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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Square Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top and Walnut Finish by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Afghan Green Onyx top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with gol...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
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
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
French Early 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Commode is made of plain blond walnut with a parquet top. It is deep and low, ideal for a child room or to be transform into a vanity.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Empire Revival Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Period Empire side chair: This highly stylized chair has brass inlay and ormolu features to include reclining goddesses, feathers and detailed Roman feet all newly upholstered in a b...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Birdcage Chandelier Ormolu with Crystal Spires
Located in Milano, MI
A stunning Empire style crystal and gilt bronze chandelier of French origin, a thirteen-light pendant dating back to the very early 1900, with a very original vertical structure, a b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
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
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow With Figures In A Landscape In A Sepia Tones Ca.1850
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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
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
19th Century Pair of French Empire Porcelain Vases Dagoty Paris
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, important pair of hand-painted Parisian porcelain Medici vases.
They feature elegant neoclassical motifs on the bodies: swans with outstretched wings and panoplies.
The to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Empire Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Empire lacquered walnut dolphin center table.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Beautiful tablelamp originally a Empire Candlestick i bronze. From 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Table Lamp, originally a Empire Candlestick i Bronze from France during the 1820s.
Newly rewired electricity
New lampshades in black lacquer with gilding on the inside t...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Renault 300 Kgs Toy Car by C.I.J - Made in France - 2Y21
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover this charming vintage toy car, a Renault 300 Kgs model by C.I.J, proudly made in France. This collectible piece reflects classic toy craftsmanship and is sold "as is" with i...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style 32 Inch Diameter 9 Light Alabaster Chandelier
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a very impressive and elegant alabaster bowl chandelier. This uniquely shaped 24 inch diameter hand carved bowl has a bowed bottom with tall flat sides. There are 3 bronze do...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Early 19th Century, Empire Cherrywood Seating Group, 2 Armchairs and 6 Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful unique seating group consisting of 2 armchairs and 6 chairs. The group dates back to the Empire period of the early 19th century, circa 1800-1810. All chairs are made of so...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
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
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 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 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
French Early 19th Century Vanity
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Vanity is made of mahogany with a white marble top. It has some bronze pineapple on each side of the mirror.
dimension from the floor to the marble top 30.8''H
dimension from th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Danish 19th Century Antique Leather Klismos Chairs, set of 2
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A beautiful 19th-century oak Klismos chair, crafted in Denmark in the around 1860s. The design, featuring a wide, curved backrest and sabre legs, harkens back to Ancient Greece (5th ...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Faux Leather, Beech, Oak
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
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Category
1990s Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Iron
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
Vintage French Empire Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket w/ Lion Heads
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Silver Plated Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket with Lion Head Drop Rings. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 9.5" H x 9" Diameter.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
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
19th Century French Empire Malachite and Gilt Bronze Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine 19th century French Empire malachite and gilt bronze centerpiece. Cut crystal top bowl .Fine mercury gilt bronze sphinx's.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite
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
19th Century French Bronze Metal and Crystal Urn, Pair, attributed to Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century French artisans knew how to design lasting classical beauty. This extraordinary pair of French urns is proof of the mastery put forth in design and construction. Fro...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Austrian 18th Century Empire Style Two Doors Larch Wood Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious and original larch wood wardrobe, convertible into a bookcase, with two doors in the Austrian Empire style of the 18th century
The wardrobe, all in larch wood, is all origi...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Other
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marquetry Buffet Cabinet, by François Linke
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted marquetry buffet cabinet, by François Linke, Paris.
This handsome buffet or side cabinet has its original Swedish green marble top. The veneers are of the finest figured acajou flammé. The frieze is fitted with a long drawer with citronnier and ebonised marquetry panel depicting a Etruscan chariot...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 20th Century Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Display your treasured objects in this beautiful early 20th century French Empire style mahogany vitrine. Beveled glass panels can be found in the case antique’s door and sides, allowing one to view the contents placed inside on its two glass shelves. A mirrored back gives the illusion of a completely transparent cabinet. The vitrine has recently undergone a refinishing, giving the antique a ‘like new’ appearance. The wonderful brass hardware found at the capital and base of the pilaster columns which flank the door has been polished to a brilliant luster - along with the sabots that cap the front feet. Inside, two additional finished mahogany lower shelves can be used to house objects...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow. Classical and Victorian, it's done by French Tapestry maker back in 1900s.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Fine Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mahogany Center Table inthe Manner of Jacob-Desmal
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine Empire style gilt bronze mahogany gueridon or centre table
With a verde antico marble top.
In the manner of Jacob-Desmalter,
circa 1880
Height 31 1/4 Diameter 35 in.
A very fine Empire style gilt bronze-mounted mahogany guéridon after a model by Jacob-Desmalter, the circular verde antico marble top above a mahogany frieze mounted with laurel leaf banding in between rosettes and anthemions, supported of the heads of three finely cast gilt bronze female caryatids, each facing outward with hair in plaits, bare feet and arms crossed, wearing arm bands and a low cut diaphanous dress gathered up toward her breast, the stretcher centred by a chased covered urn flanked by three elegant crouching winged sphinxes wearing Nemes headdresses and plaits tied at the front.
The design for this superb guéridon is based on a famous table-console or ‘console double face’ by the celebrated firm of Paris ébénistes Jacob-Desmalter which was itself based on designs by Napoleon’s chief architects and ornamentalistes Charles Percier (1764-1838) and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Rare Empire French Fire Gilded Center Piece Tazza Warrior Horses Harp
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
More than 200 years old showpiece for on the table. Made from glass, fire-gilt bronze and green veined marble. Beautiful horses with a warrior and mythological figures with harp and ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century.
The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
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
Pair of Gilded French Empire Candlesticks with charming decor from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of Gilded French Empire Candlesticks with charming decor from the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and other period empire decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early English 19th Century Pewter Plate
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round pewter plate with London and makers mark on the rear side.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Abattant with Figural Ormolu 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Empire abattant secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper drawer over drop front desk opening to interior with p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 21" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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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