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: Brown
French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Chest Dresser with Bronze Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bow front chest dresser with bronze paw feet. Item features cast bronze metal paw feet, bowed front, lion head pulls, solid wo...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Specimen Marble Console Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Extraordinary 20th century French Empire style console table.
This table is after a design by Jacob-Desmalter. The rectangular specimen top has a beautiful chequered design of hardstones and rare marbles in a variety of colours.
The top is supported over an elaborate carved giltwood frame. Four female caryatids support a frieze of finely carved flowing c-scrolls and delicate leaves, with lovely gilt accents throughout. The whole rests on a plinth base with a faux marble panel...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Rectangular Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Green beveled marble top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Gold Leaf
Russian Empire Dressing Table with Mahogany Carvings and Gilt Bronzes
By Andrey Voronikhin
Located in Vienna, AT
The desk body is made of pine and oak with a Karelian birch veneer and the mirrored base is supported by four curved feet, embellished by an entwined patinated bronze snake with a gilt head and tail. The pad feet are supported by ebonized mahogany floor plates.
The middle portion consists of five small drawers and a large desk drawer and within a manufactured mahogany interior with seven compartments and eight secret compartments as well as two movable elements, one of which is covered with velvet. The lower drawers have gilt gooseneck fittings.
The mirror attachment includes a mechanism for taking the mirror plate vertically out and up to 180 degrees, which can, in turn, be fixed in almost any position. This mirror is flanked by two carved mahogany phoenixes with gilt heads and feet, and on the reverse side there are two more secret compartments in the lower area of the right as well as the left foot of the base.
The Poudreuse Secretary is an exceptional example of Russian furniture of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The depiction and symbolic arrangement of the remarkable bronze snakes and the carved phoenix is typical of the style of the important Russian architect Andrey Voronikhin (1759-1814). As well, this Poudreuse Secretary Desk has as well a similar structure to a dressing table made by the celebrated cabinetmaker (ebéniste) Heinrich Gambs...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Inlaid Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century Marquetry two-drawer commode with a wonderful marble top.
Featuring wonderful inlaid decoration, this commode conveys typical Empire styles.
A great storage pi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire Period mahogany gueridon, or game table, with Grey St. Anne marble top. A versatile table with removeable top, one side with green felt and the other wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Baltic Set of 6 Empire-Armchairs, Mahogany, Design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Located in Göttingen, NI
A rare Baltic set of 6 Empire-armchairs - design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Mahogany richly carved and veneered
Side frame construction with inlaid upholstered seat on turned f...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire side table, Western Europe, circa 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style side table
Made of wood with an inlay.
Manufactured around 1920
After renovation in our workshop.
Very good condition
height 52cm, width 47cm, depth 47cm
Category
1920s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Circular Gilded Table
Located in Lincoln, GB
Late 19th century satinwood Empire influenced circular occasional table. Inlaid with flowers and fruitwoods, olivewoods and mother-of-pearl. The brass Roman style columns would have ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style 1940s Ebonized Side Tables with Marble Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style ebonized side tables from the mid 20th century, with marble tops and gilded accents. Created in France during the first half of the 20th century, each o...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Chests of Drawers, Berlin, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire chest of drawers with two drawers and quarter columns made of marble. The body is veneered in mahogany, the fittings are made of brass.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Antique Black and White Wedgwood Jasperware Urn Table Lamps
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of antique black and white Wedgwood jasperware urn table lamps. Listing includes porcelain urn form bodies, wooden base, dual sockets, whi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Pair of Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
Empire style crystal prism wall sconces, 20th c., having reflective white metal wall plate, fitted with gilt metal mounts, hung with strands of hexago...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu And Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, giltwood, ormolu, and Alabastro marble center table. The circular table is raised by elegant ball feet below t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style mahogany veneered console table with two drawers. Fine geometric herringbone inlays throughout and raised on tapering square legs and a Y-frame stretcher.
Dime...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany, ormolu and fossilized black marble Buffet. The buffet is raised by elegant circular feet below striking architectural colum...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs in Black w/Gold Accents from the Mid-19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegan...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style two-door cabinet is detailed with a single frieze drawer, column capitals, ivory-finish escutcheons, and set on raised block feet. The spacious interior fitted with a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Ormolu Striking Library Clock
Located in London, GB
A fascinating Antique French Empire Striking Ormolu mantel clock
A fascinating clock in the form of a library bookcase, with two children sitting at each side. Raised on a plinth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Set of Six Italian Neoclassical Klismos Empire Dining Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant late 19th century set of six Italian Neoclassical Klismos shaped Empire side or dining chairs:
standing on four tapering and partially fluted legs topped by paterae ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Category
18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Of Early 19th C French Empire Armchairs In The Manner Of Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional pair of early 19th century French Empire mahogany armchairs with ormolu mounts attributed to Jacob-Desmalter (1770-1841) , upholstered in a striking deep red velvet, r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of Empire Armchairs, Ca.1820
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Set of two early Empire armchairs made of solid mahogany wood and sheepskin.
With carved sculptured armrests and lion's paw feet to the legs.
A great patina on this set of French s...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire St. Oval Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Empire st. oval ormolu inkwell. The inkwell is raised by pawed feet below a lattice design with rosettes in the center. Above are two ink dispensers ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
XL French Empire Sideboard
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Giant French Empire style sideboard or commode in the manner of Linke
- This piece is very large - over 8 foot wide or 248 CM
- Such ...
Category
Early 2000s Empire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
Continental Empire Style Burl Wood and Ebonized Side Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome early 20th century Continental Empire style burl wood side table. Very fine finish on this piece with ebonized details and pretty hardware. An elegant piece!
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Large Antique 64" Caved Wood Gold Giltwood Empire Pedestal Candlestick Pricket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Antique French Empire 64" Tall Caved Wood Gold Giltwood Pedestal Candlestick Pricket. Item features a Large impressive size, gold gilt finish, carved paw feet, ball form rollin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Spanish Fernandino Bombe Commode & Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificently decorative antique Spanish Fernandino style mahogany chest of drawers commode and mirror.
Hand-crafted in Spain in the late 19th century, surmounted by the monumental dresser mirror with finely hand carved giltwood bird crest, atop flat mirror plates, framed by ornate scrolling foliates.
Mounted over a mahogany bombe shaped chest accented with contrasting string banded inlay, gilded birds perched on stylized scrolled foliate, flanking four drawers. The solid wooden case fitted with a projecting frieze drawer, over three larger drawers, rising on sculptural patinated gilt wood ancient Egyptian Sphinx form front feet.
Bold, dramatic and luxurious yet with an elegant warmth, and visually striking sophistication, the two piece set can be used a variety of different ways, including in the bedroom as a dresser / commode, in the dining room as a sideboard server, credenza console, or placed in the foyer as a stunning entry statement piece!
Dimensions: (approx)
Overall: 86.25" High, 43" Wide, 22" Deep
Commode: 32.25" High, 43" Wide, 21.25" Deep
Mirror: 54" High, 36.5" Wide
History:
Fernandino style is called the one developed in the decorative arts - especially furniture - in Spain during the reign of Fernando VII...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Pair of Empire Style Vases in Blue and Gold Porcelain
Located in Prato, IT
Germany, mid-20th century
Empire style
Blue and gold painted porcelain and white background band with floral decoration
Dimensions cm W28 x D20...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th Century
Measures: Height 52cm, width 28cm, depth 17.5cm
This superb Empi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Empire St. three door armoire in satinwood and mahogany with beveled mirrors. All highly decorated with fire-gilded ormolu mounts. Inside lays fift...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Caryatid Mounted Mahogany Pedestal Table Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce pair of exquisite French Empire style gilt bronze mounted mahogany stands in the manner of important royal ébéniste Jacob-Desmalter (1770–1841; Paris, France). circa 1880
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Russian Empire Carved Gilt Wood and Faux Malachite Painted Mantel Clock
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very nice and charming carved gilt wood and faux painted malachite empire clock. Probably Russian.
Ça. 1820-30. The figure probably of the Greek goddess HYGIEIA. She was one of the daughters of the god of medicine...
Category
1820s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
French Empire Style Mahogany Daybed with Ormolu Mounts and Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
French Empire style mahogany daybed on casters with ormolu gilt bronze mounts and chocolate velvet upholstery.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal & Glass Center Table with Ram's Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Original antique Empire Armchair circa 1860-1880 Massive Mahogany bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire armchair circa 1860-1880 massive mahogany 2 beautiful armchairs from an Empire room.
Each 2 figures provided cast bronze.
The chairs have a nice curve, in a top...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Design of Lady Face Sconces Gold Dore' Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast in bronze with real 18K gold Dore' finish. Contemporary hi-quality castings in fine details. From the original French pair. Look fantastic on the wall a...
Category
1990s North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late Empire Armchair Made In Mahogany With Light Striped Fabric From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire armchair from around 1840 exudes timeless elegance with its mahogany frame and light striped fabric upholstery. Crafted during the height of the empire period, it sh...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Baker Furniture Empire Burl and Cherry Wood Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or neoclassical style coffee table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string inlay.
Measures: 38" W x...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Satinwood, Burl
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon.
Stained.
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Late Empire Armchairs in Birch from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Late Empire birch armchairs, upholstered in red fabric and from around the 1840s, make a beautiful and period feature in any interior with their classic look and historic c...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Birch
19th Century Swedish Empire Pedestal Table with Drawer & Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Empire pedestal table with original paint.
A very charming table with a drawer.
Scraped by hand to its original color.
Turned base supported by beautifully ca...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century French Empire period side table or nightstand made of solid walnut and veneer of walnut and finished on all four sides. Book matched veneers with beautiful swirli...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Psyche Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most detailed French 19th century Empire period ormolu mounted mahogany Psyche mirror. The mirror is raised by an impressive ormolu support below a thick mahogany b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 1870s Empire Style Round Table with Marble Top, Brass Gallery and Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style round side table from the late 19th century, with red marble top, single drawer and brass accents. Born in France during the third quarter of the 19th century, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Extremely Fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Center Table
Located in New York, NY
An extremely fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany center table, circa 1820-1830.
Very finely mounted with crisp ormolu throughout, with bronze female figures, foliate scrolling, lions head...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Amethyst, Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble consoles. Each freestanding one drawer two tiered console is raise...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Italian Empire Gilded Mirror, Circa 1815
Located in CH
Italian Empire gilded mirror, Circa 1815
With a beveled mirror inset in to the frame, this Italian Empire gilded mirror represents a typical example of the quality work that was done during that period by craftsman. The gilded surface of the mirror with the typical Empire period decorations shows us how good quality work can last for long periods of time.
The French Empire period or second Neoclassicism was a period that followed the Directoire period. It lasted about 20 years, from 1800 to 1820. The ostentatious look of the works of art, furniture and paintings was exported all over Europe and the United States. The general representation followed the styles of ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt. Sphinxes, swans, lions, cornucopias, rosettes, Greek dancers, antique chariots...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Empire Pedestal Table with Its Saint-Anne Marble
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb empire pedestal table with its Saint-Anne marble
Pedestal table or center table with a pyramidal base ending with claw feet simulating dolphin heads
Very beautiful origina...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1960's Italian Marble Bronze Urn Table Lamp by Marbro
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous Italian purple marble urn lamp with golden bronze handles, base and hardware.
Made by the artisans of Marbro Lamp CO. No issues or damage.
Very heavy piece, 55 lbs +.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Villa Garnelo Crotch Mahogany Empire Style 4 Drawer Commode Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Villa Garnelo Crotch mahogany Empire style 4 drawer commode dresser. Item features beautiful column supports, bun feet, gold and ebonized accents, original label, 4 dovetailed drawer...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Style Porcelain Urns
Located in Montreal, QC
Now fitted as lamps, these two handled Paris urns are painted with floral bouquets on one side and a courtship scene on the other. The gilding is rubbed but the painting is well exec...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Style Mahogany Bowfront Commode
Located in Houston, TX
Empire style mahogany commode, early 20th c., bow front case fitted with pull-out leather brushing slide, over three drawers, flanked by fluted c...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 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
Danish Late Empire Tobacco Box in Nobel Wood, Lid with Walrus Tooth
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire tobacco box in rosewood.
The top of the lid is adorned with a walrus tooth.
Denmark 1830-1840.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Elaborate 19th Century French Clock by T H Re Le Roy
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th century French clock by T H re Le Roy, having 8 day striking silk-suspension movement with silver dial. The c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Mahogany Table with Inset Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular table with contrasting marquetry of star decoration on the outer rim and then stylized greek key below it
with a black fossilized marble top with white highlights. Slig...
Category
20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of square Pillars, original Marble-Imitation painted Wood. Early 19th C.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of pillars made of wood and painted in marble imitation (original). Made around year 1800. These pillars are great in any interior to put sculpt...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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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