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
Set of 6 French Empire Marquetry Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting an exceptional set of 6 French Empire Marquetry chairs.
Made in France circa 1815-20.
Set consists of 2 Captains/Carvers and 4 side c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Boxwood, Kingwood, Rosewood, Satinwood
Large Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Writing Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
A large Empire style mahogany bureau plat or writing desk with a dark green leather writing surface above a central long drawer, flanked to each side by a short drawer. The square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Gold French Empire Pair of Embossed Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This graceful pair of antique French candlesticks are made of hand crafted brass and are in very good condition. Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a rou...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE BUREAU
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant chest of drawers from the Empire period in mahogany feather with lost wax cast and gilded bronze friezes. The chest of drawers has three large drawers and a smaller one below...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Baloon Chandelier, France Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
French Empire Style Chandelier, France Early 20th Century.
Small French balloon chandelier, in gilded and chiseled bronze with Empire palmet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Antique Danish Empire Elm Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish early 19th century empire bowfront chest of drawers veneered in elm wood with a beautiful grain pattern.
Four drawers, the top drawer with a geometrical ebonized inlaid in the...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Elm
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Lyon, FR
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
King Edward VIII Coronation Flag 1937
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH King Edward VIII, this flag was produced to commemorate th...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Early 19th Century Romantic Seascape With Figures Oil On Panel Supra Porte
Located in Munich, DE
This charming peaceful romantic scene shows a fine summer day in a hilly landscappe near the sea.
The blue sea surrounds a peninsular with a with a fortress on a hill. We see an iso...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or den with this elegant antique chest of drawers. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the traditional commode sits on carved columnar supports over a straight bott...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Nightstand End Table
Located in Forney, TX
A period French Empire (1804-1815) mahogany chest of drawers nightstand with beautifully aged patina.
Born in France in the early 19th century, hand-crafted of warm rich solid mahog...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Romantic Canape French, 19th Century in Oilwood
Located in Madrid, ES
romantic canape
French, 19th century in Oilwood.
Upholstered seat and back, decorated with floral motifs.
Usage signs.
Dimensions: 104 x 235 x 64 cm
good conditions
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Pair of Danish Empire Arm Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Danish early 19th century empire armchairs.
Crafted in mahogany with ebony and satinwood marquetry on backrest and apron.
Apron and upper part of backrest decorated...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th c Second French Empire Pair of Silver Plated Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This classic pair of antique French candlesticks are hand crafted of silver plate and brass Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a round heavily embossed f...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
French Antique “Somno” Column
Located in Austin, TX
Column; “somno” French Empire period originally used as a night stand. This period circular piece sits on a square base and is crafted of bent wood (mahogany) and features a brêche r...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Italian-Lombardy Empire Walnut Golden Bronzes Chest of Drawers
Located in IT
Three drawers, golden bronze handles, walnut wood, elegant shapes and line make this chest of drawers an interesting piece able to be used in different kind of interior decoration pr...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Backgammon in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Empire 1820/30s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Backgammom Box in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Swedish Empire (Karl Johan) 1820/30s. Complete with two Die made in bone and Playing Pieces for two players.
This beautifully crafted backgammon box...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted writing desk, leather top circa 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted writing desk with leather top, circa 1940.
Category
1940s Argentine Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Round Mahogany Side Table - Antique Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French Empire side table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Honduran Mahogany in good condition. The detailed small center table is composed with a black marble top, standing on three arched legs, supported by a wooden base, resisting on three round feet. The Parisian table is enhanced by detailed gilded wood carvings...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
20th Century Empire Sryle Cast Brass Figural Chenets, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 20th Century Empire Sryle Cast Brass Figural Chenets. Measure 8" in width, 8" in depth and 18" in height.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Of French Early 19th Century Empire Period Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated wood armchairs. The pair are raised on front circular tapered legs with gilt carved foliate bands at the top and bottom wh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Empire Style Marble-Top Nightstands with shelve and low drawer
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire Solid walnut wood. Gilded and chiselled fittings. Two-wise frame base with protruding rectangular marble slab on square columns, joined by an intermediate compartment e...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair Of French Empire Revival Bronze Two Light Wall Sconce
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival wall sconce with a torch like design having two scroll form arms and flame finial top (PRICED AS PAIR )
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Circa 1810 Empire Period French Marble Top Console Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period, c.1810, marble top console table, French. Mahogany, mirrored back, dark grey & white marble top with molded sides. Front uprights feature well carved Grecian women wit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
An Empire style round center library table, late 19th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An Empire style round center library table, with faux marble painted top with ebonized legs and carved gilt-wood lion heads. Table has 3 drawers around circumference. Late 19th C
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mirror, Hand Polished Mahogany, Denmark, 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of art from the late Empire period. It is made in Denmark, dating back to the 1890s. The mahogany wood is carefull...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Revival Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Period Empire side chair: This highly stylized chair has brass inlay and ormolu features to include reclining goddesses, feathers and detailed Roman feet all newly upholstered in a b...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Round Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful 19th century Empire table is the perfect addition to any home decor style. Beautiful, black Belgian granite - in great conditi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Circa 1810 Empire Period Secretaire à Abatant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period, c.1810, Secretaire à Abatant, French. Walnut. Demi-columns with bronze dore mounts. Bronze dore pulls & escutcheons. Chic black marble top with white-grey figure. Grea...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs Stamped "Jacob D R Medee"
Located in Stamford, CT
This pair of capacious, perfectly designed and executed chairs was created by the workshop of George Jacob and his son, Francois, during the Empire period at their Parisian workshop ...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French gold leaf gilded mirror cabinet Empire era 1820s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Antique French gilded gold-leaf mirror 1820s Empire period,characteristics of the period are the four palmette decorations adorning the corners of the frame,original mercury mirror o...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Buffet/Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and marble buffet/cabinet. The buffet is raised on two half round front and two back block supports below the straight apro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-Century Empire Style Pacel Gilt and Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive mid-century Empire Style parcel gilt and carved Mahogany coffee / cocktail Table.
Measures 46" in width, 27.75" in depth and standing 17.5" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beech wood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers.
Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Three-bar frame, brass-framed, protruding rectangular worktop with historically three-section, gold-embossed leather plate...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th C. French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Semainier Tall Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A classic French Empire style Semainier Tall Chest in mahogany and bronze ormolu with seven drawers framed with fluted columns and fine gilded escutcheon. The front face of each drawer is also surrounded by an ormolu frame. Chest shows wear from daily use. Age related cracks that have been filled.
The key shown is only for decorative purposes to open drawers...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Royal Empire column with malachite and gilt bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire column with malachite and gilt bronze
Impressive and regal wooden column with bronze mounts in Empire style. Solid wood coated with malachite painting technique. Such a...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Mahogany, Oak & Marble Secretaire with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Middleburg, VA
Important Secretaire a Abattant, Paris, Empire, circa 1805. Mahogany on oak, marble top, ormolu mounts. Caryatides, trophy weapons, fasces, antique Roman and Egyptian ornamentation a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Huge KPM Berlin Vase Rare, Empire
Located in Berlin, DE
Vase with satyr heads. Urn shape with cloth draped on octagonal plinth.
Colorful painted flower garlands, bouquets, streublums and butterflies.
The satyr heads painted in color.
P...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Pair French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date.
The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. Th...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair 19th Century Italian Empire Consoles
Located in Houston, TX
A stately pair of 19th Century Italian Empire white marble top mahogany consoles supported by ebonized caryatid columns.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Revival Style Burled Walnut Extension Dining / Center Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Revival-style (19/20th Century) burled walnut circular center / dining extension table which opens to accommodate 4 leaves, resting on a central fluted and tapered colu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Burl, Wood
19th Century Italian Ringed Double Sided Stone Tub
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century ITALIAN RINGED DOUBLE SIDED STONE TUB
WIDTH 74cms
LENGTH 160 cms
DEPTH 62cm
WEIGHT 300Kg
MANUFACTURE Italian
Material Limestone
THICKNESS OF TH...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
French Empire Circular Table with Black Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a classic French Empire mahogany circular center table, the black marble top over a wide frieze supported by round, slightly tapering columns with brass collars, joined by a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Fabulous Antique French Empire Twelve-Arm Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant fancy French mpire chandelier dripping with crystals and having 12 arms, 40 watt each.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Large Reclaimed ‘King’ Wall Hanging Sign
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large reclaimed ‘King’ wall hanging sign dating to the early 20th century. Bold and stylish cast bronze letters are mounted onto a smooth mahogany boa...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
American Mahogany Partner's Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Mahogany Partner's Desk with glass knobs. Top refinished and everything else cleaned and ready to go! Two wide drawers per each side with smaller drawers below. Beautiful c...
Category
1880s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Huge Mirror, Frame, mahogany, faceted, console available, ~1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful floor or full length mirror, from the Empire period, made around 1810 in Austria.
This huge mirror is still in its original condition - about 20 years ago the surface was...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Spruce
Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box with Floral Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. Its inside is gold plated. Lid and bottom are covered in the same floral design reminiscent of a bouquet or floral ornament. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
French Restauration Period Ormolu Lyre Mantel Clock with Apollo Mask
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual French Restauration period ormolu mantel clock. The elaborately pierced gilt bronze case in the form of a lyre, with an Apollo mask cresting, on a white marble stepped bas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Upholstered and Gilt Painted Stool Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant painted wood bench was crafted in northern France, circa 1890. The antique seat stands on carved spiral etched legs decorated with brass flor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Upholstery
Stunning Gueridon Table, hand carved Dolphin, second Empire, ~1900, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning rare side table, so called Gueridon, from the second Empire, made around 1900 in Italy.
This elaborate structure of the table is composed of a round base with small extens...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Spruce
Napoleon III Walnut Wood Rounded Coffee Table with Black Central Leg
Located in IT
Napoleon III Walnut Wood Rounded Coffee Table with Black Central Leg
19th century Italian Napoleon III rounded coffee table in walnut wood.
Central black leg and three black lit...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French rectangular wall mirror made of hand carved gilded Pinewood with its original mirror glass, in good condition. The arched mirror is particularized by detailed flowe...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Pair of French Empire period amphorae
Located in Napoli, IT
Pair of Empire period amphorae in gilded porcelain painted in polychrome neoclassical scenes, France. Signed, Gauchin, f.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Fine French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal Six Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Classical French Empire gilt bronze, patinated metal and gilt wood six light chandelier.
19th Century
Well proportioned central gilt and patinated bronze Empire tazza with a large gi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, 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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