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
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Fauteuils, 19th Century, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of French Empire Mahogany fauteuils, 19th century, circa 1810. 3 pairs available.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 19th century birch root occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch root occasional table circa 1860.
Good quality Swedish birch root table, solid burr birch circular top, standing on shaped stem and scrolled legs.
Rich golde...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA . Rare Exquisite Early 19th century Empire Gueridon with classic...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Oil on Canvas, Interior Bed Chamber with Figure & Dog, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
the interior scene featuring a richly furnished bedroom from the early 19th century with a woman and dog, retaining its period ebonized and giltwood frame
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
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
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
$4,966 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Walnut Lamp Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire Style Walnut Lamp Table, 20th century, the circular carved top above a quatre partite base, with paw feet on a conforming plinth. 23.5" H x 26" Diameter.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
Located in Barntrup, DE
A splendid Empire-style sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s. Gilt brass frame adorned with crystal glass beads and prisms, three interior lights for E14 size light bulbs.
Dimensions:
Hei...
Category
1960s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Empire Column Cabinet from the North of Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Empire column cabinet from Northern Sweden.
A useful piece of furniture for one of those difficult to fill spaces.
With good storage and scraped to original paint.
Late...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair Of French Empire Bronze and Faux Marble Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Empire bronze and faux marble paint on wood bases. Each have two light. Base paint probably later enhanced.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
1930's French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Preparatory Drawings Empire Antique Inspirations 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice sketches of characters. Representing different emotions, clothes and personalities. We have a portrait of a strong woman with arrows. Below this woman, there is a representation of oriental characters, also called barbarians during Antiquity. Finally, on the left, another woman is represented with her head in her hands and sitting on a Klismos chair. This chair is typical of the ancient period. It is written at the bottom right "March 15", surely the date of creation of this sketch.
The Empire style and period are inspired by Greco-Roman art, it is called the neoclassical. The woman on this drawing wears an empire style dress...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal & Glass Center Table with Ram's Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 16'' X 14" , Circa 1850s
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late Empire French Walnut Chest of Drawers with Bronze Handles
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Frenc...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Carved Mahogany & Cut Velvet Upholstered Bergere
Located in Atlanta, GA
This striking armchair is a fine example of 19th-century Empire furniture, marrying neoclassical authority with updated decorative luxury. The frame, likely crafted from mahogany or ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century Empire 8 lights chandelier it’s unusual bronze fittings, from Waldorf Hotel in NYC
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Wool, Feathers
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Beaded Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This French Empire-style chandelier from circa 1930 is crafted from brass and crystal. Featuring the traditional ‘tent and basket’ design, it has a domed lower body adorned with casc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
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
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
Antique thread table, Northern Europe, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique nickak table from the end of the 19th century, Northern Europe.
The piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 78 cm / ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique columns, France, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Representative columns - pedestals from the second half of the 19th century in the Empire style.
A pair of potbellied columns with marble tops, beautifully decorated with light wood...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$2,686 / set
19th Century French Empire Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This chandelier is a French Empire eight-light fixture made in 19th century from patinated and gilt bronze. The design features classical elements from the Empire period, including ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 19'' X 14''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 19'' X 14'', Wool, Empire Traditional, Handmade and Needlework,
Category
Early 1700s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers W/ Black Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
A striking mid-19th-century French Empire chest of drawers, sourced directly from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from walnut, it boasts a naturally aged patina that highlight...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Circa 1720 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1720 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Category
1720s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of French 19th Century Gilt & Patinated Bronze Sphinxes on Porphyry & Bron
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in France circa 1840s this finely cast pair of sphinxes are represented in the recumbent position most associated with the form. Showing on both figures are two hieroglyphic car...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 18" x 12", authentic 16th century European piece
Category
16th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Marble Top table with bronze mounts
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant tall side table made of mahogany with black marble top. It
Is well made with exceptional bronze dore gilt mounts in the empire
Style with a tapered leg ending in bronze dore ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Fine Empire Four Drawer Chest In Flame Mahogany With Gris Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine diminutive Empire Chest dating to the 1st half of the 19th Century in original condition. The Chest with book matched flame mahogany drawer fronts with great color, refined ro...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mahogany Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
French Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany five-piece salon suite
French, Late 19th Century
Sofa: Height 107cm, width 162cm, depth 65cm
Armchair: Height 101cm, width 68cm, depth 6...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Italian Florentine 18th Century - 16" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
20th Century Gilded Brass and Glass Flowers Chandelier, 1970s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Rare and beautiful 20th century gilted brass and glass flowers chandelier from the 1970s.
At the center of the chandelier you will find a brass ball that have a light at the extre...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
We present you an antique piece of furniture covered with mahogany veneer with beautiful grain. It is topped with a green marble board.
The whole is dated the turn of the 18th and th...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$3,772 Sale Price
20% Off
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Style Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design anchored by a sleek quartz top with a refined moulded surround and elegant canted corners, this table blends architectural grace with timeless luxury...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Quartz, Brass
$9,597 / item
Exceptional Pair of French Late Empire Gilt-bronze Candelabra Attributed to Pier
Located in Benington, Herts
A pair of exceptionally elegant and important late Empire five-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Charles Percier. Imposing size at 81cm in height.
French Paris c.1820
Superbly cast, in the Neo-Classical style, the five scrolling foliate candle branches enclosing central sconces issuing from a circular wreath supported by the winged figure of Victory (Nike), wearing diaphanous robes gathered by a sash above a long underskirt splaying out from above her ankles, with beautifully feathered wings flowing behind her as she looks straight ahead. Each figure standing on one foot, the other bent, resting on a plain sphere over a reeded palmette-cast baluster pedestal raised on square plinth. Wonderful colour and patina, pierced for electricity, old inventory label to the underside.
We are delighted to have been able to acquire these important candelabra as rarely does one get the opportunity to purchase items by P P Thomire...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 19" X 12", handmade piece , from mid-16th century
Category
16th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century Swedish Empire Centre Console Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine and unusual 19th century Swedish Empire centre console table with Italian pink Calacatta marble top, Ca 1830.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Unmarked, France, 19th Century
A remarkable 19th-century French si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
$956 Sale Price
20% Off
Flemish 17th Century - 18.5" x 17.5"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Circa 1850 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Category
1850s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
19th Century French Mahogany and Ormolu Bookcase in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
An exceptional and fine library breakfront bookcase by Antoine Krieger of Paris
In the Empire taste, this wonderful piece shows careful selection of matched flame mahogany veneers, contrasted by finely chiselled mercury gilded ormolu bronze mounts. The glazed, four door upper section is surmounted by ormolu laurel wreath victory garlands, and acanthus leaves to the cornice, the lower four blind doors having central caduceus mounts, emblematic of Mercury’s staff; the outer doors showing central Apollo masks, with acanthus leaves in a cruciform pattern; the cornered motifs being rosettes with conforming acanthus leaves; the pilaster columns are capped by stylised Tuscan capitals. The four oak lined drawers have Grecian Lyre backplates to the handles, and the locks are signed by the maker. The bookcase is elevated on toupie ‘cotton reel’ feet.
The very finest workmanship has gone into this piece, as evinced by the ethereal ‘gold dust’ ormolu mounts, with the crispest of ciselure, and the breathtaking quality of the mahogany veneers. This piece, originally conceived by Percier and Fontaine, adopting the decoration from the Antique, is signed by Antoine Krieger of Paris. Circa 1860
Percier and Fontaine published in 1812 the ‘bon ton’ design collection, ‘Recueil des Decorations Interieurs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1850, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columns ending with bun feet and embellished with decorative brass mounts at the shoulder and the b...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique Flame Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. High quality work of applied arts in Neoclassical (Biedermeier) style. The fork of...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Consulate Empire Console
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Early 19th Century French Consulate Empire Console with Eagles
Gorgeous piece purchased in France
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Message us with questions.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Empire Style Cocktail Table Speckled by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical round coffee or cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The table is made in the French Napoleonic empire style featuring bronze mounted ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,040 Sale Price
20% Off
Estate Christofle Empire Style Four Piece Large Caviar Serving Set
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
Fine large and impressive estate Christofle Empire style caviar serving set
Pattern: 4224590
Classic French elegance, this superb scarce four piece caviar set epitomizes luxury and refinement.
Composed of an outer two handled presentation dish for ice, a crystal bowl for caviar, a cross bar stand for the caviar bowl and a lid. The handles with attractive stylized sea shell motifs, ideal for serving caviar. This fine Christofle caviar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
Museum Court Empire Armchair circa 1830, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum court Empire armchair circa 1830, mahogany
Solid mahogany body. Empire beginning of the 19th century. Armrests, curved volute-shaped, ending in carved dolphins. Rectangular b...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$7,115 Sale Price
20% Off
1800 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow With Grapes on Ivory Background - 2
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1800 antique French Aubusson tapestry pillow with grapes on ivory background 20'' x 15''. Features needlework. Handmade.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Set early Empire solid mahogany wood and sheepskin armchairs, France 1820s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1820 / 2 armchairs / mahogany, sheep skin / Romantic / Antique / Empire
Set of two early Empire armchairs constructed of solid mahogany wood and with sheepskin upholstery. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
Louis XVI White Photo Frame Sterling Silver Enamel on Guillochè Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and hand-painted miniature of a garland of flowers with oval border interna...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
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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