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
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Cast Bronze Ceiling Chandelier
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style cast bronze five-light ceiling chandelier with scrolled arms and leaf form canopy. Rewired and in working condition with new sockets and candle covers. Circa 19...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Marble Top Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent 19th century French empire gilt wood console table featuring a marbleized limestone top with partial shell fossil remnants. The marble specimen is...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Columnar Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome gilt and patinated columnar lamp base features Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and paw feet.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Heavy 19th century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Two Candelabra Lamp with Black Tole Shade. Shade is decorated with gilt wreaths that add contrast nicely with the black shade. Gilt f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Vintage Woven Outdoor Scene Tapestry 6.25X5.0
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
19th Century Large Antique Leather Traveling Luggage with Brass Accents
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful 19th Century large scale Antique leather traveling bag or luggage is truly a special piece. The bag opens and all of the bra...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Turn of the Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany and Ormolu Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock
André Antoine Ravrio
Circa 1800
This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Tall Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Chest of drawers showcases Empire-style grandeur with walnut veneer and solid brass accents. Its classic white marble top adds a luxurious touch, making it a striking focal point.
W...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Dutch 19th Century Gilt Symmetrical Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A unique if not rare 19th century Dutch giltwood mirror that incorporates foliate decoration and Neoclassical carvings to animate the narrow, rectangular form. The molding displays a...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Empire Dorè Patinated And Bronze Candelabra Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century bronze and patinated candelabra mounted as a lamp. Lamp features a lovely patinated Diana the Huntress statue with wings and arc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Bench
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Empire Style Ebonized Cross-Sword Bench with Gilt Highlights
Located in San Francisco, CA
the rectangular upholstered seat above an ebonized wooden frame raised on splayed swords with gilt handles; newer upholstery
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair Large Gilt Bronze Mounted Crystal Glass Urns / Vases with Covers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very large (45 inch tall) gilt bronze mounted French crystal glass urns or vases of ovoid form with gadrooning at the shoulder and stylized guilloche motif around the waist, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Brass
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Pair of French Crystal and Brass Sconces in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
These Empire-style sconces showcase a signature element of Maison Jansen lighting: pierced brass encrusted with beaded crystals. This intricate combination of brass and encrusted crystal beads creates a stunning visual effect resembling a glistening, flowing fountain of light.
This meticulous craftsmanship embodies the elegance and sophisticated artistry for which Maison Jansen is famous. Maison Jansen, a renowned Parisian interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Antique Empire Style Console Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany console table with a marble top, circa 1900. With a rectangular grey and white marble top with slightly rounded front corners, a frieze drawer with a we...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Throw Pillow Made from 17th Century Brussels Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17" x 12", authentic 17th century European piece, good condition
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Empire Style End Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A vintage, French Empire style mahogany end table by "Weiman Heirloom" featuring a French pen pillard case with long elegant tapered legs. This table h...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire style table can easily adapt from an oval center table to an oblong dining table, having the ability to extend to 110” long by four, foldable legs to support the e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century Antique Italian Needlepoint Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Italian Needlepoint Pillow 18th Century
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
Empire Gilded Bronze 5 Light Petite Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming and fine, petite, 5 light, gilded bronze Empire chandelier with chain and canopy. 3.5" off-white wax candle sleeves.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Very Large French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly, Paris, Circa 1810s, with original pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Chestnut & Ormolu Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth decorated with a brass mount, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer dressed with a decorative center brass mount. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair Patinated Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Bronze Empire style column table lamps. Ready to use. Nice condition. Very good quality. Very heavy. 30” top of finial,
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Crystal Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Antique chandelier from France made with cut crystal elements (cabochons and pendants) on a brass structure. It has been newly wired to fit US standards.
The current overall height i...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
Empire Style Swan Chairs attributed to Maitland Smith
Located in Newtown, CT
Vintage Empire Style pair of Swan Chairs. Good condition with fading to the fabric would need reupholstery. Wood has a few chips and losses. Attributed to Maitland Smith
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and impressive Empire style Gilt Bronze & Malachite center table. The table features a circular top, which has been beautifully inlaid with malachite and edged with gilt bron...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow - 25'' X 22''
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique Mahogany Dining Room / Center Table with Gilt Highlights
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Style mahogany round dining room table with gilt highlights, circa 1900. With a round top that opens (No Leaves) gilt decoration on edge of table top, a round central ...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid Century Cut Crystal & Metal Delphin Dolphin Centerpiece Compote Bowls 10"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of rare mid 20th century French Empire / Neoclassical compote bowls featuring cast metal pedestal bases in the shape of delphins / dolphins / fish, painted in off white, balanci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Baker Furniture French Empire Inlaid Cherry and Burl Wood Coffee Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style coffee or cocktail table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Inlaid cherry wood top, with burl wood banding, ebonized co...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Naples White Porcelain Hercules Tureen
Located in New York, NY
Large Naples white porcelain Hercules tureen. Impressive and important neoclassical Ferdinando IV porcelain soup tureen with large Hercules and Theiodamas finial caping a scroll volu...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Faience, Porcelain
Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg.
The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Empire St. three door armoire in satinwood and mahogany with beveled mirrors. All highly decorated with fire-gilded ormolu mounts. Inside lays fift...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light. Price per pair
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sunburst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815.
Dimen...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas-Early 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas with original gilt edged and velvet lined case. Atlas son of Titan, from Greek mythology is holding the clock on ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
French Empire Bookcase in Walnut
Located in Doylestown, PA
An early 19th century French provincial biblioteque in walnut, with upper case with adjustable shelves and wire-grill doors over a lower pair of paneled cabinet doors, circa 1810.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 6.9X5.5
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
19th Century Italian Empire Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century Italian Empire desk is a beautifully crafted piece that exemplifies the neoclassical elegance of the Empire style. Made from richly grained walnut, the de...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Marble top Demi-Lune Cabinet Commode 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique French Empire flame mahogany, marble top and ormolu mounted demi lune cabinet, circa 1810.
The cabinet is fitted with the original mottled black marble top, the demi l...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu And Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, giltwood, ormolu, and Alabastro marble center table. The circular table is raised by elegant ball feet below t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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.