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
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Consulate Arm Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Consolate mahogany (circa 1800) open arm chairs with beige leather seat and square back with an open X design (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. Bronze and Ormolu lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most impressive French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble lamp. The stunning candelabra mounted into a l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Fruitwood Dressing Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Antique Empire fruitwood dressing mirror with neoclassical giltwood details and original glass. Newly restored, Italy, circa 1800.
Dimension: 21.5" W x 16" D x 36.5" H;19.5" W at base.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Pair of French Empire Mahogany and Bronze Bookcases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 plexiglass door bookcases. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany and Mirrored Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany & bronze trimmed console table with scroll form sides and a drawer over a mirrored door with a grey marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Doré Saint Louis Crystal Etched Tumbler Glass Gilt Brass Music Box Holder
By Saint Louis
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Saint Louis Crystal Empire style Nelly pattern etched tumbler glass. The etched glass features what appears to be some fern leaves forming mu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Louis XVI Style Blue Grey Carved Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Discover the timeless beauty of our exquisite blue-grey Louis XVI style 19th-century mirror from France. This stunning piece features a hand-carved frame that showcases the intricate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Original Empire Sculpture, Wood, Polychrome, Gold, Austria, 1800s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
In pristine original condition, the item has been professionally cleaned, and its polish has been revived by our refurbishing team in Czechia.
Polychrome and gilded wood carving
T...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Pair of Bronze Garden Urns, French Architectural Empire Vases, 20th Century
Located in Southall, GB
A stunning pair of French Empire style garden urns in bronze, 20th century. Amazing architectural pair, can you imagine these in your garden overflowing with flowers. Stand in at nea...
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Red Tôle and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Neoclassical style red tôle and gilt bronze vases
French, late 19th Century
Height 53cm, width 24cm, depth 17cm
Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mounted red...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze and Bronze Dore Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style patinated and gilded bronze chandelier, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bing & Grøndahl Empire Sauce Bowl in Hand-Painted Porcelain
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Bing & Grøndahl empire sauce bowl in hand-painted porcelain modelled with seahorses.
Early 20th century.
Measures: 23.5 x 15 x 11 cm.
In excellent condition.
Stamped.
2nd facto...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Restored Empire Crystal 6 Arm Brass Frame Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier is a captivating piece of history. Meticulously restored, it features a brass frame adorned with sparkling crystals and six arms, radiating timeless eleg...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Very Handsome Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Brass Candlesticks, Circa 1820
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome & tall pair of early 19th century French Empire gilt brass candlesticks.
Both showing reeded columns rising up from circular bases decorated by hand with finely chiseled motifs, to similarly addressed urn-shaped nozzles with detachable bobeches.
Constructed in three sections, with the nozzle and column firmly attached to the base by means of a full length threaded metal post...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of 6 French Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 French Empire dining chairs in mahogany with bronze mounts are a stylish expression of the genre, with exotic imported ma...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Painted Iron Bench, 19th Century, French
Located in El Monte, CA
A highly decorative and unique 19th century French empire painted and parcel gilt cast iron upholstered bench.
Parcel gilt border is of a rich gold with warm red undertone painting jester...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Empire Iron and Bronze Railing
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) iron and bronze trimmed railing with scroll design and eagle center (by repute from Napoleon III library) (Related items: 031616, 042367).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late 19th Century French Oak Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century French Oak Pedestal Cabinet. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with ques...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of French Armchairs Fauteuil White Carved Back 1800s 1900s Antique Empire
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual Late 1800s early 1900s French antique pair of armchairs in original white paint with carved backs and beautiful curved arms and legs. They hark back to Napoleon's favorite Em...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany 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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze dore figure of perched eagle with spread wings (19/20th Cent.)
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Massive Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Urns, C.1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Massive Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Urns, C.1950.
Each with Berainesque gilt bronze tracery cast everted rim above a ves...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
1920 Caldwell Gilt Bronze Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of 1920's Caldwell Empire style bronze double light sconces
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Giltwood Carved Frame
Located in New Orleans, LA
Period Empire giltwood frame.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Pair Empire Console Tables Kingwood 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a pair of antique French Empire style console tables
Clean and minimal design and circa 1890 on this pair
Ormolu fixtures are original
Offered in great shape ready fo...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality, 18th century Louis XV Escritoire. The Escritoire has a drawer at the top with ornate mounts, above a fall front opening...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Coppia di Cassettoni Impero Lucca Primo Quarto XIX Secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di cassettoni impero lastronati noce, Lucca primo quarto XIX secolo. Piani in marmo Verde Alpi sagomato, fascia sottopiano ebanizzata, tre cassetti sul fronte, montanti a erma...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Collection of French Opaline Apothecary Jars
Located in Copenhagen, K
Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century.
Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
Pair of Russian Rython Vases
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very decorative pair of Rython, also called Cornucopia vases from the first half of the 19th century, probably Russian. Red/pinkish cut glass vases with the ends mounted with gilt...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mirror
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French Empire period mirror.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Triple Tiered Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An empire style chandelier in gilded bronze and cut crystal. The large central ring is embellished with palmettes and wreaths and supports beaded chains and long crystal French drops...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Portrait Actress Madam George
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century French Portrait Actress Madam George.
Excellent Condition, Beautiful painting purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
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
French Empire Steel And Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (19th Century) steel inkwell with gilt bronze trim with four original glass inserts and a side drawer.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Antique Late Empire North German Corner Cabinet In Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Senempire corner cabinet from Northern Germany, made of polished mahogany and dated to the 1840s, is a splendid representative of the elegance and sophistication typical ...
Category
1840s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Carved Giltwood Eagle Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
This carved giltwood eagle statue is portrayed with outstretched wings and legs pulled up as though just landing upon something. There is a wooden peg on ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire handcrafted mirror. Oval shaped hand carved wooden structure with silver foil finish.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
French Empire Style Mahogany Console Table W/ Gray Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
Handsome mid-20th-century French Empire-style console table, sourced from Provence. Expertly restored and refinished, this piece features a narrow mahogany frame with a richly aged s...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Silver Plate Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) silver plate 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green tole shade.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Tôle
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
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
19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendulum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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 French Empire Style Walnut Night Tables, Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of French Empire Style Walnut Night Tables is a design furniture item realized in 19th century
A beautiful vintage night tables to be collect.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu eighteen light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine inverted bottom finial w...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century, Silver Dredging Spoon
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish silver dredging spoon from circa 1820.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Large French Empire Ebony Black and Gold Carved Giltwood and Gesso Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirror is a large statement piece. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina. The neoclassical embo...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror
Pair of Worcester Barr Flight Barr Porcelain Saucers with Bat-Printed Shells
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of early transferware English porcelain saucers, made by the Worcester Porcelain Factory during the Barr, Flight & Barr period, 1807-1813.
The late 18th and early 19th cent...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Consulate Mahogany Chairs Griffin Heads & Paw Feet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Pair of Very Important Empire Consulate Mahogany Chairs Griffin Heads & Paw Feet. Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with any ques...
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Pair of Large Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Commodes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of large early 19th century Italian Empire walnut commodes with ebonized columns, bronze doré hardware, and three drawers.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 79cm, diameter 69cm
This very elegant 20th century French...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
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
Pair of 19th Century Empire Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of 19th century Empire Lyre back dining chairs
Wonderful pair of walnut dining chairs with carved double eagle head and lyre carving.
Mea...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Italian Console with Marble Top
Located in Millbrook, NY
Italian Marble Console Table. Exquisitely hand carved wood table with floral details, carved tassels and animal "hoof" legs. Crafted with intricate detailing with bronze and silver a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
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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