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
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, Feathers
Empire Guillotine Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Empire guillotine cabinet. Fine Neoclassical fruitwood and mahogany vitrine small bookcase cabinet with glass panel door àla guillotine above t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$11,400
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror is the perfect size for the dressing room, bath, or any cozy niche. The design also lends itself to either horizontal or vertical hanging...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Vintage Woven Crest Tapestry 7.6X6.3
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
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 15" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 16"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Figural Bronze Gueridon/side table w/ Pietra Dore Top
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century French Empire-Style Pietra Dura Top Table/Gueridon with Gilt Bronze Maiden Base. This table features a gilt bronze caryatid support and an octagonal pietra dura top. ...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Bronze and Marble Two-Armed Candelabrum, 19th Century
Located in Toronto, CA
A wonderful 19th century candelabra in the French Empire style, made of patinated bronze, gilt bronze and marble. The stem represents a woman holding aloft a two-armed torch, the who...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
$3,996 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow 24" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
$2,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 7"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow - 15" X 7"
Category
Mid-17th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunningly beautiful center or dining table designed by Charles Pollock for William Switzer.
The table has a combination of solid woods and veneers such as burlwood on the base al...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
1900 Antique Susani Embroidery Pillow - 21 X 12
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 antique susani embroidery pillow. 21 X 12.
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Circa 1920s Vintage Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow Ca. 1920
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
18th Century Antique French Needlepoint Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Antique French Needlepoint
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
Set of 6 American Empire Style Carved Wood Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Empire wood dining chairs in mahogany veneer with sloped gondola backs with an openwork, urn-form center topped by a carved foliate neoclassical crown...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Console Table
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century French Empire Console.
France, 1810
Mahogany,
Beautiful Empire Period Mahogany and Mahogany Veneer Console, resting on Front Columns and Rear Pilasters.
This Console is...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Maitland Smith French Empire Green Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith attributed French Empire Style Green Lacquer Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining/Center Table. Item features thick round glass, green paint lacquered top with sunburst center and Greek Key border, dark brown and gold pedestal...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Bleached Fruitwood French Swan Leg Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
This bleached fruitwood French swan leg side table from the early 20th century showcases elegant craftsmanship with its gracefully curved legs resembling swan necks and inset Carrara...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 20th century bronze doré 2 swan arm round base bouillotte table lamp with oval green tole shade.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1830. The traditional antique commode sits on thick square feet over rounded columns decorated with bronze ring m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Circa 1880 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Floral and Bird Tapestry 9X2.4
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
French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER
France, circa 1830
Item # 403ZGP18C
An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Small Gilt Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Decorative Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Empire style Chandelier. 6 lights. France, circa 1920.
Dimensions: Height 25" Diameter 16"
CW5549
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1850 Amritsar Pillow - 20" X 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Harvest Season 4.6X5.8
Located in Los Angeles, US
The art of tapestry weaving is an exceptional art different than any other weaving art. Based on a design cartoon, the background, pattern, and every element is woven over a warp wit...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Circa 1850 Antique Portuguese Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique Portuguese Pillow
Category
1850s Portuguese Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique 1810 France Cast Iron Bookcase Shelves Flowers
Located in Munich, DE
Charming and elegant shelves made out of cast iron. The front of this slim piece of furniture and the struts are decorated with flowers.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
1850 English Needle Work Tapestry Pillow - 17'' X 17''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Extremely unique and fine an english needle work tapestry from mid-18th century. And it's retrieved from the story of: The little red riding hood. Beautiful design and amazing loyal ...
Category
1850s British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Fabric
Circa 1870 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1870 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th C Empire Bronze & Gilt Mounted Mahogany Console / Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Empire Neoclassical Brass Mounted and Mahogany Wall Mirror in good condition. Solid Mahogany frame. Measures 18" in width and 36" tall. Mirror glass is 15"W x 2...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,421 Sale Price
25% Off
Ancient Majapahit Temple Stone Block from Java, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Worn by time and whispering centuries of forgotten devotion, this weathered block of stone once stood proudly as part of a sacred Majapahit temple in the heart of Java. Carved in the...
Category
16th Century Indonesian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Ancient Majapahit Temple Stone Block from Java, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
Worn by time and whispering centuries of forgotten devotion, this weathered block of stone once stood proudly as part of a sacred Majapahit temple in the heart of Java. Carved in the...
Category
16th Century Indonesian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair of French Empire Bergère Armchairs, 19th century
Located in Leimen, DE
Discover an exquisite pair of Empire-style armchairs from the 19th century, crafted from luxurious mahogany. These elegant chairs embody timeless sophistication, featuring high backs...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Petit Danish Late Empire Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small 19th century Danish Late Empire chest of drawers in flamed birch. French polished.
The façade showcases an arrangement of four drawers (a smaller drawer over 3 larger drawers)...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
C A. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1860s Portuguese Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Period patinated Wood and Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated Wood and Giltwood armchairs. Each wonderful armchair are raised by two front circular tapered...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$22,800 / set
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
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$2,700 / item
Mid 17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
Mid-17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency Empire Mahogany Side Table w/ Black Columns
By Weiman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency/Empire Style Flamed Mahogany Side Table with Black Columns, Satinwood Inlay, and Dovetailed Drawer. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Monumental Marble and Bronze Dore’ Clock Adorned with Psyche and Amor Figures
Located in Houston, TX
Amazing clock depicting the tale of Amor and Psyche which
Is about the god of love in Greek mythology. Large bronze
Dore figures adorn the pediment standing on a rectangular
Marble b...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Circa 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1640s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
Circa 1920 Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Empire Birch and Mahogany Armchairs with Inlays and Ivory Linen Upholste
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Pair of Elegant Empire Armchairs with Beautifully Preserved Patina.
This pair of Empire armchairs is crafted from solid birch, featuring rectangular inlays in darker mahogany on t...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Birch, Mahogany
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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