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
329
2,678
2,041
2,541
103
34
88,219
55,186
18,649
10,342
8,360
6,687
6,568
6,245
4,567
3,946
3,608
3,361
3,319
3,019
2,866
2,839
2,678
2,070
189
1,578
774
137
331
180
122
81
12
57
30
25
15
19
7
27
16
1,409
1,116
794
576
573
1,919
1,491
258
151
139
2,678
2,660
2,662
20
12
8
7
5
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Empire
Antique French Blue Opaline Glass Table Lamp
Located in Rochester, NY
1930's French blue opaline glass table lamp w/ brass fittings. 40" h to top of brass finial / 25" h to top of electric socket x 6 1/2" diam...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK Composed of 19th century elements ref. 501GWU22P 45 7/8" H x 32 1/8" W x 15 5/8" D; writing area is 15" D x 26 1/8" W Thi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A stately and beautifully proportioned French Empire commode, crafted in the early 19th century, circa 1810–1830. This classic piece features a rich flame mahogany veneer, a hallmark...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass

19th Century Mahogany Standing Tilting Floor Mirror from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately mahogany adjustable/tilting floor mirror standing over 5.5' tall. Note the elegant finials and central flourish that crown the mirror, resting on elaborately carved lion's fe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted / Cut Glass Empire Style Centerpiece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Step into the splendor of the 19th century with this exceptional Empire-style tableware centerpiece, a captivating union of gilt bronze mounts and cut glass that epitomizes the opule...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Hand Painted Room Divider 4 Panel Leather Screen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic leather four panel room divider hand painted and hand crafted screen from the latter part of the 19th century France. Hand painted cherubs with floral accents in outstandin...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Elegant vintage classical Empire inspired marble top table by Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an elegant empire inspired marble topped side table by Maitland Smith. This Empire inspired table has a hand forged wrought iron base with three decorative brass wings. This ...
Category

1990s Philippine Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique American Empire Style Cuban Mahogany Game Table
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant American Empire style game table, circa 1835. This versatile piece showcases classic design with a practical function. The swivel top, supported by a graceful cylinder column...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Neo Classical Style Burl Walnut Mirrored Back Console Table / Credenzas
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance your living space with this Mid-20th Century Neo-Classical Style Burled Walnut Mirrored Credenza/Console Table, a versatile and beautifully designed piece of furniture that r...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Vintage Tapestry With Birds 7X5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique French Aubusson Pillow 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Framed Upholstered Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very beautiful North American Empire style mahogany wood framed upholstered sofa with matching bolster pillows and mahogany frame scroll...
Category

1820s American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps. Pair of elegant antique French Empire bronze four light candelabras converted to table lamps. The outstandi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Heavy 19th century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Two Candelabra Lamp with Black Tole Shade. Shade is decorated with gilt wreaths that add contrast nicely with the black shade. Gilt f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Style Bleached Commode with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century French Empire style commode exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring bleached mahogany and a marble top The bleached finish gives it a timeless and classic loo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL! MID CENTURY MONUMENTAL BRASS MARBRO LAMP! MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON! DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS! POLISHED BRASS ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21" In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived! Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold

French Empire Bookcases Set of 2
Located in Pomona, CA
A pair of French Empire bookcases / China cabinets. Ebonized side pillars with brass capitals. Gilt appliques to top and bottom front. Beveled g...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Glass

Small Rectangular 19th Century Wooden Mirror and Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Danish or Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror. This classic rectangular mirror features the original mirror. Wonderful mirror that can be displayed on a vanity or hung verticall...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mirror

English Plant Flower Pot Holder Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head and Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
An English copper plant or flower pot holder cachepot jardiniere with lion head and paw feet design, circa early-20th century, England. Dimensions: 8" Diameter x 6.94" Height.
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture

Materials

Copper

French 19th Century Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large French Empire period gueridon from the 1800’s. The original fossil black marble top has been professionally repaired. Its refined mahogany base has a simple apron above a col...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Napoleonic Porcelain Soup Plates Set of 10 by Nast w/ French Imperial Decoration
By Nast
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of ten beautiful French porcelain soup plates was made by Nast, the Parisian factory renowned for producing porcelain for Napoleon and his imperial court. During the Napole...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Belgian Empire Gilt Metal Three-Piece Garniture Clock Candelabras Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Belle Epoque Belgian Empire style Gilt Metal Three-Piece candelabras and Clock Garniture set with Asian inspiration. They measures 11" in width,...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Christofle Coffee & Tea Set with Rosewood Handles & Large Tray
Located in Ross, CA
Christofle silverplated coffee and tea set of five, made in France in the 1980's. The set includes a large oval tray with handles on each end, a coffee pot, tea pot, lidded sugar bow...
Category

1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with leafy cornucopia carvings, carved top rail, great antique sofa. Cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set of Six Napoleonic Empire Style Bronze Mounted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of six mahogany dining chairs made in the grand Napoleonic Empire taste. The chairs feature beautifully crafted mahogany frames with rich, deep woodgrains on the fi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Mid 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Pillow 20'' X 14'', handmade french piece in great condition
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Dutch 20th Century Mahogany Empire Style Tallboy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially...
Category

20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th century French Empire Period Burl Elm Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale early nineteenth century French Empire period console table is constructed of solid burl elm and features a black marble top. A single drawer of dovetail constructio...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Located in Trenton, NJ
nfuse your home with timeless sophistication with this Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa. Its ebonized wood frame features exquisite carvings that highlight the skill and craftsmanship...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
$1,170 Sale Price
35% Off
French Ebonized Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Classic, French Empire round end table of white marble top on a tripod base with recent painted finish. The mottled stone top is mostly white with faint gray veining and offers a rai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Empire Walnut Upholstered Settee
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely tailored walnut Empire settee. The top rail is flanked by two graceful sloping arms, joining two brass classical female heads crowing two front straight tapering le...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of 11 Heinrich H&Co Selb Bavaria Gold Encrusted Porcelain Dinner Plates
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional set of 11 Heinrich Selb porcelain and gold encrusted dinner plates in white body in good antique condition.Listed price is ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

French Empire Sword Bench Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French gilt Empire sword bench with ultra sueded fabric. Beautiful carving details. Leave as is or have your upholstery shop recover and tighten frame.
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak

Antique French Empire Swan Neck Mahogany Daybeds W/ Cream Woven Fabric - A Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite pair of early 19th-century French Empire daybeds, sourced directly from Paris, France. Masterfully crafted from solid mahogany, these daybeds feature sleigh-shaped frame...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

English Crown Derby Porcelain Potpourri Vessel, early 19th century
Located in New York, NY
An English porcelain potpourri vessel with gold gilt god-like heads and lion paw feet, Empire design, by Crown Derby, circa early-19th century, England. Red makers' mark date range c...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA . Very Important and Large Enfilade De Boiserie Buffet Lavabo C.1810 Empire Transition Charles X A great patron of the arts. Light colored woods, yellow or bleached were dominant. This Piece is made of the Bois Clairs in warm blond tone typical of the period 1810-1830. We have another video of the interior to share with you if you wish. Wall Paneling Cabinets and a trumeau Mirror at the center of the Curve, in Front of it a nicely carved Stone Urn with Sphere finial top creating a back splash of a Sink. A very elegant architectural element “La Haute Société ". Focal point of a grand room . These pieces make for a truly special interior to any residence. Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA Melrose Ave La Cienega Blvd . Two Very Large Wall mount Cabinets with very large Doors and original hardware hinges , keys and locks , interior of each cabinet with 3 dividers that makes 4 compartments, a great space to store your dinner service , your porcelain , wine , your glassware etc . painted a beautiful light green on the interior. A very large Marble Hand Carved Urn, on a pedestal and the Swan Fountain...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass, Bronze

French Empire Round Marble Top Mahogany Column Pedestal Cabinet End Table Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Round Marble Top Mahogany Reeded Column Form Pedestal Cabinet End Tables - a Pair. Item features single cabinet door, brass door pull, white Italian marbl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Antique Empire Style Console Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany console table with a marble top, circa 1900. With a rectangular grey and white marble top with slightly rounded front corners, a frieze drawer with a we...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany & Bronze Twin Size Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 19th Century Empire mahogany twin size daybed with applied bronze decorations. Structurally sound with repair done on legs, see photos. Nice finish, bolt together construction...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Baker Furniture Regency Burl Wood Writing Desk or Library Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Regency or Neoclassical style writing desk or library table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous burled walnut, with original brass hardware. Measures: 48"...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany

French 19th Century Chest of Drawers - Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
A French Empire Period Fruitwwod commode or chest of drawers of rectangular shape, the three drawers raised on gilt wood paw feet, with Empire bronze escutcheons and pulls , having ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century French Empire Console with Carrara Marble Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Empire console table having a rectangular Carrara marble top, on mahogany table base with single frieze drawer, raised on square-section, tapering legs capped and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Period French Empire Buffet from Bordeaux
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine 19th century French Empire period buffet, expertly handcrafted of solid walnut by skilled artisans in the historic port city of Bordeaux, circa 1810. Renowned for its rich her...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Commode or Dresser with Marble Top & Bronze Lion Head Pulls
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite French Empire style commode or dresser offering three drawers. The commode or dresser is painted in antiqued beige tone and features lion head bronze pulls. The dresser or commode is raised by finely carved tole metal bottom showing scrolls and a large shell design in the middle. The piece is study and is finely carved while having a marble top in black , gray adding style and elegance to this timeless dresser. The French Empire style dresser...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Silk Tapestry Pillow 1850
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Beautiful Early 19th Century Portrait
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful early 19th century portrait dated and signed at the back. Portrait attributed to Berthon, student of David "The young girl and the c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Pair of Antique French Balustrade Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
Great looking pair of shaped column form on round base. Made of antique cast stone balustrade from French Chateau. Lamps comes with Belgium linen shades. Lamp sockets are two differ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Cast Stone

Classic Empire Center Table - Weathered Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from grey cerused oak with an unusual weathered acacia finish, this table features a beautifully carved ogee edge that adds a touch of intricate detailing. The table is supp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Settee / Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century French Empire style handcrafted gilt bronze mahogany framed upholstered settee / sofa. The settee features four straight mahogany legs, the front two of which are set on...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Chandelier with Opaline Glass 16 Lights
Located in New York, NY
1930’s French Empire chandelier with swans, cherubs and lions. Opaline glass inset. 16 lights
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 18" X 13" , Circa 1850s
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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