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
Antique French Empire Giltwood Winged Griffin Needlepoint Inlay Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire giltwood winged Griffin needlepoint and inlay parlor arm chair. Item features gold gilt wood winged griffin arm supports, bell flo...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
18th Century, Empire Walnut Wood 2-Drawer Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Chest of drawers with two drawers on pointed feet. Beautiful walnut veneer with ribbon inlays on pine body. The furniture has a very clear beautiful design without much ornamentation...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Around 1800 Baltic States 4 Dining Chairs Mohagony Brasswire Decor
Located in Epfach, DE
4 chairs for a dining room, around 1800, provenance probably from a noble household in the Baltic States
Mahogany, backrests and seat frames decorated with brass wire, designed in s...
Category
1810s Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Four Doors Cabinets, Armoire or Dry Bar
Located in Firenze, IT
These imposing solid mahogany cabinets with gilt bronze mounts in the style of the Louis XVI French Empire furnished the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. It has recen...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Empire Set of Four French Sterling Silver '.950' Footed Open Salt Cellars-Venner
By Isabelle Venner
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Empire, sterling silver (.950), footed open salt cellars with matching spoons and liners, Paris, circa 1900, Isabelle Venner, maker. Each ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Gold
American Empire Expanding Rectangular Wood Side Table with Mahogany Veneer
Located in New York, NY
American Empire folding rectangular side table with a sliding table top and extendable hinged leaf, resting on a baluster pedestal base ending in 4 flattened scroll legs with casters...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 20th Century Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, allowing one to view the contents placed inside on its two glass shelves. A mirrored back gives the illusion of a completely transparent cabinet. The vitrine has recently undergone a refinishing, giving the antique a ‘like new’ appearance. The wonderful brass hardware found at the capital and base of the pilaster columns which flank the door has been polished to a brilliant luster - along with the sabots that cap the front feet. Inside, two additional finished mahogany lower shelves can be used to house objects...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
DREXEL HERITAGE Mahogany Empire Style Dining Armchairs - Pair
By Drexel
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining armchairs in the Empire style by Drexel Heritage. Solid mahogany with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, curved arms, upholstered seat in a red & silver col...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair Charles X Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair Charles X Ormolu candlestick lamps. Fine pair finely chased gilt metal candlesticks with grey painted candle sleeves above anthemion capitals with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Elegant French Empire Five Piece Mahogany Salon Set with Bronze Swan Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning parlor set of antique French Empire mahogany and bronze upholstered sofa or loveseat, two armchairs and two side chairs. Fre...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Marble-Top Commode
Located in Houston, TX
The rectangular gray and white marble top above a conforming case
Having three recessed long drawers, flanked to either side by an ormolu-
Mounted pilaster, raised on turreted fee...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
C. 1850 Empire Style Walnut Marquetry Italian Writing Desk
Located in BALCATTA, WA
Found in the Veneto region, Italy, we purchased this mid 19th C. Empire style desk for its impeccable quality and style. Made predominantly from walnut and featuring Empiric style in...
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Italian Empire Style Burl Wood Gueridon with Carved Swan Motif
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire style occasional side table or tea table
Italy, 20th century
Carved maple base in swan motif, with burl wood top.
Measures: 16" W x 16" D x 22.25" H.
Ve...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Maple, Burl
Majestic 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found in the South of France, this exquisite burled walnut commode from the early 19th century features a dark grey marble top over four drawers. The lower three drawers are recessed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pulaski Keepsake Collection Oak Wood Bar with Griffins and 2 Stools - 3 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pulaski Keepsake Collection Oak Wood Bar with Griffins 2 Stools - 3 Pc Set. Item features (1) Bar with leaded glass overhead, (2) Barstools, Brass bar...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Period Giltwood Italian Empire SXtyle Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame.
Early 19th Century
Internal measurements cm 13 x 10
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certifica...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th C Empire Style Mahogany Console with Slate Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1890s console has a mahogany base with gilt bronze decorative mounts, ball feet on the front, a single drawer with dovetail construction and a black slate...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Tea Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Book-matched mahogany in starburst pattern, with gold g...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Square Coffee Table Scagliola Art Top wooden base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Hand painted wooden central base formed by 4curved elements, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830.
solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with
lace up padding.
very com...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style nightstands or end tables
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Cherry wood, with burl wo...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire style six-drawer highboy dresser chest
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1960s
Gorgeous book-matched cherry wood, with original brass hardware.
M...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Mahogany Magazine Stand/Side Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Circa 1960 by The Company Master Craftsman. Although designed for magazines, this exquisitely crafted mahogany table could serve a number functions from holding remotes, keys and col...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Empire Mahogany Commode Two Doors Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
Striking mahogany 19th century Italian commode from the Empire period, circa 1815-1820. The straight, timeless shape combined with unique mahogany veneer makes this early 19th centur...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Elegant French 19th Century Empire Vanity with Original Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful French 19th century Empire marble top mahogany dressing table or vanity featuring an arch design adjustable mirror held by two wood columns accentuated by brass finials on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Empire Style French Mirror with Porcelain Gold Frame, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Luxury mirror
Massive figured frame made of porcelain, covered with enamel and painted with gold.
Beautiful floral decor.
There is a possibility...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Mirror
Pair of Fully Restored Historicist Bedside Tables, 1910, Austria
Located in Prague 8, CZ
A pair of the bedside tables in the historicist style, made in the Austria-Hungary empire around 1910.
It´s made of beech wood.
Marble panel on the top. The stands are in excellent...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire mahogany marble top buffet is a marvel of the cabinetmaker's art! First, exotic imported mahogany was employed to create a rich, beautiful background using...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Bergère Kidney Shaped Stool
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French Empire style Bergère kidney shaped stool.
This is a charming French empire style walnut stool, the stool has a charming golden colour an...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Wire
French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century
The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side,
with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests.
Measures: Seat height 17.5
Arm height ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Empire-Style Bronze-dore- Mounted Dressing Table, Mahogany with Circular Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
The circular mirror is encased in a bronze frame, supported by columns with
A bronze dore flame capitals and swiveling candle arms, on a base with a
Dished white marble top over a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Period Flame Grain Mahogany Commode Chest with Black Marble Top
Located in Wells, ME
French Empire period commode (chest) in matched flame grain mahogany, Egyptian caryatid columns with ormolu head and feet, swan ormolu mount to lower f...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Brass Empire Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire sconce of classic French design. Perfect for that small space that needs a little extra light. Cleaned and US wired using UL listed parts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Amazing Set of Armchair and 2 Chair First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of armchair and 2 chair First Empire Napoleon III early 19th Century
France
measure armchair: 86cm x 64cm x 54cm
measures chairs: 82cm x 50cm x 45cm
wood
proveniente : Roman...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style End Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A vintage, French Empire style mahogany end table by "Weiman Heirloom" featuring a French pen pillard case with long elegant tapered legs. This table h...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Period Giltwood Large Italian Empire Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame.
Early 19th century.
Internal measurements cm 37.5 x 45.5.
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certific...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French commode chest of drawers early 19th century Empire style
Four large drawers, on the first one an elegant brass swan acts as a drawer knob.
On the locks bouquets of flowers a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An early Empire 19th century mirror in mahogany and birth.
Mahogany and birch veneered. Painted black with bronze decorations.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Dagoty Manufacture of Empress Joséphine Wife of Napoleon 1st Swan Cup
By Dagoty
Located in Paris, FR
This very rare set of 12 delicate cups swan shape with their saucers is signed by Dagoty, one of the favorite manufacturers of Empress Joséphine's first Napoleon wife well known for ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Console and Mirror with Metal Leaf and Bronze Details, 1990s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Console with mirror produced by Lam Lee Group of Dallas, the style refers to the French eclecticism of 1940. Both the console and the mirror are made o...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This beautiful French 19th century Empire commode is made of burl walnut veneer. The top is Saint-Anne marble and sits over a wide drawer hi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Burl
Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet With Shelves Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Late Empire corner cabinet with mahogany shelves from the 1840s is an impressive piece of furniture history that exudes elegance and timeless beauty. The corner cabinet i...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Gold French Pair of Bronze Egyptian Candle Holders, Marble Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of Egyptian women figure candle holders made of handcrafted marble and patinated bronze, in good condition. The candle sticks are resting on an urn-shaped base. The particularized Parisian décor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most unique French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. The table is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet below a fine r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk
By Fornasetti
Located in Hudson, NY
The exquisite antique table desk, shown here, represents the first collaboration between foley&cox HOME and Fornasetti. The desk was purchased in Italy and hand-decorated by Fornasetti using...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century French Empire Brass Cannonball Chenets Andirons, a Pair
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage pair of French Empire style chenets or andirons. Heavy brass featuring neoclassical lion heads and large cannonball toppers. Made by Sunset.
Dimensions: 9" W x 7" D x 18" H.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Style Lion Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Empire style lion armchair
Imperial stylish lion armchair in Empire style.
Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood....
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Impressive 19th Century Italian Gilt Carved Wood and Cut Glass Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
An Impressive 19th Century Italian Gilt tole, carved wood and cut glass eight light tent and bag chandelier in the Empire Style.
The Central girdle issuing foliate carved scrolling a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass, Giltwood
Danish Late Empire 'Biedermeier' Flamed Birch Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
19th century Danish late Empire (Biedermeier) pedestal cabinet. Veneered with flamed birch.
Curved door. Oval top with a drawer underneath. One-drawer at the bottom.
Denmark, circa...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Gilt-Bronze and Malachite Empire-Style 'Aux Caryatides' Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
A gilt-bronze and malachite Empire-style 'Aux Caryatides' centre table after Desmalter
French, 20th Century
Height: 82cm, diameter: 109cm
This ma...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Napoleon Empire 1809 Historic Palais Beauharnais Curtains Paris France 1809
By Josephine de Beauharnais
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Dear collector, please find this unique and exceptional piece of French History .Napoleon Bonaparte private pair of curtain from the most exclusive Palais in France from Beauharnais.
This curtain was made for the Palais and go after Restauration of the Palais to another Private collection around Paris .Please don't hesitate for any request! Unique opportunity to get this exceptional private life of The Napoleon Emperor bedroom curtain!
he Palais Beauharnais was a palace located in Paris, France, that was built in the 18th century for the Beauharnais family. The palace was purchased by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 for use as a residence for his stepson, Eugene de Beauharnais...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
1850s Ancient Hand-Crafted and Decorated Base Depicting Male Head with Inlays
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Ancient Decorated Base Depicting Male Head With Inlays hand-crafted in Sicily in mid 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
French Empire Neoclassical Style Chest of Drawers, Late 19th C
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire Neoclassical style mahogany chest of drawers with ormolu mounts, late nineteenth century.
This three drawer waln...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunningly beautiful center or dining table designed by Charles Pollock for William Switzer.
The table has a combination of solid woods and veneers such as burlwood on the base al...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th-C. French Empire Gilt Bronze Mahogany Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 19th century French Empire mahogany side chairs with gilt bronze mounts. Note the griffins on the legs! The fabric appears to be silk. It is vintage and in ver...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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