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
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
Empire Writing Table, probably Vienna around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small Empire work table with partly gold-patinated, curved caryatid legs and walnut veneered body. The table is inlaid with wonderful fire-shaded floral bands decorated with ink pain...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
19th Century Chandelier Sweden or Baltic States Cut Glas Gilded
Located in Epfach, DE
The chandelier is probably made circa 1810 in Sweden or the Baltic States. It is made out of cut glass and flashed glass the three double arms and the mascarons are gilded.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Female Figures Vestals Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful French early 19th century Empire pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candlesticks with female figure decoration in the manner of Claude Galle:
Each candlestick with a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Transforming Table by Martin-Guillaume Biennais, Consulat Period, France circa 1
By Martin Guillaume Biennais
Located in New York, NY
Transformation table, on high square pointed legs with brass sabots and curved table top including intermediate shelf with gilded gallery rail. The middle part of the table top can b...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Wall Mirror, Baltic States, around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large wall mirror with brass profiles and mahogany veneered frame as well as a gable end rising in the middle. The mirror glass is frame-facetted.
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Bronze Splendor Wall Appliqués / Sconces, Paris, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of bronze splendor wall appliqués / sconces, Paris, 19th century
Fire gilded bronze. Five-flame frame for candles with rocaille and rosettes in relief. Colorless glass prism ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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 Wall Mirror, Mahogany, Ebonized Carved Decor, South Germany, circa 1810
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful neoclassical Empire wall mirror, bright mahogany, carved ebonized (blackened) decor, South Germany, circa 1810.
The wood is mahogany veneer and solid wood, which has been ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Mirror
Pair of Early 19 Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of early 19 century French empire gilt bronze neoclassical candlesticks.
A tapering stem with rich and finely chased ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Torchères, Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Empire torches or candelabra on a three-pass base tapering to the top and inlaid with brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves and floral motifs. Rising above three ...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Wall Fountain, probably France around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Wall fountain with semicircular basin and stand in Rosso Verona marble. Winged female iron herms support the basin.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Iron
20th Century Antique Classizim Style Empire Swan Chaise Lounge Birdseye Maple
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partially ebonized and gilded.
Finely carved swans, feet carved with paws.
Very high quality fabric.
Category
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Large Neoclassical Walnut Console Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century French Empire Large Neoclassical Walnut Console Table
An elegant Empire period console table with a with marble top above a frieze d...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Pair of Wall Mirrors, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of pillar mirrors in gold-patinated and stuccoed frame with profiled molding. The mirror panes are divided in the upper third. Patination is rubbe...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Bronze Female Caryatids Candelabras
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of early 19th century French empire gilt and patinated bronze female caryatids candelabras à la Grècque.
A beautiful pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabras deco...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
French Empire Mirror (1800-1810) Mahogany Frame with Brass Decor
Located in Leimen, DE
French Empire Mirror (1800-1810) Mahogany Frame with Brass Antique Head and gilt wood Floral Decorations
Enhance your space with this authentic French Empire mirror, dating back to...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Style a Russian Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid mahogany. Straight frame on saber-shaped legs with laid sheet. Strongly curved supports for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish....
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Venus with the Turtle After Antoine Coysevox, Probably, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Representation of the sitting Venus with turtle after the original by Antoine Coysevox (1640-1720, Louvre 1686) on a round black truncated column with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
German Wooden Biedermeier/ Empire Trumeau Mirror with Brass a Appliques
Located in Hamburg, DE
The pillar mirror, also called trumeau is from the German Biedermeier period. The frame is made of mahogany and root wood veneer. On the frame above the mirror is a mythological scen...
Category
Early 18th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Pair of “return from Egypt” torch holders , attributed to Agostino Fantastici
Located in Walkertshofen, BY
Pair of Egyptian style Torchères with hermes and female busts on the stems, on flared griffon feet, attributed to Agostino Fantastici.
The plates are supported by finely worked palmettes. Mahogany, partly black lacquered and gilded. Attr. Agostino Fantastici, Siena circa 1820
Born in 1782 to Bernardino and Margherita Boddi. He learned his first notions of architecture from his father, a professor of mathematics at the University of Siena and a hydraulic engineer.
He trained first in Siena, then in Rome, and was active both during the French occupation and, above all, during the Restoration period.
His work was very wide-ranging and included numerous projects, mainly in Senegal. The first years of activity included the prison in the former convent of Santa Marta (1811), the conversion of the convent of Sant'Agostino to the Liceo (1811), the church of San Salvatore (1812-1832), work on Palazzo Griffoli in Lucignano (1815-1818), the new tribune for the church of the Madonna (1812-1832) ; the new tribune for the church of the bishopric of Santa Maria della Scala (1815-1818); the Duomo of Montalcino (1817-1832), his masterpiece as a sacred building, and the façade of the Duomo of Colle di Val d'Elsa; the portico and scaffolding of the Council of Tolome in Sant'Agostino (1818, with Francesco Paccagnini).
In Siena he also worked at the Teatro dei Rinnovati (1832), the Teatro dei Rozzi and the Duomo, as well as creating ponti, dighe, steccati and pescaie ; in the fifth century of the Ottocento, he worked on the church of San Giuseppe, where a new chapel was created, on the church of San Leonardo, on the altar of the church of Saints Peter and Paul, on the chapel of the Holy Sepulchre and on the slates of the church of Santa Maria in Provenzano, and on the church of San Pietro alla Magione.
Among his works of residential architecture, he designed the façade of Palazzo Pozzesi (1823), the refurbishment of Palazzo Puccioni, Palazzo Staderini, Palazzo Brancadori (1828) and the Borghesi Casino (1825), the gardens of Villa di Scorgiano and Casa Malavolti, the extension and interior stage of Villa Spannocchi, Villa Il Pavone...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Baltic Set of 6 Empire-Armchairs, Mahogany, Design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Located in Göttingen, NI
A rare Baltic set of 6 Empire-armchairs - design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Mahogany richly carved and veneered
Side frame construction with inlaid upholstered seat on turned f...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Silvered Three Claw-Feet French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times structured, fluted column-shaft.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Horn-Formed Rolling Candlesticks French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and casted, partially silvered. Three stylized, horn-formed rolling candle sticks.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century France Furnished Armchair Group
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid maple. Curved frame on curly legs. Strong curved supports in rolled volutes ending for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish. Seat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Maple
Armor and Venus Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Sculpture Gilt Bronze
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This beautiful Empire bronze sculpture shows winged Amor carrying Venus, she is holding a wreath in her right hand, surrounded within a circula...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine Russian Empire gilt- and patinated bronze desk top inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810. Rectangular shaped base raised on four turned fee...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chest of drawers, Louis Seize around 1790
Located in Münster, DE
Louis Seize chest of drawers, circa 1790
Walnut and plum veneered on a softwood body, band inlays, the edges inlaid all around with maple and ebony, three drawers, original fittings...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Nutwood
Museum Essay / Tabernacle Around 1810, Walnut
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum essay/tabernacle around 1810, walnut.
Extremely rare and high-quality tabernacle with very elaborate and rich inlaid marquetry in walnut/root veneer on fir wood.
High construction consisting of 3 elements. The tabernacle has many drawers...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Fir
Early 19th Century North Italy Neoclassical Walnut Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century North Italy Neoclassical Empire period Walnut and Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
A very rare and elegant North-Italian walnut veneered and giltwood overmantel mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style brass polished
Located in Berlin, DE
Polished brass and facet-ground prism hangings.
Measures:
Diameter 76 cm
Height 120 cm.
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Noble 20th Century in Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and antique silvered. Columns as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-11).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Empire Style French Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Majestic basket chandelier in French. Empire style in 1900.
Bronze, gilded. Basket-shaped, profile-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prism strings. In the course, con...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally articulated body. Two-door, bent frame box on pressed, carved, poliementvergolddete claw feet. Recessed tower with two t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
20th Century Empire Style Chandelier Referred to Empress Joséphine
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic splendid chandelier in Empire style referred to Empress Joséphine.
Exceptionally cine, engraved and cast Bronze. Basket-formed corpus from h...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style French Garniture Living Room Sets
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial garniture in French Empire style.
Solid, ebonized beechwood. Fine engraved and silver plated Empire mountings and caryatides.
Measures: Kanapee/sofa: Width 108 cm, heigh...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech, Wood
20th Century Empire Style Four Sweeping Arms Candlestick/Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Monumental candelabra in Empire style.
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
(T-Ra-14).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Empire style basket chandelier
Classicist basket chandelier in Empire style.
Finely cast, Bronze silvered. Adorned with engraved swans and pearl cords.
(F-Ra-20).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Light Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative wall light in Empire style.
Finely engraved and cast bronze. Three stylized, full horn-formed, sweeping light arms.
(F-Sam-1).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Swedish Ceiling Chandelier in Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid brass with an antique finish. Hangings from finely ground crystal.
Measures: Diameter 76 cm, height 114 cm.
Category
20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Imperial Stylish Lion Salon Couch in Antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine detailed carving work on solid beechwood. Gilded.
Armrests ended in protruding, winged, forward leaning lions heads in Bronze.
Measures:
Width:146cm
height:117 cm
Depth: 7...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
19th Century Unique Empire Armchair Around 1820, France, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th century Unique Empire armchair around 1820, France, Mahogany
Solid mahogany wood, France around 1820/30.
Finely carved swan's heads on each armrest. Extremely high quality a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Unique Empire Wall Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany with gilded bronze fittings. Solid softwood, Cuba mahogany veneer. Original glass, finely chased bronze fittings.
(M-32).
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Candelabra in Empire Style silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times
structured, fluted column-shaft.
Measures:
Height: 73.5 cm,
diameter 25 cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and silvered bronze. Full plasticised, masculine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-20-Bas).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Basket Applique or Wall Lamp
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic basket applique in the Empire style.
Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. The basket-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prisms is connected by a broad, ornamental...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Classicist Basket Chandelier silver in antique Empire Style brass hand crafted
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely chased and silver-plated bronze. Basket-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl cords with a leaf rosette and a pine knob at the end, connected by a w...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Original Antique Empire Library / Shelve / Vitrine, circa 1860-1880 Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Biblithek, circa 1860s-1880s from an Empire room
Mahogany with beautiful empire figures, cast bronze.
Very rare to get today.
3 glass doors, interior with glass shelves, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Empire Style Three Claw-Feet French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved, silvered. On three claw-feet, several times structured, fluted column-shaft.
(T-Mr-15-Bp).
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Swedish Empire ceiling crown in the style of classicism
Polished brass and facetted prismatic trimmings. Starting from narrow, ornamented brass hoops, eight curved candlesticks for cylindrical spouts above a round gutter bowl. Baluster-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl strings...
Category
20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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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