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.
$86Sale Price / set|20% Off
John Somers Pewter 'Copo de Whisky' Cups, Brazilian Empire Style, 1980
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter – Pair of 'Copo de Whisky' Elevate your barware collection with this elegant pair of Copo de Whisky cups, crafted by the celebrated Brazilian pewter ar...
Pewter
A French Empire Ormolu Mounted Guéridon/Center-table w/ a Green Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire Guéridon/Center-table with Egyptian Revival Bronze winged Figural Mounts with a circular Green Verde Antico marble top, supported by a mahogany base with gilded bronz...
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Walnut Bedside Cabinet with Black Marble Top, Early 19th Century
Located in LEGNY, FR
Elegant French Empire bedside cabinet in figured walnut, resting on two turned columns characteristic of the Empire style. The piece features a drawer at the top, a tambour-front co...
Marble
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece This refined centerpiece stand was crafted in France in the early 19th century, during the Empire period, from finely chiselled an...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th c. French Walnut Empire Design Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th c. French Walnut Empire Design Chest is a handsome piece of furniture that exudes elegance and style. This beautiful chest of drawers is perfect for bedroom, living room, or...
Brass
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Chest Commode
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Commode Chest of Drawers Gorgeous French Empire style commode/chest of drawers featuring intricate inlaid marquetry with a finely detaile...
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical Empire Early 19th Century Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual North European mahogany desk armchair with original brass castors. Fully carved armrests with eagle heads, the design probably by a designer from Berlin or Copenhagen (e.g...
Brass
19th C. Empire Style Mahogany Console with Bronze Caryatid and Mirrored Back
Located in Kent, CT
A 19th Century blackened mahogany console in the Empire style. Bronze caryatid supports, paw feet, and lion keyhole. The key is lost in time but the drawer does open. Console has ...
Brass, Bronze
$11,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Victory Sconces
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very large and dramatic pair of French Empire style wall sconces in finely chased patinated and gilded bronze. A large winged Victory...
Bronze
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
Empire Revival Lacquered Swan Neck Settee, 20th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant French Empire style settee offers a truly spectacular silhouette that is sure to impress. Wonderfully detailed featuring a reeded top rail, down swept arms are intricately ha...
Velvet, Wood
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
Antique Chandelier. Imposing giltwood and alabaster chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent giltwood and alabaster Russian chandelier in the Empire style
Alabaster
$766Sale Price|20% Off
Capodimonte Porcelain, Bronze and Gold Teapot Late 1800s
By Capodimonte
Located in Milano, MI
Capodimonte porcelain teapot, bronze and pure gold, made in the late 19th century Ø cm 23 Ø cm 14 h cm 30 Capodimonte porcelain is an excellence of Italian craftsmanship, with a ri...
Bronze
$1,500Sale Price|57% Off
Table Tilt Top Swedish Chess Game Pedestal Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table Tilt Top Swedish Chess Game Pedestal Sweden. A Swedish tilt top table made during the later part of 19th Century. Painted chess game on the top. Ornate base.
Wood
Napoleon III pedestal with clock
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III pedestal with clock Onyx marble column and champleve enamel with golden bonce The watch has very fine machinery and is stamped Vincenti y Cia 1855 The machinery works Ci...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
$2,850 / set
Vintage Ormolu Stone Top Pedestals - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent pair of vintage Italian pedestals represents the height of Neoclassical sophistication and Empire-style elegance. Masterfully crafted in Italy, each pedestal feature...
Stone, Brass
Wonderful Pair French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Figural Candlesticks
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful pair of French empire doré bronze neoclassical figural candlesticks.
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century French Empire style roll-top desk French, Early 20th Century Height 113cm, width 84cm, depth 62cm This charming roll-top desk is crafted from ormolu mounted hardw...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Pair of Gilded & Patinated Bronze Two Light Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This lovely pair of candelabra, crafted in both gilded and patinated bronze, are 19th century French. Cast as female figures in Egyptian headdress and classical robes standing upon R...
Marble, Bronze
A French Fireplace in Sarrancolin Marble
Located in London, GB
A 19th century French fireplace in Sarrancolin marble. The moulded jambs with scrolls to top surmounted by curved frieze with carved shell to centre. Moulded shelf above. Original br...
Marble
Venus with the apple, after the model by Bertel Thorvaldsen in reconstructed mar
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Venus with the Apple sculpture, after the model by Bertel Thorvaldsen in reconstructed marble, 20th century
Marble
Gilded Bronze Floor Lamp by Edward F. Caldwell & Co
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous antique floor lamp by Edward F. Caldwell has a sleek design with a strong gilded cast bronze base with foliage motif and wreath lip. A fluted pole extends from the base...
Bronze
Cupid's Fire French Empire Mantel Clock by Bergmiller
By Bergmiller
Located in New Orleans, LA
French Empire Mantel Clock Bergmiller Circa 1810 A radiant expression of French Empire luxury, this exceptional mantel clock by Bergmiller combines the artistry of mercury-gilt bron...
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Basket Chandelier "Lustre Montgolfière"
Located in PARIS, FR
Élégant et majestueux lustre « montgolfière » Français (également appelé lustre sac-à-perles) de style Empire, réalisé en bronze finement ciselé et doré, richement paré de cascades d...
Crystal, Bronze
A very fine Gilt & Enameled Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Empire style chandelier. Gilt and enameled bronze. France, circa 1910. 4-light Dimensions: Height 34", diameter 18". CW3...
Bronze
$1,801 / 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
$4,461Sale Price|20% Off
Female Portrait in Empire Style, Oiled Canvas, Early 19th Century
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant portrait of a young girl dating back to the Empire era. The beautiful antique frame is suitable for framing it. nr. O/6667.
Canvas
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A superb pair of French Empire candlesticks, finely cast and richly adorned in mercury-gilt bronze, dating to the 1820s. Thes...
Bronze
French Empire Bureau Plat Desk 1880 Directoire
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire Bureau Plat desk circa 1880 in the Directoire manner Top quality mahogany with a finally tooled leather top Five drawers and round graduated legs are embellished with o...
Wood
19th Century Walnut Empire Commode with Black Fossil Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century Walnut Empire commode with a black fossil top features a classic and elegant design. The sideboard is crafted from high-quality walnut material, giving it a rich an...
Walnut
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Vitrine China Cabinet
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Vitrine China Cabinet Dimensions : 58" Wide X 18.25" Deep X 62.25" Tall This cabinet was made i Fran...
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Green Granite Fireplace, circa 1850
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt bronze-mounted green granite fireplace. French, circa 1850. The fireplace has a rectangular mantel shelf above a frieze cent...
Granite, Bronze
Neoclassical Style Console Table, Refinished, Bronze, Celebrity Provenance
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical style console table, Refinished, bronze, Celebrity provenance A walnut and parcel bronze and iron two-legged console table with a pink and gray marble top in the Neo...
Marble, Metal
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
Rare Empire-style half-door cabinet
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Empire Cabinet This exquisite Empire Cabinet dates from around 1800 and is a testament to the high craftsmanship and elegant design that prevailed in French furniture production duri...
Cherry
Early 20th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or den with this elegant antique chest of drawers. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the traditional commode sits on carved columnar supports over a straight bott...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table French, 20th Century Height 77cm, diameter 100cm Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Birth of the King of Rome, Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze clock representing The Birth of the King of Rome or the allegory of the Birth of Love Empress Marie-Louise is standing near a cradle filled with roses with a winged cupid in the middle; decor of an Athenian woman with rams' heads and a curtain draped...
Bronze
Paris, vers 1800 - paire de bougeoirs, flambeaux en carquois Consulat, Empire -
Located in PARIS, FR
Paire de flambeaux Bronze doré au mercure (8 éléments) Dimensions : H. 28 ; D. 14,5 (cm.) Paris, vers 1800 Rare paire de flambeaux de forme carquois. Ils reposent sur des bases circ...
Bronze
Paris, époque Empire - gaine ou meuble de milieu en armoire sur plinthes, en aca
Located in PARIS, FR
Gaine en armoire Acajou flamé sur chêne Marbre de Carrare encastré Dimensions : H. 125 ; L. 48 ; P. 47 (cm.) Paris, vers 1810 Important et rare meuble de milieu, sur plinthe, ouvra...
Mahogany
Pair of gilded Empire candelabra ""Modell P.P.Thomire"" Paris bronze 1805-1815
Located in Berlin, DE
The image shows a pair of fire-gilt bronze candelabra (or girandoles) in the Neoclassical or Empire style. Description details: Motif: Winged putti (or genii) standing on a golden s...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Empire Style Painted Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your interior with the grandeur of the 19th Century French Empire Style Painted Commode, a true antique that exudes timeless elegance. Its beautifully crafted design features...
Wood
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Period French Empire Mantle Clock Depicting a Winged Cupid Playing a Lute
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine quality chased and gilded French Empire mantle clock depicting a standing winged cupid to the right of the clock plinth playing a lute. He looks to his right reading his sheet music and other elements including a torch, flambeau, wreath etc. On the left side of the clock plinth is a three legged...
Bronze
Large Late Empire Chatol Made In Mahogany From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
The large Late Empire hand-polished mahogany chatol with marquetry from the 1820s is an impressive piece of furniture that exudes an aura of elegance and historical significance. The...
Mahogany
Manufacture de Halley, vers 1800 - rare vase balustre à décor "arabesque" - Cons
Located in PARIS, FR
Vase Porcelaine dure, peinte et rehaussée de dorure Marque "Halley" au rouge de fer Dimensions : H. 21 (cm.) Paris, vers 1800 Rare vase de forme balustre, à deux anses à anneaux re...
Porcelain
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
Antique Leather Top Austrian Empire Desk
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare antique leather top Austrian Empire desk, dating from around the 1830-1850 period. This has a beautiful and very useful design, the quality is outstanding. ...
Brass
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
French 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Important French Empire chandelier, dating to the 19th century, features a gilt bronze frame adorned with neoclassical motifs. The ormolu structure includes finely cast wreaths ...
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Malachite and Ormolu Inkstand Encrier Swans
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered inkstand from the first quarter of the 19th century. Of rectangular form with an acanthus leave decorated border on round fe...
Malachite, Bronze
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...
$3,900Sale Price|40% Off
French, Early 19th Century, Empire Style, Pierced Porcelain Basket
Located in Lantau, HK
French Empire Paris porcelain gilt reticulated centerpiece basket. Ideal decorative centerpiece to hold flowers or fruits on a dinning table Ref AACPO18 Shipping included Free and...
Porcelain
19th Century French Marble & Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Signed By Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the grandeur of the 19th century with this exquisite French Marble and Bronze Figural Mantel Clock. A true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this clock...
Marble, Bronze
French Turn of the Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany and Ormolu Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...
Ormolu
Small Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gold Bronze Cheval Mirror, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Unusual Small Size Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gold Bronze Cheval Mirror, Circa 1890.
Bronze
Balny jeune - tabouret de bibliothèque à système vers 1810 - acajou et velours
Located in PARIS, FR
Tabouret à système Acajou et placage d'acajou Estampillé sur deux traverses Dimensions : H. 57 ; P. 35 ; L. 42 (cm.) Paris, vers 1810 - 1820 Inusuel tabouret haut à marchepied escam...
Mahogany
French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble chest/side tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Giallo Fossil marble night stands/chests. Each wonderful four drawer commode is raised by half round front feet...
Marble, Ormolu
Vintage Boho Empire Bronze Wall Light Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Empire-style wall sconce is a masterful display of Neoclassical grandeur. Cast in heavy bronze with a rich, weathered finish, the fixture is adorned with tradi...
Bronze
Czech Empire-Style Dome Chandelier, Crystal & Brass, Vintage 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Crystal, Brass