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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
A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box
Located in Roma, IT
A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box This wonderful rectangular box is decorated overall with sets of lace pattern friezes.
 In Morocc...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of Two 19th Century French Hand-Colored Regional Maps
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These historical regional maps depict the “Dépt de la Moselle" (Department of Moselle) and the Departement de Gard in France. Both pieces date back to the 19th Century, given their s...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
In walnut with ebonized trim, this stately mirror has exquisite lines and exemplifies the design motifs of the period. Burl walnut surrounds the glass that has survived more or less ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Viennese Dark Green Painted and Giltwood Mantle Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
18th century Viennese dark green painted and giltwood pendule of unusual size in the form of a classical urn, the gilt-bronze dial with Roman numerals, surmounted by giltwood flowers...
Category

1790s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Wood

Empire 19th Century Ormolu and Painted Bronze Mantel Clock with Young Sailor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Empire ormolu and painted bronze mantel clock attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie. Fitted in an ormolu case shaped as a cotton bale, the round enamel dial features Roman numeral hours and Arabic fifteen-minute graduations, indicated by two pierced gilt bronze hands. Shirtless and barefoot, a young black sailor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze vases French, late 19th century Measures: Height 46cm, diameter 19cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mou...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Ormolu and Turquin Grey Marble Wall Mahogany Framed Armorial Plaques
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of armorial Ormolu mounts and Turquin grey marble wall plaques presented in mahogany frames with gilded bronze mounts and banding.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Early 20th Century Italian Black Toleware Bucket Bin Container
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant and versatile black metal container featuring an image of a French carriage. This sturdy piece with two handles looks wonderful standing alone or functional holding newspaper...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Bronze Crossed Arrows Wall Sconces
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of bronze wall sconces present a chiseled macarrons with two crossed arrows. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1950
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Neoclassical Pair of Patinated and Dore Bronze Empire Covered Urns
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and rare neoclassical pair of patinated and doré bronze Empire period covered urns with doré bronze cupid masks and foliage scroll doré bronze handles. Each is beautifully...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Bronze Table Credited to Sormani
Located in Roma, IT
Important a late ronde table, made in France entirely of gilded bronze. Features a circular top of white Carrara marble, enclosed by a frame finely decorated with palmettes. It rests...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Bureau Plat. The desk is raised on straight tapered legs with ormolu sabots and pierce...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Gilt Bronze Ink Stand with Candlestick, French Empire
Located in Knivsta, SE
Rare and beautiful gilt bronze ink stand with candlestick. French empire, probably made in Paris around 1810. The gilt bronze with some patina. Wear...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendulum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Giustiniani Manufacture Mid-19th Century Earthenware Crater Vase, Naples
Located in Puglia, Puglia
The Giustiniani factory was founded in 1775 in Naples by Nicola Giustiniani known as Bel Pensiero, founder of a famous family of Neapolitan ceramists. Like many Neapolitan factories,...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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

French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Egg style Faberge Blue Savoia Enamel Medium Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Circa 1920 Antique Suzani Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique Suzani Pillow
Category

1920s Uzbek Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Superb Antique French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze 8 light chandelier of fine quality. This unique neoclassical chandelier is embellished with figural masks and ne...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

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

French Marble-Top Round Table or Guéridon in the Empire Style
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French round occasional table or gueridon in the Empire style, featuring a circular top of figured white marble surrounded by a low pierced brass gallery, set upon a tripo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer 19th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer, 19th Century. This is a very elegant and large 19th century Empire style dining / center table with a top in expressive rosewood ve...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

Wallpaper "Zeus Fed by the Goat Amalthée", Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period wallpaper with mythological subject representing Zeus fed by the goat Amalthée. The wallpaper is divided into four strips and is laminated on a composite wood panel and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

French 19th Century Empire St. Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl Walnut, ormolu and Jaune de Sienne marble side table. The oblong shaped table is raised by impressive richly...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Italian Carved Giltwood & Whitewashed French Empire Style Balloon Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood and whitewashed balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has tassel appointments. It is in very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Poplar

Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris
By Thiéry Paris 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock by Thiéry, Paris. Thiery Paris, late 18th century. The drumcase con...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Campaign Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Empire style Campaign chairs. The pliant metal frame with brass lion's paw feet mounts and saber form legs designed to fold and accommodate fabric upholstery over th...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gilded, Mirrored, Period Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of period, hand carved, gessoed, and 22-karat gold gilded, Second Empire, French sconces. Each with gilt bronze arms, and inset with original, mercury glass mirrors. Each with...
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Italian Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers / Dresser With Marble
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire commode / chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The commode features three inset drawers with beautiful hand-made dovetail joints and wood grain...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of Empire Period 5 light Figural Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A pair of early 19th century French gilt bronze and patinated bronze figural empire period five lights candelabra. Each candelabrum is formed as a ormolu cornucopia of scrolled branc...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Empire Style French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Three stylized horn-formed rolling candlesticks. (T-Mr-14-Bas).
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Bookcase - Walnut Open Front Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sumptuous French Empire style bookcase and cabinet in walnut Hope the photos do this stunning piece some justice certainly more impressiv...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Continental Walnut Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality continental carved walnut armchair, remaining in very good condition. Width: 73cm Depth: 102cm Height: 100cm.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

19th Century Authentic Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

French Ormolu Bronze Malachite and White Marble Gueridon Table, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
A French Ormolu bronze malachite and white marble Gueridon table, in the Empire style, circa 1870 The circular top supported on three bronze winged female...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Empire Table Lamp Cut Crystal Diamond Pattern Gilded Bronze
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large and rare Empire style table lamp, made of cut crystal and gilded bronze and brass, dating from around the beginning of the 20th century, France. This very high quality table l...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf

Furniture in Rosewood and Violet Plated 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Called at the time -demicommode- this furniture is a medal after: Jean-François Leleu (1729 - September 3, 1807) convenient that was delivered to the bedroom of the Duchess of Bourbo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large and Elegant Charcoal Drawing by "Cyo" Dated April 30, 2002 - 2Y167
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This grand and exquisite charcoal drawing, signed by the artist "Cyo" and dated April 30, 2002, captures the intricate detail and depth of charcoal artistry. Its substantial size and...
Category

Early 2000s French Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Empire Clock The Spinner by Rossel in Rouen
Located in Paris, FR
French Empire pendulum clock finely crafted of gilt bronze, featuring a young spinner wearing a classical dress, seating on the dial near a lyre ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon  Unmarked, France, 19th Century  A remarkable 19th-century French si...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Charming Small Terra Cotta Flower Pot with Vineyard Design - 2Y157
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming small flower pot is crafted from terra cotta and features a delightful vineyard design. Perfect for adding a touch of rustic charm to your home or garden. Material: Te...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Empire Gilt Classical and Foliate Carved Triptych over Mantel Mirror
Located in Big Flats, NY
Empire triptych over mantel wall mirror features Classical foliate and bead carved and gilt frame surrounding each of three mirror panels, 19th century Measures: 30" H x 62.25" W x...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

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

19th Century Silver Backed Crackle Foxed Giltwood Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Sometimes mirrors are all about the frames, this stunning French mirror is all about the almost other Worldly foxed mirror plate, it is truly spectacular, over more than 150 years the silver backed...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Set early Empire solid mahogany wood and sheepskin armchairs, France 1820s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1820 / 2 armchairs / mahogany, sheep skin / Romantic / Antique / Empire Set of two early Empire armchairs constructed of solid mahogany wood and with sheepskin upholstery. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Sheepskin, Mahogany

Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire Column with fire-gilt Appliqués, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Fluted column in mahogany veneer, with a white marble top and fire-gilt appliqués in the fluting. The chest of drawers stands on a round, multi-profiled base over gilded paw feet. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Pair of Ceramic Vases from the First Empire period 1810
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of ceramic vases from the First Empire period - 1810, French manufacture Ø 10 cm h 18.5 cm The two vases are in really good conditions, hand painted and sculpted in the detai...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal 19th Century French Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt bronze and patinated metal 19th Century French chandelier French, late 19th Century Dimensions: Height 83cm, diameter 60cm Designed in the elegant French Empire sty...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

Pair of Swedish Antique Taboret Stools from the Empire Period in Yellow Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of antique taboret stools from the empire period, around 1840. The stools are Swedish and made in solid yellow birch. Curved legs and turned armrests. The seats can be taken out...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

Empire Clock in the Form of a Classical Urn, by Maison Lepautre, circa 1825
By Pierre-Basile Lepaute
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A gilt bronze Empire clock in the form of a classical urn, by Maison Lepautre. French, circa 1825. The dial signed 'Lepaute a Paris'. The clock has an ornate cast bezel with a 3-inch porcelain dial with Roman numerals and Breguet style hands. The twin train eight-day movement with outside count wheel striking on a bell and silk thread suspension. This elegant Empire style clock has a gilt bronze case in the form of a classical urn with swan neck handles and a winged cherub to the neck. The circular pedestal base is raised on a footed stepped square plinth. The Lepaute family were the premier French clockmakers of their day. Their significance lies in their contribution to the clock making industry which had hitherto come under the trade of locksmiths. The family held the brevet Horlogers du Roi. Jean-André Lepaute (1720–1789) arrived in Paris at an early age and in 1740 founded the family business. A skilled artist and mechanic, he quickly gained an excellent reputation. He was received as maître by the clockmakers guild in 1759, was granted royal lodgings from the king in The Luxembourg Palace, and was entrusted with the construction of the majority of the great public clocks of Paris. He executed, amongst others, those in The Luxembourg Palace, the Jardin des Plantes, the Château de Bellevue and the Château des Ternes. His clock at Paris’s École Militaire still works today. Three editions of his Traité d’Horlogerie were published in Paris in 1755, 1760 and 1767. A small volume, Description de Plusieurs Ouvrages d’Horlogerie appeared in 1764. Jean-André’s wife, Nicole-Reine Etable de la Brière (1723-1788), was a highly esteemed mathematician and astronomer. Her passion for science lent itself to Lepaute’s work and she played an active role in the scientific and mathematical aspects of the clock making. Jean-André’s younger brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute (1727-1802) joined him in Paris in 1747 and immediately started working for the family business. He was received as maître in 1776 and was known for the clocks he constructed for the Paris Hôtel de Ville (1780), destroyed in a fire of 1871, and for the Hôtel des Invalides (1784). Jean-Baptiste took over the workshop when Jean-André retired in 1775. After Jean-Baptiste’s death in 1802, the firm was taken over by his nephew Pierre-Basil Lepaute (1750-1843) where he was duly joined by his own nephew Jean-Joseph (1768-1846) and son Pierre-Michel (1785-1849). By 1816, Pierre-Michel Lepaute was in charge of the business. His masterpieces include the astronomical clock in Paris’s Bureau...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary d...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Category

Mid-20th Century French 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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