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
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Round Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame features cast tapering legs adorned wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Quartz, Brass
$9,597 / item
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 Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Table Mirror Dated, 1870
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique rustic vanity mirror / table mirror dated 1870.
The Mirror has nice carved details on the top
This orginal painted mirror...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
A Pair of French Empire Style Corner Chairs
Located in Vienna, AT
French Empire or Napoleon III style mahogany corner armchairs with ormolu mounts, arms rest on seated sphinx. Original upholstery, good original condition. New upholstery and also co...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820.
The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
$802 Sale Price
25% Off
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
Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically stacked. Similar piece can be ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper, Paint
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
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
$720 Sale Price
20% 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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$2,397 Sale Price
30% Off
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
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Provenance: ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg.
The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
BVIZ Pair of Antique Ottoman Empire Gold Embroidery Pillows
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Recently made toss pillow pair from antique, Ottoman Empire raised gold metallic embroidery depicting scrolling vines in linear orientation, on mint green velvet. Hand trimmed with ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Feathers
Antique Silk Velvet Altar Frontal
Located in Canterbury, GB
Antique French Altar Frontal / Valance
Finest quality silk velvet. Decorated with gold metallic braid . Edged with the most opulent gold metallic tassel trim
Backed with glazed cot...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet
$2,003 / item
Circa 1870 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$5,361 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Circa 1660 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1660 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1660s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene.
Stock number: CC59.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
European Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage impressive wooden frame in silver gilt, with great patina, that would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. Wond...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Vintage Tapestry Ddepicting Royal Emblem 3.8X3.9
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
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French burnished gilded Empire candlesticks with light collars. The stems are fluted and decorated with acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,500 / set
Fontainebleau Empire Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
Fontainebleau Empire chandelier, based on a 19th-century French design, the arrangement of the chains and the elaborate cast brass details make this design distinctive. A gilt finish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$19,700 / item
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
Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Empire Library Bookcase
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine gilt bronze mounted mahogany Empire library bookcase.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table with Drawers
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
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
A Pair of Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt Floor Candelabras, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt Floor Candelabras, 19th Century
Description:
Each with a tapered faux marble column shaft rising to double foliate collar and leaf carved d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Rare flashlight for a candle in brass from a Swedish Baron. Empire period
Located in Knivsta, SE
Extremely rare flashlight for a candle in brass from a Swedish Baron. Empire period around 1830. Provenance Baron Ehrenkrona, Hulterstad Manor, Mjölby, Sweden.
The flashlight in bra...
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Period Flamed Walnut Two Sleigh Beds or Daybeds
Located in Firenze, IT
These two exceptional Italian 19th century Empire period sleigh beds dating back to 1790-1830 were sourced in Lucca, Tuscany. The beds, that can serve also as a daybeds or settee, sh...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship from around the 1880s. The rich, deep tones of the...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Category
1810s Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble consoles. Each freestanding one drawer two tiered console is raise...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights
French, 20th Century
Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm
Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$24,873 / set
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
18th Century Italian Empire Rock Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 18th century Italian Empire style rock crystal basket style chandelier with 6 lights. A classic style for a beautiful home!
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 43cm
Ref.: 84654535
40-41
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
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
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
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
Empire Bench in Mahogany with Walnut and Maple Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful Empire bench crafted from mahogany with gracefully curved legs.
The end panels feature central inlays of walnut and light maple detailing.
The seat has been newly upholst...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Maple
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 30" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Unusual Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock in the Form of an Accanthus Plant
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Exceptional French Empire Mantel Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze
A rare and visually arresting French Empire mantel clock, masterfully crafted in the form of a sculptural acanthus...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Corner Cabinet or Cupboard in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
From the Baltic region, a very beautiful and unusual Empire corner cupboard in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with two stacked cabinet doors that are bowed, and are separated by a ...
Category
Early 1800s Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 17'' X 10'', Wool , Handmade, Traditional
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$2,700 / item
Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewire...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
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
18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Vintage French Empire Mahogany 25" Round Coffee Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Mahogany 25" Round Coffee Table with Ornate Brass Gallery and Carved Tapered Legs. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21.5" H (to gallery) x 25" W x 25" D. 2...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Portal Clock, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Portal clock on a rectangular, stepped base in mahogany veneered with small bun feet. The stepped architrave is supported by four smooth columns, the capi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,615 Sale Price
20% Off
Dutch Brass Umbrella Stand with Lion Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A Dutch brass umbrella stand with lion paw feet and blue and white Delft pottery handles, circa mid-20th century, Holland. Dimensions: 8.25" Depth x 11" Width (handle to handle) x 16...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25'' x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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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