Empire Furniture
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
Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Swedish Vintage Empire Crystal Chandelier
Located in Turku, FI
Elegant crystal chandelier from Sweden 1950s. Impressive and high-quality crystal chandelier.
- Total Height 77cm / 30.5in
- Diameter 36cm / 14in.
- Five E14 Bulb bases / sockets.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Egg style Faberge Blue Ocean Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th centur...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vaso in Porcellana di Meissen Blu Cobalto Oro e Policromia del 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Vaso in porcellana di Meissen blu cobalto, oro e policromia, realizzato nel XIX Secolo
Ø cm 14 h cm 30
La porcellana di Meissen è considerata uno dei primi e più pregiati esempi di...
Category
1870s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire 2 door Walnut Bookcase Bibliotheque 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique French walnut and omolu mounted bookcase / Bibliotheque, dating Circa 1870 in date.
It has been hand crafted from solid walnut and decorated with fine Neo- ...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Linen Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze I
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs.
The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields.
The seat has be...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th century ebonised empire style bookcase
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very stylish French late 19th Century glazed bookcase. Fabulous quality original glass working lock and key
Fully adjustable shelves , old paper labels on back boards
Ebonised wi...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sapele Wood
Early 19th Century Mahogany Daybed
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany sleigh bed, circa 1805, by Jacob Frères and designed by the architect Louis-Martin Berthault.
This rare model, practically identical to one made for Madame Récamier (See do...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful 19th century gilded wall mirror , empire style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very good quality 19th century gilded wall mirror in the empire style
French circa 1840’s with original backboards and mirror plate Height
It can hang landscape or portrait
Heig...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod engraved in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French 19th Century Empire Daybed
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A graceful 19th-century French Empire daybed, expertly carved from solid mahogany with curvaceous swan motif. Featuring a sleigh-like profile and perfectly symmetrical, allowing the ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile, Mahogany
Pristine Large Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, large, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate din...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Sac-à-Perle Chandeliers – Lovingly and Professionally Restored
This stunning pair of antique chandeliers has been carefully and expertly restored in Berlin. T...
Category
1950s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp.
Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three dolphin decorated scrolled arms. A finely chiselled stem...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of 4 early 19th Swedish mahogany empire dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 4 early 19th Swedish mahogany empire dining chairs circa 1820.
Good quality set of Karl Johan period Swedish dining chairs. Shaped roundel back...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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 Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vintage Atmos Jaeger le Coultre Mantle Clock 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a very elegant Vintage Atmos perpetual mantle clock by Jaeger-Le Coultre, with a jewelled movement bearing their ref No. 88942 and dating from Circa 1950.
The clock is disp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire Walnut & Marble Top Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A monumental French Empire buffet made of figured walnut in a rich auburn hue, coordinating with the dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The original marble sl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Hand-Carved Box in Oak, 19th century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
There is such a rich patina to this intricately hand-carved square box in oak. Lotus flowers set symmetrically towards its edges and a center motif/panel with unusual floral details....
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French Empire Period Walnut and Brass Mounted Lit en Gondole, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
the frame surmounted with brass mounted columns with perfectly turned ball finials, the head and footboards equal, the front rail with corner arches, the back finished
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th century French empire mahogany and walnut beds
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century french empire mahogany and walnut beds circa 1890.
Fine quality pair of large single beds of the empire revival period. Beautifully made from walnut and mahoga...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Bronze Chandelier With Crystal Beaded Cup Early 1900s
Located in Milano, MI
Early 1900s French Bronze And Crystal Entrance Chandelier with the reflective body composed of an inverted dome of English pearls with a sloping diameter. The frame of this Empire-st...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique 'Swan Neck' Bed c1900 France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Handsome and rare antique swan neck bed c1900 France.
Rich warm brown cherry frame with gorgeously carved naive swan detailing at each of the four corners. A wonderfully naive take ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Wilhelm II 1901 Zwei Mark Coin – Historical German Collectible - 2Y104
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This remarkable piece of numismatic history is a Wilhelm II Zwei Mark coin from the German Empire, minted in 1901. In excellent condition, this coin is an exquisite addition to any c...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold
Small French Ebonised Three Drawer Empire Chest with Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this empire style three drawer chest dates from the 1960s. Classically styled, the chest features an ebonised finish with brass hardware, brass-capped front feet and...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition. - Beautifully patinated mirror, still with a part of the original sticker.
1960s - ...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
Antique Art Nouveau Bronze Tray "Nymph and Cupid" by Vernier - 1Y207
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite Art Nouveau decorative tray, crafted in bronze, features a captivating bas-relief of a Naiad and a mischievous Cupid attempting to place a reed in the mouth of the rec...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Black Coffee Table Marble Top Metal and Brass Base Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Coffee Table, Black Marble Top, Metal Base, Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Black Slate coffee table top with scagliola art inlays , whrought metal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Made in the Netherlands, circa 1820, this is a very fine example of a French Empire commode. Carefully refinished to bring out the historic beauty, this piece features an ebonized to...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s
Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs.
Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Pair of Empire Style Commodes
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Made in Italy circa mid 1800s, this monumental pair of commodes are fine examples of the French Empire style, crafted from mahogany featuring ebonized accents. Typical of Empire styl...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Rectangular Empire Mahogany Wall Mirror, England Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large antique late 19th Century Empire mahogany veneer wall mirror. This rectangular wall mirror is magnificent with its tiered graduated frame. The outermost frame is flat leading t...
Category
1890s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Mirror
French 19th Century Mahogany & Marble Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French marble top gueridon from the Restauration period that would be stunning in a foyer as a center table or as a large end table in a living room. A circular piece ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Dutch Brass Umbrella Stand with Lion Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A Dutch brass umbrella stand with lion paw feet and blue and white Delft pottery handles, circa mid-20th century, Holland. Dimensions: 8.25" Depth x 11" Width (handle to handle) x 16...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Antique Empire Bench in Mahogany
Located in Valby, 84
A refined and elegant Empire-style bench, crafted from rich mahogany and featuring a beautifully curved and detailed backrest. The symmetrical design is highlighted by an interwoven ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed
Located in Houston, TX
A period Italian Empire queen bed beautifully carved with Neoclassical influences to include acanthus finials, flourishing floral fauna, reeding and r...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Newly Upholstered & Painted Iron Empire Daybed from Paris
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic French Louis XVI Neoclassical French Empire daybed newly reupholstered with modern plush bolster pillows. Bed frame is solid painted iron turn of the century from France and ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Fine French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal Six Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Classical French Empire gilt bronze, patinated metal and gilt wood six light chandelier.
19th Century
Well proportioned central gilt and patinated bronze Empire tazza with a large gi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Console with Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial French 19th century Empire mahogany console. The thick Carrara marble top is in wonderful antique condition, showing exciting gray veining that forms a nice contrast to...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Large Gilt Bronze Mounted Crystal Glass Urns / Vases with Covers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very large (45 inch tall) gilt bronze mounted French crystal glass urns or vases of ovoid form with gadrooning at the shoulder and stylized guilloche motif around the waist, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Brass Candle Holder
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming French 19th century brass chamberstick of meticulous patterning covering nearly all of the surface with great patina. The saucer base and ring for carrying would indicate ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Estate Signed Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase.
Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome French Empire walnut commode from the 19th century, circa 1850. The stunning top planks are in good antique condition with a few signs of wear. The apron houses a hidden d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charmingly patinated solid walnut buffet, exhibiting French Empire flair tempered by Louis Philippe, circa 1860. The simple plank top is held with visible tongue & groove joinery,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Fruitwood Empire Style Buffet a Deux Corps
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial 19th century Empire-style French buffet a deux corps, handmade of fruitwood accented with brass hardware, composed of a glass-fronted vitrine above three drawers and a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French Empire mahogany alcove daybed and bed crown hand-crafted in France in the 19th Century. A rare lit de repos made of mahogany most likely from Cuba or the Antilles and fitted with brass and ormolu figurines...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine Empire Style ormolu Mounted Box
Lovely Quality and very fine Ormolu mounted
This Box Stands at 40cm in Height and is truly Magnificent
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite
Vintage 1997 Hotwheels Mattel Ferrari F512m Toy - 2Y192
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A collectible piece for car enthusiasts, this vintage Hotwheels model of the Ferrari F512m, produced by Mattel in 1997, is a must-have for fans of iconic sports cars and die-cast mod...
Category
1990s French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Impressive Empire Style Malachite and Ormolu Center Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in New York, NY
An impressive empire style malachite and ormolu center table after the imperial model by Francois Honore Georges Jacob-Desmalter, 1770-1841.
"AUX CARIATIDES", Empire style round m...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Fabergé Limoges Porcelain Hand Painted Egg Decorative Table Tray Ashtray
By Fabergé
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Fabergé Limoges French porcelain hand painted parcel gilt tray.
Created exclusively by House of Fabergé and Limoges porcelain as ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Coppia di Comò Impero Italia Inizi '800
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di comò del periodo Impero, in noce lastronati in noce rigatino fiammato, presentano sul fronte quattro cassetti di cui il primo sotto piano aggettante, poggiante sui montanti...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mantle mirror (c. 1800) exhibits calculated restraint in the surface decoration, the gold gilt molding is largely plain and smo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Rectangular Empire Mahogany Wall Mirror, England late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th Century American Empire mahogany veneer wall mirror. This rectangular wall mirror is magnificent with it's tiered graduated frame. The outermost frame is flat leadi...
Category
1890s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Round Mahogany Table on a Hexagonal Base
Located in Casteren, NL
A very rare Dutch Empire round table in exquisite flamed mahogany. The tabletop is made from two sheets of mahogany in a symmetrical open book...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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