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
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs.
The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields.
The seat has be...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wall-Mounted Flower Basket, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A vase-shaped, semi-circular flower basket from the 19th century. The wall is adorned with intricate leaf motifs and rosettes, defined by vertical struts. A narrow beaded brass band ...
Category
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$3,629 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Original Empire Period Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is one of a kind fireplace surround in Carrara marble was made by special order for the Castle of Fontainebleau. The identical but in grey mantel was ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Magnificent French Dining Room table End 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Magnificent French Dining Room table End 19/20th Century
French, carved and golden wood, marble top on two swan columns.
Signs of use.
Dim.: 80 x 170 x 110 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage brass sunburst mirror 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brass sunburst or flower mirror with convex glass.
This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior.
The mirror is made from pat...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$328 / item
Vintage Woven Fountain Tapestry 7.2X5.5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Empire Serpent Paint & Gilt Decorated Mirrored Back Pier or Cons
Located in Manhasset, NY
An early 19th century Empire serpent paint and gilt decorated mirrored back pier or console table. The white marble top supported by a single drawer with bronze pulls flanked by bronze decorative corners. The whole having a pair full bodied serpents with gilt heads...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$4,590 Sale Price
46% Off
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece
Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique French Aubusson Pillow - 19" X 21"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
$2,640 Sale Price
20% Off
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 22" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Crystal and Gilt Bronze Vase by Boin-Taburet
By Boin-Taburet
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A classic and opulent crystal and gilt bronze Louis XVI-style vase, its goblet-shaped heavy crystal bowl diamond cut and fluted to refract the light...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Florentine 18th Century Pillow - 21" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Danish Early 19th Century Mahogany 3 Seater Empire Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire bench made of mahogany with inlays of satin wood and ebony.
Features a backrest with vertical spindles adorned with an ebony border and three Demi lunes with li...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Ebony, Mahogany
Swedish Black & Gilt Bronze Eagle Empire Chandelier, Early 1800's
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Empire-style, black and gold chandelier made in Sweden circa 1830. In a bowl-form with 5 candle-style lights with finely cast, eagle head...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,904 Sale Price
60% Off
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Empire Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
Tis stunning vintage 19th century French Empire white marble mantel (fireplace) clock was made for Tiffany & Co. The clock has a lyre shape body accented with doré' bronze sculpted embellishments of the period. The top of the clock features a radiating sun burst disc with the face of the North wind. The white enamel clock face has Arabic numerals & garlands of flowers &, also, garlands of flowers that surround the Tiffany & Co. name. There is a glittering ring of faceted paste stones attached to the pendulum &, as the pendulum moves, so does this jeweled ring, creating a dazzling effect. The clock has a key wind movement with a French bell. The clock key is present. This clock runs, but will require a cleaning/service to keep accurate time & is sold as is. This wonderful antique time piece...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Enamel
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular and large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi-light chandelier. This fine chandelier is embellished with gilt bronze swan arms and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Urns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire (19th Cent) gilt bronze urns with triangular shaped bases, finial tops and sphinx ram heads. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a br...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,550 Sale Price / set
27% Off
Henredon Flamed Mahogany Empire Dining Table Natchez Collection Banded Top
By Henredon
Located in Toledo, OH
Henredon flamed mahogany banded top dining table. Empire style part of the Natchez collection. Two pedestals with bun feet. Very nice condition. 86" long x 52" wide x 30" tall. One e...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Nightstands in Walnut Early 19th Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of bedside tables from the Empire period, in walnut flamed striped walnut, have a small under-top drawer on the front, a door, and a deeper drawer below. Plinth feet support on ...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$2,626 / set
19th Century Empire Mirror with Brass Elements
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century Empire Mirror With Brass Elements
A mirror in a wooden frame, dated to the first quarter of the 19th century. The wooden frame...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,050 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century mahogany and brass tall chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century directoire influenced mahogany tall chest of drawers, circa 1890.
Fine quality tall chest in the directoire style. Fitted with 6 drawers of equal proportions and detail...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Neo-Egyptian French Empire Style Desk
Located in New York, NY
This mahogany desk in the French Empire style features extensive gilt bronze mounts on every face. Its craftsmanship is very high, comparable to works by Maison Krieger. The drawers ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper Frieze Second Empire Era
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper frieze in trompe-l'oeil ribbon on an 8-way roll.
About 61 m/0.05 cm. useful. Second Empire era, polychrome printing.
...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$1,769 Sale Price
35% Off
Le Style Empire, Décoratations, Extérieures Et Intérieures, Mobilier, Bronzes
Located in valatie, NY
Le Style Empire: Décoratations, Extérieures et Intérieures, Mobilier, Bronzes. Printed in Paris by Chez F. Contet. All volumes are 1st Ed's with the exception of volume 1 which is a ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Cherry wood base, with mo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Pair of Empire Appliques in Gilt Bronze from Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An elegant pair of Empire Appliques in gilt bronze. Made in France during the early 19th century. Very beautiful original gilding.
Wear consisten...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Bronze
Early 18th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early 18th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870.
This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Danish Late Empire Birch Armchairs With Inlay, 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs.
Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron.
The tops of the bac...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Beautiful lamp purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with photos.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Frederick Cooper hand painted porcelain table lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Frederick Cooper hand painted porcelain table lamp. This Frederick Cooper lamp is handpainted in the Empire style with tones of dark cobalt blue, gold and green. Th...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century - 24'' X 12''.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$3,037 / item
Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany veneered console table with two drawers. Fine geometric herringbone inlays throughout and raised on tapering square legs and a Y-frame stretcher.
Dimensions: 54" W x14" D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$5,314 / item
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Antique Hand-Painted Longwy Plates - "Vacance" Design, France, 2Y116
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your collection with this charming pair of antique Longwy plates, each featuring the delightful "Vacance" motif. Crafted in France, these plates b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$214 Sale Price / set
75% Off
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights.
This chandelier is charact...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
1900's French Empire Style Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1900' s French Empire style small sconces with two lights
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,400 / set
French Antique Bronze Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique bronze chandelier, from 1950's with non-electrified with 24 candle holder chandelier was in
Ex-Vice-president Dan Quayle office in ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$46,400 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Lion Secretary Empire Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on solid oak and softwood partly ebonized. High-rise, architecturally designed corpus. In the front three drawers of different sizes. Straight writing board, behind it ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$40,105 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Commode, Denmark 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Empire commode, Denmark 1810-20, mahogany veneer. In very good refinished condition, French polished. The commode will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are i...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany & Bronze Twin Size Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 19th Century Empire mahogany twin size daybed with applied bronze decorations. Structurally sound with repair done on legs, see photos. Nice finish, bolt together construction...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Inlaid Cherry and Burl Wood Coffee Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style coffee or cocktail table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Inlaid cherry wood top, with burl wood banding, ebonized co...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century, Empire Walnut Wood 2-Drawer Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Chest of drawers with two drawers on pointed feet. Beautiful walnut veneer with ribbon inlays on pine body. The furniture has a very clear beautiful design without much ornamentation...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$8,237 Sale Price
21% Off
Antique 19th C Empire Star & Shield Coat of Arms Dining Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire star & shield coat of arms dining chairs
Priced each.
Additional information:
Materials: Mahogany
Color: Olive
Period: 19th Century
Styles: Empire
Numb...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$840 Sale Price / item
53% Off
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs - Original untouched finish newly reupholstered seat in Jim Thompson fabric.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
$6,090 / set
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks after C. Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of excellent early 19th century French empire gilt bronze candlesticks in the style of Claude Galle (1758-1815):
A tapering stem with rich trelliswork relief divided into thr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Walnut Sideboard / Buffet / Credenza, 19th Century
Located in Viterbo, VT
Credenza hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The credenza follows very typical Italian lines with molding used throughout to add depth and decoration to an, otherwise...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer under the marble top. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Period Mahogany Sofa-Bed, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa-bed of the Empire period in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes. This sofa is decorated in front of a lyre in the center,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in London, GB
France, c. 1820
An early 19th century Empire mahogany commode with finely chased ormolu mounts, retaining the original marble top.
Height 88.50cm
Width 130.00cm
Depth 57.00cm
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow - 23'' X 22''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 23'' x 22''
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa late 19th century French Empire sconces with eagle's heads and woman's faces. Original finish and patina, *8 available
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1830s French Empire Mahogany Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire mahogany chest with four drawers and gilded edges
Beautiful wooden root.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Unusual late 19th Century / Empire period Swedish provincial buffet with vernacular detailing.
Two frieze drawers over a pair of cupboard doors each flanked by turned columns.
Repain...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Empire Mahogany Marble Top Mirror Back Console with Ormolu
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of an Empire rectangular marble top console with fine carved scrolled front legs, figured mahogany veneers, applied ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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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