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
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
Pair of lamps inspired by Thomire
Located in Warsaw, PL
Here's a compelling sales description for the lamps, incorporating the details you provided and focusing on their appeal to potential buyers:
Exquisite Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire St...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a remarkable Empire Fall Top Desk, hailing from France during the period of 1800-1810. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this magn...
Category
Early 1800s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
XIX Century Empire Commode
19th CENTURY EMPIRE CHEST. LARGE FRENCH EMPIRE CHEST IN MAHOGANY AND DECORATED WITH GOLDEN BRONZE.130X59X89 CM
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Inlaid Mahogany Empire Chest of Drawers, Denmark circa 1810
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers or commode with satinwood inlays.
Top drawer reveals storage compartments with lids and areas to h...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A remarkably elegant 19th century Empire cabinet that features beautiful crotch mahogany veneer. A drawer above one door that encloses three stationary shelves as well as a drawer be...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage brass sunburst mirror 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brass sunburst mirror with convex glass.
This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior.
The mirror is made from gilt metal.
I...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique half-round Empire chest of drawers, mahogany, around 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique half-round Empire chest of drawers, mahogany, around 1810
Semi-circular body, one door in the middle flanked by full columns and one drawer each above and below. An extremel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
French Portico Clock Signed Cellier à Paris, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small portico clock made of gray marble with gilded applications. The cylindrical movement is enclosed between two columns, above which a figural top piece in the form of a seated Ch...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French 19th Century Empire St. Alabaster And Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Alabaster and Ormolu chandelier. This four arm eight light chandelier is centered by a striking foliate acorn shaped Or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Restored Empire Dressing Mirror, Mahogany, Brass, Bone, Polished, France, 1800s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Empire style dressing mirror (table mirror) comes from France from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is made of solid oak wood veneered with mahogany and adorn...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A 19th Century Swedish bench from the Empire period, the back panel decorated with a classical scene of a pair of griffon.
New seat cushion in plain linen.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of 19th Century Italian Walnut Bedside Commodes
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A fabulous pair of 19th Century Italian walnut bedside commodes or nightstands.
With lion mark handles and Carrara marble tops.
Circa 1820.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Antique Pair of English Mahogany Cellarettes circa Mid-1800s with Lion Paw Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique pair of Cellarettes or Liquor Cabinets imported from England, that were generally custom made wooden chests intended to transport or store a small number of alcoholic beverages. Made of finer woods, like mahogany or rosewood and in numerous shapes and sizes. You would often see Cellarettes placed in dining rooms. Men of considerable financial means had as many as three Cellarettes as a status symbol. The pair of Liquor Cabinets or Cellarettes were handcrafted from the finest mahogany and refinished in a traditional French polish. We believe that this pair of antique English Cellarettes...
Category
1860s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
Antique 17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 20'' X 16''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 17th century Brussels tapestry pillow. 20'' x 16'' x 6''.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early-19th Century English Tapestry Pillow 14" X 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early-19th Century English Tapestry Pillow 14" X 8", Animal Print Style , Authentic
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Circa 1880 Antique Bessarabian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique Bessarabian Pillow
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1880 Antique Bessarabian Pillow - 27 X 13
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1880 antique Bessarabian pillow 27 X 13, handmade authentic, tribal and traditional.
Category
1850s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1640s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu, Wood and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style ormolu, wood and marble pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 83cm, diameter 52cm
This superb pair of French 20th century pedestals celebrates the ver...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Circa 1920 Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique Cartoon Tapestry Pillow
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 17'' X 10'', Wool , Handmade, Traditional
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1870 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1860 Antique French Textile Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Textile Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Giltwood console and mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and most impressive Northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany, Giltwood and Veneered marble console and mirror. This stunning console and its origin...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Beautiful Hand-Painted Chinese Vase Signed "L'art de Chine" - Macau - 2Y72
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite Chinese vase, signed "L'art de Chine," is a hand-painted piece created in Macau. The vase features intricate designs and delicate gilding, making it a stunning additio...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of crystal and bronze vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of french empire style late 19 century crystal cut ormolu bronze original gilting
You have eagle that embeds the base at the 4 corner, on the side of the vase you have magnifi...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Bleached Table with Marble Top and Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style bleached wood side table from the 19th century with black marble top, three column legs, in-curving tripartite base and petite feet. Bask in the timeless allure...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 38" H x 22" W x 4.5" D
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Antique Russian Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and superbly detailed gilt bronze and crystal chandelier for candles, can be electrified.
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
A Pair of Empire Style Sterling Silver Three Arm Candelabras
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of Empire-style removable arms, weighted sterling silver three-arm candelabras by Gorham. Nice patina to the silver, dating to the 1930's.
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Four French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This magnificent set of four antique candelabra come as a pair of pairs: one slightly larger pair and one smaller pair. They date from roughly 1805, during the period of the Napoleon...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Silk Bergère Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire mahogany bergère (armchairs) upholstered in red silk with scrolled back above winged caryatid arm uprights & a loose seat cushion, (early 19th century).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
Antique French Tabouret Seat
Located in Buxton, GB
This exquisite piece of furniture is an Antique French Tabouret Empire Style, crafted from high-quality mahogany wood in France during the peri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
1900s Antique Khotan Samarkand Rug-2'5'' X 4'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Up for sale is an Antique Khotan Samarkand Small Rug
Category
Early 1900s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843)
A large a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of elegant French Empire style side chairs. The chairs are burl with bronze mounts and feet. The black section to the front of the legs i...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Important Empire Period Paris Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Casket/Box/Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An Important and very rare Empire period Paris porcelain ormolu-mounted Empire rectangular shaped two-handled casket decorated and assembled by ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Oak and Burl Elm Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Oak and burl elm chest of drawers, early 19th century. With a 3 board top with molded front and side edges, an overhanging burl elm top drawer and 3 graduated burl elm...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
Located in IT
20th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
This elegant table lamp model buillotte was made in France towards the beginning of the twentieth century, of classic taste with deco...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Continental Empire Style Burl Wood and Ebonized Side Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome early 20th century Continental Empire style burl wood side table. Very fine finish on this piece with ebonized details and pretty hardware. An elegant piece!
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Giltwood Barometer Thermometer, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
Although constructed circa 1815 as a scientific instrument, this French giltwood barometer is a beauty to behold. Our exquisite barometer has a unique composition, featuring an elong...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Sofa, Historismus, 1880s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia
- Made of wood, fabric
- Original upholstery
- Wooden parts has some signs use
- Good, original condition.
Category
1880s Czech Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
An early 19th century gilt bronze and walnut veneer ladies desk or dressing table or vanity, with a rectangular grey fossil marble top above two mirror paneled doors and two drawers, flanked by Greek Revival female caryatids, above a folded leather lined writing surface and a frieze drawer, raised on square legs, joined by an incurved stretcher. The whole mounted with finely chased ormolu casts depicting winged figures, ribbons and foliage.
Beautiful early 19th century French Empire small desk...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Brass Bouillotte Lamp with Black and Gilt Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful quality brass bouillotte lamp with gilt decorated metal shade. Fine details throughout, swan heads holding the tole painted shade and corbel style candle arms. Recently re-...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Green Marble Barbedienne Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Century) green marble column candlestick lamps with bronze dore trimmed capital and square base (signed F. BARBEDIENNE) (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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...
Category
1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Chair Kohn Nr.321, since 1906, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Original state. Perfectly cleaned and re-polished with shelack finish. New upholstery surface on the original core.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Table Lamp (No Shade). Bronze, Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
Empire style lamp (without shade). Patinated bronze.
marble base Table lamp elevated on a marble base, it is shaped like a vase with handles in the shape of simplified swan heads, fo...
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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.
Category
1870s Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Italian antique wooden chest of drawers or dresser with bronze friezes, 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique wooden chest of drawers or dresser with bronze friezes, 1800s.
Antique wooden chest of drawers with drawers decorated with bronze friezes.
Dating back to the Empire p...
Category
Early 1800s Italian 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.
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