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.
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Cherry wood base, with mo...
Brass
$260Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock André Antoine Ravrio Circa 1800 This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Vitrine, Beveled Glass, Antique, 1900s
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful, early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, all...
Brass
Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 26" X 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
$2,356Sale Price|30% Off
19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper, Second Empire Era, E. Muller Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper, second Empire era, polychrome printing in the style of E. Muller enhanced with gold decorating cartridges with a floral cut of poppies and daisies. M...
Paper
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...
Brass
French Empire Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Unique chest of drawers featuring Flame Mahogany case and adorned with cast bronze busts of female beauty. Top feature hand cut brass fenders to prevent objects from rolling. Lion he...
Bronze
A Pair of Art Nouveau Armchairs in Mahogany, Thorvald Bindesbøll, Early 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
A refined pair of Art Nouveau Danish armchairs crafted in solid mahogany in the early 20th century. The design reflects the restrained elegance and fine craftsmanship characteristic ...
Fabric, Textile, Mahogany
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
$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
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...
Mahogany
Antique " KPM " Empire Porcelain Cup
By Kerafina Royal Porzellan KPM
Located in Kastrup, DK
KPM Porcelain cup decorated with a finely hand painted depiction of two women in nature. Inside with gilding (light wear to the gilding). KPM (Königlich...
Porcelain
Large and elegant Table Lamp in Empire style - Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Large, beautiful table lamp of gilded and dark patinated bronze, in classic Empire style from the early 20th century. The lamp with a black lacquer shade with gold on the inside give...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire style Bronze and Bronze Dore Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Spectacular Pair of French Empire style Bronze & Bronze Dore 12 light Figural Candelabra, late 19th Century, each depicting a standing winged Victory with outstreached ...
Marble, Bronze
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers circa 1860. Good quality Swedish commode, fitted with 3 near equally sized drawers that open on the key. Rectangular top with moulde...
Birch
$1,124Sale Price|20% Off
Empire style. Huge glass table lamp by Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge table lamp from Waterford Crystal, Ireland, 1960s. The glass body is 39 centimeters high made of one-piece molded glass with engraved and cutted details. The base and the struct...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Chrome
Sherle Wagner Empire Gold Bathroom Faucet Set Mounted on Travertine Stone Top
Located in Highwood, IL
Sherle Wagner International is still manufactured in their Massachusetts factory staffed by highly skilled artisans dedicated to preserving old world craftsmanship. Sherle Wagner has been producing the highest quality bathroom sinks and lever sets for 80-years. We are offering another example of one of their classic designs, the Empire Onyx Lever set complimented by a Gold Glazed Scalloped Ceramic Over Edge Sink, mounted on a Stone travertine Vanity top. Vitreous China, Integral overflow drain, 1-3/4˝ discharge drain, 6˝ water depth. Onyx Bathroom Sink Handles with Ribbon and Reed Spout model number 818. Nothing makes a statement quite like a powder room adorned with a Sherle Wagner Sink...
Onyx, Travertine, Gold, Gold Plate
Pair of 19th century Empire Style Chairs with Sphinxes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire style chairs late 19th century. The rectangular backs carved with cornucopiae and laurel at the cresting, the arms supported by winged sphinxes, on sabre legs, each co...
Bronze
$4,646 / item
French Empire Style Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A true masterpiece of early 19th-century design, this luxurious armchair boasts an ebonized wood frame adorned with intricate gold detailing. The sweeping, low arms gracefully terminate in hand-carved stylized swans, embodying the grandeur of classical French aesthetics. The finely carved frame is further embellished with palmette and lotus leaf motifs, lending an air of regal sophistication. The fully upholstered inside back and seat cushion, crafted in plush crushed...
Velvet, Wood
$1,499Sale Price|20% Off
Side table blue scagliola top metal base handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
This table can be used as tea table, side table, lamp table it has multiple uses. The top is manufactured in scagliola art inlay, same technique of the "Paliotto" of the 16th century...
Iron
$1,687Sale Price / set|55% Off
Maison Lucien Gau bronze wall lighting model Swann Empire , France 1960s
Located in La xara, VC
The wall sconces correspond to the swan model by Maison Lucien Gau, a Parisian bronze art manufacturer specializing in bronze lighting since 1860, still active today. Model Identifi...
Bronze
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Cannonball Paw Foot Pedestal Table Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Cannonball Column Paw Foot Pedestal Table Bas...
Mahogany
Bronze Jardinieres in French Empire style, bronze and marble, France 1805
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of extra large French Empire jardinieres. They are done in bronze and have the base made of two types of ...
Marble, Bronze
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel – 1848 Exceptional Russian silver goblet (Goblet), crafted in solid silver and fine ename...
Silver, Enamel
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE BLOND WALNUT SIDEBOARD
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant sideboard in solid blond walnut, finely carved. The linear design of the sideboard is enriched by two half lateral columns, ending with gilded bronze capitals that give a tou...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A refined pair of Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze, crafted in France around the 1820s. The design features the elegant, flu...
Bronze
Fine Austrian Empire Black Lacquered Cabinet Sideboard circa 1820
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EBONIZED EMPIRE CABINET WITH POLYCHROMED CARYATIDS Probably Vienna, Austria, circa 1820 35 1/4" H x 19 5/8" D x 41 3/4" W Pine, fruitwood, bronze This cabinet presents a strongly ...
Bronze
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame A distinguished French Empire bronze relief plaque depicting Napoleon I crowned with the classical laurel wreat...
Bronze
$5,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2 Available.
Marble, Bronze
$1,767Sale Price / set|20% Off
China Dinner Service for 6 by Richard Ginori Black Onice Rim, Gold Trim & Verge
Located in Roma, IT
A Tableware set in very fine porcelain made in Italy between the 60s and 70s by the Doccia factory "Richard Ginori". Richard Ginori is an historic Italian ceramic's factory founded in Tuscany, in Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence, of which Gio Ponti was creative director for 10 years. This dinnerware is part of a Manufacture collection inspired by the elegant lines of the Empire style and which was out of stock for a long time. Now, the new ownership of the brand, recently purchased by the Gucci Group, has included the Contessa collection back in the range but without the subtle tone-on-tone trim that embellished the gold encrusted rim. We could say that this vintage dinner service...
Porcelain
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of early 20th C Swedish empire style beech armchairs. 1920 Seat height - 44cm Internal Ref: C
Beech
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
Pair of Architectural Gilt Wood Wall Shelves Brackets, Mid-19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Pair of French Gold Gilt Wall Shelves. Could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful classic addition to any living room,...
Metal
Late 19th C. French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Gueridon, Green Onyx Top
Located in Morristown, NJ
An elegant and finely executed French Empire style gueridon, dating to the late 19th century, distinguished by its restrained neoclassical proportions and exceptional gilt bronze mou...
Onyx, Bronze
Rare KPM Berlin Silhouette Cup & Saucer, Cobalt Blue & Gold, ca. 1800
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A rare and exquisite silhouette cabinet cup and saucer made by Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) Berlin, circa 1800. This neoclassical cylindrical cup is richly decorated with a ...
Porcelain
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
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 14'8'' X 12'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Wool, Cotton
Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Exquisite French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Light Candelabra ca 1810
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
These candlesticks are ornate artifacts from the French Empire period, which dates back to the early 19th century, typically considered as the reign of Napoleon I from 1804 to 1814. ...
Gold, Bronze
19th Century Empire Cabinet/ Vitrine With Mystical Figures , DE ca. 1850
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, rare empire nutwood display cabinet/ vitrine from the mid 19th century in North Germany - the so-called "second empire" period. As part of the inventory of a stately mans...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood and Brass Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched burled olive wood, with inlaid walnut banding, and brass accents. ...
Brass
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very stylish 19th century Empire style 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilt bronze, lit by three curvaceous 'swans head' arms and topped with a green lacquered metal (tole) shade adorne...
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany Marble Top Gueridon Table
Located in Carmine, TX
Elegant round table featuring a richly figured flame mahogany apron and sculptural pedestal base with carved tripod legs and decorative feet, supporting a veined marble top. A fine e...
Marble
$3,910Sale Price / item|24% Off
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Crystal, Wire
French Empire Mahogany Chest with Four Drawers, Circa 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) mahogany small chest with 4 drawers and bronze trim with a black marble top There are splits in the wood at the side of the piece.
Mahogany
Exceptional American Classical Pier Table, Ca. 1800-1820
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique pier table with classic Regency elegance in rich red-brown veneers, showcasing a rectangular black stone top and a shapely long drawer flush along the apron, raised over i...
Stone
Small Brass and Enamel Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add timeless elegance to your home with this stunning vintage French Empire-style chandelier. Featuring six gracefully curved arms, ornate gilt bronze detailing, and beautiful turquo...
Brass, Enamel
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
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Bronze, Steel
A pair of French Empire portraits of an Aristocratic Couple by Auguste F. Laby
By Auguste François Laby
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of extraordinary portraits of a French aristocratic couple presented in their original giltwood Empire frames with oval windows executed by a a noted early 19th century por...
Canvas, Giltwood
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Exceptional 19th Century French Bronze Frame w/ Portrait Painting of Josephine
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite miniature portrait is attributed to Empress Josephine, capturing her regal presence with remarkable detail and sophistication. She is dressed in a sumptuous white gown...
Bronze
$5,800 / set
1930's Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Bronze
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton
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...
Bronze
Swedish Empire Style Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Swedish Empire style center table combines bold architectural design with refined neoclassical influence. The circular top rests on a fluted pedestal supported by a square platf...
Wood
Elegant Danish Empire Armchair, circa 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and decorative Empire armchair. Made in mahogany, with light wood inlaid (lemon tree). Oval backboard in ebonised wood. Front of arms in the form of wooden cut grippers with ...
Mahogany, Velvet, Wood, Fruitwood
Grand French Empire Style Bronze Mahogany Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent French mahogany bibliotheque style bookcase cabinet crafted in the Napoleonic French empire taste. Constructed on a grand scale the cabinet features three pairs of storage do...
Bronze
$156Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood. Charming piece as a decorative piece on a desk or library shelf and additionally could be used to hold jewelry on a dresser or nig...
Wood
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Gesso, Mirror, Wood