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
Antique French Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique French walnut marble top bedside cabinet, dating from around the 1880-1900 period.
It is of superb quality and it is a very use...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid. Century vintage elegant neoclassical style lamps/pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage Neo classical style table lamps. These lamps have a copper undertone with a beautiful patinated distressed green patina. These lamps have a hand...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Copper
19th Century French Empire Period Ebonized Gueridon Table with Carrara Marble
Located in Birmingham, AL
An exquisite early 19th-century French Empire period gueridon table with a striking ebonized lacquer finish, circa 1810. This refined center table boasts its original Carrara marble ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Charming Lithograph by Jean Pierre Bertaux "Le Marais" with Certificate - 2Y173
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This captivating lithograph titled "Le Marais" by Jean Pierre Bertaux showcases a serene and picturesque marsh scene. Accompanied by a numbered certificate of authentication (No. 45)...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular original marble top over a frieze with drawer, all supported by parcel gilt columns joining a shelf, block feet.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Italian, Lombardia, Walnut, Ebonized, & Giltwood Bedside Commodes, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
each commode having a rectangular top on a conforming case housing one drawer and one door, the doors flanked by ebonized columns and carved giltwood capitals, raised on tapering cab...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock. Item features a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts
Located in London, GB
A French late 19th century Empire style crystal box with classical gilt bronze mounts.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Category
1880s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Walnut Wood Rounded Coffee Table White Marble from Carrara Top
Located in IT
Empire Mahogany Wood Rounded Coffee Table with White Marble from Carrara Top
19th century Italian Empire rounded coffee table in mahogany wood.
Original Bronze details such as ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
19th Century Black French Empire Ebonized Wood Center Table - Antique Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French Empire sofa table made of hand crafted ebonized wood, in good condition. The round Parisian side table is composed with a shellac polished clear glass top to protect the surface, supported by a detailed carved gold-patinated octagonal column...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Ebony
19th Century Spanish Fernandino Bombe Commode & Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificently decorative antique Spanish Fernandino style mahogany chest of drawers commode and mirror.
Hand-crafted in Spain in the late 19th century, surmounted by the monumental dresser mirror with finely hand carved giltwood bird crest, atop flat mirror plates, framed by ornate scrolling foliates.
Mounted over a mahogany bombe shaped chest accented with contrasting string banded inlay, gilded birds perched on stylized scrolled foliate, flanking four drawers. The solid wooden case fitted with a projecting frieze drawer, over three larger drawers, rising on sculptural patinated gilt wood ancient Egyptian Sphinx form front feet.
Bold, dramatic and luxurious yet with an elegant warmth, and visually striking sophistication, the two piece set can be used a variety of different ways, including in the bedroom as a dresser / commode, in the dining room as a sideboard server, credenza console, or placed in the foyer as a stunning entry statement piece!
Dimensions: (approx)
Overall: 86.25" High, 43" Wide, 22" Deep
Commode: 32.25" High, 43" Wide, 21.25" Deep
Mirror: 54" High, 36.5" Wide
History:
Fernandino style is called the one developed in the decorative arts - especially furniture - in Spain during the reign of Fernando VII...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood
Pr of French Old Paris or Vieux Paris Urns Now Converted into Table Lamps, C1810
By Old Paris
Located in valatie, NY
Pr of French Old Paris or Vieux Paris urns now converted into table lamps c1810. Old Paris porcelain or Vieux Paris is very broadly defined as porcelain made by artisans in and aroun...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
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
19th century French Empire Marble Top Enfilade
Located in Richmond, VA
Great quality 19th century French empire marble top enfilade with bronze mounts and white marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Large French Empire Coastal Scenic Painted Oval Tole Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire salver or oval metal tray decorated with an outstanding border. The tray features painted medallions and edges and has two hand grips. The painted coastal scene depicts...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Pedestal Table with Its Saint-Anne Marble
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb empire pedestal table with its Saint-Anne marble
Pedestal table or center table with a pyramidal base ending with claw feet simulating dolphin heads
Very beautiful origina...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Small Chest
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) mahogany small chest with 4 drawers and bronze trim with a black marble top
There are splits in the wood at the side of the piece.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Egg “music box” mechanism by the Swiss Maison Reuge Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg “music box” is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg “music box” has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg “music box”on smooth tripod containing a “music box”...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Cube Side Table with Tempered Glass Top, Engraved Square Block Center Side Table
Located in St Petersburg, US
Seljuk-inspired engraved travertine cube side table, meticulously designed by Haand’s renowned designer Barakli. Measuring 40x40 cm (16x16 inches), this stunning piece combines histo...
Category
15th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Travertine
German Empire Period Seven-Piece Silver Candelabra Set
Located in London, GB
German empire period seven-piece silver candelabra set
German, circa 1810
Meaures: Largest: Height 66.5cm, diameter 30cm
Smallest: Height 51cm, width ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Rare Classical Empire Finely Carved Cellarette in Mahogany, circa 1830
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful form carved Classical Empire cellarette in mahogany with gadrooned edges, hinged top, zinc lined interior, and small brass decorative...
Category
1830s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Zinc
21st Century Yellow Double Bed by Modenese Gastone Interiors, Empire Inspiration
Located in PADOVA, Italy
This item is definitely a true masterpiece: yellow double bedwith empire-style decorations, pleated head and footboard with high-end customizable fabrics.
Designed and produced by M...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Empire Style Mahogany Table de Milieu with a Verde Antico Marble Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany table de Milieu, with a Verde Antico Marble Top, in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter.
The rectangular marble top above a frieze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and iron pendant with six candle arms. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Robert Abbey Templeton Bronze Trophy Urn Table Lamp Empire Shade Light
By Robert Abbey
Located in Dayton, OH
Templeton 7102G urn table lamp, way buddha bronze with golden beige cast metal empire shade with matching soutache - Robert Abbey
Measures: 10.5” x 24...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1830. The traditional antique commode sits on thick square feet over rounded columns decorated with bronze ring m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
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
French Empire Style Mahogany Daybed with Ormolu Mounts and Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
20th century French Empire style mahogany daybed on casters with ormolu gilt bronze mounts in floral/thistle decoration and original wood jo...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Book - Le Journal des Brodeuses, Special Issue March - 2Y134
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the artistry of embroidery with this antique book, Le Journal des Brodeuses, a special March issue. This vintage volume features 13 artistic bed l...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Gold Giltwood Wall Mirror Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood wall mirror in the Neoclassical-Empire design, circa 19th century, Europe. The Empire period was another or second phase to Neoclassism. Mirror has beautiful, detaile...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Mid 19th century Danish flame mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality danish 2 part tall mahogany cabinet circa 1860.
Top section with scrolled cornice and applied swags, double doors with shaped panels open to reveal 3 adjustable pine sh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Empire 2 Arm Brass Crystal Candelabra Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
These pieces were acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. Pair of two arm Empire style wall sconces with a brushed brass frame and icicle shaped and draped faceted...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Set of Ten French Empire Mahogany Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of ten mahogany dining chairs made in the neoclassical French empire taste. The chairs feature decorative bronze mounts ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Fine Pair of Russian Empire Period Malachite And Ormolu Obelisks, Early 1800's
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental and Quite Rare Pair of 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Malachite Obelisks with Maiden Ormolu Mounts. Each obelisk is complete with four sides which terminate upwards to a triangular point. The bases are fitted with ormolu mounts which include hand-chased and hand-chiseled maidens holding flaming torches in either hand and on the other panel decoration of a vine with a winged bow. On top of the large ormolu mounts are smaller mounts which depict child masks in wings. Underneath and on top of the square base are ormolu mounts which depict acanthus leaves flourishing throughout with hand-chased and hand-chiseled fluted veins. The entire body of the obelisk is veneered with the most incredible and highest quality antique Russian malachite...
Category
1830s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Restored Empire Mahogany Living Room French Seating Set, 3pcs
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
French Empire three-piece suite.
Made of mahogany wood.
Completely restored, new upholstery included.
Surface was done by shellac polish.
Sofa dimensions:
Height: 92cm
Seat h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Continental Austrian Mahogany Recamier
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian Empire-style (Circa 1835) small mahogany recamier with bronze eagle trim and green upholstery
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Pair Of Very Large Gilt French Torchiere Hand Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
A pair of huge Giltwood carved torchiere wall lights with opaque glass flame shades. Converted for electric, finished very well with bronze mounted shade holders. The large torchiere...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique French Empire Solid Mahogany Ball Foot Curule Bench Seat Low Stool
Located in West Chester, PA
Wonderful antique bench with curved seat and solid mahogany curule frame on ball feet.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Large Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Patina Bronze Planter
Located in New York, NY
A large and palatial antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze oval form centerpiece planter of superb craftsmanship embellished with neoclassical gilt bron...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Crystal and Bronze Sconces, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of gilt bronze and crystal 1930s or older, waterfall sconces in empire style. Each fixture requires three European E14 candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall light...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Metal
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier
19th Century
Height: 34 inches
Diameter: 22.5 inches
Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Circa 1810 Empire Period Secretaire à Abatant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period, c.1810, Secretaire à Abatant, French. Walnut. Demi-columns with bronze dore mounts. Bronze dore pulls & escutcheons. Chic black marble top with white-grey figure. Grea...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1900s Antique Samarkand Rug-4'5" X 2'8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an antique Samakhand rug. This is an Uzbek tribal design rug with a lighter pink throughout the rug.
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 30" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
19th Large Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase from French Chateau
Located in Marseille, FR
Elegant 19th-century wall-mounted library crafted from solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, beautifully executed in the Neoclassical style. This high-quality piece consists of multipl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1920's Antique Persian Sarouk Carpet with Timeless Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79151 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 09'00 x 12'00. This exquisite hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug is a magnificent example of the enduring artistry and craftsmanship that ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Russian Empire Malachite, French Bronze Centrepiece/Tazzas by Thomier
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent pair of Russian Empire Period malachite, French doré bronze and cut crystal Tazzas, signed THOMIRE A PARIS. The square malachite bowls are...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Malachite, 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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