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
Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Ormolu
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
French Empire Gold Upholstered 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in New York, NY
Set of 7 French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany living room / salon set with gilt swan head arms and gold upholstery (settee: 66¬Ω"w 24¬Ω"d 36¬Ω"h, 2 bergeres: 24¬Ω"w 23¬Ω"d 38"h, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
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
Eight Maslow Freen Empire Directoire Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
By Maslow Freen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of eight Maslow Freen mahogany dining chairs. Listing includes six side chairs, two armchairs, wooden ball form finials, nice wide seats, solid wood c...
Category
1940s American Vintage Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Late 19th Century Carved and Painted Wood Classical Style Open Armchairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of chairs Swedish or Scandinavian in manufacture were made circa 1880-1900. Of large-scale and finely carved they are in the Empire or Regency taste. Decorative elements in...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Mahogany Pink Chaise
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and large pink and gold cushion upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in New York, 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 Eagle Armchairs in Yellow Taffeta
Located in New York, NY
Pair eagle armchairs in yellow taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm terminals and yellow Italia...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French Empire Leather Bergere Tub Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) leather round back bergere arm chair with commode base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Leather
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
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
Pair of Russian Neoclassic Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pair of Russian neoclassic mahogany and brass stools.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany Sleigh Design Recamier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany sleigh design Récamier with bronze doré trim and red damask upholstery.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Swedish Regency Style Period Parcel Gilt Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Regency style armchair featuring a Fruitwood frame with hand-carved matte ebonized plume body details and traditional 22-karat gilded parcel gilt detail on stylized heron heads at arm fronts and legs. Mint restored with new Moss Green mohair upholstery. Available at 200 Lexington...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Swedish Late 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Stool
Located in Skanninge, SE
A very stylish and elegant 19th century model. Newly upholstered in cream white/yellow fabric. The mahogany frame is in a good unrestored condition. This stool/banquette is free stan...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair of Swedish Empire Green Stripe Club Chairs
Located in New York, 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
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
Classical Mahogany Ottoman of Boston Origin
Located in Milford, NH
A large Boston Classical or Empire mahogany ottoman from the 19th century. Freshly appointed with silk upholstery. Mahogany veneers with "s" scrolled ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany and bronze trimmed Armchairs with black leather seat and back.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The early 19th century desk chair with ram's head arms and turned legs, is attributable to Jacob Desmalter and dates to circa 1805.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Empire Venetian Sofa Attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious mid-19th century Venetian sofa attributable to Valentino Panciera Besarel in hand-carved walnut, restored and finished to wax. Coated with precious original Venetian brocade...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
2 French Empire Mahogany Loveseats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) Egyptian Neo-classic design mahogany loveseats with filigree back and yellow upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Settee has a mahogany frame with tapered hand front legs with hand-carved decorative flowers on each leg and the seat back. The cushion is upholstered in a modern striped fabric.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Seating
French Empire Sofa Bench Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire settee late 19th century 1870- 1890. Ebonized mahogany frame, French polished (Black) with captivating carved female heads under armrest, legs terminating into animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Monumental Walnut and Velvet Throne Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) monumental walnut throne chair with carved figure with wreath and red cut velvet upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut, Velvet
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
In mahogany and on carved feet with brass castors, the scroll arms with carved anthemion leaves at the top. In very good condition.
Category
1860s Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
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
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
Set of Four French Empire Fauteuil Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Frères
Located in New York, 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
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Empire mahogany desk chair or fauteuil de bureau.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Period Empire Giltwood Armchair
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Carved and Gilded Armchair
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category
20th Century French Empire Seating
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Striped Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire ivory painted open Armchairs with gilt trim and green stripe upholstered seat and back
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs - Original untouched finish newly reupholstered seat in Jim Thompson fabric.
Category
19th Century Russian 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
Continental Austrian Mahogany Recamier
Located in New York, NY
Continental Austrian Empire-style (Circa 1835) small mahogany recamier with bronze eagle trim and green upholstery
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Alcove Bed
Located in Hudson, NY
Empire fruitwood alcove bed with ebonized carved wood caryatid heads, feet and two pairs of urns.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fruitwood
Russian Empire Period Desk Chair
Located in Pembroke, MA
Lovely burled birch wood ("loupe de bouleau de Carélie") desk chair from the Russian Empire, and recently reupholstered in French damask fabric wi...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Burl, Birch
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 Empire Period Mahogany Fauteuils, France ca. 1810-20
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Empire Period French carved mahogany fauteuils from the early 19th century.
Each with a rectangular padded back with downcurved reeded arms, the bow front upholstered seat...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, 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
Set of Eight Empire Style Fruitwood Gondola Chairs by Baker
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous set of eight gondola dining chairs by Baker crafted in the empire taste. The frames feature a gracefully curved scoop or spoon back constructed from radiant fruitwood. The s...
Category
20th Century American Empire Seating
Materials
Fabric, Fruitwood
Circa 1800-1815 Pair of Fauteuils or Open Arm Chairs, French
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800-1815 pair of fauteuils or open arm chairs, French. Mahogany. Directoire to Empire period & style. Brass mounts. Turned, tapered legs with ring turned carving. Old repair t...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Brass
Empire Armchairs, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of French armchairs made of solid cherry wood with curved, carved armrests with palmette decoration. The chairs stand on slightly flared legs with straight frames. The backrests...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Cherry
Coastal Ebony Pencil Reed Pod Chairs - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Fantastic pair of Coastal ebony pencil reed pod chairs. Beautiful organic shape in a deep rich brown- almost black. Flashes of the natural still ...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Seating
Materials
Reed, Ebony
Early 19th Century Empire Period Fauteuil (or Open Arm Chair), French
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 19th century Empire period fauteuil (or open arm chair), French. Curved open back with graceful curved cross bar. The straight, tapered front legs surmounted by carved Egyptian...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Italian Empire Walnut 8 Chairs 1800
Located in Roma, RM
Group of Eight Italian walnut chairs, inlaid with fruit wood, Campania region , likely from the city of Naples.
Circular shape with an arched back that makes back support comfortable...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Empire Flame Mahogany Claw Foot Classical Sofa 77"
Located in Dayton, OH
Fine American Empire sofa with striking form and masterful carving, New York; circa 1820s. Made of flamed mahogany with beveled crest rail between "s" scrolled shoulders with high r...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique chairs, Northern Europe, around 1870. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A set of chairs from the 19th centuries.
Furniture in very good condition, professionally renovated. The seats have been covered with new fabric.
Dimensions: height 87 cm / seat h...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Walnut
Pair Neoclassical Style Johnson Hartig Libertine Hotch Potch Swan Chairs
By Schumacher
Located in Houston, TX
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Style swan bergeres. Wonderfully restyled with Johnson Hartig for Libertine Potch PotchCrazy Quilt linen cotton fabric through Schumacher. Exuberant and colorful, this large-scale design, inspired by antique crazy quilts...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Seating
Materials
Wood
French Empire Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Impressive walnut and gilt Empire style armchair with finely carved golden wings to the arms and further carved gilt detail to the legs and seat rails. An antique caviar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese 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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