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.
French 19th Century Burled Mahogany Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A spectacular French Empire style petite commode from the 19th century made of bookmatched burl mahogany and decorative ormolu hardware. The commode’s top is dark, nearly black marbl...
Marble, Ormolu
$1,575Sale Price|30% Off
Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Walnut Burl Marble Top Commode Chest Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Heritage French Empire Style Commode, Console or Chest of Drawers. Features a rectangular form made from walnut with lacquered and gilt columns and a marble top. The...
Marble, Brass
$2,590Sale Price|30% Off
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
French Early 19th Century Fruitwood Empire Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire style bibliothèque or display cabinet, handcrafted using solid fruitwood and two glass-front doors accented with brass. The clean, straight lines allow t...
Brass
French 19th Century Walnut Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome French Empire walnut commode from the 19th century, circa 1850. The top planks still bear the low ridges across the grain from being cut and milled by hand nearly two cent...
Brass
Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Bookcase Bibliotheque Display cabinet 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Empire Mahogany & ormolu mounted bookcase display cabinet, circa 1910. This elegant antique cabinet is made of the finest mahogany, the top with an archite...
Ormolu
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...
Brass, Bronze
Danish Architect’s Drawing Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Architect’s Drawing Cabinet / Plan Chest Danish design, c. 1920 Exceptionally well-crafted drawing cabinet from around 1920, made as a unique piece and originally commissioned for a...
Mahogany, Maple
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century, Late Empire Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Four Drawers, 1840s
Located in Odense, DK
This refined late Empire chest of drawers is an elegant example of mid-19th-century furniture design, characterized by its classical lines and balanced proportions. The piece is like...
Mahogany
Empire Period Chest of Drawers
Located in Austin, TX
Empire period chest of drawers from France featuring a striking Cuban mahogany burled veneer. This piece has three drawers, all with original gilt bronze hardware and pulls. There ar...
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Ormolu Commode Chest of Drawers 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality early 19th century antique French Empire mahogany marble top commode, with Neo-Classical ormolu mounts, circa 1810. The commode is of the finest quality, the top is ma...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stately 19th century mahogany secretaire a abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal St. Anne marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” above the floor. The desk front...
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Chest of Drawers - Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
A French Empire Period Fruitwwod commode or chest of drawers of rectangular shape, the three drawers raised on gilt wood paw feet, with Empire bronze escutcheons and pulls , having ...
Fruitwood
Dutch Empire Style 19th Century Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest crafted from mahogany and ebonized wood, made during the first half of the 1800s. This impressive case piece has six drawers, sharing a key between th...
Brass
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
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...
Marble, Ormolu
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 Swedish tiger birch cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian tiger birch high board circa 1870. Fine quality piece of Swedish cabinet making, showcasing the use of a cut of birch to use the grain in a decorative manner. Rectangu...
Birch
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase circa 1900. Superb quality piece of Swedish made furniture with influences from Biedermeier and empire periods. Stepped top...
Birch
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
1830s French Empire Walnut Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire walnut chest with four drawers and gilded edges Beautiful wooden root.
Bronze
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...
Birch, Fruitwood
French 19th Century Empire Style Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century marble-top commode made of book-matched burl mahogany accented with Empire style ormolu. The commode’s top is a slab of Saint Anne marble that gently curves alo...
Marble, Brass
Empire Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire burl walnut chest of drawers with marble top, circa 1820. With a rectangular marble top, a small burl walnut top drawer with dolphin escutcheon (no lock), 3 lower burl walnut ...
Marble, Brass
French Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers, Walnut & Bronze Mounts, 19th century
By Bernard Molitor
Located in Odense, DK
A grand yet grounded piece, this antique Empire commode dates back to the early 19th century. Crafted in rich walnut with glowing depth, the piece reflects the stylistic ideals of th...
Marble
Grand French Empire Style Bronze Mahogany Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent French mahogany bibliotheque style bookcase cabinet crafted in the Napoleonic French empire taste. Constructed on a grand scale the cabinet features three pairs of storage do...
Bronze
19th Century Black French Empire Polished Ebony Secretary, Antique Birch Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Ebony, in good condition. The b...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Marble
Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections. The upper section has three doors: a l...
Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
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 19th Century Empire Painted Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire three-drawer commode from the 19th century with its original marble top. A more recent artistic update with a Caribbean-blue painted finish compliments the gilt bronz...
Brass, Bronze
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 Empire Style Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Astoria, NY
A handsome mid-19th-century French Empire chest of drawers, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid walnut, it features a naturally aged dark patina with ri...
Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Veneered Mahogany Secretary by Heinrich Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed and produced by Heinrich G...
Metal, Brass
19th Century Period French, Empire Painted Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Period French, Empire Painted Commode The solid wood body is painted in a textured, aged, distressed patina showing some of the gesso-painted base and original wood b...
Wood, Paint
Large Early 19th Century Empire Chest Of Drawers, Mahogany, Ormolu, Paris, 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Large Empire chest of drawers Paris Mahogany Early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 97 x 136 x 68 cm Description: The architecturally designed front of the chest of drawers is divided into three zones. A plinth connected to the floor forms the lower section, on which two sturdy columns rest, supporting the upper section, which houses a large drawer. Three further drawers are housed in the centre section of the chest of drawers, which recedes behind the columns. A black granite top forms the upper end. The drawers, the back panel and the body are made of oak, except for the panels in the side walls. The top section with the ledge drawer is connected to the body with wooden wedges and can be removed for transport. This detail can be clearly seen in one of the photos. Exquisitely beautiful mahogany veneer, horizontally mirrored on the drawers at the height of the key entrances, enlivens the smooth surfaces on which the lavishly gilded bronzes unfold their effect. Some of the very finely crafted fittings can also be found on Empire furniture by Jacob...
Bronze, Ormolu
Maison Forest Style French Empire Burl Wood Armoire Dresser or Gentleman's Chest
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique French Empire armoire dresser or gentleman's chest In the manner of Maison Forest France, Circa 1880s Gorgeous burl wood, with mounted bronze ormolu and hardwa...
Bronze
19th Century Walnut Pair of Bookcases Boiserie de Bibliothèque
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A rare pair of heliocodal French Directoire library bookcases in solid walnut. This type of bookcases is also known as 'boiseries de Bibliothèque' a...
Walnut
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 ...
Marble, Brass
French Empire Enfilade or Sideboard Console of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French Empire enfilade or sideboard console server of flame mahogany with original marble top, from the 19th century, featuring a frieze showing four drawers with reflecti...
Marble, Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Cabinet Two Door, One Drawer Circa 1830
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Antique 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Cabinet Two Door, One Drawer Circa 1830 Used, Good condition, View all photos for the most accurate details on condition and appearance. Di...
Brass
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Glass, Oak
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...
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
$12,400Sale Price|29% Off
Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers. This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Empire Cabinet
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually tall Swedish 19th century provincial Empire cabinet in it's original condition. ca 1830 Sweden.
Pine
Early 19th Century Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Secretary, Germany, 1820 A magnificent Empire-style secretary crafted in walnut veneer over coniferous wood, with ebonized accents and partial gilding. This piece showcases t...
Walnut
$206,243 / set
Pair of Early 19th Century French Boulle Cabinets
By Etienne Levasseur
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An important pair of early 19th century French cabinets, made by Pierre-Étienne Levasseur. gilt bronze mounted ebony and ebonised, cut-brass, pewter and faux tortoiseshell marquetry cabinets in the Boulle style. The rectangular top with brass-mounted rim over decorated ormolu frieze above four reeded brass inlaid pillars with brass capitals, the exceptional centre door profusely decorated with ormolu scrolls and head mounts, flanked by two glazed doors decorated in red boulle and silver inlay, the interiors fitted with shelves, the base with four Bacchic masks terminating on turned tapering toupie ormolu-mounted feet. Provenance: Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. Purchased new by either, Walter Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormond, (2nd creation in the Irish Peerage, 1770-1820) or James Butler...
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard
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, and orig...
Brass
French 19th Century Painted Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire commode from the 19th century, updated more recently with paint in layered & scraped faux finish that wouldn’t look out of place with Gustavian style furnishings. The...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Commode / Nightstand With Burl Walnut Veneer
Located in Viterbo, VT
Nightstand hand-made in France in the early 1800s using walnut and decorated with book-matched walnut veneer. The small chest of drawers is absolutely gorgeous and great proportions,...
Walnut
Pair of Large Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of large early 19th century Italian Empire walnut commodes with ebonized columns, bronze doré hardware, and three drawers.
Walnut
French Empire-Style Commode / Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
This is a handsome chest of drawers having four drawers that Draw easily. A column flanks each side and is accented with Original bronze dore mounts. The drawers are dove tailed an...
Mahogany
$2,289Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Steel
French 19th Century Painted Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire walnut commode from the 19th century, updated more recently with blue paint in layered & scraped faux finish that wouldn’t look out of place with Gustavian style furn...
Stone, Brass
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer under the marble top. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Marble, Bronze
Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Mahogany
French 20th Century Empire Style Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful, early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, all...
Brass
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Marble, Ormolu
$8,715 / item
French Empire Walnut Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
The classic form features book-matched panels framed by gold trim, while square tapered legs with brass sabots ground the piece in Empire period authenticity. Each door front showcas...
Metal
French Cherry Wood Marble Top Chest of Drawers
Located in Faversham, GB
A substantial Continental chest of drawers or commode in cherry wood with a gently over sailing original marble top with square corners. The smooth white Carrara marble top with no...
Cherry
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...
Bronze, Ormolu