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
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
Italian Carved Giltwood & Whitewashed French Empire Style Balloon Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood and whitewashed balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has tassel appointments. It is in very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Poplar
Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Empire Reverse Painted Still Life Giltwood Trumeau Wall Mirror 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire Trumeau mirror offers giltwood column form frame with upper having reverse painted floral still life, 19th century.
Measures - 34.5''H x 18.5''W x 3.5''D....
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 19th Century English Regency Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of English Regency mahogany frame dining chairs, early 19th century. Features exquisite carved back-splats in conjunction with further foliate carvings to the top crest, strip...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Upholstery, Giltwood
Bronze Table Lamp by Danish Sculptor TH Stein Denmark 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
Artist made Bronze lamp attributed Danish Sculptor TH Stein and is made in the 1850’s.
The lamp has clear references to both Pompeii and Herculanum.
The lamp is made in solid bronze ...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dental carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th C. Adjustable Candlestick
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming French 19th century brass candlestick with functioning candle height adjuster. Surprisingly heavy for the slim and sleek form. Charming patina and irregularities authentic...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
German Empire Period Seven-Piece Silver Candelabra Set
Located in London, GB
German empire period seven-piece silver candelabra set
German, circa 1810
Meaures: Largest: Height 66.5cm, diameter 30cm
Smallest: Height 51cm, width ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
$131,275 / set
Pocket Cigarette Case Vessel Miniature Hand-Painted Sterling Silver Enamel Salim
Located in Firenze, FI
6238-7239- Pocket cigarette case with spring button in 925/1000 fire-enamelled sterling silver with beautiful vessel miniature hand-painted by th...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire 19th Century Round Pedestal Table France
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Here is an original round tripod center table from the early 1800's about when Napoleon roamed Europe. This table has been given a professional complete but "soft" restoration to sav...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow With Garlands of Flowers
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Large early 19th century empire style over mantle
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very decorative early 19th century empire style overmantle miror
French circa 1840’ s with original backboards and mirror plate
Height 157 cms or 62 inches
Width 115.5 cms or ...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
20th Century French Oil Painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor by S. Chapin
By Chapin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French oil on canvas painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in a hand carved original gilded wooden frame, painted by S. Chapin in good condition. The wall décor art pie...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase. Item features carved paw feet, 4 glass doors, stacking form, very nice antique bookcase. Top 2 sections ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
French Empire “Gueridon” Tripod Table
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the French Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a high gloss French polish finish. The “gueridon” has a tri...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
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
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$8,990 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Empire Early 19th Century Solid Walnut Antique Bench
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Antique Italian empire bench early 19th century. The bench is made of solid walnut wood. Excellent antique good conditions of the wood. Characterized by a seat with folding panels.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,330 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$3,360 Sale Price
36% Off
Picture Frame miniatures and borders in Russian Empire Fabergé style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamels on guilloche and fine hand-painted miniatures of laurel friezes and borders in Ru...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Armchairs
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Pair of Russian neoclassical parcel-gilt mahogany armchairs
Each armchair made during the Empire period in Russia. The mahogany veneered frame with gilded details. With unusual tu...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$7,500 / set
Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
By Le Roy
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Le Roy et fils
French, c. 1810
Height 36cm, width 37cm, depth 14cm
This refined mantel clock was created during the Empire period by the esteem...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
Pair of Elegant Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Empire armchairs crafted from Cuban mahogany, featuring classic details from the period.
The backrests have an oval recess, adorned with line inlays in satinwood an...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
$3,460 / set
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Swedish Antique Taboret Stools from the Empire Period in Yellow Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of antique taboret stools from the empire period, around 1840. The stools are Swedish and made in solid yellow birch. Curved legs and turned armrests. The seats can be taken out...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Early 20th Century French Vitrine or Dry Bar with Ebonized Finish and Brass Trim
Located in Troy, MI
French vitrine cabinet or dry bar with new black finish and original brass trim, circa 1920s. Top has sliding glass doors. Bottom has brass figural ornaments, locking door and single...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Italian Gilt Tole and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th-century Italian Empire style gilt tole and crystal basket chandelier exudes a touch of elegance and sophistication. The intricate design features a beautiful combination of...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 Eagle Arms
Located in Halle, DE
A beautiful 20th Century classic French Empire gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with 3 sculptural Eagle Arms .
The Bouillotte Lamp present a classic dark-green painted tole shade with ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
A.Carrier French bronze 19th Neapolitan musician playing a tambourine.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible A.CARRIER bronze 19th Neapolitan musician playing a tambourine.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Clock, "Cupid & Psyche"
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt and patinated bronze Empire clock. Rouge griotte marble.
Signed bled a Paris. Silk thread suspension. France, circa 1804
Dimensions: Height 32" x width 21" x depth 11...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Mirror, stamped Jean-Joseph Chapuis, Brussels c. 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table - stamped Chapuis
Brussels
Mahogany
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 178 x 91 x 56 cm, height without mirror: 82 cm
Description:
Elaborately crafted early 19th century dressing table...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Empire Bronze Column Table Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th century Empire brass column table lamp
Additional information:
Materials: Brass
Color: Gold
Period: early 19th century
Styles: Empire
Lamp Shade: Not Included
...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Belgian Gilt Metal and Glass 6-Light Chandelier, 1970s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire style glass chandelier features 6 lights and framework with a golden iron.
Made in Belgium. 1970s.
This chandelier is lavishly draped in fine quality sparkle transparent glass cut facets.
Surprisingly elegant and memorable ceiling lamp will attract the attention of lovers of the unique and unusual. The luminaire not only performs its task well as lighting interiors, but is also a real work of lighting art.
A fine line between fantasy and reality futuristic lamps...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Category
18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,080 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Table in the Versace Style with 4 Columns Frame in Maple Root Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Table in the Versace style with 4 columns frame in maple root veneer.
Made in Italy.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Maple
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 19" X 13", Circa 1850s
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Woven Pond Tapestrty 7.35X5.45
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
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
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Walnut, Bronze, and Marble Table and Chairs Living Room Set
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style walnut and marble eight-piece salon set with golden and light yellow fabric and bronze mounts.
Impressive French Empire style eight-piece salon suite made of waln...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Rare Set of Four Empire Rams Head Carved Mahogany Armchairs, Bergeres
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular suite of four Empire period carved mahogany armchairs custom upholstered in close nailed fine crimson leather with down filled seat cushions. Each stamped Jacob on the ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Putti Baroque Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Porcelain rose
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Restored Solid Brass Chandelier with Cherub & Hand-Painted Porcelain Roses – 9 Lights
A true masterpiece of classic lighting design, this opulent chandelier is crafted e...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Swedish Regency Style Period Parcel Gilt Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Regency style armchair featuring a Fruitwood frame with hand-carved matte ebonized plume body details and traditional 22-karat gilded parcel gilt detail on stylized heron heads at arm fronts and legs. Mint restored with new Moss Green mohair upholstery. Available at 200 Lexington...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Isaac Pearson Reading PA Walnut Tall Clock with Rare Jacob Kunsman Case, C 1845
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid Empire walnut veneered tall clock with swan’s neck split pediment crest with bullseye rosettes and three wooden ball & spire finials surmounting an arched front glass door...
Category
1840s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Buffet Cabinet, by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted marquetry buffet cabinet, by François Linke, Paris.
This handsome buffet or side cabinet has its original Swedish green marble top. The veneers are of the finest figured acajou flammé. The frieze is fitted with a long drawer with citronnier and ebonised marquetry panel depicting a Etruscan chariot...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Vintage Tapestry
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
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
Pr. 19th Century Russian Cobalt Blue & Gold Ground Swan Handle Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality pair of Russian Empire cobalt blue and gold ground swan handle porcelain vases. Each piece is of Amphora form with a gorgeous 24K gold matted, burnished, and shiny front and backside decoration. The front panels consist of a young girl and a young boy, where the young girl is seen holding food on her head with a water pale in her hand walking through the town, while the boy is seen holding a basket of fruit up and walking it back home. The reverse of each of the vases is also elaborately decorated with one of the scenes being a comfy home with a beautiful woody landscape with a deer running through the backyard, while the other vase has a gorgeous landscape scene with a man riding a horse in the background. On either side of the vases are two-tone matte and burnished 24K gold swan form handles. Underneath the handles are 24K gold hand-painted decorations over a cobalt blue ground. The body runs down a waisted gold neck onto a rounded base which sits on a square gold plinth...
Category
1810s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections.
The upper section has three doors: a l...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Plum Wood Swan Armchairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A pair of Empire / Biedermeier plum wood from circa 1815, newly upholstered with new fabric in classicist style. The armrests, backrest and seat are upholste...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$7,373 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round pewter plate with London and makers mark on the rear side.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
$276 Sale Price
20% Off
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$6,659 Sale Price / item
20% Off
17th Century Florentine Metallique & Silk Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Metallique & Silk Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Colorful Floral Tapestry 5.0X5.05
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
Antique 17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 16'' X 16''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Brussels tapestry pillow. 17th century. 16'' X 16''.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Russian Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut-Glass Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An Empire Cut-Glass Mounted Ormolu Twelve-Light Chandelier
Russian
Early 19th century
Consisting of a palmette and anthemeon-cast corona top suspending four chains and a circular ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
A Palatial 19th Century French Second Empire Ormolu Mounted Bronze Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Palatial 19th Century French Second Empire Ormolu Mounted Bronze and Green Marble Three Piece Garniture Set
circa 1820.
Origin: France
Measures: Clock
Height 32"
Width 21"
Dept...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Dolphins' Heads Fauteuils, Manner of Bellangé
By Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century Pair of Empire Dolphins' Heads Fauteuils, Manner of Bellange
A pair of Empire walnut fauteuils or armchairs 'aux Dauphine'' (with dolphins' heads) in the manner o...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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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