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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: USA
Style: Empire
Russian USSR Made Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular Black and Red Lacquered Snuff Box, Signed and Dated 1971. This tobacco snuff box is richly and colorfully decorated with a winter scene showing 3 people riding a sleigh in the snow being pulled by 3 wild horses. This Soviet-era box has a strong and great condition red lacquer on the inside and fine gilded decorations running around the edges of the box. The box is signed and dated on the front cover and with hand-written "Made in USSR...
Category

Mid-20th Century Russian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Round Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame features cast tapering legs adorned wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Brass

19th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 13" X 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 13" X 11", Floral Style
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

Dore' Bronze Mounted French Empire Verdi Marble Cassolettes with Serpents
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of French Empire style cassolettes or urns that are perfect for a mantle or a buffet or sideboard. They are unique in that they have snakes that are naturalis...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Empire Style Gilt-Brass and Glass Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features an Empire style Gilt-brass and cut-glass chandelier that houses five candlestick lights and is approximately 18" in diameter and 29" tall. This chandelier is ac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Two Drawer Worktable or Stand in Flame Mahogany
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique 19th century Empire stand with two drawers in flame mahogany. It features dovetailed drawers with original wood knobs, a finished back and boldly carved legs with acanthus le...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Mid 20th Century Italian Tole Lamp
Located in Doylestown, PA
Mid 20th century Italian tole lamp with original shade. Fine Italian tole column form table lamp in a warm ochre hue. It is intricately painted with...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Tôle, Brass

Baker Furniture Regency Paw Foot Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Neoclassical style pedestal extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with rosewood banding and...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Style Mahogany Swan Grecian Sofa Newly Upholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Style Mahogany Swan Grecian Sofa Newly Upholstered In a Green Velvet This antique classic Empire style carved mahogany tufted Grecian s...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Mahogany

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25'' x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Continental Marble and Gilt Eagle Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf

19th Century French Signed Hingre Bronze Sparrow on Gold Marble Base
Located in Pearland, TX
19th century antique bird paperweight/hunting trophy in chased and patinated bronze on a gold marble base. Signed HINGRE (Louis Théophile Hingre...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Style 62" Cast Iron Campana Urn Outdoor Garden Planters on Pedestal, 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 62" Tall Cast Iron Campana Urn Outdoor Garden Planters on ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the form of a putto with a wheel barrow carrying a keg mounted with a clock face topped by a crane, on a rectangular chased plinth ending in bun feet.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Empire Cut Crystal Globe Gilded Bronze
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a rare find. Its a 1920s French Empire cut crystal and gilded bronze chandelier. The has one large center globe surrounded by 6 smaller matching glo...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Candelabras 5 Arms French Silver Plate 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Candelabras 5 Arms French Silver Plate 19th Century France . A pair of French silver plated candelabras. Decorated with leaves and flowers.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

19th Century Italian Empire Crystal Antique Chandelier from Bologna
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite 19th century Italian Empire chandelier from Bologna features a finely gilt iron frame adorned with cascading hand-cut crystal drops and swags. The metal accents are ri...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Fabergé Limoges Porcelain Hand Painted Egg Decorative Table Tray Ashtray
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Fabergé Limoges French porcelain hand painted parcel gilt tray. Created exclusively by House of Fabergé and Limoges porcelain as ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Super Rare Pair Of Paris (Darte Freres) Porcelain Gold-Ground Models Of Temples
Located in New York, NY
An Ultra Rare and Impressive 19th Century Pair Of French Paris (Darte Freres) Porcelain Gold-Ground Models Of Temples with Iron-Red Stenciled Marks. Each round dome with biscuit lau...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase. Item features carved paw feet, 4 glass doors, stacking form, very nice antique bookcase. Top 2 sections ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Late 19th century French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire candlesticks with three lights converted into table lamps
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Corton Clarinet Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Corton clarinet made in Czechoslovakia and upcycled into a fabulous table lamp mounted on a beautiful onyx base with a vintage black silk shade. The clarinet shows signs of being a much loved and used musical instrument...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Czech Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Metal

Small French Floral Painted Toleware Metal Vanity Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small French decorated butterfly shaped tray featuring hand colored flowers. We see this versatile piece on a cocktail table or used on a vanity holding you're favorite jewelry or tr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in Long Island City, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840. Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads. Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top Hrh
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top HRH . Very Rare Early 19th century secretary " Secrétaire a' Aba...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Paris Porcelain Neoclassical Corbeille or Centrepieces
Located in Essex, MA
19th century pair of gilt and bisque porcelain Empire centrepieces Of Sevres form though Old Paris porcelain Each with three neoclassical female...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Style Coffee Table Lacquer Speckled by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical French empire style coffee cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The oval table features a two-tier design with dramatic eagle's head l...
Category

20th Century Mexican Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th C Empire Ebonised Round Table with Brass Figural Mounts
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this two tier round table has strong empire / neoclassic style elements. We had the table professionally ebonised in England an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bergere Chairs Attributed to Francois Linke Dimensions : 36.5" Tall X 25" Wide X 21" Deep SH - 17.5" AH...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Stunning three-piece mantel clock set in Siena marble and bronze, French Empire period. The main piece at center features a cast bronze hound sitting uneasily upon the plinth. Roman ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Mahogany

French Empire Flamed Mahogany Secretaire a'Abattant Desk ca. 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
LOUIS PHILIPPE FLAMED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A'ABATTANT France, circa 1830 Item # 407TCJ10P This positively stunning secretary desk from the second quarter of the 19th century features...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Late 19th Century Swedish Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A mid to late 19th century Swedish empire chandelier with cobalt glass inset and crystal hanging
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Empire Marble Bronze Statue Ormulu Black Mantel
Located in New York, NY
This ornate French Empire style mantel, carved from white statuary marble with gold plated ormolu, is from Paris, France. Prominent bronze female satyr figures are positioned on each side, while an ormolu pattern of vines and leaves wrapped around a bow adorns the center of the apron. A pair of classic floral motifs completes the figures on the facing of the surround. Detailed ormolu trim includes egg and dart accents at the firebox opening and curved front of the plinths, beaded surrounds along the borders of the apron, and a leaf detail on the edges of the mantel shelf. This is a large scale mantel and includes an impressive cast iron surround...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Zinc

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bibliotheque or Bookcase
Located in Birmingham, AL
A fine French Empire period bibliotheque handcrafted from select French walnut by skilled artisans from Lyon during the First Empire of Napoleon, circa early 1800s. The upper bookcas...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French 19th Century Massive Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A massive French white marble top Empire Gueridon made of mahogany. The solid pedestal base has a painted and gilt collar above three splayed feet, the whole raised on working caster...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Round Mahogany Side Table - Antique Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French Empire side table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Honduran Mahogany in good condition. The detailed small center table is composed with a black marble top, standing on three arched legs, supported by a wooden base, resisting on three round feet. The Parisian table is enhanced by detailed gilded wood carvings...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Set of 6 French Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 French Empire dining chairs in mahogany with bronze mounts are a stylish expression of the genre, with exotic imported ma...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Form Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire chandelier, its circular frame of gilt metal, holding the opera basket bottom, finished by a ball drop, having eight S-scroll arms, each decorated with a leaf, ending i...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Iron

A Fine Pair of Russian Empire Period Malachite And Ormolu Obelisks, Early 1800's
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental and Quite Rare Pair of 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Malachite Obelisks with Maiden Ormolu Mounts. Each obelisk is complete with four sides which terminate upwards to a triangular point. The bases are fitted with ormolu mounts which include hand-chased and hand-chiseled maidens holding flaming torches in either hand and on the other panel decoration of a vine with a winged bow. On top of the large ormolu mounts are smaller mounts which depict child masks in wings. Underneath and on top of the square base are ormolu mounts which depict acanthus leaves flourishing throughout with hand-chased and hand-chiseled fluted veins. The entire body of the obelisk is veneered with the most incredible and highest quality antique Russian malachite...
Category

1830s Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Antique Empire Reverse Painted Still Life Giltwood Trumeau Wall Mirror 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire Trumeau mirror offers giltwood column form frame with upper having reverse painted floral still life, 19th century. Measures - 34.5''H x 18.5''W x 3.5''D....
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Pair of Large Vieux Paris Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Old vieux Paris porcelain from the Napoleonic period decorated with farm animals and barn. With swan handles. Beautifully painted and fire gilded. Now mounted as lamps.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.   
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Demilune Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair French double cane 19th century. Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Located in Hudson, NY
French Empire Snake Candlesticks
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Category

1990s Empire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Iron

Mid 19th c. Early French Silvered & Dore Bronze With Honey Alabaster Vase
Located in Louisville, KY
For those with discriminating taste for French antiques, this 19th century French Silvered and Dore Bronze with Honey Alabaster vase is nothing short of magnificent! Created in the style of Edouard Lievre, this vase is masterfully crafted with cast bronze with areas that have been silvered to showcase the intricate detail and texture. The side handles are silvered bronze with wreath hangers. At the base of the honey alabaster stone vase is a cherub face with silvered leaf head...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Alabaster, Silver, Bronze

Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Early 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Mahogany Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique console was crafted in France, circa 1810. Standing on turned front columns ending in round feet, and pilaster legs in the rear over a stretcher platform bottom ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Pillow Made from 18th Century French Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 25'' X 11'', Authentic 18th Century French Piece
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Falcon's Eye and Tiger's Eye Table by Théodore Millet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Bronze Table with Falcon Eye and Tiger Eye Top Théodore Millet Circa 1890 This exceptional table by renowned Parisian ébéniste Théodore Millet epitomizes the grandeur of late 19th-c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Antique French Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers W/ Black Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking mid-19th-century French Empire chest of drawers, sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from walnut, it boasts a naturally aged patina that highlight...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers. This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Category

Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

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

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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