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
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
Antique Decorative Swedish Cast Iron Garden Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative Swedish cast iron garden table. C 1860-1880
Painted leg formed as griffins.
Made in decorative style and high quality.
"The griffin is a ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Empire Style Chandelier This is a lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Chandelier
This is a lovely piece especially where a very large chandelier is not suitable, it has a bright brass crown hung with chains of cut crystal beads, co...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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
19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Unusual late 19th Century / Empire period Swedish provincial buffet with vernacular detailing.
Two frieze drawers over a pair of cupboard doors each flanked by turned columns.
Repain...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Empire Antique Burl Walnut Center Table with Black Marble Top, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine Empire center table crafted of beautifully patinated burl walnut veneers over secondary woods, the table retains its original black marble top. This was turned to create the dished top with an integral raised rim. Over each of the three columns is a honeysuckle gilded bronze mount, each pillar...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Pair of Brown Oak Empire Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A piece that seamlessly blends classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the warm oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspir...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,394 / set
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
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders in fire-gilded bronze. They feature decorations of fluting and acanthus leaves. The candle sleeves are removable.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,900 / set
Pair of French Empire Portraits of an Aristocratic Couple by Antoine Borel
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of original oil paintings on canvas depicting a handsome young aristocratic couple of the Directoire, early Empire period. They are each pictured from the waist up, she holdin...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
French Empire Style Mable-Top Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style marble-top mahogany sideboard, 20th c, having rectangular marble top, over case fitted with four drawers, cabinet doors opening to interior shelves, with gilt met...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$10,745 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century, Four Tuscany Curule Wood Stools
Located in IT
19th Century, Four Tuscany Curule Wood Stools
These four elegant stools were crafted from fine wood in Tuscany, Italy, during the early decades of the 19th century. The distinctive...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Blue Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting in white opaline bobéches. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang at ou...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Pair of French Early 19th Century Empire Gilt-Bronze Candlesticks, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of French early 19th century Empire gilt-bronze candlesticks, circa 1820
Pair of Empire gilt bronze candlesticks, each with a fluted stem, highlighted on top by a finely chas...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique French walnut marble top bedside cabinet, dating from around the 1880-1900 period.
It is of superb quality and it is a very use...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mahogany French Empire Style Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
Attributed to Nordiska, this mahogany sideboard features bronze mounting on marble in a French Empire style.
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$7,840 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Empire Style 16-Light Crystal and Gilt Metal Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large French Empire style 16-light crystal and gilt metal basket chandelier from the 19th century, with scrolling arms, diamond and rosette motifs. Born in France during the politi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
French Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Empire Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century excellent quality Italian Empire rent or games table of mahogany having a beautifully grained top with beveled edge. The table’s frieze holds four working drawers separa...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
French 1930s Empire Style Walnut Commode with Grey Marble Top and Black Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut commode from the early 20th century, with grey veined marble top four drawers and black columns. Created in France during the second quarter of the 20th ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Brass
Handsome 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Trumeau Mirror with Bronze Eagle
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful French Empire style mirror in mahogany with bronze eagle and good ormolu swag with great detail and nice size.
#3521.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Carved Fruitwood Open Armchairs
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of 19th century fruitwood armchairs feature carved acanthus leaves and reeded arms.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Campaign Urns
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately pair of French Empire campaign urns with a central painting of a naturalistic setting on one side and a gilt medallion on the other on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,450 / set
Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column
Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases
Also great for the garden
The bronze statue showed not includ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Vintage French Empire Style Brown Marble Corinthian Column Brass Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brown Marble Corinthian Column Brass Table Lamp. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 28" H (to finial) x 21" H (to light socket) x 6" W x 6" D. {3-Way...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Clock from the 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style gilt bronze clock from the 19th century.
19th century Empire style gilt bronze clock with porcelain dial, minor restoration to the porcelain to be expected, movement to...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Gilt & Patina Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of unusual Antique French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi light figural neoclassical chandeliers. Each circular patinated bronze chandelier is embellished with eight gilt bronze neoclassical winged figures of ladies holding flames which represents light and further adorned with neoclassical gilt bronze motifs in relief depicting owls. Finally each chandelier is connected to the top crown...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon I French Giltwood Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Giltwood Trumeau with Beautiful Lyre Trophy
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror
Rare French Empire Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze Signed Lepaute
By Jean-André Lepaute 1
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An extremely rare and important French Empire mantle clock signed by the master clock making dynasty of Jean-Andre Lepaute and his brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute.
The case, in the form of an antique portal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror is the perfect size for the dressing room, bath, or any cozy niche. The design also lends itself to either horizontal or vertical hanging...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
French Empire Style Bronze Candelabra as Lamps, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Patinated Bronze Four Branch Candelabra Mounted as Lamps, after the antique, 19th century, each in the form of a brazier, with scrolled foliate branches, ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Aubusson French 1800 - 16" X 18"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Aubusson French 1800 - 19" x 17"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Candelabras with 7 Lights
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a pair of 19th Century French Empire Style candelabras with 7 lights, featuring a luxurious design typical of the French Empire period. These decorative collectibles exude el...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 21" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 21" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and tapered legs. Experience the grandeur of 19th-cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal Chandelier by Baccarat.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal Chandelier by Baccarat. 6 lights.
France, circa 1930.
Dimensions: Height 40" Diameter 24"
CW5535
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
This chandelier is lavishly draped in fine quality sparkle crystals. The Maria Theresa chandelier was named after the Archduchess of Austria who was the Empress of the...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Feathers
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Large French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock of Exceptional Quali
Located in Benington, Herts
A large and impressive French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock of exceptional quality and colour.
French (possibly retailed in Italy) - Circa 1820.
The finely chased and original gilt bronze case depicting Orpheus playing his lyre with an eight-day bell striking movement, outside countwheel, backplate initialled and numbered 'A C D 1516’.
The dial with Roman numerals and inscribed Riccardo Pacinoti of Lavourne. It is a French movement (silk suspension) striking the hour and half hour. The case in the form of an oblong pillar cast with anthemium and cornucopia beneath a draped urn and a laurel wreath, flanked by the figure of Orpheus playing his lyre, the stepped plinth cast with wonderfully detailed underworld scenes, on leaf scroll feet.
In excellent condition the clock case has been cleaned with the movement completely overhauled and serviced to the highest standard by a specialist restorer.
In general 19th century French bronze clocks...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
French Antique Silver Sugar Sifter with Floral Garlands
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique French silver sugar sifter decorated with floral garlands and dating from the early 19th century. The lightly made sugar sifter stands on a wide round foot with a gild...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
American Empire Style Zoomorphic Design Cheval Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire-style (first quarter 20th Century) mahogany cheval mirror flanked by carved swans on a scalloped base with paw feet and an eagle finial.
Category
1910s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Tapestry Pillow 18th Century - 14" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Settee 3-Seat Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Upholstered in Horsehair
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This handsome settee is in rare original condition retaining all the original timber and horsehair stuffings. The form is bold and fluid and the carved ornament very well executed. T...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Bronze and Crystal Bowl Chandelier
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (late 19th Century) gilt bronze chandelier with a cut crystal bowl supporting a ring of 8 scroll arms suspended by 3 chains to a canopy with a flame final bottom.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Very Large Mahogany Library with Bronze Corinthian Columns, France 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large library with an overall height of 290 cm. The three-part architectural front is three-quarters glazed and features Corinthian bronze capitals with solid columns. Measures: Heig...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Ormolu Caduceus Wall Appliques, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of late 19th century Empire gilt bronze ormolu wall appliques of arms holding Caduceus staffs, France
By: unknown
Material: bronze, copper, metal, cord, ormolu
Technique: cast,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu
Wonderful French Empire Regency Louis XVI Ormolu Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire / Regency Louis XVI Style Ormolu & Black Patinated Bronze 5 Candelabra Light Chandelier
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze & Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1860
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire patinated bronze & gold bronze candelabra, Circa 1860.
These handsome patinated candelabra would be a fine addition to any sideboard or large server...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wallpaper "Zeus Fed by the Goat Amalthée", Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period wallpaper with mythological subject representing Zeus fed by the goat Amalthée. The wallpaper is divided into four strips and is laminated on a composite wood panel and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Early 19th c. French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Early 19th c. French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk. Gray black marble top. Bronze hardware. Unfortunately at this time we do not have keys but we are continuing to ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE PERIOD BED HEADBOARD
Located in Firenze, FI
This beautiful Empire period shield headboard, dating to around 1810, is a masterpiece of craftsmanship made entirely of cherry wood. The gilded and carved wood finishes give a touch...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Empire Secretary Veneered with Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
We present you an antique piece of furniture covered with mahogany veneer with beautiful grain. It is topped with a green marble board.
The whole is dated the turn of the 18th and th...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$3,773 Sale Price
20% Off
Sofa Bench French Empire Mahogany Brass Brown France
Located in New York, NY
A rare sofa made in France during the Empire period, circa 1790-1810. Mahogany frame with gilded brass decor shaped as palm leaves. Tapered legs en...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
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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