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 Empire 19th Century Walnut Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive French Empire-style armoire from the early 1800s. The pronounced cornice makes a statement above the pair of paneled and carved doors all crafted of solid, book-matched...
Steel, Brass
18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790. Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbed...
Gesso, Pine
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
North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sunburst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815. Dimen...
Pine
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Armoire
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French Empire period armoire. With stunning book matched walnut veneer to the two long doors flanked by two columns. Original restra...
Walnut
Lorraine Wardrobe Early 19th Century In Empire Eagle Marquetry
Located in Charmes, FR
beautiful Lorraine cabinet from the beginning of the 19th century in oak and marquetry, rare empire eagle motifs with thunderbolts, generally in good condition
Wood
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Empire St. three door armoire in satinwood and mahogany with beveled mirrors. All highly decorated with fire-gilded ormolu mounts. Inside lays fift...
Ormolu
French Double Body Furniture from the 19th Century in Walnut Root
Located in Madrid, ES
French Double Body Furniture from the 19th Century in walnut root H: 240cm 50cm below 40cm above good condition origin: Roman house (Italy)
Walnut
Austrian 18th Century Empire Style Two Doors Larch Wood Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious and original larch wood wardrobe, convertible into a bookcase, with two doors in the Austrian Empire style of the 18th century The wardrobe, all in larch wood, is all origi...
Other, Brass
Empire Armoire, Walnut Veneer, Full Columns, Brass, Austria circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large Empire or early Biedermeier Armoire or wardrobe from Vienna, Austria about 1810-15. Bautiful book-matched walnut veneer and with excellent shellac hand-polished finish. (French Polish). Two ebonized full-columns with corinthian brass...
Brass
Early 19th Century Berlin Mahogany Armoire
Located in London, by appointment only
Germany, circa 1825. A Berlin mahogany display cabinet having a stepped pediment inlaid with boxwood stringing above partially glazed doors divided...
Glass, Mahogany
H 48 in W 49 in D 24 in
George III Antique Mahogany Gentleman’s Wardrobe or Linen Press
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III mahogany gentleman’s wardrobe or linen press having two mahogany doors which open to reveal a fitted interior of four original sliding trays, one long drawer with ...
Brass
H 86.61 in W 52.76 in D 22.83 in
Louis Philippe Armoire In Solid Walnut, Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Cabinet Louis Philippe in solid walnut, late 19th century This very elegant French cabinet opens to two doors. It reveals three fixed shelves. Their surface is smooth. It is possi...
Walnut
H 86 in W 49.25 in D 19 in
French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Armoire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This elegant Armoire is made of flamed mahogany. It has a simple shape which can be easy to mix with all style.
Mahogany
H 60 in W 36 in D 20.5 in
Vintage Burl Wood Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning vintage armoire is a masterclass in organic texture and mid-century sophistication. The piece is defined by its dramatic book-matched burl wood veneers, which create a ...
Brass
H 37.01 in W 16.93 in D 11.42 in
Miniature Wardrobe, Walnut Wood, Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Miniature moon wardrobe. Walnut wood. XIX century. Miniature wardrobe with a door (inside, two shelvesand a drawer) and a drawer with two handles, whichhas a mirror on the outside ...
Other
H 77.56 in W 63 in D 24.81 in
19th Century Danish Painted Wardrobe
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Smart 19th Century Danish painted 2 door wardrobe. The interior can be fitted with either a hanging rail, shelves or both.
Pine
H 83 in W 52 in D 23 in
Mid-19th Century Antique French Louis Philippe Period Bleached Pine Armoire
Located in Birmingham, AL
A handsome mid-19th century French Louis Philippe period armoire from Provence, handcrafted of solid pine and bleached to a soft, honeyed tone that highlights the natural grain and q...
Pine
H 83.47 in W 57.49 in D 22.05 in
French Armoire in Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Armoire in Oak and Brass, Late 19th Century Rooted in the provincial elegance of the Belle Époque This tall oak armoire, dating from the end of the 19th century, embodies the...
Oak
H 71 in W 61.25 in D 21.5 in
Early 19th Century Antique Original Painted Break Down Armoire from Germany
Located in Round Top, TX
This impressive original painted large armoire or "German Shrunk" was built in the traditional manner to "break down" into 2 sections, making it easier t...
Wood, Paint
H 91 in W 52 in D 19.25 in
Paint Decorated 19th Century French Blue Armoire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Paint decorated 19th century French cornflower blue armoire in three parts. The armoire with two doors having brass escutcheon plates, recessed cartouche ...
Wood
H 45.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Westnofa MCM Danish Rosewood 14 Drawer Armoire Gentleman's Chest Highboy Dresser
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Westnofa Mid Century Danish Rosewood 14 Drawer Armoire Gentleman's Chest Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 45.5 inches high All pi...
Rosewood
H 100.4 in W 62.6 in D 26.38 in
19th Century French Armoire
Located in London, England
Two door French walnut armoire with arched top and shaped panelled doors. refinished and in great condition. France circa 1880.
Walnut
H 85 in W 47 in D 21.5 in
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Armoire Wardrobe ca. 1820-40
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH EMPIRE MAHOGANY AND ORMOLU ARMOIRE France, circa 1820–1840 85" H x 21 1/2" D x 47" W Of architectural form, the projecting cornice above a single mirrored door framed by eng...
Bronze, Ormolu
H 91.5 in W 63 in D 22.75 in
French 19th Century Solid Walnut Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A towering French Empire armoire from the late 1800s, made of beautifully figured walnut. The pronounced crown hangs over a frieze decorated with a marquetry star above each ½ round ...
Walnut
H 76 in W 40.5 in D 18.25 in
French 19th Century Petite Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This lovely antique armoire of the Empire period, reminiscent of a bonnetière in scale and storage, made of solid mahogany of varying tones and textures. This wonderful cabinet featu...
Brass
H 92 in W 64.25 in D 26 in
French Empire Solid Walnut Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome solid walnut Empire armoire, made in France during the 19th Century. This armoire features a pair of large bookmatched and paneled doors on hidden hinges, flanked by colum...
Walnut
H 87.75 in W 55.5 in D 22 in
Mid-19th Century French Empire Style Cherrywood Buffet Deux Corps
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century French Empire style hand pegged cherrywood buffet deux corps features classic half columns that flank both the upper and lower doors. The two doors to the...
Fruitwood
H 90.95 in W 95.67 in D 28.15 in
Wardrobe Empire Walnut Italy XIX Century
Located in Milano, IT
Empire wardrobe in walnut, Italy, first quarter of the 19th century. Molded frieze, front with a pair of doors and lower band with 3 drawers, tapered columns on the uprights, sides house 4 pantry compartments, turned feet. Base and top are connected by wooden screws...
Poplar, Walnut
H 96.75 in W 62.5 in D 26.25 in
French, 19th Century, Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Empire style walnut armoire features a carved cornice over a pair of paneled doors mounted with stylized brass floral motif escutcheons. Recently polished with French w...
Metal, Brass
H 106.25 in W 66.5 in D 29.25 in
French 19th Century Grand Empire Armoire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This massive Empire style armoire was crafted in 19th century France from stunning walnut. At over 8.5 feet tall, this massive armoire is crowned ...
Metal, Brass, Ormolu
H 101.5 in W 71 in D 23.25 in
Italian Empire Revival Tambour-Front 2-Piece Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Handsomely styled with ebonized columns on both sides of the fluted cabinet. Raised on a 2 door case with an interior shelf ending on ebonized and carve...
Brass
H 86.5 in W 41.5 in D 20.25 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Armoirette or Bonnetiere
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period walnut bonnetiere or armoirette features a single door flanked by half columns. Its sides, doors, and frame are constructed of solid walnut. With two removable interior shelves, one of which supports a clothing bar...
Walnut
H 35.44 in W 49.22 in D 22.45 in
19th Century Italian-Lombardy Empire Walnut Golden Bronzes Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Three drawers, golden bronze handles, walnut wood, elegant shapes and line make this chest of drawers an interesting piece able to be used in different kind of interior decoration pr...
Bronze
H 83.86 in W 44.89 in D 23.04 in
French Armoire Second Empire Mirror Door Cabinet Shelves and Drawer L XIII Style
Located in Labrit, Landes
19th century armoire French Second Empire with columns Mirror door Three shelves and two hanging drawers One big drawer Shelves are all removable i...
Mirror, Wood