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
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A large pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace
French, 20th century
Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm
Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Period Mahogany Sofa-Bed, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa-bed of the Empire period in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes. This sofa is decorated in front of a lyre in the center,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabras
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabras, featuring a winged cupid. He is standing on a sphere and holding a torch, which is surrounded by three curving candle branch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Napoleonic Swan Chair in the Empire Style Beechwood Poliment Gilded
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact Fine-carved sculpture made of solid beech. Poliment gilded. Arranged frame on plastically carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in swan head. High-backe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Rare Empire Clock Cabinet Sideboard, Antique Northern Swedish Country Gustavian
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique clock cabinet from Sweden made during the transitional time between the gustavian and empire period. The cabinet is from Northern Sw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Empire Italian console in black marble, bronze and walnut wood, 1820-1830s
Located in MIlano, IT
Empire Italian console in black marble, bronze and walnut wood, 1820-1830s
Console with rectangular top in Belgian black marble. The structure and legs are in veneer in walnut feathe...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
German Empire Period Seven-Piece Silver Candelabra Set
Located in London, GB
German empire period seven-piece silver candelabra set
German, circa 1810
Meaures: Largest: Height 66.5cm, diameter 30cm
Smallest: Height 51cm, width ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections.
The upper section has three doors: a l...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
19th Century French Silver-Gilt Pair of Dishes, Odiot, circa 1890
By Odiot
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th Century French rare and important Empire style pair of solid silver dishes, each of circular form with very fine acanthus leaves borders and chased with a frieze of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Lot of 5 Crystal Wine Glasses - Mid 20th Century - 2Y27
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your dining experience with this set of 5 crystal wine glasses, likely from the mid-20th century. Crafted from fine crystal, these glasses are a sophisticated addition to any...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Elegant Pair of Empire Appliques in Gilt Bronze from Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An elegant pair of Empire Appliques in gilt bronze. Made in France during the early 19th century. Very beautiful original gilding.
Wear consisten...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pretty crystal, stoppered bottle, intricately clad in an openwork gilt-brass motif of entwined poppies and mistletoe. This square-sided Art Nouveau period bottle features a simple,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clock, Portal Pendule, Paris circa 1820
By Duval
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French round arch portal clock
France (Paris)
Bronze, enamel
Empire circa 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 x 26 x 12 cm
Description:
Very beautiful, strictly architecturally...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins' Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine Empire armchair with four elegant saber legs, upholstered in vertical cream and crimson stripes, and featuring ornately carved dolphins' heads at the base of each shaped arm r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair Montgolfièr Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Ceiling Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Restored Antique Chandeliers from a Baltic Sea Castle - A Pair of Timeless Elegance
Presenting a splendid pair of antique chandeliers, ea...
Category
1940s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Gilt Bronze Table Clock « the Gardener Angel » French Work, Circa 1805
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
"L''Amour jardinier" is a gilt bronze table clocks with a garden angel and garden decors.
The garden angel is on a scale and catches a butterfly. The m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Garden Fountain in White Marble
Located in Sacile, PN
White marble fountain, neoclassical , dated beginning of 19th Century
This fountain comes from Palazzo Tadini, an old art gallery which owner loved to collect Canova's works. Palazz...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Centre Table with Marble Top after Jacob-Desmalter, French
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany centre table with a Vert de Mer marble top, in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter.
The rectangular Verde Antico marble top sits above ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm
This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Hand-Engraved Gilded Vase "India" – Elegant Vintage Decor - 2Y85
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Good condition overall. The base has some minor imperfections (see photos).
Material: Brass with a hand-engraved design and gold finish.
Design: Hand-engraved intricate pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire 19th Century Round Pedestal Table France
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Here is an original round tripod center table from the early 1800's about when Napoleon roamed Europe. This table has been given a professional complete but "soft" restoration to sav...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Pair French Bedside Chests Empire Nightstands Bombe Commode
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pair French marble topped walnut bedside commodes with ormulo fittings 1890
In the Empire manner with a slight bombe form
Two drawers to each and marble is smooth and chip free
Bough...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of 4 Small Animal Figurines - Duck and Rabbit Statuettes - 2Y30
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your collection with this charming set of 4 small figurines featuring ducks and rabbits. These modern, multicolored statuettes are perfect for adding a whimsical touch to any...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large early 19th century empire style over mantle
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very decorative early 19th century empire style overmantle miror
French circa 1840’ s with original backboards and mirror plate
Height 157 cms or 62 inches
Width 115.5 cms or ...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Rare Gilt-bronze French Empire Charles X Sunflower Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Gilt and patinated bronze. The original movement has been cleaned and revised and is in perfect working condition (runs for around one week). Overall authentic condition with its ori...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk in beech from Hotel Knaust by Nordiska Kompaniet / NK, Sweden 1931.
With brass details and signed with NK badge and tracking number (easy to see who ordered the furniture and w...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Late Empire Tall Cabinet of Dark Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late Empire tall cabinet, crafted from dark polished mahogany, is a stunning example of 19th-century craftsmanship. Dating back to 1840, it s...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire period Inkwell, identical to the one of Elisa Bonaparte
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period gilt bronze and bird's eye maple veneer inkwell.
This model is an exact replica of the inkwell that belonged to Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino, sister...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Tavolino Quadrato Intarsio Scagliola, Base Marmo Giallo, Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Royal Yellow marble base.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Porcelaine de Paris - Ajour Centerpiece Coupe
Located in DELFT, NL
Gilt Porcelaine de Paris Openwork Coupe Centerpiece to be placed centrally on the table, for fruit or flowers. Empire Style. French, 19th century center basket, rond form with reticu...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Collection of French Opaline Apothecary Jars
Located in Copenhagen, K
Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century.
Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
French Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Putti Empire Period 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
From a luxury villa at Como Lake a stunning pair of early 19th century Empire four-light gilt bronze figural candelabras, of French origin, dating back to circa 1810, measure: 31.50 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Empire Library Bookcase
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine gilt bronze mounted mahogany Empire library bookcase.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Neoclassical Gilt Empire Mirror, France
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Giltwood. Empire mirror.
france 20th century
Patinated art glass.
brass ornaments.
compact messurements!
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19th century Swedish empire elm marble top console table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish elm marble top console table circa 1860.
Fine quality console table of grand proportions. Shaped marble top standing on an elm base. Single concealed draw...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Purple Red...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Perod Signed White and Gold Porcelain Cup
Located in Roma, IT
Perod Signed White and Gold Porcelain Cup
Beautiful fine white porcelain bowl
Features beautiful eighteenth-century Venetian hand-painted figurines taken in a pose of rare eleganc...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire columns, France, ca. 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire columns, France, ca. 1880.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions height 103 cm. top 30 cm x 24 cm
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg Plum enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Plum enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Plum enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Plum enamel is Russian...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Mahogany and Ormolu Bookcase in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
An exceptional and fine library breakfront bookcase by Antoine Krieger of Paris
In the Empire taste, this wonderful piece shows careful selection of matched flame mahogany veneers, contrasted by finely chiselled mercury gilded ormolu bronze mounts. The glazed, four door upper section is surmounted by ormolu laurel wreath victory garlands, and acanthus leaves to the cornice, the lower four blind doors having central caduceus mounts, emblematic of Mercury’s staff; the outer doors showing central Apollo masks, with acanthus leaves in a cruciform pattern; the cornered motifs being rosettes with conforming acanthus leaves; the pilaster columns are capped by stylised Tuscan capitals. The four oak lined drawers have Grecian Lyre backplates to the handles, and the locks are signed by the maker. The bookcase is elevated on toupie ‘cotton reel’ feet.
The very finest workmanship has gone into this piece, as evinced by the ethereal ‘gold dust’ ormolu mounts, with the crispest of ciselure, and the breathtaking quality of the mahogany veneers. This piece, originally conceived by Percier and Fontaine, adopting the decoration from the Antique, is signed by Antoine Krieger of Paris. Circa 1860
Percier and Fontaine published in 1812 the ‘bon ton’ design collection, ‘Recueil des Decorations Interieurs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated with leaves and other period ornaments as well as a dar...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Empire Console Writing Side Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful small antique English Empire Gonçalo Alves console with integral writing slide and pen drawer, circa 1820 in date.
This dual purpose table has a drawer above a p...
Category
1820s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Gilt-Bronze Clock Depicting Diana the Huntress. French, c 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire Period gilt bronze clock depicting Diana the huntress.
The dial signed 'Thomas a Paris'.
The white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands, the case sur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, French Empire Ground Crystal and Gilt Bronze Vase Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th century, French Empire ground crystal and gilt bronze vase centrepiece
This Empire centerpiece, made in France at the beginning of...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Mahogany Table Empire style with Louis Philippe four Chairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
IMPORTANT: ON REQUEST WE WILL RE-UPHIDE THE CHAIRS WITH A SUPPLEMENT OF EURO 150 EACH.
Reinforced structure of the chairs for daily use. Spring seat.
French mahogany dining table...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Wire
French Empire Regency Crystal and Gilt Bronze 12-Light Wedding Cake Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Stunning large French Empire cut crystal and bronze twelve-light chandelier with crystal drops and swags
Measures:
Diameter 26 in/ 66 cm
Height 45 in (32 in+ 13 in/chain) / 115 cm (7...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century Porcelain Snuff Tobacco Box with Ormulu Gilt Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-18th Century porcelain snuff tobacco box with Ormulu gilt embossed relief and with empire classical motives. The inside of the lid is decorated with colorful flowers.
Wonderful a...
Category
Mid-18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Classic Victorian Dining Table with Inlaid Top and Walnut Finish by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A classic large briar table, with intricate inlay design top that can accomodate a warm gathering up to 10 seatings. Ornated with golden motif details all around the table to enhance...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Elegant pair of Salt Cellars in Silver from GAB. Empire style in 1909
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Elegant pair of Salt Cellars in Silver from GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) from Sweden in Empire style dated in 1909 = G7.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Navy Blue en...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Gold Leaf Console with Guatemala Green Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Astonishing Made in Italy console fully decorated with gold leaf finish and a Green Guatemala marble top. The precious hand-made carvings, which Modenese artisans developed through c...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights.
This chandelier is charact...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Old Wooden Cigar Box, Empire Style, Probably Swedish
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely empire style wooden box probably produced in Sweden. The box is 14 x 14 cm (5.6" x 5,6") in diameter and 23.5 cm (9.4") high. It is in excellent condition except from that t...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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.