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.
19th c. French Empire Mahogany Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th c. French Empire Mahogany Center Table is a stylish addition to any living or dining room. The beautiful mahogany finish along with the brass details create a very elegant ...
Brass
Wonderful Pair French Empire Figural Bronze Patinated Regency 2 Arm Wall Sconces
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of very fine French empire doré bronze and patinated figural women two-arm sconces, rewired with new candelabra sockets and ready to install with supplied mounting b...
Bronze
French Empire Regency Crystal and Gilt Bronze 12-Light Wedding Cake Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Stunning large French Empire cut crystal and bronze twelve-light chandelier with crystal drops and swags Measures: Diameter 26 in/ 66 cm Height 45 in (32 in+ 13 in/chain) / 115 cm (7...
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Swedish Salon Group with Gilt Caryatids and Laurel wreath Decorations
Located in New York, NY
Empire style grouping from the early 20th Century beautifully made in mahogany in Stockholm, Includes sofa, table, two armchairs and two side chairs. Length of sofa 50...
Fabric, Mahogany
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Foot Tall Dressing Cheval Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Foot Tall Beveled Glass Dressing Cheval Mirror. Item features metal urn finials, metal trim to frame, gold gilt painted details, "anti...
Metal
Swedish Empire Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top with wood edge surrounding a geometric mosaic of hard stones raised on a triangular tapered column and tripartite base with gilded scroll feet. From the estate of Willia...
Marble
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Wing-Back Armchairs
Located in Troy, NY
Exceptional Pair of late Empire Period Chairs, of Comfortable Size and Flowing Movement of Form. The accentuated wings beautifully complementing th...
Brass
STUNNING PAIR FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE GOLD DETAILED BURR WALNUT BEDSIDES NiGHTSTANDS
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Pair Of French Empire-style bedside Nightstands. They exude opulence and sophistication. Crafted from beautif...
Walnut
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.
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms. Cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use. In excellent vintage condition. Si...
Crystal, Bronze
Limoges, France, Two Candlesticks and a Dish in Hand Painted Porcelain
Located in København, Copenhagen
Limoges, France. Two candlesticks and a dish in hand painted porcelain with a green edge and gold decoration, 1930s-1940s. The candlestick measures: 16 x 8 cm. The dish measures: 2...
Porcelain
$11,907 / item
French Empire Style Center Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design anchored by a sleek quartz top with a refined moulded surround and elegant canted corners, this table blends architectural grace with timeless luxury...
Quartz, Brass
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black & Gold Tall Column Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black & Gold Tall Column Form Table Lamps with Figural Ormolu on all Sides of the Bases (Harps, Maidens, and Soldiers) - a Pair. Circa Early 20th ...
Metal, Brass
Unusual German Late Empire Cabinet with Carved Dolphins and Lions, early 19th
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Germany, probably northern Germany or Berlin, first third of the 19th century. An unusually sculptural Empire cabinet, combining richly figured veneers with boldly carved animal orn...
Wood
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage French Empire Sofa, Carved Swan Arms, Linen Upholstery, 1900
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful painted and parcel gilt Empire sofa with medallions heads on the back, uprights modeled as swan heads in the arms, ( the swan heads are carved wood). This beautiful sofa ha...
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Tole Metal Urn Bouillotte Table Lamp w Shade
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Black & Gold Hand Painted Tole Metal Urn Form Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp with Shade. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11" H (t...
Metal
$3,400
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Brass
$20,464Sale Price|20% Off
Column clock by "Dieudonné Kinable (1764-1832) white Marble 65 cm
By Dieudonné Kinable
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Mantel Clock, French Portico Clock, Ormolu and Marble Clock, Antique Pendule, Neoclassical Table Clock, 1790 to 1810, Dieudonné Kinable, Master/Clockmaker: Dieudonné Kinable...
Carrara Marble
$879Sale Price|51% Off
Antique Empire Chairs from Around 1810-1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Empire chairs from around 1900 Solid wood mahogany. Seat upholstered and covered with black fabric. Very stable and robust built. Hind...
Mahogany
French Empire Style Oval Centre Table An amazing piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Oval Centre Table An amazing piece, the table is made in walnut it is a large Oval, the table top is made with Rosso Levanto Marble and set with a pierced brass g...
Marble
Vintage Greek Key Gold Leaf Metal frame with all Natural Rock Crystal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and sculptural natural rock crystal chandelier featuring a beautifully aged gold leaf metal frame adorned with substantial hand-cut rock crystal prisms and pendants. The d...
Rock Crystal, Gold Leaf
$4,800 / set
Pair of Late 19th Century Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of late 19th century lounge chairs are in the Empire style. The curved arms end with carved acanthus leaves. The seats and borderin...
Linen, Wood
$1,082Sale Price|29% Off
19th Century Walnut Empire Style French Opening Side Table Called "Somno"
Located in LEGNY, FR
19th century walnut Empire style French side table called "Somno". Beautiful green marble top. Opening door with one shelf. Nice quality.
Walnut
Fine Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Glass Ormolu-Mounted Neoclassical Urns
Located in Roslyn, NY
Pair of lovely French empire style bronze and glass urns. Please note, they are blown glass and one is slightly higher than the other. The base measures 3" x 3".
Bronze
Empire Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
An early Empire 19th century mirror in mahogany and birth. Mahogany and birch veneered. Painted black with bronze decorations.
Bronze
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Clock Depicting Psyche Playing with a Butterfly After Canova
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire Clock depicting Psyche playing with a butterfly after a marble statue by Canova displayed in the Louvre. A patinated bronze Psych...
Bronze
Biedermeier Cherrywood Cabinet, Hand-Crafted, German, Circa 1820
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Biedermeier cherrywood cabinet, German, circa 1820. Solid cherrywood. Paneled doors and sides. 3 shelves. Ebonized escutcheons. Shellac polish. ...
Cherry
19th Cent Ebony Empire Commode or Nightstand, Refinished, Bronze Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
19th Century, Hollywood Regecny Style Commode, Chest or Nightstand. Bronze Mounted Empire Commode or Nightstand, Refinished in a fine ebony finish to suite the Hollywood Regency Decor of any home. 19th century Empire commode or nightstand. This fine commodes...
Marble
Empire Gilt Bronze Table Top Perfume Burner
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
An ormolu table top perfume burner "potpourri" decorated with antique masks flanked by griffons resting on a foot chiselled with crosspieces, above a rectangular base decorated on th...
Marble, Bronze
Empire Wall Mirror in Giltwood, 19th Century, Acanthus Motifs, Europe
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular wall mirror in a gold-patinated, profiled frame with decorative acanthus leaf and scroll motifs in the corners.
Giltwood
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany bookcase cabinet with bronze trim and 2 glass doors.
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Commodino with Ebonized Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
The early 19th century Italian Empire commodino with ebonized detail, 1 drawer above cabinet below and gilt metal mounts. All resting on raised shaped legs.
Bronze
19th Century Large French Empire Wall Mirror
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
An attractive 19th century French Empire rectangular frame wall mirror. The deep square frame with ebonized black wood frame and gold gi...
Mirror, Ebony
Viennese Imperial Porcelain Coffee Tete-a-tete, Cornflowers And Gold, Made 1797
By Viennese Imperial Porcelain Manufactory
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite early coffee/mocha set, Tête-à-tête for two persons, comprising two small pots and two cups with saucers. Two white porcelain pots of different sizes with a cylindrical bod...
Porcelain
Wonderful Ormolu Cut Crystal and Finely Chased Dore Bronze Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French cut crystal and doré bronze centerpiece bowl.
Crystal, Bronze
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century, French Empire Gilded Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire crystal and gilt bronze nine candle bell shaped chandelier of the highest quality; the circular corona surmounted by palm shaped fin...
Crystal, Bronze
Large Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This large antique late Empire corner cabinet exudes the grandeur and elegance characteristic of the 1840s. Crafted from rich mahogany, a prized wood choice for furniture of this era...
Mahogany
Rare and Magnificent Mid 19th Century Brazilian Empire Grand Settee
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this Brazilian Empire Settee, circa 1850, a captivating piece that exudes history and craftsmanship. Originating from a prominent coffee ...
Cane, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Apprentice Commode in Walnut with Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th century French Empire Apprentice Commode in walnut with lift top. Table top item.
Walnut
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell. Item features decorative cast bronze sphinx like figures all mounted on an oval green marble base wh...
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze Bouillotte lamp with 3 arms with dark green tole shade.
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Black Stone and Ormolu Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each candleholder of columnar form surmounted with ormolu stiff-leaf capitals and with acanthus-wrapped base, on pedestal bases with outswept scrolling feet. Fitted with two brass bulb sockets. Adjustable. Later mounded as a lamps. With duck blue...
Stone, Brass, Ormolu
Early 19th century French Empire Bureau Plat / Desk
Located in Troy, NY
French Empire Bureau Plat of Stately Size, the top inset with a dark leather writing surface surrounded by a stenciled gilt border, the frieze containing a center drawer flanked by s...
Leather, Walnut
$763Sale Price / set|65% Off
Pair of Stately Antique French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of high quality gorgeous vintage French Empire style club chairs from Bloomingdale's with handsome carved dolphin armrests. Probably walnut, faux painted a greige color. #4271 ...
Wood
$2,850 / set
Vintage Ormolu Stone Top Pedestals - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent pair of vintage Italian pedestals represents the height of Neoclassical sophistication and Empire-style elegance. Masterfully crafted in Italy, each pedestal feature...
Stone, Brass
$10,827 / item
French Empire Style Round Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame features cast tapering legs adorned wi...
Quartz, Brass
C19th pair of Swedish upholstered chairs with decorative fretwork detail.
Located in London, GB
A pair of pretty but not overly fussy late C19th upholstered Swedish open arm chairs. They have a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers to their backs. They have ...
Pine
Antique French Empire Regency Inlaid Mahogany Swivel Piano Harpist Stool Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Inlaid Mahogany Swivel Piano Harpist Stool Chair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H x 17.5" W x 18" D x 20" Seat height.
Mahogany
18th Century Large Scale Italian Empire Gilt Tole and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Exquisite 18th century large scale Italian Empire style gilt tole and crystal chandelier with 8 lights. An impressive fixture that is a classic beauty. Gorgeous!
Crystal, Bronze
A fine 19th c Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze and Pietra dura top table
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 19th century Empire style mahogany and bronze dore tripod center hall table. Beautiful and well cast gilt bronze females holding up a beautiful Pietra Dura marble to...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bergere armchairs with red & gold upholstery, Circa 1890.
Ormolu
Set of Six Mid-20th Century Empire Style Chairs from Belgium
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 chairs, Empire style, Belgium.
Fabric, Wood
Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Hand-Carved with Leather Upholstery, 1800
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Leather, Mahogany
French 1870s Empire Style Walnut Table with Vitrine Top and Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut gueridon table from the late 19th century, with vitrine top, corinthian columns, ebonized and gilt accents. Born in France dur...
Walnut, Giltwood, Glass, Wood
Dining Chairs Swedish Set of 6 Empire Mahogany Gilded Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Dining chairs Swedish set of 6 Empire mahogany gilded Sweden. A set of six dining chairs made during the Empire / Karl Johan period in Sweden 1810-1830. Veneered in a beautiful dark ...
$1,600 / item
The Watchful Eagle: Iron Cast Eagle Head Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Cast Iron Eagle Head Sculpture This striking cast iron eagle head is a powerful sculptural object, modeled with bold naturalism and resting on an...
Iron
French 19th Century Empire Painted Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Elegant French Empire-style commode featuring three spacious drawers with ornate gilt-bronze escutcheons and decorative mounts. The piece is finished in a dramatic painted black, wit...
Bronze
Large Empire-style sideboard bookcase made of solid walnut wood. Early 19th century
Located in Torino, IT
Large bookstore empire style sideboard solid walnut wood. PERIOD First half of the nineteenth century MATERIALS Walnut wood, decorative elements metal DIMENSIONS Total height: 282...
Wood
19th Century Gilt Brass Table Mantle Clock
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century gilt brass mantle clock with the glass hood. Decor of foliage, arrows, and bow. Crowned by an angel with lyre. The glas dome has protected it beautifully and it is...
Bronze
Set of Four 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of four French Empire fauteuils-armchairs in carved and veneered mahogany with beautiful carving and scale.
Mahogany