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 Sofa, 1810-15
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Empire settee dates back to around 1810-15 and comes from France. The elegant settee has a cherry wood frame with hand carved details on armrests and front legs. The sett...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Mirror, Mahogany, Carvings, Denmark, 1880
Located in Lejre, DK
This beautiful hand-polished mahogany mirror is from the late Empire period and was crafted in Denmark around the 1840s. It features intricate carvings along the frame, adding a touc...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Maison Jansen Signed French Empire Hollywood Regency Swan Console Table Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A fabulous pair of French Empire style demilune paint-decorated wood console tables by iconic Parisian luxury design house Maison Jansen (Paris, France; 1880-1989)
Finished in Mid-20th Century glitz and glam Hollywood Regency taste, the rare, possibly custom one-of-a-kind design, having demilune red-painted top, over conforming fluted apron, rising on elegant parcel gilt figural swan-form supports, ending on claw and ball feet. Signed, the rear supports signed JANSEN in stylized font. circa 1970
Provenance / Acquisition:
From an important Guadalajara, Mexico Estate...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Empire Secretaire with Writing Desk, Richly Inlaid Wood. Italy Late 18th Century
Located in Torino, IT
"Empire" cylinder writing desk, secretaire with pull-out top, internal drawers and four external drawers.
Origin
Italy
Period
Late eighteenth century
Model
Cylinder writing des...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Empire Period Mahogany Sofa-Bed, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa-bed of the Empire period in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes. This sofa is decorated in front of a lyre in the center,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century French mahogany marble topped Gueridon, having three circular tapering column supports, each with gilded ormolu capitals and classical ormolu motifs to th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Large Solid Mahogany Boat Bed from the Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Large boat bed in solid mahogany flamed, mahogany veneer, with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes, Empire period. Four baluster uprights, dec...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Fauteuil
Located in Sharon, CT
Impressive black armchair of typical French Empire form, beautifully upholstered. Subtly incised palmettes where the arm rails meet the seat. Original b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 1st Empire Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This pair of brass candlesticks are a wonderful find! Crafted in the distinctive style of Claude Galle during the 1st empire period in France, circa 1810. T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Empire Mahogany & Brass Pedestal ~ End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire Mahogany & Brass pedestal ~ end table was hand-crafted in France from exotic imported mahogany and lavished with embossed brass. The patterns appear around...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Round Empire Style White Woven Wicker Column Side End Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Round Empire style white painted woven wicker accent side or end table featuring a three-column base with braided twist decorations.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Wood
French Empire Mahogany 3-Fold Screen with Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany 3 fold screen with bronze trim.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Bureau Plat or Desk with Gilt Griffin Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Bureau Plat or Desk, France, circa 1950s. Elegant design in black lacquered wood with brass hardware and an inset black leather...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Set Four Klismos Chairs COM
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage blond Klismos chairs with newly upholstered seats. Send your fabric and we can upholster at no extra charge and quick turnaround.
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A exceptionally rare Period French Empire (1804-1814) walnut bureau a cylindre.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wallpaper "Zeus Fed by the Goat Amalthée", Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period wallpaper with mythological subject representing Zeus fed by the goat Amalthée. The wallpaper is divided into four strips and is laminated on a composite wood panel and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
19th Century Black French Empire Ebonized Wood Center Table - Antique Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French Empire sofa table made of hand crafted ebonized wood, in good condition. The round Parisian side table is composed with a shellac polished clear glass top to protect the surface, supported by a detailed carved gold-patinated octagonal column...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Ebony
Empire Fireplace Mirror in Pompeian Red with Golden Decorations
Located in Prato, IT
Rectangular mirror born to be placed on the fireplace. The mirror is divided into three original parts separated by frames with a golden border. Original the color that recalls the f...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mirror, Mahogany, Marquetry, 1910
Located in Lejre, DK
Small mirror in mahogany wood with intarsia from around the 1910s.
Dimensions in cm: H: 77 W: 97
This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by our edu...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany and Bronze Veneer Middle Table, "Return from Egypt" Style
Located in Paris, FR
Important middle table in the style "Return from Egypt" in mahogany, mahogany veneer and bronze with double patina, from the 19th century. This large table is supported by four uprights claws and lion heads in patinated bronze, connected by a carved and curved strut. The table is adorned with gilt bronze appliques with swans and horns of plenty motifs and opens with six drawers. Two integrated trays extend each side of the table by 50 cm if needed. A glass window covers...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Circa 1900 Victorian Era Tiger Oak Empire Style Sideboard
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique circa 1900 Victorian era sideboard in the Empire style, unbranded. Tiger oak with wood knobs, upper gallery with mirror, curved front legs and on metal casters. Features a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique half-round Empire chest of drawers, mahogany, around 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique half-round Empire chest of drawers, mahogany, around 1810
Semi-circular body, one door in the middle flanked by full columns and one drawer each above and below. An extremel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Maitland Smith French Empire Regency Leather Top Brass Paw Feet Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith French Empire Regency leather top brass paw feet round drum center table. Item features brass rolling casters, tooled leather top, bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Empire Candelabra with Green Marble Bases & 4 Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
These pair of Empire candelabras feature angles holding 4 candleholders atop a green marble base.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late Empire Flamed Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval pedestal cabinet, late empire.
Mirror-cut flamed mahogany with beautiful grain. Door flanked by columns with wood-carved capitals.
Behind the door 3...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Late Empire Mahogany With Inlay Bureau / Secretair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Danish early 19th century secretary or slant front bureau.
Exquisitely crafted from mahogany with fabulous marquetry decoration in black n...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Continental Marble and Gilt Eagle Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
1840’s Collection 42 Photographs in Custom Spring Loaded Antique Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique, American Empire era hand made picture frame cabinet containing a collection of forty two black and white photographic images, which could very well be all images of an extended family...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Gold Gilt Empire Style Lamp
Located in Tampa, FL
A single gold gilt lamp in the Empire style. It is very nicely gilded and at the bottom has company name. The lamp has the original plugs, socket and ha...
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
1820s Rare and Elegant Empire Walnut Sicilian Console
Located in Catania, Sicilia
An original conditions Walnut console hand-crafted in Sicily in 1820s. The elegance of saber feet it's typical of the Empire period as the gilded friezes...
Category
Early 19th Century Sicilian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Pair 19th C. Empire Style Fauteuils, Newly Upholstered in Belgian Linen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pair of Empire style armchairs, with their original painted finish, from the 19th century. These antique fauteuils from France each fea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Armchairs with Fretwork Detailing to Their Back S
Located in London, GB
A pair of charming late 19th century upholstered painted Swedish open armchairs with a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers to their backs.
Recently reupholstered in a light vintage French linen...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Printing Block Wallpaper Complete Repeat Empire Acanthus Leaf Roundel
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare woodblock with complete repeat. Of interest to wallpaper collectors or as a conversation piece in the home as a decorative carved wallhanging.
A rare, large 19th Century French wallpaper...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Empire Mahogany Wood and Veneer Sofa from the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Empire Mahogany wood and veneer sofa from the late 19th century
We present you this antique Empire sofa circa 1860 of a beautiful form. It has ri...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery
French Empire Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately French Empire flame mahogany cabinet. The top has a straight edge above a frieze with a pyramidal architectural feature. The c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of 6 Empire Barrel Chairs, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and original set of 6 early 19th century Empire barrel chairs stands out for its elegant design. The chairs feature a beautiful walnut...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Photo Frame with Interlacements in French Empire Louis XVI Style Sterling Silver
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and with convex border with enamelled lines, on which are applied interlace...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Petite French Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful Empire mahogany commode was created in 19th century France. Topped with a removable piece of black fossil granite with rounded front corners. The apron houses a hidden...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Metal, Brass
Antique French Empire Marble & Ormolu Occasional Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French Empire circular centre table with ornate ormolu decoration typical of the Empire period and a beautiful inset white "Marmo di Carrara" marble top, ...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Winged Griffins End Table
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
French Empire-style (19th century) mahogany end/center table with bronze trim and winged griffins on legs with a green rectangular marble top.
Empire
A period of design during th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gueridon Side Table with Tripod Columns Brass and Marble Top
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful French Empire style gueridon table from 19th century. Beautiful black fossil marble over a mahogany body. A simple apron showcases the deep toned wood. Three columnar leg...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Empire Side Chairs, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of two Empire Side Chairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant chairs stand out for their plain design and the beautifully designed front legs. The side chairs have a cher...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Empire Herringbone Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire herringbone gilt wood mirror. Walnut herringbone veneer frame with interior wide Mecca gilt band with further palm foliate border framing original slightly distressed mirror plate. Some wear to wide gilt band otherwise a handsome neoclassical mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Style Chairs 1950's
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Empire style chairs made in high quality wood and red fabric. in a very good condition.
PRICE PER PIECE.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Table Mirror, Walnut, 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
Small table mirror in walnut wood with small metal foot from around the 1880s.
Dimensions in cm: H:30 W:15.5.
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dental carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Swedish Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Scandinavian mahogany early 19th Century Empire table or console. This antique Swedish Biedermeier piece has a drawer with its original wor...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Flush Mount Chandelier, Vintage, 1980s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire style vintage pendant lighting.
1980s.
The ceiling lamp is a real example of high-quality, beautiful and durable lighting. Wit...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Impressionist Oil Painting, Original Frame, Eugene Delacroix, 1830s
By Eugène Delacroix
Located in Berlin, DE
Oil painting (framed)
Artist: Unknown (style of Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863).
Date: 19th century Title: French lieutenant on horseback leading a Bedouin cavalry.
Medium: Oil on...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Chandelier Empire 6 Arm Brass Gold Finish
Located in New York, NY
20th Century corridor chandeliers from the Towers of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Ave. 6 arms branching out from the central dish light. Brass details. Waldorf Astoria auth...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Mirror, Marquetry, 1890
Located in Lejre, DK
Mahogany mirror with marquetry from the 1890s. We have two in stock.
Dimensions in cm: H:77 W:93.
Category
1890s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Console Desserte
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular marble top over a frieze drawer flanked by columns with bronze capitols , lower plinth shelf.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Mirror, Mahogany, 1890
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror made of dark stained mahogany wood from around the 1890s.
Dimensions in cm: H:153 W:59
This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by ou...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Wood and Gilded Stucco Overmantel Mirror, Empire Period, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period overmantel mirror, in wood and stucco gilded with gold leaf. This mirror is framed by two antique style pilasters in wood and stucco, gilded with gold leaf. A rectangul...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stucco, Wood
Antique 19th Century Mahogany Empire Style Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Empire style chest of drawers, unbranded. Solid mahogany with classic Empire styling, with curved outward sides and curved back front feet. Features four drawers of doveta...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
Located in London, GB
Empire gilt bronze picture frame
French, 19th Century
Measures: Height 11cm, width 8cm, depth 0.5cm
The rectangular picture frame featur...
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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