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 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
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
$3,846Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
$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
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 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
$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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$4,150
H 34 in W 57.75 in D 29.25 in
19th Century Danish Pine 12-Drawer Apothecary Sideboard Kitchen Island
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Danish pine apothecary sideboard with twelve drawers. Constructed of pine with its original painted finish, now highly distressed, re...
Pine
19th Century French Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
French oak sideboard buffet featuring three central drawers flanked by two paneled doors with inviting deep patina. Original French brass hinges and pulls remain; locks may operate ...
Oak
Early 19th Century mahogany bowfront sideboard
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality early 19th Century mahogany inlaid bowfront sideboard, having a lovely figured top above a central drawer and two deep drawers either side, all drawers are oak lined...
Mahogany
Sideboard, Italian Manufactory, Mid-20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four-door sideboard with mirrored doors standing on tapering legs with brass sabots.
Brass
19th Century White Painted Swedish Cabinet Sideboard
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian pine sideboard or buffet with traditional decorative fluted diamond panels on cabinet doors. Later professionally painted in layered shades of antique white and lightly di...
Brass
Mae Credenza, Sideboard by Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Mae Credenza by Crump and Kwash Solid wood case / hand-turned legs / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass pulls / premium, full extension, soft close ...
Brass
$11,451 / item
H 32.68 in W 100.4 in D 15.75 in
"Il Pezzo 1 Black Credenza" ebonized sideboard - Marquinia top - bronze base
Located in Firenze, IT
An alternation of rounded shapes and geometrical lines, reassuming discipline and freedom, a composite, multiethnic plan in which each component and each material contributes to the ...
Marble, Bronze, Brass
20th Century French Marble Top Mahogany Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
20th-century French mahogany sideboard featuring a three-drawer over three-door configuration and the original marble top. The warm mahogany veneer displays attractive grain througho...
Marble
Early 19th Century French Bleached Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century French sideboard crafted in oak and finished with a bleached surface, giving the wood a lighter appearance suited for modern interiors. The cabinet features carved...
Metal
French Alpine Rustic Folk Art Cabinet, France 19th Century
Located in Aartselaar, BE
This 19th-century French Alpine rustic folk art cabinet embodies the charm and authenticity of traditional mountain craftsmanship. Handcrafted from solid oak wood, its surface bears ...
Wood, Oak
Elegant Early 20th-Century Sideboard in Mahogany
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Elegant Early 20th-Century Sideboard in Mahogany This refined early 20th-century sideboard is a beautifully crafted piece, showcasing exquisite workmanship and timeless elegance. Ma...
Mahogany
19th Century French Painted Sideboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French painted sideboard. With significant storage space, counting three single top drawers and double shelving inside that r...
Wood
Sold
H 38.25 in W 63 in D 22.75 in
19th Century French Empire Sideboard with Gilt Bronze Mounts & Green Marble Top
Located in High Point, NC
A striking 19th century French Empire style mahogany sideboard or credenza, richly adorned with finely cast gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts and crowned with an impressive green marble to...
Marble
French Empire Style Marble Top Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Marble Top Mahogany Sideboard, with burl walnut and marquetry inlay and brass mounts, with three drawers above central cabinet flanked by two rounded cabinets, "M...
Marble
Sold
H 41.5 in W 69 in D 20 in
Vintage French Empire Style Birdseye Maple Ormolu Sideboard Display Cabinet 69"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful French Empire style Buffet Cabinet. Made in Egypt, circa 1980s. Features a serpentine form with a marble top over an attractive birdseye maple case accented by ornate o...
Marble
Lion paws mahogany sideboard, XIXth c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mahogany and mahogany veneer sideboard with three drawers and four doors on the front, two front lion paws feet, marble top. Empire style. France, 19th c.
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Pueblo, CO
Stately large Empire flame mahogany sideboard, the flame grain is amazingly beautiful. Two door base cabinet with full interior shelf, topped by two rolled drawers, large galley wi...
Mahogany
Sold
H 41 in W 91 in D 24 in
A fine 19th c French mahogany and gilt bronze marble top sideboard by Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French mahogany and gilt bronze mounted marble top sideboard signed Antoine Krieger. Flame mahogany with fine gilt bronze mounts .
Bronze
Italian Walnut Sideboard / Buffet / Credenza, 19th Century
Located in Viterbo, VT
Credenza hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The credenza follows very typical Italian lines with molding used throughout to add depth and decoration to an, otherwise...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 74.5 in D 19 in
Vintage Baker French Empire Style Cherry Lattice Door Credenza Buffet Sideboard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Baker French Empire Style Cherry Lattice Door Credenza Buffet Sideboard. Item features 4 swing doors with curtains, working locks and key, original label, quality American cr...
Cherry
Sold
H 35.44 in W 33.47 in D 16.54 in
Early 19th Century Biedermeier / Empire Sideboard, Demi Lune Chest
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Demilune Sideboard Southern Germany Cherry early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 90 x 85 x 42 cm Description: Two-door cabinet standing on pedestal-like pointed legs. ...
Cherry
Italian Buffet Sideboard Bar Empire Style Rolling
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Italian Made Empire Style Lacquered Burlwood Dry Bar...
Burl, Lacquer
Antique French Sideboard With Marble Plate, Intarsia & Bronze
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique French Empire style inlay sideboard. The sideboard features detailed inlay inlay. The central design is inlaid in walnut wood, which is surrounded by a beautiful inlay patter...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 34 in W 50.75 in D 18.75 in
Original Italian Painted Sideboard with Four Concave Doors, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking late empire Italian sideboard has black painted and gilded wood, faux marble top, and four mesmerizing painted concave doors. Additional embellishments include the lion...
Wood, Paint