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: Gold
Empire Chandelier Made Around 1810
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gilt bronze chandelier with eight candleholders. Great design with be winged putts holding the urns that in turn holds the candles. Good quality and condition.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early French Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Chandelier, 3 Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Empire Style early round Bronze and Crystal Chandelier with 3 Light-sockets in the center.
Wired for the US and takes 3 candelabra light bulbs max. 60 watts.
In original vintage c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms.
Six E 14 light bulbs.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier, Pair
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
H...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Ormolu and Green Marble Four Glass Clock, Eagle Antique French
By Charles Hour
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning original antique French clock by the illustrious maker Charles Hour, circa 1890. It is of the beautifully restrained Empire design in a sumptuous green variegated specimen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Cérés À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Empire clock signed à Paris
The mantel clock is in gilded bronze representing Ceres as a goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain crops and motherly relationships. In ancient Rom...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Bouzzeb À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
The mantel clock, made of ormol (gilded bronze), shows the beautiful figure of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, accompanied by various emblems. Diana is sitting on the circular ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Style 8 Arm Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style eight-arm chandelier with crest fleur-de-lis design. Cleaned and rewired. This chandelier and it's sisters hung in the corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Classic Swan French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Classic model for this French Empire chandelier, perfect in any particular: gilt bronze, classic swan, green nail, 6 lights.
Perfect over Your table or sleeping room...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Patinated and Dore Bronze Empire/Neo-Grec French Side Table, Att. F. Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A Beautifully Designed Small Patinated and Dore Bronze French Side Table, Attributed to F. Barbedienne, the Magnificent French Metalworker and Manufacturer. This beautifully cast an...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century bronze and gilded ormolu French Empire influenced chandelier. Having a classical ceiling rose with three foliate linked chains...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
This magnificent crystal and bronze doré chandelier with four swans holding double candle light and graduate hand polished crystal chain.
Minimum height fully installed 42".
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Gilt-Bronze Clock Depicting Diana the Huntress. French, c 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire Period gilt bronze clock depicting Diana the huntress.
The dial signed 'Thomas a Paris'.
The white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands, the case sur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights.
This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Pair of French Empire Neoclassical Regency Gilt Bronze Patinated Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French Empire/neoclassical/Regency gilt bronze and patinated four- arm wall sconces.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte.
If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
antique empire chandelier
Located in Kiel, SH
high decorative antique bronze candelier from the empire.
I guess the chandelier was electrified later .
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Gilt Bronze & Cut Crystal Centerpiece
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze centerpiece featuring hand cut crystal columns (4). Base and Top supporting oval container. France, circa 1900.
Dimensions: He...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This chandelier features a bronze crown adorned with an acanthus leaf design at its peak. Its structure is beautifully composed of a series of shimmering crystal beads and baguettes ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish.
The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820.
The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces
Circa 1830
Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Important Pendulum in Gilded Bronze and Onyx, 19th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Important pendulum in gilded bronze and onyx from the nineteenth century.
The enamel dial.
Made for the russian market.
Large: 60 x 55 x 18 cm..
With pendulum and key 6550 euros.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s
Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs.
Rare French Empire style bron...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Estate Signed Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase.
Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Brass, Bronze and Frosted Glass Three-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style brass, bronze, and frosted glass three-light chandelier from ca 1950s.
This adorable and compact Empire-style chandelier features a circular brass body and three...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Figural Regency
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large pair of French Empire gilt and patinated bronze figural Regency candelabra raised on paw feet, each figure holding a 6-branch cand...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of tall Empire ormolu Medicis shaped vases - 16" - 19th century
By Thomire & Cie.
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Empire pair of tall gilt bronze ornamental vases, Medicis-shaped model richly decorated with finely chiseled palms, laurels crowns, gadroons and women masks patterns. Early 19th cent...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Tole & Brass Chandelier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Empirically styled six arm chandelier is just as artful as it is functional. Black tole and patinated brass contrast each other wonderfully. The underside of the bowl features s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass, Metal
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Figural Bronze Clock Depicting an Allegory to Prudence or Wisdom
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare model of a French Empire mantle clock depicting an allegory to "La Prudenzia" or Prudence, Wisdom or Sound Judgement. This virtue is represented as a patinated bronze statue of of a classically draped bearded standing male figure leaning on a gilt bronze plinth legs crossed and with a sword in its scabbard by his side. There is an an open scroll on top of the plinth held in place by the figure's elbow arm raised and forefinger of his hand pointing at his temple in a gesture associated with thinking. The plinth housing the clock dial and movement is decorated with a serpent coiled around a rod which along with the sword and scroll are associated with "La Prudenzia".
The whole sits on a gilded rectangular base decorated with a finely cast frieze centred by a rondel showing the two Janus heads...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ferdinand Barbedienne Set of Gilt Bronze-Mounted Champleve Onyx Garniture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Ferdinand Barbedienne set of gilt bronze-mounted champleve onyx garniture. It consist of two urns and one large oval vase/jardiniere. The vase...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Bronze and Marble Swans Side Table
Located in London, GB
An Empire style gilt bronze and marble top side table.
France, Circa 1880-1900
45.5 cm high by 43 cm diameter
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire, made during 1820s-1830s in Europe. Classic Laurel Wreath from the Empire Era.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
Located in IT
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
This elegant table lamp model buillotte was made in France in the early nineteenth century, classic taste with decorative elements Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Japy Frères et Cie Empire Marble & Bronze Mantle Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Introducing the Japy Frères et Cie Empire Mantle Clock, a remarkable timepiece with a rich history and exquisite craftsmanship. This antique clock is a true representation of the Empire style, showcasing the exceptional artistry and design prevalent during the 19th century.
The movement of this clock is a testament to its prestigious heritage, bearing the registered mark Grande Médaille d'honneur 1855, earned at the renowned Paris Exposition universelle of 1855. This recognition signifies the superior quality and precision of the clock's movement, a hallmark of Japy Frères et Cie's dedication to horological excellence.
The clock's case is crafted from black Belgian marble, displaying medallions featuring the Arethusa head type, inspired by ancient Greek coinage, specifically the decadrachm from Syracuse, Sicilia, minted circa 400 BC. These historical motifs, combined with the Empire style's characteristic elements such as tiger feet...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Bronze sculpture from the Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Very important bronze sculpture with brown patina from the Empire period. The bronze depicts an antique woman with a crown, or "La Victoire". The young woman, standing, holds a laure...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Marble Vase, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large lidded vase with a gadrooned wall with acanthus leaves and pine node. Marbre griotte and gilt bronze.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Auguste Cain Silvered Bronze Lion & Ostrich Sculpture 19th Century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Auguste Cain Silvered Bronze Lion & Ostrich (1822-1894). This fine bronze shows a male lion standing proud, his front right foot is perched on a rock and his left stands firmly on his pray, an ostrich; he has a full mane and a curling tail, has good detail in the fur and the feathers of the ostrich. Signed "A. Cain" and a foundry mark. Perfect Size to locate on a desk.
Auguste Nicholas Cain (1821 – 1894) was a Paris born French sculptor in the Animaliers school who was known for his bronze sculptures...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Fine French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Swan Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A FIne French Empire Style gilt bronze and cut crystal multi light swan chandelier. This exquisite chandelier is embellished with six beautiful gilt bronze swans, a round cut crystal...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Tour Bronze Colonne Vendôme XIX
Located in Brussels, BE
French antique model in gilded bronze Grand Tour de la Vendôme column, dating from around 1880. This splendid bronze thermometer (Celsius and Fahren...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
an Empire ormolu and patinated bronze mangel clock after a drawing by DeVerberie
Located in NONANCOURT, FR
Rare pendulum called "au negre" represents a sailor with glass eyes, leaning against a bale of cotton and smoking his pipe, a rope in his hand. We find around him the attributes of m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine 19th Century European Gilt Bronze Ormolu Monstrance Reliquary
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce fine quality neoclassical Empire style vasiform gilt bronze ormolu church religious relic altar monstrance reliquary.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in Continental Europe in the second half of the 19th century, most likely French Napoleon III Period (1852-1870), having a fanned cross crest, above winged angel mask, central oval display...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Lampadario Impero Italiano Dorato con Putti Seconda Metà XX Secolo
Located in Milan, IT
Lampadario Italiano in Stile Impero con Putti alati realizzato in bronzo dorato con fusioni ben cesellate e con una doratura di qualità. Il lampadarario è italiano ed è databile into...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1930’s French Empire Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930 French empire style three lights sconces with swan heads
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th century French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French empire candlesticks with three lights converted into table lamps
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1930’s Swedish Empire 6 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s Swedish empire style crystal chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th - 20th Century Gold-Red French Empire Pair of Porcelain, Gilded Cassoulette
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-red, antique French pair of small Cassoulettes made hand crafted porcelain, in good condition. Each of the Parisian Athenians are composed with four gilded bronze maidens, par...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Gilt Gesso Lamp
Located in Harlingen, TX
An early 20th century French Empire torchère style table lamp with shade. Gilded gessoed candlestick form metal body with paw foot mounted base. Two l...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Gold Leaf
Charming Large Vintage Chandelier in Gilt Bronze Deknudt Belgium
By Deknudt
Located in Bastogne, BE
Very Beautiful Vintage Ceiling Chandelier in Bronze by Deknudt, Belgium.
Circa 1970s.
A very nicely chased vintage six light chandelier in bronze with...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Coppia di Vasi Italiani Impero in Bronzo con Manici Argentati a Forma di Cigno
Located in Milan, IT
Coppia di Vasi Impero in Bronzo con Anse a Cigno realizzati in Italia, inizio 1800, coppia di eleganti vasi da centro di gusto Impero, di forma circolare, su base squadrata, corpo im...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Four Sweeping Arms Candlestick/Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental candelabra in Empire style.
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-14).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Brass
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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