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
Provincial Empire Marble Top Commode, France, Circa:1815
Located in Alexandria, VA
This handsome 3-drawer commode has an incomparable restrained beauty. While it has all the design elements of French Empire furniture, the application is more provincial than Parisia...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique thread table, Northern Europe, around 1860. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A thread table from the second half of the 19th century in the Biedermeier style.
A small piece of furniture, a bit forgotten today, but once a must-have for a housewife for needlew...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Small Italian Antique 19th Century Rectangular Gilded Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Rectangular Gilded Frame, Italy Late 19th Century
Glass is included
Inside measurements are 6 by 9 inches.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
19th Century Cast Iron Relief Portrait of King Karl XIV Johan.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine medal plaque in cast-iron of King Karl XIV Johan (1763-1844), empire period.
It is a relief portrait of Karl XIV Johan as a Roman general, with text "Carolus XIV Iohannes Rex Sveciae et Norvegiae" and made by Finspång's foundry. It has a small metal loop attached on the back so that it can hang on a wall.
Finspång's foundry was for about three centuries Sweden's largest cannon foundry, located in Östergötland's northern mountain range, Finspång is mentioned for the first time as a foundry in 1573. A small foundry was built there at the time, which was first run on behalf of the crown, but in 1587 was leased to the Dutchman Wellam De Wijk, who seems to have held it until 1599, when it was passed back to the crown.
in 1641 Louis De Geer...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
19th Century Paris Porcelain Toiletry Bottle with Stopper
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This pretty little 'flacon' bottle, complete with its original stopper, is made from delicate white 'Porcelaine de Paris' and dates from the early 19th century. Both bottle and stop...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large French Empire Style Mirror with Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale French Empire style mirror with beautiful neoclassical embossed motif in classic French form. Will add elegance to any room! #5862
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Boch La Louviere, Suite Of 18 Plates, Napoleon Ist Battles, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Suite of 18 commemorative plates of Napoleonic battles and military events, such as "Bonaparte at Arcole", "Battle of Iéna", "General Masséna before Zurich", "The death of General de Lanne"...
The grisaille decoration stands out against the white background; the perimeter is decorated with the symbols of the Empire: "N" surmounted by the crown, bicorne
Boch Fes La Louvière plate series, Made in Belgium...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier, Early 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
This Regal First Period French Empire Ormolu and Crystal Six-Arm Chandelier was made in France in the Early Nineteenth Century. The Bronze Doré Castings are of the highest refined quality. The Doré Corona is surmounted with seven Acanthus Leaves, each pinned with a French crystal drop. The Corona suspends to the hand-pinned faceted oval crystal chain tent that is encompassed with hand pined French drops. The tent chains draw the eye down to the two tone console...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1805-1810 Circa
Located in Milano, IT
Charles-François Delamarche
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Paris, circa 1805-1810
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-coloured paper
It measures 15.74” in height, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper, Wood
Empire Table Clock, Patinated and gilded bronze, Cleret, Paris, Circa 1825
By Cleret
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
French Empire table clock by Cleret, Paris, movement by Pierre-César Honoré Pons. The case in gilded and patinated bronze, circa 1825.
The bronze base is decorated with a broad floral frieze with a central urn and two doves above a gilt floral border on four ball feet, the front feet with butterfly wing decoration. On the top of the clock stands a gilt bronze figure of a classically dressed maiden pouring...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Sideboards, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of trumeau sideboards with flanking carved caryatids in the Retour d'Egypte style. The sideboards are fitted with two doors and a wide drawer. The carved figures are blackened a...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of French 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French 19th century Empire gilt and bronze candlesticks.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded.
Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Patinated and Fire-Gilt Clock in the Form of a Vase c. 1800
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock in the form of a vase, Empire Era, 1800-1815. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French 19th Century Jewelry Box Flap Door Miniature Wood Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful French late 19th century chest of drawers in black ebonized wood and cherrywood reproduces with perfect proportions in scale a miniature cabinet with three drawers and an upper flap door that opens to reveal a white marble top and an oval mirror inside, nice hand carved band on top with geometrical pattern and molded base.
The black lacquered wood creates a wonderful contrast with the beautiful honey-colored wood grain. Despite its convenient size, extremely detailed, this chest of drawers is equipped with a white Carrara marble top and a small mirror that make it even more special and useful.
The model of a piece of furniture was originally created by cabinet makers to show their skills to the customer and to present the sample of the furniture which would then have been produced on a larger scale. These commode miniatures, along with other specimens, were displayed in the craftsman's workshop to serve as examples to aid the potential client in making a selection. Some also think that these little chests were used as doll and puppets...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Empire Gueridon, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-legged table on casters with carved eagle heads and hooves as well as amphora decoration on the trefoil strutting. This, like the frame, is inlaid with brass threads. A low gal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
2 Vintage Henredon Empire Ebonized 3 Tier Pedestal Table Sculpture Plant Stand
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of Vintage Henredon black ebonized three tier pedestal table / plant or sculpture stands featuring Empire styling with brass gold lion head rope tassel accents over flared legs ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Large Basket Chandelier, 1st Third 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Large ceiling chandelier with six brass candle holders. The hanging of glass prisms, drops and beads is guided over two hoops and ends in a basket with hanging drops.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid 20th century framed Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian framed bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold detail...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Armchair, Northern Europe, around 1900. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique armchair from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation, the seat is covered with new fabri...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Style Circular Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style circular side table, or nightstand, made of beautifully patterned veneer of walnut with a dark gray St. Anne marble top. Door with small brass knob...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This 19th century Empire gueridon is the perfect addition to any home decor style. Beautiful, black fossil marble tops the rich mahogany base, the marble has been professionally repa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of table Lamps in Bronze Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This pair of table lamps is in the style of Empire. They were created in the 19th Century in France, they are in Bronze and silk for the shades. The color is Gold, it is a pair of ve...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Leopard Fur Pillow, Springbok Skin 16x16" 40x40cm
Located in Dural, AU
It's the season of wild and exotic leopard prints, so set your interiors free with this glamorous leopard fur pillow. A beautifully designed print, ...
Category
2010s Australian Empire Furniture
Materials
Fur
Pair of 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Fairfax, VA
Pair of 19th century urn shape two color bronze and marble that they have custom made to table lamps and fitted with silk lampshades.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 'Empire' library mantel clock
Located in HAARLEM, NL
A charming Library Empire mantel clock. The Cupido reading the book is a very desirable subject. Even now a good decoration in almost every interior . The striking count wheel 8-day...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Period Paris Porcelain Basin and Pitcher with Napoleonic Emblems
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant Paris Porcelain wash basin and pitcher dating from the First Empire Period, around 1815, and featuring as its decoration th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Empire style table clock and inkwell
Origin France Circa 1900
The watch has a Paris machine and it works
Golden bronze and Onix materials
Very good general condition
the marble ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
XXI Century Italian Solid 800 Silver Centerpiece Cachepot Empire Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
The body of the centerpiece is flared with embossments and chisels depicting acanthus leaves and flowers surrounded by a shiny curved frame.
Knurling was carried out between the embo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlesticks
Located in Stockholm, SE
A decorative pair of empire style candlesticks in gilt bronze and dark green marble. France, end of the 19th century. Nice condition.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Queen Size Bed Frame with Brass Mounts
Located in Southampton, NY
19th Century French Empire mahogany queen size bed frame with brass mounts.
A beautiful classic French Empire bed frame with soft curved head and fo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique Italian empire bench early 19th century. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood. Characterized by a seat with folding panels.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th Century Solid Walnut Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful French 19th century, solid walnut semainier is the perfect way to add more organizational storage to your space without sacrificing style. The design of the semainier ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Empire style thread table, Western Europe, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A thread table from the mid-19th century, Western Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition.
Dimensions: height 79 cm / width 38 cm / depth 31 cm
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg.
Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening.
Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24carats.
Pocket pill box like egg ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Pair of Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs, Brass, Baltic States, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two classicistic mahogany armchairs with brass decoration and openwork backs. The chairs stand on square pointed legs with H-shaped bracing, which merge into elegantly curved, high-s...
Category
Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Framed Napoleon Medallion by Bertrand Andrieu
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 19th-century French round cast pewter medallion, a masterpiece by Bertrand Andrieu (1761-1822), captures the Napoleonic era's essence. The laurel-crowned Napoleon, reminis...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past
Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vieux Paris Porcelain Set of 6 Plates, Mauve, Gilt and Sublime Fruits, ca 1865
By Old Paris
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning set of 6 plates made in Paris in about 1865. The plate have a soft mauve/purple rim with fine giltwork, and sublimely painted fruits in the centre.
There were man...
Category
1860s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Baker Klismos Chairs with leather Strapping, set of four
Located in Wichita, KS
These beautiful and hard to find Baker Klismos chairs are in a class of their own. Vintage and in great condition with a curved back, leather stra...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
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
Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Basket Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our exquisite antique chandelier - a masterpiece of elegance and style that will seamlessly complement any room with a touch of timeless beauty. With its stunning details...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau Big leaf
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past
Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Metal and Crystal Urn, Pair, attributed to Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century French artisans knew how to design lasting classical beauty. This extraordinary pair of French urns is proof of the mastery put forth in design and construction. Fro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Carved Giltwood Balloon Form French Empire Inspired Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has mirrored frame and Greek key and tassel appointments. It is marked and in very good condition....
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid 19th c. Early French Silvered & Dore Bronze With Honey Alabaster Vase
Located in Louisville, KY
For those with discriminating taste for French antiques, this 19th century French Silvered and Dore Bronze with Honey Alabaster vase is nothing short of magnificent! Created in the style of Edouard Lievre, this vase is masterfully crafted with cast bronze with areas that have been silvered to showcase the intricate detail and texture. The side handles are silvered bronze with wreath hangers. At the base of the honey alabaster stone vase is a cherub face with silvered leaf head...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Silver, Bronze
Russian Empire Style Black and Gold Six-Light Chandelier with Classical Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Russian Empire style black and gold bronze chandelier from the 20th century, with six lights, classical figures and foliage motifs. Created in Russia during the 20th century, this ...
Category
20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pristine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate dinner, wo...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Aubusson French 1800 - 23" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s Albanian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French mahogany regulator 'portico' mantel clock by Montassier
Located in HAARLEM, NL
The clock movement is suspended from a portico within four pillars. The mahogany case is decorated with extremely beautiful cast and gilded bronzes, including two griffons facing an ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Period Sideboard or Buffet
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Period Sideboard or Buffet
France, 1830
Cherrywood,
This early nineteenth century French Buffet is constructed of solid Cherrywood. Three drawers of dovetail con...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
MID 19th CENTURY SET OF EIGHT EMPIRE CHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant set of eight Empire style chairs, made of solid carved mahogany, with pure gold finishes. The front legs are shapely and straight, while the rear ones are flared, creating a ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Early French Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Chandelier, 3 Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Empire Style early round Bronze and Crystal Chandelier with 3 Light-sockets in the center.
Wired for the US and takes 3 candelabra light bulbs max. 60 watts.
In original vintage c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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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