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
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Category
18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,080 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Antique Candlesticks Empire Pattern by WMF Art Nouveau Silverplated
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Beautiful pair of antique candlesticks by WMF are stunning examples of silverplated pewter craftsmanship, made during the Art Nouveau period around 1900. They are part of the "Empire...
Category
1890s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Pewter
$1,235 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Beautiful Hand-Carved Bas-Relief Storage or Jewelry Box - 2Y51
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite storage or jewelry box features hand-carved bas-relief detailing, showcasing expert craftsmanship. With its generous size and elegant design, this piece is perfect for...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$169 Sale Price
75% Off
EARLY 19th CENTURY PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN IN UNIFORM
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid oil portrait on canvas of a gentleman in uniform, identified as Professor Moses Bosisio, mayor of Monza, who died in 1846, as reported on a plaque on the back of the paintin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
French Empire Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Mahogany Parcel Gilt Console Table, with green marble top on two maiden supports and brass mounts on four bun feet. 33" H x 48.5" W x 19.25" D. Provenance: From a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815
Located in Miami, FL
From the Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, once part of Denmark, a very handsome Empire secretary with bookcase in ash with inlays and marquetry silhouettes of neoclassical Roman images. Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers a felt-lined lectern or writing surface flanked by sliding storage compartments, as well as a series of small drawers and a central cabinet. Above desk, are three cupboards and below, there are three long drawers. Northern Germany or from the Danish Jutland region, circa 1815.
Note: Green baize on writing surface can be replaced with leather.
Measures: 46" wide x 21" deep x 83" high (With desk top open...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ash
Swedish Regency Style Period Parcel Gilt Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Regency style armchair featuring a Fruitwood frame with hand-carved matte ebonized plume body details and traditional 22-karat gilded parcel gilt detail on stylized heron heads at arm fronts and legs. Mint restored with new Moss Green mohair upholstery. Available at 200 Lexington...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Exotic Animals 5 X 3
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 French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Chaussee D'aulin À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This exceptional mantel clock, executed in the highly sought-after Empire style, presents a captivating tableau dedicated to the theme of music. Signed "Caillouet à Paris," a clockma...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Woven Tapestry 7X6
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 C. Hand Carved Wood Round Table & Marble, Top Center Entrance Hall Gueridon
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Hand Carved Wood Round Table & Marble, Top Center Entrance Hall Gueridon Elegant French Circa 1830-1848 King Louis Philippe with Hand Sculpted Saint Anne marble-top center ta...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
$15,000 Sale Price
23% Off
Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Pueblo, CO
Stately large Empire flame mahogany sideboard, the flame grain is amazingly beautiful. Two door base cabinet with full interior shelf, topped by two rolled drawers, large galley wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table. This striking table features bronze decorative trim as well as gilt bronze legs decorated with eagles ring handles an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Aubusson Pillow 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Empire Swan Neck Mahogany Daybeds W/ Cream Woven Fabric - A Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite pair of early 19th-century French Empire daybeds, sourced directly from Paris, France. Masterfully crafted from solid mahogany, these daybeds feature sleigh-shaped frame...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
$13,104 Sale Price / set
28% Off
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Egyptian Compote
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore compote with 3 Egyptian ebonized figures and crystal bowl.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian mirror dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined mirror.
Made of fine walnut wood and characterized by an el...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace
French, 20th century
Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm
Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
A Pair of Elegant Louis XVI Style Bergere Armchairs With Cream Damask Upholstery
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant Matching Pair of Empire Design Bergere Arm Chairs With Scroll Backs Upholstered in Cream Damask. Perfect For Any Library, Study or Lounge Space.
Height to arms 67.5cm
Height...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Damask
Fine and Beautiful 19th C Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Library Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and beautiful Empire mahogany and gilt bronze decorated Empire library viewing cabinet. All original with fine gilt bronze pawed feet. Adjustable shelves, hand pegged.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th century French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire candlesticks with three lights converted into table lamps
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg White with blue garlands i...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Napoleonic French Empire Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Wine Cabinet Armoire 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality French Empire Napoleonic period Mahogany & parcel gilt wine cabinet/armoire, circa 1810.
Made of the finest mahogany this cabinet has the shape of a secretaire ab...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BUYERS
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$427 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Signed Portrait of a Young Gentlewoman Painting
By Francesco Vinea 2
Located in Roma, IT
Francesco Vinea portrait of a woman
Portrait of Empire taste
Work by painter Francesco Vinea ( Forli 1845- Florence 1902).
Oil on panel, depicting a young woman in Empire style in re...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Late Empire Black-polished Birch Bookcase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish late empire bookcase / display cabinet in black-polished birch.
In 2 parts, upper case having mullioned glass front with cathedral arch cornice.
Lower part with a pair of pa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Cherry Wood Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal extension dining table.
By Baker Furniture.
USA, Circa Late 20th...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
20th Century Giltwood Pier Mirror
Located in Ross, CA
Vintage Empire style beveled pier mirror in giltwood frame. Mirror has two sections a smaller rectangle on the top and longer on the bottom. The top sides form columns with fleur de...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. The middle part in the form of a column. Richly decorated with leaf and period Empir...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dental carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Mahogany Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pierced brass gallery surrounds the round, white marble top on this terrific 19th Century French Empire style gueridon. The top is lifted by three column-form legs that are joined ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century. Perfect in the kitchen for vinegar and oil or in the hallway for gloves or keys.
Wear consistent with a...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire “Gueridon” Tripod Table
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the French Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a high gloss French polish finish. The “gueridon” has a tri...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
A good sized Gilt Empire antique mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame, lambs tongue design inner slip. Mirror in good condition. Original boarded bac...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass Candlesticks, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of antique French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks from ca. 1890.
A beautiful and compact-sized pair of French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks with removable bobeches (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810/15
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Empire secretary featuring a two-door lower cabinet, a smooth writing flap, and a top drawer. The piece is adorned with fine inlays depicting stars, lyres, and palmettes, ...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th C French Empire Walnut Center Table, Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Gueridon / Center Table with Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire secretaire à abattant, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Settee / Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century French Empire style handcrafted gilt bronze mahogany framed upholstered settee / sofa. The settee features four straight mahogany legs, the front two of which are set on...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Russian Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut-Glass Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An Empire Cut-Glass Mounted Ormolu Twelve-Light Chandelier
Russian
Early 19th century
Consisting of a palmette and anthemeon-cast corona top suspending four chains and a circular ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
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
Empire Center Table/desk in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts, White Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Empire table with Egyptian style bronze mounts at all
Corners including the sides having white marble with
Gray veining throughout.
Mahogany apron and legs decorated with bronze d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,900 Sale Price
35% Off
Zabihi Collection Jewel Tone Superfine Antique Persian Jozan Souf Mat
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century collector caliber Persian Souf carpet handwoven in the Jozan Region.
Measures: 2'3" x 2'7"
Souf rugs are very rare technique foun...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th century silver plate centerpiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century table centerpiece or double bowl in finely chiseled silver plated
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique Angel Motif Sterling Silver Snuff Box
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. The lid and sides are covered in an intricate floral design with musical instruments and a scene of two playing cherubs in its ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers. Top inset with a tooled black leather writing surface and slide outs (16.5 inches eac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
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
$276 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Neoclassical Style Figural Maiden Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Figural Maiden Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Lamps feature flame finials, 6 candle arms, black patinated metal female figures with water j...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
$796 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
19th century French empire revival mahogany armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french empire revival mahogany armchair, circa 1860.
Single french armchair made in mahogany. Shaped back linking to the padded armrests and scrolled arms. Front scroll...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Mirror, stamped Jean-Joseph Chapuis, Brussels c. 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table - stamped Chapuis
Brussels
Mahogany
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 178 x 91 x 56 cm, height without mirror: 82 cm
Description:
Elaborately crafted early 19th century dressing table...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 ...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Antique Empire Bench in Mahogany
Located in Valby, 84
A refined and elegant Empire-style bench, crafted from rich mahogany and featuring a beautifully curved and detailed backrest. The symmetrical design is highlighted by an interwoven ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Mahogany
Crystal and Bonze Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a rock crystal and brass chandelier with 24 lights. A larger size chandelier that is approx. 47" in height and 37.5" in width.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Brass
$26,500
Empire French Mahogany Console Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Second Empire French Mahogany and parcel gilt console table with varigated marble top and single drawer.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Empire Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu & Patinated Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Empire-Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patinated Candelabra, France, 20th Century
A pair of exquisite Empire-style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patin...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design.
Newl...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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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