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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.

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Style: Empire
Italian Empire Mahogany and Parcel Gilt Console with Mirror, Carrara Marble Top
Located in Firenze, IT
This exquisite Italian Empire period console table with mirror, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century (1790-1820), exemplifies the grandeur and refined craftsmanship of palatial furniture...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Gold Leaf

Continental Marble and Gilt Eagle Console Table
Located in Queens, 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

Dutch 20th Century Mahogany Empire Style Tallboy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially...
Category

20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Candelabras 5 Arms French Silver Plate 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Candelabras 5 Arms French Silver Plate 19th Century France . A pair of French silver plated candelabras. Decorated with leaves and flowers.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of French Empire Style Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of bronze candelabras with a male figural base.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Hand-Carved Bas-Relief Storage or Jewelry Box - 2Y51
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite storage or jewelry box features hand-carved bas-relief detailing, showcasing expert craftsmanship. With its generous size and elegant design, this piece is perfect for...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Category

1810s Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Period Large Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jar
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Early 20th Century Large Russian Imperial Brass Samovar Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous, early 20th century large Russian imperial brass samovar set. Tray and bowl included. Measures 16" in width, 16" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps with Adjustable Height Finials - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5"- 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A Fine Pair of Russian Empire Period Malachite And Ormolu Obelisks, Early 1800's
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental and Quite Rare Pair of 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Malachite Obelisks with Maiden Ormolu Mounts. Each obelisk is complete with four sides which terminate upwards to a triangular point. The bases are fitted with ormolu mounts which include hand-chased and hand-chiseled maidens holding flaming torches in either hand and on the other panel decoration of a vine with a winged bow. On top of the large ormolu mounts are smaller mounts which depict child masks in wings. Underneath and on top of the square base are ormolu mounts which depict acanthus leaves flourishing throughout with hand-chased and hand-chiseled fluted veins. The entire body of the obelisk is veneered with the most incredible and highest quality antique Russian malachite...
Category

1830s Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood. Charming piece as a decorative piece on a desk or library shelf and additionally could be used to hold jewelry on a dresser or nig...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Dutch Empire Style Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest made of mahogany and ebonized wood during the 1800’s. This mahogany case piece has six bookmatched drawer fronts each with two ring drawer pulls for e...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carl Thieme, Dresden Floral Painted & Gilded Porcelain Urn, Germany, 20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
CARL THIEME (Factory / Manufacturer) - Potschappel (Village / Location) - Empire style Dresden floral decorated and gilded porcelain urn with cover - ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Gold Leaf

19th Century French Empire Style Gueridon with Black Marble Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome classical Empire-style round center table with a dark gray/black marble top, raised on a hand turned ebonized black center pedestal. The table lends itself to be use...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Sterling silver Jewel box with Rectangular rounded corners gold plated with translucent fire enamel stripes on guilloche and hand engraved with late Russian Empire style ornament app...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Small French Floral Painted Toleware Metal Vanity Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small French decorated butterfly shaped tray featuring hand colored flowers. We see this versatile piece on a cocktail table or used on a vanity holding you're favorite jewelry or tr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Dining Chairs Swedish Set of 6 Empire Mahogany Gilded Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Dining chairs Swedish set of 6 Empire mahogany gilded Sweden. A set of six dining chairs made during the Empire / Karl Johan period in Sweden 1810-1830. Veneered in a beautiful dark ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Empire Period Officer's Trunk
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb officer's trunk in wood and iron from the Empire period 19 century Very beautiful and rare trunk covered with a thin layer of iron and resting ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

English Silver Plate Covered Biscuit Box or Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver plate covered biscuit box or tea caddy with hinged finial lid top, attached claw footed gallery tray, and exterior repou...
Category

20th Century English Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940. Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb. Original patin...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Mahogany Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pierced brass gallery surrounds the round, white marble top on this terrific 19th Century French Empire style gueridon. The top is lifted by three column-form legs that are joined ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau Big leaf
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Mid 20th Century French Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in L'AMETLLA DE MAR, ES
A 19th-century French Empire chest of drawers in walnut, with brass pulls and column accents, showcases exceptional period craftsmanship...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

A Pair Of Early C20th Italian Giltwood & Toleware Wall Sconces
Located in London, GB
A Fine Pair of Italian Giltwood and Toleware Wall Sconces from the Early 20th Century in the Empire Style. The sconces are adorned with delicate ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

ebonized 19th Century Mahogany Round Center Empire Table with Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1840s mahogany empire center table has a new, professionally applied ebonised finish. Gray and white streaked round marble top with a brass trimmed trefoi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair Of Pink And Gold Empire Lamps 1800 Italian Carved Wood Vases
Located in Milano, MI
Pair Of Italian Empire Lamps 1800 Lacquered Wood Vases in Pink and Gold with oval lampshade, the bases are two antique palm holders lacquered in soft pink tones. The body of the pa...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fabric

19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A French Empire style marble-top mahogany bedside cabinet (nightstand - end table) with elegant beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1870 Hand-crafted in France in the secon...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

"The Artist in his Studio", Oil on Canvas, Italian School, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful circa 1810 Italian school oil-on-canvas painting of an artist or painter in his studio seated legs-crossed in a chair facing the canvas on easel with palette and brush in...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Empire Pedestal Table with Its Saint-Anne Marble
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb empire pedestal table with its Saint-Anne marble Pedestal table or center table with a pyramidal base ending with claw feet simulating dolphin heads Very beautiful origina...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Important and Very Rare Pair of Micromosaic, Malachite and Walnut Console Tables
By Antonio Deangelis
Located in London, GB
Important and very rare pair of micromosaic, malachite and walnut console tables Italian & Russian, early 19th century Measures: Height 89cm, width 106.5cm, depth 62cm These exceptionally beautiful antique console...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Empire Secretary Desk, Germany 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
German Empire Secretary Desk, circa 1810–1820 – Walnut Veneer, Brass Details, Shellac Finish This elegant early 19th-century Empire secretary desk was crafted in Germany between 1810 and 1820. It features exquisite book-matched walnut veneer with rich, natural grain patterns that highlight the refined craftsmanship of the Empire style. The lower section includes two paneled doors that open to reveal three spacious interior drawers, offering ample concealed storage. The upper section features a fall-front writing flap, which opens to a well-organized interior with several small drawers and open compartments—ideal for correspondence and personal items. Above this is a wide additional drawer for extra storage. Two striking full-length columns with brass capitals and bases frame the piece, adding a classical architectural touch. The entire desk has been beautifully restored with a traditional hand-applied shellac polish, enhancing its depth and sheen while preserving its historic character. Key Features: Authentic Empire period desk, Germany, circa 1810–1820 Book-matched walnut veneer Original architectural details: brass-mounted columns Writing flap with interior drawers and compartments Large drawer above writing section Fully restored with hand-applied shellac polish Ships from Germany – shipping to Boston included This antique Empire secretary desk...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. The middle part in the form of a column. Richly decorated with leaf and period Empir...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Category

18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
$1,080 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Newly rewire...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Pair of Reverse Glass Paintings by Lebelle
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of reverse glass paintings in gouache depicting two landscapes. One of them features a castle and a bath scene, the other one animals and various chara...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Iron, Wire

Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Spanish Empire Console Table with Mirror in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Spanish Empire console with mirror in mahogany and rosewood with satinwood inlays, circa 1810.
Category

1810s Spanish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Trajan's Column Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century Empire Trajan's column ormolu candlesticks in the manner of P.-P. Thomire (1751-1843): Pair of large Empire ormolu candlesticks, the stem ressembling th...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Late Empire Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant oval late empire pedestal cabinet in beautiful walnut veneered oak. Door veneered with mirror-cut walnut, behind which there are removable shelves. Very fine quality Made in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Oak, Walnut, Burl

Pair Of Antique Brass Peacock Wall light, Spain, 1960s
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful brass wall lights with crystal glass beads. Manufactured in the 1960s in Europe, Spain. The lights are in the  shape of a peacock. With crystal beads between the b...
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful Empire bench crafted from mahogany with gracefully curved legs. The end panels feature central inlays of walnut and light maple detailing. The seat has been newly upholst...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Maple

Antique Empire Style Mahogany Swan Grecian Sofa Newly Upholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Style Mahogany Swan Grecian Sofa Newly Upholstered In a Green Velvet This antique classic Empire style carved mahogany tufted Grecian s...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Mahogany

French Empire Figurative Gilt Bronze Clock of a Roman Youth Holding a Scroll
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire figurative clock of a Roman youth holding a scroll in gilded bronze showing a seated classically draped youth sitting atop the clock case holding a lyre in one hand a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Empire Malachite Gilt Torcheres Floor Lamps 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an incredible pair of large Empire style floor lamps or torchieres Hand crafted from gilt and faux malachite The faux malachite is painted porcelain which looks very...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Paint

18th Century Russian Empire Desk
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century Russian Empire freestanding brass striped mahogany writing table / desk with an black leather insert top above three drawers. Russia, circa 1790 - 1810.
Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840. Fine quality swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Pair of 19th Century Paris Porcelain Neoclassical Corbeille or Centrepieces
Located in Essex, MA
19th century pair of gilt and bisque porcelain Empire centrepieces Of Sevres form though Old Paris porcelain Each with three neoclassical female...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

17th Century Florentine Metallique & Silk Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Metallique & Silk Tapestry Pillow
Category

17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt & Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960. In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810/15
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Empire secretary featuring a two-door lower cabinet, a smooth writing flap, and a top drawer. The piece is adorned with fine inlays depicting stars, lyres, and palmettes, ...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Mahogany Dog’s Bed
Located in Spencertown, NY
The diminutive mahogany sleigh bed with green and white upholstery.
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Style Mahogany Dog’s Bed
Empire Style Mahogany Dog’s Bed
$3,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass

Very Fine Pair of Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabra, Circa 1830
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine pair of early 19th century Empire Period patinated & parcel gilt bronze three branch candelabra. Both showing a trio of finely cast scrolled & foliate shaped branches fit...
Category

Early 19th Century French 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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