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
French Empire Solid Walnut & Marble Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An impressive French Empire buffet made of figured walnut in a rich auburn hue that coordinates with the dark marble top surface for a classic look. The stone shows pockets of dark g...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Queen-Size Carved Four-Poster American Empire Bed, Philadelphia, c 1825
Located in Miami, FL
An extraordinary American empire four-poster bed in cherry wood from the Philadelphia area that appears in the book, Philadelphia Empire Furniture ...
Category
1820s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Poplar
Antique Pair French Empire Armchair Fauteuils Chairs, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an elegant antique pair of French Empire Revival upholstered back mahogany armchair fauteuils, circa 1880 in date.
The mahogany is beautiful in colour with superb patina. Th...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Ebonized Bookcase
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Empire style open book shelf has a recent ebonized finish. This antique has the rounded column fronts of the empire style raised on paw feet. The interior is fitted wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Napoleon Empire 1809 Historic Palais Beauharnais Curtains Paris France 1809
By Josephine de Beauharnais
Located in La xara, VC
Dear collector, please find this unique and exceptional piece of French History .Napoleon Bonaparte private pair of curtain from the most exclusive Palais in France from Beauharnais.
This curtain was made for the Palais and go after Restauration of the Palais to another Private collection around Paris .Please don't hesitate for any request! Unique opportunity to get this exceptional private life of The Napoleon Emperor bedroom curtain!
he Palais Beauharnais was a palace located in Paris, France, that was built in the 18th century for the Beauharnais family. The palace was purchased by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 for use as a residence for his stepson, Eugene de Beauharnais...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
$28,286 Sale Price / set
65% Off
Pair of French Blue Painted Fluted Bedside Column End Tables with Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This pair of side tables with a single drawer and cabinet below have been constructed from solid wood. The interior features a shelf for additional storage. Classic details on this s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs.
Offered is a lovely pair of early 19th century French period Empire chairs, fauteuils or side chairs. This pair of chairs are adorned with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$11,850 / set
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Console
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Console with Ebonized Marble Top & Bronze Dore Details, ca. 1810
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,250 / item
Early 19th Century empire toleware decorative urn
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century empire toleware decorative urn circa 1830.
Rare decorative urn that would have been used for incense or pot pourri. Original black paint with very strong grecian ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th C. Kirk & Son "Repoussé" 117-Piece Sterling Silver Flat Service, 111.8 Oz
By Kirk & Son
Located in Germantown, MD
A S. Kirk & Son, Sterling Silver Repousse set of flatware. 117 gorgeous pieces. Hand chased and hand decorated by prominent American silversmith Samuel Kirk who introduced the Repou...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Walnut & Marble Top Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A monumental French Empire buffet made of figured walnut in a rich auburn hue, coordinating with the dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The original marble sl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Mahogany Standing Tilting Floor Mirror from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately mahogany adjustable/tilting floor mirror standing over 5.5' tall.
Note the elegant finials and central flourish that crown the mirror, resting on elaborately carved lion's fe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Empire Period Marble Top Gueridon
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant guéridon is a fine example of Empire-period craftsmanship, dating back to the early 19th century. Its refined design and high-quality materials reflect the timeless eleg...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair French Early 19th Century Hand Carved Giltwood Empire Style bird Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of handcarved giltwood bird fragments.
France circa 1805-1820 . Weathered and small losses
Measurements individual and include the wooden base.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$465 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Pristine Large Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, large, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate din...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ash, Burl
Bronze and Green Sheet Metal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice Empire style chandelier is made of green sheet metal and gilded bronze, decorated with chiseled ornaments and palm leaves. This is a French work. Circa 1920
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
$3,176 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date.
The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Portrait of a Boy, Circa 1810, Life-size
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming life-size portrait of a young boy in a formal high-collared coat holding a French dictionary, oil-on-canvas, circa 1810 in an age appropriate gilt-wood frame. The portrait...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair 19th Century Italian Empire Consoles
Located in Houston, TX
A stately pair of 19th Century Italian Empire white marble top mahogany consoles supported by ebonized caryatid columns.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French White and Gold Pierced Porcelain Compote Basket Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,320 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charmingly patinated solid walnut buffet, exhibiting French Empire flair tempered by Louis Philippe, circa 1860. The simple plank top is held with visible tongue & groove joinery,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Limoges Porcelain Gilded Baluster Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A large pedestal baluster-shaped vase in hand-painted Limoges porcelain, and dating from the mid-20th century. Featuring an exquisite decoration of spring flowers in vibrant polychro...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Marble Topped Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Empire style side table handcrafted in France. A wonderful square piece of emerald green marble featuring black veining and hazy white patterns sits atop a cast iron base w...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Iron
Early 19th century French Empire Period Burl Elm Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale early nineteenth century French Empire period console table is constructed of solid burl elm and features a black marble top. A single drawer of dovetail constructio...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Paris Porcelain Teacup and Saucer Depicting Empress Josephine
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite teacup and saucer in Sèvres style Old Paris Porcelain, depicting the Empress Josephine in ornate dress and wearing her crown. Dating from the early 19th century First Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box
Located in Casteren, NL
This exquisite antique writing box was meticulously handcrafted using traditional joinery techniques, with beautifully visible dovetail joints at the corners. Made in the Southern Ne...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel
French Antique Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp in with Tole Lampshade
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century three-light 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilded bronze and brass, with unusual duck's head styled arms and a typical green lacquered metal (tole) shade. Designed in...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Schoenbeck crystal chandelier empire style
Located in Houston, TX
The brilliance of the crystal makes this piece especially
Beautiful with forty one interior lights that reflect a
Colorful glow. It cascades from a crown at the upper
Structure and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$4,500 Sale Price
49% Off
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
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Wire
$16,970 Sale Price
40% Off
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Early 20th-century French console table in the Empire style, sourced from Provence. Structurally restored and refinished, it features a narrow 4'5" frame hand-crafted from solid maho...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Hand Painted Room Divider 4 Panel Leather Screen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic leather four panel room divider hand painted and hand crafted screen from the latter part of the 19th century France. Hand painted cherubs with floral accents in outstandin...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Sterling Silver Snuff Box with Floral Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. Its inside is gold plated. Lid and bottom are covered in the same floral design reminiscent of a bouquet or floral ornament. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Stunning Gueridon Table, hand carved Dolphin, second Empire, ~1900, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning rare side table, so called Gueridon, from the second Empire, made around 1900 in Italy.
This elaborate structure of the table is composed of a round base with small extens...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Spruce
Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn
Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Dutch Empire Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A breathtaking Dutch-made, French Empire style buffet of flamed mahogany with coordinating dark marble top surface for a classic & Neoclassical look. The slab exhibits constellations...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
Antique French Blue Opaline Glass Table Lamp
Located in Rochester, NY
1930's French blue opaline glass table lamp w/ brass fittings. 40" h to top of brass finial / 25" h to top of electric socket x 6 1/2" diam...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An early 19th century painted and parcel-gilt Empire trumeau mirror with horse and chariot scene.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Old Paris porcelain tea and coffee set
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Empire Old Paris porcelain tea and coffee set
An early 19th Century Old Paris porcelain coffee, tea set with green painted French country scenes and gold paint. The gol...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Baccarat, Set of Eleven Overlay Crystal Items, Bright Crimson, France 1920
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, set of 10 high-end liquor glasses and 1 Serving plate made by Baccarat. In the colors bright crimson and clear crystal. The glasses and the serving plate are in...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Empire-Style Curule Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant 19th-century Empire-style curule stool standing on veneered, curved X legs linked by a turned baluster-shaped stretcher and terminating in lion's paws. The padde...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant. Mahogany with mahogany & oak secondary wood. Ingenious hidden drawers & locking mec...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Period Giltwood Large Italian Empire Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame.
Early 19th century.
Internal measurements cm 37.5 x 45.5.
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certific...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Empire Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Empire lacquered walnut dolphin center table.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Four Shelves Etagere
Located in Miami, FL
This tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and four shelves.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Tapestry Aubusson Pillow 18'' X 18''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th century French tapestry aubusson pillow. 18'' x 18''
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving
Early 19th century
Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Elegant vintage classical Empire inspired marble top table by Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an elegant empire inspired marble topped side table by Maitland Smith. This Empire inspired table has a hand forged wrought iron base with three decorative brass wings. This ...
Category
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A exceptionally rare Period French Empire (1804-1814) walnut bureau a cylindre.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Empire Mahogany Arm Chairs
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique Empire style armchairs. The armrest and legs are made of solid mahogany, the backrest is made of veneered mahogany. An elegant design with curved armrests and taper...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
$2,592 / set
Neo Classical Style Burl Walnut Mirrored Back Console Table / Credenzas
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance your living space with this Mid-20th Century Neo-Classical Style Burled Walnut Mirrored Credenza/Console Table, a versatile and beautifully designed piece of furniture that r...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A stately and beautifully proportioned French Empire commode, crafted in the early 19th century, circa 1810–1830. This classic piece features a rich flame mahogany veneer, a hallmark...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
French Empire Style Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE STYLE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK
Composed of 19th century elements
ref. 501GWU22P
45 7/8" H x 32 1/8" W x 15 5/8" D; writing area is 15" D x 26 1/8" W
Thi...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Framed Upholstered Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very beautiful North American Empire style mahogany wood framed upholstered sofa with matching bolster pillows and mahogany frame scroll...
Category
1820s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
French Lamps Empire Bouillotte Empire Wall Sconces Regency Gold and Blue A pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
A pair French gold gilded bronze Bouilotte Wall Sconces, Empire Revival.
With matching cyan blue lampshades with a gold interior.
Style: French, Empire, English Mansion, Regency, Hol...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
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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