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.
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
A Late 19 Century Malachite clock Topped by a Gilt Bronze Bust of Napoleon
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple yet elegant relatively rare malachite cased clock topped by a gilt bronze bust of a young Napoleon in uniform after the marble original work by Jean Antoine Houdon.
Malachite, Bronze
Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and enamel Ceres mantel clock after Thomire. French, c.1810 Measures: height 46cm, width 38cm, depth 13cm. This superb mantel clock was made in the First Fr...
Enamel, Ormolu
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...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mounted Side Chairs
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A pair of Empire Period gilt-bronze mounted side chairs. French, Circa 1820.
Bronze
Sterling Silver Imperial Serving Tray with Lapis Lazuli and 24K Gold Vermeil
By Konforti
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
Part of the magnificent Swan Sky table garniture, this Imperial-style serving tray is an exceptional work of decorative art, meticulously handcrafted in mirror-polished 925 sterling ...
Lapis Lazuli, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Imperial Vase with Lapis Lazuli, 24K Gold Vermeil and Enamel
By Konforti
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
Part of the magnificent "Swan Sky" garniture, this monumental Imperial-style vase is an exceptional work of decorative art, meticulously handcrafted in mirror-polished 925 sterling s...
Lapis Lazuli, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
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...
Wood
Sterling Silver Imperial Candelabrum with 24K Gold Vermeil and Lapis Lazuli
By Konforti
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
This extraordinary Imperial-style five-arm candelabrum, part of the Swan Sky collection, is meticulously handcrafted in mirror-polished 925 sterling silver, with elements of 960 silv...
Lapis Lazuli, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Imperial Sterling Silver 16 Piece Table Garniture with Lapis Lazuli and Enamel
By Konforti
Located in ראשון לציון, IL
“Swan Sky” is an extraordinary monumental table garniture, entirely handcrafted in mirror-polished 925 sterling silver, with elements of 960 silver beneath the hot enamel, rich 24K g...
Lapis Lazuli, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Antique Empire Custom Painted Sofa
Located in New York, NY
Custom painted Empire sofa. Sofa has a down filled seat cushion. Legs and frame has carvings.
Upholstery, Wood
$9,100Sale Price|36% Off
Large 2nd Empire Bronze 4-Light Melusina Sconces, Pair
Located in San Francisco, CA
Second Empire Bronze sconces depicting The Melusina of European Folklore. The Mermaid with Angel Wings. A female spirit of fresh water. Detailed castings of the four winds, scaled ta...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Dragon Form Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Dragon Form Wall Sconces with Medusa Masks The sconces are cast in gilt bronze and formed with tapering shield shaped backplates suppor...
Ormolu
19th Century Empire Style Eight-Arm Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French empire style crystal and gilt bronze chandelier, the top gilt band of palmettes supporting strings of cut crystals terminating at the central gilt rosette mounted ring, pain...
Crystal, Bronze
Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Mahogany
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Leather, Mahogany
Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, by Jakob Krautauer, Vienna, 1803
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, plain silver candlesticks on a round base, foot profiled at the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre, constriction in the lower third by a profiled band, shaft widen...
Silver
Napoleon III Empire Style Bureau Plat
Located in Folkestone, GB
A very fine quality Napoleon III period mahogany and burr walnut bureau plat in the Empire taste. The shaped top edged in gilded brass above an apron fitted with three drawers around...
American Mahogany
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Ormolu
Regency Empire Two Tier Flame Walnut Gueridon Table With Elegant Reeded Legs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Beautiful Regency Empire Two Tier Flame Walnut Gueridon Table With Elegant Reeded Legs Finished With Brass Detailing. The veneer top is a real eye catching centrepiece. Height bet...
Brass
French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century Carved and Painted Wood Classical Style Open Armchairs
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of chairs Swedish or Scandinavian in manufacture were made circa 1880-1900. Of large-scale and finely carved they are in the Empire or Regency taste. Decorative elements in...
Wood
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Ormolu stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Ormolu stool. This wonderful swivel stool is raised on triangular Mahogany base with three protruding...
Ormolu
$1,850 / set
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Brass
Large French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconce Attributed to Thomire
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly unusual large scale single French Empire wall sconce, the bronze having the finest chasing and gilding ever produced. A winged cupi...
Bronze
Restoration Period Turkish Sofa With Swan Neck
Located in Charmes, FR
Turkish or billiard sofa, restoration period, swan neck decoration, discolored and stained fabric on the cushion as well as a small, unusual and decorative acro model
Wood
Antique French Empire Mahogany Armchair upholstered in pink striped fabric
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous French Empire style armchair done in mahogany and upholstered in striped fabric in dusty rose and pale pink with seashell motif. The chair ha...
Bronze
Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Tall French Empire-style commode. The pine wood is painted in a faux-bois trompe l'oeil imitating mahogany. Wood columns on either side are painted a darker color. The chest is in ...
French Tole Cachepot Planter Decorated with Scenes of Napoleon at Waterloo
Located in Litchfield, CT
Early 20th century French oval tole cachepot planter decorated with scenes of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. The battle depicted in black on a yellow ochre backgrou...
Metal
$12,570
Empire Centre Table
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Empire Centre Table A large French Empire centre table in figured mahogany with ormolu mounts, bronze feet and the original dished yellow-veined da...
Mahogany
Antique Empire Table with Flaps and Marquetry in Birch Wood from 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Empire dining table, an antique piece featuring intricate intarsia work, crafted from birch wood and originating from Denmark in 1840, is a remarkable testament to the craftsmans...
Birch
Vintage Floral Tapestry in Red & Tan 8.1 X 3.1
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Wool, Cotton
Two Empire wall sconces. Bronze, Glass, France, circa 1900
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of appliques. Bronze, glass. Empire style, France, circa 1900. Both are practically the same, each wall light has three points of light and a decoration and lines that respond...
Bronze, Other
19th Century Austrian Empire Style Walnut Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century Austrian Empire walnut commode. Exceptional wood finish and superb quality. A truly elegant piece that is sure to impress!.
Walnut
A Pair French 1st Empire Period Ormolu & Verde Antico Marble Figural Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fine and Unusual Pair of French 1st Empire Period Doré Bronze and Verde Antico Marble Figural Neoclassical Five-Arm Candelabra. Each candelabrum features a tall central shaft issui...
Marble, Ormolu
Empire Style Cabinet 19th Century France
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire style cabinet 19th century France two-section carved, painted and gilded wooden cabinet. Upper section decorated with sphinxes, nymph and vegetal motifs. Interior with two sh...
Wood
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps, France, 1820s An exceptional pair of early 19th-century French Empire bronze candlesticks, masterfully converted into elegant t...
Bronze
Pair of Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Style Planters
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt and patinated bronze Empire style planters French, 20th Century Height 50cm, width 62cm, depth 31cm The planters, crafted in France, showcase the Egyptian-inspir...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Candlesticks, Fire-Gilded Bronze, Circa 1800
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French fire-gilded candleholders in the Empire style. They feature acanthus leaf decorations. The candle sleeves are removable.
Bronze
$3,000Sale Price|51% Off
20th Century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, Black
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, black Very specific finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Partially gilded. Cum...
Beech
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This finely crafted console table impresses with its strict architectural form and a striking, rare marble top. The frieze houses a large drawer (without lock), subtly integrated int...
Marble, Bronze
$971Sale Price|25% Off
December 1874 Godey's Fashions Lithograph Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
December 1874 Godey's Fashions Lithograph Solid Mahogany Framed Trumeau Mirror. Measures 14.25" in width, 31" in height.
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Fall Front Desk with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century fall front desk from Kalix, North of Sweden. The overhanging rectangular top abowe a drop down writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with drawers and a central cu...
Pine
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Silk, Walnut, Paint
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...
Walnut
18th Century French Empire Style Table, Marble and Wood, Antique
Located in Phoenix, AZ
18th Century Consult - Empire Style Epoque Table Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Marble
Original antique Empire Sofa / canapé circa 1860-1870 Empire Room mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze. Top condition. Measurments: width:140cm Height: 100cm Depht: 80cm.
Mahogany
$6,950 / set
19th Century French Empire Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Strong and sturdy. Gilt and paint possibly not original. They have been waxed and look beautiful.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Mahogany Side Tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted mahogany circular side tables. Each table is raised by a beautiful bottom tier with mottled feet...
Ormolu
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This truly stunning French mantel clock was crafted during the Empire period, and reflects the Neoclassical interests of the Emperor Napoleon I, whose influence over the decorative arts contributed toward a profound revival of beauties of the ancient empires. The mantel clock is crafted entirely in gilt bronze, and features a stepped base on four block feet. The base depicts a Classical relief panel to the front, showing female dancing figures and putti, as well as musical instruments. Surmounting the base is an arch featuring a central mask fountain and basin...
Ormolu, Bronze
$1,761 / set
A pair of Empire candlesticks, silvered bronze
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
This exquisite pair of Empire-period candlesticks, likely of English origin, showcases a striking neoclassical design. Crafted with an intricate attention to detail, each candlestick...
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze Table Top Perfume Burner
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
An ormolu table top perfume burner "potpourri" decorated with antique masks flanked by griffons resting on a foot chiselled with crosspieces, above a rectangular base decorated on th...
Marble, Bronze
pair of French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Birch and Ormolu armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive pair of French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. Birch and Ormolu armchairs. This exceptional pair of throne chairs are raised by front squar...
Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Bronze Tazzas, C. 1800-25
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of French Empire bronze tazzas raised on dolphin supports, cast in the early 19th century. Each shallow dish has a knurled rim and rests on three dolphins standing on a tripod...
Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foiled finished.
Gold Leaf
Pair of Important First Empire Period Ormolu Sconces
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Essex, MA
Period ormolu sconces in First Empire, imperial Russian, realistic lion mask form --Percier and fontaine designed lion mask being impaled by th...
Ormolu
Extremely Fine Pair of Large 19th C French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine pair of 19th century French Empire gilt bronze large two light sconces. Fine Egyptian heads below the candles with a finely cast Eagle at the to...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Style Verde Antico Marble Pedestal With Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in London, GB
A Fine Green Marble Empire Style Pedestal The free-standing pedestal constructed from Verde Antico marble of tapering rectangular form dressed on all sides with gilt bronze mounts o...
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and enamel chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi has got twelve lights. This chandelier is charact...
Bronze, Enamel
$15,600Sale Price|40% Off
Pair of Large Italian Empire Style Walnut Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A unusually large-scale pair of Italian Empire period three drawer chests with outstanding figural walnut veneers, and having original gilt bronze hardware. In beautiful antique cond...
Bronze