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Empire Desks

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
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk

Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...

Category

20th Century Italian Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Italian Empire Small Antique Desk
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Small Antique Desk

Early 19th Century Italian Empire Small Antique Desk

Located in Casale Monferrato, IT

We offer this fantastic small antique Italian desk dating back to the early 19th century, during the sumptuous Empire period. This desk, crafted from fine walnut, is characterized b...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk
French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk

French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk

Located in Shippensburg, PA

EMPIRE STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK Composed of 19th century elements ref. 501GWU22P 45 7/8" H x 32 1/8" W x 15 5/8" D; writing area is 15" D x 26 1/8" W Thi...

Category

20th Century French Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century French Empire Desk
Early 19th Century French Empire Desk

Early 19th Century French Empire Desk

Located in Nashville, TN

Mahogany veneered French Empire desk. Leather insert top. Brass hardware on column legs and bun feet. Very unique and good quality period French des...

Category

1810s French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk

Located in Miami, FL

Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top
French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top

French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top

Located in Astoria, NY

Handsome mid-20th century French writing desk, made in French Empire style and sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from rich mahogany, the desk features a rectangular...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Desks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Italian Empire Desk
19th Century Italian Empire Desk

19th Century Italian Empire Desk

Located in Atlanta, GA

This exquisite 19th-century Italian Empire desk is a beautifully crafted piece that exemplifies the neoclassical elegance of the Empire style. Made from richly grained walnut, the de...

Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820

19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Birch

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"

French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Early 19th century French mahogany wood Empire style drop front secretary with a removable black marble top. The secretary features two front side columns with bronze mounts detail w...

Category

1810s French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Brass

French Escritoire Desk Mahogany Antique Chest
French Escritoire Desk Mahogany Antique Chest

French Escritoire Desk Mahogany Antique Chest

Located in Potters Bar, GB

This rather imposing escritoire stands upon turned feet. The bottom panelled doors open to reveal an inner oak lined drawer. The writing section having a drop down fall with a leat...

Category

1860s Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815
Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815

Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

From the Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, once part of Denmark, a very handsome Empire secretary with bookcase in ash with inlays and marquetry silhouettes of neoclassical Roman images. Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers a felt-lined lectern or writing surface flanked by sliding storage compartments, as well as a series of small drawers and a central cabinet. Above desk, are three cupboards and below, there are three long drawers. Northern Germany or from the Danish Jutland region, circa 1815. Note: Green baize on writing surface can be replaced with leather. Measures: 46" wide x 21" deep x 83" high (With desk top open...

Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Ash

French Bureau Plat Desk, Empire Dummy Partners Desks
French Bureau Plat Desk, Empire Dummy Partners Desks

French Bureau Plat Desk, Empire Dummy Partners Desks

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Gorgeous French Empire bureau plat Classic French antique desk in kingwood with ormolu fixtures We date this desk to circa 1930 Has drawers on both sides although one side they are decorative so this is a dummy partners desk Great for a home office set...

Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Desks

Materials

Kingwood

19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Desk by Francois Linke
19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Desk by Francois Linke

19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Desk by Francois Linke

By François Linke

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A sensational and extremely high quality Continental 19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Burl Walnut, Ebonized Fruitwood, Giltwood and Ormolu Bureau Plat by Francois Li...

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Period Mahogany, Marble and Gilt Bronze Cabinet
French Empire Period Mahogany, Marble and Gilt Bronze Cabinet

French Empire Period Mahogany, Marble and Gilt Bronze Cabinet

Located in London, GB

This beautiful mahogany cabinet was crafted in France in the early 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor (1804-1814,15). The cabinet features a wide rectangular body, top...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage French Empire Style Partners Desk by Maitland Smith
Vintage French Empire Style Partners Desk by Maitland Smith

Vintage French Empire Style Partners Desk by Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Westfield, MA

This remarkable vintage partners desk by Maitland Smith showcases the grandeur of the French Empire style, reinterpreted for modern sophistication. Crafted from richly grained mahoga...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Desk
Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Desk

Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Desk

Located in Troy, NY

Elegant Continental (possibly French) Empire bureau-plat or partners desk. The pearwood top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and small decorations on each corner, made of a light co...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Pearwood

Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820
Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820

Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820

Located in Belmont, MA

Empire drop front desk, Copenhagen 1810-20. This unique Danish secretary desk is embellished with mahogany veneer. The lower part has three cur...

Category

1810s Danish Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Bureau Plat Desk 1880 Directoire
French Empire Bureau Plat Desk 1880 Directoire

French Empire Bureau Plat Desk 1880 Directoire

Located in Potters Bar, GB

French Empire Bureau Plat desk circa 1880 in the Directoire manner Top quality mahogany with a finally tooled leather top Five drawers and round graduated legs are embellished with o...

Category

1880s Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box
Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box

Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box

Located in Casteren, NL

This exquisite antique writing box was meticulously handcrafted using traditional joinery techniques, with beautifully visible dovetail joints at the corners. Made in the Southern Ne...

Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Steel

Early 19th Century French Empire  "Bureau a Gradin" Desk
Early 19th Century French Empire  "Bureau a Gradin" Desk

Early 19th Century French Empire "Bureau a Gradin" Desk

By Pierre-Philippe Thomire

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

The rectangular superstructure centred by two drawers above two shelves, flanked by an pair of cupboard doors flanked and separated by patinated and gilt bronze caryatids, the lower part with a leather lined writing slide above three drawers around a slight kneehole each side fitted with a writing slide raised on square supports joined by stretchers and fitted at the front with painted and parcel gilt wood female torsos...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period

French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period

Located in Montreal, Quebec

French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk
Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk

Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk

By Fornasetti

Located in New York, NY

The exquisite antique table desk, shown here, represents the first collaboration between foley&cox HOME and Fornasetti. The desk was purchased in Italy and hand-decorated by Fornasetti using...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Large French Bureau Plat/Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Large French Bureau Plat/Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts

Large French Bureau Plat/Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts

Located in Miami, FL

Large French Bureau Plat / Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, Empire / Napoleon III, French Empire / Napoleon III Bureau de Ministre (Bureau Plat) in Mahogany wi...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830

French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830

Located in Shippensburg, PA

FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER France, circa 1830 Item # 403ZGP18C An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...

Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

19th Century Desk, Antique Bonheur du Jour, Gamichon a Paris
19th Century Desk, Antique Bonheur du Jour, Gamichon a Paris

19th Century Desk, Antique Bonheur du Jour, Gamichon a Paris

By Jean-Baptiste Gamichon

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to circa 1810. A piece for the connoisseur, rare and sought after,...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Empire Style English Roll Top Desk with Bronze Mounts
19th Century Empire Style English Roll Top Desk with Bronze Mounts

19th Century Empire Style English Roll Top Desk with Bronze Mounts

Located in Queens, NY

19th century Empire style English dark-brown wooden desk with roll top that opens to reveal drawers and letter holders and a gold embossed leather desk surface, topped with a bronze-filigree framed tray, and supported by two columns of drawers, each with a gold drawer pull...

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Superb 19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Superb 19th Century French Empire Escritoire

Superb 19th Century French Empire Escritoire

Located in Dallas, TX

Marvelous 19th century French Empire three-drawer escritoire with lovely Breche africaine marble top. Having detailed bronze mounts in urn and floral motifs, columnar supports with p...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Wood

Antique Neo-Egyptian French Empire Style Desk
Antique Neo-Egyptian French Empire Style Desk

Antique Neo-Egyptian French Empire Style Desk

Located in New York, NY

This mahogany desk in the French Empire style features extensive gilt bronze mounts on every face. Its craftsmanship is very high, comparable to works by Maison Krieger. The drawers ...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830
Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830

Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830

Located in Atlanta, GA

19th century French Empire mahogany pedestal desk with gilt bronze mounts, black leather top, two (2) slides, and eight (8) drawers.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Large French Neoclassical Roll-Top Desk
Large French Neoclassical Roll-Top Desk

Large French Neoclassical Roll-Top Desk

Located in Troy, NY

French Mahogany Empire Desk of stately proportions, with a roll top, revealing a double row of total six drawers under an open shelf, as well as a sliding writing surface with inset ...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Pearwood

French Desk Empire Bureau Plat Kingwood
French Desk Empire Bureau Plat Kingwood

French Desk Empire Bureau Plat Kingwood

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Cool French bureau plat or desk in the Empire manner Elegant piece with cabriole legs and crafted from kingwood Original ormolu fittings and top is finished in tooled leather Bought ...

Category

1980s Vintage Empire Desks

Materials

Kingwood

19th Century Birch and Morocco Leather Pedestal Desk in the French Empire Manner
19th Century Birch and Morocco Leather Pedestal Desk in the French Empire Manner

19th Century Birch and Morocco Leather Pedestal Desk in the French Empire Manner

Located in London, GB

A pedestal desk in the French Empire manner of freestanding breakfront form with everted angles, constructed in birchwood, and burr birchwood, having bronze accents drawn from the...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Partner’s Desk
Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Partner’s Desk

Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Partner’s Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique Empire Carved Mahogany Partner’s Desk This beautiful empire partner desk from the early twentieth century is carved from solid mahogany w...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Escritoire
19th Century French Empire Escritoire

19th Century French Empire Escritoire

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a fine quality, 18th century Louis XV Escritoire. The Escritoire has a drawer at the top with ornate mounts, above a fall front opening...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Architect's Desk
French Empire Architect's Desk

French Empire Architect's Desk

Located in Dallas, TX

French Empire architect's desk. Flame grain mahogany veneers, leather covered drawers.

Category

1810s Unknown Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Leather, Wood

Empire Secretaire around 1800 Mahogany Veneer on Solid Oak Aristocratic Property
Empire Secretaire around 1800 Mahogany Veneer on Solid Oak Aristocratic Property

Empire Secretaire around 1800 Mahogany Veneer on Solid Oak Aristocratic Property

Located in Berlin, DE

High quality Cuban mahogany on solid oak. gold-plated, finely chased fittings Central lock with a special key. Architecturally structured front. Rectangular body on 2 high feet with...

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Style Desk Rich Register of Gilded Bronze
Empire Style Desk Rich Register of Gilded Bronze

Empire Style Desk Rich Register of Gilded Bronze

Located in Marseille, FR

Lady's desk with Empire style mahogany, base decorated with griffins, very beautiful register of gilded bronzes oak drawer bottoms, top and zippers trimmed with brown and green Moroc...

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Desks

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A very handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Bureau Plat. The desk is raised on straight tapered legs with ormolu sabots and pierce...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Ormolu

Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner

Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...

Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Desks

Materials

Marble

Empire desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire desks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire desks 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 desks, popular names associated with this style include and Jean Joseph Chapuis. 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 desks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,360 and tops out at $100,000 while the average work can sell for $9,500.