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.
36
4,370
145
112
to
490
2,632
1,817
4,627
4,548
4,569
192,254
115,909
41,703
32,033
15,028
11,483
10,357
10,276
9,424
8,670
7,226
7,126
6,247
5,845
5,548
5,135
4,627
3,529
275
2,889
1,206
257
465
288
193
118
21
81
54
34
50
47
47
33
19
2,470
1,957
1,450
989
855
3,806
2,584
386
242
180
40
28
24
18
15
Style: Empire
Early 19th Century French Guéridon Centre Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality Early 19th Century, French Empire Period, Mahogany Guéridon Centre Table, Having Original Dish Moulded Circular Marble Top, Over Elegant Comcave Triangulate...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Exquisite Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstands
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstand Chests With Mounted Gilt
Provenance: From an Establishment on Belgrave Square London see images7
Known to be ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant Daybed Beautifully Carved and Covered With Versace Fabric, Versace Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant Empire revival daybed beautifully hand carved with gold leaf swans
heads, brass details and covered with a Gianni Versace silk.
Part of G.Versace furniture collection...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1800s Antique English, Mahogany, Pedestal, Drawers Sideboard
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning Antique Sideboard, English, Mahogany, Pedestal Sideboard, 6 Drawers, 19th C, 1800s!!
This antique English sideboard is a true masterpiece. Crafted from fine mahogany and ca...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Darte Brothers Porcelain Plates
By Darte Frères
Located in Maidstone, GB
Pair of antique Darte Brothers cobalt blue porcelain plates magnificently painted with the French countryside, featuring cows, goats and sheep, decorated with gold rims. Each with th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Sewing Table, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire sewing table with socketed saber legs and a basket tray, adorned with an oval frame featuring fire-gilded fittings. The table includes a lockable drawer with diamond-shaped fi...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A beautiful pair of small Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of small Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE TUNDISH CHANDELIER IN IRON AND CRYSTALS
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful and elegant tundish chandelier with twelve lights. Made of wrought iron with lead bobèches and cast metal candle holders, this chandelier features bands painted in a delica...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Wrought Iron, Lead
Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian Empire Period Walnut and Ebonized Demilune Console Tables with Mirrors
Located in Firenze, IT
These beautiful antique Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors date back to early 19th Century. We can assume they were made in Florence, Italy and they come from a vill...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Giltwood
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights.
This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Austrian Ormolu Mounted Amethyst Glass Campana Urn Lamp, Late 19th C
Located in Harlingen, TX
An antique late 19th century cut amethyst glass lidded campana urn vase from Austria, set atop a marble block and converted into a dual socket table lamp...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Bras En L'air French Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This bras en l'air, or "arms in the air," French mantel clock demonstrates the neoclassical luxury of the Second Empire style. The focal point of the clock is a large doré bronze mai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Pair of Italian Empire Period Walnut Demilune Console Table with Mirror
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful antique early 19th century Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors in rich brown walnut wood and black ebonized wood with gilt accents come from a villa in...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Wood, Mirror, Mercury Glass
A Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Brass, 1820s France
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of exquisite Empire candlesticks which combine gilt and patinated brass. Made in 1820s France. Various intricate rose, floral and leaf patterns adorn the bases in gilt brass. ...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Woven Forrest Tapestry 7.2X6.0
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a River 7.1X4.10
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
14 French Empire Dining Chairs. Circa 1820
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very smart set of fourteen solid and elegant dining room chairs dating from 1820' s between the Empire and the Restauration period.
Although very similar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Zuber Original Wallpaper Screen with French Hinges
By Jean Zuber
Located in Ballard, CA
Zuber wall paper screen depicting the return of Napoleon from Italy, rare piece with french hinges ( meaning it can open in every which way), the wallpaper is applied on to a burlap ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 6 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 6 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock unt...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze. Empire, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Candlesticks i bronze with dark patinated column. French Empire during the 1820s.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large 18th or 19th Century Antique Iron Anduze Style Garden Vase / Planter / Urn
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare and highly decorative, architectural cast iron vase.
If you are a private collector or an interior designer with an eye for the rare and wonderful, then this very rare and timeless garden vase could be perfect for your home or for one of your projects. You may have seen French terracotta Anduze vases before, but we are pretty certain that you have never seen one made of cast iron. This large and possibly one of a kind specimen of cast iron has a wonderfully calm design and it is hand painted in a beigy-gray color which makes it even more timeless. Handcrafted using cast iron...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
Mid-17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
Large Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Writing Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
A large Empire style mahogany bureau plat or writing desk with a dark green leather writing surface above a central long drawer, flanked to each side by a short drawer. The square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Russian Tempera Icon Unusual Depiction of Jesus Christ 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
This scarce depiction of Jesus Christ was painted presumably in Moscow in early 19th century. The icon is painted in the author's (improvisational) manner, which differs from the rec...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840.
Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads.
Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Mahogany Dining Room / Center Table with Gilt Highlights
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Style mahogany round dining room table with gilt highlights, circa 1900. With a round top that opens (No Leaves) gilt decoration on edge of table top, a round central ...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box with Glass early 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. Cast glass vessels are intact at their original place. Candy sugar bowl along with...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Mahogany
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet, lion heads, very unique item. Circa Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
British Silver Plated Tea Urn Samovar 19th century Egg Shaped with Lion Heads
Located in Sweden, SE
Neoclassical shape coffee and tea urn decorated with lion heads and solid silver plating and hand chased. Tea Urn Samovar is made in the so-called “Egoist” size for very few persons ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Porcelain Coffee Set - Paroutaud Frères La Seynie - Limoges
By Limoges
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique porcelain coffee set from the French brand Limoges (Paroutaud Frères La Seynie). Beautiful slender design in Empire style. Very fine porcelain, hand-painted with ...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Large Silver Frame by Russian Manufactory Grachev early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Simple and strict shape large photo/picture frame of medium. Presumably the frame was made by Factory of the Grachev brothers (see marks “Br. Grachev”) at the beginning of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
French Empire Commode Chest of drawers wood and ormolu
By Decorating House France
Located in Valladolid, ES
Extraordinary chest of drawers in the Empire style, in the time of Napoleon I Bonaparte. Made of wood, the fronts are veneered with mahogany palm, one of the most exclusive, attract...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Mid 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 20'' X 14'', floral style , handmade French piece
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid Century Bronze Casing Embossed Bataille Scene
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible Mid Century bronze representation casing scene of the Balawat gate, which hails from Balawat (also known as Imgur-Enlil) in northern Mesopotamia, Iraq, and dates back to t...
Category
1960s Croatian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Sphinx Sienna Marble Base Grand Tour 19th Century
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A French Empire finely cast bronze model of recumbent sphinx on a sienna marble base, circa 1840.
The bronze with the warm golden patina of age is in good condition with minor chip...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Siena Marble, Bronze
Charles X Empire Mahogany Dressing Table, France, Circa 1820
Located in Alexandria, VA
Dressing stands such as this were found in the boudoir or bedroom of French ladies of fashion in the early 19th Century. This Empire dressing table has a white marble top and ormolu ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Period Trumeau Mirror
Located in Munich, DE
Who knows where this 19th century French Trumeau mirror once held court? With its original olive patina and gilt wood frame & antique split mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Pair Of Fine French Empire Giltwood Armchairs In Apple Green Silk
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire style armchairs, carved and water gilded with burnishing. Upholstered in apple green silk with rope piping and horsehair.
These chairs and the matching ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Large Silver Plated Serving Tray - Christofle - Malmaison
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful large silver-plated tray, from the French brand Christofle.
The name of the model is Malmaison.
The tray is in incredibly beautiful condition, it looks as if it has hardl...
Category
Early 2000s French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Sculpture of Soldier
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Statue of Soldier. Continental gilt bronze figure of a Classical soldier, late 19th century, with sword extended, resting on a gilded octagonal m...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Impressive Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier in the Empire style, featuring four patinated bronze eagle figures.
France, circa 1900. 10 lights.
Dimensions: Heig...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Italian Marble and Gold Gilt Bronze Corinthian Column Table Lamps a pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage High end Italian green marble and gold gilded bronze corinthian column table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps
Des...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Set of 6 Chippendale Chairs in Light and Dark Mahogany -1X56
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your dining experience with this exquisite set of 6 Chippendale chairs, crafted in alternating light and dark mahogany tones around 1880-1900. Each chair features plush velve...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Grand Parquet Regulator Clock in Empire Style Mahogany -1X55
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your home decor with this impressive and museum-worthy parquet regulator clock in the Empire style, crafted from luxurious mahogany wood. Dating back to around 1880, this stu...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire period Day Bed, from the designs of Percier & Fontaine
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Empire period mahogany and mahogany veneer daybed. Straight legs flanked by scrolled brackets. The straight belt is punctuated with antique bronze applique...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French mahogany Empire console with its original marble top. A single drawer is housed in the apron over a pair of column form front legs with neoclassical style brass capit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair 19th Century Empire Table Lamps
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of 19th Century Empire table lamps with three brass legs, ormolu eagle busts in relief and Corinthian style capitals. The pair sit on triform bases featuring lion paw feet on si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Walnut Gueridon Table with Trifold Base & Lock Drawer
Located in Houston, TX
A remarkable piece of 19th-century craftsmanship, this Italian Walnut Round Wooden Table boasts both functionality and beauty. Its round top, crafted from rich walnut wood, showcases...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Old Paris Tureen, France, Circa:1860
Located in Alexandria, VA
This exceptionally beautiful tureen is not just for soup anymore. It is a stunning piece that will look wonderful anywhere it is placed. Perfect for flowers or fruit. Hard paste porc...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal
By Fabergé
Located in Milano, MI
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal. The set includes a new Faberge, two vodka glasses, a caviar bowl and a bottle. It includes a box.
Egg - Ø 15 cm h 25 cm
Fabergé refers to the renowned House of Fabergé, a company of Russian jewelers and craftsmen known for creating intricate and luxurious Fabergé eggs. The company was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, and subsequently continued by his son, Peter Carl Fabergé.
Fabergé eggs are perhaps the Maison's most iconic and celebrated creations. These were decorated and jeweled eggs...
Category
1940s Russian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Large Antique French Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large antique French Empire-style alabaster, frosted glass, and bronze pendant chandelier from circa 1890.
An impressive and large twelve-light alabaster pendant chandelier from the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Flower Button
Black Lacquered China Cabinet
Black Lacquer China Cabinet
Antique Wooden Lock
Brass Shelf Display
Brass Display Shelf
Campaign Style Cabinet
Vintage Receipt
Black Glass Display Case
Burled Walnut Cabinets
Wooden Display Case
Zenith Used
Charms Golden
Vintage 90S Patterns
Wooden Cabinet Pulls
Vintage Glass Panel Doors
Vintage Glass Panel Door
Black Gold Rug