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
Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze & cut crystal "Basket" chandelier. 12 lights. Great quality. France, circa 19220.
Dimensions: Height 44" Diameter 21"
CW4886.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Console in Wood
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century French Empire style console in wood.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Console and Mirror with Metal Leaf and Bronze Details, 1990s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Console with mirror produced by Lam Lee Group of Dallas, the style refers to the French eclecticism of 1940. Both the console and the mirror are made o...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
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
Fornasetti Decorated Antique Italian Writing Desk
By Fornasetti
Located in Hudson, NY
The exquisite antique table desk, shown here, represents the first collaboration between foley&cox HOME and Fornasetti. The desk was purchased in Italy and hand-decorated by Fornasetti using...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Empire Side Table, Gray Marble Top, C 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish Empire side table in mahogany.
Table top in Belgian gray marble.
Elegant inlay of dark hardwood on legs.
Copenhagen approx. 1810.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Majestic 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found in the South of France, this exquisite burled walnut commode from the early 19th century features a dark grey marble top over four drawers. The lower three drawers are recessed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier by Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier. The main and top circles with Anthemia and rosettes. Graduated chains of crystal octagon beads a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Regency Bronze Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical / Regency bronze and graduating crystal basket form chandelier with medusa heads and six candelabra sockets around the outer frame and a beau...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most unique French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. The table is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet below a fine r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century
The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side,
with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Stunning Russian Empire Period Ormolu Wall Sconces , ca. 1820s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A stunning pair of Russian empire period ormolu wall candelabras , ca. 1800s-1830s.
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Style Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
French commode chest of drawers early 19th century Empire style
Four large drawers, on the first one an elegant brass swan acts as a drawer knob.
On the locks bouquets of flowers a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Napoleon Empire 1809 Historic Palais Beauharnais Curtains Paris France 1809
By Josephine de Beauharnais
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Dear collector, please find this unique and exceptional piece of French History .Napoleon Bonaparte private pair of curtain from the most exclusive Palais in France from Beauharnais.
This curtain was made for the Palais and go after Restauration of the Palais to another Private collection around Paris .Please don't hesitate for any request! Unique opportunity to get this exceptional private life of The Napoleon Emperor bedroom curtain!
he Palais Beauharnais was a palace located in Paris, France, that was built in the 18th century for the Beauharnais family. The palace was purchased by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 for use as a residence for his stepson, Eugene de Beauharnais...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
Period Giltwood Large Italian Empire Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame.
Early 19th century.
Internal measurements cm 37.5 x 45.5.
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certific...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Empire Style Demi Lune Marble Topped Two Door Commode with Two Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 empire style demi lune commode is made of mahogany with a marble top. Commode has two locking drawers flanked by wedge-shaped, locking side cabinets....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Ivory Lantern
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Ivory lantern, based on a French design, the delicate hand-painted decoration on the slatted glass adds texture. The motif on the coronet is reflec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Empire Painted Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style painted buffet / cabinet, 19th century. The paint is later and 20th century. With a faux marble molded overhanging top over two cup...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Stunning Signed by Barye Strong Large Lion Bronze Statue
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
This intimidating lion takes a break and relaxes. He lies down and looks as if he puts his paw in paw and waits patiently for the next encounter. He is the gate keeper he stays alert at all times and watches for any unknown creatures to cross into his territory. The features on the lion are magnificent and are very life like. His undercoat is long and you can see the fur stringing off of his underside while he puts his legs to the side. His mane is grand and he has gigantic paws which will take anyone or thing out in one swift swipe. You can see the details beautifully. This lion has a brown patina and was casted using the “Lot Wax Method” it is mounted on a black marble base. This sculpture is signed by Barye...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Paris Porcelain Vase Converted into a Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French Empire period porcelain vase. The vase is totally gilt with matte and burnished highlights. The twin handles each show a modeled classical female head and on the front of the vase is a painted classical scene. The scene depicts a Roman/Greek seated young warrior...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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"...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunningly beautiful center or dining table designed by Charles Pollock for William Switzer.
The table has a combination of solid woods and veneers such as burlwood on the base al...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Impressive 19th Century Italian Gilt Carved Wood and Cut Glass Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
An Impressive 19th Century Italian Gilt tole, carved wood and cut glass eight light tent and bag chandelier in the Empire Style.
The Central girdle issuing foliate carved scrolling a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass, Giltwood
Empire secretaire à abattant, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire openable walnut veneered column
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant circular column on plinth base entirely veneered in walnut, top in yellow Siena marble with profiles in green Prato marble.
It acts as a support for an object and as a contai...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble
19th Century Italian Empire Crystal Candle Chandelier
Located in Milan, IT
A charming classical Empire style Italian chandelier born for candle lighting, featuring nine arms ending with candles, no electric wiring, can be used as candle holders or decorativ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Iron
French Empire Style Crystal and Brass Sconce Wall Light, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable Empire-style sconce features a brass frame draped with crystal glass beading on the top level and three tiers of crystal glass pendants on the bottom.
Two interior ligh...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Metal
Painted Empire Table
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A Regency design circular marble topped painted and decorated centre/lamp table with elongated turned feet.
Bespoke sizing, design adaptations and finishing available.
We are c...
Category
18th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Paint
Gilt-Bronze and Malachite Empire-Style 'Aux Caryatides' Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
A gilt-bronze and malachite Empire-style 'Aux Caryatides' centre table after Desmalter
French, 20th Century
Height: 82cm, diameter: 109cm
This ma...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Style 1870s Mahogany Three-Drawer Commode with White Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style mahogany commode from the late 19th century, with white marble top, three drawers and gilt accents. Created in France during the third quarter of the 19th centu...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Chinese Lacquered Book Reading or Book Stool Early 19th Century
Located in BILBAO, ES
Chinese Lacquered book reading or book stool early 19th century.
Beautiful golden lacquerd nature design book standing or book reading stool.
Measures ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
This magnificent crystal and bronze doré chandelier with four swans holding double candle light and graduate hand polished crystal chain.
Minimum height fully installed 42".
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-Century Italian Empire Style Walnut Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome mid-century Italian Empire Style walnut chest. Featuring a gorgeous finish, lovely brass hardware and ebonized details. Makes an elegant statement!.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Side Chairs - Pair B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of dining side chairs in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and gent...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
Tripod Cachepot Brass Bowl
Located in Sheffield, MA
Charmingly elegant antique Empire style brass bowl centerpiece on tripod hoofed feet and decorative handles in an 'abstract' animal form. Lovely aged brass patina all-over, can easil...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Giltwood Mirror with Eagle Decoration
Located in Brussels , BE
Empire gilded wood mirror with eagle decoration
19th century mirror in gilded wood. Empire. Eagle with outstretched wings. Condition as seen in pho...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Wire
19th Century Large French Empire Wall Mirror
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
An attractive 19th century French Empire rectangular frame wall mirror. The deep square frame with ebonized black wood frame and gold gi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Ebony
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Empire style
Marble and golden bronze
Origin France circa 1900
Very good condition. Natural wear.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Silvered-Bronze and Cut-Glass Urn Lamp Bases, French Empire Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of silvered-bronze and cut-glass urn lamp bases in the French Empire style
American, 20th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
These fine lamp-bases, sha...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
Sampson & Dalilah "At The Gate Of Prison" Colored Copper Engraving
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sampson & Dalilah, At the gate of prison.
Colored copper engraving in contemporary Empire mahogany frame with internal line intarsia, gilt with ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Empire Cocktail Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style cocktail table. The molded-edge rectangular top is beautifully crafted in ribbon mahogany veneer parquetry and stands on bold column legs joined by a network of X-stretc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Superb gilt bronze & crystal Empire style Chandelier. Top ring featuring anthemia. Main ring with winged deity carrying gilt torcheres. The bottom part consists of seven concentric...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style eight-light chandelier, with intricate brass casting that, contrasts with the black to create a striking effect. The fine detai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
17th Century Gilded Italian Chiavari Chairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration are a pair of antique Italian 17th century gilded Empire Chiavari chairs. Gilded willow hardwood with woven...
Category
Early 17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Bronze, Gilt Bronze and Silk Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
The round flaring shade with ruched silk overlaid with laurel wreaths headed by anthemion and enclosing three lights, issuing four outward scrolling electr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Terracotta Bust of an Officer
Located in Essex, MA
In the Napoleonic style with much later faux marbre plinth.
Category
1850s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Eight-Day Comtoise Longcase Clock
Located in Birmingham, AL
A stunning early 19th century French Empire period chateau longcase clock with eight-day comtoise movement handcrafted of solid walnut, circa 1815, all original. This tall, handsome chateau longcase clock, with a deep, rich patina that reveals the beauty of age, features a hood with a stepped cornice over a shaped front dial case door...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Mid 20th Century Cherry Empire Style Dining Armchair
Located in Charlotte, NC
A dining armchair in the Empire style, unbranded. Solid cherry with carved barback crest rail, carved backrest, curved arms, upholstered seat in a gold colored textured fabric and ge...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Elegant Antique French Carved Wood Recamier Bench with Bronze Mounts
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and rare French 19th century mahogany recamier bench having pronounced curved sides and lovely carved cabriole legs that terminate in gilded hairy paw feet. There are other g...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Napoleon I Empire Encrier, Gilt Bronze and Verde Antico, Signed Basil, 1830
Located in New York, NY
Impressive gilt bronze and Verde Antico marble inkstand centered by a bust of Napoleon I, the sculpture signed on back Basil and dated 1830, with two inkwells flanking.
Beautifully...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Antique Mahogany Marble Top Pier Console Table
Located in Shippensburg, PA
EMPIRE MAHOGANY PIER TABLE WITH MARBLE COLUMNS
Continental, circa mid-19th century
Item # 109OYP14M
A good 19th century pier table with a gray marble top situated over a squared apron with flamed mahogany veneers raised over sienna marble columns capped with exquisitely chiseled ormolu mounts and stretched with a broad lower shelf over bun feet. The center features an old mirror framed...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Swedish Country Empire Pine Secretaire
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual country secretaire from the empire period Northern Sweden, 1820 to 1840. Painted with the original faux paint and in original condition. The secretaire is made in Swedish pin...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Empire Torchères, Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Empire torches or candelabra on a three-pass base tapering to the top and inlaid with brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves and floral motifs. Rising above three ...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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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