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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: Pennsylvania
Style: Empire
Mid. Century vintage elegant neoclassical style lamps/pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage Neo classical style table lamps. These lamps have a copper undertone with a beautiful patinated distressed green patina. These lamps have a hand...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Copper

French Empire Marble and Bronze Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality 19th Century bronze and green marble lamp base is of columnar form. It features Neoclassical motifs including floral swags and...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th C. French Empire Crotch Mahogany Bronze Ormolu 1 Drawer Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Crotch Mahogany Bronze Ormolu One Drawer Console Hall Table. Item features beautiful wood grain with attractive mounts including human form feet, rear back spla...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Patinated Bronze Brass Column Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Patinated Bronze/Brass Heavy Column Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Cleaned and restored. Small quantity available at time of posting. Please inquire. Priced each. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair Empire 2 Arm Brass Crystal Candelabra Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
These pieces were acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Pair of two arm Empire style wall sconces with a brushed brass frame and icicle shaped and draped faceted...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 47" H (to finial) x 34" H (to light socket) x 8.5" W x 8.5" D...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid century vintage Italian brass and porcelain whimsical decorator lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Italian made decorator table lamp. The table lamp features a botanical inspired bouquet flowers with handmade porce...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage French Empire Style Candlestick Candelabra Brass Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Candlestick Candelabra Brass Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features 3 candleholders each, figural bases, and a distressed white painted finish. Circa Mid 20t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Milling Road for Baker French Empire Settee designed by Darryl Carter
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darryl Carter for milling Road by Baker. This settee has a white lacquer finish to the frame with new upholstery el tiger gray Chenil...
Category

2010s Indonesian Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith French Empire Green Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith attributed French Empire Style Green Lacquer Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining/Center Table. Item features thick round glass, green paint lacquered top with sunburst center and Greek Key border, dark brown and gold pedestal...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer

Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19.5" H x 8" W x 19" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Iron

French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER France, circa 1830 Item # 403ZGP18C An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

French Empire Antique Burl Walnut Center Table with Black Marble Top, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine Empire center table crafted of beautifully patinated burl walnut veneers over secondary woods, the table retains its original black marble top. This was turned to create the dished top with an integral raised rim. Over each of the three columns is a honeysuckle gilded bronze mount, each pillar...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock. Item features a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console. Item features antiqued glass top, shell carved knees, paw feet, distressed finish. Circa Mid 20th Century. Me...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality lamp base features a gilt classical frieze, and a patinated bronze figure of a classical maiden.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Empire Brass Bronze Urn Finial Slender Column Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brass Bronze Urn Finial Slender Column Andirons with Desirable Patina and Branch Feet - a Pair. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 22" H x 11.5" W x 18" D.
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency Empire Mahogany Side Table w/ Black Columns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency/Empire Style Flamed Mahogany Side Table with Black Columns, Satinwood Inlay, and Dovetailed Drawer. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage French Empire Style Crystal Glass Pineapple Column Brass Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Crystal Glass Pineapple Column Brass Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 28.5" H (to light socket) x 6" W x 6" D. {3-Way...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Empire Double Wooden Corinthian Column Black & Gold Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Double Wooden Corinthian Column Black & Gold Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 38" H (to finial) x 30" H (to light socket) x 10" W ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21" H (to finial) x 15" H (to light socket) x 10" W x 10" D. {3-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Wedgwood Jasperware Black and White Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Antique Black and White Wedgwood Jasperware Urn Table Lamps. Item features porcelain urn form bodies, wooden base, dual sockets, white ...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair Empire Style Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of bronze candlesticks feature Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and reeded tapering shafts.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid 20th century framed Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian framed bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold detail...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2 part construction, beautiful tapered capitol, brass hardware, mother of pearl keyh...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Warren Kessler French Empire Bronze Candlestick Small Table Lamps a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Warren Kessler French Empire Style Bronze Candlestick Black Column Bouillotte Small Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 17" H (to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk
Located in New York, NY
Procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, this desk showcases the timeless craftsmanship of the French Empire period. Crafted from rich mahogany, this desk features...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Quality French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Empire Period Fauteuils with Vintage Upholstery, Early 19th C.
Located in Morristown, NJ
A fine matched pair of French Empire period fauteuils, each with a rectangular padded back, removable cushioned seat, and elegantly reeded and carved arms. The mahogany frames displa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 10" W x 17" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Empire Style Carved Fruitwood Open Armchairs
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of 19th century fruitwood armchairs feature carved acanthus leaves and reeded arms.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

French Empire Solid Mahogany Regency Side Chairs Figural Bronze Ormolu, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire solid mahogany Regency side chairs with figural bronze ormolu - a pair. Item features finely cast ornate bronze ormolu, slightly curved backrest, solid wood fra...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Cut Glass Dish Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Empire style pendant light with a cast glass dish and bronze decorative frame. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the Waldorf Astoria. This requires three stan...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 38" H x 22" W x 4.5" D
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Italian Neoclassical French Empire Green & Gold Painted Wooden Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Neoclassical / French Empire Style Green & Gold Painted Carved Wood Column Pedestal. Circa 1900, (painted finish appears to...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Villa Garnelo French Empire Style Crotch Mahogany 4 Drawer Commode Dresser Chest
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Villa Garnelo French Empire Style Crotch Mahogany 4 Drawer Commode Dresser Chest. Ite...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Milling Road for Baker French Empire design by Daryl Carter settee
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darrell Carter for milling Road by Baker furniture Company. The settee has a white lacquered finished to the frame with newly upholst...
Category

2010s Indonesian Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Empire Style Large 30" Cast Iron Urn Form Garden Planters - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Empire Style Large 30" Cast Iron Urn Form Garden Planters - a Pair. We...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 25.5 H (to light socket) x 5" W x 5" D. {3-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass

Maslow Freen French Empire Style Breakfront Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maslow Freen French Empire style breakfront bookcase China cabinet with brass grill. Item includes 2 part construction, 8 swing doors, worki...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Brass Gallery Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Center Table with Brass Gallery. Item features a pierced brass gallery, pedestal base, gold gilt details, beautiful wood grai...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

A French Empire style giltwood and gesso mirror, C. 1880.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stately French mirror featuring a carved giltwood and gesso frame with classical corner detailing. This mirror reflects the grandeur and symmetry characteristic of the Empire aesth...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood

Vintage French Empire Brass Tole Metal Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Tole Metal Twin Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp with White Painted Metal Adjustable Oval Shade. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Empire Neoclassical Round Marble Top Eagle Carved Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Round Marble Top Eagle Carved Center Table. Item features a round marble top with raised edge, gold gilt eagle heads, lower shelf, ebonized finish,...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique French Empire Style Small 12" Cast Iron Urn Garden Planter Pots - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Small 12" Cast Iron Urn Garden Planter Pots - Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 9.5" H x 12" W x 12" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique French Empire Brass Converted Oil Lamp Mahogany Wood Column Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brass Converted Oil Lamp Corinthian Column Table Lamp With Mahogany Wooden Column. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 31.5" H (to finial) x 26" H (to light ...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Waterford Kinsale Crystal Glass Column Brass Empire Style Floor Lamps -
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S shipping quote. Vintage Waterford Kinsale Crystal Glass Column Brass Empire Style Floor Lamps - a Pair...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair French Empire Figural Bronze Candelabra Signed Chibout
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This finely detailed, and hand chased pair of bronze candelabra were made by Pierre Chibout. Active 1806-24, he worked with Claude Francois Rabiat who's workshop he took over in 181...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

A Pair of custom Empire style crotch mahogany console tables.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant and finely crafted, this pair of custom console or pier tables showcases the bold symmetry and classical influence of the Empire style. Each table features richly figured cr...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Anthony Querville Drop Leaf Mahogany Table w/Acanthus Leaf Carving Circa 1845
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exquisitely crafted mahogany drop leaf table attributed to renowned cabinetmaker Anthony Querville, circa 1845. Features the distinctive proportions and refined joinery characteristi...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Wynwood Flex Steel Empire Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Empire Style Carved Cherry Wood Glass Display Curio China Cabinet by Wynwood Flex Steel. Item features a carved wood backsplash, spiral carved columns, original label, 2 drawers, 2 a...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Cherry

Vintage French Empire Tole Metal Oval Shade Small Brass Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Tole Metal Small Brass Bouillotte Desk Lamp with Adjustable Height Oval Shade. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19" H (to finial) x 8.5" H (to light socket...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx" Ormolu - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx/Lion" Ormolu - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H x 18" W x 20" D x 19.5" Seat height.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps - a Pair. Item featured is a tall impressive size, 7 electrified candelabras, stunning cast bronze ormolu with rouge marble supports, square black painted wooden bases, remarkable quality and overall presence. Approx 60 lbs each. Stunning and rare pair of floor candelabras...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell. Item features decorative cast bronze sphinx like figures all mounted on an oval green marble base wh...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique American Empire Mahogany Green Marble Top Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Mahogany Green Marble Top Console Hall Table. Item features serpentine column supports, art print scene in glass, beautiful wood grain, very nice antique item...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

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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