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 Style Secretary Made In Mahogany & Intarsia From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This impressive Empire style secretary from the year 1820 is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Hand-polished mahogany wo...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,051 Sale Price
20% Off
Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere
Located in Dereham, GB
Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere
3 Mahogany & Satinwood banded inlaid shelves,
Supported by brass Column frame
with Finials at top, ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Italian Florentine Empire Style Gilt Mirror by Chelini
Located in Milano, MI
From Italy, by Chelini Firenze, a lovely late 20th century gold leaf gilded mirror with Empire style hand carved elements like quiver and torch.
Manufactured circa 1990s by Chelini Florence...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table
Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawer...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE BLOND WALNUT SIDEBOARD
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant sideboard in solid blond walnut, finely carved. The linear design of the sideboard is enriched by two half lateral columns, ending with gilded bronze capitals that give a tou...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Reticulated Cherub Compote
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Old Paris Porcelain: a reticulated gilt glazed compote featuring a kneeling cherub .
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest / Box with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folkart Empire Chest /box from Skelleftea Vasterbotten ,Northern Sweden.
Decorative Wood imitaition painted small chest /box with...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
20th Century Italian Empire Bronze Table Lamp Red Lampshade Golden Embroideries
Located in Milano, MI
An Empire style large bronze urn vase wired as table lamp with an oval red lampshade. An Italian circular handled decorative bronze center vase, the so-c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Wall Mirrors, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of pillar mirrors in gold-patinated and stuccoed frame with profiled molding. The mirror panes are divided in the upper third. Patination is rubbe...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$13,968 / set
Grand Prospect Hall Empire Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier was repurposed from a larger light in the main ballroom in Brooklyn, New York's Grand Prospect Hall. Grand Prospect Hall was built in 1892 and has witnes...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Empire Doré Saint Louis Crystal Etched Tumbler Glass Gilt Brass Music Box Holder
By Saint Louis
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Saint Louis Crystal Empire style Nelly pattern etched tumbler glass. The etched glass features what appears to be some fern leaves forming mu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$720 Sale Price
20% Off
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Italian Midcentury Empire Style Painted and Upholstered Bench with Ram Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian midcentury Empire style painted bench with carved ram heads and new upholstery. This exquisite Italian painted bench features a nicely curved seat that has been recovered ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Ca.1900 Antique Silk Turkish Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1900 Antique Silk Turkish Pillow 29'' X 11'', Silk, Turkish Traditional.
Category
Early 1900s Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
French Empire Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Blue Glass Liners Return from Egypt
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
French Napoleonic Empire table set "return from Egypt"
Made of sterling silver and cobalt blue liners
Collectible for it's beauty and hallmarks that were only used during
Napoleons E...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
2010s Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair Empire Style Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of bronze candlesticks feature Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and reeded tapering shafts.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$450 / set
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal, Approx 140 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 43.75" H x 13.5" W x 13.5" D. Top: 12" x 12".
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Circa 1670 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow Ca. 1670
Category
1670s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French 19th Century Empire Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire style, 19th century oval bouillotte table lamp with its original painted tole shade surrounding a line of four candles. Bouillotte is a card game popular in France du...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with marble top. The gray, Saint Anne-type marble is in wonderful anti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Picture Frame internal border with enamelled leaves Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Behold the epitome of elegance and craftsmanship: a square table photo frame, meticulously crafted from 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver. This masterpiece features translucent fi...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Burl Wood Tesselated Marble Top Center Table
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Burl Wood Tesselated Marble Top Center Table
Dimensions : 34" Tall X 46" Round
This gorgeous center table was made by Maitland Smith in the Frenc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Naples White Porcelain Hercules Tureen
Located in New York, NY
Large Naples white porcelain Hercules tureen. Impressive and important neoclassical Ferdinando IV porcelain soup tureen with large Hercules and Theiodamas finial caping a scroll volu...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Faience, Porcelain
Swedish 19th Century Empire Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This Swedish Empire style trumeau exudes a simple refinement in its symmetry and composure. A simple pediment sits atop a painted black and decorative gilt cornice...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of 17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillows
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 17th Century Tapestry Pillows.
1) Tapestry panel of brightly a brightly colored parrot amidst lush fruiting branches, representing a harmonious balance of nature, and applie...
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular lidded box depicting a woman reclining on a Recamier playing the harp. The underside with a star surrounded by banding with stippling decoration.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$720 Sale Price
40% Off
Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pretty crystal, stoppered bottle, intricately clad in an openwork gilt-brass motif of entwined poppies and mistletoe. This square-sided Art Nouveau period bottle features a simple,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Antique Pair of Danish Soap Stone Square Base Candlesticks
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very classic antique period Empire hand-made candlesticks carved from soapstone. These candlesticks certainly would enhance any living room or dining room, sideboard or end table.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Soapstone
Beautiful 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 with flowers and leaves. Cool and unusual composition bet...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Florentine 18th Century Pillow - 15" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
1920s Antique Indian Rug - 14'10'' X 11'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
1920s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1815 French Tole Oval Cachepot or Jardiniere
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1815 French tole oval cachepot or jardiniere. Exceptionally elegant, raised on painted bronze lion paw feet; swan handles. Each side hand painted w...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This superb Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
it has a rectangular shape with rounded sides Table Cigar Box has hand engraving, with orange and ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Inlaid Portico Empire Style Mantle Clock
Located in Kingston, NY
French 19th-century mantle clock features a bronze and inlaid veined wood veneer portico design. The clock is adorned with gilded ornaments, including a decorative pendulum and intri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Brass Bronze Column Flame Finial Fireplace Andirons - Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19.5" H x 8" W x 19" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century Louis XV-style Bouillotte table lamp, with original, green, gilt- decorated tole lampshade, above a base of three upturned decorative brass candle arms supported ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Breakfast Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal dining breakfast table, game table, or center table.
By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection.
Italy, circa ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Late-19th Century Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm
This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 47" H (to finial) x 34" H (to light socket) x 8.5" W x 8.5" D...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze.
This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps.
Originates France, circa 1870.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,149 Sale Price / set
28% Off
Original Engraved Print by Pierre Joseph Redouté, 1802, Les Liliaceés
Located in New York, NY
A stunning original engraving from The Lilies (Les Liliaceés) by P.J. Redouté, considered the greatest botanical artist of all time.
Produced between 1802 and 1816 under the patron...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$2,750 Sale Price
44% Off
19th Century French Silver-Gilt Pair of Dishes, Odiot, circa 1890
By Odiot
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th Century French rare and important Empire style pair of solid silver dishes, each of circular form with very fine acanthus leaves borders and chased with a frieze of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Empire/ Biedermeier Corner Cabinet w/ Faux-Bois, Bremen, Germany, c. 1810
Located in Miami, FL
A rare and stately corner cupboard with the original faux-boix finish and hand-painted gold foliate and flower design around the recessed door panels and rounded sides, with a painte...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow Ca.1860
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
Vintage Tole Columnar Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Single tole Empire style columnar lamp, having a round central column with marbelized finish, wrapped in foliate spiral decoration, raised on graduated p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
18th - 19th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Gilded Bronze Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Small English Rectangular Mahogany and Gilt Wall Mirror, Scandinavian
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular antique wall mirror in Mahogany and gilt inner frame
This Scandinavian mirror is on the smaller size, but totally charming with regards to the warmth of the wood and the ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$496 Sale Price
49% Off
Throw Pillow Made from 17th Century Brussels Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17" x 12", authentic 17th century European piece, good condition
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm
This fine gilt bronze man...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Brussels 16th Century - 19" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Cello 6.0X5.5
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 Swedish Empire Console in Carved, Polychrome and Gilded Wood
Located in Madrid, ES
Swedish Empire console table in carved, polychrome and gilt wood, early 19th century.
Rectangular marble top in a low white, frieze decorated wi...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
1880 Antique Needlepoint Tapestry Pillow - 21'' X 18''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1880 antique needlepoint tapestry pillow 21'' X 18. " Features needlework. Handmade.
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Empire Neoclassical Brass Candlestick Student Oil Style Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Patinated Brass Candlestick Student "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to light socket) x 9.5" W x 6....
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown 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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