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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
Empire Period Portrait of the Comte Gustave de Galard (1779–1841)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century, Empire Period Portrait of the Comte Gustave de Galard (1779–1841), French School, c. 1805, Oil on canvas Canvas: 15.75" W × 21.5" H Framed: 19" W × 24.5" H A refined ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Pair French Empire Brass, Ebonized & Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of French Empire Brass, Ebonized and Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamps Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 33" in height to the top of the finial and 26" to the top of the li...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Italian Large Empire Crystal & Gilded Iron Antique Chadelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
This grand 19th Century Italian Empire chandelier features a dramatic gilt iron frame adorned with tiers of cascading, faceted crystals, combining neoclassical opulence with timeless...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Iron

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Hexagonal Center Table with Marquetry Inlay Surface
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century hexagonal shaped center table with Marquetry surface. Marquetry inlay features a knight on horseback with spear, fighting off a medieval animal. Table sits on a turned s...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Especially beautiful Side Table, Pillar Commode Trumeau, Empire, ~1810-15, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful pillar commode, trumeau - an original of the Empire era, made around 1810-15, in Italy. This piece of furniture has a wonderfully classic shape, with a base, a round body...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French White and Gold Pierced Porcelain Compote Basket Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 19th Century Empire Clock, Miniature Matelot "Au Bon Sauvage", circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Miniature Empire Bronze Clock - Matelot Paris fire-gilded and patinated bronze early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 18 x 14 x 9 cm Description: Very rare miniature of the famous Pendule Matelot "Au Bon Sauvage". The depiction deals with an important topic of the time, trade with the colonies. The rectangular base stands on pressed ball feet. Attached to the front, we see two cornucopias filled with exotic fruits and held by a bow. A young sailor, dressed in a raffia skirt and feather jewellery...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Mahogany Commode with Bluestone Top and Gilt Bronze Hardware
Located in Dallas, TX
This French Empire commode is a perfect example of the type of chest of drawers that became popular in the early 1800s. This was a time when Napoleon preferred to do away with styles...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Meditation French Empire Mantel Clock by Claude Galle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Empire Mantel Clock Claude Galle Circa 1810 This Empire period mantel clock by Galle exemplifies the sophisticated allegorical artistry of early 19th-century French horology. Repres...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 13" X 11"
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk in beech from Hotel Knaust by Nordiska Kompaniet / NK, Sweden 1931. With brass details and signed with NK badge and tracking number (easy to see who ordered the furniture and w...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch, Fruitwood

Grand French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Mounted Console Table
Located in Benington, Herts
A Very Fine and Extremely Large Mahogany Empire Period Console Dessert With Finely Cast Gilt Bronze Mounts French Paris Circa 1815-25 The present piece of furniture is rather ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze. This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps. Originates France, circa 1870.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
$2,125 Sale Price / set
28% Off
Cut Crystal Spear Empire Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
This chandelier is truly stunning, with its sparkling, leaded glass cut crystals. An Empire-style crystal chandelier in the form of a tent with a ring structure adorned with outward-...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Large and Very Fine French Empire Period Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large and very Fine French Empire period ormolu and malachite mantel clock French, circa 1825 Height 89cm, width 57cm, depth 23cm This very Fine, sculpturally decorated mantel clock dates to the first French Empire period, and combines excellent antique clockmaking with Fine Classically-inspired sculpture to make a beautiful decorative piece. Both the backplate and the silvered brass dial, painted with Roman numerals, are stamped 'JACQUIER, A PARIS.' It bears the serial number 146 to upper left hand margin, and features steel moon hands set within a generous gilt laurel wreath cast bezel; it is cased in malachite (a later veneer), and richly adorned with gilt-bronze. The case is surmounted with a gilt-bronze sculpture of the Roman leader Caesar who wears a toga and a laurel crown...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

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, Wire, Iron

French Empire Walnut Pedestal Table with Round Marble Top and Tripod Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period walnut table from the 19th century with circular marble top, pedestal and tripod base. Evoke the elegance of 19th-century France with this resplendent French E...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique Dutch Empire Burl Wood veneered desk or sofa table
By Chapuis
Located in Den Haag, NL
Superb Dutch Empire Burl Wood -veneered sofa table ,On Iron casters On four shaped scroll feet joined by a baluster turned beech stretcher, the top ...
Category

1820s Dutch Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Burl

Superb & Rare Empire Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Chair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superbly elegant and unusual late 19th century Empire style chair having curved back adorned with small gorgeous Medusa head, inlaid in perfect places including the reeded legs with ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Sterling silver Jewel box with Rectangular rounded corners gold plated with translucent fire enamel stripes on guilloche and hand engraved with late Russian Empire style ornament app...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Set of Three Painted Pine Children's Chairs
Located in Baltimore, MD
These delightful plank seat children’s chairs are in a rustic Empire style, with a scroll at the top of the back rail and turned legs at the front. In old worn buttermilk paint. Seat...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire Furniture

Materials

Pine

Empire Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large wall mirror in the Neoclassical Empire style, circa 1810. The rectangular frame is gilded and adorned with applied stucco ornaments, including stylized acanthus leaves and leaf...
Category

1810s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass

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

Aubusson French 1800 - 23" x 13"
Aubusson French 1800 - 23" x 13"
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Mahogany Chest of Three Drawers with Marble Top, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers with canted fluted sides, tapered feet and marble top. This elegant chest of drawers has been restored and is ready to be placed and enjoyed. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Original French Empire Sofa and Armchair Set Made from Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Massive mahogany partly carved. Cambered frame on curly legs. Supports bracing supports for slightly rising armrests in rolled-up volute. High-awned, slightly curved backrest frame w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Antique French Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Hoop Form Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) gilt bronze sconces in the French empire style, of hoop form with three inch crystal pendants and three candle holders. All pendants are brand ne...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the pai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli "Verbena " round dining or center table. This table with scagliola art inlay takes inspiration from the c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Scagliola, Wood

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

A Pair of Empire Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Ebonized Column Supports
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Pair Of Matching French Empire Style Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Column Supports United By A Triform Base and Side Drawer.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790.  Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbed...
Category

1790s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Pine

Pair of Antique Old or Vieux Paris Gilt Porcelain & Floral Plates by P A Hannong
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French porcelain plates. In old Paris or vieux paris porcelain. By the Paris porcelain manufactory of Peter An...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 13" X 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 13" X 11", Floral Style
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair Of Large Empire-Style Silver Candle Holders, Hermann Südfeld, Vienna, c1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Two large, elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, round foot grooved on the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre with a profiled constriction, shaft widening conica...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of French Empire Style Carved Fruitwood Open Armchairs
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of 19th century fruitwood armchairs feature carved acanthus leaves and reeded arms.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Late 19th Century French Empire chandelier
Located in New York, NY
late 19th Century French Empire chandelier with swam head's. Original finish and patina.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side, with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A fine late 19th c French Empire cut crystal lamp with fine gilt bronze mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and large late 19th century French cut crystal and gilt bronze mounted lamp. Figural soldier heads in gilt bronze
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

1930's French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Empire Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen 1810-20
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire pedestal cabinet with convex front. Top top edge with a refined detail in the form of dark wood edging. One drawer with light intarsia edge in birch and maple. Drawer ...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bone, Hardwood, Birch, Mahogany, Maple

French 7 piece 19th century empire mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
7 piece 19th century french empire mahogany salon suite circa 1880. Rare 7-piece salon suite made in rich mahogany. Set comprises of a 2-seat sofa, 2 armchairs and 4 open armchairs....
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Mahogany French Empire Style Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
Attributed to Nordiska, this mahogany sideboard features bronze mounting on marble in a French Empire style.
Category

1940s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell. This wonderful rectangular inkwell is raised on circular toupie shaped Ormolu f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Leather and wooden Empire style side/desk chair from the early 20th century
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this stylish green leather and wood Empire-style side or desk chair from the early 20th century. This green leather and wooden chair from the early 20th century can be us...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany adjustable height tabletop desk, made for writing or reading in bed. Beautifully crafted desktop has a green leather writing surface, wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical White Milk Glass Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 25.5 H (to light socket) x 5" W x 5" D. {3-...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass

French Empire Bookcase in Walnut
Located in Doylestown, PA
An early 19th century French provincial biblioteque in walnut, with upper case with adjustable shelves and wire-grill doors over a lower pair of paneled cabinet doors, circa 1810.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Bookcase in Walnut
French Empire Bookcase in Walnut
$3,600 Sale Price
46% Off
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Savonnerie Carpet ( 8'x13'6" - 243x412 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Savonnerie Carpet from Empire Period (8' x 13' 6" - 243 x 412 cm)
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

Vintage 1997 Hotwheels Mattel Ferrari F512m Toy - 2Y192
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A collectible piece for car enthusiasts, this vintage Hotwheels model of the Ferrari F512m, produced by Mattel in 1997, is a must-have for fans of iconic sports cars and die-cast mod...
Category

1990s French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

20th Century French Empire Style Wooden Sideboard with Dark Marble Top
Located in Sofia, BG
This is an elegant French Empire-style sideboard or credenza featuring a sleek, dark marble top and rich mahogany wood finish. The piece is beautifully designed with three drawers at...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

French Consulate-Inspired Fireside Chair in H&S Tweeds – Tent by Darren Henault
Located in New York, NY
The Fireside Chair, inspired by the classic French consulate chair, is designed with both historical significance and modern versatility. Its low seat,...
Category

2010s American Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

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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