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
Antique French Empire Nickel Silver Glass Corinthian Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Nickel Silver Etched Glass Corinthian Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 21" H (to light socket) x 5.5" W ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Feet Side Tables, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Feet Side Tables - a Pair. Item features a claw foot tripod pedestal base, lower shelf, beautiful woodgrain,...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency Empire Mahogany Side Table w/ Black Columns
By Weiman
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
Antique Gothic French Empire Renaissance Bronze Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Gothic French Empire Bronze Candelabra Renaissance Table Lamps - a Pair. Item features 6 candle arms, fluted columns, flared pedestal base, single light sockets, and tall sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th C. French Empire Onyx & Bronze Ormolu Revolving Statue Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Onyx & Bronze Ormolu Revolving Statue Column Pedestal. Item features a revolving top, bronze ormolu, beautiful green and beige onyx stone, and timeless classica...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
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
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
Vintage French Empire Blue Tole Metal Gold Swan Painted Urn Form Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Blue Tole Metal Gold Swan Painted Urn Form Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 31" H (to finial) x 23" H (to light socket) x 7" W x ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks.
With intricate raised decoration in the form of geometric and foliate patterns.
The middle of each candlestick is fluted and ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 22" H x 27.5" W x 17" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs w/ Neoclassical Bronze Ormolu - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Neoclassical Bronze Ormolu - a Pair. Item features finely cast ornate bronze ormolu, slightly curved backrest, solid wood frames, beau...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Empire Mahogany 3 Part Pedestal Sideboard Buffet With Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Empire Mahogany 3 Part Pedestal Sideboard Buffet With Drawers. Item features three part hand dovetailed construction, side lock cab...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Century French Empire Style Cherry Wood Black Column 1 Drawer End Tables - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Century French Empire Style Cherry Wood Black Column 1 Drawer End Tables - Pair. Item features one dovetailed drawer, solid wood construction, finis...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
French Empire Neoclassical Cornucopia Base Round Pink Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Marble Top Coffee Table. Item features a triple cornucopia carved wood base, pink round marble-top, off white original painted finish and rol...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Empire Period Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming portrait of a young Empire period gentleman with an earring, under glass in a period gild wood frame. Oil pastel on paper, French, circa 1800.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Paw Feet Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Paw Feet Console Hall Table. Finely cast bronze ormolu, paw feet, gold gilt accents, bronze inlay,...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Small Thin Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamp a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Small Thin Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 20.5" H (to light socke...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Antique Burl Walnut Center Table with Black Marble Top, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE ORMOLU-MOUNTED BURL WALNUT CENTER TABLE
With an original dished black marble top; France, circa 1815
Item # 101OPB21A
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
A large French Empire wood and gesso mirror, C 1840.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The two-tone painted, rectangular frame with ornate gilt highlights throughout. Perfect in an entryway, to elongate a hall way or above a mantel horizontally. The neutral mirror may...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
The set of 10 Carved Empire Upholstered Chairs comprise of a group with 2 arm chairs and 8 side chairs. All chairs with a carved top rail and featuring a fully upholstered back which...
Category
2010s Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire 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
19th C. French Empire Style Round Mahogany Bronze Mount Tilt Top Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century French Empire Style Round Mahogany Tilt Top Table w/ Bronze Ormolu. Item features ornate cast bronze ormolu, brass casters, carved central column, beautiful wood grain, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Foot Swivel Leather Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Carved Column Paw Foot Swivel Leather Stool. Item features an adjustable swivel seat, brown leather upholstery, solid mahogany wood carved Corinthian...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th C Biedermeier Italian Burl Fruitwood Curule Base Side Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of 19th C Biedermeier Ebonized & Fruitwood Curule Base Side Chairs. Item features shapely sabre legs, ebonized back splats, rolled backs, beautiful original veneer and solid woo...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
French Empire Portrait of Boy, circa 1810
Located in Doylestown, PA
A fine, lifesize oil-on-canvas portrait of a young boy dressed in period attire, holding a book titled “Dictionaire de France” In a period appropriate giltwood frame. Empire period, ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair. Item features a coral floral needlepoint upholstery, torch and flame carved crust, gold painted finish, very...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Empire Cast Iron & Silvered Bronze Paw Foot Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Cast Iron & Silvered Bronze Paw Foot Andirons - a Pair. Item featured has Distressed/weathered finish, ornate casting, heavy construction, very nice antique pai...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze & Marble Hunting Dog Desk Double Inkwell. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4.75" H x 11.5" W x 6.25" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Gilded Brass Bronze Figural Elephant Small Candlesticks, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Gilded brass bronze figural elephant small candlesticks - a pair. Item features a gold gilded finish, great elephant form casting, nice small Size, very nice vintage item, gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror. Item features burl wood, beveled glass, stately bronze mounts including human figured feet, maiden face...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Brass Spiral Column Andirons- a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Brass Spiral Column Andirons- a Pair. Circa 1900. Measurements: 20" H x 9" W x 17.5" D.
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Maison Krieger French Empire Sideboard Mahogany Gilt Bronze
Located in New York, NY
This is a luxurious piece that reflects the craftsmanship of Maison Krieger, a distinguished French furniture manufacturing company. This piece was procured from an esteemed estate l...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Green Marble Top Fluted Wood Corinthian Column Pedestal Base Round Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
42" round green marble-top fluted Corinthian column coffee table. Item features a substantial green marble top with very attractive "wave" pattern veins. The marble top rests on a ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage Low Marble Top Empire Style Pedestal Side Tables by Imperial, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage low marble top Empire style pedestal side tables by Imperial - a Pair. Item features a nice low form, square white marble tops, wooden urn form ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Column Form Flame Finial Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Column Form Flame Finial Andirons - a Pair. Item features flame finials, reeded column form shafts, paw feet, very nice antique set. Circa Early 19...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Pair of E. F. Caldwell Empire Style Silvered Bronze Three-Light Sconces
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This quality pair of neoclassical style sconces are finely detailed, and feature lion heads, rosettes and acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Feet Oval Vanity Table Double Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French empire style brass paw feet oval vanity table double mirror. Item features 3 brass paw feet, mirror on both sides, flame finials, great s...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Antique 64" Caved Wood Gold Giltwood Empire Pedestal Candlestick Pricket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Antique French Empire 64" Tall Caved Wood Gold Giltwood Pedestal Candlestick Pricket. Item features a Large impressive size, gold gilt finish, carved paw feet, ball form rollin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Heavy Cast Bronze Empire Wall Sconce w 3 Lights Quantity Available
Located in New York, NY
Heavy cast bronze three light sconce done in an Empire style. Small quantity available at time of posting. Priced each. Please inquire. Please note, this item is located in our Scran...
Category
Early 2000s Argentine Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Putty Cherub Large Brass Cannonball Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Putty Cherub Large Brass Cannonball Andirons - a Pair. Items features heavy brass forms, large round cannonballs, figural...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table. Item features mother of pearl and wood floral wreath inlay, carved reeded column-form legs, very nice vin...
Category
Early 20th Century 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.