Empire Furniture
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.
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.
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Canvas
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Ebony
1840s European Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Wire, Brass
20th Century British Empire Furniture
Brass
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Wood
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Bronze
19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Leather, Cane, Beech
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Bronze
1880s German Antique Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Rock Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1810s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1990s American Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1970s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Iron
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Kingwood
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Metal
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1890s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Birch
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Silver
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Beech, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass