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 Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console. Item features antiqued glass top, shell carved knees, paw feet, distressed finish. Circa Mid 20th Century. Me...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal, Approx 140 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 43.75" H x 13.5" W x 13.5" D. Top: 12" x 12".
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Astoria, NY
A late 19th-century French writing desk or dining table crafted in the French Empire style and sourced from Provence, France. This elegant piece is beautifully hand-crafted from soli...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 21'' X 21''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th century French Aubusson tapestry pillow. 21'' x 21''
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 19th century French Empire Period Burl Elm Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale early nineteenth century French Empire period console table is constructed of solid burl elm and features a black marble top. A single drawer of dovetail constructio...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Rare French Empire Chair - From the Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
For sale is a rare French Empire side chair, a stunning example of early 19th-century craftsmanship. Hand-carved from rich fruitwood, this chair features a gracefully turned, back sc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood
Empire Style 32 Inch Diameter 9 Light Alabaster Chandelier
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a very impressive and elegant alabaster bowl chandelier. This uniquely shaped 24 inch diameter hand carved bowl has a bowed bottom with tall flat sides. There are 3 bronze do...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century French mahogany wood Empire style drop front secretary with a removable black marble top. The secretary features two front side columns with bronze mounts detail w...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
An Elegant Pair Italian Empire Pale-green Painted and Parcel-gilt Armchairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
each with incurved back sloping to join a tight seat flanked by bowed arms ending in swan neck terminals; raised on cabriole legs; adorned overall with giltwood acanthus leaves, bell...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs Attributed to Jacob Desmalter
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Stamford, CT
A very fine pair of French Empire mahogany armchairs attributed to Jacob Desmalter, circa 1805. The shaped backs ending in beautifully...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940.
Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb.
Original patin...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf will bring understated elegance to your dining experience! Hand-crafted from sumptuous walnut, it features six tapered legs...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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
French Empire Style Console Jardinere, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
This unique French Empire-stye console table, which also functions as a jardinere, is a masterpiece of neoclassical design infused with Empire motifs. Featuring a demilune shape, the...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Pair of Vieux Paris Campagna Form Urns
By Old Paris
Located in Savannah, GA
Hard paste porcelain with polychrome and gold leaf - iron bolt. Impasto decoration. Lovely colors. These classical form urns are clearly a pair, but not an identical pair. Each has a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most decorative French 19th century Empire St. mahogany and ormolu center table. The circular table is raised by fine bun feet below elegant scrolled legs with hand...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany and Ormolu armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and high quality French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany and Ormolu armchair. This solid Mahogany desk/armchair is raised by 'S' scrolled Mahogany legs decorat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Empire Drop Front Desk, Kopenhagen, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire drop front desk, Copenhagen 1810-20.
This unique Danish secretary desk is embellished with mahogany veneer. The lower part has three cur...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in
This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique 16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 23'' X 19''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry pillow, 23" X 19" x 6" Made in the 16th century.
Category
16th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Fauteuils Bergères Aux Dauphins, circa 1830
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 1830s pair of Empire mahogany French bergères Aux Dauphins Empire armchairs in the manner of Pierre Bellange (1760-1844). The mahogany frame with sabre front legs continuing as arm...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French 19th Century Empire St. Crouch Mahogany Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 19th century Empire st. crouch mahogany, ormolu, and Coquillier de Bilbao marble center table. The circular table is raised by three elegant square tapered leg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Italian Empire Pedestal Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century Round Marble Top Italian Pedestal. Top sits over three ebonized column supports with carved gilt wood accents at top and bottom. The ebonized columns are a key fea...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A mid to late 19th century French gilt bronze Empire chandelier with swans heads and bronze figurine atop
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Buffet with Marble Top and original Brass Hardware
Located in Wichita, KS
French Empire style sideboard buffet with a marble top. late 19th/ early 20thc. The buffet is fitted with four drawers, central dual cabinet doors opening to a shelved interior, fl...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire French Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France from the empire period. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily walnut. There are two half columns with bronze detailing at the top and bottom. Th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 1st Empire Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This pair of brass candlesticks are a wonderful find! Crafted in the distinctive style of Claude Galle during the 1st empire period in France, circa 1810. T...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Solid Tiger Oak Curved Glass China Cabinet Carved Claw Feet Lion Heads MINT!
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Tiger Oak Curved Glass China Cabinet Carved Claw Feet Lion Heads MINT!
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
18th Century Antique Florentine Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Antique Florentine Tapestry Pillow 19'' x 18''
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
Empire Style Mahogany Dog’s Bed
Located in Spencertown, NY
The diminutive mahogany sleigh bed with green and white upholstery.
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo After 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
Antique French Silk Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
The history of Aubusson textiles dates back to the 14th century. The town of Aubusson is located in the La Marche area of France, which is located at the base of the Creuse River. It...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th-C. French Empire Gilt Bronze Mahogany Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 19th century French Empire mahogany side chairs with gilt bronze mounts. Note the griffins on the legs! The fabric appears to be silk. It is vintage and in ver...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Cut Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier.
By Baccarat
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Finest Cut Crystal and Ormolu Chandelier.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
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
Very Fine 19th Century French Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in Richmond, VA
Incredible 19th century French empire bronze chandelier, now electrified. 10 patinated arms separated by gilt decorated bronze terminating into leaves.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Brown Oak Empire Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A piece that seamlessly blends classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the warm oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspir...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th 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 Europe, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these p...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Austria Blown Glass & Bronze Hanging Bell Jar Hall Lanterns R. Wien 1850
By Wien
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare pair of Austria blown glass and bronze hanging bell jar hall lanterns, Signed R. Ditmar Wien, Austria. Mid 19th Century
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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
Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Category
1880s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique 19th C Empire Star & Shield Coat of Arms Dining Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire star & shield coat of arms dining chairs
Priced each.
Additional information:
Materials: Mahogany
Color: Olive
Period: 19th Century
Styles: Empire
Numb...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Hand Carve Wood Painted Meridienne Daybed 18Th. C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Periode Painted Meridienne, Daybed, late 18Th C.
This Meridienne can float in a room as the back is also upholstered or be against the wall.
This fabulous large daybed...
Category
18th 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.