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.
to
328
773
641
1,441
177,190
35,643
27,415
21,941
10,240
8,462
5,582
5,181
4,379
3,663
3,634
2,478
2,435
2,145
1,592
1,546
1,441
1,010
255
2,996
1,441
215
498
342
224
108
16
89
52
45
50
68
49
59
26
857
421
392
293
250
1,002
684
151
119
102
1,441
1,441
1,441
31
20
13
11
5
Style: Empire
Period: 20th Century
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century.
Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$1,072 Sale Price / set
46% Off
French Newly Upholstered & Painted Iron Empire Daybed from Paris
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic French Louis XVI Neoclassical French Empire daybed newly reupholstered with modern plush bolster pillows. Bed frame is solid painted iron turn of the century from France and ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Angel Motif Sterling Silver Snuff Box
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. The lid and sides are covered in an intricate floral design with musical instruments and a scene of two playing cherubs in its ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
A Pair of Empire Style French Bronze Gueridons with Black Marble Tops
Located in London, GB
France, 20th century
A pair of mid twentieth century Empire style circular gueridon, the black marble tops with polished brass rims, all supported on tripod bronze bases with cross...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Circa 1900 Antique Embroidery Indian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1900 Antique Embroidery Indian Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Set of Six Napoleonic Empire Style Bronze Mounted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of six mahogany dining chairs made in the grand Napoleonic Empire taste. The chairs feature beautifully crafted mahogany frames with rich, deep woodgrains on the fi...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps with Adjustable Height Finials - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5"- 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Style 8 Arm Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style eight-arm chandelier with crest fleur-de-lis design. Cleaned and rewired. This chandelier and it's sisters hung in the corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Category
1990s Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Iron
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Wall Sconces Louis XVI Style By Massive, Belgium Pair Of Bronze Light
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Paired wall sconces in beautiful bronze from the Massive, Belgian manufacturer.
Set of Wall Lighting lamps in Louis XVI Style with 2 horns on each.
Very noble and sensual! ...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style bronze chandelier.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Crystal Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Antique chandelier from France made with cut crystal elements (cabochons and pendants) on a brass structure. It has been newly wired to fit US standards.
The current overall height i...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Bohemian Cut Crystal Tiered Basket Chandelier Circa 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
A truly breathtaking and sumptuous antique basket chandelier, resplendent in hand cut, multi-faceted Bohemian lead crystal, with 8 lamp holders in bronze with embossed decorative flo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Vintage Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Heavy gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 55cm/ 21.6"
Diameter glass: 1...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Resin
$475 / item
Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal Crystal Chandelier
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Empire Style Ten-Light Gilt Metal Crystal Chandelier, with suspended crystal canopy and swags with drop crystal prism accents. 40" H x 24" Diameter. Provenance: From a New Yo...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Fabergé Limoges Porcelain Hand Painted Egg Decorative Table Tray Ashtray
By Fabergé
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning Fabergé Limoges French porcelain hand painted parcel gilt tray.
Created exclusively by House of Fabergé and Limoges porcelain as ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$514 Sale Price
60% Off
Solid Brass and Glass Lantern or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made in the style of the Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes three E14 ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940.
Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb.
Original patin...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Impressive Pair of Empire Black Leather & Gilded Club Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive pair of Empire style black and gilded wood club chairs having black leather upholstery, curved backs and arms in the form of swans resting on saber shaped legs. The backs...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
$2,470 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Vintage 20th Century Wooden Crucifix with Christ Figure in Spelter - 2Y189
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage 20th-century crucifix is a beautiful and reverent piece, featuring a wooden cross and a Christ figure made of spelter. It would make a meaningful addition to any religio...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Spelter
$338 Sale Price
75% Off
20th Century Giltwood Pier Mirror
Located in Ross, CA
Vintage Empire style beveled pier mirror in giltwood frame. Mirror has two sections a smaller rectangle on the top and longer on the bottom. The top sides form columns with fleur de...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$880 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$25,000
French Empire Style Tall Dresser in Painted Gray Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Empire style bedroom tall chest with gilt metal ring handles painted white. We have a matching double dresser in our listing. Made for John Stuart.
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Form Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire chandelier, its circular frame of gilt metal, holding the opera basket bottom, finished by a ball drop, having eight S-scroll arms, each decorated with a leaf, ending i...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
An Ebonized Dining Table, Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ebonized mahogany dining table, attributed to Maison Jansen, features intricate rosettes and classic and contemporary elements, making it a versatile addition to various...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Polistil Ferrari 308 Die-Cast Model Car - Made in Italy - 2Y190
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage Polistil Ferrari 308 die-cast model car is a collectible piece made in Italy, representing the iconic Ferrari 308. Despite its age, it retains much of its original charm...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$137 Sale Price
65% Off
1930s French Brass and Marble Top Coffee or Side Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1930s French Empire solid brass and Carrara marble top cocktail or side table.
An elegant table with delicate floral motifs throughout and graceful cabriole legs. The inset ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Empire Style Gueridon Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon side table from France in the Empire style. This piece has three column legs each adorned with brass detailing at the top and bottom. The base has been ebonized and finished...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mid 20th Century Italian Tole Lamp
Located in Doylestown, PA
Mid 20th century Italian tole lamp with original shade.
Fine Italian tole column form table lamp in a warm ochre hue. It is intricately painted with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle, Brass
Empire Antique Chandelier Gilt Bronze and Oxidized 9 light early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Fine chandelier with flame decoration at center top of amphora shape body. Weapons technology oxidation finish combined with dore bronze of finest quality – just gorgeous creature of...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French style side table features a single drawer with two door cabinet above. The table has been hand painted in Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from solid wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Gilt Bronze Pedestal Plant Stand Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
A substantial French gold gilt bronze pedestal column plant stand, in the Empire design style, circa 20th century, France. Round top is a copper gilt bronze, pillar and tripod hoof b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1930's French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Carl Thieme, Dresden Floral Painted & Gilded Porcelain Urn, Germany, 20th C
By Carl Thieme
Located in Chatham, ON
CARL THIEME (Factory / Manufacturer) - Potschappel (Village / Location) - Empire style Dresden floral decorated and gilded porcelain urn with cover - ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Hand-Engraved Gilded Vase "India" – Elegant Vintage Decor - 2Y85
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Good condition overall. The base has some minor imperfections (see photos).
Material: Brass with a hand-engraved design and gold finish.
Design: Hand-engraved intricate pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$289 Sale Price
75% Off
Set of Two Midcentury White Opaline Cenedese Glass Box with Bronze Mounts Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two beautiful jewelry boxes with glass lids made of opal glass. This type of jewelry box was mainly made in France, Italy and earlier in Bohemia. They were made from the early 19th century to the mid 20th century. However, the heyday of opal boxes...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm
This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Round Mahogany Side Table - Antique Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French Empire side table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Honduran Mahogany in good condition. The detailed small center table is composed with a black marble top, standing on three arched legs, supported by a wooden base, resisting on three round feet. The Parisian table is enhanced by detailed gilded wood carvings...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Table Bouillotte Lamp with Metal Shade
Located in Malibu, CA
Bouillotte lamp with two arms of light, Empire style, in patinate.
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Empire style Brass Column Lamp with an Eagle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly decorative French empire style lamp likely made in the early 20thC. The polished brass column was likely the stem of a candelabra which was later embellished with an eagle ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Big Crystal Beaded Empire Dome Chandelier circa 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
I have two similar, if interested. Housing one light, will be rewired and ready to hang. We use certified UL US sockets and appropriate sockets for all other countries. Strands and ...
Category
Early 1900s Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Demilune Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in
This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Brass
Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style nightstands or end tables
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Cherry wood, with burl wo...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Chapman Neoclassical French Empire Style Brass Torch Shaped Table Lamp Paw Foot
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1997 Chapman Brass table lamp in the shape of a neoclassical torch with black accents on a square base with paw feet. A stunning lamp ...
Category
1990s Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid 20th Century French Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in L'AMETLLA DE MAR, ES
A 19th-century French Empire chest of drawers in walnut, with brass pulls and column accents, showcases exceptional period craftsmanship...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
20th Century Italian Empire Style Wooden Guéridon with Bronze and Marble Top
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
20th Century Italian Empire Style Wooden Guéridon with Bronze and Marble Top. We present this splendid gueridon table, made in Italy in the second half of the 20th century. Made of s...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of English Adam Silver Plated Empire Column Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Please note lamp shades NOT included.
Pair of Antique silver plated table lamps. Originally oil lamps converted to electric/plug in.
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver Plate
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features iconic Louis Vuitton words and letters artistically arranged. Similar piece ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Dimensions :
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Ceramic and Gilt Metal Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of antique French ceramic and gilt metal table lamps. They were made in France, they date from around the 1950’s.
They are of superb quality and are an impressive si...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Dore' Bronze Mounted French Empire Verdi Marble Cassolettes with Serpents
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of French Empire style cassolettes or urns that are perfect for a mantle or a buffet or sideboard. They are unique in that they have snakes that are naturalis...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt & Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960.
In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
Located in London, GB
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
French, Early 20th Century
Height 52cm, width 123cm, depth 63cm
Exemplifying all that is grand and regal about the fan...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Iron Cross
Japanese Step
Indian Painted Wood
Inlaid Wood Frame
Irish Gold
Japan Antiques Collectables
Large Wood Columns
Large Copper Plate
Italian Mid Century Textiles
Italian Glass Fish
Italian Mid Century Vanity
Irish Carved Furniture
Latin American Furniture
Green Vanity
Imperial Mid
Hand Woven Mat
Large Tassels
Hand Painted Hand Fans