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
Antique Geometrical Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror with Carved Crest
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840, 19th century.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$2,880 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$7,400 / set
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Exotic Animals 5 X 3
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
English Regency Style French Empire Silver Plated Large Urn Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Contemporary English Regency Style French Empire Silver Plated Large Urn Form Table Lamps with Twin Handles - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35" H (to finial) x 26" H...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire / Early Biedermeier Corner Cabinet in Mahogany, Sweden, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A large and very beautiful Karl Johan Empire corner cupboard in mahogany with tiara-shaped top banded with satinwood inlays and resting on bracket feet. Features a storage drawer mid...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Empire Corner Cabinet or Cupboard in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
From the Baltic region, a very beautiful and unusual Empire corner cupboard in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with two stacked cabinet doors that are bowed, and are separated by a ...
Category
Early 1800s Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
By Old Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Period Walnut & Brass Mounted 1-Drawer Side Table, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a kidney shaped top with a raised gallery edge and a conforming inset leather writing surface, the case below housing a shaped drawer, the top raised on columnar legs with bra...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included.
Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Circa 1870 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Table Tilt Top Swedish Chess Game Pedestal Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table Tilt Top Swedish Chess Game Pedestal Sweden. A Swedish tilt top table made during the later part of 19th Century. Painted chess game on the top. Ornate base.
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,500 Sale Price
57% Off
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 6.8X5.10
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
French Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style bouillotte table lamp with decorative three-light cast brass candleholders and adjustable height red tôle shade. New candle covers. Wired and in working order. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Tôle
Italian Yellow Tole Obelisk Urn With Paw Feet
Located in Stamford, CT
A charming neoclassical yellow tole water or tea urn in the form of an obelisk balanced on a square plinth by fours balls supported by brass paw feet. Decorated on four sides with ma...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Small Empire Giltwood Trumeau Mirror with Painting
Located in Doylestown, PA
Unique 19th century Empire giltwood trumeau wall mirror with an original painted landscape on top, circa 1850. The tranquil scene in the manner of Hungarian landscape painter, Karoly...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Near Pair Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare near pair of finely crafted Empire-style desk chairs, attributed to renowned French cabinetmaker Jacob Desmalter, dating from circa 1800–1809. These elegant chairs feature bol...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of Large Italian Empire Crystal and Gilt Tole Chandeliers
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Large Italian Empire crystal and gilt tole chandeliers, circa 1815-1835. Gilt tole repousse rings strung with crystal beads and pendants. Six gilt-iron arms – each supporting...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
Inlaid Mahogany Empire Chest of Drawers, Denmark circa 1810
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers or commode with satinwood inlays.
Top drawer reveals storage compartments with lids and areas to h...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Maison Jansen Style Polished Steel & Brass Galleried Glass Top Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent of French Maison Jansen style Empire Revival brass and polished steel side tables with brass gallery and inset glass tops, each with three legs joined by X-form stretch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Circa 18th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow Ca. 18th Century
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Empire Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century French tall chest of drawers with a black marble top, made from walnut. The case is lovely and has paneled sides and a single uppe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Gorgeous Pair of Empire Style Black & Gold Wall Mirrors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirrors which are elegant statement pieces. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina, and t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Etched Glass and Gilt Bronze Rhyton
Located in Sharon, CT
Gold gilt bronze holding a fine etched cornucopia shaped glass.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 19th Century Empire Bedside Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome mahogany French Empire bedside table from the 19th century. This stunning bedside has a beautiful top, made of St. Anne marble, ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
20th Century Mirrored Top & Mahogany Wood Sideboard/Credenza By Dessin Fournir
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exquisite sideboard, crafted by the renowned Dessin Fournir company in the mid-20th century, exemplifies superb craftsmanship and elegant design. Constructed from beautifully gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Bronze Column Table Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th century Empire brass column table lamp
Additional information:
Materials: Brass
Color: Gold
Period: early 19th century
Styles: Empire
Lamp Shade: Not Included
...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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
French Empire Period Walnut and Brass Mounted Lit en Gondole, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
the frame surmounted with brass mounted columns with perfectly turned ball finials, the head and footboards equal, the front rail with corner arches, the back finished
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style 12-Light Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Large antique gilt and patinated bronze chandelier in the French Empire style measuring 36 inches across and 31 inches tall, featuring 12 electrified swan-form candle arms with cande...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of French Empire-Style Sconces With Etched Hurricane Shades
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French empire style gilt bronze wall sconces with neoclassical details having antique etched glass hurricane shades. Circa 1980
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style bronze chandelier.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top
Located in Astoria, NY
Handsome mid-20th century French writing desk, made in French Empire style and sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from rich mahogany, the desk features a rectangular...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Ormolu and Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century directoire bouillotte table lamp. Lamp features original elements and original black tole lampshade with gilt brass leaf applied detailing. Newly rewired with side ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Tôle, Brass
Set of Eight Empire Floral and Gilt Decorated Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of eight Empire floral and gilt decorated plates. Paris porcelain transitional Empire gilt plates with flowers. France, circa 1830
Dimensions: 9....
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa late 19th century French Empire sconces with eagle's heads and woman's faces. Original finish and patina, *8 available
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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, Giltwood, Wood
Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round pewter plate with London and makers mark on the rear side.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
$276 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th C. Richly Carved and Gilded Empire Frame with Red Velvet Accents
Located in Morristown, NJ
Early 19th c., a beautifully ornate antique picture frame. The frame is made of wood, gilded with a rich, golden finish that exudes luxury and sophistication. The primary color is a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock. The foliate and fruit engraved gilt-brass dial with enamel painted roman numerals. Inside with eight day movement w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French style side table features a single drawer with two door cabinet above. The table has been hand painted in Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from solid wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Woven Fountain Tapestry 7.2X5.5
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
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair with Original Shades. Item features very rare cast ceramic porcelain forms in a gold and smoky charcoal...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Troubadour Mantel Clock
By Le Roy
Located in New Orleans, LA
This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a wi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers. Top inset with a tooled black leather writing surface and slide outs (16.5 inches eac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
French Empire Walnut Pedestal Table with Round Marble Top and Tripod Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period walnut table from the 19th century with circular marble top, pedestal and tripod base. Evoke the elegance of 19th-century France with this resplendent French E...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
French Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo After Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié
By Marius Jean Antonin Mercié
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine and Large French Early 20th Century Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo Cast after a model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (French, 1845-1916). The impressive bronze sculptu...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Pair of Bronze Egyptian Candle Holders - Marble Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of Egyptian women figure candle holders made of hand crafted marble and patinated bronze, in good condition. The candle sticks are resting on an urn-shaped base. The particularized Parisian décor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze
French Empire Console Table of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French Empire console table of fine proportions, featuring a rectangular figured marble top, set upon a frieze of flame mahogany with one long drawer, the drawer with bras...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 13" X 11"
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Walnut Display Cabinet Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves, Sweden circa 1850-70
Located in Round Top, TX
This stunning walnut display cabinet standing at 7' tall/ and 8' wide will make a grand and elegant statement piece.
Enlarge close up photos to appreciate the exceptional grain of th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$25,000
19th Century Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century Ikat Tapestry Pillow 23" x 16" , handmade Pillow, authentic Early-19th Century Piece in great Condition
Category
19th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Feathers
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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