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 Corner Étagère, Berlin circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
An exceptional corner étagère made of mahogany, resting on three gold-patinated paw feet. The segment-shaped structure is supported by three stylized palm-form columns, featuring gol...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Giltwood
Gold Leaf Console with Guatemala Green Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Astonishing Made in Italy console fully decorated with gold leaf finish and a Green Guatemala marble top. The precious hand-made carvings, which Modenese artisans developed through c...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf
Empire Style Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon, French, in the Empire style. This piece has three swan legs on a triangular base supporting the top covered with a veined black marble top (professionally repaired).
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 18 X 12
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th century antique Brussels tapestry pillow. 18 X 12.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Gorgeous Pair of Empire Style Black & Gold Wall Mirrors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirrors which are elegant statement pieces. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina, and t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Round Empire Style Gold Mirror by Randy Esada Designs, 2010s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round Empire style gold mirror by Randy Esada Designs. Beautiful gold gilding and beveled mirror.
Additional information:
Materials: Giltwood, Gold, Mirror
Color: Gold
Brand: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Monumental Antique French Empire Period Hall Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent over 200 year old French Empire Period (1804-1815) parcel gilt walnut armorial hall pedestal / plant stand.
Born in France in the early 19th century, most likely near the Italian border or Napoleonic territory in present day Northern Italy, most impressive palatial scale, exceptionally executed one-of-a-kind sculptural work, having carved fiolate apron with H monogram, decorative scroll work, stylized grotesque satyr mask with acanthus leaf accent, over high relief crest mural crown depicting four towers representing fortified city walls, shield escutcheon coat of arms with three fleur-de-lis above wavy lines depicting sea water in front of castle tower, supported by figural winged female caryatid, flanked by volute supports, joined by turned stretcher. circa 1810
Provenance / Acquisition:
An important San Antonio estate
Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Texas Mansion Carved French and Italian Antiques catalog...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Elegant Empire Bench in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small, elegant Danish Empire bench crafted from mahogany, featuring delicate string inlays in satinwood on the ends.
The seat has been newly upholstered in light gray linen, accented...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
Italian Florentine 18th Century - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Chest Commode
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Commode Chest of Drawers
Gorgeous French Empire style commode/chest of drawers featuring intricate inlaid marquetry with a finely detaile...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Gueridon Side Table with Tripod Columns Brass and Marble Top
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful French Empire style gueridon table from 19th century. Beautiful black fossil marble over a mahogany body. A simple apron showcases the deep toned wood. Three columnar leg...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Amethyst Murano Glass Empire Macaroni Swags Gold Gilt Chandelier c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting on gold gilt posts. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang at our expen...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately French Empire flame mahogany cabinet. The top has a straight edge above a frieze with a pyramidal architectural feature. The c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets
Classic urns of amphora form
Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy
Ormolu fixtures are original and finely cast
Purchased from a dealer on Marche Biron...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with three tones of gold and royal blue enamel. The hinged lid is embellished with a multicolored gold medallion in relief featuring a bouquet of roses and tulips, se...
Category
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This large scale 19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier is a stunning piece that perfectly combines elegance and sophistication. The intricate gilt bronze fra...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table box in 800/1000 silver gold plated with translucent enamel on guilloché and beautiful enamel miniature hand painted by the painter Renato Dainelli in early 1900s Engl...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Gilt-Bronze Clock Depicting Diana the Huntress. French, c 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire Period gilt bronze clock depicting Diana the huntress.
The dial signed 'Thomas a Paris'.
The white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands, the case sur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large early 19th century gilded over mantle
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Large early 19th gilded over mantle , great decorative mirror
French circa 1830’s with original mirror and back boards
Some minor damage to the plaster work and some foxing to th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso
19th Century French Empire Antique Mahogany, Marble Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique French single chest of drawers made of hand crafted shellac polished Mahogany, veneered on Oakwood in good condition. The rectangular cupboard is composed with a grey-white marble top, the inside is consisting one shelf, enhanced by its original brass hardware and keys, standing on two wooden feet and two lion feet. The detailed carved cupboard represents the First French Empire time...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
119-Piece Silver Plated Flatware for 12 Persons by SFAM Model Sans-Gêne Empire
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of silver plated tableware from the French brand SFAM (Société Française d'Alliage de Métaux). The cutlery is beautifully decorated in Empire style. SFAM ceased to exis...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Aubusson French Tapestry 1850 - 21" x 19"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Lot of 5 Crystal Wine Glasses - Mid 20th Century - 2Y27
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your dining experience with this set of 5 crystal wine glasses, likely from the mid-20th century. Crafted from fine crystal, these glasses are a sophisticated addition to any...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Lot of 3 Classical Vinyl Records - Beethoven, Luis Mariano, Strauss - 2Y18
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your classical music collection with this lot of 3 vinyl records featuring renowned composers and performers. This set includes works by Beethoven, Luis Mariano, and Strauss,...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Empire Armchairs in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays Original Cane Seat
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning pair of Empire armchairs from Copenhagen, circa 1810, made from solid mahogany with intricate satinwood inlays on the backrest, apron, and front legs.
The chairs feature t...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Fruitwood, Mahogany
Vintage Empire Style Sideboard/Credenza Storage with Black and Gold Columns
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Empire Style Sideboard/Credenza Storage with Black and Gold Columns
This vintage inlaid sideboard with black and gold columns exudes el...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style commode, or chest of drawers, made of solid and veneer of mahogany. Four dovetailed drawers: three with decorative cast brass pulls and escutcheons...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire 19th Century Round Pedestal Table France
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Here is an original round tripod center table from the early 1800's about when Napoleon roamed Europe. This table has been given a professional complete but "soft" restoration to sav...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Style Black & Gold Torchere Floor Lamps
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25'' x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow - 25'' X 22''
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French, Early 19th Century, Empire Style, Pierced Porcelain Basket
Located in Lantau, HK
French Empire Paris porcelain gilt reticulated centerpiece basket.
Ideal decorative centerpiece to hold flowers or fruits on a dinning table
Ref AACPO18
Shipping included
Free and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Bronze Mounted French Empire Cabinet
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century French Empire cabinet with bronze mounts and leather top. 2 drawers over 2 door cabinet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Paris Porcelain Hand-painted Dog Vases by Darte Frères 1810
By Darte Frères
Located in Portland, OR
A large & wonderful pair of antique French Porcelain de Paris Darte Frères hand-painted & gilded portrait vases, with scenes of dogs, and painted in the manner of Fragonard, circa 18...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Late 19th/20th c., four-arm, diamond cut crystal and gilt bronze candelabra, drilled for lamps but not electrified, unmarked
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Classical Empire gilt and patinated bronze lamps depicting beautiful maidens in flowing Grecian garb, balancing fine gilt bronze candle holders on their heads and standing on dark gr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Mahogany and Bronzes Empire Console Table with Marble Top Antique Mirror back
Located in IT
Empire console in mahogany, antique mirror and original gilded bronzes. The top pf the table is in marble.
Conservative restoration of the wooden part.
Size 60x137 xh90 cm
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair French Empire Style Gilt Metal Sconces with Sunburst Motif
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique gilt metal sconces in the French Empire style with sunburst motif, candelabra size sockets and white candle covers, modern wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Secretary Desk, Germany 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
German Empire Secretary Desk, circa 1810–1820 – Walnut Veneer, Brass Details, Shellac Finish
This elegant early 19th-century Empire secretary desk was crafted in Germany between 1810 and 1820. It features exquisite book-matched walnut veneer with rich, natural grain patterns that highlight the refined craftsmanship of the Empire style.
The lower section includes two paneled doors that open to reveal three spacious interior drawers, offering ample concealed storage. The upper section features a fall-front writing flap, which opens to a well-organized interior with several small drawers and open compartments—ideal for correspondence and personal items. Above this is a wide additional drawer for extra storage.
Two striking full-length columns with brass capitals and bases frame the piece, adding a classical architectural touch. The entire desk has been beautifully restored with a traditional hand-applied shellac polish, enhancing its depth and sheen while preserving its historic character.
Key Features:
Authentic Empire period desk, Germany, circa 1810–1820
Book-matched walnut veneer
Original architectural details: brass-mounted columns
Writing flap with interior drawers and compartments
Large drawer above writing section
Fully restored with hand-applied shellac polish
Ships from Germany – shipping to Boston included
This antique Empire secretary desk...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Soliders of War 5.10X6.9
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
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Galle, Rue Vivienne À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a beautiful antique French Empire mantle clock was made of gilded bronze and marble. The clock is placed on a rectangular marble pedestal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique 17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 16'' X 16''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Brussels tapestry pillow. 17th century. 16'' X 16''.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Library Chairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An excellent quality pair of 19th century mahogany
library armchairs, in the French empire taste, having
swept back and moulded scrolling arms with C-scroll
supports raised on elegant moulded sabre legs
(A relative typical design in the early to mid-19th century
these chairs are in the French Empire taste which was most
popular at the time, with the added benefit of being much
more sturdy and practical than the English Regency Chaise...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Zabihi Collection Ivory Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese Peking Dragon motif rug with a spacious open field design on an ivory ground
Measures: 7'3'' x 9'7''
Chinese dragons are an important and powerful...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Denmark, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Marble & Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Signed By Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the grandeur of the 19th century with this exquisite French Marble and Bronze Figural Mantel Clock. A true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this clock...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early Mid-Century Empire Style Black and Gild Greek Key Mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
Large and impressive mirror from mid-century with black paint and gilded Greek key. The mirror has a large and deep frame molding.
To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha De...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Early 19th Century Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Secretary, Germany, 1820
A magnificent Empire-style secretary crafted in walnut veneer over coniferous wood, with ebonized accents and partial gilding. This piece showcases t...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers circa 1860.
Good quality Swedish commode, fitted with 3 near equally sized drawers that open on the key.
Rectangular top with moulde...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany desk with gilt bronze mounts, circa 1890-1910. This desk has very fine quality gilt bronze mounts.
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Set of Ten Empire Floral Decorated Gilt Banded Plates
Located in New York, NY
Antique set of ten Empire white and gilt plates with center floral bouquets; with underglaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 180...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Botanical Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western styles results in an exceptionally alluring appearance that has been beloved by western consumers historically and today. The outstanding old Amritsar carpets were created by influential exporters to fuel the demand for exotic rugs...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Style Carved Figural Marble Top Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 27 in Width: 40 in Depth: 40 in
This vintage French Empire style carved figural marble top coffee table/center table is of the highest quality! If you look at th...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Painted Zinc Bathtub from 1800
Located in Vienna, Austria
This French zinc bathtub is in original condition: without a drainage hole, with a wood subframe, two handles and beautiful blue painting and decoration on both sides. Seems to be wa...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Zinc
Antique 19th Century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Bronze-Colored Pewter and Frosted Cut Glass Table Lamp 1900s
Located in Barntrup, DE
The beautifully shaped French Empire-style table lamp, which is an electrified petroleum lamp, features a bronze-colored pewter body adorned with three ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Pewter
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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