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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Style: Empire
Period: 20th Century
1930's French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Large Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Empire Style Vases
Located in London, GB
These splendid malachite and ormolu mounted vases are executed in the French Empire style, and are emblazoned with gilt decoration that has an unmistakable air of confidence, pride, ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Pair of Trouvailles Metal and Brass Side Tables with Swan Necks and Doors, Frenc
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A PAIR OF FRENCH PATINATED STEEL AND PARCEL-GILT GUERIDONS
Each with removable galleried top above two cupboards on turned legs headed by swan-neck-shaped handles
21½ in. (57 cm.) h...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass, Steel
Vintage Sconces Two Wall Lights Gold Bronze Crystal Drops Beads, France, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage sconces bronze with gilding, crystal from France, mid-20th century, each with two lamps, very beautiful and festive!
The crystal droplets are stunning, different shapes and...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Frederick Cooper hand painted porcelain table lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Frederick Cooper hand painted porcelain table lamp. This Frederick Cooper lamp is handpainted in the Empire style with tones of dark cobalt blue, gold and green. Th...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Monumental Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with
black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
Measures:
Diameter 33cm,
height 62cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror.
Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s.
This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of 6 American Empire Style Carved Wood Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Empire wood dining chairs in mahogany veneer with sloped gondola backs with an openwork, urn-form center topped by a carved foliate neoclassical crown...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Side Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style two-tier end tables or nightstands
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Carved cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Satinwood, Burl
Pair of French Brass and Crystal Sconces in the Manner 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 of Paris, a renowned interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Empire Style Brass and Glass Pendant
Located in Houston, TX
French Classic brass and glass chandelier. Two candelabra-size lights partially enclosed or sandwiched betwen two plates of clear glass. A classic light with a modern feel. Newly wir...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 79cm, diameter 69cm
This very elegant 20th century French...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Four Doors Cabinets, Armoire or Dry Bar
Located in Firenze, IT
These imposing solid mahogany cabinets with gilt bronze mounts in the style of the Louis XVI French Empire furnished the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. It has recen...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Red Photo Frame French Empire Louis XVI style Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, with French Empire Louis XVI style border and rich ornamentation around th...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Pair of Early 20th Century French Empire Style Lapis Lazuli Side Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of Circa 1900 French Empire Style side tables made of lapis lazuli, malachite, and onyx. This is a beautiful set that has been marvelously handcrafted with a variety of high-q...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Brass
Empire Style Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very elegant and restrained gilt bronze & painted bronze empire style pendant. France, circa 1920. 4 Lights.
Measures: height 38", diameter 25"...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Crystal Regulator Clock
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful brass clock with gold dore finish. Beveled glass panels with a porcelain dial and time and strike. French works. Running condition. Corner crack in one glass panel.
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Ebonized & Giltwood Pedestals, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt Painted Wood Pedestals, 20th century, each with a circular molded top above scrolled swan neck supports, on splayed legs joined by an undertier...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
1960's Italian Marble Bronze Urn Table Lamp by Marbro
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous Italian purple marble urn lamp with golden bronze handles, base and hardware.
Made by the artisans of Marbro Lamp CO. No issues or damage.
Very heavy piece, 55 lbs +.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Monumental Hollywood Regency French Cut-Crystal Beads, Gilt 19-Light Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Stunning extra large impressive Empire cut crystal and gilt brass 19-light chandelier with crystal drops.
Measures:
Diameter 37.8 in/ 96 cm
Height 35.5 in / 90 cm
Weight 44 lb/20 Kg
...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Mahogany Two-Drawer Chest, Early 20th Century, Empire Style Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French mahogany two-drawer chest from the early 20th century. This antique French chest features two dovetailed drawers decorated with exquisite Empire style hardware. The keyholes...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
20th Century Sterling Silver Empire Style Centerpiece, Italy, 1990
Located in Cagliari, IT
Wonderful oval Empire style centerpiece with foot made in sterling silver by Ilario Pradella for Bellezza Cagliari. New, never used
Pradella Iario, founded in 1920, was the greatest Italian silversmith of the second half of the 20th century, famous for his collaboration with Buccellati. We have had the honor and privilege of collaborating with them for over fifty years until its closure.
With silversmith marks for Pradella Ilario...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
20th Century antique Empire Style Lion canapé Sofa beech bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style. Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Antique French Brass Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French brass marble top coffee table, dating from around the 1930’s.
This is of exceptional quality, the solid brass frame is beautifully designed with intricate ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of French Midcentury Steel and Glass Side Tables
Located in London, GB
A good pair of steel and glass side tables, made in France in the 1960s.
Made with an empire design, with pine cone finials and flower details.
Simple, elegant, mid century cra...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel
1930s Empire Gilt Bronze Swan Head Sconces three lights
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s gilt bronze sconces with swan’s head and three lights
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column
Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases
Also great for the garden
The bronze statue showed not includ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Massive Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Urns, C.1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Massive Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Urns, C.1950.
Each with Berainesque gilt bronze tracery cast everted rim above a ves...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany and Ebonized Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and restored Empire-style Mahogany side table. Round Mahogany top and base with new polish, three ebonized legs with dual ring gilt-wood accent det...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood, Wood
Wonderful French Neoclassical Large Empire Bronze Crystal Glass Bell Jar Lantern
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French neoclassical large Empire bronze and crystal adorning glass bell jar lantern fixture with 6 candelabra lights.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1948-1951 Bing & Grondahl coffee service for 8, Denmark
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1948-1951 Bing & Grondahl coffee service for 8, Denmark. In their rare & elegant "Empire" pattern with swags of flowers over fish scale molded borders. Consisting of 8 cups & saucers, 8 cake plates, leaf shaped sweetmeat, round shaped sweetmeat, cream & sugar with tray, and coffee pot with cover...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Gilt-Bronze and Malachite Empire-Style 'Aux Caryatides' Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
A gilt-bronze and malachite Empire-style 'Aux Caryatides' centre table after Desmalter
French, 20th Century
Height: 82cm, diameter: 109cm
This ma...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 1930s Empire Style Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top and Black Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut commode from the early 20th century, with grey veined marble top four drawers and black columns. Created in France during the second quarter of the 20th ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Large French Empire Style Tent Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Tent chandelier
This is a lovely piece, quite a large chandelier, it has an aged brass frame hung with large crystals, com...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
1900 French Empire Sconces With Swams
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Maitland-Smith Empire Style Brass & Chrome Pedestal Jardinière Planter
Located in St. Louis, MO
1980s vintage jardinière in the Empire style manufactured by Maitland-Smith with cylindrical polished-chrome planter trimmed with brass. Planter connects to cast tripod brass base with claw feet by Directoire style intersecting chrome rods with brass disc at intersecting points. In fine condition, some scratches to base, light marks to interior of planter, appears never to have had live plants inside...
Category
1980s Hong Kong Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Pair Empire Pedestal Stands - Gilt Side Tables
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style gilt pedestal stands
Perfect for displaying decorative pieces such as vases and urns
Round marble tops are smooth and chip free
Bought from a dea...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
1920 Caldwell Gilt Bronze Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1920's Caldwell Empire style bronze double light sconces
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze
Located in Manhasset, NY
Empire Dore Lantern Chandelier, Frosted Etched Glass, 19th Century, Solid Bronze Pendant
A finely cast dore bronze lantern pendant having etched frosted g...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg style Faberge Blue Savoia Enamel Medium Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining ~ Conference Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining ~ Conference Table will make an impressive statement in any room of the home or office! Crafted from exotic imported mahogany, it features a tailored design for the top (which is removable for transport) accented by a brass trim all around and brass foliate castings centered on each of the four aprons. Below is where the architecture becomes intriguing, with octagonal columns embellished with elaborate brass castings and four alternating full length corbels which are also adorned with brass castings, and carved with lions' paws feet, all resting on a foot3ed pediment with brass trim and concave sides for added visual appeal. The visual effect is equal from all angles, making it a great choice for the opulent office environment, or for a formal dining application. The size and design enables 6 to 8 diners in comfort, and 4 to 6 big office chairs...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Federal EmpireStyle Victorian Cherry Wood Armchairs, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Amazing set of 4 Empire Style Armchairs, ornately decorated with bronze appliqué, leaf foot caps and stunning bronze griffin arm details. The commanding chairs are made of solid Cher...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage 1947 Watercolor Drawing by Jacques Courtade, Signed "Holoum 47" - 2Y163
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage watercolor drawing from 1947 by Jacques Courtade, titled "Holoum 47," is a striking example of his work, signed and numbered 315. It captures a moment in time with Court...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Two Tier Vintage Natural Alabaster Chandelier Pendant
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Natural Alabaster Two-Tier Chandelier Italian Beauty. It comes with 3 feet of brass chain and is ready to install ceiling canopy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Marble
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire handcrafted mirror. Oval shaped hand carved wooden structure with silver foil finish.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19.5" H x 8" W x 19" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Beautiful Pair Of French Empire Style Bag Chandeliers
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this amazing pair of French Empire Bag Chandeliers , each one with six internal lights , aprox 98 cm height , PAT tested. All our chandeliers come with ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
Small Round Vintage Baker Pedestal Table In Gold Trompe L'oeil
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This rare Baker round gold pedestal end table features Napoleon style bronze hardware throughout. This accent table would be great next to a chair in any...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Rarity Low Plafonnier Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Lustre Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Presenting our exquisite basket chandeliers, meticulously restored to their former glory with love and care in Berlin. The electrical wiring has been upgraded to work seamlessly in t...
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Antique Wall Light Sconces in Gilt Bronze, Set 2, Empire Style, France, 1930s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Antique Paired wall sconces in beautiful gilt bronze from the French manufacturer, 1930s.
These two arm bronze candlestick wall sconces feature foliate designs.
The Empire style is...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Chandelier This is a lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Chandelier
This is a lovely piece especially where a very large chandelier is not suitable, it has a bright brass crown hung with chains of cut crystal beads, co...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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.