Empire Furniture
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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Marble
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Brass, Wire
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Wood, Rosewood
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Stone, Marble, Metal
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Iron
2010s German Empire Furniture
Crystal
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
1830s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Silver
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Lapis Lazuli
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Silk, Mahogany
1820s American Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry, Poplar
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Wire
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Birch, Fruitwood
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Fabric, Oak
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wood, Feathers
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Velvet, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1950s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Crystal, Wire
1990s French Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Ash, Burl
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Empire Furniture
Onyx, Metal
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Pewter
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze