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Empire Buffets

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
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet

French 19th Century Mahogany Empire Buffet

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A French Empire (19th century) buffet made of rich flamed, bookmatched mahogany. The original Saint Anne marble top of charcoal stone with gray and white veining is removable. Below ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet
19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet

19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A breathtaking Dutch-made, French Empire style buffet of flamed mahogany with coordinating dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The slab exhibits constellations...

Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Buffet in Walnut
19th Century French Empire Style Buffet in Walnut

19th Century French Empire Style Buffet in Walnut

Located in Houston, US

Early to mid 19th century French Empire style buffet. Hand crafted, the buffet features brass hardware, three drawers and two doors flanked by columns with ormolu mounts.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Brass

French Empire Buffet, Solid Cuban Mahogany, Marble Top, Antique 1890
French Empire Buffet, Solid Cuban Mahogany, Marble Top, Antique 1890

French Empire Buffet, Solid Cuban Mahogany, Marble Top, Antique 1890

Located in Austin, TX

Empire style French antique buffet made of solid wood construction; primarily Cuban flamed mahogany. This piece has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. Fou...

Category

1890s French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Demi Lune Buffet
French Empire Demi Lune Buffet

French Empire Demi Lune Buffet

Located in Westwood, NJ

A French Empire style bowfront flame okum veneered and oval pollard oak burl panel inlaid side cabinet or buffet, the brass bound top above three frieze drawers above four cabinet do...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Buffets

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Grand Buffet
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Grand Buffet

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Grand Buffet

Located in Dallas, TX

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Grand Buffet was meticulously hand-crafted by skilled artisans who drew inspiration from the royal families of their eras. In this cas...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim
French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim

French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top

Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top

Located in Richmond, VA

Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble

19th Century Swedish Fall Front Desk with Originalpaint
19th Century Swedish Fall Front Desk with Originalpaint

19th Century Swedish Fall Front Desk with Originalpaint

Located in Boden, SE

19th Century fall front desk from Kalix, North of Sweden. The overhanging rectangular top abowe a drop down writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with drawers and a central cu...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Pine

French Antique Empire Style Buffet
French Antique Empire Style Buffet

French Antique Empire Style Buffet

Located in Austin, TX

Buffet, French, in the “return from Egypt” Empire style. After the Egyptian campaign Napoleon asked his “ebenistes“ to incorporate stylistic elements i...

Category

1880s French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet
19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet

19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Unusual late 19th Century / Empire period Swedish provincial buffet with vernacular detailing. Two frieze drawers over a pair of cupboard doors each flanked by turned columns. Repain...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bibliotheque or Bookcase
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bibliotheque or Bookcase

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bibliotheque or Bookcase

Located in Birmingham, AL

A fine French Empire period bibliotheque handcrafted from select French walnut by skilled artisans from Lyon during the First Empire of Napoleon, circa early 1800s. The upper bookcas...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Solid Walnut & Marble Buffet
French Empire Solid Walnut & Marble Buffet

French Empire Solid Walnut & Marble Buffet

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

An impressive French Empire buffet made of figured walnut in a rich auburn hue that coordinates with the dark marble top surface for a classic look. The stone shows pockets of dark g...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble

French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and marble buffet
French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and marble buffet

French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and marble buffet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A high quality and uniquely designed French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Gris St. Anne marble buffet. This stunning buffet/sideboard is raised by back square Mah...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Impressive, Ebonized Empire Buffet, Marble, Bronze, France 1880s
Impressive, Ebonized Empire Buffet, Marble, Bronze, France 1880s

Impressive, Ebonized Empire Buffet, Marble, Bronze, France 1880s

Located in Austin, TX

Buffet from France in the Empire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany that has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum-quality. The ...

Category

1880s French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger
Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger

Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger

By Maison Krieger

Located in London, GB

Impressive Empire style buffet by Maison Krieger French, circa 1900 Measures: Height 199cm, width 217cm, depth 66cm This magnificent Empire style c...

Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet
French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet

French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A charmingly patinated solid walnut buffet, exhibiting French Empire flair tempered by Louis Philippe, circa 1860. The simple plank top is held with visible tongue & groove joinery,...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Iron

Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top
Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top

Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top

By sicis

Located in London, GB

Buffet cabinet designed following some distinctive elements of the Empire style such as the applications of bronzes on the column legs, zoomorphic feet and friezes that frame the s...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Buffets

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Buffet in Recent Paint
French 19th Century Empire Buffet in Recent Paint

French 19th Century Empire Buffet in Recent Paint

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A very unique French Empire 19th century buffet, or desserte server, in demilune profile and more recent painted finish of uncertain age. The top surface is a handpainted faux marble that is nearly all black except for delicate wisps of smoky gray veining. In the frieze are three drawers: one in each corner that swings outward at an angle, and one wide drawer in the center, all using lion-motif ring pulls. The case is washed in an ethereal tone of French gray with matte texture and mottled variation blending streaks of white, gray, and blue pigment that may just as easily blend with Directoire and Gustavian tastes than the opulence of Empire. Carved wood caryatids in ebonized (painted) effect flank the pair of doors at center, which open in tandem by working lock and key. Inside the case are two shelves at different depths which could be perfect as a dry bar or dining room storage...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany and Marble Buffet Vitrine
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany and Marble Buffet Vitrine

French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany and Marble Buffet Vitrine

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu, mahogany and white Carrara marble buffet vitrine. The buffet is raised by handsome block supports centering an elegant raised frieze decorated with a fine ormolu band with scrolled foliate movements. At the center are two doors with glass panes each adorned with striking mottled ormolu fillets, fine rosettes and exceptional pierced palmettes. The two outer doors are flanked by striking architectural columns with outstanding foliate ormolu plinths and capitals. The outer doors also display central glass panes framed within an elegant ormolu band with scrolled designs. The doors open to reveal one adjustable shelf in each section and beautiful cream curtains...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA

Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA . Very Important and Large Enfilade De Boiserie Buffet Lavabo C.1810 Empire Transition Charles X A great patron of the arts. Light colored woods, yellow or bleached were dominant. This Piece is made of the Bois Clairs in warm blond tone typical of the period 1810-1830. We have another video of the interior to share with you if you wish. Wall Paneling Cabinets and a trumeau Mirror at the center of the Curve, in Front of it a nicely carved Stone Urn with Sphere finial top creating a back splash of a Sink. A very elegant architectural element “La Haute Société ". Focal point of a grand room . These pieces make for a truly special interior to any residence. Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA Melrose Ave La Cienega Blvd . Two Very Large Wall mount Cabinets with very large Doors and original hardware hinges , keys and locks , interior of each cabinet with 3 dividers that makes 4 compartments, a great space to store your dinner service , your porcelain , wine , your glassware etc . painted a beautiful light green on the interior. A very large Marble Hand Carved Urn, on a pedestal and the Swan Fountain...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu & Vert De Patricia Marble Buffet
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu & Vert De Patricia Marble Buffet

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu & Vert De Patricia Marble Buffet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

An impressive and large scaled French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble buffet. The four door three drawer buffet is raised by a straight base with...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Buffet with Marble Top and original Brass Hardware
Empire Buffet with Marble Top and original Brass Hardware

Empire Buffet with Marble Top and original Brass Hardware

Located in Wichita, KS

French Empire style sideboard buffet with a marble top. late 19th/ early 20thc. The buffet is fitted with four drawers, central dual cabinet doors opening to a shelved interior, fl...

Category

20th Century French Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Empire Painted Buffet
Antique Empire Painted Buffet

Antique Empire Painted Buffet

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Antique Empire style painted buffet / cabinet, 19th century. The paint is later and 20th century. With a faux marble molded overhanging top over two cup...

Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Wood, Paint

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany Buffet
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany Buffet

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany Buffet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning French late 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany buffet. This three drawers and four door buffet has the original interior shelf and is raised by four elongated support...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Buffet
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Buffet

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Buffet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A stunning French 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany, ormolu and fossilized black marble Buffet. The buffet is raised by elegant circular feet below striking architectural colum...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Classical Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard Attributed to Vose, Boston
Classical Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard Attributed to Vose, Boston

Classical Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard Attributed to Vose, Boston

By Isaac Vose

Located in Milford, NH

A spectacular mahogany and mahogany veneer Classical or Empire pedestal sideboard, attributed to Isaac Vose, Boston, fitted with one large central drawer fl...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Style Neoclassical Burl Walnut Buffet
French 19th Century Empire Style Neoclassical Burl Walnut Buffet

French 19th Century Empire Style Neoclassical Burl Walnut Buffet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A very attractive French 19th century Empire st. Neo-classical burl walnut three door and three drawer buffet. The buffet is raised by square tapered legs with an ebony filet and orm...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mouchette Mahogany, Burl Ash, Santos Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu, and Giallo Antico marble buffet. This stunning three draw...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Buffets

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire buffets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire buffets 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 buffets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire buffets 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 buffets, popular names associated with this style include François Linke, and Maison Krieger. 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 buffets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,995 and tops out at $220,000 while the average work can sell for $7,650.