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 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
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 nails. Inverted ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
Empire Gilded and Painted Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th century Empire daybed painted black with gilded carved accents. Elegant sleigh profile gilded in leaf pattern sits atop legs adorned with leaf detail gilding. Upholstered in com...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Glass and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and wonderfully detailed pair of French 19th century Empire st. Glass and Ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a square lattice cut column with an Ormolu plinth and capita...
Category
19th Century 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-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
French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 created...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805. This exquisite chaise is raised by six elegant Mahogany legs with Ormo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
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
French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte.
If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders.
An object of the highest quality.
Inside compartments a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique 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
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
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
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Weiningen, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
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
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
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Feet.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Paw Feet. Ca. 1860. Bleached walnut with ebonized trim and black marble top.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Small Gilt Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Decorative Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Empire style Chandelier. 6 lights. France, circa 1920.
Dimensions: Height 25" Diameter 16"
CW5549
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts (CW5595). The quality is superb, chasing is 10 on 10. France, circa 1870. Dimensions: Height 15 1/2", the base i...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted / Cut Glass Empire Style Centerpiece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Step into the splendor of the 19th century with this exceptional Empire-style tableware centerpiece, a captivating union of gilt bronze mounts and cut glass that epitomizes the opule...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
A Pair of Framed Marble Cameos of Roman Emperors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Superb Pair of Breche Violette & Marble Cameos depicting Roman Emperors resting inside oval giltwood frame. France, circa 1860.
CW5028
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Empire style Bronze and Bronze Dore Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Spectacular Pair of French Empire style Bronze & Bronze Dore 12 light Figural Candelabra, late 19th Century, each depicting a standing winged Victory with outstreached ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Set of Two Empire Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of giltwood Torcheres hand carved in Sicily in 1820, they are in original conditions, with consistent signs of use and age visible on the pics. The candlesticks were decorativ...
Category
Early 19th Century Sicilian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Period Empire Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Magnificent Period Empire Chandelier. Gitl Bronze (matte & burnished) and Patinated Bronze. Exquisite detail throughout. A rare find. France, circa 1800.
Dimensions: Height 40 1/2...
Category
Early 1800s 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
Open letters by C. villain
By Jean Garnier
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters by C. villain
Origin France Circa 1915
Empire style patinated bronze
Soldier motif
Excellent condition signed on the side
FRENCH, 1853-1910
Jean Garnier was born in Mou...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand. Item features a revolving top, nice slender form, good antique item. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements:...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding pair of period Empire bronze-mounted beds in overall very good condition. The figural end column forms feature well cast busts and feet, and there are wreaths, Angels,...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique French Empire style cheval mirror with claw feet and figural bronze accents, circa 1900. Repairs at one joint; some minor speckling to mirror glass. Dimensions: 65.5"H x 41"W...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Sterling Silver Entrre Dish Empire Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant Empire style sterling silver vegetable dish.
The shape is rectangular with rounded corners.
A border has been welded onto the lower and upper parts, created with the Empire s...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique French Empire Cut Crystal and Gold Bronze Inkwell, Circa 1880.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Cut Crystal and Gold Bronze Inkwell, Circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Palace French Empire Chandelier 24 Candles
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
Palace French Empire Chandelier 24 Candles
A large and heavy chandelier from the 19th century in the Empire style. An elegant palatial chandelier that can be used with candles or el...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique console with mirror, circa 1840, Southern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique console with a mirror from the first half of the 19th century.
Beautiful intarsia and animal and floral motifs
Dimensions: height 214 cm / width 110 cm / depth 60 cm
Category
1840s Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A set of chairs from the mid-19th century, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chairs from around 1860, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition.
Dimensions: height 86 cm / seat height. 44 cm / width 43 cm / depth 48 cm
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire bookcase, Germany, circa 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style bookcase / vitrine made in Germany, circa 1870.
Made of walnut wood with brass ornaments
Very good condition
dimensions: height 209 cm width 192 cm depth 69 cm
Category
1870s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Superb Circassian Walnut Bronze French Empire 1780s Era Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, absolutely breathtaking Circassian Walnut with incredible contrasts of blacks and browns that are remiscient of rosewood. The piece features bronze figural carya...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair, French Empire Gilt Bronze Crane Motif Candlesticks Circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1815.
This exquisite pair of French Empire gilt bronze candlesticks, crafted circa 1815, embodies the opulence and grandeur of the Empire style. Each candlestick feat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century French Empire Confiturier ~ Cabinet ~ Dry Bar
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Empire Confiturier ~ Cabinet ~ Dry Bar will make a great addition in rooms used for entertainment. It's also a good choice as a bedside companion, or just a shal...
Category
Late 19th Century 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
EARLY 19th CENTURY PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN IN UNIFORM
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid oil portrait on canvas of a gentleman in uniform, identified as Professor Moses Bosisio, mayor of Monza, who died in 1846, as reported on a plaque on the back of the paintin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful Empire French Commode is made of walnut with a black marble and full columns.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
18th Century Porcelain Snuff Tobacco Box with Ormulu Gilt Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-18th Century porcelain snuff tobacco box with Ormulu gilt embossed relief and with empire classical motives. The inside of the lid is decorated with colorful flowers.
Wonderful a...
Category
Mid-18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of early 19th century Maple and Walnut Fluted Columns
Located in Albignasego, IT
Elegant pair of fluted columns.
They rest on a parallelepiped and are veneered in maple and walnut wood.
the two woods with such different colors, light maple and brown walnut, creat...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Inlaid Circular Coffee Table with Drawer Italian Empire Era 1800s
Located in Milan, IT
Empire Coffee Table Early 1800s Circular with Drawer on Square Base with a turned central support in ebonized wood, a fluted column in the central part that connects to the circular...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Boxwood, Nutwood
Empire Enfilade, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four-door sideboard with three drawers and dark gray marble top and gilded applications. The headboard protrudes slightly and rests on four smooth columns with gilded bronze bases an...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Grande Lampadario Impero Dorato Italiano con Cristalli 1780 Circa Sedici Luci
Located in Milan, IT
Monumentale Lampadario Impero a sedici bracci, antico lampadario piemontese, la regione del nord Italia che confina con la Francia, di epoca Impero, realizzato a mano in ferro e cris...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
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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