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
Early 20th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or den with this elegant antique chest of drawers. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the traditional commode sits on carved columnar supports over a straight bott...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Teiera in Porcellana di Capodimonte, Bronzo e Oro Zecchino Fine 1800
By Capodimonte
Located in Milano, MI
Teiera in porcellana di Capodimonte, bronzo e oro zecchino, realizzata alla fine del XIX Secolo
Ø cm 23 Ø cm 14 h cm 30
La porcellana di Capodimonte è un'eccellenza dell'artigianat...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Painted Commode with Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 19th century French Empire painted commode with black Belgian marble top. Nice patina and loads of storage. A great piece!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
20th Century Empire Style Courtly Lion Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s eye maple on solid pinewood, partially ebonized. Finely engraved Empire bronze fixtures.
(L-Sam-301).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks with Garland
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candlesticks with matching light collars, richly decorated in burnished gilded bronze. The central section is elegantly fluted, and they feature a garland wit...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Impressive Royal Early 19th Century German Empire Mirror
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare early 19th century German Empire giltwood trumeau mirror. The large rectangular plate surmounted by a scrolled pediment enriched with wines leaves and a central medallion encl...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Walnut Tray Top Table with Drawers, Doric Columns and Bottom Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire walnut side table features a rectangular tray top over two thin drawers, one in the front and one in the back. To maintain a harmonious symmetry, the artist has in...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Drops Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
One of a kind! Housing 6 lights, sitting in crystal bobéches, dripping with white opaline beads and vintage crystal prisms. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Pillow in Blue
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Toile De La Prairie with a self welt finish. A meadow’s worth of songbirds, butterflies, blooming branches, and seed pods intermingle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire style fireplace fender with dogs
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French Empire style fireplace fender with dogs.
Bronze, brass, steel, and gilded bronze decoration.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Bronze and Glass Chandelier with Beliers
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Empire bronze and glass chandelier with beliers.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Selection of Black and White Abstract Prints
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of black and white abstract prints. From left to right, they are:
1) Abstract lithograph by Terry Haan, circa 1960s. Pencil s...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier
Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire Style Painted & Gilded Mirror is the perfect size for the dressing room, bath, or any cozy niche. The design also lends itself to either horizontal or vertical hanging...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed rectangular center table with winged females, open stretcher, and onyx top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bergere armchairs with red & gold upholstery, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Sofa Table by Johan Oman
By Johan Öman
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Swedish mahogany sofa table by Johan Oman. Stylized double headed axe, a Swedish motif, original ormolu mounts and gilded winged feet...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Fir
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Walnut Corner Consoles with Grey Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate two small corners with this pair of antique consoles, crafted in France, circa 1820, each tall fruitwood table stands on a single car...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Antique (early 19th century) French ormolu bronze mantel clock in the Empire style depicting neoclassical maiden with child.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique White Candlesticks XL Cast Iron France 19th Century 71cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and very rare pair of antique candlesticks in white patinated cast iron, XL size, France, ca 1850.
Rare pair of high quality, the candlesticks have a beautifully decorated...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, 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
French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French mid-19th century Empire style mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble center table, circa 1850. The table is raised by three legs with rectangular support...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
A Fine Paris Porcelain Empire Coffee Service
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Paris Porcelain Empire Gilt-Decorated and Floral Painted Coffee Service.
Comprising a coffee pot, hot-water pot, milk jug, sugar bowl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Swedish Antique Taboret Stools from the Empire Period in Yellow Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of antique taboret stools from the empire period, around 1840. The stools are Swedish and made in solid yellow birch. Curved legs and turned armrests. The seats can be taken out...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and hand carved Alabaster pendant. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 39" diameter 29 1/2" France, circa 1930.
CW3174.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
French Empire Style Half Round Bracket Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style mahogany half round bracket console table with bronze doré trim and green marble top, 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Steel and Brass Daybed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19/20th Century) steel and brass trimmed daybed with open arch and scroll design sides
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Coqueret, View of Paris N°12, Color Print, Early 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Henri Courvoisier-Voisin & Pierre-Charles Coqueret, signed.
Colors print untitled “View of Paris n°12 From the Pont au Change, Notre-Dame and the Pont Marie took between the Pontn...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Vintage 20th Century Hammered Brass Ashtray - 2Y214
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage hammered brass ashtray, dating from the 20th century or earlier, is a fine example of craftsmanship that adds a touch of timeless elegance to any setting. Whether used a...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Converted Cobalt Blue Glass Brass Oil Lamp Urn 29"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Empire Sevres style oil lamp converted to electric - deep cobalt blue glass vase / trophy / mantel urn shaped with brass base, pierced top, and handles decorated with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Gold Bench or Settee
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage French Empire Style Gold Bench or Settee
This vintage bench is a perfect addition to any home looking for a touch of classic style. The unique design and functional features...
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of French Empire Candleabra
Located in Westwood, NJ
Pair of French Empire bronze doré three-light candelabra with nautical motifs, dolphins and shells.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Mirrored Plateau
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire bronze dore, reticulated feather and paw foot, mirrored plateau.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular and large antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi-light chandelier. This fine chandelier is embellished with gilt bronze swan arms and...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Small Marbled Onyx and Pewter Jug Vase – Elegant Decorative Piece - 2Y66
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your home décor with this small marbled onyx and pewter jug vase. This unique piece showcases the natural beauty of onyx with its captivating marbled pattern, complemented by...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Pewter
Antique French Empire Crystal Regulator Clock
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful brass clock with gold dore finish. Beveled glass panels with a porcelain dial and time and strike. French works. Running condition. Corner crack in one glass panel.
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire-style Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze light candelabras, which have been patinated. Gold-finish bronze, gilt bronze, also known as ormolu, is a term describing a decorative art object f...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Sofa, XX th, Mahogany, Gray
Located in Nice, FR
Empire style sofa Structure in solid mahogany with brass medallions Renovated upholstery, thick cotton fabric, gray color. The large seat cushion is ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Ormolu Mantel Clock, Belgium, circa 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire ormolu mantel clock, Belgium, circa 1810, Signed "J.B. Romaet a Gand". Decorated with a shepherd scene. Strikes the hour and half hour on a bell. With enamel clock face and si...
Category
1810s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Centerpiece Perfume Burner in Gilt Bronze and Marble
Located in Paris, FR
Ormolu perfume burner or potpourri holder that serves as a striking table centerpiece. The openwork lid is adorned with palmettes, foliage, small flower...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Pair of Early 19th Century French Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of early 19th Century French tole sconces. Converted from oil lamps with classical gilt figures and Directoire imagery. Circa 1820s.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Armchairs Set of 4 French White Green Empire Chairs France
Located in New York, NY
Armchairs set of 4 French white green Empire chairs France . A set of 4 armchairs made during the Empire period. Painted in a distressed white with dark g...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Beautiful Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Crawley, GB
A 20th century Empire style chest of drawers with figural pilasters and three drawers made in different size.
Don't hesitate to contac...
Category
20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Paire of Vases Empire Dagoty Manufacture Ceramic France \\\'800
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of ceramic vases resting on a black Belgian marble base; with two handles in shape of winged caryatids. The vases are partially gilded and glazed in green with Empire-style motifs, such as Greek leaf motifs and subsequent leaf motifs. On the front, a painted polychrome reserve, in which Cupid and Psyche, Flora and Zephyr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock 'Pendule au char'
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base decorated with a wheat and foliate frieze and raised on four ball feet, the goddess of agriculture Ceres standing while leaning against a Roman chariot with harv...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Bronze Casted Figure-Formed Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved and casted Bronze. Full plasticised, masculine historical Egyptian representation.
(T-Mr-20-Bp).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Red Poppy Design Trumeau / Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) carved giltwood trumeau / wall mirror with painted upper panel of red poppies and flowers (signed).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Rare French Empire Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze Signed Lepaute
By Jean-André Lepaute 1
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An extremely rare and important French Empire mantle clock signed by the master clock making dynasty of Jean-Andre Lepaute and his brother Jean-Baptiste Lepaute.
The case, in the form of an antique portal...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Solid Mahogany Regency Side Chairs Figural Bronze Ormolu, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire solid mahogany Regency side chairs with figural bronze ormolu - a pair. Item features finely cast ornate bronze ormolu, slightly curved backrest, solid wood fra...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Lefevre De Belle
Located in Warsaw, PL
This elegant mantel clock is a fine example of Regency-era craftsmanship, characterized by its refined lines and classical motifs. The clock features a distinctive architectural form...
Category
Early 19th Century French 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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