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
Austrian 18th Century Empire Style Two Doors Larch Wood Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious and original larch wood wardrobe, convertible into a bookcase, with two doors in the Austrian Empire style of the 18th century
The wardrobe, all in larch wood, is all origi...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Other
20th Century Empire Style Ceiling Light Italian Banci Firenze White Flush Mount
Located in Milano, MI
Italian 1980s ceiling light by Banci Firenze, an Empire style circular brass and ivory color painted ceiling fixture, decorated with six cast brass...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Book - Le Journal des Brodeuses, Special Issue March - 2Y134
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the artistry of embroidery with this antique book, Le Journal des Brodeuses, a special March issue. This vintage volume features 13 artistic bed l...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s.
Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s.
If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a captivating blend of Art Deco charm and Empire sophistication, our lead crystal chandelier is a testament to opulence and craftsmanship. Crafted in-house, we offer the ...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Italian 19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Empire Side Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Back decorated in various inlaid woods showing vines, flowers etc.,
The tops of the back chair rails are mounted with eagle heads, and are joined together with a turned gilded deco...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Darte Brothers Porcelain Plates
By Darte Frères
Located in Basildon, GB
Pair of antique Darte Brothers cobalt blue porcelain plates magnificently painted with the French countryside, featuring cows, goats and sheep, decorated with gold rims. Each with th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Hanging Sculpture of a Woman by Igor S. Stéphano - Numbered 611 - 2Y143
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite vintage hanging sculpture by Igor S. Stéphano captures the elegance and grace of a woman in stunning detail. Made of ceramic and porcelain, the sculpture showcases vib...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th century silver plate centerpiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century table centerpiece or double bowl in finely chiseled silver plated
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Large Empire Style Painted Gilt Wood Wall Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th century large empire style painted gilt wood wall mirror or trumeau
Large rectangular mirror with architectural structure: the central field, consisting of a lower mirro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Blue Glass Liners Return from Egypt
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
French Napoleonic Empire table set "return from Egypt"
Made of sterling silver and cobalt blue liners
Collectible for it's beauty and hallmarks that were only used during
Napoleons E...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique Venetian Silk Velvet Pillow
Located in Canterbury, GB
Large Impressive Cushion
Finest quality Venetian silk velvet panel Circa 1900
Edged with 18th century metallic tassel fringe
Backed with antique Mohair velvet
Good antique condi...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metallic Thread
Empire Period Large Porcelain Lidded Apothecary Jar
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Pair of Empire Period Gondola Children Chairs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite pair of children's chairs embodies the elegance and sophistication of the 19th-century Empire Period. Crafted from fine veneers and intricately carved wood, these chai...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech, Upholstery
Pair of bronze and black stone candlesticks in Empire style, France ca. 1870
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1870 / 2 candlesticks / bronze, stone / Antique / Empire
A set of two French Empire candlesticks in bronze with feet and body of black natural stone.
The striking contrast...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Empire Style Pair Of Italian Chairs "King" With "Vienna Straw"
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Empire Style Pair of Italian Chairs (Lucca) "King" with "Vienna Straw"
We kindly suggest you read the entire description, as we aim to provide detailed technical and historical info...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Straw, Walnut
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli
"Verbena " round dining or center table.
This table with scagliola art inlay takes inspiration from the c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Mid-19th Century Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze candlesticks raised on three lions paws, France, mid-19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg.
Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening.
Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Rare French, Early 19th Century Napoleonic Medal Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Rare French early 19th century Napoleonic medal cabinet on four gilt bronze pawfeet, a hinged door to the top and front opening to reveal four drawers containing 184 very fine bronzed plaster medals...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Paper
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs.
The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields.
The seat has be...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century, Empire Walnut Wood 2-Drawer Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Chest of drawers with two drawers on pointed feet. Beautiful walnut veneer with ribbon inlays on pine body. The furniture has a very clear beautiful design without much ornamentation...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Russian Empire Dressing Table with Mahogany Carvings and Gilt Bronzes
By Andrey Voronikhin
Located in Vienna, AT
The desk body is made of pine and oak with a Karelian birch veneer and the mirrored base is supported by four curved feet, embellished by an entwined patinated bronze snake with a gilt head and tail. The pad feet are supported by ebonized mahogany floor plates.
The middle portion consists of five small drawers and a large desk drawer and within a manufactured mahogany interior with seven compartments and eight secret compartments as well as two movable elements, one of which is covered with velvet. The lower drawers have gilt gooseneck fittings.
The mirror attachment includes a mechanism for taking the mirror plate vertically out and up to 180 degrees, which can, in turn, be fixed in almost any position. This mirror is flanked by two carved mahogany phoenixes with gilt heads and feet, and on the reverse side there are two more secret compartments in the lower area of the right as well as the left foot of the base.
The Poudreuse Secretary is an exceptional example of Russian furniture of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The depiction and symbolic arrangement of the remarkable bronze snakes and the carved phoenix is typical of the style of the important Russian architect Andrey Voronikhin (1759-1814). As well, this Poudreuse Secretary Desk has as well a similar structure to a dressing table made by the celebrated cabinetmaker (ebéniste) Heinrich Gambs...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful 19th century gilded wall mirror , empire style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very good quality 19th century gilded wall mirror in the empire style
French circa 1840’s with original backboards and mirror plate Height
It can hang landscape or portrait
Heig...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Louis XVI White Photo Frame Sterling Silver Enamel on Guillochè Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and hand-painted miniature of a garland of flowers with oval border interna...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Fabulous Demi-Lune Console, Jardiniere, Mirror available, 1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful demi-lune console, usable as jardiniere, made around 1810 in Austria, an original of the Empire era.
This wonderful wall console has a faceted mirror in the lower area. Th...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
Empire Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire chest of drawers veneered in mahogany, with four drawers and white marble top. The corpus is flanked by columns with fire-gilded bases and capitals, which merge into th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Beech Bergeres, New Upholstered
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The pair of bergeres from the Empire / Biedermeier period was made of solid beech wood. The bergeres are completely reupholstered and covered with new fabric. The seat cushion is loo...
Category
19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Beautiful tablelamp originally a Empire Candlestick i bronze. From 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Table Lamp, originally a Empire Candlestick i Bronze from France during the 1820s.
Newly rewired electricity
New lampshades in black lacquer with gilding on the inside t...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Silk Damask Pomegranates 102"
Located in Canterbury, GB
An exquisite length of fine quality French Burgundy Red Silk Damask
Dating from circa 1820
Woven with large Medici design featuring lovely Pomegranates
gorgeous colour of deep ric...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk
Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful Empire bench crafted from mahogany with gracefully curved legs.
The end panels feature central inlays of walnut and light maple detailing.
The seat has been newly upholst...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Maple
French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm
Materials: walnut wood and marble
Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large low bookcase in Mahogany and mahogany veneer
Located in Paris, FR
Large low bookcase in mahogany and mahogany veneer, opening with two full doors and two central glass doors in the form of a pointed arch, for displaying books or collectibles. Rich ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Biedermeier Style Napoleon Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood. Gilded chimeras. Finely engraved bronze fixtures.
(L-Sam-252).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a br...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Officer's Trunk
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb officer's trunk in wood and iron from the Empire period 19 century
Very beautiful and rare trunk covered with a thin layer of iron and resting ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late empire. Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of four shelve...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Buffet Cabinet, by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted marquetry buffet cabinet, by François Linke, Paris.
This handsome buffet or side cabinet has its original Swedish green marble top. The veneers are of the finest figured acajou flammé. The frieze is fitted with a long drawer with citronnier and ebonised marquetry panel depicting a Etruscan chariot...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Three-Light Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has a brass and metal frame hung with chains of crystal glass beads forming a basket...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Very Large French 19th Century Gilded Bronze Sconces
By Pierre Bureaux
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very large French 19th Century gilded bronze sconces. Last picture in situ. Empire style, three-branch wall-lights, after a model by Edme Jean Gallien (1720-1797) and Pierre ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 18th Century Empire or Louis XVI Mahogany Dutch Side Table
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant side table was made in The Netherlands around 1780. It has a beautiful mahogany top made of two symmetrical planks, also known as “livre ouvert”. The two pieces of timber are cut and folded open like a book. (livre ouvert is French for open book” The top is surrounded by a slightly raised and molded trim. The table features one dovetailed central drawer with two Dutch ajour cut brass pulls. The drawer has its original lock and key. The interior of the drawer is made in the best quality thin watered oak...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Bronze Scuplture "Venus Bather" by H.S. München
By H.S. Munchen
Located in Firenze, FI
Lost wax cast Italian bronze sculpture, the subject reproduces 'Venus bather'. The base is made of Bardiglio red marble. Italian manufacture, early 19th century. Made by H.S. München...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Six-Light Candelabra Attributed to Escalier De Cristal circa 1819
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A remarkable and highly important pair of Empire gilt-bronze and cut-crystal six-light candelabra attributed to Escalier De Cristal De Paris.
French, circa 1819.
This exceptional pair of candelabra can almost certainly be attributed to the workshops of l'Escalier de Cristal de Paris. They relate in particular to a dressing table and chair, now in the collection of the Louvre, which formed part of a toilette suite that was exhibited by L'Escalier de Cristal at the 1819 Paris exhibition of the Produits de l'industrie. The present candelabra may very likely have been made as part of this suite.
In 'Baccarat: La Legende du Cristal', it states: "A l'Exposition des produits de l'industrie française de 1819, Mme Désarnaud présente une toilette, une cheminée, deux grands candélabres, deux tables, une grande pendule et plusieurs vases, en cristal et bronze...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Exquisite Pair of Early 19th Century Armchairs
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Pair of Early 19th Century Armchairs,
Walnut, France 1800
Introducing an Exquisite Pair of Early 19th Century Armchairs, a true testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Original Empire Period Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is one of a kind fireplace surround in Carrara marble was made by special order for the Castle of Fontainebleau. The identical but in grey mantel was ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
1820s Rare and Elegant Empire Walnut Sicilian Console
Located in Catania, Sicilia
An original conditions Walnut console hand-crafted in Sicily in 1820s. The elegance of saber feet it's typical of the Empire period as the gilded friezes...
Category
Early 19th Century Sicilian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Empire Candlestick, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of candlesticks made of burnished and fire-gilt bronze. The spouts are surrounded by three satyr masks crowned by flames. The pyramidal shaft is decorated with torchbearers in r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Hand-Painted Longwy Plates - "Vacance" Design, France, 2Y116
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your collection with this charming pair of antique Longwy plates, each featuring the delightful "Vacance" motif. Crafted in France, these plates b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design with flowers and leaves. Cool and unusual composition bet...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Viennese Empire Beds, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of Viennese Empire beds in walnut veneer. The beds have been expertly restored and polished by hand.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A 19TH Century Blue Painted Commode
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1820
An early nineteenth century blue painted Empire commode with three drawers, bronze lion mask handles, all supported on simulated crocodile feet, with black marble ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Bronze-Colored Pewter and Frosted Cut Glass Table Lamp 1900s
Located in Barntrup, DE
The beautifully shaped French Empire-style table lamp, which is an electrified petroleum lamp, features a bronze-colored pewter body adorned with three ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Pewter
Painted Empire Stool or Bench, Sweden, Late 19th Century
Located in Skanninge, SE
Very stylish stool/bench or banquette.
Late 19th Century. Painted wood and recently reupholstered.
With wood-carved Rams heads and hoof feat.
Painted wood in gray, green, and some...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Empire Revival Gilt-Bronze and Cut-Glass Pendant Chandelier, circa 1910
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Revival gilt-bronze and cut-glass pendant chandelier.
French, circa 1910.
Of globular form this fine chandelier has a central gilt-bronze band cast with vases issuin...
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.