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 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Pillow 20'' X 14'', handmade french piece in great condition
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Circa 1860 Antique French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Tapestry Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1880 Antique Uzbak Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique Uzbak Pillow
Category
1880s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
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
Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch
Located in Annville, PA
The Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch is a high quality 60 inch round table when closed. The field of the table top being produced from the...
Category
2010s Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century.
The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Empire Mirror with Brass Elements
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century Empire Mirror With Brass Elements
A mirror in a wooden frame, dated to the first quarter of the 19th century. The wooden frame...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Pair of Tall Italian Torchères, Likely Naples, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A refined pair of Italian torchères made from mahogany, dating to the early 19th century and likely originating from Naples. The torchères rest on tripod bases with elegantly curved ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of fine French Empire style brown patinated bronze candlesticks from the Napoleon III period. A fluted column beautifully decorated with ivy, rises on a tripod with claw-shape...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Burl Wood Bibliotheque Bookcase Cabinet, Circa 1880s
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique French Empire knockdown bibliotheque bookcase cabinet
In the manner of Louis Majorelle
France, Circa 1880s
Gorgeous burl wood, with bronze mounts and trim.
Me...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Mirrored Surtout De Table Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French Mid-19th Century Empire st. ormolu mirrored surtout de table centerpiece. The impressive cent...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Brass and Glass Pendant
Located in Houston, TX
French Classic brass and glass chandelier. Two candelabra-size lights partially enclosed or sandwiched betwen two plates of clear glass. A classic light with a modern feel. Newly wir...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Dark Oak Square Side Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The tables seamlessly blend classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the rich oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspired ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Cast Bronze Ceiling Chandelier
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style cast bronze five-light ceiling chandelier with scrolled arms and leaf form canopy. Rewired and in working condition with new sockets and candle covers. Circa 19...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Carved Figural Marble Top Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 27 in Width: 40 in Depth: 40 in
This vintage French Empire style carved figural marble top coffee table/center table is of the highest quality! If you look at th...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Mahogany Carved Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire mahogany pedestal base center table with 3 carved swans on a base supporting a round black veined top with an molded ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Console Table, France, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Original Empire console table, France, 1820, mahogany veneer with original brass fittings. The elegant columns with their brass capitals and bases stand on a rectangular base. The ba...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 19th century Swedish birch empire stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch empire stool circa 1850.
Scandinavian empire period stool made in birch. Shaped support handles which flow through to the 4 splayed legs. Original floral ta...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Birch
1900s Antique Samarkand Rug-4'7'' X 2'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up For Sale Is An Antique Samarkand Uzbek Tribal Rug
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Biedermeier Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Chest Dresser with Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Biedermeier/Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Chest Dresser with Mirror (No marble top). Item features 5 dovetailed drawers, turn carved bun feet, beautiful wood grain, great antiqu...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Circa 1660 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1660 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1660s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique French Empire Mahogany Armchair upholstered in pink striped fabric
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous French Empire style armchair done in mahogany and upholstered in striped fabric in dusty rose and pale pink with seashell motif. The chair ha...
Category
1890s 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
FIRST HALF OF THE 19th CENTURY EMPIRE LENS MIRROR
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant circular lens mirror from the Empire period. The mirror is characterized by its carved and gilt wooden frame, enriched with delicate decorative geometric engravings on all fo...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th century French Empire Marble Top Enfilade
Located in Richmond, VA
Great quality 19th century French empire marble top enfilade with bronze mounts and white marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm
This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets
Classic urns of amphora form
Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy
Ormolu fixtures are original and finely cast
Purchased from a dealer on Marche Biron...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon, French, in the Empire style. This piece has three swan legs on a triangular base supporting the top covered with a veined black marble top (professionally repaired).
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table or bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter.
Solid, ebonized beech, partially carved and hand-painted. Cutted out pedestal on profiled disc feet. Over which ar...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Green Marble Top Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century American empire mahogany green marble top console table. Item features green marble top, serpentine column supports, art print...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Pedestal Table with Its Saint-Anne Marble
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb empire pedestal table with its Saint-Anne marble
Pedestal table or center table with a pyramidal base ending with claw feet simulating dolphin heads
Very beautiful origina...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Rarity Low Plafonnier Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Lustre Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Presenting our exquisite basket chandeliers, meticulously restored to their former glory with love and care in Berlin. The electrical wiring has been upgraded to work seamlessly in t...
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French Empire Style Chandelier with Frosted Glass Flame
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire style chandelier with gilt bronze arms, neoclassical mounts, ornate chain and canopy. The central body is dark green painted wood, surmounted with a frosted glass flame...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
A Pair of Empire Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Ebonized Column Supports
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Pair Of Matching French Empire Style Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Column Supports United By A Triform Base and Side Drawer.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
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
Italian Empire Perspective Marquetry Commode, Circle of Giuseppe Maffezzoli
By Giovanni Battista Maffezzoli
Located in Troy, NY
The Commode of Rare Classical Neoclassical Form, with a beautiful warm color is a wonderful example of perspective marquetry, in the tradition of Giuseppe Maggiolini and his pupil Giovanni Maffezzoli; most likely made by Tommaso Pezzoni (who learned his trade in the workshop of Maffezzoli) in the early 19th century.
Inlaid top with a center-roundel showing a youth reclining on a chaise in front of a classical temple, above four drawers, the fronts forming an architectural, perspective scene showing buildings and ruins, fountains, sculptures and a boy resting on a toppled column accompanied by a playing dog, flanked by caryatids topped with gilt bronze classical heads and ending in gilt bronze feet. The sides featuring medallions with urns. Intricate inlaid borders framing each scene. Square inlaid block feet.
Constructed of solid walnut and inlaid with various exotic woods (including olive wood, boxwood, amaranth, palm wood).
For a very similar commode see: Enrico Colle, "Italian Empire Furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mahogany Chest of Three Drawers with Marble Top, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers with canted fluted sides, tapered feet and marble top.
This elegant chest of drawers has been restored and is ready to be placed and enjoyed. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
20th Century Sterling Silver Empire Style Centerpiece, Italy, 1990
Located in Cagliari, IT
Wonderful oval Empire style centerpiece with foot made in sterling silver by Ilario Pradella for Bellezza Cagliari. New, never used
Pradella Iario, founded in 1920, was the greatest Italian silversmith of the second half of the 20th century, famous for his collaboration with Buccellati. We have had the honor and privilege of collaborating with them for over fifty years until its closure.
With silversmith marks for Pradella Ilario...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire wall mirror, 1800s walnut wood hand carved with finely decorations. Elegant carved and gilded decorations. On the sides two columns with gilded corin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Walnut
1800s Antique English, Mahogany, Pedestal, Drawers Sideboard
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning Antique Sideboard, English, Mahogany, Pedestal Sideboard, 6 Drawers, 19th C, 1800s!!
This antique English sideboard is a true masterpiece. Crafted from fine mahogany and ca...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Open letters by C. villain
By Jean Garnier
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters by C. villain
Origin France Circa 1915
Empire style patinated bronze
Soldier motif
Excellent condition signed on the side
FRENCH, 1853-1910
Jean Garnier was born in Mou...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique large cast iron fireback inspired by " The Oath of the Horatii by David
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This antique fireback was made in the first half of the 19th century. In the center, in an octagonal medallion, four armed soldiers in antique-inspired outfit vigorously raise their ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Red Photo Frame French Empire Louis XVI style Sterling Silver Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, with French Empire Louis XVI style border and rich ornamentation around th...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of French Antique Walnut Empire Tulip Fauteuils or Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This set of two elegant Empire arm chairs stand out for their classic simple design and the beautifully shaped front legs. These comfortable and stylish chairs feature a wealth of fi...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Henredon Flamed Mahogany Empire Dining Table Natchez Collection Banded Top
By Henredon
Located in Toledo, OH
Henredon flamed mahogany banded top dining table. Empire style part of the Natchez collection. Two pedestals with bun feet. Very nice condition. 86" long x 52" wide x 30" tall. One e...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1920s French Empire Silver Swan one light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light silver plated sconces with swan head. Available in bronze
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Germain Pilon, Atelier de moulage du Louvre
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Large Basket Chandelier, 1st Third 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Large ceiling chandelier with six brass candle holders. The hanging of glass prisms, drops and beads is guided over two hoops and ends in a basket with hanging drops.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dutch 20th Century Mahogany Empire Style Tallboy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially...
Category
20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Commode Empire France Napoleon III, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Commode Empire France Napoleon III 19th century
Wood and marble
Perfect condition - Original
Measures: 88cm x 63cm x 130cm
Never restored.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Cut Crystal Globe Gilded Bronze
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a rare find. Its a 1920s French Empire cut crystal and gilded bronze chandelier. The has one large center globe surrounded by 6 smaller matching glo...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Leroy à Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
A magnificent 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock, signed by the esteemed clockmaker Leroy à Paris. This timepiece exudes classical elegance, featuring a finely detailed gilt bron...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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