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.
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Gold, Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mounted Side Chairs
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A pair of Empire Period gilt-bronze mounted side chairs. French, Circa 1820.
Bronze
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
French Empire Period Egyptian Style Porcelain Candelabra
Located in London, GB
French Empire period Egyptian style porcelain candelabra French, c. 1815 Height 81cm, width 27cm, depth 27cm These extremely fine candelabra date from the early 19th Century, during the period of Napoleonic dominance in Europe. It was during this period that interest in the ancient civilisation of Egypt started to become fashionable, in large part due to Napoleon's conquest of the region at the turn of the 19th Century. Each candelabrum is modelled as a standing cross...
Ormolu
Early American Classical Empire Period Flame Mahogany Sewing Stand Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare fine quality Federal period American Empire flame mahogany sewing stand work table from the early 19th century. Exquisitely hand-crafted in the northeastern United States, most likely Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1820, having a hinged top, opening to reveal contrasting Birdseye maple marquetry oval cartouche inlay, a fitted maple divided compartment interior, the front having two nicely shaped curved drawer fronts, consisting of a faux drawer front over a single dovetailed ogee drawer, above a vasiform pedestal standard, molded stepped platform base, rising on bracket feet, resting on casters. Attractive highly figured crotch cut swirl mahogany with striking grain patterns, rich and deep antique wood color...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
19th Century French Mahogany Table Empire style with Louis Philippe four Chairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
IMPORTANT: ON REQUEST WE WILL RE-UPHIDE THE CHAIRS WITH A SUPPLEMENT OF EURO 150 EACH. Reinforced structure of the chairs for daily use. Spring seat. French mahogany dining table...
Mahogany
$18,750 / item
Empire Style Lantern Form Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb Louis WVI style lantern. Two toned patinated bronze, with curved glass panels. 3-light, France, circa 1900. Apparently unmarked. Measures: Height 42", diameter 19". Pair ...
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
An elegant gilt bronze mantel clock, finely chased and gilded, depicting a Rococo-inspired scene with two youthful male figures reclining atop a cart overflowing with sheaves of whea...
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century. Dimens...
Composition
French Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, Circa 1875
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, France Charming French Tole Lamp on a frosted lucite base. Wonderful patina on this vintage piece. Certainly a statement piece in any home libr...
Metal
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 7.3X5.6
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
19th Century Empire Marble Fireplace Mantelpiece, Carved Columns and Lion Heads
Located in GB
19th century unique Empire style brown Bois-Jourdan marble fireplace mantelpiece, with a white statuary Carrara hand carved Roman Rosette on the cent...
Statuary Marble
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Wool, Cotton
Elegante ausdrucksstarke frühe Biedermeier Kommode mit Geheimschublade, 1810
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Hessian Biedermeier chest of drawers, circa 1810. Walnut veneer on an oak carcass. The three-drawer body is flanked by ebonized half-columns with gilded bases and capitals. Raised on...
Oak, Walnut
Monumental 19th Century French Empire Sèvres Style Porcelain Urns, a Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent pair of French antique gilt bronze mounted pink Sèvres porcelain style vasiform urns. Born in France in the 19th century, hand-crafted in rich grandiose Empire taste, palatial awe-inspiring large scale, featuring ornate finely chiseled and sculpted dore' bronze hinged handle mounts, partial gilt pink ground baluster form amphora - pithos form body surmounted by patinated brass final topped cover affixed to the flaired narrowing neck rising from voluptuous bulbous tapering body, embellished with elaborate gilded gold enameled scroll flourish filigree decoration framing central oval medallion showcasing hand painted polychrome classical landscape and pastoral figural scenes, over doré bronze mount fillet adorned porcelain foot ending in substantial sturdy octagonal cast gilt metal plinth base. A superb example, high quality craftsmanship, construction, and materials, exceptionally executed design, this pair makes for a wonderful decorative object and most impressive statement piece! Exceedingly rare, boldly beautiful and absolutely stunning, this majestic pair is sure to become the focal point in any room. Placed in beside a fireplace, flanking an door, entry or hall, atop a massive sideboard...
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German bo...
Giltwood
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Crystal Column Small Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Crystal Glass Column Small Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11.5" H (to top of bronze ...
Bronze
Beautiful White Opaline Cenedese Style Glass Compote Pedestal Bowl, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This elegant Tuscan glass pedestal bowl is a beautiful example of mid-century Italian milk opaline craftsmanship, created circa 1950 or earlier in the style of Cenedese. The bowl fea...
Glass
French Oil on Canvas, Portrait of Princess Eugénie de Beauharnais
Located in Atlanta, GA
After Johann Heinrich Richter (German, 1784–1850) A finely executed portrait after Johann Heinrich Richter's celebrated likeness of Princess Eugénie de Beauharnais, Duchess of Hohen...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Italian, Lucchese, Empire Period Pair Giltwood & Upholstered Bergeres, ca. 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
having slightly rolled crest rails on reclined back, the arms with carved eagles, raised on saber legs, all non-upholstered surfaces are of giltwood, loose cushions
Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely French 19th century Empire st. verdigris patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The patinated bronze base is decorated with an ormolu inverted finial and acanthus leaves an...
Bronze, Ormolu
Georgian Silver Tea Caddy Tableware Empire Sterling Silver Box Empire Casket
By Hester Bateman, Gorham CO., Towle Silversmiths, Charles Nicolas Odiot, Barbour Silver Co.
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Sterling Silver tea caddy / box Style Georgian, French Empire, Napoleonic, Dutch A sterling silver very stylized tea box with good working lock Decorated with embossed pearl...
Silver
Two Empire Period Gilt Porcelain Vases by Dihl Et Guérhard
Located in London, GB
These beautiful painted and gilt vases were crafted in circa 1810 by the important Parisian porcelain factory, Dihl et Guérhard (French, 1781-circa 18...
Porcelain
French Napoleonic 2nd Empire Style Polychrome and Giltwood Armchair Throne
Located in New York, NY
Monumental Napoleonic throne armchair, finely carved with polychrome and gilt surfaces throughout with large coat of arms of the Napoleonic Second Empire (1852-70) on the crest rail,...
Wood
Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Swedish Empire ceiling crown in the style of classicism Polished brass and facetted prismatic trimmings. Starting from narrow, ornamented brass hoops, eight curved candlesticks for cylindrical spouts above a round gutter bowl. Baluster-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl strings...
Brass
Swedish Giltwood Early 19th Century Empire Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine, giltwood Swedish console table, possibly by the Stockholm master cabinet maker Lundelius (1778-1823). The wooden top in faux marble painted, the base plinth is painted black....
Giltwood
Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very architectural pair of French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu mirrors. The pair of mirrors display mirror plates flanked by two Mahogany columns. The columns have a...
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Danish Brass Ashtray Glødeskål Heating Bowl with Wood Handle
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Danish brass ashtray or bowl with wood handle. This bowl was used for moving burning ambers from one room to another. Great piece to add to a collection of these hard to ...
Brass
Antique Brass Trivet, English, 19th Century Floral Design
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique early 19th-century brass English trivet. Certainly an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent in a kitchen or next to...
Brass, Iron
19th Century Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Pair Armchair
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century French Empire style handcrafted gilt bronze mahogany framed upholstered pair of armchair. Each armchairs is set on four straight mahogany legs, the front two of which ar...
Bronze
$6,949 / set
Empire Candlesticks, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of elegant Empire candlesticks crafted from partially fire-gilded bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each candlestick stands on a round base, featuring a tapered, flute...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Trumeau Wall Mirror with Matching Console Table
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century French Empire style trumeau mirror with matching console table, featuring a decorative mythological "Verre Églomisé" reverse paint...
Bronze
Vintage Danish Rectangular Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish gilt gold art frame found in a Paris market. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has wonderful patina throughout and would look fan...
Gold
Pair of English Copper & Brass Glass Lanterns Orig. Gas, William Edgar C. 1890
By William Edgar
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Copper and Brass hinged glass lanterns signed William Edgar, Blenheim House, Hammersmith. Pair were originally gas and can be electrified or returned to gas if desire...
Copper, Brass
$1,643 / 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 Cabinet / cupboard in antique Empire Style Mahogany Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid wood. High-arched, architecturally designed corpus, single-door base, open-sided shelf, flanked by columns with capitals and bases of finely chiselled bronze, sligh...
Mahogany
$7,975 / item
Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch
Located in Annville, PA
The Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch is a high quality 60 inch round table when closed. The field of the table top being produced from the...
Mahogany
Set of 4 Antique Russian Empire Silver Open Salts with Swan Supports
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Russian Empire silver open salts, 1832-1840. Each: Oval ring supported by two swan-form monopodium supports: ring rests on spread wings and turned-down neck; ribbed and talo...
Silver
French 19th Century Cobalt Blue Glass with Bronze Rim
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Denmark, a very versatile glass with a bronze rim. We see this piece being used for display, a cocktail glass as well as a penholder. We are very impressed with the unbea...
Art Glass
French Empire Revival Green Leather Top Bronze Griffin Mahogany Desk & Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Revival Style Green Leather Top Mahogany Bureau Plat Executive Writing Desk & Chair with Bronze Griffin Ormolu by Global N.Y. Listing includes a very impressive...
Bronze
$26,000 / set
French 19th Century Empire Three-Piece Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece group of empire seating includes canape and two bergeres canape - H 36 in; bergere - H 35-1/4.
Wood
Empire Style Steel and Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome empire-style steel and bronze floor lamp with a custom navy blue enamel shade. Possibly by J.E. Caldwell. Newly rewired.
Steel, Bronze
French Empire Duchesse Brisée Armchair in Parcel Gilt
Located in London, GB
A fine early nineteenth-century French Empire period duchesse brisée armchair with accompanying footstool. This set is in the original paint with applied gilded highlights. The restr...
Pine
$38,850 / set
Pair of Napoleon III Royal Rouge Griotte Athenienne
Located in New Orleans, LA
Royal Rouge Griotte Marble Athenienne After Pierre Gouthière Late 19th Century This monumental pair of Napoleon III gilt bronze-mounted Royal Rouge Griotte athenienne perfume vases ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Iron Andiron
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and iron andiron. The andiron is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. Each of the two supports d...
Iron, Ormolu
$647Sale Price|50% Off
Empire Table Lamp Cut Crystal Diamond Pattern Gilded Bronze
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large and rare Empire style table lamp, made of cut crystal and gilded bronze and brass, dating from around the beginning of the 20th century, France. This very high quality table l...
Crystal, Brass, Gold Leaf, Bronze
Antique Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria Fine China Square Plate Floral Yellow Gold
By Hutschenreuther, Tirschenreuth Bavaria
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria Fine China Square Selb Bavaria Germany Floral Yellow and gold. Hutschenreuther Selb Bavaria with gold rimmed square decorative plate. Gorgeous square platter with a beautiful hand painted 22 karat golden filigree...
Porcelain
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
Set of three Neoclassical Italian Porcelain Plates
By Real Fabbrica Ferdinandea 1
Located in New York, NY
Set of three Neoclassical Italian Porcelain Plates. Three Real Fabbrica hand painted and gilded Naples Neoclassical Empire soup plates with central roundels depicting jewel toned my...
Porcelain
Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A 19th century classical Empire pier console table having a beveled rectangular marble top above an Ogee mahogany veneered apron raised on carved and gilt white Alabaster Ionic colum...
Alabaster
Antique French Giltwood Wall Mirror in Gold
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
An antique French giltwood wall mirror, dating to the late 19th century. This rectangular mirror has a warm gold frame with age-related wear, minor losses, surface marks, and rubbing...
Mirror, Giltwood
$14,500 / set
Pair of Torcheres
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine pair of Torcheres in Empire style. These are contemporary composite reproductions of the best quality. CW3566
Composition
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light. Dimensions : Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm ...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
By Claude Hemon, Pierre-Victor Ledure
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Bronze
1870 French Empire Style Bronze Dore Candleholders, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of French Empire style bronze dore candelabra with tapering malachite stems resting on three lion paw feet on triform malachite bases. Circa 1870.
Malachite, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Fabulous Empire trumeau mirror with Greco-Roman deity occupying the central frame. Bathed in gold gilt, she is carved with great reverence for beauty and projects off the frame in ¾ ...
Mirror, Wood
Late 18th–Early 19th Century Miniature Watercolor of a Military, Brass Frame
Located in Knivsta, SE
Late 18th–Early 19th Century Miniature Watercolor of a Military Figure, Brass Frame An exquisite miniature watercolor depicting a mounted military figure, dating from the late 18th ...
Brass
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Crystal
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze & Brass Candlesticks
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt, Patinated, and Burnished Bronze & Brass Candlesticks, circa 1920 Elegant pair of French Empire style candlesticks, crafted from a harmonious co...
Bronze, Brass
$258Sale Price|57% Off
Fine Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Can and 'En Grisaille', French circa 1810
By Paris Studio
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain coffee can made by a French Old - Paris maker, dating to the early 19th century, circa 1810. The very fine Paris Porcelain coffee...
Porcelain