Skip to main content

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.

to
51
321
2,684
2,044
320
1
8,550
3,133
2,137
1,532
1,372
1,092
946
805
765
410
285
273
204
191
171
132
111
9
251
60
1
21
19
14
3
1
3
1
2
4
5
2
5
1
207
183
104
97
92
280
230
18
8
7
321
321
321
2
1
1
1
1
Item Ships From: Florida
Style: Empire
19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of dark patinated candle sticks made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candle holders are particularized with flowers decoration, resting on a tripod foot. The Parisian décor...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Empire St. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, And Ormolu Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, and Ormolu pedestal. This beautiful pedestal is raised by a square stepped Onyx base with fou...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of Signed, 19th Century, Converted Milkglass Lamps Hand Painted with Ivy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of columnar table lamps, in Empire style, of milkglass. Each a round, faceted column, handpainted with scrolling vines of ivy. Lamped on round, pierced metal bases. Signed, "Pee...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Milk Glass

19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, Bronze & Fruitwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome Continental mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany, ormolu, patinated bronze and ebonized fruitwood drop front secretary. The secretary is raised by four square tapered...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Italian 19th century Empire st Mahogany, Giltwood, patinated Wood console tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most decorative pair of Italian 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Giltwood, and patinated Wood console tables. Each unique freestanding demi lune console is raised by ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood

Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze, Crystal, and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely decorative Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze, crystal, and ormolu chandelier. The twelve arm chandelier is centered by a Fine solid crystal...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The three arm chandelier is centered by a beautiful richly chased bottom acorn fini...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire St. Vert Patricia Marble and Ormolu Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Vert Patricia marble and ormolu clock. The clock is raised by fine rectangular ormolu supports below the Vert de Patricia marble base. A str...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Antique Mahogany, Marble Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique French single chest of drawers made of hand crafted shellac polished Mahogany, veneered on Oakwood in good condition. The rectangular cupboard is composed with a grey-white marble top, the inside is consisting one shelf, enhanced by its original brass hardware and keys, standing on two wooden feet and two lion feet. The detailed carved cupboard represents the First French Empire time...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster And Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Alabaster and Ormolu chandelier. This four arm eight light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped Or...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

French Empire Gilt Gold Leaf Bench Oversized 48"
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category

1990s Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French mid-19th century Empire style mahogany and ormolu mounted pair of armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet and e...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza  Made in Austria, circa 1920s An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Category

20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs. This statement making pair of throne armchairs are raised by patinated Brass casters the scr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most unique French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. The table is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet below a fine r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Classical Three Panel Horizontal Mirror, Circa 1820s
Located in Sarasota, FL
A classical three panel horizontal mirror. Wooden with decorative veneers. Above is an oil on canvas, richly carved on top with a fig leaf and arch motif. Continental, circa 1820's.
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Mirror, Wood

French 19th Century Empire St. Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl Walnut, ormolu and Jaune de Sienne marble side table. The oblong shaped table is raised by impressive richly...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Polished Ebony Nightstand - Single Antique Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Empire nightstand, bed side table made of hand crafted shellac polished Ebony, in good condition. The si...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Polychrome and Fossilized Marble Cabine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany, polychrome and fossilized marble cabinet. The four door, three drawer cabinet is raised by fine block feet bel...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Double Dresser in Painted Gray Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Empire style double dresser with gilt metal hardware. We have a matching tall chest in our listing. Great classic French empire style to add some French architecture to your h...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat & Greatcoat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat and Greatcoat France, circa 1920s  Capture a piece of French history with this exquisite Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of handcrafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Each...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

18th Century Gold French Gilded Wood Barometer, Antique Parisian Thermometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Pr. 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Antique Empire Gilt Bronze "Lions Head" Regal Wall Sconces by Maison Bagues. Very highly detailed and ultra high quality. French Estate.
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Black French Antique Wrought Iron Napoleon III Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black antique, late 19th century French floor candle holder, candelabra hand crafted in very ornate fer forge work with wrought iron scrolls and seven candle holders, in good condi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Pair of Empire Style Milk Glass Lamps with Hand Painted Gilding
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of lamps, in Empire style, of milk glass, each columnar form handpainted with gilt festooning, on round brass base. Stock ID: D7199
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Milk Glass

19th Century French Empire Demilune Console Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire demilune console table with a pair of large hand-carved mahogany swans. Good craftsmanship and beautiful stylized sculptural swans wit...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Large Empire Danish Glass Cabinet, Bookcase in Mahogany with Bronze Details
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant late Empire 4 doors glass and wood cabinet, bookcase in mahogany. Pair of locking paned glass doors sitting atop pair of locking wood d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A Continental early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany Fruitwood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most handsome Continental early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ebonized Fruitwood center table. The wonderful table is raised on Ebonized Fruitwood bun feet belo...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood, Mahogany

Le Tallec Golden Bees Porcelain Demitasse Cups and Saucers, circa 1957 Set/11-12
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Exquisite neoclassical demitasse set comprised of fine porcelain and 24K gold by Camille Le Tallec. The pattern is from the Abeilles Collection featuring Napoleonic golden bees hand ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sunburst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815. Dimen...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th - 20th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Porcelain Cassoulettes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of small Cassoulettes made hand crafted porcelain, in good condition. Each of the Parisian Athenians are composed with four gilded bronze maidens, particulariz...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of hand crafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Eac...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lights
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

1970s Gilt Carved Resin Sculptural Wall Mirrors, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning wall mirrors you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Resin

French Late 20th Century Louis XVI Period Mounted Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Miami, FL
An extremely high quality and elegant French late 19th century Louis XVI period mahogany and ormolu-mounted cabinet vitrine which is finished on all sides. The cabinet is raised by t...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Centerpiece Crystal Attrib. to Baccarat
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent Late 19th - Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Centerpiece with Crystal attributed to Baccarat. Imagine this breathtaking centerpiece on your center table, countert...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Bronze Ormolu Swan Koi Fish Empire Wood Marble Round Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning table you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being a most spectacular and beautifully presented bronze ormolu swans...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Small Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany with Marble Columns, Sweden, c. 1790
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful Empire commode in Cuban mahogany with marble columns flanking two drawers and resting on tapered square feet. Brass key plates and pulls were added in the late 1800s. Fre...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Hoofed Faun Feet, circa 1890
Located in Miami, FL
A fine Pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks on hoofed faun feet, late 19th century. A fluted column rises on three cloven-hoofed hocked faun legs and feet. These antique c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black-gold, antique French wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Parisian mirror...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Pine

Pair 19thc French Empire Bronze Male Figural Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Gold Bronze Male Mask Figural Candelabra. Very nice detail and stately candelabra.
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Antique Empire Crystal Glass Chandelier, Parisian Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French chandelier, pendant made of hand crafted polished brass, in good condition. The hand blown cut crystal prisms are attached, halted to the ceiling lamp brass f...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Brass

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Bureau Plat. The desk is raised on straight tapered legs with ormolu sabots and pierce...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Italian Mid-19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Consoles from Naples
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational pair of Italian mid 19th century Empire st. freestanding flamed mahogany consoles from Naples, Italy. The consoles are raised by double mottled rectangular bases with b...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror with Brass Inlays & Ormolu, circa 1790
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Empire cheval mirror in mahogany with brass inlays & ormolu mounts, on double lyre-pedestal with original mirror. France, circa 1790. Dimensions: 34" wide x 19 3/4" deep x ...
Category

1790s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

French Empire Patinated Bronze Tripod Candelabras, Lion's Paw Feet, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabras. These tall three light patinated bronze candelabras have a tripod base with very detailed lion's paws. The columns are fluted with palmettes...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840. Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads. Very useful pedestal open vitrine...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

1930s French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier w/ Drapery Swag Attrib Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Spectacular 1930's French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier. Bronze drapery swag detail. With Neoclassical elements. Attributed to Maison Bagues.
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large French Empire Mirror with Worn Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th century French Empire mirror with original mercury glass mirror. Large scale Empire Gold Gilt mirror is a large statement piece. The...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

c1900 French Empire 23 Light Gilt Bronze/ Tole/ Quiver/ Chandelier Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Very Rare 23 Light French Maison Bagues Empire c1900 Gilt Bronze & Tole Chandelier. Quiver/ Arrows and Cut Crystal Star Detail. 2 lights tucked into each bobesche and many more light...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period 19th Century Rosewood Card Table English
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant English mid-19th Century well figured card table of serpentine form having carved decoration. A very good quality table that can be used in any space. The rectangular top wi...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Painted Empire Demilune Pier Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Demilune console, with top of Carrara marble, on painted base, having two round columns supporting its ormolu embellished apron and conforming platform, with a back of distressed mir...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Early 1900's French Antique Empire style Crystal Bag & Tent form Wall Sconce
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1920's French Antique Empire style Cut Cascading Crystal Wall Lamp/ Sconce. This is a beautiful antique piece.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.

Recently Viewed

View All