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
Vintage French Empire Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket w/ Lion Heads
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket with Lion Head Drop Rings. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 9.5" H x 9" Diameter.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
French Gilt Bronze Pedestal Plant Stand Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
A substantial French gold gilt bronze pedestal column plant stand, in the Empire design style, attributed to maker, Maison Jansen, circa 20th century, France. Round top is a copper g...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and very high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table. This handsome table is raised by a triangular base with concave side...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany 3-Fold Screen with Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany 3 fold screen with bronze trim.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Italian Neoclassical Painted And Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Small mirrors nice to flank a painting or other artwork. Arched scrolled crest over a mirror plate surrounded by a white painted border.
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet Chest Tabernacle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
European 19th Century Wooden Carved Painted Display Cabinet featuring a mirror glass locking door. This versatile piece could be used to store jewelry or collectables. We also see th...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
French Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Bleached Fruitwood French Swan Leg Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
This bleached fruitwood French swan leg side table from the early 20th century showcases elegant craftsmanship with its gracefully curved legs resembling swan necks and inset Carrara...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Spanish Empire Console Table with Mirror in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Spanish Empire console with mirror in mahogany and rosewood with satinwood inlays, circa 1810.
Category
1810s Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
French Empire Style Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design anchored by a sleek quartz top with a refined moulded surround and elegant canted corners, this table blends architectural grace with timeless luxury...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Quartz, Brass
19th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Denmark, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Baker French Empire Style Cherry Lattice Door Credenza Buffet Sideboard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Baker French Empire Style Cherry Lattice Door Credenza Buffet Sideboard. Item features 4 swing doors with curtains, working locks and key, original label, quality American cr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
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
19th Century French Candlestick
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French candlestick is a stunning example of French craftsmanship, made of brass with intricate detailing. The candlestick features a textured body resembling scales...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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, Paint, Wood
Mid 20th-Century Baccarat Style Crystal Decanter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This exquisite 20th-Century crystal decanter echoes the refined craftsmanship associated with Baccarat. Featuring a distinctive flat, flared bottom, this piece is designed for servin...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
1900's Persian Sarouk Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79155 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 11'02 x 18'05. This magnificent hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug exudes timeless elegance, evoking the golden age of Persian rug weaving...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th C. French First Empire Mahogany And Belgian Marble Console
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptional antique French first empire marble-topped figured mahogany console table, circa 1800. The rectangular Belgian black-gray flecked marble top surmounts a conforming frie...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
Pair of French Empire Style Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of bronze candelabras with a male figural base.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A good pair of period 19th century fauteuil with new velvet upholstery, circa 1810-1820, mahogany with carved accents to the arms. They display all the classical elements of the last...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Pair 20th Century Empire Patinated and Green Marble Urn Form 7-Light Candelabra
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of 20th Century Empire Style Patinated and Green Marble Urn Form Seven-Light Candelabra.
Each candelabrum has seven candle holders.They are made of patinated bronze and green...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
An Ebonized Dining Table, Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ebonized mahogany dining table, attributed to Maison Jansen, features intricate rosettes and classic and contemporary elements, making it a versatile addition to various...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rectangular Empire Mahogany Wall Mirror, England Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th Century Empire mahogany veneer wall mirror. This rectangular wall mirror is magnificent with its tiered graduated frame. The outermost frame is flat leading to anot...
Category
1890s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk.
In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Lacquered Papier-mâché Snuff Box with Parrot and Lady
By Stobwasser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th century hand painted black lacquered Papier-Mâché snuff box or vanity box
Crafted in Austria in the early 1800's, the decorative box features a hand painted scene of a yo...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Mahogany Chest of Three Drawers with Marble Top, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers with canted fluted sides, tapered feet and marble top.
This elegant chest of drawers has been restored and is ready to be placed and enjoyed. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique French Aubusson Pillow - 19" X 21"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
Gold Giltwood Wall Mirror Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood wall mirror in the Neoclassical-Empire design, circa 19th century, Europe. The Empire period was another or second phase to Neoclassism. Mirror has beautiful, detaile...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
French Empire Chest of Drawers, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
French Empire Chest of Drawers, France, 1810 – A Timeless Antique Masterpiece
This exquisite French Empire chest of drawers, crafted in ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mantle mirror (c. 1800) exhibits calculated restraint in the surface decoration, the gold gilt molding is largely plain and smo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
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
Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, 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
Antique Turkish Oushak Floral Rug 10'x7'10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Turkish Oushak Floral Design 10'x7'10''
Category
Early 1900s Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Table Bouillotte Lamp with Metal Shade
Located in Malibu, CA
Bouillotte lamp with two arms of light, Empire style, in patinate.
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Enhance the ambiance of your outdoor or indoor space with our Antique Iron Lantern Light fe...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
A French Empire gold mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fine and Large Antique hand carved giltwood frame with beautiful floral, scroll and rosette decorations. A statement piece for your entryway...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
1920's Antique Persian Sarouk Carpet with Timeless Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79151 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 09'00 x 12'00. This exquisite hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug is a magnificent example of the enduring artistry and craftsmanship that ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer , Beautiful Early 19th century Heavy Bronze Imperial Armorial Armoirie Coat...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French mahogany Empire console with its original marble top. A single drawer is housed in the apron over a pair of column form front legs with neoclassical style brass capit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
This impressive pair of gilt and patinated bronze candelabra is a quintessential example of the French empire style. Drawing from Greco-Roman influence, each candelabra features a ce...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Antique Verdi Green Marble Top French Empire Pedestal End Table Circa 1870
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Marble top. Brass accents and claw feet. Wood frame. 29 1/2" h x 15 5/8" diameter.
Condition
Loose trim. Splits in seams. Previous repair. Veneer bubbling.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Italian Black & Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late-20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height.
Larger Italian cachepot...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Empire Marble-Top Console
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire marble-top console table made of solid walnut. Large drawer with original fine cast bronze decoration. Bronze mounted turned column supports in fr...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Bronze Ormolu Mounted / Patinated Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with timeless elegance using this exquisite 19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Chandelier, designed in the form of a Greek oil lamp. This chandelier is a r...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Aubusson French 1800 - 23" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s Albanian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER
France, circa 1830
Item # 403ZGP18C
An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
French Empire Sofa Bench Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire settee late 19th century 1870- 1890. Ebonized mahogany frame, French polished (Black) with captivating carved female heads under armrest, legs terminating into animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique 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.