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.
Pair of French Empire Barrel Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Pair of French Empire Barrel Armchairs, 19th century. This beautiful pair of French Empire barrel armchairs dates back to the 19th century and combines elegance with exceptional cra...
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...
Brass
$8,100 / set
H 43.9 in W 28.75 in D 31.11 in
Regency circa 1815 Fluted Barrel Back Leather Wing Armchair and Matching Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original hand dyed Regency circa 1815 fluted barrel back armchair and matching footstool A lovely pair and of the finest quality ...
Leather, Hardwood
$6,500 / set
H 48 in W 36 in D 28 in
Pair of High-Back, Barrel-Shape Tufted Leather Armchairs with Brass Nailheads
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a pair of high-quality Chesterfield-style barrel back armchairs that recall quiet English evenings by the fire in one's own library or club. They are upholstered in full-...
Brass
19th Century Louis XV Style Wingback Fauteuil or Armchair
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French provincial Fauteuil à La Reine avec Oreilles or "queen's wingback armchair with ears". This is a large size chair-and-a-half with solid walnut frame and distinc...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,403Sale Price|45% Off
H 47.25 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
19th century French Louis-style Wingback Armchair in Brown Velvet
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
French Louis-style wingback armchair upholstered in brown velvet. Dating from the 19th century with later upholstery. Featuring a carved and painted wooden frame, newly restored with...
Velvet
$1,822 / set
H 38.59 in W 24.81 in D 25.2 in
Antique Pair French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date. The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. Th...
Mahogany
$1,890
H 57 in W 26 in D 23.5 in
Heals of London Attri. a Tall Arts & Crafts Oak Wing Back or Porter's Armchair
By Heal's
Located in London, GB
Heals of London attributed. An Arts & Crafts oak high back wing back or Porter's armchair with shaped cornice and shaped elongated wings to the sides to keep the draughts away from the porter.
Oak
$6,645 / set
H 42.75 in W 31.75 in D 32.75 in
Pair 19th c French Louis XV Style Giltwood Wingback Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exceptional and highly unusual pair of French Louis XV-style bergères, dating to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, represents an especially elaborate interpretatio...
Textile, Wood, Giltwood
1960s Vintage Parker Knoll Wing Back Armchair
By Parker Knoll
Located in London, GB
An extremely stylish and comfortable wing back armchair, made in England by Parker Knoll in the 1960-70’s. This is of superb quality and looks amazing from all angles. It sits on so...
Bouclé, Birch
$14,950 / set
H 52.5 in W 36.25 in D 25.5 in
Rare Pair of English 19th Century William & Mary Style Mahogany Throne Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare pair of English 19th century William & Mary style mahogany and silk-upholstered armchairs. The high-back frames with scrolled upholstered corners, rounded armrest...
Silk, Mahogany
$840Sale Price|40% Off
H 42.5 in W 24.75 in D 23 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Wingback Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A 19th-century French Louis XVI style Wingback chair crafted in the classic neoclassical elegance. The chair features a high, winged backrest that gently curves, providing both aesth...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Antique Leather Wing Back Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of antique leather wing back armchairs. They were made in England, and they date from around the 1920’s. They are of very impressive, large proportions, the quali...
Leather, Walnut
Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Mahogany
Pair, Mahogany Wingback Armchairs, Denmark circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately mahogany wingback armchairs with elegant carved curved hand rests. Once the vintage fabric is replaced with new upholstery (at discretion of buyer) this striking pair will ma...
Fabric, Mahogany
Painted Baltic Empire Style Bergere
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A rare, exceptional, and visually dynamic Baltic Empire style bergere of neoclassical form having polychrome painted carved wood frame with klismo...