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
Large Empire Bureau Of Hand Polished Mahogany With Inlaid Wood from 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This grand Empire bureau is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 1820s, crafted from hand-polished mahogany adorned with intricate inlaid wood detailing. Its imposing pr...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
a Pair of Newly Upholstered French Empire Armchairs One Stamped J. Louis
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classic pair of French Empire period open armchairs in well figured and carved mahogany; each with a square back topped by a bow shaped carved frieze featuring folliate rosettes and downscrolled arms. Where the arms join the chair rail there are carved anthemians and palmettes. These two chairs are presented in the green Empire fabric...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Green Damask Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany side chairs with bronze trim and green damask upholstery. (PRICED AS Set)
Antique condition, some fa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Damask, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Napoleon III Royal Rouge Griotte Athenienne
Located in New Orleans, LA
Royal Rouge Griotte Marble Athenienne
After Pierre Gouthière
Late 19th Century
This monumental pair of Napoleon III gilt bronze-mounted Royal Rouge Griotte athenienne perfume vases ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century, French Empire Gilded Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A period French Empire crystal and gilt bronze nine candle bell shaped chandelier of the highest quality; the circular corona surmounted by palm shaped fin...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French burnished gilded Empire candlesticks with light collars. The stems are fluted and decorated with acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Brass Empire Style Andirons
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classic pair of Empire style antique brass andirons with aged patina. Wonderfully handsome, will add style and character to any fireplace.
OAL ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of White 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 white oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Alriz collection: A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU BUST OF HOMER
After the Antique
The bearded bust of Homer on a rectangular clock decorate with lyres and gryphon heads on the side
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805. This exquisite chaise is raised by six elegant Mahogany legs with Ormo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Brussels 16th Century - 17" x 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Brussels 16th Century - 22" x 20"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Andorran Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century French mahogany marble topped Gueridon, having three circular tapering column supports, each with gilded ormolu capitals and classical ormolu motifs to th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
18th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Europe, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these p...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Egg style Faberge Blue Sapphire Enamel Medium Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Elaborate 19th Century French Clock by T H Re Le Roy
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th century French clock by T H re Le Roy, having 8 day striking silk-suspension movement with silver dial. The c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of 6 Empire Barrel Chairs, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and original set of 6 early 19th century Empire barrel chairs stands out for its elegant design. The chairs feature a beautiful walnut...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Neoclassical Brass Candlestick Student Oil Style Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Patinated Brass Candlestick Student "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to light socket) x 9.5" W x 6....
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Second Empire Figural Bronze Andirons with Dolphin Finials 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique set of French Empire figural andirons offer cast bronze construction with dolphin finials over reeded columns with acanthus and dolphin bases, 19th century
Measures- 23''...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French First Empire Period Chest of Drawers / Commode / Dresser, c. 1810
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Classic French Empire Chest made from rosewood veneer and featuring ebonized front columns, c. 1810. Iconic of the Empire style, two ebony black round columns flank the bank of dovet...
Category
1810s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
19th, Circular Ormolu Bronze French Centerpiece with Mirror
Located in IT
19th, circular Ormolu bronze French centerpiece with mirror (surtout de table)
Diameter cm 75, H 9 cm, 11 cm the highest point (harps)
This splendid French centerpiece has a roun...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Artisanal Empire Console in Gold Leaf with Marble Top and Handmade Carvings
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Classic lavish console by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Embellish your social rooms with this high-end piece of furniture, that owes most of its elegance to the skilled hands of Modenes...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Empire pattern biscuit barrel by WMF.
High quality crafted from silverplated brass with a cut glass liner this piece can also perfectly be used as a ice cube to...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BUYERS
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Giltwood Carved Eagle on Verde Antico Fluted Marble Column
Located in London, by appointment only
A superb and richly carved giltwood eagle perched on rocks with open wings, the eagle's head looking to its left and fitted with a separate giltwood wreath...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Of French Empire Bronze and Faux Marble Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Empire bronze and faux marble paint on wood bases. Each have two light. Base paint probably later enhanced.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
17th Century Flemish Pillow 24" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
A Pair of French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine pair of late 19thC French Empire style candelabra now wired into lamps. The very well cast and patinated winged Victory or Nike s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Aubusson Pillow - 19" X 21"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Ground Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
These excellent gilt ground vases are high quality antique pieces, dating from the Empire period in France at the start of the 19th century. Each vase is set on a square base, is mounted with twin scrolling handles inset with neoclassical masks, and has a flared gilt ground neck. Both vases are also decorated to the front with depictions of winged putti on gilt ground; one vase shows the putti playing musical instruments, while the other shows them holding writing tablets and laurel wreaths. The reverse of each vase is Neo-Gothic in character, showing medieval church arches...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks after C. Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of excellent early 19th century French empire gilt bronze candlesticks in the style of Claude Galle (1758-1815):
A tapering stem with rich trelliswork relief divided into thr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of Two Antique Empire Side Chairs, circa 1830, Empire / Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Very good original condition with new cover fabric. Solid and compact. Perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile, Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Darte Brothers Porcelain Plates
By Darte Frères
Located in Basildon, GB
Pair of antique Darte Brothers cobalt blue porcelain plates magnificently painted with the French countryside, featuring cows, goats and sheep, decorated with gold rims. Each with th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Empire Tub Armchair
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique Empire tub armchair, circa 1820, mahogany with finely carved details. Newly upholstered with beautiful crème colored fabric.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Empire Style Black Marble Top Buffet by De Coene
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Empire Style Black Marble Top Buffet by De Coene is a splendid example of the master furniture crafters out of Courtrai, world renowned for their quality of craftsmanship...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
French Empire Marble Bronze Statue Ormulu Black Mantel
Located in New York, NY
Ornate French Empire style mantel carved from white statuary marble, with gold plated ormulu. Prominent bronze female satyr figures are positioned on each side, while an ormulu pattern of vines and leaves wrapped around a bow adorns the center of the apron. A pair of classic floral motifs complete the figures on the facing of the surround. Detailed ormulu trim includes egg and dart accents at the firebox opening and curved front of the plinths, beaded surrounds along the borders of the apron, and a leaf detail on the edges of the mantel shelf. This is a large-scale mantel and includes an impressive cast iron surround...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
An Italian early 19th century Mahogany, Giltwood and veneered marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and most decorative Northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany, Giltwood and veneered marble console. This stunning cons...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble
Set of Four Swedish Empire Side Chairs by F. Pettersson, Mid 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Swedish Empire side chairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegantly curved backs, with straight wo...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood, Wood
French 1870s Empire Style Walnut Table with Vitrine Top and Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut gueridon table from the late 19th century, with vitrine top, corinthian columns, ebonized and gilt accents. Born in France dur...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood, Glass, Wood
Vintage Sconces Two Wall Lights Gold Bronze Crystal Drops Beads, France, 1950s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage sconces bronze with gilding, crystal from France, mid-20th century, each with two lamps, very beautiful and festive!
The crystal droplets are stunning, different shapes and...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Transparent Amphora in Bronze and Crystal by Modenese Luxury Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Splendid transparent amphora by Modenese Luxury Interiors. Let your house shine with the bright glares coming from this precious item, which ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German born architect worked mostly in Copenhage...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Fine French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Red Glass Crystal Baltic Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French Empire / neoclassical style gilt bronze and red glass centerpiece with crystal drop Baltic chandelier having four swan arms rewired...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Parcel-Gilt Metal Console Tables
Located in Essex, MA
A pair of Empire style parcel-gilt metal console tables,
late 19th-early 20th century
in the Egyptian Revival taste, each with a rectangular stone top.
Measures: Height 35 1/4 x...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Style Kidney Shape & Brass Gallery 2 Tier Butler's Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Such an elegant French Empire Style Mahogany Butler's Table in a Kidney Shape with Brass Galleries,
There are two shelfs, top and bottom that have the reticulated Brass gallery
T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-Style (1940s) ebonized and gilt trim round end table with bronze trim on apron and a top rim surrounding a mottled mirrored round top. (At...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Empire Italian console in black marble, bronze and walnut wood, 1820-1830s
Located in MIlano, IT
Empire Italian console in black marble, bronze and walnut wood, 1820-1830s
Console with rectangular top in Belgian black marble. The structure and legs are in veneer in walnut feathe...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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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