Empire Furniture
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.
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Feathers
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
1890s German Antique Empire Furniture
Silver Plate, Pewter
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Carrara Marble, Bronze
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Kingwood
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Birch
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
1810s Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Resin
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Velvet
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1810s German Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Cherry
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Damask
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Ash
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Murano Glass
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Siena Marble, Bronze
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Silver Leaf
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Pine
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass