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.
132
1
to
1
133
2,634
1,811
133
133
133
2,011
829
397
391
250
226
183
158
142
133
124
114
108
80
55
40
27
26
1
93
38
1
27
6
7
3
6
2
1
68
66
49
46
26
127
105
14
5
4
1
Item Ships From: Atlanta
Style: Empire
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
Early 19th Century French Empire Apprentice Commode in Walnut with Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th century French Empire Apprentice Commode in walnut with lift top. Table top item.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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
Set of Four Swedish Empire Side Chairs by F. Pettersson, Mid 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Swedish Empire side chairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegantly curved backs, with straight wo...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Upholstery
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
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 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
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
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
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze period Empire mantle clock. France, circa 1805.
Period Empire clock featuring an stylized Hercules with Lion's pelt. Origin...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Early 19th Century Walnut Console Tables with Grey Marble Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire period walnut veneered console tables from the early 19th century, with dark grey marble tops, bronze mounts and tw...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks with Patinated Figures, France, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire candlesticks with patinated figures, France 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style 1940s Ebonized Side Tables with Marble Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style ebonized side tables from the mid 20th century, with marble tops and gilded accents. Created in France during the first half of the 20th century, each o...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 1930s Empire Style Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top and Black Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut commode from the early 20th century, with grey veined marble top four drawers and black columns. Created in France during the second quarter of the 20th ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Fauteuils, 19th Century, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French Empire Mahogany fauteuils, 19th century, circa 1810. 3 pairs available.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Empire Figural Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
First quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751–1843), gilt bronze and marble, figural basket, possibly Nike, holding aloft a flared, reticulated b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Selection of Black and White Abstract Prints
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of black and white abstract prints. From left to right, they are:
1) Abstract lithograph by Terry Haan, circa 1960s. Pencil s...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair Italian Empire Period Brass 3-Light Figural Candelabras, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Finely cast and supported by circular bases, the tops issuing two arms with single candleholders with a central figural candleholder.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century French Empire mahogany pedestal desk with gilt bronze mounts, black leather top, two (2) slides, and eight (8) drawers.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
French 1870s Empire Style Walnut Table with Vitrine Top and Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut gueridon table from the late 19th century, with vitrine top, corinthian columns, ebonized and gilt accents. Born in France dur...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Walnut
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of French Cast Iron and Parcel Painted Campana Form Urns Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French cast iron and parcel painted campana form urns early 20th century. Retaining remnants of grey paint, minor losses.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Very Fine Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and decorative gilt bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring central frosted and cut crystal globe. 4-light, France, circa 1900
Dimension...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Clock, "Cupid & Psyche"
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt and patinated bronze Empire clock. Rouge griotte marble.
Signed bled a Paris. Silk thread suspension. France, circa 1804
Dimensions: Height 32" x width 21" x depth 11...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Lantern Form Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb Louis WVI style lantern. Two toned patinated bronze, with curved glass panels. 3-light,
France, circa 1900.
Apparently unmarked. Measures: Height 42", diameter 19".
Pair ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Green Marble-Top Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Burl veneered case with green marble or verde-antico. Large buffet in the Italian taste, having an inset top, single frieze drawer with ormolu mounts, supported by marble columns, th...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Vintage Empire Style Six-Light Crystal Basket-Shaped Chandeliers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire-style six-light chandeliers from the early to mid-20th century. These glorious chandeliers from France are each decorated in flowing strands of crystals, whic...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Superb Gilt Bronze Center Table with Lapis Lazuli Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt bronze table featuring a lapis lazuli top. The striking contrast between the fire gilding with its mustard yellow and the deep blue of the lapis is something to see. Th...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
Fine and Decorative Bronze Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and decorative bronze chandelier. Oval center issuing six U-shaped arms, central rod ornated with ram's heads. 6-light, France, circa 1900
Dimensions: Height 39" x diameter 3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Tall Carved Gitwood and Gilt-Gesso Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a flat bottom and sides and top with convex form, the surfaces all decorated with gilt-gesso decorations consisting of friezes of foliate scrolls, neoclassical rosettes, and e...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso
Italian Empire Large Precisely Incised Gilt Gesso Wall Mirror Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of rectangular form, gold leaf over gouache, slightly convex with a molded outer edge and a very detailed incised crossed diagonal pattern with punch-work in between the created loze...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire Style 16-Light Crystal and Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large French Empire style 16-light crystal and gilt metal basket chandelier from the 19th century, with scrolling arms, diamond and rosette motifs. Born in France during the politi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Italian 1820s Empire Walnut Guéridon Table with Three Drawers and Rams' Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Empire walnut guéridon table from the early 19th century, with three pop-out drawers and gilt rams' heads. Born in Italy during the first quarter of the 19th century, this...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
French Mahogany Two-Drawer Chest, Early 20th Century, Empire Style Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French mahogany two-drawer chest from the early 20th century. This antique French chest features two dovetailed drawers decorated with exquisite Empire style hardware. The keyholes...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pierre-Philippe Thomire Empire Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751-1843) Empire marble mantel (fireplace) clock. 1st quarter 19th century; Rouge Griotte marble and bronze doré...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Mid-19th Century Fruitwood Side Table with Doric Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite French Empire style fruitwood side table from the Mid-Century features a rectangular top supported by four Doric style wooden columns, with a characteristic entasis bu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
French 1870s Empire Style Bronze and Metal Six-Light Chandelier with Palmettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style bronze and metal six-light chandelier from the late 19th century, with palmettes and profiled links. Born in France during the third quarter of the 19th century...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Wood Marquise with Carved Palmettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood marquise chair from the 19th century, with carved palmettes. Born in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this French Empire style marquise features a rectangular upholstered back, accented with delicate palmette motifs. The seat is flanked with straight arms adorned with foliage, while the ensemble is raised on four legs, straight in the front and slightly out-curving in the back. Painted in a soft color, this French Empire style 19th century marquise...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Antique Chandelier, Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Superb quality eight-light Empire style bronze chandelier, exquisite detail. Originally for candles, now electrified.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Torcheres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine pair of Torcheres in Empire style. These are contemporary composite reproductions of the best quality.
CW3566
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Commodino with Ebonized Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
The early 19th century Italian Empire commodino with ebonized detail, 1 drawer above cabinet below and gilt metal mounts. All resting on raised shaped legs.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Sienna Marble Mantel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique French Empire style Siena marble mantel with gilt bronze ormolu and original bronze surround.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French Empire Period Carved Giltwood Mirror, Formerly a Barometer, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
In the shape of a lyre, the dial face replaced by a mirrorplate, in near perfect restored condition, the carving featuring grapes and vines, rosettes, acanthus leaves, and a star, fi...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
French Empire Period Pastel and Gouache Painting, circa 1810 in Giltwood Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period floral pastel and gouache painting from the early 19th century, in giltwood frame. This French painting features an exquisite depiction of a bouquet of flowers...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Antique Candelabra Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of Empire candelabra, gilt and patinated bronze, now turned into electric lamps.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut bench from the mid-19th century, with carved swan heads and new upholstery. This French walnut backless bench features an exquisite silhouette, flanked w...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Large Empire French Writing Desk with Embossed Brown Leather Top & Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed brown leather top, bronze dore mounts, column legs, and three drawers.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Antique Russian Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and superbly detailed gilt bronze and crystal chandelier for candles, can be electrified.
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Empire Walnut Brass & Giltwood Cheval Mirror Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
important and rare and completely intact, retaining antique beveled mirrorplate, the pivoting mirror held in place within the columned frame by brass arrow parts, the frame surmounted by a neoclassical pediment adorned with brass decoration, below the mirror is a shaped tray and lower still a hexagonal stretcher supporting the carved giltwood rams heads and hoof feet which are painted a dark green, this mirror is a lovely example of Lucchese neoclassical furniture.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Large Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of large early 19th century Italian Empire walnut commodes with ebonized columns, bronze doré hardware, and three drawers.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs - Original untouched finish newly reupholstered seat in Jim Thompson fabric.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Tall Empire Period Mahogany and Giltwood Mirror with Helmut Motif, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall Empire period mahogany and giltwood mirror with Helmut motif, France, circa 1810.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Centre Table with Bronze Dore Mounts, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th century Empire mahogany center table with grey dish marble top, ormolu mounts and paw feet.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful patinated bronze clock featuring Cupid and Psyche with a Sienna marble base
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Walnut Tray Top Table with Drawers, Doric Columns and Bottom Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire walnut side table features a rectangular tray top over two thin drawers, one in the front and one in the back. To maintain a harmonious symmetry, the artist has in...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Empire style candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of gilt bronze and marble Empire style candelabra
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Incredible pair of Empire style candelabra of gilt and patinated bronze. The backs are flat in order that they might be close to a wall.
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Flower Button
Black Lacquered China Cabinet
Black Lacquer China Cabinet
Antique Wooden Lock
Brass Shelf Display
Brass Display Shelf
Campaign Style Cabinet
Vintage Receipt
Black Glass Display Case
Burled Walnut Cabinets
Wooden Display Case
Zenith Used
Charms Golden
Vintage 90S Patterns
Wooden Cabinet Pulls
Vintage Glass Panel Doors
Vintage Glass Panel Door
Black Gold Rug