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
Empire Period Neoclassical Malachite and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period neoclassical malachite and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Dimensions: Height 48cm, width 23.5cm, depth 11cm
This mantel clock was finely crafted in the Empire period, wrought from ormolu and a later malachite veneer.
The design of the clock is based on classical architecture. It features a malachite entablature—with an ormolu pierced mount to the front—which is supported on four ormolu bun feet. The malachite column shafts are smooth and each culminate in a capital, supporting the malachite top. Between the columns, there is a drum clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire-Style Vitrine with Inlays and Gold Leaf Decorations by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Your home interior will never be the same with this Modenese Gastone Luxury Interior masterpiece. From the bottom-up: empire style legs, inlays with decorative woods and radica inser...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Black Empire Era Pedestal Made in Austria, 1800s, Original Condition, Pearwood
Located in Horomerice, CZ
Unique Art Deco pedestal.
Source: Czechia
Period: 1920-1929
Original well preserved condition.
Category
19th Century Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pearwood, Lacquer
One Empire Style Silvered and Black Engraved Metal Table Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in IT
Empire style silvered and black engraved metal table lamp, France, early 20th century, 1930s
In the pictures you see two lamps but only one le...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Female Portrait of the Empire Era
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant portrait of a young girl dating back to the Empire era. The beautiful antique frame is suitable for framing it.
nr. O/6667.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
French Empire Antique Burl Walnut Center Table with Black Marble Top, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED BURL WALNUT CENTER TABLE
With an original dished black marble top; France, circa 1815
Item # 101OPB21A
A very fine Empire center table crafted of beautifully patinated burl walnut veneers over secondary woods, the table retains its original black marble top. This was turned to create the dished top with an integral raised rim.
Over each of the three columns is a honeysuckle gilded bronze mount, each pillar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Egyptian Motif Boot Scraper, Archibald Kenrick & Sons, England, 1815-1820?
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This rare early 19th century boot-scraper was created by the firm of Archibald Kenrick & Sons in England during the height of Napoleons reign in France. They are made of cast-iron an...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Armchairs Pair of Swedish Empire 19th Century Mahogany Gilded, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs made during the Empire / Karl Johan period in Sweden 1810-1830. Veneered in a beautiful dark brown mahogany and decorated with two gilded dolphins. Sabre back leg...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
19th Century Empire Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze and marble pedestal. Fine gilt bronze female head with gilt bronze Empire bronzes.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Painted Zinc Bathtub from 1800
Located in Vienna, Austria
This French zinc bathtub is in original condition: without a drainage hole, with a wood subframe, two handles and beautiful blue painting and decoration on both sides. Seems to be wa...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Zinc
Empire-Style Antique Noir de Mazy with Marble Verde Circulation Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Empire-style black marble fireplace.
This extraordinary fireplace is made of Noir de Mazy marble, complemented by the luxurious green marble type Verde. Despite the clean lines, thi...
Category
Late 18th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Dining Chairs Swedish Set of 6 Empire Mahogany Gilded Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Dining chairs Swedish set of 6 Empire mahogany gilded Sweden. A set of six dining chairs made during the Empire / Karl Johan period in Sweden 1810-1830. Veneered in a beautiful dark ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in Southall, GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary Carrara hand carved Roman Rosette on the cent...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble
19th Century Meissen Style Porcelain Napoleon lll Bowl Vase Centerpiece
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a gilt bronze mounted and hand painted porcelain large bowl vase with lid. The hand painted continuous scene shows a town celebration with some peasants dancing & playing som...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Marble Desk Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French ormolu mounted Empire style marble desk stand dating from the 19th century. This stylish stand is of rectangular shape with rounded polished ends and is made from a...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Noir de Mazy Black Marble Antique Fireplace
Located in Oostvoorne, NL
Statity and radiance meet in this wonderful fireplace in Empire style. Made from luxurious Noir de Mazy marble, this piece brings warmth and elegance to any interior. The chimney ori...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts.
The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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
Pair Columned Table Lamps Chrome Finish with Silk Black White Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant columned table lamps, has the pyramid trunk lamp shades in black and white silk fabric.
EU wiring included.
USA/GB wiring ava...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Burgundy and Grey Marble Pillar Form Table Lamp Wood Base
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful marble table lamp. It features a lovely burgundy and grey marble in a pillar form with bronze scroll details and a wood base. Very good condition. The dimensions are 30.2...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen century Sweden. A stool made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black and upholstered in a beige linen.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Set of Two 18th Century Brass and Iron Fireplace Tools
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two 18th century brass and iron fireplace tools.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
20th Century French Empire Blue Urn Vase with Gold Decoration, Jaget & Pinon
Located in Sofia, BG
Amphora-shaped vase and in the Empire style, circa 1920, France made of earthenware with a marine-blue background with gold decorations in the spirit of Sèvres. Round neck surrounded...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Antique 1810 France Cast Iron Bookcase Shelves Flowers
Located in Munich, DE
Charming and elegant shelves made out of cast iron. The front of this slim piece of furniture and the struts are decorated with flowers.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Design, Empire, Candelabras, Patinated Bronze, France, 19th C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Empire 19th century bronze candelabras depicting insects. These are quite possibly the finest cast bronze pieces on the market. Each having a center column formed rod with wi...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with
black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
Measures:
Diameter 33cm,
height 62cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Empire style console leg. Resin. 20th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Figure located on a rectangular base with fine moldings. A claw gives way to an oval shape from which emerge two wings with the tips rolled forward (with some lines of Persian air) a...
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Other
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
19th c. French Empire Style Napoleon Bust by F.B. Launay
By F.B. Launay, Chaudet
Located in New York, NY
Nineteenth century French Empire patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon. The work is labeled "Napoleon" and signed by F.B. Launay after the 1804 model by Antoine-Denise Chaudet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Black Leather Swivel Chair
Located in New York, NY
19th Century French Empire style ormolu mounted mahogany open swivel base arm chair with black leather seat and back.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror.
Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s.
This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century French Boulle Cabinets
By Etienne Levasseur
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An important pair of early 19th century French cabinets, almost certainly made by Pierre-Étienne Levasseur.
gilt bronze mounted ebony and ebonised, cut-brass, pewter and faux tortoiseshell marquetry cabinets in the Boulle style. The rectangular top with brass-mounted rim over decorated ormolu frieze above four reeded brass inlaid pillars with brass capitals, the exceptional centre door profusely decorated with ormolu scrolls and head mounts, flanked by two glazed doors decorated in red boulle and silver inlay, the interiors fitted with shelves, the base with four Bacchic masks terminating on turned tapering toupie ormolu-mounted feet.
Provenance: Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. Purchased new by either, Walter Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormond, (2nd creation in the Irish Peerage, 1770-1820) or James Butler...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Bouillotte Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of bouillotte lamps in toleware and bronze, in the French Empire manner.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Empire-Style Cast Metal Sconces
Located in Sheffield, MA
The defining feature of this pair of antique Napoleon Empire-style lighting fixtures are the vertical arrows "shot through" the backs of the gilt cast metal sconces. Each piece has a...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Portrait of Boy, circa 1810
Located in Doylestown, PA
A fine, lifesize oil-on-canvas portrait of a young boy dressed in period attire, holding a book titled “Dictionaire de France” In a period appropriate giltwood frame. Empire period, ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
French 19th Century Black Opaline Table Lamp On A Ormolu Gilt Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Black opaline and ormolu gilded base table lamp, France, 19th century.
Converted oil lamp.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Nickel Plated Brass Bouillotte Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Empire period nickel and nickel plated brass oval shape Bouillotte two candle lamp, now electrified. Having a black painted tole adjustable shade and u...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
French Designer, Side Table, Mahogany, Marble, Bronze, France, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
A small Maison Jansen style claw foot and bronze mounted marble-top circular end or side table.
Mahogany, Bronze, Marble
France, 1940s
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Urn and Rams Head White & Gold Porcelain Table Lamp Empire Style, German, Large
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous large white and gold porcelain table lamp in urn form with detailed ram's head design, in the Empire style, attributed to Furstenberg Porcelain, Germany, circa 20th centur...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
French Empire Antique Black Marble and Ormolu Borne Clock by Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
Fine black marble and ormolu mantel clock of borne (antique milestone) form. Superb proportions and Fine ormolu mounts, well finished with matte and burnished fire gilding. The primary mount represents d'Etude, below this a pair of Lions pawing an Anthemion. To each side a Fine mount of crossed winged torches of ever lasting love purporting to represent Anacreon inspired by Love. Fine white enamel dial and gilt bronze hands, signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume working at the Rue Christine...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Black Lacquer Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire black lacquer column pedestals with bronze dore festoon trim.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Torcheres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine pair of Torcheres in Empire style. These are contemporary composite reproductions of the best quality.
CW3566
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
Sofa Bench French Empire Mahogany Brass Brown France
Located in New York, NY
A rare sofa made in France during the Empire period, circa 1790-1810. Mahogany frame with gilded brass decor shaped as palm leaves. Tapered legs en...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of Neoclassical Marble and Glass Swan Vases
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of neoclassical marble and glass swan vases.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Candelabra in Empire Style silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times
structured, fluted column-shaft.
Measures:
Height: 73.5 cm,
diameter 25 cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Large Mahogany Mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
Large mirror made of mahogany, the mirror itself consists of two panels in a large mahogany frame with two candleholders on each side.
Originates...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Serpent Paint & Gilt Decorated Mirrored Back Pier or Cons
Located in Stamford, CT
An early 19th century Empire serpent paint and gilt decorated mirrored back pier or console table. The white marble top supported by a single drawer with bronze pulls flanked by bronze decorative corners. The whole having a pair full bodied serpents with gilt heads...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Italy Late 18th Century Pair Empire Brass Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italian late 18th Century pair of Empire burnished brass candleholders
This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four French Empire fauteuils-armchairs in carved and veneered mahogany with beautiful carving and scale.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Silver Plate Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) silver plate 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green tole shade.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Tôle
Pavel Sazikov, Imperial Russian 84° Silver & Gilt Box, St. Petersburg, ca. 1856
By Pavel Sazikov
Located in New York, NY
Weight: 5 troy ounces (142.1 grams)
This fine work of silversmith art was made during the era of Pavel Sazikov, the original founder of the firm, which makes it especially valuable ...
Category
1850s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Empire influenced green marble clock set. Having the arched clock with a white enamel clock face, an eight day striking m...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Chiffonier Ebonized, Danish, Approx. 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late Empire black ebonized mahogany chest of drawers / tall boy, with raised semi-oval top.
Seven drawers flanked by gilt quarter columns.
Brass keyholes.
Denmark, Copenhagen Appro...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Ebonized and Gilt Sphinx
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) carved ebonized and gilt trimmed small sphinx figure with wings perched on base
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Lamp Table 19th Century Gilt bronze Metal Shade Neoclassical France
Located in New York, NY
Lamp 19th Century Gilt bronze Metal Shade Neoclassical France . A French Bouillotte lamp made in gilt bronze and a painted metal shade. 3 electrified candle arms.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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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