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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
19th Century mahogany and brass tall chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century directoire influenced mahogany tall chest of drawers, circa 1890. Fine quality tall chest in the directoire style. Fitted with 6 drawers of equal proportions and detail...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

IMPORTANT PAIR OF EMPIRE SHELVES Napoleon III 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT PAIR OF EMPIRE SHELVES Napoleon III 19th century French, 19th century 19th century, clad in rosewood wood, with three shelves, gilded carvings. Small defects. Dim.: 1...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Empire Column Cabinet from the North of Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Empire column cabinet from Northern Sweden. A useful piece of furniture for one of those difficult to fill spaces. With good storage and scraped to original paint. Late...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Empire Armchair with winged Caryatids and yellow Silk Fabric, France circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Empire fauteuil in mahogany and yellow silk morée upholstery with red piping and carved winged caryatids, France c. 1800. Lit.: J. Mottheau, Meubles et Emsembles Directoire Empire, T...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

19th Century Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning 19th century Italian Empire style gilt metal and crystal chandelier with 6 lights. Beautiful basket shape with gorgeous crystals. Creates an elegant image!
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920 Reference: 8331 Dimensions 87 inches (221 cms) Wide 22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep 36.5 inches (9...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Exceptional Pair of French Late Empire Gilt-bronze Candelabra Attributed to Pier
Located in Benington, Herts
A pair of exceptionally elegant and important late Empire five-light figural candelabra ‘A la Victoire’ in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Charles Percier. Imposing size at 81cm in height. French Paris c.1820 Superbly cast, in the Neo-Classical style, the five scrolling foliate candle branches enclosing central sconces issuing from a circular wreath supported by the winged figure of Victory (Nike), wearing diaphanous robes gathered by a sash above a long underskirt splaying out from above her ankles, with beautifully feathered wings flowing behind her as she looks straight ahead. Each figure standing on one foot, the other bent, resting on a plain sphere over a reeded palmette-cast baluster pedestal raised on square plinth. Wonderful colour and patina, pierced for electricity, old inventory label to the underside. We are delighted to have been able to acquire these important candelabra as rarely does one get the opportunity to purchase items by P P Thomire...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th Century European Original Antique Fireplace Mantle from Empire Period
Located in Beervelde, BE
This original vintage fireplace surround is a one of a kind chimney piece. A real eyecatcher. It is influenced of the wars by Napoleon to Egypt. The mantel is in perfect condition a...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Reticulated Cherub Compote
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Old Paris Porcelain: a reticulated gilt glazed compote featuring a kneeling cherub .
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Gilt Paris Porcelain Jug and Basin
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period wash basin (with saucer) and tall pitcher, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring a very striking hand-painted polychrom...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Pair of Bouillotte Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of bouillotte lamps in toleware and bronze, in the French Empire manner.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality lamp base features a gilt classical frieze, and a patinated bronze figure of a classical maiden.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Late 19th Century Empire-Style Longcase Clock
Located in Paris, FR
Impressive mahogany longcase clock with gilt and sculpted decorative bronze elements such as fantastic animals, diamond-shaped patterns, scrollwork, and foliage. This floor clock is ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique American Empire Floral Spiral Carved Mahogany Round Library Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Floral Spiral Carved Pie Crust Mahogany Round Library Center Table. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 29" H x 30" Diameter.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee An Empire finely carved dark figured mahogany three seat settee, the back is surmounted by facing scrolls with strigilated flutes be...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Haviland Limoges Set of 4 Dinner + 4 Salad Plates Rivoli Pattern
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of 4 dinner plates and 4 salad plates was made by Haviland, Limoges in rare Rivoli pattern. The decor consists of a wide band of leaves and berries or flower buds in war...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1850, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columns ending with bun feet and embellished with decorative brass mounts at the shoulder and the b...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Side Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style two-tier end tables or nightstands By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Satinwood, Burl

Russian Crystal, Cobalt Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier Attributed to Zekh
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare and important Russian late 18th Century twelve candle crystal chandelier attributed to the renowned firm of Johann Zekh. Crafted in Sa...
Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Viennese secretaire on square pointed feet with bronze sabots. The body with beveled corners has a two-door base, a writing flap with central lock and one top drawer. The front side ...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Mahogany and Ebonized Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and restored Empire-style Mahogany side table. Round Mahogany top and base with new polish, three ebonized legs with dual ring gilt-wood accent det...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood, Wood

French Empire Period Wastepaper Basket
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Empire period wastepaper basket.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table with Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of mahogany wood, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columnar supports embellished with decorative bronze mounted rings at the...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Hexagonal Center Table with Marquetry Inlay Surface
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century hexagonal shaped center table with Marquetry surface. Marquetry inlay features a knight on horseback with spear, fighting off a medieval animal. Table sits on a turned s...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Early 19th Century Empire Chest Of Drawers, Mahogany, Ormolu, Paris, 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Large Empire chest of drawers Paris Mahogany Early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 97 x 136 x 68 cm Description: The architecturally designed front of the chest of drawers is divided into three zones. A plinth connected to the floor forms the lower section, on which two sturdy columns rest, supporting the upper section, which houses a large drawer. Three further drawers are housed in the centre section of the chest of drawers, which recedes behind the columns. A black granite top forms the upper end. The drawers, the back panel and the body are made of oak, except for the panels in the side walls. The top section with the ledge drawer is connected to the body with wooden wedges and can be removed for transport. This detail can be clearly seen in one of the photos. Exquisitely beautiful mahogany veneer, horizontally mirrored on the drawers at the height of the key entrances, enlivens the smooth surfaces on which the lavishly gilded bronzes unfold their effect. Some of the very finely crafted fittings can also be found on Empire furniture by Jacob...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Style Picture Frames
Located in London, GB
Pair of late 19th century French Empire style picture frames French, Late 19th century Height 16cm, width 11.5cm, depth 2/ 7 cm Circular in shape and mounted in an easel style, this...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Swedish Late Empire Black-polished Birch Bookcase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish late empire bookcase / display cabinet in black-polished birch. In 2 parts, upper case having mullioned glass front with cathedral arch cornice. Lower part with a pair of pa...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This precious Set of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features many finely hand chiseled details. This model is typical of French Empire period due to ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Bronze

Antique 19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Clock By Etienne Maxant Paris
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 16 in W: 7 1/2 in D: 4 1/4 in This exceptional 19th-century French Empire-style bronze ormolu clock, crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Etienne Maxant and r...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Galle, Rue Vivienne À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
This is a beautiful antique French Empire mantle clock was made of gilded bronze and marble. The clock is placed on a rectangular marble pedestal...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Cherry wood base, with mo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

17th Century Antique Caucasian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Caucasian Pillow - 25'' X 11''
Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique 18th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 23'' X 10''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th century French tapestry pillow. 23'' x 10'' x 6''.
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Pair Empire Period North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, & Tôle-Peinte Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
An extremely rare and unusual Pair Of North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, and Tôle-Peinte Potted Hyacinths/Cachepots, Possibly Baltic, Circa 1815-1825. Each Modeled As A Tôle-Peinte Sp...
Category

Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu, Tin

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...
Category

19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet/Sideboard/Bar Cabinet with Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Buffet / Sideboard / Bar Cabinet with Mirror This antique sideboard with a mirror top features a distinctive tiger oak wood...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Large Gilded Crystal 18 Light French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire style gilded bronze chandelier with 18 lights. This has been newly restored and rewired and is ready to ship. This was retrieved from an estate located in Green...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Paris Porcelain Gilt Chinoiserie Cup
Located in New York, NY
Paris porcelain gilt chinoiserie cup. French footed coffee can with richly painted and gilt chinoiserie figures within gilt arcade on brown ground w...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French Bronze Lamp, Enameled with Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French bronze lamp, interesting, modern form with fine enameling of Jacques-Louis David's, 1812 painting of The Emperor Napoleon in his Study at the Tuileries, New wiring The heigh...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Duncan Phyfe American Empire Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard with two pedestal cabinets and 4 carved column supports centering a lower mirror under 3 drawers ...
Category

Late 18th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Mirror

Empire Side Table, Vienna, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Viennese Empire side table in mahogany, crafted around 1810. The table features a single drawer and rests on gracefully curved C-shaped legs with brass sabots. An elevated...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Early 19th Century Restored Empire Mahogany Living Room French Seating Set, 3pcs
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
French Empire three-piece suite. Made of mahogany wood. Completely restored, new upholstery included. Surface was done by shellac polish. Sofa dimensions: Height: 92cm Seat h...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer

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

Antique Meissen Empire Coffee Pot with Gold Decoration, 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Antique Meissen Empire coffee pot with gold decoration. 19th century. Measures: 27 x 20 cm. 1st factory quality. In good condition with wear in the ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas-Early 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas with original gilt edged and velvet lined case. Atlas son of Titan, from Greek mythology is holding the clock on ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Steel

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

Jacob French 18th Century Mahogany and Green Silk Upholster High Back Armchairs
Located in Firenze, IT
This magnificent pair of French late 18th Century- early 19th Century armchairs could be attributable to Jacob-Desmalter, an outstanding chairmaker and cabinetmaker who worked in the Louis XVI style and Directoire styles of the earlier phase of Neoclassicism. These sturdy armchairs are made of solid mahogany and green silk upholster, they feature an extremely comfortable high and slightly arched back and quite large and extremely firm seats. The hand-made carvings and inlays are masterfully executed. The over graceful scrolled arms and the top rail sculpted in shallow relief with acanthus leaves, lotus leaves and rosette, all typical neoclassical patterns beloved during the Directory- Restauration and Empire period and always very chic. The bowed seat and its apron are raised by carved console legs in front and saber legs back. These armchairs with their beautiful curvy shape are very stylish, comfortable and sturdy. The back is covered with silk also behind that's make them a perfect free standing piece of furniture or a centre seating...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood, Mahogany

French Empire Style Round Accent Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame featu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Brass

French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840. Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads. Very useful pedestal open vitrine...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Italian antique empire style wooden cabinet with door and drawer, 1850s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique empire style wooden cabinet with door and drawer, 1850s. Empire style cabinet, in veneered wood with winged columns, central drawer and hinged door. Perfect as a side...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Game table made during the Karl Johan period 1810-1830 in Sweden. Made from light mahogany and decorated with brass hardware. Tapered legs. Felt interior with backgammon and chess ga...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Desk by Francois Linke
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely high quality Continental 19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Burl Walnut, Ebonized Fruitwood, Giltwood and Ormolu Bureau Plat by Francois Li...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Late Empire Antique Mirror Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from rich mahogany wood, dates back to the late Empire period around the 1840s. It is a stunning example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristic...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Set Of Rare Danish Antique Silverware By Nicolai Brandt, Horsens (1787-1813).
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice set of solid silver and horn cutlery for six persons, by famous silversmith Nicolaj Brandt, Horsens, Denmark, 1787-1813.
Category

Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of French Empire Black Lacquer Pedestals
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire black lacquer column pedestals with bronze dore festoon trim.
Category

19th Century 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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