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
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
Antique Empire Gilt Carved Painted Beech Wood Swedish Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful beechwood trumeau features fine carvings of two columns and a basquet filled with fruit and flowers. The high relief woodwork is partially guilt and has retained it's ...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Empire Secretaire with Writing Desk, Richly Inlaid Wood. Italy Late 18th Century
Located in Torino, IT
"Empire" cylinder writing desk, secretaire with pull-out top, internal drawers and four external drawers.
Origin
Italy
Period
Late eighteenth century
Model
Cylinder writing des...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 10" W x 17" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Gold and Enamel Box, Swiss Work
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with three tones of gold and royal blue enamel. The hinged lid is embellished with a multicolored gold medallion in relief featuring a bouquet of roses and tulips, se...
Category
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
French Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Figural Candlestick, 1800-1810
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Patinated and parcel gilt cast bronze figural candlestick on a circular marble base with square plinth. The figure, standing on one foot, holds a leafy form fire gilt candle cup abov...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Very Important 19th C Empire Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Palatial Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
One of the finest 19th century Empire palatial 36 light chandeliers on the market today. Fine gilt bronze Empire details with two tiers of 36 light...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Swan Chairs attributed to Maitland Smith
Located in Newtown, CT
Vintage Empire Style pair of Swan Chairs. Good condition with fading to the fabric would need reupholstery. Wood has a few chips and losses. Attributed to Maitland Smith
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Sage Green French Empire Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style table lamp in sage green. A round central column is topped with an acanthus pressed brass capital beneath a matching sage green lampshade. The column sits above...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze 18-Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This 19th century French chandelier is designed in the Empire style and wrought from gilt bronze and strings of cut glass. The chandelier features a lower dome-shaped body below an o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Gorgeous French Empire Style Round Side Table with Bronze Mounted Ebony Columns
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style round walnut side table having gorgeous bronze mounted ebony columns supporting the top which has one drawer with brass knob. Elegant!
#5620.
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Сrystal Tazza Two Tone 19th century Russian Imperial Factory Fruit Vase
Located in Sweden, SE
Antique and absolutely exclusive, fully hand crafted at Russian Imperial Glass Factory in first half of 19th century. Beautiful combination of colors and unique shape and architectur...
Category
1830s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique American Empire Carved Oak Glass Front Bookcase, Circa 1890
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique American Empire or Arts & Crafts bookcase cabinet
In the manner of Stickley Brothers
USA, Circa 1890
Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, with mullioned glass front doors...
Category
1890s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Second Empire Figural Bronze Andirons with Dolphin Finials 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique set of French Empire figural andirons offer cast bronze construction with dolphin finials over reeded columns with acanthus and dolphin bases, 19th century
Measures- 23''...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Tole Metal Oval Shade Small Brass Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Tole Metal Small Brass Bouillotte Desk Lamp with Adjustable Height Oval Shade. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19" H (to finial) x 8.5" H (to light socket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Empire Chandelier having Ten Lights, Dore Bronze, Neoclassical
Located in Manhasset, NY
19th Century Neoclassical Dore Bronze and Crystal Chandelier having 10 Lighted Arms
An exquisite neoclassical chandelier featuring a beautifully cut crystal bowl at its center, grac...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze and Marble Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze campana form vases, each 13 3/4 by 6 7/8 inches, circa 1810, with flared neck with gadrooned bronze rim, decorated with Bacchic putti...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Empire Oak and Burl Elm Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Oak and burl elm chest of drawers, early 19th century. With a 3 board top with molded front and side edges, an overhanging burl elm top drawer and 3 graduated burl elm...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Bronze Crystal Chandeliers
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing and price are for a pair of chandeliers. Bronze and crystal chandeliers originally from France and made around the 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Danish Empire Set of Four Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A magnificent set of four mahogany dining chairs from 19th century Denmark reflecting Empire and Biedermeier tastes for evocative design that is both luxurious and coded with histori...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
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
Wilhelm Hofmann opaline glass vase late 19th century
By Wilhelm Nikolaus Hofmann
Located in Villa Verucchio, Emilia-Romagna
Wilhelm Hofmann late 19th century opaline glass vase: timeless elegance and refinement
If you would like to enrich your space with an authentic and fascinating piece of art, this op...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
EARLY 19th CENTURY FRENCH PORCELAIN CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant biscuit watch with an allegory of pure love. The spring-loaded watch features an enamelled dial with double Arabic and Roman numerals, and a crown set with zircons cut like d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
This set of 10 Empire Upholstered Chairs features 2 arm chairs as well as 8 side chairs. All of the chairs in this set feature a fully upholstered back for maximum comfort. And the d...
Category
2010s Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Empire-Style Italian Armchair with Cushion in Walnut and Gold Leaf Finish
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Exquisitely carved armchair in walnut finish with gold leaf decorations. Cushion and fabrics are 100% customizable, this particular model uses an exclusive grey damascus. This majest...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
C1810 Petite French Empire Commode with Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Mounts
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
C1810 Petite French Empire Commode with Grey Marble Top Ormolu Mounts
Unique piece purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Message us with any questions.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
FRENCH WALL MIRROR early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
WALL MIRROR French Early 20th Century in carved and gilded wood.
Dim.: 130 x 84 cm.
good conditions
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Empire Style French Mirror with Porcelain Gold Frame, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Luxury mirror
Massive figured frame made of porcelain, covered with enamel and painted with gold.
Beautiful floral decor.
There is a possibility...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Mirror
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
By Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
Napoleon III style French silver and glass jug
Circa 1930 Origin France
Excellent quality cut crystal, could be baccarat
The silver part ha...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Empire period bronze and ormolu Grecian style pair of classical urns, circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
This superb quality pair of French Empire classical twin handled urns is very stylish and cast in very heavy solid bronze with alternate sections highlighted with original ormolu whi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Round Pedestal Pot Cupboard Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th C. slender fluted cylindrical pedestal mahogany cabinet with marble inset top. Latch on door opens to interior shelving for storage. Can be used as a side table, end table, occa...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Antique Swedish Empire Candlesticks Made by Hand in Solid Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of Swedish empire candlesticks from around 1840 to 1850. The candlesticks are made by hand with a frame in solid birch with elements of birch root in the candleholders and foot....
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French Aubusson 1800 - 17.5" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Large Pair of Spanish Empire Style 7-Light Crystal-Cut Chandeliers
Located in Berlin, DE
Large Pair of Spanish Empire Style 7-Light Crystal-Cut Chandeliers, in the Style of the Spanish Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal of La Granja
A large pair of Empire style 7-light ...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
20th Century Empire Style Lion Kanapee Sofa
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style.
Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
(B-Sam-60).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech
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
Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century French Empire mahogany pedestal desk with gilt bronze mounts, black leather top, two (2) slides, and eight (8) drawers.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century Italian Empire style walnut side table with brass gallery. A quality piece with a beautiful finish. Perfect for the...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Bronze Mounted French Empire Cabinet
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century French Empire cabinet with bronze mounts and leather top. 2 drawers over 2 door cabinet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Arm Bouillotte Lamps or Table Lamps, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Empire gilded bronze finely chiseled Bouillotte lamps with dark green painted tole adjustable shade.
Two E 14 light bulbs.
We can deliver wired for US standard.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship from around the 1880s. The rich, deep tones of the...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
An Extremely Fine Ormolu Portico Mystery Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This extremely rare swinging portico clock by Béchot Paris, in an ormolu case of exquisite quality, finely cast and gilded with its original burnished and chased finish, this clock i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Restored Empire Small Cabinet, Spruce, Cherry, Revived Polish, Czech, 1870s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This two-door cabinet from the second half of the 19th century originates from the Czech Republic and is made from a combination of cherry and spruce wood. Its design resembles a min...
Category
1870s Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Cherry, Spruce
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century French Empire period side table or nightstand made of solid walnut and veneer of walnut and finished on all four sides. Book matched veneers with beautiful swirli...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very large and impressive empire gilt and patinated bronze table bouillotte or candelabra lamp. A green painted and gilt metal lamp shade with gilt bronze mounts of medusa heads an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, French Chiselled and Gilt Bronze Table Clock
Located in IT
19th century, French chiselled and gilt bronze table clock
This table clock was made of chiselled and gilded bronze in the early 19th centur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire/ Biedermeier Corner Cabinet w/ Faux-Bois, Bremen, Germany, c. 1810
Located in Miami, FL
A rare and stately corner cupboard with the original faux-boix finish and hand-painted gold foliate and flower design around the recessed door panels and rounded sides, with a painte...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
1940s French Empire Alabaster Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1940’s French empire style alabaster chandelier with bronze interior arms, 12 lights + 6 interiors.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona
Located in Essex, MA
With acorn and oak leaf crest and scrolled swans. Probably used over a bed.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Other
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Arm Bouillotte Lamps or Table Lamps, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Empire gilded bronze finely chiseled Bouillotte lamps with dark green painted tole adjustable shade.
Two E 14 light bulbs.
We can deliver wired for US standard.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century French Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century French Crystal Chandelier. Empire style bronze and crystal chandelier with new wiring. 4 lights
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish.
The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Marble Top Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) round mahogany center table with bronze classical heads over 4 legs and trim on apron resting on an inla...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Candelabra with Tripartite Lion Paw Feet
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of bronze five-light candelabras was produced in France in the early 1800’s, during the Empire period that coincided with the rule of Napoleon. Under Napoleon’s decree that...
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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