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
Original antique Empire Table circa 1860 - 1880 Mahogany veneer bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire table circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room.
The table stands on 3 feet of each foot 1 empire head cast in bronze.
Top condition.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 20th century empire style ebonised console table
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very stylish early 20th century Empire style console table , came out of an apartment in Paris
French circa 1920’s with original marble and ormolu mounts , having an ebonised finis...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sapele Wood
19th century French Gilt Bronze 4 Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Circa late 19 century French gilt bronze sconces with 4 lights. Unusual design of arms and lights
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
French Empire Style Wall Mirror With Faux Marble Att. To Maitland-Smith
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French Empire style wall mirror attributed to Maitland-Smith. It has a brass eagle crest and faux marble columns. The mirror itself is cased in mahogany. It is unmarked and...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire-Style Wrought Iron and Marble Table Lamp by Maitland-Smith, 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
A sculptural Empire Revival table lamp by Maitland-Smith, crafted during the 1980s with the brand’s signature attention to materiality and classical detail.
The design draws direct...
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Wrought Iron
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
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Solid Walnut Bronze Ormolu Mantel Buffet Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Metal accents. 48" h x 53 7/8" w x 2 3/8" d.
Condition
Finish loss on edge. Scratches. Dents along edges. Oxidation to metal.
Dimensions
48 x 54 x 4 in
Category
1990s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Military Film with Metal Box "ECPA" - Protection Individuelle - 2Y205
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This rare militaria collectible features an old military film housed in its original metal box from the Établissement Cinématographique et Photographique des Armées (ECPA). The film,...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$207 Sale Price
60% Off
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair with Original Shades. Item features very rare cast ceramic porcelain forms in a gold and smoky charcoal...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Russian Empire Period Desk Chair
Located in Pembroke, MA
Lovely burled birch wood ("loupe de bouleau de Carélie") desk chair from the Russian Empire, and recently reupholstered in French damask fabric wi...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Burl, Birch
Large Empire Console from the Beginning of 1800 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Large empire console from the beginning of 1800-it is made of light fruit wood. It has a white Carrara marble on top. It has lion claws and golden bronze...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Gueridon
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This amazing large Gueridon tripod is made of flamed mahogany with gilt claw feet and inlay.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$8,180
Elegant Ceramic Rose Trinket Dish or Paperweight - 2Y15
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your space with this beautiful small trinket dish or paperweight, featuring a delicate ceramic rose. Its charming design adds a touch of elegance to any desk or vanity.
Prod...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
$129 Sale Price
72% Off
French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Ground Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
These excellent gilt ground vases are high quality antique pieces, dating from the Empire period in France at the start of the 19th century. Each vase is set on a square base, is mounted with twin scrolling handles inset with neoclassical masks, and has a flared gilt ground neck. Both vases are also decorated to the front with depictions of winged putti on gilt ground; one vase shows the putti playing musical instruments, while the other shows them holding writing tablets and laurel wreaths. The reverse of each vase is Neo-Gothic in character, showing medieval church arches...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Empire Style Salesman Sample
Located in Dallas, TX
Charming French late 19th century Empire style salesman sample. Makes a fine accessory.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Unique Empire Three-Piece Suite from Czechia 'Bohemia', 1810s, Fully Restored
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Czech lack Empire three-piece suite.
Made of paer wood.
Completely restored, new professional upholstery included.
Surface was done by high gloss polish.
Dimensions:
Sofa
Hei...
Category
1810s Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Pearwood, Lacquer
Vintage Book by Charles de Gaulle "Mémoire de Guerre: Le Salut 1944-1946", 2Y112
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage edition of "Mémoire de Guerre: Le Salut 1944-1946" by Charles de Gaulle offers a unique insight into the mind of one of the 20th century’s most influential leaders. Cove...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$148 Sale Price
55% Off
Empire Display Cabinet Mahogany Bijouterie, 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire Style mahogany display cabinet.
circa 1880
This Excellent Quality Cabinet Stands Upon Fluted Tapered Legs With a Fluted Frieze.
The Single Glazed Door Featuring Ormo...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Book by Eugène Nyon: "Les Cœurs d'Or" - Illustrated with 16 Drawings - 2Y92
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A charming vintage book titled "Les Cœurs d'Or" by Eugène Nyon, featuring 16 exquisite two-tone illustrations. This work is a beautiful example of classic French literature...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$177 Sale Price
65% Off
Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Tall French Empire-style commode. The pine wood is painted in a faux-bois trompe l'oeil imitating mahogany. Wood columns on either side are painted a darker color.
The chest is in ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Empire Style Bronze Ram's Head Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Six-arm Empire style ram's head chandelier. Solid brass and bronze, nice and heavy. Has great patina. In good working condition. Original ceiling cap ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Antique (early 19th century) French ormolu bronze mantel clock in the Empire style depicting neoclassical maiden with child.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Courtly Lion Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s eye maple on solid pinewood, partially ebonized. Finely engraved Empire bronze fixtures.
(L-Sam-301).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very elegant and restrained gilt bronze & painted bronze empire style pendant. France, circa 1920. 4 Lights.
Measures: height 38", diameter 25"...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,650
Set of 5 Green Vintage Crystal Liqueur Glasses - 2Y174
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This elegant set of 5 liqueur glasses is crafted from fine crystal, featuring a beautiful green hue that adds a touch of sophistication to any setting. Ideal for special occasions or...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$153 Sale Price / set
50% Off
French Gilt and Marble Occasional Table in the Empire Style
By Jacob Frères
Located in London, GB
A fine gueridon in the Empire manner after a model by Jacob Freres.
Based on designs by Percier and Fontaine.
Of circular form, constructed in Amboyna, rising from giltwood bun feet, the platform base of tripartite incurved form, centered with a fire gilt bronze waisted vase...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
Russian (18th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase with brass gallery pediment and trim with 2 front doors revealing 3 drawers and shelves ...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Burl Wood Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful burl wood set against ebonized legs and trim. Desk has a single compartmentalized drawer with key and elegantly curved legs.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Burl
$8,500
Empire Period French Gilt Bronze Six Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Empire period French gilt bronze six light chandelier
French, c. 1810
Height 80cm, diameter 45cm
Made in France around 1810, at the time when the Empire style was in vogue, the chan...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks.
With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns.
The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship from around the 1880s. The rich, deep tones of the...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Louis XVI Style biscuit and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, 19t Century
Located in NICE, FR
19th Century French Biscuit and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock – “Pendule en Biscuit aux Cygnes et aux Masques d’Hercule”
A 19th-century French mantel clock, crafted in the form of a clas...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage 20th-Century Large Watercolor Signed Samuele 92 - 2Y185
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This stunning large watercolor painting, signed by Samuele in 1992, beautifully captures a serene landscape of a river surrounded by a lush forest. The artwork showcases the artist's...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$154 Sale Price
55% Off
Tavolino Ferro Battuto e Piano Marmo Bianco Intarsiato a mano in Italia Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino da salotto realizzato con la tecnica decorativa dell' intarsio in scagliola su piano in marmo bianco Carrara, che appoggia su di un basamento in ferro battuto decorato in fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
$4,223 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Mahogany Table de Milieu with a Verde Antico Marble Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany table de Milieu, with a Verde Antico Marble Top, in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter.
The rectangular marble top above a frieze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, And Ormolu Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, and Ormolu pedestal. This beautiful pedestal is raised by a square stepped Onyx base with fou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant and imposing, 19th century, Italian cheval mirror made in solid mahogany. Belonged to a well known Italian actress of the golden age o...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Pendulum In Gilt Bronze Early 1800s With Putti and Bookcase
Located in Milano, MI
French Empire gilt bronze pendulum dating from the early 1800s, charming table clock with allegory of the Arts, arched case, flanked by two putti, one seated with a book and the oth...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1910's Persian Sarouk Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79124 Antique Red Persian Sarouk Rug, 13'06 x 19'05. Like an ancient Persian manuscript penned in wool and dyed in the colors of a thousand gardens, this hand-knotted antique Persian...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royal Figures on Islands 6.5X5.5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6X5.2
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Signed, 19th Century, Converted Milkglass Lamps Hand Painted with Ivy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of columnar table lamps, in Empire style, of milkglass. Each a round, faceted column, handpainted with scrolling vines of ivy. Lamped on round, pierced metal bases. Signed, "Pee...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Milk Glass
Grand Pair of French, Second Empire Candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of 7 arm, cast metal and gilded bronze candelabra with flame finials, mounted on marble bases.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze
$8,700 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench with Cane Seat and Rare Provenance
A refined and architectural 19th-century Brazilian bench, exquisitely crafted in solid tropical hardwoo...
Category
1850s Brazilian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Secrètaire Empire Lombardy Italy First Quarter Nineteenth Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Empire secretaire made in Milan in the early 1800s of mahogany veneered walnut and mahogany feather; on the front three drawers in the base body and on the top a drop-leaf door with ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Terracotta Bust Of Alexandre Brongniart After Jean-antoine Houdon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Patinated terracotta bust representing Alexandre Brongniart (1770-1847) son of the architect Alexandre Théodore Brongniart (1739-1813), future mineralogist and director of the nation...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock, Machine Signed L. Moinet, France
By Louis Moinet
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock, machine signed L. Moinet A Paris. France, early 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, Bronze & Fruitwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome Continental mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany, ormolu, patinated bronze and ebonized fruitwood drop front secretary. The secretary is raised by four square tapered...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Book by Henri Lavedan – "Sire" - 2Y226
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Pre-owned
Comments: In good condition. Please refer to the photos for more details.
Author: Henri Lavedan
Title: Sire
Language: French
Era: 20th Century
Dimensions:
Height: 24.5 cm (9.65 inches)
Length: 17.5 cm (6.89 inches)
Thickness: 1 cm (0.39 inches)
Weight: 470 grams (1.04 lbs)
This 20th-century book by Henri Lavedan, titled Sire, is in good condition, making it a valuable addition to any collection of classic French literature...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$143 Sale Price
55% Off
French Giltwood Eagle Sculpture
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare French, 19th century, Empire. Large size carved wood and gesso gilt eagle, with its full body, swept back wings, pronounced talons, perched on a ball. Important size.
Conditi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Fine and Rare Pair of French Gilt Bronze , Porcelain and Marble Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French gilt bronze, porcelain & marble pedestals
19th/20th century
Each with portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma
Measures: 44 x 14...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique American Empire Mahogany Green Marble Top Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Mahogany Green Marble Top Console Hall Table. Item features serpentine column supports, art print scene in glass, beautiful wood grain, very nice antique item...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details
In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg style Faberge Dark Brown Enamel Small Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Small egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé, late 19th century, early 20th...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Table Lamps Egyptian revival Bois Dore Bouilotte lamps Napoleonic pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Tall Figural Empire Table Lamps.
Depicting a Winged Sphinx made of giltwood on a marble base.
Between the wings arise a 4 armed gilt bronze candelabra with above 2 light bulbs. Matching lampshades with gold trim and interior.
Style, Vintage, Hollywood Regency, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Mid Century Modern,
Design: Traditional Gold Gilded Napoleonic table...
Category
20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
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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