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
Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet with Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire mahogany marble top buffet with bronze is an exquisite example of fine French cabinetry, with the emphasis on the finest mater...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 19th century French Empire drop front secretary with black as a marble top and side columns with bronze mounts, three drawers below and one drawer above. Double brass locking syste...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
19th Century, Silver Dredging Spoon
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish silver dredging spoon from circa 1820.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Antique French Empire Ormolu Striking Library Clock
Located in London, GB
A fascinating Antique French Empire Striking Ormolu mantel clock
A fascinating clock in the form of a library bookcase, with two children sitting at each side. Raised on a plinth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel, Ormolu
Vintage mahogany and leather Empire style martini table after Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome vintage mahogany and tooled black leather martini side table. This empire style side table features a black leather top with tooled gold decoration around the edge...
Category
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
French Empire Silk Damask Pomegranates 102"
Located in Canterbury, GB
An exquisite length of fine quality French Burgundy Red Silk Damask
Dating from circa 1820
Woven with large Medici design featuring lovely Pomegranates
gorgeous colour of deep ric...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk
French Empire Parian Napoleon Bust
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (late 19th Century) life size Parian bust of Napoleon on blue porcelain socle and square ormolu base (signed HOUDON, 1805)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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 Mahogany Winged Griffins End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany end/center table with bronze trim and winged griffins on legs with a green rectangular marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century French Empire-style chandelier with gilt and painted finish.
Measurements:
Diameter: 18"
Height: 26.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large French Empire Mirror with Worn Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th century French Empire mirror with original mercury glass mirror. Large scale Empire Gold Gilt mirror is a large statement piece. The...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
Russian (18th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase with brass gallery pediment and trim with 2 front doors revealing 3 drawers and shelves ...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Russian Empire Brass Microfusion Side Table Real Gold 23 3/4 Plated, Inlayed Top
Located in Barlassina, IT
Brass side table inspired by Russian Empire style ( Golden Age period), was proposed by Belloni for the first time in 1988 and and it's still in production.
The frame is made in bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
Vintage Colorful Floral Tapestry 5.0X5.05
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
Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candelabras
Located in Skanninge, SE
A pair of European Mid-19th Century bronze-gilt candelabras.
For two candles each. Very nice original condition.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze candlesticks raised on three lions paws, France, mid-19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Paris Porcelain Basket Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stunning openwork corbeille, or basket vase, dating from the early 19th century Empire Period, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and richly gilded all over its delicatel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style mahogany veneered console table with two drawers. Fine geometric herringbone inlays throughout and raised on tapering square legs and a Y-frame stretcher.
Dime...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Mahogany Bronze Mounted Credenzas Cabinet / Smoke Glass Top
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This refined mahogany server/credenza showcases exquisite craftsmanship with bronze ormolu mounts and versatile design features. The front displays four drawers with brass pull hardw...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Opulent Set of 8 Empire Style Dining Chairs with Versace Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Dramatic and sublime set of 8 Empire style custom dining chairs having glossy maple or mahogany frames adorned with warm bronzey gilded details on the corinthian column backs and ros...
Category
Early 2000s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Maple
Pair Empire Period North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, & Tôle-Peinte Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
An extremely rare and unusual Pair Of North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, and Tôle-Peinte Potted Hyacinths/Cachepots, Possibly Baltic, Circa 1815-1825.
Each Modeled As A Tôle-Peinte Sp...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu, Tin
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a captivating blend of Art Deco charm and Empire sophistication, our lead crystal chandelier is a testament to opulence and craftsmanship. Crafted in-house, we offer the ...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair French Empire candelabra, circa 1800
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of French Empire bronze and gilded ormolu candelabra, each having Caryatid supports to the scrolling foliate four branch candle sconces. Raised on classical gilde...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
Antique Wedgwood Jasperware Black and White Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Antique Black and White Wedgwood Jasperware Urn Table Lamps. Item features porcelain urn form bodies, wooden base, dual sockets, white ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
A Pair of French Tole Urns
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of French Empire period toleware vases with black and gilt decoration the body with anthemion and patera decoration, standing on acanthus leave...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
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
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
Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Fine French Neoclassical Russian Baltic Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French Made Elegant Russian / Baltic Empire / Neoclassical Style Doré Bronze And Crystal 8 Candelabra Light Chandelier, Wiring Is Up To Date.
...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
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
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece
Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Circa 18th Century Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow Ca. 18th Century
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Iron Lantern Light with Acanthus Leaf Detail
Enhance the ambiance of your outdoor or indoor space with our Antique Iron Lantern Light fe...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Antique Neoclassical Empire Mirror in Mahogany w/ Original Glass, c. 1810
Located in Miami, FL
An large and well restored architectural neoclassical mirror on a plinth base and turned split columns that support a pediment top. This North German mahogany mirror has it original ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
French Empire Commode with Beautiful Inlay & Bookmatched Veneer, Early 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire commode with beautiful inlay and book-match veneers, from the early 19th century. This antique chest from France features a rectangular-shaped, book-match veneer top, with banding inlays defining the perimeter. The case below houses three graduated and dove-tailed drawers, with draw fronts adorn in the same inlay fashion as the top above, and fitted with a pair of decorative ring pulls and escutcheon at center. Each side continues the elegant bookmatch veneer stylings, which create a diamond shape design, and outlined in banding inlays. This piece is presented on squared, tapering legs. This French period Empire commode, with its clean lines and sophisticated bookmatched veneers...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Empire Style Mahogany Tufted Parlor Sofa Newly Upholstered in Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Style Carved Mahogany Tufted Back Parlor Sofa on Casters Newly Upholstered in Full Grain Espresso Italian Leather
This antique Empire styl...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 14" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Mahogany Tricoteuse Occasional Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Elegant Early 19th Century, French Empire Period, Mahogany Tricoteuse Type Occasional Table, Having Extremely Well Figured Rectangular Galleried Top, Over One Drawer To ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
T...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair Golden Antique Paris Porcelain Vases with Paris Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this elegant three-part group of Paris Porcelain in the Empire style crafted circa 1840.
Dimensions of the basket: 13.75" long x 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall. The basket is 4.75" deep.
Dimensions of the vases: 12.5" tall x 6" across the handles x 4" deep
Condition: Very Good, to Excellent with some touches of gilt invisibly restored on the basket.
Price for the set of three Paris Porcelain pieces: $2,300
The centerpiece is an oval-shaped pierced basket, lavishly gilded with delicate latticework.
The golden Empire style lends an air of grandeur to the design, while the intricate latticework adds a sense of delicacy and allows light to play through. The white line across the top of the base further enhances the richness of the gold, creating a touch of intensity. The long rectangular base harmonizes beautifully with the oval shape, creating a visually balanced composition. With dimensions of 13.75" long x 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall and a depth of 4.75", this basket is perfect as a centerpiece for a formal dining room table...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Crystal and Gilt Bronze Vase by Boin-Taburet
By Boin-Taburet
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A classic and opulent crystal and gilt bronze Louis XVI-style vase, its goblet-shaped heavy crystal bowl diamond cut and fluted to refract the light...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Egg on Tripod with folding frame for 6 photos Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod with folding photo frame for 6 photos, inside, in 925/1000 sterling Silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guillochè. ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Fine Large Antique Empire Revival Mahogany and Marble Top Circular Center Table
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary antique Empire Revival mahogany center table measures an impressive 70.5" across and 32" tall (179 cm by 81 cm) and features four pairs of gilt Greek caryatid figu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Russian Empire Side Chairs - Original untouched finish newly reupholstered seat in Jim Thompson fabric.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful onyx and gold gilt bronze inkwell [ink well] box in the Empire style, circa 19th century, Europe. In addition to its intended use, piece makes a gorgeous standalone decor...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Antique French Gilt Bronze Table Lamp, Signed Moreau, Late 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant French gilt bronze table lamp signed Moreau depicts Erato, the Greek goddess of music, dance and song. She is represented holding a lyre while her left arm is leaning upon an open book that rests upon a fluted column. Trailing ivy extends down the upper portion of the column. She carries the lyre in her right hand which hangs down to her right hip. There is a serene and pensive expression on her face as she looks down and to her left. She stands on an indented and canted, lacquered black base with a gilt metal wreath...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Marble and Bronze Rooster Sculpture Signed Melotte
By Melotte
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your desk or study with this elegant antique inkwell, crafted in France, circa 1880, and situated on a rectangular green marble base, the desk accessory features a bronze ro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Style Triple Tiered Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An empire style chandelier in gilded bronze and cut crystal. The large central ring is embellished with palmettes and wreaths and supports beaded chains and long crystal French drops...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
This chandelier is lavishly draped in fine quality sparkle crystals. The Maria Theresa chandelier was named after the Archduchess of Austria who was the Empress of the...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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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