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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Item Ships From: Atlanta
Style: Empire
A very fine Gilt & Enameled Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Empire style chandelier. Gilt and enameled bronze.
France, circa 1910. 4-light
Dimensions: Height 34", diameter 18".
CW3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century.
Dimens...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine silver over bronze hand carved alabaster pendant, France, circa 1930.
Dimensions: Height 39 1/2", diameter 22"
CW3329.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and crystal basket chandelier attributed to Baccarat. 15-light
France, circa 1910.
Dimensions: Height 5...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and hand carved Alabaster pendant. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 39" diameter 29 1/2" France, circa 1930.
CW3174.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
French Empire Painted Tole Oil Burning Chandelier now Electrified, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Completely original with a canopy of palm fronds issuing three lengths of hand forged chain supporting a large perforated ring with a stretcher that originally held lamp oil, now wir...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and tapered legs. Experience the grandeur of 19th-cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt & Patinated Bronze Centerpiece in the Empire style.
France, circa 1890.
Width 15 1/2" Height 18" Depth 5 1/2"
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire 19th Century Side Table with Black Marble Top and Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire wooden table from the 19th century with circular black marble top, three slender column-shaped legs, bronze mounts and tripartite in-curving low shelf. This exquisite...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Basket Shaped Crystal Chandelier with Accents of Amethyst Color Crystals
Located in Atlanta, GA
This petite French crystal chandelier from the mid 20th century features a lovely basket shape. Reminiscent of the Empire taste, the c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Pair of Empire Style French Armchairs with Foliage Carved Arms and Saber Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style light walnut armchairs with foliage carved curving arms and saber legs. Step back in time with these exquisite French Empire style armchairs, beautifull...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian, Lucca, Empire Period Silver Gilt / Mecca 12-light Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of traditional basket form with two tiers of 6 removeable arms each, the arms connected to vertical gilded gesso bands of ascending diameter, the top tier having beautifully sculpted...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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
19th Century Italian Empire Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century excellent quality Italian Empire rent or games table of mahogany having a beautifully grained top with beveled edge. The table’s frieze holds four working drawers separa...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Italian Empire Style 1890s Marble Top Four-Drawer Commode with Bronze Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Empire style walnut commode from circa 1890 with black marble top, four drawers, column shaped side supports and ornate bronze hardware. Step into the grandeur of late 19t...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Wall Sconces attributed to Caldwell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bronze & Crystal Wall Sconces, each having a pierced anthemion backplates, demi lume corona with three lights above a band of square and kite shaped prisms & steel liner. US...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Russian Empire Style Black and Gold Six-Light Chandelier with Classical Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Russian Empire style black and gold bronze chandelier from the 20th century, with six lights, classical figures and foliage motifs. Created in Russia during the 20th century, this ...
Category
20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire 19th Century Painted Wood Four-Drawer Commode with Gilt Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and bracket feet. Step into an era of refined eleganc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Period Commode w/Black Marble Top, Revival Accents, & Paw Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period wooden commode, with marble top and revival accents, from the early 19th century. This antique commode from France features a rectangular-shaped black marble t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
French Empire Walnut Pedestal Table with Round Marble Top and Tripod Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period walnut table from the 19th century with circular marble top, pedestal and tripod base. Evoke the elegance of 19th-century France with this resplendent French E...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Provincial Ash Commode with Black Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century French Empire Provincial Ash Commode with Black Marble Top
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ash
Early 19th C French Empire Walnut Center Table, Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Gueridon / Center Table with Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Empire Style Burled Walnut Buffet, France ca 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Empire Style Burled Walnut Buffet, France ca 1880.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Rotating Center Table with Black Leather Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Rotating Center Table with Black Leather Top & Ebonized Paw Feet
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Early 19th C Italian Empire Petite Commode in Fruitwood with 3 Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Petite Commode in Fruitwood with 3 Drawers, Ebonized Paw Feet, & Caryatid Detail
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
French Empire Style 19th Century Bleached Table with Marble Top and Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style bleached wood side table from the 19th century with black marble top, three column legs, in-curving tripartite base and petite feet. Bask in the timeless allure...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Mounted Opaline Table Lamp
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1910. A good quality French empire table lamp with white opaline glass body with gilt bronze mounts and swan form handles to central opaline glass body. Marked to botto...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Commode with Beautiful Inlay & Bookmatched Veneer, Early 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode with beautiful inlay and book-match veneers, from the early 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped, book-match veneer top,...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian Empire Period Bleached Mahogany and Brass Mounted Credenza
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with rounded front corners above a conforming case housing three drawers above two doors, interesting with six shaped feet, brass mounts on the middle drawer...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Artisan-Painted Commode, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode, with an artisan hand-painted finish, from the 19th century. This antique chest from France has a rectangular-shaped top, which is slightly recessed upon a lo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Period Circular Brass & Mirrored Footed Plateau, Early 19th Cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of circular form with a raised brass gallery, the brass cast in pattern, with antique mirrored top, raised on small lion’s paw feet.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 1870s Empire Style Round Table with Marble Top, Brass Gallery and Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style round side table from the late 19th century, with red marble top, single drawer and brass accents. Born in France during the third quarter of the 19th century, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Round Top Side Table with Bronze Mounts and Low Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire side table from the 19th century, with bronze accents and lower shelf. Created in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this Empire side table features ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1840’s Collection 42 Photographs in Custom Spring Loaded Antique Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique, American Empire era hand made picture frame cabinet containing a collection of forty two black and white photographic images, which could very well be all images of an extended family...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular hand painted scagliola top resting atop a circular frame, the thick walnut veneer of a pronounced grain, the ebonized columnar standard with carved giltwood rings r...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Empire Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze Chandelier in the Empire taste, featuring gilt bronze swans issuing lights. An exquisite eight wreath top canopy. 8 lights.
France, circa 1900.
Dimensions:...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candelabra with Green Marble Bases & 4 Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
These pair of Empire candelabras feature angles holding 4 candleholders atop a green marble base.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style 1870s Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode with White Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style mahogany commode from the late 19th century, with white marble top, three drawers and gilt accents. Created in France during the third quarter of the 19th centu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Pair 19th C. Empire Style Fauteuils, Newly Upholstered in Belgian Linen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pair of Empire style armchairs, with their original painted finish, from the 19th century. These antique fauteuils from France each fea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Bureau Plat or Desk with Gilt Griffin Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Bureau Plat or Desk, France, circa 1950s. Elegant design in black lacquered wood with brass hardware and an inset black leather...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Baltic Neoclassic Ormolu, Rock Crystal & Cobalt Blue Glass Chandelier, c 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Constructed entirely of ormolu brass with clear glass bead chains, prisms, and a centered faceted hanging sphere, the bottom section with swags and cast rosettes issuing 6 arms, two ...
Category
Early 1800s Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze & cut crystal "Basket" chandelier. 12 lights. Great quality. France, circa 19220.
Dimensions: Height 44" Diameter 21"
CW4886.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Crystal & Gilt Bronze Vase
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very high quality cut crystal and ormolu gilt bronze, France, by Baccarat, 19th century. Scroll handles featuring classic heads at the bottom.
Dimensions: Height: 12 1/4" Diameter...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Brass Mounted, Light Walnut, & Ebonized Secretary, 1stq 19th Cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top above a conforming case housing three drawers, one faux drawer, and a fall front desk with a leather writing surface and interior shelving and secret drawers...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Superb gilt bronze & crystal Empire style Chandelier. Top ring featuring anthemia. Main ring with winged deity carrying gilt torcheres. The bottom part consists of seven concentric...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Commode with Marble Top and Column Shaped Posts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode from the 19th century, with white marble top, four drawers, butterfly veneer, bronze mounts and column-shaped posts. Created in France during the 19th century, this Empire commode features a rectangular white marble top sitting above a frieze drawer concealed in the apron. Three additional drawers, adorned with butterfly veneer and fitted with shell hardware...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine French Gilt Bronze and Marble Gueridon
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very fine early 20th century French Empire style gueridon table of gilt bronze and marble. A circular tabletop of black marble with white veining is held by a decorative ribbed banding. The gilt bronze frame is comprised of three downswept legs topped with intricate eagles heads and terminate into hoofed feet. In addition, it supports a lower black marble shelf...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Swedish 1830s Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Stool with Spindle Arms
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Empire style painted wooden Curule stool from the mid-19th century, with spindle arms, X-form base and new upholstery. Created in Sweden during the first half of the 19th c...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Empire Style Four Light Green Painted & Gilt Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Empire style, green paint decorated four-light colza form chandelier, having gilt bronze foliate accents, with torch-form arms. France, circa 1900. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 26",...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier by Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier. The main and top circles with Anthemia and rosettes. Graduated chains of crystal octagon beads a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very Elegant gilt bronze empire style chandelier. Exquisite detail. 4 lights.
France, circa 1920. Measures: Height 27 1/2" Diameter 16"
CW5101.
Category
1920s French Vintage 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
Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very important Empire style chandelier. Gilt bronze & patinated bronze. Exquisite Detail. Unusually large size. France, circa 1920.
Measures: Height 48" Diameter 38"
CW5184.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Paris Porcelain Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Paris Porcelain vases mounted as lamps with later shades.
Measures: Height 22 x width 9 1/2
CW5130.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of French 1920s Empire Style Bronze and Opaline Glass Table Lamps, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style bronze and opaline glass candelabra table lamps from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms and volutes. Created in France during the first quarter...
Category
Early 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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