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
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs.
Offered is a lovely pair of early 19th century French period Empire chairs, fauteuils or side chairs. This pair of chairs are adorned with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$11,850 / set
Grand French Empire Style Bronze Mahogany Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent French mahogany bibliotheque style bookcase cabinet crafted in the Napoleonic French empire taste. Constructed on a grand scale the cabinet features three pairs of storage do...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Christofle "Malmaison" Silver Plated Flatware in New Box, Set of 49
By Christofle
Located in Ross, CA
Forty nine piece flatware set made by Christofle in France, in the Malmaison pattern. The service for twelve was made around 2000. All the pieces are hallmarked and come in a new box...
Category
Early 2000s French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Fine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate dinner, wo...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Empire Style French Secretary “Retour d’Egypte”
Located in Austin, TX
Secretary from France in the Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. The cabinet boasts two ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique American Empire Crotch Mahogany Chest Drawers Step Back Dresser Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Crotch Mahogany Chest Drawers Step Back Dresser with Paw Feet. Item features column supports, lift off upper small 3 drawer sect...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Unbeatable age and patina on this black painted and gilt on oval tray. The tray features leaves in an oval pattern. As found in Sweden, we see this metal tray functioning on a coffee...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Extremely Fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
An extremely fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany center table, circa 1820-1830.
Very finely mounted with crisp ormolu throughout, with bronze female figures, foliate scrolling, lions head...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Amethyst, Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Period French, Empire Painted Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Period French, Empire Painted Commode
The solid wood body is painted in a textured, aged, distressed patina showing some of the gesso-painted base and original wood b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Empire Neoclassical Gilt Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire Neoclassical gilt mirror. Antique Italian gilt Neoclassical mirror frame with interior leaf and dart holding with large ogee band and o...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant. Mahogany with mahogany & oak secondary wood. Ingenious hidden drawers & locking mec...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Dore Patinated Bronze Urns on Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of quality bronze Dore Urns on Pedestals. The pair are in wonderful vintage condition. one small bend to the lip or edge of one - not greatly noticeable or offense...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Bronze
$2,910 Sale Price / set
40% Off
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
19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A breathtaking Dutch-made, French Empire style buffet of flamed mahogany with coordinating dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The slab exhibits constellations...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire-Style Dressing Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This exceptional mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass pivoting mirror and white marble top. The mirror has foxing and is framed with beautiful mahogany...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Demi Lune Marble Topped Two Door Commode with Two Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 empire style demi lune commode is made of mahogany with a marble top. Commode has two locking drawers flanked by wedge-shaped, locking side cabinets....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Fine French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal Six Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Classical French Empire gilt bronze, patinated metal and gilt wood six light chandelier.
19th Century
Well proportioned central gilt and patinated bronze Empire tazza with a large gi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Marble Topped Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Empire style side table handcrafted in France. A wonderful square piece of emerald green marble featuring black veining and hazy white patterns sits atop a cast iron base w...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Iron
Empire Style Round Side Table, Country Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style Neo Classic wooden round side table in a rustic country finish, with a dish top, four tapered column legs and an X stretcher base.
Dimensions: 30" W x 30" D x 27....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,060 / item
Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed
Located in Huntington, NY
This rare cabinet makers example of an antique Empire mahogany sleigh bed,
As Dog bed. With new poly foam bed covered in black & white ticking.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base.
Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,608 / item
Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Eagles Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Figural Center Table with Figures of Winged Eagles and Wreaths, the center medallion with a figure of a bull and and raised on lion paws over a sphere, fitted with a veined verde d'alps marble top (Marble top is recent and not the original - Gilding restored with 23.5 cart...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$48,950 Sale Price
48% Off
1930s French Brass and Marble Top Coffee or Side Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1930s French Empire solid brass and Carrara marble top cocktail or side table.
An elegant table with delicate floral motifs throughout and graceful cabriole legs. The inset ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Cherry Wood Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal extension dining table.
By Baker Furniture.
USA, Circa Late 20th...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Writing Desk, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Distinctive and elegant, this small ladies writing desk has decorative inlaid brass filigree embellished with colorful stone and shell details along the top.
Please enlarge photos t...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1920’s French Empire Small Chandelier 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1920’s French Empire style small chandelier with swam’s heads. Unusual 3 lights. Green color
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Aubusson French Tapestry 1850 - 21" x 19"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 19" X 13", it also has it's pair as well for whom that is interested, … more
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow - 19'' X 19''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th century French Aubusson tapestry pillow. 19'' x 19'' x 6''.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1950 Empire Crystal Chandelier 18 Lights Two Tiers
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1950’s French Empire style 18 lights crystals and bronze chandelier. Two tiers. With faces on the bronze rings. Original gilding and patina.
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Federal EmpireStyle Victorian Cherry Wood Armchairs, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Amazing set of 4 Empire Style Armchairs, ornately decorated with bronze appliqué, leaf foot caps and stunning bronze griffin arm details. The commanding chairs are made of solid Cher...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$9,750 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Pair of Architectural Gilt Wood Wall Shelves Brackets, Mid-19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Pair of French Gold Gilt Wall Shelves. Could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful classic addition to any living room,...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Maitland Smith French Empire Iron Bronze Figural Maiden Plant Stand Jardinière
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive cauldron or planter by Maitland-Smith, circa 1990s. Made from iron and bronze in French Empire styling. Features a tessellated marble plater or bowl over a figured scro...
Category
1990s Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,880 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Black French Pair of Empire Pinewood Cabinets, Antique Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French pair of cabinets made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed commodes are supported by four short arched feet, consisting its origi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
18th - 19th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Gilded Bronze Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
English Silver Plate Covered Biscuit Box or Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver plate covered biscuit box or tea caddy with hinged finial lid top, attached claw footed gallery tray, and exterior repou...
Category
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
$780 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair French Empire Style Arrow Horn Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Antique French Empire style brass horn and arrow motif wall sconces. Each with 2 candelabra size lights with black and gold clip on shades. Newly wired, added are 5" round ba...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,695 / set
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece
Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Retour d'Egpyte Antique Veneered Mahogany Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Retour d'Egpyte freestanding console table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The rectangular table is composed with one small drawer, consisting a grey Belgian marble top, standing on four legs, resting on a thick wooden base. The front part of side table is particularized by star-shaped brass décor, the front legs are enhanced by black carved large caryatids. The décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Gentleman's Shaving or Dressing Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century American Empire gentleman's tilt-top shaving mirror of mahogany. The original mirror glass is in a beveled frame with a dome top and is supported by beautifully crafter ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Queen Bed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19/20th Century) mahogany queen size bed with gilt bronze trim and upholstered panel on headboard (includes: headboard, fo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Bronze
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category
1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage French Empire Mahogany 25" Round Coffee Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Mahogany 25" Round Coffee Table with Ornate Brass Gallery and Carved Tapered Legs. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21.5" H (to gallery) x 25" W x 25" D. 2...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix Bronze Sculpture After Antonio Canova
Located in New York, NY
Finely modeled and cast antique (19th century) patinated bronze sculpture depicting Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix after the original model by the Italian master, Antonio Canova....
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire style large chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant style makes this fixture highly desirable.
It has a crown at the crest and has brilliant crystals
That cascade downward in an arc shape that attach
To a large bowl forming a...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$13,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests.
Measures: Seat height 17.5
Arm height ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
French Empire Style Mahogany Pink Chaise
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and large pink and gold cushion upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug 5'7'' x 4'5'' , handmade and hand-knotted, empire traditional style
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19TH C Empire Bronze Mounted Marble Top Round Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
19TH C Empire Bronze Mounted Marble Top Round Table
Wood. Bronze mounted. Marble top.
Dimensions: 31 1/4" h x 27 3/4" diameter.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Armoire Wardrobe ca. 1820-40
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH EMPIRE MAHOGANY AND ORMOLU ARMOIRE
France, circa 1820–1840
85" H x 21 1/2" D x 47" W
Of architectural form, the projecting cornice above a single mirrored door framed by eng...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19th c Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th C Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes. With a classic egg and dart pattern on the rim, the pair are adorned with two sets of winged male figures. The pair rest atop rec...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$12,000 / set
French Empire Armchair with Red Floral Striped Damask Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
French Restoration mahogany armchair having a rectangular headrest topped by a tapering gadrooned crest, upturned scroll arms with acanthus embellishments, upholstered back and seat ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal & Glass Center Table with Ram's Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman. Item featured is a very rare model, shapely raised box form, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, black ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Gold Upholstered 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 7 French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany living room / salon set with gilt swan head arms and gold upholstery (settee: 66¬Ω"w 24¬Ω"d 36¬Ω"h, 2 bergeres: 24¬Ω"w 23¬Ω"d 38"h, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique French Empire Swan Faucet, Circa 1820
Located in Dallas, TX
A unique French faucet tap dating to circa 1820, this highly detailed spout has the appearance of a swan with a craned neck. Swan motifs were sometimes see...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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 AllMore Ways To Browse
Iron Cross
Japanese Step
Indian Painted Wood
Inlaid Wood Frame
Irish Gold
Japan Antiques Collectables
Large Wood Columns
Large Copper Plate
Italian Mid Century Textiles
Italian Glass Fish
Italian Mid Century Vanity
Irish Carved Furniture
Latin American Furniture
Green Vanity
Imperial Mid
Hand Woven Mat
Large Tassels
Hand Painted Hand Fans