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: Early 1900s
1900s Antique Decorative Khotan Samarkand Rug-6'2'' X 4'4''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is a 1900s Antique Decorative Khotan Samarkand Rug. This rug is made of wool on a cotton foundation. It is tribal and traditional
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Caucasian Lenkoran Wool Runner-9'6'' X 3'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Caucasian Lenkoran Woolen Runner
Category
Early 1900s Caucasian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Persian Dorokhsh Rug - 8′10″ × 11′7″
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Persian Dorokhsh Rug 11'7'' X 8'10'', Traditional and Tribal, Authentic
Category
Early 1900s Persian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 14'8'' X 12'0''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900s Antique Samarkand Rug-4'7'' X 2'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up For Sale Is An Antique Samarkand Uzbek Tribal Rug
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early-19th Century Antique Uzbek Samarkand Rug-7'5'' X 4'6''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early-19th Century Antique Uzbek Samarkand Rug from Uzbekistan
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1900 Antique Embroidery Indian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1900 Antique Embroidery Indian Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wool
Early 20th Century Authentic Khotan Samarkand Rug- 3′2″ × 5′11″
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1900 Authentic Uzbek Samarkand Rug 5'11'' x 3'2'', tribal and traditional, wool with cotton foundation
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1900 Antique Susani Embroidery Pillow - 21 X 12
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 antique susani embroidery pillow. 21 X 12.
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Feathers, Wool
1900 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow - 17'' X 17''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson tapestry pillow, 17" X 17" x 6" Made in the 1900s.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Circa 1900 Antique Suzani Embroidery Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 Antique Suzani Embroidery Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1900
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany chest of drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Currently under renovation.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions height 81 cm width 69 cm depth 46 cm.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Walnut
King Edward VII Coronation Flag, 1902
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A rare and Historical Royal Coronation flag from The Coronation Of HRH King Edward VII, this flag was produced to commemorate t...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Incredible Neoclassical French Empire Swan Neck Daybed or Single Bed
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Early 20th century French Empire daybed featuring carved swan neck ends. Crafted from rich walnut having gorgeous neoclassical motifs of rosettes ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Empire Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary antique empire bookcase in great condition completed and restored by our professional craftsmen team. This elegant piece is th...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1900s Restored Antique Empire Mahogany Side Table with Giltwood Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the past with our 1900s Antique Empire Side Table, a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mahogany, Wood, Lacquer
Porcelain Tea Service, 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain tea service, 1900
Porcelain tea service with battle decoration signed and marked, in the Napoleon Bonaparte style, 1900
Measures: H: ...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Pair of Empire Style Petite Vases
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very pretty pair of quadrangular-shaped glass vases, decorated with exceptionally detailed gilt-brass ormolu mounts in the Louis XVI style. These vases date from around 1900 and ar...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Turn of the Century Bronze Small Picture Frame
Located in Tampa, FL
A bronze empire style small picture frame is from the turn of the century. The precious frame still has its original silk moire fabric inside from when it...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Elegant three light circle 1900 bouillotte table lamp with adjustable shade.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze Chandelier in the Empire taste, featuring gilt bronze swans issuing lights. An exquisite eight wreath top canopy. 8 lights.
France, circa 1900.
Dimensions:...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Signed, 19th Century, Converted Milkglass Lamps Hand Painted with Ivy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of columnar table lamps, in Empire style, of milkglass. Each a round, faceted column, handpainted with scrolling vines of ivy. Lamped on round, pierced metal bases. Signed, "Pee...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Milk Glass
Pair of Large French Planters
By Rouen
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of large French planters.
Origin France, circa 1900.
Attributed roun.
Excellent condition. Material: porcelain.
No restorations
In 1644, Nico...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Gueridon French Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gueridon French Empire
built in bronze, green onyx and marble
the base is green onyx and its top is red and green marble
circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful Czechoslovakian Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
Housing one light, will be rewired and ready to hang. We use certified UL US sockets and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Strands and strands of crystal beads from tiny t...
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Bronze Empire Candlestick Lamp
Located in Fairfax, VA
Empire two color bronze candlestick that has-been electrified as table lamp with small silk lampshade.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Set of Four French Sterling Silver '.950' Footed Open Salt Cellars-Venner
By Isabelle Venner
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Empire, sterling silver (.950), footed open salt cellars with matching spoons and liners, Paris, circa 1900, Isabelle Venner, maker. Each ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Gold
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Empire style
Marble and golden bronze
Origin France circa 1900
Very good condition. Natural wear.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Four Light Green Painted & Gilt Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Empire style, green paint decorated four-light colza form chandelier, having gilt bronze foliate accents, with torch-form arms. France, circa 1900. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 26",...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very important Empire style chandelier. Gilt bronze & patinated bronze. Exquisite Detail. Unusually large size. France, circa 1920.
Measures: Height 48" Diameter 38"
CW5184.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Big Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
Housing one light, will be rewired and ready to hang. We use certified UL US sockets and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Strands and strands of crystal beads from tiny t...
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Empire Style Mahogany Bowfront Commode
Located in Houston, TX
Empire style mahogany commode, early 20th c., bow front case fitted with pull-out leather brushing slide, over three drawers, flanked by fluted c...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze bouillotte lamp with 4 arms and a black tole lampe shade.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Candelabras, Antique Pair w/Dore' Gold Finish, 5 Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great looking pair of 5 arm Candelabras. In two colors and Marble bases. In very good condition from an Antique collector in New Orleans. They have been well kept. These will require...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads.
Each sconce ha...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Miniature Portraits of Napoleon II & Imperatrice Marie Louise of Austria
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of hand painted miniature framed portraits of Napoleon II and his mother the Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria. Marie Louise was Napoleon's...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Paint, Wood
Pair of Empire Style Curule Seats, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of mahogany Empire style stools or Curule seats standing on curved X-legs finished by lion paws, linked each other by turned baluster shaped stretche...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Lantern Form Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb Louis WVI style lantern. Two toned patinated bronze, with curved glass panels. 3-light,
France, circa 1900.
Apparently unmarked. Measures: Height 42", diameter 19".
Pair ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and decorative gilt bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring central frosted and cut crystal globe. 4-light, France, circa 1900
Dimension...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Crystal Prism with Mirrors Sconces, circa 1900
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
Housing one light.. Rare bigger size. Adorning tiers of vintage crystal prisms and also florets. Mirrors have been replaced. Detailed Bronze. Will be newly rewired with certified US ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Fairfax, VA
An exceptional pair of double French early 20th century bronze wall sconces with torch backplate and great detail and workmanship.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany desk with gilt bronze mounts, circa 1890-1910. This desk has very fine quality gilt bronze mounts.
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Austrian Chandelier ceiling Candelabra Empire Style Brass Crystal , 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique Classicist Austrian bronze and crystal chandelier / ceiling candelabra , circa 1880-1920s. 6 arms around the glass basket with fine, engraved cast Bronze ornaments, ending in...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Very Fine Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt and painted bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring 8 swans carrying stylized candle cups. All original.
Measures: Height 37", width 26", 8-light
CW4449.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Russian Cloisonné Card Case in Silver Gilt
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 20th century Russian silver gilt cloisonné case
This beautiful piece is lavishly decorated, but with a different design on each side.
One side...
Category
Early 1900s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Specimen Pietra Dura Inlaid Marble Center Table
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Specimen Pietra Dura inlaid marble center table on a carved Empire style wood base.
Inlaid with Lapis and other semi precious stones.
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Design, Empire, Candelabras, Patinated Bronze, France, 19th C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Empire 19th century bronze candelabras depicting insects. These are quite possibly the finest cast bronze pieces on the market. Each having a center column formed rod with wi...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Impressive Empire Style Buffet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
Impressive Empire style buffet by Maison Krieger
French, circa 1900
Measures: Height 199cm, width 217cm, depth 66cm
This magnificent Empire style c...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Splendid Bronze French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Absolutely sublime top drawer bronze electried antique wall sconces having 2 lights each, and marvelous decoration including urn at the top, tassel at the bottom, acanthus leaves and...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Empire-Style Cast Metal Sconces
Located in Sheffield, MA
The defining feature of this pair of antique Napoleon Empire-style lighting fixtures are the vertical arrows "shot through" the backs of the gilt cast metal sconces. Each piece has a...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Cast Bronze Empire Style Wall Sconces with Opal White Glass Globes, Circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
AEX0397
A pair of large antique empire style cast bronze column form exterior wall sconces with fluting, reeding, and foliate details. Each fixture is finished with a large opal whit...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Berkey & Gay Furniture Mahogany Empire Rectangular Very Low Footstool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Berkey & Gay Furniture Mahogany Empire Rectangular Very Low Footstool Ottoman. Item features solid mahogany wood frame, carved bun feet, original label, ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1900 French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A 1900 French empire style chandelier with eagle heads for 6 lights
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Large French Empire style chandelier in finely chased gilt bronze and hand cut crystal. 12 exterior lighted candles and eight interior fittings for chandelier sized bulbs.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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.
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