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.
Style: Empire
Color: Beige
Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl Vase in Pink with Handles in Gold, Early Stamp
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large B&G, Bing & Grondahl vase in pink with handles in gold.
Early stamp. Dated 1865.
1st. assortment. In perfect condition.
Measures 29.5 x 14.5 cm.
Category
1860s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of Russian Imperial Cut Crystal and Doré Bronze Centerpieces W/ Masks
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of hand diamond cut Russian crystal and doré bronze mounted oval shaped centerpieces in the Louis XVI style, attributed to the Imperial Russian Glass Manufactory, early 1800s. Each beautiful hand diamond cut crystal bowl...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Russian or Swedish Empire Crystal, Turquoise Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare late 18th century Russian or possible Prussian neo-classical chandelier, having twelve arms around a central gilded bronze corona pierced with round cut crystals; the corona s...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Neoclassical Cornucopia Base Round Pink Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire / Neoclassical style marble top coffee table. Item features a triple cornucopia carved wood base, pink round marble-top, off white original painted finish and r...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Patinated Brass and Zinc North Winds Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
A 19th century French Empire chandelier, circa 1840, made of patinated brass and zinc and featuring eight candle arms adorned with north winds faces and pine cone finial. The chandel...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Vintage Bronze French Empire Three-Arm Eagle Chandelier Light Fixture
Located in Toledo, OH
Gorgeous French Empire bronze chandelier with Eagle. Eagle with outspread wings sits atop three vines. Bronze shades holders have raised flowers. Each arm holds a flower form shade...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Period 5 light Figural Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of patinated and gilt bronze candelabra, one depicting winged Diana, her upstretched arm holding a crown supporting a four arm gilt candelabra, the other modelled as winged A...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking rug with pictorial dragons found in 5 round circular round motifs on a bone colored ground. Exceptional quality too.
11'1'' x 15'3''
Chinese dr...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Neoclassical carved Trumeau mirror with beautiful figures and decoration throughout.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Four French Empire Fauteuil Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Frères
Located in New York, NY
These four early 19th-century Empire fauteuil armchairs, in the manner of the Jacob Frères cabinetmaking firm of the late 18th century, each feature a distinctive pediment-shaped cre...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of French Empire Green Marble Barbedienne Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Century) green marble column candlestick lamps with bronze dore trimmed capital and square base (signed F. BARBEDIENNE) (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Unusual Swedish Early 19th Century Empire Wall Cartel Clock by Cederlund
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual Swedish Empire giltwood striking wall clock from the early 19th century. The white painted Arabic dial signed by the clockmaker ‘Jon. Ce...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular and large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi-light chandelier. This fine chandelier is embellished with gilt bronze swan arms and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French empire neoclassical multi light gilt bronze and patinated bronze chandelier of great detail.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Unusual Empire Style Bookcase, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Quirky and unusual Empire style breakfront bookcase, the wood painted with a faux bois trompe l'oeil, and decorated with plaster moldings painted gold....
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
A Rare Pair of Antique Russian Crystal and Dore Bronze dolphin Centerpieces
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Russian Diamond Patterned Cut Crystal Centerpieces with Gilt Bronze Mounts and Mercury Gilded Bronze Dolphin Heads. The wavy edge of the elegantly cut bowls perfectly frame...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Large Antique B&G Bing & Grondahl Vase in Purple with Handles in Gold
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large antique B&G Bing & Grondahl vase in purple with handles in gold with faun-face.
Early stamp. Dated 1888, with monogram.
1st. factory quality. In perfect condition...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Russian Cut-Glass, Ormolu, and Blue Porcelain Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Russian cut-glass, ormolu, and blue porcelain chandelier
Russian, 19th Century
Height 120cm, diameter 90cm
This stunning Russian chandelier brings together vibrant turquoise porcela...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of Ten Empire Floral Decorated Gilt Banded Plates
Located in New York, NY
Antique set of ten Empire white and gilt plates with center floral bouquets; with underglaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 180...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Style, Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Superb Antique French Empire Style gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi light neoclassical chandelier embellished with a central urn.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Rouge Marble and Gilt Bronze Lamps
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of rouge marble and gilt bronze baluster shaped oil lamps, later fitted for electricity, the necks and bodies decorated with gilt bronze banding and garlands and accented with l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine Ormolu and Cut Glass Empire Period Chandelier
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The ormolu finely decorated corona hung with swags of icicle drops and strings cascading down to a corresponding main band supporting fifteen candle branch arranged on two tiers the ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of Four Elegant French Silver Open Salt Cellars
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four 800 French silver oval open slat cellars decorated with eagle heads, Provincial hallmarks, 1798-1809.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
19th Century Empire Chandelier
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful large Empire chandelier with original candleholders, restored and cleaned.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very Fine quality Empire style French 19th century bronze and crystal twenty-light chandeliers.
There are 12 lights outside and eight interior lights).
Stock Number: L307
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Regal Monumental Empire Giltwood Overmantel or Console Mirror
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very regal monumental Empire giltwood overmantel or console mirror with original plate, wonderful "Sparkly" patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Glass and Black Metal Imperial Chandelier with Bronze Eagle Finial, 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s imperial style chandelier with clear glass rod and black metal arms and bronze eagle finial with six wax candle-like lights.
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Tall French Empire-style commode. The pine wood is painted in a faux-bois trompe l'oeil imitating mahogany. Wood columns on either side are painted a darker color.
The chest is in ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
19th Century French Empire Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Dressing Table
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
Constructed using a fine Honduras mahogany with gilt highlights, Bleu Tarquin marble and richly dressed with fire gilt ormolu mounts of the highest quality. The table of lyre end sup...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
Masterfully crafted in France during 20th century, this pair of Empire wall sconces features a beautiful gilt bronze and black lacquer design.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire Style Chandelier with Frosted Glass Flame
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire style chandelier with gilt bronze arms, neoclassical mounts, ornate chain and canopy. The central body is dark green painted wood, surmounted with a frosted glass flame...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Elegant French Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Three-Light Fixture Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Very fine, beautifully detailed French doré bronze and crystal three-arm chandelier with flame top urn centre in the neoclassical style.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire style candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of gilt bronze and marble Empire style candelabra
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Style Giltwood Mirror Elaborately Carved Frame Circa 19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
French Empire style giltwood mirror, circa 19th century, elaborately carved frame, the mirror flanked by fluted baluster uprights, four corners decorated with lion-head pattern.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Opaline and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Charleston, SC
This chandelier was made in Russia in the first half of the 19th century, circa 1805. This piece features four anthemions on the top rim above four bronze chains attached to an urn-s...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Crystal and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is an exquisite 19th century French Empire chandelier with a bowl form comprised of myriads of small crystal beads suspended from a gilt bronze ring with leaf and berry design a...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique Empire gilt bronze and cut crystal multi light chandelier of exquisite detail embellished with cut crystal prisms and chains, circa 1810.
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Probably Russian Three-Branch Wall Lights, circa 1900
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of finely cast gilt-bronze wall lights, each with a circular back plate with a central lion's mask holding a ring issuing three swan neck outscrolling candle-arms with circular ...
Category
1890s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Plated Soup Tureen
Located in Torino, IT
A French Sheffield plated Empire soup tureen, round shape with stiff-leaf borders, France, circa 1810.
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheffield Plate
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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