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: Europe
Style: Empire
Picture Frame oval photos French Empire Napoleon III style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and hand-painted miniature of a garland of flowers with oval border, intern...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Armoire
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French Empire period armoire.
With stunning book matched walnut veneer to the two long doors flanked by two columns.
Original restra...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Empire Birch and Mahogany Armchairs with Inlays and Ivory Linen Upholste
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Pair of Elegant Empire Armchairs with Beautifully Preserved Patina.
This pair of Empire armchairs is crafted from solid birch, featuring rectangular inlays in darker mahogany on t...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Birch, Mahogany
Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Rock Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold Swan
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Baroque Empire Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is a new repr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Crystal, Brass, Wire
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870.
This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper Frieze Second Empire Era
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper frieze in trompe-l'oeil ribbon on an 8-way roll.
About 61 m/0.05 cm. useful. Second Empire era, polychrome printing.
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and Amazing Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed black leather top, bronze dore mounts, column legs, and five .drawers.
Spectacular French wor...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Marble Desk Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning French ormolu mounted Empire style marble desk stand dating from the 19th century. This stylish stand is of rectangular shape with rounded polished ends and is made from a...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Chest of Drawers with Columns, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large cherrywood chest of drawers with four drawers and metal escutcheons in the shape of coats of arms and wooden handles. The chest of drawers is flanked by smooth full columns wit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Lion Secretary Empire Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on solid oak and softwood partly ebonized. High-rise, architecturally designed corpus. In the front three drawers of different sizes. Straight writing board, behind it ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large French Rococo Oval Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A large French Rococo oval gilt wall mirror
The mirror has an exquisite gilt frame in the Rococo style, it is decorated with arrows and quiver, and many...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Danish Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas, A Pair
Charming pair of Danish Early 19th Century paintings oil on canvas. Thes...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire 'Chest on Chest' Mahogany, Danish West Indies ( Virgin Islands) C. 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
A tall Empire chest of drawers, also known as a 'Chest on Chest,' composed of two pieces. This model is expertly crafted from solid, high-quality Cuba mahogany with original brass fi...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
France, 1810
Walnut
Antique Chest of drawers with black marble on top. Beautiful grain of walnut on front and both sid...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th century Scandinavian tiger birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Scandinavian tiger birch chest of drawers circa 1870.
19th century swedish chest of drawers from the empire revival period. Rectangular elegant shape, fitted with 3 gr...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite and gilt bronze pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 115cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm
This pair of 20th century French pedestals is crafted fro...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Period Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame.
Early 19th Century
Internal measurements cm 13 x 10
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certifica...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage French Empire Style Painted Console Table Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful vintage French Empire style painted gilded and ormolu mounted console table, Mid 20th century in date.
The rectangular faux marble top with an ormolu plaque to t...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
Located in London, GB
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
French, Early 20th Century
Height 52cm, width 123cm, depth 63cm
Exemplifying all that is grand and regal about the fan...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Empire Roll Top Writing Desk, Nutwood, AT ca. 1790/1800
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute extraordinary and rare late 18th century roll top writing desk from the period around 1790/1800 in Austria. This noteworthy, elegantly designed nutwood writing desk was artfully handcrafted in the transition period from the so-called "Josephinism" (1780-1790) to the famous Empire era (1800 - 1815). The extravagant executed mirrored veneer work as well as the superb shape, reflects perfectly the form language of this famous, long past period. According to the previous owner´s story who owned the castle where we found this outstanding looking, valuable Empire roll top desk...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
This refined centerpiece stand was crafted in France in the early 19th century, during the Empire period, from finely chiselled an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier in Bronze and Crystal
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant Empire style hot air balloon chandelier is made of bronze and lead crystal. The fixture is decorated with arrows and swan's necks. This is a a fine French...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 43cm
Ref.: 84654535
40-41
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
Grand French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Mounted Console Table
Located in Benington, Herts
A Very Fine and Extremely Large Mahogany Empire Period Console Dessert With Finely Cast Gilt Bronze Mounts
French Paris Circa 1815-25
The present piece of furniture is rather ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Empire benches crafted in mahogany.
The high, architecturally designed sides feature string inlay in satinwood, topped with an ebonized panel and mounted with gilt bronze orn...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Viennese Portal Clock, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Viennese portal clock resting on a rectangular mahogany base. The ebonized case is richly adorned with fire-gilded bronze appliqués. Flanking the clock are carved decorati...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze & Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain)
Weight...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twenty lights and features high quality handcrafted details.
Top crowns in characterized...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candelabra Italian Gilt Bronze Three-Arm Flambeaux
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Candelabri a Tre Fiamme Impero in Bronzo Dorato della prima metà del XIX secolo, di origine italiana, si presentano in buono stato di conservazione con segni di usura nell...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
China Dinner Service for 6 by Richard Ginori Black Onice Rim, Gold Trim & Verge
Located in Roma, IT
A Tableware set in very fine porcelain made in Italy between the 60s and 70s by the Doccia factory "Richard Ginori".
Richard Ginori is an historic Italian ceramic's factory founded in Tuscany, in Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence, of which Gio Ponti was creative director for 10 years.
This dinnerware is part of a Manufacture collection inspired by the elegant lines of the Empire style and which was out of stock for a long time.
Now, the new ownership of the brand, recently purchased by the Gucci Group, has included the Contessa collection back in the range but without the subtle tone-on-tone trim that embellished the gold encrusted rim.
We could say that this vintage dinner service...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Paris porcelain milk jug, early 19th century - signed Halley
By Lebon-Halley 1
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Empire Paris porcelain milk jug signed Halley under the base (specialized in porcelain decoration and retail), early 19th century production circa 1805.
Beautiful model enhanc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Swedish Empire Centre Console Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine and unusual 19th century Swedish Empire centre console table with Italian pink Calacatta marble top, Ca 1830.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Amethyst Murano Glass Empire Macaroni Swags Gold Gilt Chandelier c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting on gold gilt posts. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang at our expen...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Darte Freres (?) - Cup and saucer, chinoiserie decoration, early 19th century
By Darte Frères
Located in DELFT, NL
Marvelous cup and saucer, elaborately decorated with geometrical forms in red, blue and gold. Beautifully worked gilding, little details of Chinese figures and Chinese characters.
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Antique Louis XV Style French Salon Table Bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic French salon table in Louis XV style. White polished on solid pinewood. Exceptionally finest engraved, decorative broken rocailles, inlaid with acanthus, and flowered detail...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Pair French Empire candelabra, circa 1800
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of French Empire bronze and gilded ormolu candelabra, each having Caryatid supports to the scrolling foliate four branch candle sconces. Raised on classical gilde...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Baloon Chandelier, France Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
French Empire Style Chandelier, France Early 20th Century.
Small French balloon chandelier, in gilded and chiseled bronze with Empire palmet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box with Floral Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. Its inside is gold plated. Lid and bottom are covered in the same floral design reminiscent of a bouquet or floral ornament. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock
Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau
Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the pai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th century Scandinavian gilt pedestal column
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Scandinavian gilt pedestal column circa 1900.
Good quality decorative pedestal in original gilt finish. Roman doric style with white painted top, fluting down th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Berlin Oval Plate Table on Carved Foot Dining Table Mahogany German
Located in Epfach, DE
19th Century Berlin Oval Plate Table on Carved Foot
A magnificent and rare 19th-century dining table, crafted in Berlin, featuring a solid mahogany oval tabletop supported by a rema...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire secretaire à abattant, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany 3 Seater Empire Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench made of mahogany with inlays of satin wood and ebony.
Features a backrest with vertical spindles adorned with an ebony border and three Demi lunes with li...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany
Mid 19th century Swedish burr birch escritoire
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning birch root escritoire circa 1855.
We are pleased to offer this piece for sale. Profusely using birch root veneers on every surface.
Matched birch veneers used which span ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
T...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Angel Motif Sterling Silver Snuff Box
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. The lid and sides are covered in an intricate floral design with musical instruments and a scene of two playing cherubs in its ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Side Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze side tables
French, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 85cm, diameter 50cm
These striking octagonal guéridons are crafte...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Mid 19th century Danish flame mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality danish 2 part tall mahogany cabinet circa 1860.
Top section with scrolled cornice and applied swags, double doors with shaped panels open to reveal 3 adjustable pine sh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Antique Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Deverberie
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt-bronze mantel clock by Deverberie
French, c.1805
Measures: Height 67cm, width 54cm, depth 19cm
This exceptional timepiece was made in Empire period Fr...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage Kodak Instamatic 133 Camera - 2Y218
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Capture a piece of photographic history with this vintage Kodak Instamatic 133 camera, a classic from the iconic brand that revolutionized amateur photography. This compact and light...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique French Gueridon Table with Bronze Details
Located in Buxton, GB
Add a touch of history to your home with this antique French Gueridon Table Empire Style. The handcrafted piece is beautifully designed with intricate carvings and made of mahogany v...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine Antique Empire / Regency Carved Ebonised Double Ended Couch
By Druce & Co.
Located in Tonbridge, Kent
Step into the captivating and opulent world of the Regency/Empire period with this exquisite double end sofa, a harmonious blend of exquisite craftsm...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Ebony
Pair of Danish Late Empire Birch Armchairs With Inlay, 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs.
Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron.
The tops of the bac...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
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.