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.
Fine Antique Gilt Framed Three Panel Mantle Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and large Gilt wood Mantle Mirror with Empire and Regency styling, designed with three divided rectangular mirror plates in a carved and gilt frame with a straight moulded ...
Mirror, Giltwood
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's. We have 2 of these chandeliers available, and they are sold individually.
Metal
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Beaded Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This French Empire-style chandelier from circa 1930 is crafted from brass and crystal. Featuring the traditional ‘tent and basket’ design, it has a domed lower body adorned with casc...
Crystal, Brass
French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, Desmalter / Thomire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, circa 1800–1820 School or Workshop Jacob-Desmalter/Thomire A finely cast French Empire bronze mount depicting Napoleon’s ...
Ormolu
Vintage Stone Top Flame Mahogany Pier Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent Empire-style pier table is a masterwork of Neoclassical design, characterized by its architectural strength and luxurious material palette. The piece features a stri...
Marble
$25,385Sale Price / item|20% Off
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal, Iron, Wire
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
ONE OF A KIND!! Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind...
Crystal
Mid 19th century Swedish birch empire stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch empire stool circa 1850. Scandinavian empire period stool made in birch. Shaped support handles which flow through to the 4 splayed legs. Original floral ta...
Tapestry, Birch
19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Gilded Bronze Candlesticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of dark patinated candle sticks made of hand crafted gilded bronze, in good condition. The detailed candle holders are particularized with flowers decoration, resting on a tripod foot. The Parisian décor...
Metal, Bronze
French Porcelain Compote Basket
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Porcelain
$7,390 / set
Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
This set of 10 Empire Upholstered Chairs features 2 arm chairs as well as 8 side chairs. All of the chairs in this set feature a fully upholstered back for maximum comfort. And the d...
Fabric, Mahogany
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Pair of Italian Gilt Bronze Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style Italian - Circa 1880 These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion mask pl...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Bleach Solid Mahogany Chest of Drawers / Commode
Located in Carmine, TX
19th Century French Empire Bleached Commode from France. Made of Mahogany, the wood was professionally sanded and bleached. with a beautiful blue hand pa...
Bronze
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
$112,828Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Pair of Italian Empire Gilt Bronze Candleholders or Floor Lamps, 1800
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of Italian Empire finely chiseled ormolu Flambeaux, on triform base, each with 25 scrolled gilt-bronze candle arms. Attributed to Luigi Manfredini the famous bronze a...
Bronze
$12,500 / set
A fine pair of 19th century Empire mahogany benches
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Empire mahogany hand carved Swan neck curule benches. Pawed feet
Mahogany
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...
Bronze
1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940’s French empire style alabaster chandelier with bronze interior arms, 12 lights + 6 interiors.
Alabaster, Bronze
$6,989Sale Price / set|35% Off
Antique Baccarat Champagne Flutes from Sainte Anne factory in Voneche, 1810 cca.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Champagne Cut-Glass Flutes from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauri...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Pair of Swedish Antique Taboret Stools from the Empire Period in Yellow Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of antique taboret stools from the empire period, around 1840. The stools are Swedish and made in solid yellow birch. Curved legs and turned armrests. The seats can be taken out...
Birch
$1,984Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Chaise with Pink Cushion
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and pink and gold patterned damask upholstery.
Bronze
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burl Wood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chest
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Thomasville USA, Late 20th Century Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled marble top, ...
Marble, Brass
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Metal, Brass
Important 19th Century Italian Console Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large, important early 19th Century North Italian console or side table of monumental proportions. This outstanding table is of large size and retains its original marble top of 42...
Marble
$2,115Sale Price / set|28% Off
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze. This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps. Originates France, circa 1870.
Bronze
Vintage Woven Ship Tapestry 7.7X6.5
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...
Wool, Cotton
Empire Dark Green Four-Arm Chandelier Made of Leather and Brass, France 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
This lovely French chandelier was found in a villa built in the late 1950s. The beautiful, high-quality craftsmanship is impressive. The lampshades are made of metal and then covered...
Brass
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendulum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Nightstand with Drawer and Door 19th Century in Solid Walnut
Located in Milano, MI
Antique Bedside Table in Empire Walnut with an elegantly threaded brass drawer surmounting a door concealing two interior shelves. The cabinet is solid walnut and has been fully line...
Brass, Bronze
French Crystal Prisms Balls Empire Sconces, circa 1930 Sparklers
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze top, middle and bottom with great ...
Crystal, Bronze
Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 26" X 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
12 Limoges Raised Gilt Enameled Napoleonic Plates, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
12 Limoges raised gilt enameled Napoleonic plates, circa 1900, each one decorated with gilt laurel surround, filled with golden bees, the center with Napoleonic crest of laurel wreath and monogrammed 'N'. The porcelain is made by Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges...
Porcelain
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...
Mahogany
$3,078Sale Price|35% Off
Italian Empire Walnut Psyche Table Mirror with Gold Gilt Swans and Ebony Inlay
Located in Encinitas, CA
Impressive Italian 19th century Empire style "psyche" table mirror. circa 1830. The oval walnut swivel mirror frame is suspended between a pair of gold gilt carved swans with acanthus vestments, resting on hoofed feet mounted to the base. Octagonal marquetry of walnut burl veneers on the oval frame's reverse is embellished with ebony and linden floral inlay. The mirror glass is accented by a gilt beaded border, and the walnut veneered pediment-shaped base is trimmed in gilt palmette. The mirror tilt...
Gold
Wonderful Neoclassical Empire Bronze Star Bowl Petite Chandelier Ormolu Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Neoclassical / Regency / Empire Bronze Bowl With Star Ormolu Mounts Hanging From Fabric Rope And Tassels, This Beautiful Chandelier Has 3 Candelabra Lights. Comes ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Art Nouveau Style Brass Orb Witches Ball, Embossed Pedestal Desktop Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant Art Nouveau brass orb or witches ball featuring a smooth domed lid, decorative cast floral and ribbon motifs, and a sculptural tripod base with organic flowing lines. The ref...
Brass
19th Century burr walnut tall chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century burr walnut tall chest of drawers circa 1880. Great quality tall chest of drawers often known as a seminere chest as it has 7 drawers. Shaped walnut top surface with m...
Walnut
Pair of Second Empire Heavy 2 Light Bronze Sconces Wall Lights Late 19th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of second Empire heavy 2 light solid polished bronze dore sconces, light fixture, wall lamps from the late 19th century. Depict face motif in the middle a...
Bronze
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal, Wire
Empire Period Mantle Clock by Leroy a Paris, Bronze & Ormolu, 1815
Located in Montreal, QC
This mantle clock is by a well-respected Paris maker in a fashionable style. The oval base supports a vase shaped clock case in turn supported by winged dolphin heads and flanked by ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Circa 1880 Antique Ziegler Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Circa 1880 Antique Ziegler Pillow
Wool, Cotton
1990s Savonnerie Area Rug-10'0" X 8'0"
Located in Los Angeles, US
21th Century Authentic Savonnerie Area Rug 10'0" X 8'0", handmade and hand-knotted, wool on cotton foundation, reproduction
Wool, Cotton
Gilded Bronze Empire Floor Lamp by Claude Galle, France, 1950s Design
By Claude Galle
Located in Den Haag, NL
Superb Gilded Bronze France Empire floor lamp ,Exceptional casting take a look at her beathiful bronze feet . Very nice quality lamp .
Bronze
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...
Marble
French Gilt Bronze & White Marble Round Gueridon Table in the Empire Taste
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique French gilt bronze and white marble guardian table in the Empire taste with eagle head ring handles and bird talon feet. Round top measures 29" ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Vintage French Empire Style Brass Andirons
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Brass Andirons. 22.75" H x 10.5" W x 17.5" D. Provenance: From a West End Avenue Collection.
Brass
Pair Of French Empire Ormolu Candlestick Lamps With Tole Shades
Located in Essex, MA
Shade height 5 inches. Diameter of base 5.5 inches. Pair of period candlesticks with caryatids attributed to Claude Galle. Black painted tole shades.
Bronze, Tin
$960Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Curule Stool, Beech Wood, Upholstered Seat, France
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant 19th-century Empire-style curule stool standing on veneered, curved X legs linked by a turned baluster-shaped stretcher and terminating in lion's paws. The padde...
Beech
19th Century burr walnut pedestal cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century burr walnut pedestal cupboard circa 1870 We are pleased to offer this stunning pedestal cupboard which are becoming increasingly rare to find, made in burr walnut with ...
Ebony, Walnut
$87Sale Price|50% Off
Victoria Czechoslovakia Decorative Porcelain Plate, Cobalt Blue, 22 cm
Located in London, England
Victoria Austria porcelain decorative plate, handmade. With its predominance in cobalt blue accentuated with real details, it adds a note of elegance and sophistication to any enviro...
Gold Leaf
Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa circa 1860 Good quality Swedish empire period birch sofa upholstered in kalim woven fabric. Small sofa or a very comfortable single cha...
Fabric, Birch
$10,000 / set
Fine Pair of Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirrors
By C. Werné 1
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Swedish Empire mirrors signed by master mirror maker C. Werne´, circa 1820, Sweden.
Wood
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Brass
$6,552Sale Price / set|20% Off
HAND CARVED & PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles Please...
Upholstery, Wood
French 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Stool / Upholstery Seat
Located in Carmine, TX
A handsome French 19th-century Empire stool crafted in richly figured walnut, featuring elegant curved X-form supports joined by a turned stretcher. The generously upholstered seat p...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
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...
Marble
Maitland Smith Italian Tole Wall Sculpture Lavabo 3 Piece Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant wall lavabo or wash basin with beautiful detail throughout including floral and various instruments. Lavabos are gracious religious bowls for the lavabo ceremony of washing t...
Metal
$956Sale Price|20% Off
19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon Unmarked, France, 19th Century A remarkable 19th-century French si...
Sterling Silver
Large Crystal Glass Ball on Empire Style Silver Plate Tripod Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large glass orb on an elegant Empire style silver plate footed tripod base. Orb measures 8 inches in diameter. *Please ignore reflections in glass (the glass is clear and in excell...
Silver Plate