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: Germany
Style: Empire
Silver Square Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Antique Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Experience Timeless Opulence with the Empire Sac a Pearl Crystal Chandelier
Indulge in the allure of the past with the Empire Sac a Pearl crystal chandelier, an exquisite blend of v...
Category
1940s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Empire Armchairs, Pierre-Benoît Marcion, France, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Set of eight armchairs by the French ébéniste Pierre-Benoît Marcion, with carved lion's heads and paw feet. The frame is made of polished mahogany. The backrests and seats are newly ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads.
Each sconce ha...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Stunning Russian Empire Period Ormolu Wall Sconces , ca. 1820s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A stunning pair of Russian empire period ormolu wall candelabras , ca. 1800s-1830s.
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Crystal and Bronze Sconces, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of gilt bronze and crystal 1930s or older, waterfall sconces in empire style. Each fixture requires three European E14 candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall light...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Metal
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Empire Bronze Fire-Gilded Pendule
Located in Berlin, DE
Great bronze pendulum. Base and pedestal with lavish floral and figurative embellishments such as rocaille, acanthus leaves, cartouches, garlands, putti and central masks. Additional...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance
Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Wire
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Swan Goose Motif Arms, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice Sconces. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabras bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic stat...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Candlesticks, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of elegant Empire candlesticks crafted from partially fire-gilded bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each candlestick stands on a round base, featuring a tapered, flute...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 1820 Italy Column Pillar Pedestal Painted Wood Storage Cabinet
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant and unusual Italien painted beech wood cabinet has retained it's original painted decoration.
This extravagant piece of furniture shows all the characteristics of late ...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
French Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Eagle Heads and Arrows, 1930s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A large French empire style six-light gilt and patinated bronze chandelier with eagle heads and arrows, circa 1930s.
Socket: 6 x E14 for standard screw bulb.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Stunning 16-Light Murano Crystal Chandelier, circa 1920s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A wonderful very large sixteen light Murano glass and cut crystal silvered chandelier, Italy, circa 1920s.
This beautiful handcrafted fixture is made of silvered brass elements, Mur...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair of Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Brass, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two classicistic mahogany armchairs with brass decoration and openwork backs. The chairs stand on square pointed legs with H-shaped bracing, which merge into elegantly curved, high-s...
Category
Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance
Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Sac a Pearl Lustre Ceiling Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing two exquisite basket chandeliers, available as a pair! Both have been lovingly and professionally restored in Berlin, with electrical wiring compatible with the US. They ...
Category
1840s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany, Birch and elmwood veneer. Inlays in different woods. Original fittings in bronze and...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Mahogany Child Armchair, France
Located in Munich, DE
This charming children’s armchair is made out of mahogany with fine carving. It is newly upholstered with a discretely patterned fine, lustrous fabric in green with golden spots.
Paris, circa 1810...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Late 19th Century Set of Six Italian Neoclassical Klismos Empire Dining Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant late 19th century set of six Italian Neoclassical Klismos shaped Empire side or dining chairs:
standing on four tapering and partially fluted legs topped by paterae ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of gilt bronze three-light candelabra with kneeling putto holding the candleholders raised on richly elaborate base, France, late 19th century.
Measures:
Height 12.50 in / 3...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Female Caryatids Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Gilt Bronze Female Busts Candlesticks, circa 1820
A beautiful pair of Empire gilt-bronze ormolu c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Top cabinet secretary, Baden, around 1780/90 Walnut and walnut burl
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps
Top cabinet Baden, around 1780/90
Walnut and walnut burl veneered and marquetry,
3-tier chest of drawers, cylinder lock with automatic pull-out mechanism, o...
Category
1780s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Nutwood
Pair of French Bronze and Iron Firedogs, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of antique firedogs made of bronze and iron, France, early 20th Century. These marvelous firedogs or andirons feature bronze construction in baluster form, raised on paw feet,...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Empire Head of Hermes Carved Wood Messenger of Zeus God of Merchants
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful head of Hermes wearing his winged helmet is carved out of boxwood and has preserved the original gilding. The head is mounted on a blacke...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Boxwood, Oak
Antique Empire Russia St. Petersburg Mahogany Games Console Table Brass Banding
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant Russian games and console table was made in st Petersburg circa 1810. It has ben crafted out of mahogany and is decorated with fine brass banding.The table is convertibl...
Category
1810s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Empire Chest Of Drawers, Stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée, Paris c. 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob Frères Rue Meslée
Paris
Mahogany
around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 131 x 63 cm
Description:
Four carved, bronze-patinated paw feet supp...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque, Ormolu, France, Paris, circa 1820
By Le Roi
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque - In the study room
Paris
fire-gilt bronze, enamel
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 28 x 19 cm
Description:
Scenery mounted on an oval...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Ormolu and patinated Bronze Candelabra attr. Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 19th century Empire ormolu and patinated bronze candelabra attr. Thomire
Each with a tapering leaf tip cast partially gilt and patinated bronze stem supporting three folia...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Mantel Clock with small Satyrs, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Mantel clock on an oval marble base, adorned with fire-gilded bronze appliqués. The clock is supported by fully sculpted satyr figures carrying an overflowing gilded fruit basket. Em...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Meißen Manufactory, Espresso Set with Silhouette Portrait Richard Wagner
Located in Epfach, DE
Richard Wagner lived in 1872 at the Hotel Fantaisie in Bayreuth for half a year until he was able to move into his later domicile with his family. As interior designer, Brigitte Mart...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Romantic Seascape With Figures Oil On Panel Supra Porte
Located in Munich, DE
This charming peaceful romantic scene shows a fine summer day in a hilly landscappe near the sea.
The blue sea surrounds a peninsular with a with a fortress on a hill. We see an iso...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum, maple, rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Rare side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum wood, maple and rosewood veneered on softwood, table top with floral banding and vase motif, ingenious mechanism w...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
19th Century Empire Console Italy 1810 Marble Top Bronze Fittings
Located in Epfach, DE
19th Century Empire Console Tuscany Italy 1820 Marble Top Bronze Fittings
This extraordinary Empire console from Italy around 1820 combines elegance, master craftsmanship and histori...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Empire Style Secretary with Brass and Marble Top mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany veneer on solid conifers. High-right corpus on chased bronze claw feet. Architecturally articulated front with library dummy and brass rim sockets. On both sides slightly co...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Sofa Berlin Brandenburg Mahogany Carved Gilded Lions
Located in Epfach, DE
Provenance: noble Family "von Puttkamer" from Berlin Brandenburg; on the back original marked with pencil "Henriette von Puttkamer" and a transport sticker, made of paper, from the railway "Waren (Müritz)" (Henriette v. P. lived from 1799 until 1878)
This piece of furniture from the time of the German Empire has a tasteful lightness that is underlined by the extraordinary design. Both ends of the backrest are crowned by a reclining, hand-carved and gilded lion...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Demi Lune Chest of Drawers, Baltic States early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Demi Lune chest of drawers with three drawers, on low, curved pointed feet. The body is veneered in mahogany and decorated with profiled bra...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique 1810 Paris Empire Milieu De Table Paws Gilt Bronze Mirror Centrepiece
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant and rare so called Milieu de Table made in Paris in 1810 ca. This fine Empire table centre piece in original condition consists of a mirror mou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Glass Amphora Vase
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th century empire gilt bronze and cut crystal glass amphora vase
A slender ovoid crystal glass vase standing on a round gilt bronze foot with a rectangular plinth which i...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Centerpiece with Putto Decor, Bronze and Glass, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire centerpiece made of cut glass and fire-gilded bronze with griffin decor and small putto figure in the center.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Marble Vase, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large lidded vase with a gadrooned wall with acanthus leaves and pine node. Marbre griotte and gilt bronze.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Period Sideboard or Buffet
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Period Sideboard or Buffet
France, 1830
Cherrywood,
This early nineteenth century French Buffet is constructed of solid Cherrywood. Three drawers of dovetail con...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Original antique Empire Sofa / canapé circa 1860-1870 Empire Room mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room.
Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze.
Top condition.
Measurments:
width:140cm
Height: 100cm
Depht: 80cm.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Candlestick Lightshade Vienna by Balthasar Wigand Mother of Pearl
Located in Epfach, DE
Mother of pearl light shade or candlestick by Balthasar Wigand Vienna about 1810-1820 with very fine painting from the Galitzerberg in Vienna.
B...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Chandelier, Russia, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large eight-flame chandelier of the Russian Empire with cobalt blue glass and fire-gilded arms with cockerel decoration and hanging pine cone. The supporting hoop is connected by fou...
Category
1810s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Fine French Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Bag Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
A fine gilt-bronze cut-crystal tent and bag chandelier with a corona in the form of a crown made of small facetted pearls above a fine bronze b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Mahogany Grandfather Clock, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Empire grandfather clock with a mahogany-veneered case in the shape of a lyre. The grandfather clock stands on a chest with three drawers and diamond-shaped fillings. Above it ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel
1800 Empire Nast Porcelain Griffins Masks Roses Flowers Garlands France Vase
Located in Munich, DE
This very high quality French vase in caramel hue with guilding is most probably made by the Nast Porcelain Manufacture ( 1754 - 1817 ). It's handles ar...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular wall mirror in a gold-patinated, profiled frame with decorative acanthus leaf and scroll motifs in the corners.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Large Prussian Chandelier After a Design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Berlin
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This large and spectacular German eight-light chandelier is made after the design by the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) in the manufactory of Schwitzky & Mencke...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Early 19th Century Empire Period Mantel Clock Signed Ledure
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Very fine early 19th century Empire period mantel clock of patinated bronze. It is signed by one of the best Parisian bronzers Pierre Victor Ledure and h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Sewing Table, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid oak, Cuba mahogany veneer. Fire-gilt fittings. Hinged cover plate with intermediate compartments. Slip-in drawer on four full columns with four fire-gilded capitals and bases.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Side Table, France 1810-15, Mahogany
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Side Table – France, 1810, Mahogany Veneer with Elegant Base Design
This stunning Empire side table, crafted in France circa 1810, showcases timeless sophistication. Made wit...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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