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: Black
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century.
Dimens...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
Pair of Antique French Empire Gold and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
These patinated sconces are handsome, with their floral and eagle decorations. They make a strong statement while being modestly sized.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Hanging Chandelier Pendant
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style chandelier pendant with cast glass dish and bronze details. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier.
Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paris porcelain coffee can & saucer, c. 1810.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
A fine Paris porcelain coffee can and saucer, possibly Dihl Et Guerhard, c. 1810. The coffee can, hand painted in the style of Gerard van Spaendonck, with ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set Of Rare Danish Antique Silverware By Nicolai Brandt, Horsens (1787-1813).
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice set of solid silver and horn cutlery for six persons, by famous silversmith Nicolaj Brandt, Horsens, Denmark, 1787-1813.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Standing Napoleon Bonaparte Sculpture - Figure. circa 1900 France
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Standing Napoleon Bonaparte Sculpture - Figure. circa 1900 France.
Very nice Napoleon Sculpture, perfect size to decorate a desk. Silvered metal over a dark green marble base.
Very n...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Fireplace Mantel Fender
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/940 - This mantel fender is very useful and elegant: it's not too large, but perfect. It's from the Empire French period.
I think it may be a good buy.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Midnight Black & Gold Fleur-de-Lis Pattern Decorative Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Midnight Black & Gold Fleur-de-Lis Pattern Decorative Asymmetrical Pillow
Sumptuous black is further enriched by meticulously embroidered gold fleur-de-lis and lavish corner tassel...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Jeweled Malachite Veneered Square Cache Pots
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Beautiful pots created in the eighteenth century at the time of the empire, with beautiful details and jeweled materials.
Category
18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite
Pair of cast iron vases with lids and wooden columns
Located in Alba, IT
Beautiful Pair of cast iron vases with lids, supported by two wooden columns.
In the body of the vases and the lid, the design mimics a weave that we usually find in objects of a dif...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
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 malachite and ormolu table inset within a profiled bronze border sitting on four distinctive caryatid supports on a round base with a central vase.
Magnificent quality. A one of a kind, statement table perfect for any home.
Measures: 34" high x 44" wide
Good condition, ready to place.
One of the most important and influential families of cabinet-makers who led fashion and standards from 1765 to 1847. Their work encompasses three generations of the family, from George Jacob (the founder, 1739-1814), to his two sons Georges II (1768-1803) and François-Honoré-Georges (1770-1841), and finally his grandson Georges-Alphonse (1799-1870). They ran one of the most successful and influential furniture workshops in Paris
George Jacob (Senior) was one of the most prominent Parisian master menuisiers, producing carved, painted and gilded beds and seat furniture and upholstery work for the French royal châteaux, in the early Neoclassical style that is usually associated with Louis XVI. He retired in 1796, leaving his workshop in the hands of his sons, but when George II died, Jacob returned from retirement to oversee the constant supply of furnishings for Napoleon's residences.
François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter was the principal supplier of furniture to the Emperor and also received commissions from Pauline Borghese...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Located in New Haven, CT
This fine French Bouillotte lamp has the highest quality ormolu and an original tôle shade held by swans.
The base, which would hold the Bouillotte game pieces is cutout in Athenian...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Porcelain Jewelry Dish
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and well-made hand painted porcelain jewelry dish, in the Empire style, circa mid to late-20th century, Hungary. This octagonal dish vide-poche catchall has a beautiful h...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
17th Century Italian Black Lacquered Herringbone Cane Seat Chiavari Chair
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration is a solitary black lacquered Chiavari chair in beautiful vintage condition. Featuring turned legs and hand carved purple willow frame and backrest in a restrained 17th century Empire style and painted in a black lacquer with a herringbone woven cane seat.
Chiavari chairs originated in the city of Chiavari, Italy and are the creation of early 17th century Italian cabinet...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Cane
Two Reclaimed Tall Outdoor Braziers or Torchieres
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Each standing at 165cm (64.96 inches) tall, these spectacular reclaimed 20th century outdoor braziers or vintage garden torchieres bring grandeur and prestige to any property. Imagine the pair placed either side of an entrance to a lavish mansion or framing the steps at the bottom of the courtyard to a countryside estate. They are of a huge and prominent scale and deserve to be in equally impressive surroundings.
Sourced from a property in London, these reclaimed outdoor braziers date from the early 20th century. Each features a domed steel dish...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Limestone, Steel, Iron
Painting, Oil on Canvas, Portrait of a Man, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Painting, oil on canvas, portrait of a man, Empire Period"
Beautiful 19th century portrait of a man, oil on canvas, Empire Period fr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Black French Antique Wrought Iron Napoleon III Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black antique, late 19th century French floor candle holder, candelabra hand crafted in very ornate fer forge work with wrought iron scrolls and seven candle holders, in good condi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Vintage Napoleon Bonaparte Patinated Bronze Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, black antique French bust of Napoleon Bonaparte made of hand crafted patinated bronze, in good condition. The small sculpture depicts Napoleon in his military outfit and in a commanding stance. The detailed Parisian décor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
Located in Firenze, FI
6238-7239- Pocket cigarette case with spring button in 925/1000 fire-enamelled sterling silver with beautiful vessel miniature hand-painted by th...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Naïve Allegorical Landscape Paintings Sign, Christian Georg v. Lind
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of naïve allegorical landscape paintings.
Oil on canvas
Signed Lieutenant Christian Georg V. Lind, 1837 and 1838.
See text on the back.
In original gilded damgaard frames. ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair of Empire Style Black Stone and Ormolu Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each candleholder of columnar form surmounted with ormolu stiff-leaf capitals and with acanthus-wrapped base, on pedestal bases with outswept scrolling feet. Fitted with two brass bulb sockets. Adjustable. Later mounded as a lamps. With duck blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass, Ormolu
French Empire Brass Candlestick Lamp
Located in Canton, MA
Early 19th Century French Empire brass candlestick with ornate pressed patterns. Mounted as a table lamp on a wooden base. A lovely addition to a small desk or a shallow table...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Very Handsome Pair of French Polished Verte Marble and Ormolu Cassolettes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A charming pair of polished verte marble and bronze doré cassolettes, double handles with snake motif on rim of candleholder opening with acanthus detailing throughout and front mou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Florentine Craftsmanship Heavy Cast Empire Style Floor Lamp No Lampshade
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Massi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A large painted Empire, 19th Century serving tray in tin plate
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and beautiful painted serving tray. Empire, early 19th Century. Made in painted tin plate.
Some minor color loss and wear damages, but overall in good condition in relation...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
Italian Black & Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late 20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height.
Larger Italian cachepot...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Wall Sconces Pair Empire Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A PAIR OF VINTAGE, EMPIRE STYLE, GILDED & BLACK METAL WALL SCONCES, WITH TWO ARMS
- Striking, simple form accentuated by the contrast betwe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
19th Century Gold Gilt and Painted Empire Armchair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful Empire chair that we purchased in Naples, Italy. This is a classic style, with a fun pop of color with blue velvet that can be left as is or can be reupholstered ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Belgian Empire Gilt Metal Three-Piece Garniture Clock Candelabras Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Belle Epoque Belgian Empire style Gilt Metal Three-Piece candelabras and Clock Garniture set with Asian inspiration.
They measures 11" in width,...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Tazzas, France Empire Period
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Tazzas from the late part of the Empire period. Made in Red French Marble with a bowl in dark patinated bronze. Base decorated with gilt bronze.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Pair of Empire Console Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A large pair of Empire console tables with green marble tops and large scale ormolu mounts.
With symmetrical eagle motifs on the legs an...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Early Chiavari Chairs by Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi
Located in Sharon, CT
Extraordinary light and strong, probably out of rosewood. Early version in untouched condition. Missing their rush seating-one chair retains remnants of early (if not original) rushing. These chairs were originally designed in 1807! in answer to a Challenge to design a 'modern' chair. These chairs were very popular amongst the nobility in the 19th century, and were the model for Gio Ponti's update Classic Super Leggera Chair.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Style Metal Opaline Noire Glass Electrical Converted Oil Lamp
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style tall large oil lamp that was converted to an electrical one. It consists of a cylindrical long chimney lamp clear shade attached to a brass burner holder; this in turn is connected to a semilunar shaped milk glass font joined to a faceted opaline noire glass conical shaped body. A gold metal band are between both glass parts. There are two long gilt metal scroll formed handles adorned with a relief of acanthus leaves at the upper and bottom part in each side of the conical body. Also, there are a relief of flowers and branches of leaves in the center of it. This conical body is supported by a patinated heavy metal pedestal embellished by acanthus leaves, gilt metal ornaments...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
Black Lacquered Wood Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
Black lacquered wood empire style table lamp stencil with gilded motifs
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Chair by Modenese Gastone Interior
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this wonderfully upholstered empire side chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal sa...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze & Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire patinated bronze & gold bronze candelabra, Circa 1860.
These handsome patinated candelabra would be a fine addition to any sideboard or large server...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Polished Brass and Black-Enameled Cast Iron Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Each with removable nozzle in brass above an acanthus shoulders over a brass column with lotus-leaf capital terminating in an acanthus-form knob, supported on a tripartite base with ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage 3 Arm Brass & Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique French Napoleonic tole lamp has gold toned brass base and arms. Arms have ornate s curve structures. Each arm has candlestick style bulb socket at ends. Top of lamp has eagle...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire St. Vert Patricia Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Vert Patricia marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine rectangular ormolu supports below the Vert de Patricia marble base. A str...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Etching Portrait of Joseph Napoleon Gold Frame and Important Autograph Signature
By Pradier
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
We wa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Pair of Naïve Allegorical Landscape Paintings Sign, Christian Georg v. Lind
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of naïve allegorical landscape paintings.
Oil on canvas
Signed Lieutenant Christian Georg V. Lind , 1837 and 1838.
See text on the back.
In original gilded Damgaard frames....
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
19th Century Austrian Empire Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Marvelous 19th century Austrian Empire three-drawer commode. Having stylish black lacquered finish, handsome columnar supports, and wonderful bronze ha...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Russian Cloisonné Card Case in Silver Gilt
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 20th century Russian silver gilt cloisonné case
This beautiful piece is lavishly decorated, but with a different design on each side.
One side...
Category
Early 1900s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Figural French Empire Style Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of figural French Empire style table lamps. Rouched black shades are trimmed with a rope twist detail and gold gimp. Columns are topped with cast brass acanthus plumes above large cut glass crystals. Opposing cast cherubs...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays, Handmade Columns and Gold Leaf Decorations
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Turn your house into a lavish private residence with Modenese Gastone's Luxury furniture. Add this majestic three-sides vitrine in a revisited empire...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Bronze French Empire Style Candelabrum
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Bronze French Empire style candelabrum.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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