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.
33
4,353
146
111
to
438
2,625
1,809
4,610
4,530
4,552
190,937
115,484
41,263
31,761
14,887
11,417
10,260
10,160
9,423
8,564
7,223
7,127
6,204
5,779
5,514
5,106
4,610
3,481
276
2,885
1,192
257
457
284
191
116
20
80
53
33
50
46
46
30
19
2,454
1,950
1,443
988
847
3,788
2,574
382
241
177
40
28
24
18
15
Style: Empire
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Original Empire Sculpture, Wood, Polychrome, Gold, Austria, 1800s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
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
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900.
We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden.
Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table. Th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm
Materials: walnut wood and marble
Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant"
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm.
Material: Mahogany wood
Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany Veneer, 19th century Napoleon III RESTAURED
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire chest of drawers in mahogany veneer, 19th century
Three drawers plus one under the gray marble top, columns on the uprights with gilt bronze capitals,
cm 129x61,5x89
condic...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque, Ormolu, France, Paris, circa 1820
By Le Roi
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque - In the study room
Paris
fire-gilt bronze, enamel
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 28 x 19 cm
Description:
Scenery mounted on an oval...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Empire Carved Painted "Tabernacle" Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and petite antique vitrine was crafted in France, circa 1860. Originally used as a tabernacle in a church or chapel, the hanging cabinet features a dome top over a singl...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Cast Iron French Empire Style Lion Head Outdoor Garden Wall Water Fountain White
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast Iron French Empire Style Lion Head Outdoor Garden Wall Water Fountain (Black). Item features heavy cast iron construction, desirable weathered patina, approx. 40 lbs each. Does ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Empire style mirror, 19th Century
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Antique Empire style mirror from the end of the 19th century.
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the lat...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Sculpture of an Eagle in Silver Plated Metal, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, 20th century.
Sculpture of an eagle in silver plated metal, could be a sculpture for a desk or a nice centerpiece, Empire style, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Brass Putti Cherub Angel Wall Mounted Sconces Candle Holders - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Brass Putti Cherub Angel Wall Mounted Sconces Candle Holders - Set of 2
These matching cherub wall sconces can hold small taper candles. The cherubs are mounted upon a recta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Excellent Italian Made French Empire Style 8 Light Bronze Chandelier 42 X 30
Dimensions : 42" Tall X 30" Wide X 30" Deep
This fine quality large chandelier was made in Italy and ve...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood Secrétaire á Abattant With Brass Ormolu
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire or Neoclassical style drop front secretary desk
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Gorgeous burl wood, with ebonized columns, and original brass hard...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Unmarked, France, 19th Century
A remarkable 19th-century French silver commemorative spoon featuring...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Carved coconut from early 19th century
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
Very pretty, richly and finely carved coconut dating from the Empire period. With rotating decoration, it partly represents an admiral surrounded by two cupids holding the laurels of...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Coconut
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This chandelier features a bronze crown adorned with an acanthus leaf design at its peak. Its structure is beautifully composed of a series of shimmering crystal beads and baguettes ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Small Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming Small Empire Commode is made of mahogany with a black marble top. It has bronze rings around the columns. Easy to place anywhere.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Circa 1870 Bronze Brass Mounted Letters Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French circa 1870 bronze brass mounted letters box. Period Second Empire. Patinated bronze with superb quality brass Egyptian & Greco-Roman motif mounts, raised on troupe feet. Mount...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Mahogany Pair of Library Armchairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very fine quality pair of 19th century mahogany
French Empire library armchairs having well figured
Top rails over enclosed swept arms with c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchairs - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Mounted Armchair in Blue Patterned Stripped Silk Blent - Pair
This Antique French Empire armchair set is crafted from rich mahogany w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
Antique French Empire Lion’s Head Ormolu Serpentine Console Table w/ Marble Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Lion's Head Ormolu Serpentine Console Table with Italian Marble Top
This stunning French Empire console table is a true masterpiece of art and craftsmanship. F...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Serpentine, Ormolu
Pair of Large Early 19th Century French Terracotta Honey Coloured Lions
Located in London, GB
Fabulous pair of early circa 19th century French lions in a warm honey coloured terracotta.
Both are stylised and life like, with manes, with one a bobbed tail seated upright and the...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890.
Rectangular top with canted corners. Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged aroun...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre - Pêcheur - 18ème
Located in TOULON, FR
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre églomisé
Pêcheur
Italie 18ème siècle
signé Chanato, Porto (quartier de naples) sous le socle
32 cm
1,3 kg
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Contemporary Empire Style Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat.
Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt wood carved details.
Resting on elegant turned tape...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Beech
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th century French empire mahogany and walnut beds
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century french empire mahogany and walnut beds circa 1890.
Fine quality pair of large single beds of the empire revival period. Beautifully made from walnut and mahoga...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Elegant Large Empire Style Classical Silver Chandelier Eight-Light Pendant, 1920
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Elegant and fine classical Empire-style eight-light chandelier with original shades, France, circa 1920. The beautiful large chandelier with foliage motif on the arms and all-over lo...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Tavolo tondo Impero Lucca 1810 da centro stanza piano in breccia antica
Located in Lucca, IT
Tavolo Tripode 1810 Periodo dell'impero Lucca Tavolo tondo antico autentico da centro piano in marmo breccia antica , spessore del marmo cm 2 .
Il tavolo è in noce ,tutto original...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Breccia Marble
Set of Eight Empire Style Flame Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive set of eight French dining chairs crafted from radiant flame mahogany veneers. The chairs are made in the Empire revival style with a gracefully curved vasiform shaped ba...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Eclectic Set, Unique Set of 4 Armchairs Each in Different Design
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the set of 4 Empire armchairs.
Each armchair carries a typical motif of the empire style. Refers to the moment of re-discover of classical o...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very fine 'Bergère' armchair in solid mahogany, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Swan Bronze Sconces 1930 Lighting France
Located in Bastogne, BE
An exquisite pair of two-light Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces from the 1930s.
Drawing inspiration from the eighteenth century, these beautiful light fixtures demonstrate supe...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th century French Empire Period Bronze Wall Light
Located in LEGNY, FR
Very nice wall lamp dating from the Empire period in gilded bronze with three palmette lights, the frame is leafy. Good condition.
Electrification up to standards.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Lamps
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Empire style lamps. Cut glass or pressed glass oil reservoirs with flame tops and key detail. 3 portraits adorn the top of the highly ornate bases. Heavy.
Curbside to NYC/P...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Early 19th Century Commode Scriban
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Commode Scriban with a leather top inside, This Empire Period piece is very convenient as a storage for paper work.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Empire Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Empire 3 Drawers Chest with Painted Faux Marble Top, Early 19th Century
Hand carved, hand painted and hand distressed in a muted Scandinavian red toned color. The clean lines and el...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Style Pair of Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this rare pair of Empire-style pedestals from 19th century, which are also suitable as end tables. They are adorned with beautiful gilded bronze ornamentation and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Enfilade
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French sideboard in solid oak style Empire country late nineteenth 4 doors, 3 drawers.
This provincial piece of furniture is of great qu...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pietre Dure And Doré Bronze Box By Tahan
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan, the esteemed cabinetmaker to Napoléon III, this jewelry box is a remarkable example of 19th-century European artistry. The box, shaped in doré...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
EARLY 19th CENTURY ROUND WALNUT TABLE WITH MARBLE TOP
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful walnut coffee table with a refined central frame in ebonized and gilded wood. The triangular-shaped base is supported by turned and ebonized pine cones, while the band has ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive 'Bergère' armchair in solid wood, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Chairs With Red Silk Upholstered Seat
Located in Sheridan, CO
Extraordinary pair of French Empire style mahogany chairs featuring a tub or gondola form frame. Minimally decorated having a curved back,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
Set of Four Late Empire Klismos Chairs . Denmark 1840's
Located in Kastrup, DK
A set of four elegant Late Empire Klismos chairs in a classic design.
Crafted with quality, featuring frames made of mahogany and polished beech, tastefully refinished with French po...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Beech, Mahogany
Pair of Exquisite Petite Empire Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite pair of early nineteenth century small candlesticks from France, made of gilt bronze on small, square alabaster bases. These candlesticks feature neoclassical columns sw...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Eighteen Light Bronze Empire Chandelier.
Located in Fairfax, VA
French large bronze eighteen light chandelier with black lacquered center part.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Height can be adjusted by removing some of the chain.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp
Amazing old bronze patina
The lamp has been re-wired.
Shade not included
The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade
Free UK shipp...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Spelter
Pair of Empire Style French Armchairs with Foliage Carved Arms and Saber Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style light walnut armchairs with foliage carved curving arms and saber legs. Step back in time with these exquisite French Empire style armchairs, beautifull...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Henkel Harris French Empire Louis Philippe Flame Mahogany Marble Top Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire of Louis Philippe style dresser or chest of drawers
By Henkel Harris
USA, 1990s
Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with beveled marble top, and ori...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Danish Early 19th Century Upholstered Seat Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant early 19th century Danish Empire mahogany bench.
The two arms is showcasing beautiful walnut and satin wood inlays.
Seat newly upholstered with light blue linen blend.
In g...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany, Satinwood
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Work Table in Mahogany
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire period work table in flamed mahogany and gilt bronze mounted.
Magnificent table forming writing desk and work table. The drop-leaf top features a recessed mirror, storage com...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Flower Button
Black Lacquered China Cabinet
Black Lacquer China Cabinet
Antique Wooden Lock
Brass Shelf Display
Brass Display Shelf
Campaign Style Cabinet
Vintage Receipt
Black Glass Display Case
Burled Walnut Cabinets
Wooden Display Case
Zenith Used
Charms Golden
Vintage 90S Patterns
Wooden Cabinet Pulls
Vintage Glass Panel Doors
Vintage Glass Panel Door
Black Gold Rug