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.
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Soliders of War 5.10X6.9
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Wool, Cotton
$25,037 / set
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights French, 20th Century Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century antique Empire Style Lion canapé Sofa beech bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style. Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
Beech
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 ...
WOODEN WINDOW French 19th Century in Painted Wood.
Located in Madrid, ES
WOODEN WINDOW French 19th Century in painted wood. Small defects. Dim.: 175 x 90 cm. good conditions
Mirror
19th Century Empire Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze and marble pedestal. Fine gilt bronze female head with gilt bronze Empire bronzes.
Marble
Empire Style Bronze Chandelier, Nine Lights, French, Late 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire style chandeliers tend to be quite hefty and large, This bronze example is unusually delicate. The dished circular pan is hung from three flat pierced suspension chains, and s...
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
Early 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Urn Form Lamp
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome gilt bronze urn features neoclassical motifs including acanthus leaves. The stepped plinth form base is mounted with a decorative wreath. The urn measures 14.5" in hei...
Ormolu
Vienna Empire Crystal Chandelier Lobmeyr Zahn
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
High-quality ceiling lamp in the Empire style. Hand-cut crystals and glass palmettes. The design clearly references Lobmeyr/Zahn. Manufactured circa 1920. Three E27 porcelain sock...
Brass, Chrome
Baltic Set of 6 Empire-Armchairs, Mahogany, Design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch
Located in Göttingen, NI
A rare Baltic set of 6 Empire-armchairs - design by Georg Friedrich Hetsch Mahogany richly carved and veneered Side frame construction with inlaid upholstered seat on turned f...
Mahogany
$940Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Detailed Ovoid Form Candle Holders
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Gilt Bronze Ovoid Form Candle Holders/ Candlesticks. Highly detailed antiquity.
Bronze
Early 19th century French Empire Period Burl Elm Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale early nineteenth century French Empire period console table is constructed of solid burl elm and features a black marble top. A single drawer of dovetail constructio...
Marble
Circa 1800 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Griffin Candle Holders
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1800 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Griffin Candle Holders. Unique pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or mess...
Marble, Bronze
$328Sale Price|54% Off
Vieux Paris 'Old Paris' Tea Caddy or Apothocary Jar Painted with Harbor Scene
By Old Paris
Located in Mobile, AL
This empire period Old Paris tea caddy, canister or jar from the 1830's is sure to delight. It was likely designed and sold as a tea canister, but a lidd...
Porcelain
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns Wired as Lamps
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns, Wired as Lamps. Featuring ornate swag garlands and rams heads, with a frieze of dancing putti.
Bronze
$2,781 / set
Wall Sconces Pair Empire Style
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A PAIR OF VINTAGE, EMPIRE STYLE, GILDED & BLACK METAL WALL SCONCES, WITH TWO ARMS - Striking, simple form accentuated by the contrast betwe...
Metal
$1,760Sale Price|44% Off
18th Century Porcelain Snuff Tobacco Box with Ormulu Gilt Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-18th Century porcelain snuff tobacco box with Ormulu gilt embossed relief and with empire classical motives. The inside of the lid is decorated with colorful flowers. Wonderful a...
Ormolu
Napoleon 111 Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Centre Table
Located in Montreal, QC
This imposing table is based on the celebrated example made for Marshal Murat, subsequently used by Napoleon and now in the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Supported by four draped caryatids, the striking Nero Antico marble above and heavy H frame cross...
Marble
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The three arm chandelier is centered by a beautiful richly chased bottom acorn fini...
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Oval Red Tole Tray Table with Parcel Gilt
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Empire red tole tray with gold leaf decorations on modern stand.
Metal
$2,650
Empire Style Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very elegant and restrained gilt bronze & painted bronze empire style pendant. France, circa 1920. 4 Lights. Measures: height 38", diameter 25"...
Bronze
$1,056Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Antique French Empire style Bronze & Cut Crystal Cascading Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Cascading crystal form. Bronze frame. Purchased in France.
Bronze
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
Pair of French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Two Branch Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu figural two branch candelabra. Set on square ormolu socle with cylinder ormolu stem wit...
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century Small empire cabinet, particular cabinet from the empire era (circa 1840). Italian, with entire column, ebonized and brass...
Brass
19th century French Empire Period Elm Barometer signed Gabriel
Located in London, GB
Empire Cistern Barometer by Gabriel Of rectangular form, with the case waisted, veneered in burr elm with mounts in the manner of Percier and Fontaine, of cistern type, with bronze ...
Ormolu
$9,280Sale Price|28% Off
Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century Biedermeier Style Napoleon Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood. Gilded chimeras. Finely engraved bronze fixtures. (L-Sam-252).
Bronze
Pair Empire Period North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, & Tôle-Peinte Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
An extremely rare and unusual Pair Of North European Ormolu, Cut-Glass, and Tôle-Peinte Potted Hyacinths/Cachepots, Possibly Baltic, Circa 1815-1825. Each Modeled As A Tôle-Peinte Sp...
Crystal, Ormolu, Tin
Vintage Regency Empire Glass Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Empire glass cabinet. A chic mahogany with gorgeous Ormolu detail. Interior mirror and glass make the cabinet really light up. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Mirror, Mahogany
$3,140Sale Price|51% Off
20th Century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, Black
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, black Very specific finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Partially gilded. Cum...
Beech
Imperial Stylish Lion Salon Couch in Antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine detailed carving work on solid beechwood. Gilded. Armrests ended in protruding, winged, forward leaning lions heads in Bronze. Measures: Width:146cm height:117 cm Depth: 7...
Beech
French 19th Century Empire St. Faux Painted Wood, Giltwood and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Empire st. faux painted wood, giltwood and Gris Turquin marble side/center table. The circular table is raised by a most decorative triangular base ...
Marble
Amazing Set of Armchair and 2 Chair First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of armchair and 2 chair First Empire Napoleon III early 19th Century France measure armchair: 86cm x 64cm x 54cm measures chairs: 82cm x 50cm x 45cm wood proveniente : Roman...
Wood
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany, And Gray Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Mahogany, and gray marble console. The console with original mirror plates is raised by two front Ormolu foliate b...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair 19th Century Italian Gilt Bronze Four-Light Candelabra Engraved Details
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An elegant pair of antique late 19th century Italian gilt bronze four-light candelabra, beautifully crafted in the Continental style. Each candelabrum features a refined geometric co...
Bronze
19th Century (Mid) Bronze Revolutionary Rooster Ornament
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Bronze Revolutionary Rooster Ornament Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Metal, Bronze
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...
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,200 / set
Pair of Empire Style Parcel Gilt Stools
Located in El Monte, CA
A magnificent pair of Empire-style parcel-gilt stools that exude timeless elegance. Each stool features a carved wooden frame with a cream and gilt finish showcasing the luxuriousnes...
Wood
$1,659 / set
Set of 2 Bedside Tables In Mahogany, 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of bedside tables in mahogany from the 1920s with curved front and hand-polished surface. Classic design with an elegant appearance. — Origin: Europe — Period: 1920s — Materi...
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Parcel Gilt Bookcase in Mahogany
Located in Milford, NH
A fine French Empire parcel gilt bookcase with a molded cornice surmounting a case with applied carved gilt corner decoration, and two glass doors, opening to interior shelves for st...
Brass
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Vitrine Cabinet The long rectangular top adorned with bronze mounts of flying griffins, above three large glass doors which...
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Empire Style Wall Girdle/Wall Light after Antoine-André Ravrio
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial Empire wall girdle to Antoine-André Ravrio 1759-1814. Bronze, gilded or partly dark patinated. From acanthus of fullplastic herme / Amor adult with, holding a vase as a car...
Bronze
Pair of Tables in Empire Style with Ebonized Inlaid and Gilded "Ram's Foot" Legs
Located in Cesena, FC
Pair of round tables in Empire style with three ebonized "ram's foot" legs with carved and gilded details representing typical elements of the Emp...
Plaster, Fruitwood
19th Century French Bronze Dore Double Inkwell with Sphinx Design
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore filigree double inkwell with sphinx sides and backrail.
Bronze
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental French Bronze and Alabaster Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This monumental French bronze and alabaster Empire style chandelier is a breathtaking statement of grandeur, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Featuring a finely carved alabaster...
Alabaster, Bronze
Early 19th century French walnut bedside table night stand chevet.
Located in London, GB
A pretty French early 19th century walnut chevet, bedside table, night stand with one integral small cupboard and drawer. Wear conducive with age. Minor damage, structurally strong.
Walnut
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL** GILDED EMPIRE STYLE PORCELAIN LAMP! The Only One in The World! CIRCA 1960 Incredible Midnight Color! A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black! DI...
Metal, Gold
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Green Marble Military Urns
Located in New York, NY
A significant pair of antique French Empire style gilt bronze and green marble military urns. Each urn in this magnificent and unique pair showcases a tall, baluster-shaped body craf...
Marble, Bronze
French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and marble buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and uniquely designed French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Gris St. Anne marble buffet. This stunning buffet/sideboard is raised by back square Mah...
Marble, Ormolu
$9,421Sale Price|20% Off
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold 2
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac-a-Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with mesmerizing crystals, evoking the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new re...
Crystal, Brass
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (19th century) gilt bronze six-light candelabra in the French Empire style, each 20 1/2 inches tall and 12 inches across.
Bronze
Antique French Barometer with Gilded Frame, Lyre Crest, Circa 1790
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare antique finely worked French barometer with lyre shaped crest thermometer above a large hexagonal framed barometer. The Parisian décor piece is m...
Giltwood
French Oil Opaline and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Converted French oil white opaline and brass table lamp.
Brass
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!
Marble
$1,472Sale Price / set|42% Off
French Empire Period Paris Porcelain Basin and Pitcher with Napoleonic Emblems
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant Paris Porcelain wash basin and pitcher dating from the First Empire Period, around 1815, and featuring as its decoration th...
Porcelain, Paint
$34,700
Antique Russian Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and superbly detailed gilt bronze and crystal chandelier for candles, can be electrified.
Crystal, Bronze