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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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
18th Century French Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 25'' X 13'', handmade 18th Century Piece
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 21'' X 19'', Handmade and Needlework, Extremely Fine and Unique
Category

17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Flemish 17th Century - 18.5" x 17.5"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Circa 18th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow Ca. 18th Century
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 18th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

18th Century Antique French Needlepoint Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Antique French Needlepoint
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 23'' x 23'', Empire and Traditional.
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" X 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
We present you an antique piece of furniture covered with mahogany veneer with beautiful grain. It is topped with a green marble board. The whole is dated the turn of the 18th and th...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Italian Florentine 18th Century - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its impeccable quality and style. Made predominantly from walnut and featuring Empiric s...
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 18 X 12
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th century antique Brussels tapestry pillow. 18 X 12.
Category

17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 19'' X 14''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 19'' X 14'', Wool, Empire Traditional, Handmade and Needlework,
Category

Early 1700s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Silk Velvet Altar Frontal
Located in Canterbury, GB
Antique French Altar Frontal / Valance Finest quality silk velvet. Decorated with gold metallic braid . Edged with the most opulent gold metallic tassel trim Backed with glazed cot...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Circa 1670 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow Ca. 1670
Category

1670s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

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

18th Century Antique Florentine Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Florentine Tapestry Pillow 18th Century
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 12" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 14" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wool

17th Century Flemish Pillow 20" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Antique 18th Century Empire or Louis XVI Mahogany Dutch Side Table
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant side table was made in The Netherlands around 1780. It has a beautiful mahogany top made of two symmetrical planks, also known as “livre ouvert”. The two pieces of timber are cut and folded open like a book. (livre ouvert is French for open book” The top is surrounded by a slightly raised and molded trim. The table features one dovetailed central drawer with two Dutch ajour cut brass pulls. The drawer has its original lock and key. The interior of the drawer is made in the best quality thin watered oak...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Antique Italian Needlepoint Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Italian Needlepoint Pillow 18th Century
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in Miami, FL
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790.  Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbed...
Category

1790s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Pine

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassical giltwood mirror. Antique gilt carved mirror with scrolled acanthus surround, leaf-tipped outer edge with cor...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Antique French Aubusson Pillow 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

French Empire Mahogany Bergere With Blade Leather Upholstery
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
French Empire Mahogany Bergere With Blade Leather Upholstery. Circa 1810. Gorgeous piece purchased in France. Beautiful proportions. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Messa...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à battant - Jean-Francois Dubut Elaborately crafted bureau à battant, Paris circa 1760, Transition, Jean-Francois Dubut rosewood, amaranth, violet and ebony veneered on o...
Category

1760s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Brussels 16th Century - 19" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique 18th century Large French Empire Ceramic Glazed Vase
Located in Doha, QA
This is an absolutely magnificent one of a kind French Empire hand crafted Vase with dragons and angles. It’s a perfect example of the Parisian craftsmanship of the French empire per...
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Brussel 16th Century Pillow - 26" X 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Antique French Tapestry Pillow 18th Century - 14" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow, Handmade piece from 17th Century
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" X 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Italian Florentine 18th Century - 16" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

18th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 21" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Silk & Metallique Pillow
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk

Contemporary Pillow Made from 18th Century French Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 25'' X 11'', Authentic 18th Century French Piece
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

18th Century Antique Silk Metalic Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Antique Silk Metalic Pillow
Category

18th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Silk

Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 19" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 19" X 9", Authentic and Antique , Woolen
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 7"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 7"
Category

Mid-17th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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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