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: England
Style: Empire
French Empire Period Swans' Heads Stool
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique stool is a classic example of Empire period design: with elegant curved armrests which are designed to look like swans' necks, the seat features skilfully-cast...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Two Neoclassical Style Wooden Guéridons with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in London, GB
These wonderful guéridons are designed in the Empire style—named as such because it flourished in the period when Napoleon I was Emperor of France. The style employed Imperial Roman ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Laudarte Grifone Empire Style Wall Lights, Ancient Gold 24k
By Laudarte Srl
Located in Southall, GB
Grifone is an Italian Classic wall sconce made with two lights, designed by Giovanni Maria Ma in the empire style, bronze with ancient gold 24k finish, marble and malachite inserts. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
Two French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These two sconces have been crafted in the Empire style, which was popularised by the French Emperor, Napoleon I. The Empire style is characterised by its grandeur and use of opulent...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$13,025 / set
Large 19th Century French Empire Dressing Mirror
Located in Martlesham, GB
A very impressive large 19th century mahogany and ormolu French Empire dressing mirror with an Egyptian influence, the pyramid shaped top with an ormolu face flanked by ormolu urns, ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique French chandelier dates from the 19th Century and could be attributed to the master bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. It is cast entirely in gilt bronze, and fea...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mantel Clock of Two Cupids Signed Coeur
Located in London, GB
exceptionally rare French Empire mantel clock of two cupids signed Coeur fils Rue St Honore No 140 a Paris. This small mantel clock of exceptional q...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat by Maison Forest.
Paris, circa 1900.
Bearing two labels to the underside: 'FOREST/TAPISSERIE/EBENISTERIE/31 RUE CAMBACERES.PARIS...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Gilt Bronze and Colored Glass Chandelier in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
A French eight light gilt bronze and colored glass chandelier in the Empire style.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Bronze and Marble Desk Top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
Empire bronze and marble desk top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium.
This magnificent large scale empire period desk top inkstand has a true country house presence about it. The sig...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt and Bronze Candelabra of the Empire Period
Located in London, GB
Constructed in two color gilt and patinated bronze; the feminine Grecian figures draped with diaphanous robes blowing bi-form trumpets of swept form, terminating in candleholders a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Wall Sconces Pair Empire Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A PAIR OF VINTAGE, EMPIRE STYLE, GILDED & BLACK METAL WALL SCONCES, WITH TWO ARMS
- Striking, simple form accentuated by the contrast betwe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$2,742 / set
Mid 19th century Swedish flame mahogany cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century mahogany caddy top cupboard circa 1860.
Elegant flame mahogany 1 piece cupboard. Layered caddy top which can be removed, single drawer below the top surface. Ma...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,283 / set
Unusual Pair of Empire Two Branch Candelabra in Gout d'Egypt or Egyptian Style
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual pair of French Empire or possibly Russian two branch candelabra in the gout d'Egypt or Egyptian style which was extremely popular, circa turn of the 18th century. Set on square patinated bronze bases each female figure stands upon a finely cast ormolu...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Bergère Kidney Shaped Stool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire style Bergère kidney shaped stool.
This is a charming French empire style walnut stool, the stool has a charming golden colour an...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Magnificent Pair of Gilt-Bronze Figural Empire Period Candelabra, circa 1815
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A magnificent and highly important pair of gilt bronze figural empire period candelabra.
French, circa 1815.
A Magnificent and Highly Important Pair of gilt bronze Figural Empi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Venus and Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock with Venus and Cupid
French, early 19th Century
Measures: Height 53cm, width 37.5cm, depth 13.5cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is crafted from gilt bronze. The clock includes a sculptural surmount of Venus accompanied by Cupid. Venus sits atop the square clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu and Marble Mantel Clock of Cupid
Located in London, GB
French Empire Ormolu and marble vert mantel clock of Cupid whispering. Wonderful original fire gilded mercury ormolu. The quality of the casting and chasing is superb, from the indiv...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Genre Mantel Clock of an Arcadian Hunting Scene
Located in London, GB
A very unusual French Empire Genre Arcadian mantel clock of a hunting scene. The primary subject is that of a finely dressed woman in riding habit, hat, whip and gloves riding side saddle on a fine patinated bronze hunter...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts.
The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$41,134 / set
Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Empire Period Adjustable Pedestal Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
A superb French bronze empire period mirror, circa 1820.
This fine quality superbly detailed French bronze empire period adjustable pedestal mirror is intended for use on a dressing table or chest of drawers. It dates to circa 1820 and has a circular adjustable mirror in an ornate bronze frame with panelled mahogany back. This is supported in the raised arms of an elegant Grecian lady...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Painted and Gilt Metal Sconce
Located in London, GB
Empire style painted and gilt metal sconce
French, 20th century
measures: Height 34cm, width 26cm, depth 17cm
This elegant sconce is crafted in the Empire style. The sconce feat...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Bisque Porcelain and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu and Bisque Porcelain Mantel Clock
French Empire ormolu mounted Bisque porcelain mantel clock surmounted by a winged...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, 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
Pair French Gilt Candelabras Female Maiden Figural Candles
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching pair of gilt Empire candelabras
Of figural form, the candelabras are held aloft by the toga clad female maidens
A perfect left and right
Stand on the ...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Miniature Ormolu Clock of Cupid Signed by Ledure and Thomas
Located in London, GB
French Empire miniature ormolu clock of Cupid signed by Ledure and Thomas. A small French Empire clock only 10 inches (25 cms high) but of outstanding quality. A figure of Cupid stan...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Bureau Plat Desk, Empire Dummy Partners Desks
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire bureau plat
Classic French antique desk in kingwood with ormolu fixtures
We date this desk to circa 1930
Has drawers on both sides although one side they are decorative so this is a dummy partners desk
Great for a home office set...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
Two Empire Period Gilt Porcelain Vases by Dihl Et Guérhard
By Dihl and Guerhard
Located in London, GB
These beautiful painted and gilt vases were crafted in circa 1810 by the important Parisian porcelain factory, Dihl et Guérhard (French, 1781-circa 18...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Pair of Ormolu Candlesticks with Original Handcut Threads
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire pair of ormolu candlesticks with original handcut threads. A very elegant pair of candlesticks with original orm...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Sevres Style Porcelain Pedestal
Located in Southall, GB
This outstanding pedestal beautifully exhibits the style and grace of the famed Sèvres porcelain manufactory. This exceptional piece features a lustrous light blue base, which provid...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$3,839 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Influenced Clock Set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Empire influenced green marble clock set. Having the arched clock with a white enamel clock face, an eight day striking m...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$7,952 / set
Antique Gilt Bronze and Opaline Glass Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful, tall chandelier is ideal for a grand entrance hall or room where it can be seen and admired. It is an exceptional piece of Empire style design, perfectly combining gl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Parquetry Side Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pretty Walnut and Kingwood French Parquetry side table of Serpentine Form and Empire style
With Pretty shaped legs featuring Brass mounts...
Category
1920s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
French Empire Gilt Centre Table Lacquer Winged Maiden Legs
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a stunning lacquered centre table in the French Empire style
Features a large marble top which is smooth and chip free
In turn supported by the winged maiden creature...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Marble and Bronze Antique Centrepiece by Robbe
Located in London, GB
In an ornamental style, with rouge griotte marble and burnished bronze depicting the three Graces, signed 'A. ROBBE. Paris.'
This stunning French centrepiece...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A fine French Empire ormolu desk standish. Set upon a circular base with top and bottom mouldings cast with leaf and dart decoration. The space be...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
A French Fireplace in Sarrancolin Marble
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French fireplace in Sarrancolin marble. The moulded jambs with scrolls to top surmounted by curved frieze with carved shell to centre. Moulded shelf above. Original br...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Swan Handle Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of comprises pendant krater-shaped porcelain vases. Each vase’s wide-lipped ovoid body is supported by a flared stem, which stands on a square-sided podium. Most strikingly...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Sarancolin and Statuary Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An impressive French Empire fireplace in richly colored Sarancolin marble. The finely carved Egyptian Caryatids in statuary white marble with Sarancolin square tapering pilasters. The panelled frieze with white marble moulding, and gently shaped stretcher below with marble keystone...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Two Neoclassical Empire Style Bronze and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical Empire style bronze and marble pedestals
French, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 100cm, width 48cm, depth 48cm
This pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Fine Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three-Light Chandelier, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire style gilt and patinated bronze three-light chandelier, with a circular corona cast with stiff leaves and a pine cone boss above reeded suspension rods with swan termin...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A French Empire style limestone fireplace. The frieze with interlocking diamond pattern with tapering, full round columns. A copy of an 18th century original.
Shelf width: ...
Category
Late 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Limestone
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in Southall, GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary Carrara hand carved Roman Rosette on the cent...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Limestone Fireplace
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire limestone fireplace, the panelled frieze with carved centre motif of Napoleonic bee and flowers, the panelled jambs with hexagonal motif to centre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Empire Influenced Centre Table, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century Empire influenced marble topped guéridon, having a brass gallery, gilded ormolu mounts of flowers, leaves, berries and plaques. Raised on four square tape...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Centre Table Burr Walnut circa 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire style burr walnut centre table.
Circa 1860
Standing on swept legs with cast gilt Mouldings.
This table has 1 x Mahogany lined drawer.
The shaped top featuring high ...
Category
1860s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Classical Empire Style Side Tables
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A striking pair of Empire influenced Sienna marble topped side tables, each with scrolling carved classical monopodia supports, terminating in carved claw feet,.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble
$11,654 / set
Mahogany and Gilt Metal Large Wall Mirror in Empire Taste
Located in Pewsey, GB
This is a large and imposing mahogany and gilt metal mounted wall mirror in the Empire taste, some aging to silvering of mirror plate as seen. Very heavy.
Length 167 cm and Width ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier.
Swedish, Circa 1825.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Bronze Center Pieces
Located in London, GB
A fine large pair of 19th century French Empire bronze center pieces modeled as classical figures holding a loft acanthus capped crystal bowls.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$13,025 / item
Late 19th Century Octagonal Enamel Box
Located in London, GB
The enamel and mother-of-pearl inlaid gilded box centered with a depiction of a couple in a wooded landscape, the interior lined in red velvet.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Green Granite Fireplace, circa 1850
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt bronze-mounted green granite fireplace.
French, circa 1850.
The fireplace has a rectangular mantel shelf above a frieze cent...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Bronze
19th Century Italian Table of Mahogany and Painted Architectural Scenes of Rome
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a good flame-veneer mahogany, with gilt metal mounts; rising from a tripartite incurved base mounted on castors, issuing three entasis form cylindrical columns, gilt m...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Watercolor
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mounted Side Chairs
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A pair of Empire Period gilt-bronze mounted side chairs.
French, Circa 1820.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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