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.
Early 20th Century French Empire Sideboard
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Superb French Empire Sideboard is made of flamed mahogany with a black marble top. It has bronze ring around the columns.
Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Sideboard W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
A handsome early 19th century French Empire buffet enfilade sourced in Provence, France. The façade is veneered in bird’s-eye maple with fine natural figuring, framed by a solid maho...
Carrara Marble, Brass
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Burl White Marble Chest Drawer Sideboard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A good antique 19th century French Empire faux bamboo & white marble pine small sideboard /chest of drawer. The chest having the original veined white marble top above four drawers, ...
Marble
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, an...
Brass
$3,822Sale Price|25% Off
20th Century French Empire Style Wooden Sideboard with Dark Marble Top
Located in Sofia, BG
This is an elegant French Empire-style sideboard or credenza featuring a sleek, dark marble top and rich mahogany wood finish. The piece is beautifully designed with three drawers at...
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Metal
$10,485 / item
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...
Brass
French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920 Reference: 8331 Dimensions 87 inches (221 cms) Wide 22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep 36.5 inches (9...
Walnut
Empire Sideboard with Marble Top by P. Svensen, Copenhagen from 1920s
By P. Svensson
Located in Lejre, DK
Curved sideboard produced by P. Svensen, N. Frihavnegade 15, Copenhagen. The piece is made of painted wood with profiled details, gilt decorations and original marble top. The front ...
Marble
$10,745Sale Price|30% Off
French Empire Style Mable-Top Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style marble-top mahogany sideboard, 20th c, having rectangular marble top, over case fitted with four drawers, cabinet doors opening to interior shelves, with gilt met...
Marble
Rare Empire Clock Cabinet Sideboard, Antique Northern Swedish Country Gustavian
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique clock cabinet from Sweden made during the transitional time between the gustavian and empire period. The cabinet is from Northern Sw...
Pine
Drexel Heritage Empire Style Sideboard or Bar Cabinet With Carved Lions
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Empire or Egyptian Revival style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Drexel Heritage, "Pavilion" Collection USA, Late 20th Century Walnut and birch, with e...
Birch, Walnut, Giltwood
Fantastic French Bronze Mounted Marble Column Marble Top Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic French bronze mounted sideboard is a true statement of luxury, artistry, and craftsmanship. Featuring an elegant marble top and flanked by striking white marble column...
Breccia Marble, Bronze
$12,500Sale Price / set|32% Off
Pair of Antique Irish Chiffoniers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of traditional Irish chiffoniers or sideboards crafted with mahogany and celebrating several early 19th century styles, including empire and regency. Featuring high quality...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Demilune Cabinet
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
French demi lune sideboard in mahogany. Empire, circa 1820. Two-door corpus in demi lune form. Mahogany veneered on oak. One drawer. Newer slightly overhanging granite top instea...
Granite
Northern Swedish Antique Handmade Rustic and Charming Empire Country Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish empire sideboard. Genuine country house furniture from northern Sweden made around 1840 during the empire period. The frame is made by hand in solid pine and has a wo...
Pine
Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet with Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire mahogany marble top buffet with bronze is an exquisite example of fine French cabinetry, with the emphasis on the finest mater...
Marble, Bronze
Tambour Door French Empire Style Cherry Server Cabinet Console Table by Kindel
Located in Southampton, NJ
Vintage 1950's Kindel Furniture Tambour door cabinet with newly refinished top, single top drawer running the full width of the piece, and interior adjustable shelf. Transitional, Fr...
Brass
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century Small empire cabinet, particular cabinet from the empire era (circa 1840). Italian, with entire column, ebonized and brass...
Brass
Walnut and Gray Marble Empire Console, circa 1880
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Walnut and gray marble Empire console, circa 1880. Carved legs with leaf curved design on front legs and reeded legs in back.
Marble
Duncan Phyfe American Empire Mahogany Sideboard
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard with two pedestal cabinets and 4 carved column supports centering a lower mirror under 3 drawers ...
Mahogany, Mirror
Antique English Empire Mahogany 3 Part Pedestal Sideboard Buffet With Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Empire Mahogany 3 Part Pedestal Sideboard Buffet With Drawers. Item features three part hand dovetailed construction, side lock cab...
Mahogany
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Sideboard with Brass Pulls
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard /buffet with 3 drawers over 2 cabinet doors centering 2 drawers all having brass ring pulls with carved ionic column sides and claw feet,
Brass
John Widdicomb Flame Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Astoria, NY
John Widdicomb Flame Mahogany Sideboard, the glass top above central drawer and cabinet flanked by short two short drawers and single cabinet on each side with ebonized faux columns ...
Brass
Irish Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Carved Sideboard. Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Irish Cuban mahogany three drawer sideboard with carved scrolled gallery, gadrooned molded edge, carved eagle heads, flanking lower cabinets, original brasses, and terminating on acanthus carved...
Brass
Empire Style Cabinet 19th Century France
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire style cabinet 19th century France two-section carved, painted and gilded wooden cabinet. Upper section decorated with sphinxes, nymph and vegetal motifs. Interior with two sh...
Wood
19th century French Empire Marble Top Enfilade
Located in Richmond, VA
Great quality 19th century French empire marble top enfilade with bronze mounts and white marble top.
Marble
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...
Mahogany
Italian Neo-Classic Sideboard, Fruitwood & Marble, Circa 1810
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire Neo-classic (19th Century) fruitwood sideboard cabinet with a marble top over two doors flanked by columns with canted sides.
Marble
Restored Empire Sideboard, Cherry Wood, Revived Polish, Czech, 1790s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This exceptional Neoclassical secretary desk with a secret bookcase comes from Bohemia from the late 18th century. It is made of spruce blockboard veneered and inlaid with cherry ven...
Wood, Cherry, Lacquer