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
19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper Frieze Second Empire Era
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper frieze in trompe-l'oeil ribbon on an 8-way roll.
About 61 m/0.05 cm. useful. Second Empire era, polychrome printing.
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Six Early 19th Century Venetian Chairs, Walnut, Empire Style, wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
6 early 19th century Venetian chairs in carved walnut, original upholstered spring seats in pink velvet, still usable. Clean and sanitized upholstery, structure polished with transpa...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
20th Century French Empire 5 Light Chandelier
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful 19th century French Empire style chandelier with 5 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms.
A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire period ebonised commode
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Fab early 19th century Empire 3 drawer marble topped commode
French circa 1820's with original marble top
3 deep drawers , carved hairy paw feet
Height 89 cms or 35 inches
Wi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sapele Wood
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
Dutch Empire Style Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest made of mahogany and ebonized wood during the 1800’s. This mahogany case piece has six bookmatched drawer fronts each with two ring drawer pulls for e...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Henredon Flamed Mahogany Empire Dining Table Natchez Collection Banded Top
By Henredon
Located in Toledo, OH
Henredon flamed mahogany banded top dining table. Empire style part of the Natchez collection. Two pedestals with bun feet. Very nice condition. 86" long x 52" wide x 30" tall. One e...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Wire
Swedish Late 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Stool
Located in Skanninge, SE
A very stylish and elegant 19th century model. Newly upholstered in cream white/yellow fabric. The mahogany frame is in a good unrestored condition. This stool/banquette is free stan...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
French 19th Century Lady's Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This petite work table from 19th century France is full of charming elements within a compact design. Details allude to this piece serving as a correspondence and sewing table. Unloc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Crystal and bronze chest
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Crystal and bronze chest
Empire style chest
Crystal and gilded bronze materials
Origin France Circa 1920
Excellent condition
The Empire style (in French: style Empire) is a dominant ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Double Arm Empire Brass Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire sconce of classic French design. Perfect for that small space that needs a little extra light. Cleaned and US wired using UL listed parts.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Griffon Bouillotte Lamp with Tole Shade, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French Empire gilt bronze bouillotte lamp with three scrolled arms, interior griffon heads, telescopic tole shade with pineapple and feather finial, and resting on the original circu...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle, Wire, Tin, Bronze
Rare French Empire Chair - From the Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
For sale is a rare French Empire side chair, a stunning example of early 19th-century craftsmanship. Hand-carved from rich fruitwood, this chair features a gracefully turned, back sc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Fruitwood
20th Century Italian Empire Bronze Table Lamp Red Lampshade Golden Embroideries
Located in Milano, MI
An Empire style large bronze urn vase wired as table lamp with an oval red lampshade. An Italian circular handled decorative bronze center vase, the so-c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Gueridon Table with Bronze Details
Located in Buxton, GB
Add a touch of history to your home with this antique French Gueridon Table Empire Style. The handcrafted piece is beautifully designed with intricate carvings and made of mahogany v...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Black Dining Table Eco-shagreen top and brass legs handcrafted by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Black Dining Table Eco-shagreen top and brass legs Handcrafted by Cupioli.
Dining Table black scagliola shagreen top casted brass legs handmade in Italy
This is a sophisticated dini...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th - 19th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Gilded Bronze Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Provincial Empire Mahogany Marble-Top 4-Drawer Commode/Chest. France, Circa:1820
Located in Alexandria, VA
While this commode or chest was made in one of France's provincial cities it has the style and form of the best Napoleonic Empire furniture. The size makes it perfect for smaller roo...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bergère Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover an exquisite pair of Empire-style armchairs from the 19th century, crafted from luxurious mahogany. These elegant chairs embody timeless sophistication, featuring high backs...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Empire Commode, Nightstand or Sewing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
French Empire. Solid mahogany wood. Gilded and chiselled fittings. Two-wise frame base with protruding rectangular marble slab on square columns, joined by an intermediate compartmen...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze & Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain)
Weight...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Deverberie
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt-bronze mantel clock by Deverberie
French, c.1805
Measures: Height 67cm, width 54cm, depth 19cm
This exceptional timepiece was made in Empire period Fr...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Empire Carved Painted "Tabernacle" Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and petite antique vitrine was crafted in France, circa 1860. Originally used as a tabernacle in a church or chapel, the hanging cabinet features a dome top over a singl...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Villa Garnelo Crotch Mahogany Empire Style 4 Drawer Commode Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Villa Garnelo Crotch mahogany Empire style 4 drawer commode dresser. Item features beautiful column supports, bun feet, gold and ebonized accents, original label, 4 dovetailed drawer...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box with inward corners in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and a fine round miniature in the centre, diameter cm. 4....
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique French Empire Mahogany Commode with Lion Paw Feet, Marble Top, Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire style Commode or some may describe our Lion Paw Foot Commode as from the Restauration period, which was predominantly Neoclassicism. Our Old Plank restoration department completely rebuilt the drawers and the entire frame, but restrained from refinishing the mahogany. We of course enhanced the Original French Lion Paw Commodes...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Elegant Empire Style Gilt & Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamp
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ornate and elegant Empire style table lamp having patinated bronze figural goddess form with marblized base.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890.
The lamp ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Armchairs Attributed to Jacob Desmalter
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Stamford, CT
A very fine pair of French Empire mahogany armchairs attributed to Jacob Desmalter, circa 1805. The shaped backs ending in beautifully...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Mahogany Table Empire style with Louis Philippe four Chairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
French mahogany dining table from the early 19th century, Empire style, with four elegant hand-carved Louis Philippe mahogany chairs of the same age, still usable. Elegant table with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Neoclassical Garden Fountain in White Marble
Located in Sacile, PN
White marble fountain, neoclassical , dated beginning of 19th Century
This fountain comes from Palazzo Tadini, an old art gallery which owner loved to collect Canova's works. Palazz...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
GBV Nine Ceramic Shelf with Hand Painted Fair 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Ceramic shelf from Nove di Bassano with flowers and fair, hand-painted by Gian Battista Viero and made in the 19th century. Restorations have been carried out as shown in the picture...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
ONE OF A KIND!! Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Berlin Oval Plate Table on Carved Foot Dining Table Mahogany German
Located in Epfach, DE
19th Century Berlin Oval Plate Table on Carved Foot
A magnificent and rare 19th-century dining table, crafted in Berlin, featuring a solid mahogany oval tabletop supported by a rema...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Breakfast Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal dining breakfast table, game table, or center table.
By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection.
Italy, circa ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Copper Cauldron - "Poitiers" Engraved, Decorative Piece - 2Y14
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This antique copper cauldron, engraved with "Poitiers," is a stunning decorative piece that adds a touch of vintage charm to any setting. Its classic design and fine craftsmanship ma...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Copper
French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu and bronze chandelier
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 100cm, diameter 64cm
This chandelier is a beauti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, 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
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Wire
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
Antique Empire Style Black lacquer Mirror Table with original mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful Antique Empire style table is one of a kind and a stunner. Antique mirror and Black lacquer wood trim. it would make a gorgeous entry table or dining table and so much more. the patina of the mirror is original and truly amazing.
To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha Design, scroll down and click on VIEW ALL FROM SELLER. Also follow us to be notified when new items are posted. We also have a brick and mortar...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
French Empire Walnut Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
The classic form features book-matched panels framed by gold trim, while square tapered legs with brass sabots ground the piece in Empire period authenticity. Each door front showcas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French 19th Century Empire Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant period Empire ormolu-mounted white marble portico clock, circa 1830, is from France. The floral-and-foliate ormolu-mounted frieze sits above four Doric columns with gilt...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Console Table with Drawer
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of mahogany wood, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columnar supports embellished with decorative bronze mounted rings at the...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Blue Glass Liners Return from Egypt
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
French Napoleonic Empire table set "return from Egypt"
Made of sterling silver and cobalt blue liners
Collectible for it's beauty and hallmarks that were only used during
Napoleons E...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Empire Style Needlework Rug in Green and Pink
By Savonnerie
Located in Richmond, London
A rare fine French Empire style needlework carpet, in deep green with pink and beige tones. Wonderfully decorative bold pattern and colours will certainly make a room. Highly desirab...
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Pair of Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Style Planters
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt and patinated bronze Empire style planters
French, 20th Century
Height 50cm, width 62cm, depth 31cm
The planters, crafted in France, showcase the Egyptian-inspir...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Antique Black Marble and Ormolu Borne Clock by Maniere
By C. Maniere
Located in London, GB
Fine black marble and ormolu mantel clock of borne (antique milestone) form. Superb proportions and Fine ormolu mounts, well finished with matte and burnished fire gilding. The primary mount represents d'Etude, below this a pair of Lions pawing an Anthemion. To each side a Fine mount of crossed winged torches of ever lasting love purporting to represent Anacreon inspired by Love. Fine white enamel dial and gilt bronze hands, signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume working at the Rue Christine...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Mahogany Centre Table in the Empire Style
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century French mahogany centre table in the Empire style, having a wonderful decorative segmented top with engraved brass moulding, the ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian Secretaire dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined Secretaire.
Made of fine solid mahogany wood (accompani...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage Polistil Ferrari 308 Die-Cast Model Car - Made in Italy - 2Y190
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage Polistil Ferrari 308 die-cast model car is a collectible piece made in Italy, representing the iconic Ferrari 308. Despite its age, it retains much of its original charm...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and impressive Empire style Gilt Bronze & Malachite center table. The table features a circular top, which has been beautifully inlaid with malachite and edged with gilt bron...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
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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