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
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent condition with finely chased dore bronze mounts. Has key and pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. alabaster and ormolu chandelier. The nine arm twelve light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces. Each two arm sconce is centered by a beautiful foliate bottom finial where the...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Three-Piece Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece group of empire seating
includes canape and two bergeres
canape - H 36 in; bergere - H 35-1/4.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
$26,000 / set
Napoléon's Footbath by George Bullock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing footbath was created for Napoleon Bonaparte. It was part of the toilet service to be used during his exile on St. Helena. Just before shipm...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Early 19th Century Empire St. Walnut, Ormolu and Marble Chests
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive pair of French early 19th century Empire st. walnut, ormolu, and Bleu Turquin marble chests. Each three-drawer chest is raised by elegant square tapere...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Serves Bronze-Mounted Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely painted scenes of countryside and Napoleon. Signed by the artist. Beautiful jade green color with nicely detailed bronze mounts. Small dent on on...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Glass Cabinet/Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl walnut, ormolu and glass cabinet/vitrine. The vitrine is raised by fine bun feet below the straight support decorated ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Empire style candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent pair of gilt bronze and marble Empire style candelabra
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
$32,500 / set
Pair Of French Early 19th Century Empire Period Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated wood armchairs. The pair are raised on front circular tapered legs with gilt carved foliate bands at the top and bottom wh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Period Dore Bronze Mounted Center Table/Library Table
By Thomas Hope
Located in New York, NY
A marvelous French empire period dore bronze-mounted center table with X-form stretcher on either side, most probably from a Thomas Hope design. This beautifully hand carved center t...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$30,800 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany and Marble Buffet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu, mahogany and white Carrara marble buffet vitrine. The buffet is raised by handsome block supports centering an elegant raised frieze decorated with a fine ormolu band with scrolled foliate movements. At the center are two doors with glass panes each adorned with striking mottled ormolu fillets, fine rosettes and exceptional pierced palmettes. The two outer doors are flanked by striking architectural columns with outstanding foliate ormolu plinths and capitals. The outer doors also display central glass panes framed within an elegant ormolu band with scrolled designs. The doors open to reveal one adjustable shelf in each section and beautiful cream curtains...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Mahogany Side Tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted mahogany circular side tables. Each table is raised by a beautiful bottom tier with mottled feet...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Torcheres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine pair of Torcheres in Empire style. These are contemporary composite reproductions of the best quality.
CW3566
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
$14,500 / set
Early 19th C. Sicilian Glass Pharmacy Jar Set, 3 Pieces
Located in Ross, CA
Originally handblown in Sicily in the early 19th century, this impressive pharmacy pot incorporates two separate containers and a lid, and would have been...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
$2,640 Sale Price
20% Off
Swedish 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Polychrome and Giltwood Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable and most elegant Swedish 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, polychrome and giltwood center table. The rectangular table is raised by an elegant H shaped bottom mahogany s...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze, Ormolu And Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and extremely decorative French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze, ormolu and crystal chandelier. The six arm twenty two light chandelier is centered by an elegan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Iron Andiron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and iron andiron. The andiron is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. Each of the two supports d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Marble Lyre Shaped Clock Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 19th century French gilt-bronze and white marble figural lyre clock.
The case mounted with floral swags, with a figure of Cupid to the top and two cherubs to the sides, on fluted r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Granite Five-Arm Lamps
By Claude Galle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite true pair of French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and granite five arm lamps, after a model by Claude Galle. Each lamp is raised by a squar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Mounted Mahogany Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire style gold bronze mounted carved mahogany mirror.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
French Trompe L'oeil Drawing Circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
This trompe l'oeil drawing depicts the artist's tools -- a black and a red crayon, and a folding steel ruler that was painted with silver pigments, which have blackened with age. They're shown on a sheaf of papers that include a medieval manuscript page, a musical score, and a group of prints.
The unifying theme is the artistic patronage of the Medici, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, who intermarried with the Habsburgs, who were the Holy Roman Emperors.
Among the papers are prints by Stefano Della Bella, the Florentine artist who worked for the Medici. They depict a negro page with a horse, and portraits of Lorenzo Lippi...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Pair of Continental Faux Painted Malachite Wooden Pyramids
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of continental faux painted malachite wooden pyramids.
Category
1920s European Vintage Empire Furniture
French 19th Century Empire St. Oval Ormolu Inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite French 19th century Empire st. oval ormolu inkwell. The inkwell is raised by pawed feet below a lattice design with rosettes in the center. Above are two ink dispensers ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Antique Ormolu Mounted Two-Piece Marble-Top Cabinet in the Empire Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A French antique ormolu-mounted two-piece marble-top cabinet in the Empire style.
Crafted in solid mahogany with fabulous bronze mounts reminiscent of the Empire style using Egypt...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Dressing Table with Arched Tilted Mirror
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A French Empire period ormolu-mounted mahogany psyché dressing table from the early 19th century in neoclassical style. The rectangular black marble top is surmounted by an arched ti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Brass
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Six-Arm Ormolu Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. six arm ormolu sconces. Each sconce displays a most decorative circular mottled back plate with charming and finely detailed flo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Regal Monumental Empire Giltwood Overmantel or Console Mirror
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very regal monumental Empire giltwood overmantel or console mirror with original plate, wonderful "Sparkly" patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Russian Empire Period Birch Center Table
Located in New York, US
Our Russian Empire period oval table with birch veneer with silver gilt eagle-mounted legs and paw feet measures 35 by 49.5 inches and 30 inches ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French Empire Architect's Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire architect's desk.
Flame grain mahogany veneers, leather covered drawers.
Category
1810s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Glass and Black Metal Imperial Chandelier with Bronze Eagle Finial, 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s imperial style chandelier with clear glass rod and black metal arms and bronze eagle finial with six wax candle-like lights.
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$2,590 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair of Antique French Empire Gold and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
These patinated sconces are handsome, with their floral and eagle decorations. They make a strong statement while being modestly sized.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (Circa 1825) mahogany and gilt round 3 legged center table on platform base with green lacquered bird heads and grey marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An Important and very rare Empire period Paris porcelain ormolu-mounted Empire rectangular shaped two-handled casket decorated and assembled by ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Life-size Gliedermann, Denmark, Circa 1860, Featured Ralph Lauren Madison Avenue
Located in New York, NY
19th century, life-size Gliedermann, origin: Denmark, circa 1860, original color
Featured in Ralph Lauren Madison Avenue Spring Fashion Windows, pho...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique Empire gilt bronze and cut crystal multi light chandelier of exquisite detail embellished with cut crystal prisms and chains, circa 1810.
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Price Upon Request
Large Antique, French Empire Style, Neoclassical Silvered Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large antique French Empire-style neoclassical chandelier in silvered bronze. The chandelier is suspended from a crown-shaped canopy decorated with acanthus leaves and laurel bands...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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