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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
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

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

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

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

19th century Empire Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very nice directoire/empire mahogany bookcase from around 1800 or early 19th century. The craftsmanship and quality of this piece is high and above what you normally see. It's maho...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mohair, 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

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

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

20th Century Antique Louis XV Style French Salon Table Bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic French salon table in Louis XV style. White polished on solid pinewood. Exceptionally finest engraved, decorative broken rocailles, inlaid with acanthus, and flowered detail...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
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

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

Italian 19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Empire Side Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Back decorated in various inlaid woods showing vines, flowers etc., The tops of the back chair rails are mounted with eagle heads, and are joined together with a turned gilded deco...
Category

1840s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu And Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, giltwood, ormolu, and Alabastro marble center table. The circular table is raised by elegant ball feet below t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

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

French Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Putti Empire Period 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
From a luxury villa at Como Lake a stunning pair of early 19th century Empire four-light gilt bronze figural candelabras, of French origin, dating back to circa 1810, measure: 31.50 ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Italian, Lombardia, Walnut, Ebonized, & Giltwood Bedside Commodes, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
each commode having a rectangular top on a conforming case housing one drawer and one door, the doors flanked by ebonized columns and carved giltwood capitals, raised on tapering cab...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

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

Pair of Armchairs
Pair of Armchairs
$7,500 / set
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

19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue. Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vieux Paris 'Old Paris' Tea Caddy or Apothocary Jar Painted with Harbor Scene
Located in Mobile, AL
This empire period Old Paris tea caddy, canister or jar from the 1830's is sure to delight. It was likely designed and sold as a tea canister, but a lidd...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Czech Crystal Beaded Empire Style Dome Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Antique French Empire Style 12-Light Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Large antique gilt and patinated bronze chandelier in the French Empire style measuring 36 inches across and 31 inches tall, featuring 12 electrified swan-form candle arms with cande...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Tavolino Quadrato Intarsio Scagliola, Base Marmo Giallo, Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Royal Yellow marble base. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Scagliola, Wood

1900's Persian Sarouk Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79155 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 11'02 x 18'05. This magnificent hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug exudes timeless elegance, evoking the golden age of Persian rug weaving...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

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

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

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

Mid 19th century Swedish burr birch escritoire
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning birch root escritoire circa 1855. We are pleased to offer this piece for sale.  Profusely using birch root veneers on every surface. Matched birch veneers used which span ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

Duncan Phyfe American Empire Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard with two pedestal cabinets and 4 carved column supports centering a lower mirror under 3 drawers ...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Mirror

Corinthian Column Marble Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style Corinthian column table lamp in marble. A decorative carved spiral, twists around the marble column, which is topped and tailed with a brass capital...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Pair of French Empire Period Four Light Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
This Hommage a Egypte pair were made at the time of Napoleon's unsuccessful foray into Egypt. The shaped bases, winged feet and triangular columns are surely inspired by the campaig...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

1830s French Empire Mahogany Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire mahogany chest with four drawers and gilded edges Beautiful wooden root.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

French Empire Style Bronze Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large bronze French Empire style lantern.
Category

20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Pair of Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
$1,080 Sale Price / set
22% Off
Mid 19th century French empire mahogany and leather reclining chair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality mid 19th century French mahogany and leather reclining chair circa 1860. We are pleased to be able to offer this stunning french flame mahogany reclining chair for sale...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

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

Large Antique French Patinated Bronze/Gilt Seven-Light Candelabras After Moreau
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This magnificent pair of large 19th-century French candelabras, inspired by Moreau, combines classical beauty with exceptional craftsmanship. Each candelabra is crafted in patinated ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Solid walnut "bridge" bookcase - Veneto, early decades of the 19th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Important Venetian bookcase from the early decades of the 19th century, made entirely of solid walnut. The solid and well-proportioned structure features a distinctive "bridge" confi...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Empire Bronze Clock Depicting Urania Greek Muse of Astronomy
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A magnificent large gilded and patinated bronze period French Empire mantle clock depicting Urania the Greek Muse of Astronomy standing on a stepped rectangular gilded bronze base her left elbow resting on a large gilded globe of the heavens with a central band showing the signs of the zodiac...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Romweber Empire Mahogany, Burl Wood, and Brass Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Empire or Neoclassical style nightstands By Romweber USA, circa 1940s Mahogany cases, with gorgeous book...
Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Vintage French Empire Patinated Bronze Brass Column Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Patinated Bronze/Brass Heavy Column Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early-19th Century English Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early-19th Century English Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 10", Floral Design, Authentic
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

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

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.
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840. Fine quality swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A courtly, Empire mirror from France with its original mirror plate. The frame is made of beveled mahogany decorated with gilt bronze stars, a motif commonly found throughout the Emp...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Heavy French Brass Empire Candlesticks, a pair
Located in Malibu, CA
This pair of beautiful brass candlesticks have classical simplicity. Exquisitely crafted in the distinct style of the 1st empire period in France. Quite heavy with a smooth patina, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

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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