs topped by paterae ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of Armchairs
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Pair of Russian neoclassical parcel-gilt mahogany armchairs
Each armchair made during the Empire period in Russia. The mahogany veneered frame with gilded details. With unusual tu...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
$7,500 / set
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs in Black w/Gold Accents from the Mid-19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegan...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
$12,000 / set
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
21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the exclusivity of Italian handcraftsmanship is wrapped up in this chair with armrests by the producer Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat, bac...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Empire Side Chair, circa 1830, Empire / Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Very good original condition with new cover fabric. Solid and compact. Perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood
$1,011 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique French Tabouret Seat
Located in Buxton, GB
This exquisite piece of furniture is an Antique French Tabouret Empire Style, crafted from high-quality mahogany wood in France during the peri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Hardwood
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
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
A Pair of French Empire Style Corner Chairs
Located in Vienna, AT
French Empire or Napoleon III style mahogany corner armchairs with ormolu mounts, arms rest on seated sphinx. Original upholstery, good original condition. New upholstery and also co...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
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
French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
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
Romantic Canape French, 19th Century in Oilwood
Located in Madrid, ES
romantic canape
French, 19th century in Oilwood.
Upholstered seat and back, decorated with floral motifs.
Usage signs.
Dimensions: 104 x 235 x 64 cm
good conditions
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Category
17th Century North American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
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
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
$4,333 / set
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....
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of 20th Century French Armchairs Neo Gotic Style
By France"
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
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
Pair Of French Early 19th Century Empire Period Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated wood armchairs. The pair are raised on front circular tapered legs with gilt carved foliate bands at the top and bottom wh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Small Empire Style Ottoman in Red Damascus by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Tindy empire-style pouf in natural walnut finish and red-flowered damascus premium fabric. The high-end decoration work behind this tiny piece give it the attention such a piece shou...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
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
21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the preciousness of Italian craftsmanship is wrapped up in this empire-style chair from Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat and the back are pa...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
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.