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
Classic Pair of Buillotte Vintage Finely Cast Brass Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning buillotte style brass table lamps having 3 arms finely cast from the 1940s with painted green and gold tole shades.
Base 9” round
Adjustable shade
Category
1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Ebonized Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Classic, French Empire round end table of white marble top on a tripod base with recent painted finish. The mottled stone top is mostly white with faint gray veining and offers a rai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Period Walnut and Brass Mounted Lit en Gondole, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
the frame surmounted with brass mounted columns with perfectly turned ball finials, the head and footboards equal, the front rail with corner arches, the back finished
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Signed Portrait of a Young Gentlewoman Painting
By Francesco Vinea 2
Located in Roma, IT
Francesco Vinea portrait of a woman
Portrait of Empire taste
Work by painter Francesco Vinea ( Forli 1845- Florence 1902).
Oil on panel, depicting a young woman in Empire style in re...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Antique Pair French Empire Ormolu Flame Mahogany Console Tables 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique pair of French Empire marble topped and ormolu mounted flame mahogany console tables, Circa 1840 in date.
Each with a rectangular breche violette marble top...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Marble Top Center Table Bleached Mahagony
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th century French Empire round black marble top over bleached mahogany base Center Table. Table features three column supports, applied bronze wreath mounts at joints, splaye...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$448 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage French Empire Baroque Ornate Brass Candlestick Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Baroque Ornate Brass Candlestick Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 24" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7" D. {3-Way...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Wonderful French Empire Regency Louis XVI Ormolu Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire / Regency Louis XVI Style Ormolu & Black Patinated Bronze 5 Candelabra Light Chandelier
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very stylish 19th century Empire style 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilt bronze, lit by three curvaceous 'swans head' arms and topped with a green lacquered metal (tole) shade adorne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Bergère Caned Victorian French Armchair
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Antique Bergère Doouble Caned Victorian French armchair
French double cane 19th century.
Mahogany & bronze accents with original patina. New cane, wood fin...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand French Empire Style Bronze Mahogany Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent French mahogany bibliotheque style bookcase cabinet crafted in the Napoleonic French empire taste. Constructed on a grand scale the cabinet features three pairs of storage do...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase circa 1900.
Superb quality piece of Swedish made furniture with influences from Biedermeier and empire periods.
Stepped top...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Swedish Empire Karl Johan Wood Sofa 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire Karl Johan style sofa dating c. 1830
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Birch
19th Century Black French Empire Ebonized Wood Center Table - Antique Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French Empire sofa table made of hand crafted ebonized wood, in good condition. The round Parisian side table is composed with a shellac polished clear glass top to protect the surface, supported by a detailed carved gold-patinated octagonal column...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Ebony
French Newly Upholstered & Painted Iron Empire Daybed from Paris
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic French Louis XVI Neoclassical French Empire daybed newly reupholstered with modern plush bolster pillows. Bed frame is solid painted iron turn of the century from France and ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Late 18th Century Pewter Wine Beaker or Cup, Denmark
By Wiggers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish Pewter beaker or cup for wine or beer, Denmark Circa 1790-1810
The cup is marked with a large W on the base.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
$316 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA . Very Important and Large Enfilade De Boiserie Buffet Lavabo C.1810 Empire Transition Charles X A great patron of the arts. Light colored woods, yellow or bleached were dominant. This Piece is made of the Bois Clairs in warm blond tone typical of the period 1810-1830.
We have another video of the interior to share with you if you wish.
Wall Paneling Cabinets and a trumeau Mirror at the center of the Curve, in Front of it a nicely carved Stone Urn with Sphere finial top creating a back splash of a Sink. A very elegant architectural element “La Haute Société ". Focal point of a grand room . These pieces make for a truly special interior to any residence. Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA Melrose Ave La Cienega Blvd . Two Very Large Wall mount Cabinets with very large Doors and original hardware hinges , keys and locks , interior of each cabinet with 3 dividers that makes 4 compartments, a great space to store your dinner service , your porcelain , wine , your glassware etc . painted a beautiful light green on the interior.
A very large Marble Hand Carved Urn, on a pedestal and the Swan Fountain...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Brass, Metal
French 19th Century Empire Dresser
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful rustic French Empire Dresser is made of walnut with double columns on each side.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Coppia di Comò Impero Italia Inizi '800
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di comò del periodo Impero, in noce lastronati in noce rigatino fiammato, presentano sul fronte quattro cassetti di cui il primo sotto piano aggettante, poggiante sui montanti...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$4,453 Sale Price / set
20% Off
X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 19th Century Ebonized Empire Console Table with White Marble Top, 1808
Located in Berlin, DE
This striking console table, crafted in France circa 1808, embodies the grandeur of the Empire style. Its ebonized wood frame, finished to a deep, lustrous black, provides a dramatic...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Side Table Scagliola Inlaid Top Iron Base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli Available
Located in Rimini, IT
This table can be used as tea table, side table, lamp table it has multiple uses.
The top is manufactured in scagliola art inlay, same technique of the "Paliotto" of the 16th century...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
119-Piece Silver Plated Flatware for 12 Persons by SFAM Model Sans-Gêne Empire
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of silver plated tableware from the French brand SFAM (Société Française d'Alliage de Métaux). The cutlery is beautifully decorated in Empire style. SFAM ceased to exis...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border.
The qua...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Four Shelves Etagere
Located in Miami, FL
This tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and four shelves.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabras Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of 19th-Century French Empire gilded bronze three arm light wall sconces, circa 1850-1870. These beautiful sconces have a lovely gilt patina with foliate and floral d...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Framed Upholstered Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very beautiful North American Empire style mahogany wood framed upholstered sofa with matching bolster pillows and mahogany frame scroll...
Category
1820s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire Bronze Marble Figural Clock, c. 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Verde Antico Marble Figural Clock, circa 1830, the clock surmounted with seated figures of Apollo and Diana, each holding a torch, the clock w...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Danish Early 19th Century Empire Tobacco Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming mahogany tobacco box in an architecturally intriguing form. The top of the lid is adorned with a small knob of bone.
Great quality and craftsmanship.
Empire. Denmark, ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bone, Mahogany
Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving
Early 19th century
Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Classic Empire Center Table - Weathered Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from grey cerused oak with an unusual weathered acacia finish, this table features a beautifully carved ogee edge that adds a touch of intricate detailing.
The table is supp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,670 / item
Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold
Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830.
solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with
lace up padding.
very com...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Burl White Marble Chest Drawer Sideboard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A good antique 19th century French Empire faux bamboo & white marble pine small sideboard /chest of drawer. The chest having the original veined white marble top above four drawers, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Beaded Crystal Basket Chandelier, Late 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A late 20th century Empire style beaded crystal basket chandelier with a classical circular brass structure and three E27 lights inside.Light bulbs can be replaced unscrewing the bro...
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet,...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests.
Measures: Seat height 17.5
Arm height ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Originally an Empire Candelabra from the 1820s converted into a table lamp in the early 20th Century.
The lampshade in black ...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century.
Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included.
Later added hatch at back. F...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Baker Furniture Regency Paw Foot Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Neoclassical style pedestal extension dining table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with rosewood banding and...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Mahogany 3-Fold Screen with Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany 3 fold screen with bronze trim.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire style cassolettes in sea green marble and gilt bronze, 19th century
Located in NICE, FR
Empire style sea green marble and gilt bronze cassolettes, 19th century
Pair of polished sea green marble and gilt bronze cassolettes resting on square bases decorated with laurel l...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Set of 6 Chinese Porcelain Rice Bowls with 3 Spoons - 2Y49
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This set includes 6 beautifully crafted Chinese porcelain rice bowls and 3 matching spoons. The elegant design and traditional craftsmansh...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$184 Sale Price / set
70% Off
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Rolled Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Rolled Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with cornucopia carvings, spiral carved top rail, great antique sofa to reup...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Porcelain Tea Service 19th Century, Empire Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain tea service with Napoleon decorations, Sèvres Imperial Manufactory, 19th century, Empire style.
A Sèvres porcelain tea service with Napoleo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$4,261 / set
Empire period mahogany pedestal round table, 19th c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mahogany and mahogany veneer pedestal round table, side table, dining table, tea table column shaft, black granite top with basin, Empire period. France, 19th c.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 21'' X 19'', Handmade and Needlework, Extremely Fine and Unique
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Pair of 20th Century Wood and Marble Top Italian Empire Style Night Stands, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Pair of Italian bedside tables from the mid-20th century. Furniture made in Cantù, carved and veneered in walnut, burl, beech, mahogany and fruitwood in the Empire style. Bedside tab...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Cherry Wood Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal extension dining table.
By Baker Furniture.
USA, Circa Late 20th...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand. Item features a revolving top, nice slender form, good antique item. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements:...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Antique French Empire Swan Faucet, Circa 1820
Located in Dallas, TX
A unique French faucet tap dating to circa 1820, this highly detailed spout has the appearance of a swan with a craned neck. Swan motifs were sometimes see...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Massive French Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Mounted Malachite Urn Jardinière 38"
Located in Dayton, OH
An opulent French Empire Style bronze ormolu mounted malachite urn or jardiniere. Features a rim cast with shells, foliage and bellflowers, the body centered on each side by a medall...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
$12,000 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table
Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawer...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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.