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.
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 wal...
Marble, Bronze
Lamp - Cassolette - Oil lamp - Empire style - Bronze - 19th France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent late 19th century mantelpiece set, mounted as a lamp. This beautiful Athenian-style cassolette is made of chased and gilded bronze and brass with a brown patina. The cent...
Bronze, Brass
Pair of Signed, 19th Century, Converted Milkglass Lamps Hand Painted with Ivy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of columnar table lamps, in Empire style, of milkglass. Each a round, faceted column, handpainted with scrolling vines of ivy. Lamped on round, pierced metal bases. Signed, "Pee...
Milk Glass
Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Mirror, Late 18th Century, France, 63.75"
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewood, gilded frame adorned with water leaves and pearl friezes, in good condition. The mirror is consisting its original mirror glass...
Mirror, Giltwood
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mirror Plateau with Mascaron Feet, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mirror Plateau with Mascaron Feet, Paris, circa 1810 An elegant and refined Empire mirror plateau in fire-gilded bronze, most likely Parisian work from the...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Cabinet/ Vitrine With Mystical Figures , DE ca. 1850
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable, rare empire nutwood display cabinet/ vitrine from the mid 19th century in North Germany - the so-called "second empire" period. As part of the inventory of a stately mans...
Brass, Gold Leaf
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...
Scagliola, Wood
Pair French Empire Style Torch Form 3-Light Sconces / Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage French empire style torch-form 3-light sconces (wall lights) with candelabra size sockets, faux wax candle covers and on/off switch measuring 23 1/4 by 16 1/2 by 10 1...
Bronze
Empire Style Chandelier in Bronze, Green Sheet Metal and Molded Glass Flame
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice, elegant and decorative Empire style chandelier is made of green sheet metal and gilt bronze, decorated with swan necks, ornaments and palmettes, and surmounted by a m...
Bronze, Sheet Metal
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Columnar Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome gilt and patinated columnar lamp base features Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and paw feet.
Bronze
Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table French, 20th Century Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Malachite, Ormolu
Maitland Smith Italian Tole Wall Sculpture Lavabo 3 Piece Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant wall lavabo or wash basin with beautiful detail throughout including floral and various instruments. Lavabos are gracious religious bowls for the lavabo ceremony of washing t...
Metal
c. 1824 Antique French Fashion Plate Print in Carved Gilt Wood Frame
Located in Honolulu, HI
An authentic 19th-century framed antique featuring an original hand-colored French fashion plate titled "Costumes Parisiens" (Plate 25, dated 1824 in print). The print is housed in ...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins' Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite French Empire armchair brings timeless elegance to any home. Resting on gracefully curved saber legs, it’s adorned with vibrant cream and crimson stripes that exude cl...
Silk, Walnut
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn Form Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This detailed bronze urn form lamp features gilt bronze highlights including lepard head handles, and acanthus leaves.
Bronze
Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold
$6,277Sale Price / item|20% Off
Set of Empire Armchairs / Chairs, Maple Wood, Paris, 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Seat group made of maple wood with rosewood intarsia, France, presumably G. Alphonse Jacob, the last of the famous Eben family, probably second quarter of the 19th century. Semi-circ...
Maple
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx" Ormolu - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx/Lion" Ormolu - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H x 18" W x 20" D x 19.5" Seat height.
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Empire Chandelier, Crystal & Brass, 12 Lights
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century French Empire style tear drop cut crystal / brass frame twelve light hanging chandelier. The chandelier is in great working condition. Rewired for US used. no speci...
Crystal, Brass
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s. If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Bronze
French Empire 19th Century Walnut Bookcase-Cabinet
Located in Troy, NY
Small French Empire bookcase/cabinet with framed glazed sides, featuring a molded wooden elongated X on the inside, one wire-mesh-inset door, the corners e...
Brass
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 ...
Onyx, Brass
French Antique Classical Fireplace in Bleu Turquin and Statuary Marble
Located in Beervelde, BE
Exceptional French Antique Classical Fireplace Surround in Bleu Turquin and Statuary Marble – Musical Theme This rare and refined original period French neoclassical fireplace surrou...
Marble, Statuary Marble
French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Candelabra with Original Tole Shade
Located in Antwerp, BE
An original French Bouillotte candelabra dating from the mid-19th century, executed in gilt bronze and retaining its original hand-painted green tole shade. Originally designed for c...
Brass, Bronze, Tôle
Pair of French Empire style Bronze and Bronze Dore Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Spectacular Pair of French Empire style Bronze & Bronze Dore 12 light Figural Candelabra, late 19th Century, each depicting a standing winged Victory with outstreached ...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Armchair
Located in El Monte, CA
A stately 19th Century Empire Style armchair crafted from Mahogany with detailed gilt carvings and a neoclassical print green silk upholstery. Featuring a gilt sunburst and Eye of Go...
Bronze
$24,343Sale Price|25% Off
P.-B. Marcion, Empire Period Dressing Table, France, circa 1810
By P. Marcion
Located in PARIS, FR
Empire period dressing table, decorated with rich chiseled and mercury gilded bronze ornamentation. Surmounted by an oval-shaped psyche mirror, decorated with a frieze of ivy and sma...
Marble, Bronze
Baccarat Harcourt 1841 Champagne Flutes Set of Six, Crystal, France
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of six Harcourt 1841 white wine glasses by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage. Pure, powerful and elegant at the ...
Crystal
Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Empire Library Bookcase
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine gilt bronze mounted mahogany Empire library bookcase.
Ormolu
$5,800 / set
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Bronze
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century, Lombard Empire Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in IT
Walnut-veneered cabinet with solid walnut interior. Fitted with original brass handles with gilt finish, brass capitals with matching gilt finish, and a grey marble top. Complete wi...
Brass
$3,842Sale Price|50% Off
Italian 1950s Empire Silvered Swooping Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Empire style Italian chandelier in the style of Buccellati. Rewired. 12 Light sources. Candelabra sockets. Rewired. 23” is the body. The chain can be adjusted to your nee...
Silver, Bronze, Enamel
Napoleon Bonaparte Oil Painting, Gilded Frame, Circa 1920-1930
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...
Canvas, Giltwood
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Tall 5 Drawer Scottish Mahogany Chest
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Tall 5 Drawer Scottish Chest, Mahogany, 69"H Beautiful monumental chest Solid Mahogany Flaming Mahogany front Removable crown 5 Dovetailed drawers Solid wood knobs Plinth bas...
Mahogany
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...
Marble
Rare Needlepoint Empire Salon (One Sofa and Two Armchairs)
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa and two armchairs in mahogany. The armrest is adorned with dolphins and saber-shaped legs. Circa, 1830. Rare upholstery of complete needlepoint...
Mahogany
$6,642Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Elegant Pair of Empire-style Armchairs, Made in Denmark, circa 1900.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant pair of Danish Empire-style armchairs, circa 1900. An elegant pair of armchairs crafted in the Danish Empire style, dating from around 1900. Constructed in beautifully figu...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Antique Breccia Pontifica Marble Columns, Italian, Circa 1910
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of architectural columns from Italy, circa 1910. This pair is made of Breccia pontifica marble, a rare multicolored stone from Sicily, Italy. The colorful marble was used extens...
Breccia Marble
Empire Period Wash Basin and Jug Set by Porcelaine de Paris
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period wash basin (with saucer) and tall pitcher, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring a very striking hand-painted polychrom...
Porcelain, Paint
19th c Rare Crystal Beaded Empire Chandelier French Hand Tied Oval Prisms, c1850
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights, sitting on metal posts that slide into a small pocket on chandelier. This chandelier was made for candles, but we will rewire with certified UL US sockets for the ...
Crystal
French Empire Mahogany Commode with Marble Top, circa 1830
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
French Empire Mahogany Commode with Marble Top, circa 1830 An elegant French Empire commode, dating to circa 1830, distinguished by the exceptional quality of its cabinetmaking and ...
Belgian Black Marble
Antique Empire Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet/Sideboard/Bar Cabinet with Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet / Sideboard / Bar Cabinet with Mirror This antique sideboard with a mirror top features a distinctive tiger oak wood...
Mirror, Oak
A Pair of Art Nouveau Armchairs in Mahogany, Thorvald Bindesbøll, Early 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
A refined pair of Art Nouveau Danish armchairs crafted in solid mahogany in the early 20th century. The design reflects the restrained elegance and fine craftsmanship characteristic ...
Fabric, Textile, Mahogany
Italian Empire Period Center Table Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
The round top a white marble, crisply edged and set above a beautifully grained mahogany or rosewood veneered apron. The base features a fluted black column rising from a triangular ...
Marble
Late Empire Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant oval late empire pedestal cabinet in beautiful walnut veneered oak. Door veneered with mirror-cut walnut, behind which there are removable shelves. Very fine quality Made in ...
Oak, Walnut, Burl
Jacob R. Meslée Empire Chest of Drawers, Paris, circa 1805–1810
Located in Madrid, EX
Jacob R. Meslée Empire Chest of Drawers, Paris, circa 1805–1810 A fine French Empire chest of drawers stamped Jacob R. Meslée, crafted in Paris circa 1805–1810. Made of solid and ve...
Mahogany
19th Century Oval Gilt Florentine Mirror, Original Mirror Plate, AT ca. 1810
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Stunning gilt 19th century Florentine wall mirror from the period around 1810 in Austria. Arftully handcarved out of softwood, this large mirror was part of the inventory of a small ...
Mirror, Softwood, Giltwood
Christian VIII Empire Oval Pedestal Tea Table in Mahogany, Denmark, circa 1835
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome Christian VIII neoclassical-style tea or breakfast table in mahogany with oval top on foliate-carved baluster-turned column resting on quatre-form pedestal base with carve...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock France Fire gilded bronze Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12 Description: Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock. The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Mahogany Console Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze and mahogany console table French, early 19th Century Height 92cm, width 120cm, depth 51cm This elegant console table is a superb example of French Emp...
Marble, Ormolu
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burlwood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chests
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dressers or chests of drawers By Thomasville USA, Late 20th Century Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled ma...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Chest of Drawers with Special Key, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Small Empire chest of drawers with special key France Walnut first half of 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 98 x 51 cm Description: French Empire chest of drawers with rou...
Walnut
$592Sale Price|33% Off
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat & Greatcoat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat and Greatcoat France, circa 1920s Capture a piece of French history with this exquisite Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry ...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900. We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden. Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table. Th...
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Mirror in Gilt Wood with Floral Carvings
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mirror (c. 1800) is symmetrical to hang in either direction, exhibiting low-relief floral decorations that leave ample space for the gilt molding to reveal its red...
Gold
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 ...
Canvas, Giltwood
$5,322Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Brass
1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940’s French empire style alabaster chandelier with bronze interior arms, 12 lights + 6 interiors.
Alabaster, Bronze