Empire Furniture
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.
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Pewter
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Tin
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Gold
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Velvet, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Birch
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Walnut
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint
1890s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Wool
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
17th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Feathers
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Early 1800s Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1890s English Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Stone
1810s Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Scagliola, Wood, Paint
20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Other
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Birch
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Brass, Metal
1820s American Antique Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Leather
1940s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Wood, Burl
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
2010s American Empire Furniture
Beech
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Feathers
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Wood, Glass
1910s Danish Vintage Empire Furniture
Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Gold Leaf
1980s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Chrome
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Alabaster
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Lacquer, Beech
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wood, Feathers
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Metal, Bronze
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Metal, Bronze
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Resin
1970s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Enamel