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.
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
French "Bout de canapé" End or Side Table, Massive Mahogany & Marble, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Little table, sellette side or end table in the Empire style.
Massive mahogany and marble.
The marble was broken and very properly glued.
Made circa 1960
Good condition, few ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Daybed
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th century French Empire daybed.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Chests of Drawers with Fire-Gilded Fittings, Italy Early 19th C
Located in Greding, DE
This pair of Empire chest of drawers showcases three drawers, accompanied by lateral columns adorned with fire-gilt bronze bases and ca...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Bay of Naples
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
Very beautiful oil on canvas representing the Bay of Naples. Of very good quality, this painting is a documentation as to the precision of the details. D...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Ry Fine Late 18th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock, Signed
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare late 18th century French mercury gilt bronze Empire clock. Signed V Vandenchildes a Brussels.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Wall Console, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire wall console in mahogany veneer, with one drawer and dark green marble top. The console stands on a rectangular base with two flanking columns with gold-patinated capitals and...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire chest of drawers veneered in mahogany, with four drawers and white marble top. The corpus is flanked by columns with fire-gilded bases and capitals, which merge into th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Set of 6 Alfonso Marina Ebanista Ebonized Klismos Dining Chairs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Set of 6 Alfonso Marina Ebanista Ebonized Klismos Dining Chairs.
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Sac a Pearl Lustre Ceiling Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Old chandelier with love and professionally restored in Berlin. electrical wiring works in the US. Wonderful Basket chandeliers. Crystal hand knotted
Measures: Total height 150 cm...
Category
1840s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Wire, Brass
Beautiful Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Crawley, GB
A 20th century Empire style mahogany chest of drawers with figural pilasters and three drawers made in different size.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
...
Category
20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Sofa in Textured Wool Blend, France, circa 1840
Located in Culver City, CA
Empire Sofa in Textured Wool Blend, France, circa 1840
Intricately carved wood frame with lion feet, new upholstery.
Measures 70.25”L x 22”d x 40.75”h x 18” seat.
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Wood
Pair of Large and Sophisticated Empire Candlesticks in Gilded Bronze
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of Large and Sophisticated Empire Candlesticks. Made in France during the 1820s. Very good original gilding and beautiful decoration of these large candlesticks.
Wear co...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Antique Bergere Barley Twist Library Armchair with Brown Leather Seat
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Bergere library armchair with barley twist form & brown leather upholstered seat, 1800s
One popular furniture technique is a type of wood turning that first appeared in England and France in the 1600s.
Furniture with spiral-turned legs or trim was known as "barley twist" or "barley sugar...
Category
19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cane, Beech
Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front legs have a hand carved decor. Their plain d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Antique 19th-century german empire oak and pine inlaid three drawer commode
Located in Casteren, NL
This beautiful commode was made in Germany in the late 19th century. The commode is made from European summer oak and solid pine and features three drawers. The drawers were enriched...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
First Empire Style Amethyst Pair of Lamps and Candlesticks by Alexandre Vossion
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
First Empire style pair in amethyst stone and 24 K ormolu gilding bronze .
Could be used as well as candlesticks .
Color of the lampshades could be customized by request.
Made in ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Bronze
19th Century Meissen Group of Calvary General Mikhail Kutuzov with Aide de Camp
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large 19th century Meissen porcelain Group of Russian Calvary General, believed to be Mikhail Kutuzov, the hero of Borodino, with aide de camp, marked with the Meissen underglaze blue crossed swords, and incised and impressed with numbers. While Russia endured great hardships during Napoleon's invasion, it was the skill of her general's and a terrible Russian winter...
Category
1880s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Chest of Drawers, France 1810-1820, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire chest of drawers, France 1810-1820. This early 19th century elegant Empire chest of drawers has a cherry veneer and is decorated with original brass...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Rock Crystal Empire Style 24-Karat Ormolu Gilding Bronze Lamps Gold Shades
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rock crystal French First Empire style 24-karat Ormolu gilding bronze gold lampshades made by Alexandre Vossion.
This model can be also used...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Fine Pair of Antique Russian Empire Patinated and Dore Bronze Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
A Very Fine pair of Antique Russian, Empire Period, Two Tone Patinated and Dore Bronze Figural Single Light Candlesticks. Hand crafted from high quality Dore Bronze with exquisite go...
Category
1810s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Swedish Giltwood Early 19th Century Empire Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine, giltwood Swedish console table, possibly by the Stockholm master cabinet maker Lundelius (1778-1823). The wooden top in faux marble painted, the base plinth is painted black....
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Empire style table clock and inkwell
Origin France Circa 1900
The watch has a Paris machine and it works
Golden bronze and Onix materials
Very good general condition
the marble ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Sofa Bench Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire settee late 19th century 1870- 1890. Ebonized mahogany frame, French polished (Black) with captivating carved female heads under armrest, legs terminating into animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Signed French Neoclassical Style Designer Quality Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Two classic vintage Karges French Empire neoclassical dining chairs, arm chairs or accent chairs. These luxurious chairs are painted white with gold c...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Antique French Empire Cut Crystal and Gold Bronze Chandelier, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French empire cut crystal and gold bronze chandelier, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of handcrafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Each...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
French Mahogany Empire Console Game Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A convertible demilune console-to-game table - made in the Empire style - in 19th Century France. When closed, the table functions as a striking demilune console, bedecked in outstan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gregory, Bonaparte Standing, Signed Bronze, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Bronze with raw patina representing Bonaparte as an officer, standing, tricorn in hand, signed Grégoire
Green marble base
Good general condition: wear of time to the patina, so...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Old chandelier with love and professionally restored in Berlin. electrical wiring works in the US. Re-wired and ready to hang. not one missing. Cabling completely renewed. Crystal, h...
Category
1970s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Vintage Brass Sunburst Mirror 1970s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Midcentury brass sunburst or flower mirror with convex glass.
This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior.
The mirror is made from b...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Work Table in Mahogany
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire period work table in flamed mahogany and gilt bronze mounted.
Magnificent table forming writing desk and work table. The drop-leaf top features a recessed mirror, storage com...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Portico Clock in Gilt Bronze Signed Verdière in Paris
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful portico clock with four Doric columns and applied ornamentation decorated with foliage, crown and masks in the style of the Empire.
In the upper part a beautiful pedimen...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large 18th or 19th Century Antique Iron Anduze Style Garden Vase / Planter / Urn
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare and highly decorative, architectural cast iron vase.
If you are a private collector or an interior designer with an eye for the rare and wonderful, then this very rare an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique French Desk, Shaped Centre Side Table Inlay
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire style shaped desk or side table
Florid marquetry inlay on all surfaces
Different woods include ebonized lacquer, walnut and kingwood
We date this piece to circa 1890
Purchased from a dealer on the Rue de Rossiers at Paris antiques markets...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Walnut Empire Style Chest of Drawers, circa 1820
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful Empire dresser from the early 19th century, with three main drawers and a fourth drawer just below the tray in veneered walnut feathers. Note how the flame is drawn on th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire-Style Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Gilt and patinated bronze Empire-style wall lights
French, Early 20th century
Height 35cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm
This pair of wall lights or sconces are modeled in the opulent...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Painted Armchair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire style painted armchair, circa late 20th century. With paint intentionally distressed to imitate age. Possibly made by Hendrix and Allardyce. Seat dimentions, Width 20"-18", De...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks in Gilded and Patinated Bronze from the 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks in gilded and patinated bronze. Probably made in Paris, France during the 1820s. Beautifully decorated with leaves, flowers, checkered patterns ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Italian Empire Period Bleached Mahogany and Brass Mounted Credenza
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with rounded front corners above a conforming case housing three drawers above two doors, interesting with six shaped feet, brass mounts on the middle drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Italian, Tuscan, Empire Period Gilt Metal & Glass 6-Light Chandelier, 19th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegantly formed in a larger-scale basket shape with gilded bandings connecting the cut crystals.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Bronze Statue Clock, 19th Century
Located in Monza, IT
Bronze statue clock, 19th century
Gilt bronze clock, late 1800s, with putto riding a snail.
In good condition, as shown in the photos, mechanical part t...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture, Self-Portrait, Gemito, 19th Century
Located in Monza, IT
Bronze sculpture, self-portrait, Gemito, 19th century
Elegant half bust in bronze made and signed by the sculptor Gemito, from the second half of the 1800s depicting himself.
Mater...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Birch Empire Stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid-19th century birch empire stool, circa 1850.
Scandinavian empire period stool made in birch. Shaped support handles which flow through to the 4 splayed legs. Original floral t...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair of Empire Style Seven-Light Candelabra
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Seven-Light Candelabra.
These palatial sized candelabra date to the First Empire period. As becoming of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Russian Jug, St. Petersburg, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small Russian silver jug with attached wooden handle and foliage decoration. Hallmarked on the bottom.
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Set of 4 Antique Danish Klismos Chairs
Located in Nordhavn, DK
A set of four Danish Klismos chairs with wide-legged saber legs and the curved backrest. Made of polished beechwood, backrest in walnut veneer.
Original horsehair seating in good ant...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech, Walnut
Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely empire style wooden box probably produced in Sweden. The box is 14 x 14 cm (5.6" x 5,6") in diameter and 23.5 cm (9.4") high. It is in excellent condition except from that t...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Habersham Regency French Empire Entertainment Cabinet Bookcase Wardrobe Armoire
By Habersham
Located in Dayton, OH
"Monumental Habersham Regency Home Entertainment Center. An awe inspiring massive wall unit that can be used as tv or media cabinet, bookcase or even a wardrobe / armoire. Finished i...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Late XIX century Empire Desk
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire desk with mahogany veneer, decorated on both sides with brass applications in the form of caryatids and floral motifs. The piece of furniture is equipped with functional lifts...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-legged table on casters with carved eagle heads and hooves as well as amphora decoration on the trefoil strutting. This, like the frame, is inlaid with brass threads. A low gal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair French 19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of exceptional French 19th century three-light gilt bronze candelabra in the Empire style, circa 1860s.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte.
If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1st Empire Period Console Table with Marble Top
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An imposing 1st Empire period console table of impressive proportions, featuring a veneered wood body and a grey veined marble top. The marble tray is set over one long frieze drawer...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Period Empire Beds from Tuscany Italy, circa 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair Of early 19th century Empire Italian Beds
This pair of Italian beds that disassembles are from a mansion in the countryside of Tuscany in ch...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Henredon French Empire Pedestal Dining Table in Exotic Brazilian Daniella Wood
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire style pedestal extension dining table
By Henredon
USA, Late 20th century
Gorgeous banded exotic Brazilian Daniella wood, with brass accents.
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 decorative objects, lighting, 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 Royal Copenhagen. 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 $955,810 while the average work can sell for $4,800.
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