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
19th Century Black French Antique Wrought Iron Napoleon III Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black antique, late 19th century French floor candle holder, candelabra hand crafted in very ornate fer forge work with wrought iron scrolls and seven candle holders, in good condi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
19th Century Swedish Empire Marble Topped Drawer Chest Commode
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Swedish Empire three-drawer commode chest veneered in burled bird's-eye elm emblematic of Baltic furniture in the 18th-19th centuries, the rectangular side columns mounted with brass Egyptian...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Elm
$6,800 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Renaissance Style Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Renaissance Style Flemish Tapestry Pillow 17'' X 17'', handmade, authentic 17th Century Piece, Traditional Empire Style
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Empire Mahogany and Brass Centre Table
Located in New York, NY
With round red fossil stone top over a frieze raised on three columnar supports with gilt metal capitals and bases headed by brass inlaid diamonds, joined by platform stretchers. Nic...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Original Oil Painting
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Empire Original Oil Painting of 2 women by window
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Antique Vienna Empire Silver Lidded Saucepan On Lion's Legs, Dated 1794
Located in Vienna, AT
Early silver saucepan, round, flared vessel with smooth walls and outwardly stepped rim, standing on three lion legs with fur relief and sculpted paws, mounted on the body of the ves...
Category
1790s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
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...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$60,638 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Antique Empire Style Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
Incredible pair of Empire style candelabra of gilt and patinated bronze. The backs are flat in order that they might be close to a wall.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$9,650 / set
Gilded Classical Wooden Column / Pedestal, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This exquisite hand-carved wooden column, adorned with gleaming gold leaf, exudes timeless elegance and grandeur. Standing at an impressive 43.9 inches (111.5 cm) tall, the column fe...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,616 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Console W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th-century French console table in the Empire style, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from walnut, it features a stunning, thick Carrara marble ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Pair of Fine Ormolu and Green Marble Eight-Light Torcheres/Centerpieces
Located in New York, NY
An unusual and rare pair of ormolu and green marble eight-light torcheres/floor centerpieces attributed to E. F. Caldwell and Co New York. In the Empire style, the circular pierced f...
Category
1890s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$76,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beech wood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers.
Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Three-bar frame, brass-framed, protruding rectangular worktop with historically three-section, gold-embossed leather plate...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Rouge de France marble and Ormolu urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most decorative pair of French 19th century Empire st. Rouge de France marble and Ormolu urns. Each wonderful lidded urn is raised by an Ormolu rimmed circular marble base supporti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
French Empire Style Mahogany Buffet With Ormolu Handle Pulls & Trim Beautiful piece purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Unusual Empire Style Bookcase, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Quirky and unusual Empire style breakfront bookcase, the wood painted with a faux bois trompe l'oeil, and decorated with plaster moldings painted gold....
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
19th Century French Playing Card Box Rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Large casket, rosewood solid and veneered, France circa 1860/70, brass handle embedded in the lid, brass inlays, nice division inside (originally for tokens and cards), restored cond...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces in the Empire taste. Great Detail.
Original gilding. France, circa 1900. 2 lights each
Dimensions: Height 24" (excluding candles) Width...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful Pair of Russian Imperial Glass and Ormolu Mounted Tazza Centerpieces
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Russian Empire Imperial Glass Manufactury and ormolu mounted white opalescent tazza centrepieces, each white opaline bowl beautifully hand cut and hand polished in flutted design with ribbed border; the Ormolu very finely hand chisseled and finished in two tome dore bronze gold...
Category
1830s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$10,240 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Large Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Sixteen-Light Chandelier, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Magnificent and impressive Empire-style bronze and alabaster sixteen-light chandelier from the late 19th century; later has been electrified. The circular ring with four large majest...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid 19th century Swedish flame mahogany cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century mahogany caddy top cupboard circa 1860.
Elegant flame mahogany 1 piece cupboard. Layered caddy top which can be removed, single drawer below the top surface. Ma...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,300 / set
Pair of Antique Second Empire Style Five-Arm Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
A large pair of Charles X bronze and marble five-light candelabra now fitted as table lamps. This striking pair combine honey-colored Siena marble and dark crisp scrolling bronze in ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Hand-Carved Wooden Elephant Figurine – Rustic Artisan Craft - 2Y178
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of rustic charm to your home decor with this petite hand-carved wooden elephant figurine. Perfect for collectors or as a thoughtful gift, this piece showcases the beauty ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$229 Sale Price
75% Off
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 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely elegant French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The eight arm chandelier is centered by a striking solid crystal ball below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabras
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning pair of gilded and patinated bronze candelabras, featuring a winged cupid. He is standing on a sphere and holding a torch, which is surrounded by three curving candle branch...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$9,433 / set
Early 19th Century French Empire Mantel Clock, Portal Pendule, Paris circa 1820
By Duval
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French round arch portal clock
France (Paris)
Bronze, enamel
Empire circa 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 x 26 x 12 cm
Description:
Very beautiful, strictly architecturally...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Vintage French Bronze Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant vintage French bronze and brass Empire style Bouillotte table lamp with a metal shade.
Measures: Height 20.5" in. (52 cm), diameter 15" in. (38 cm).
Lighting: takes one l...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Garnitures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze and dore bronze compote/tazas with finely chased details. Can be used to hold a topiary or a thick candle. Base is 7" Top is 11.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs made in Lindome outside Gothenburg. Flared saber legs at the front and back. Made around 1810. In good condition.
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$5,550 / set
Milling Road for Baker French Empire Settee designed by Darryl Carter
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darryl Carter for milling Road by Baker. This settee has a white lacquer finish to the frame with new upholstery el tiger gray Chenil...
Category
2010s Indonesian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb 19th century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Egyptian style Mantel Clock
This clock was produced in the Fr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Two Antique Empire Side Chairs, circa 1830, Empire / Biedermeier
Located in Praha, CZ
Very good original condition with new cover fabric. Solid and compact. Perfectly cleaned and polished with shellac.
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile, Wood
$2,006 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts (CW5595). The quality is superb, chasing is 10 on 10. France, circa 1870. Dimensions: Height 15 1/2", the base i...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal 19th Century French Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt bronze and patinated metal 19th Century French chandelier
French, late 19th Century
Dimensions: Height 83cm, diameter 60cm
Designed in the elegant French Empire sty...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
$6,063 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle
Located in Hamburg, DE
This cylindrical marble box with a lid is a sophisticated decorative piece that blends vintage charm with historical design influences. Crafted in the 1970s, it features a lightly pa...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Gilt Bronze Box With Miniature Of Napoleon Bonaparte, 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Gilt bronze box with miniature of Napoleon Bonaparte painted on porcelain from the 19th century.
7.5 x 9.5 cm, height 3.4 cm
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
HAND CARVED & PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles
Please...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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 French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Set of Old Paris Porcelain Wash Jug and Basin with Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stylish vintage pitcher and matching wash basin, crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring intricate gilt decoration of palmettes and leaves on a white background. The jug is ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal Chandelier by Baccarat.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Gilt Bronze & Crystal Chandelier by Baccarat. 6 lights.
France, circa 1930.
Dimensions: Height 40" Diameter 24"
CW5535
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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 ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$18,750 / item
Vintage Enameled & Crackled Terra Cotta Jug in Beautiful Color - 2Y158
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This antique vintage jug, made from terra cotta, features an elegant enameled and crackled finish in a beautiful color. A charming addition to any...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
$176 Sale Price
75% Off
French Empire Style Triple Tiered Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An empire style chandelier in gilded bronze and cut crystal. The large central ring is embellished with palmettes and wreaths and supports beaded chains and long crystal French drops...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
Located in IT
19th Century, Pair of French Gitl Bronze Appliques
This particular pair of appliques, in chiseled and gilded bronze, dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Made ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Three-Light Candelabra ca. 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE THREE-LIGHT CANDELABRA
Paris, France ca. 1815-35 raised on antico verde marble plinths
25 1/2" H x 9" W x 4 1/2" D
A very finely chiseled ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. White Onyx and Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and high quality French 19th century Empire st. White Onyx and Ormolu centerpiece. This beautiful centerpiece/tazza is raised on a square Onyx base wrapped with a berri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Portrait Actress Madam George
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Late 19th Century French Portrait Actress Madam George.
Excellent Condition, Beautiful painting purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with an...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
Pair of Empire-Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patinated Bronze Stands
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire-style Neoclassical gilt and patinated bronze stands
French, 20th Century
42cm high x 31cm wide x 31 cm depth
Made from patinated bronze and gilt bronze in the French Empire style, with Neoclassical influences, these excellent stands were made in France in the 20th century. Placed upon four small gilt feet...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$7,166 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Early 19th Century Empire Candelabra with Caryatids
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Empire bronze and marble candelabra with three branches each. The lights are supported by bronze caryatids with dark brown patina, who are dressed in long tunics à l’antique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
C1872 French Painting of Gypsy Woman with a Parrot
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
C1872 French Painting of Gypsy Woman with a Parrot
Beautifully Painted. Very Crisp.
Unique piece purchased in France.
Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with any...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
Chandelier, Late 20th Century, Empire, 10 Branch, Wilkinson Plc
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The polished brass acanthus leaf corona supports six rectangular split link chains holding a black painted bowl with an ormolu pendant. The five polished brass double candle...
Category
1990s European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish elm and birch escritoire writing desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century swedish elm and birch escritoire writing desk circa 1870.
Superb quality scandinavian birch and elm writing desk with drawers.
This piece features birch sides and top ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch, Elm
French Antique Empire Style Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet, French, in the “return from Egypt” Empire style. After the Egyptian campaign Napoleon asked his “ebenistes“ to incorporate stylistic elements i...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Ibach Model 2 Grand Piano Mahogany Case Ormolu Mounts
Located in Leeds, GB
Empire style, 1901, Ibach model 2 grand piano with a mahogany case and gate legs. Entire cabinet decorated with ormolu mounts depicting classical scenes of gods, goddesses and wreaths. This piano is one of 12 unique instruments made as exhibition models...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Urn and Rams Head White & Gold Porcelain Table Lamp Empire Style, German, Large
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous large white and gold porcelain table lamp in urn form with detailed ram's head design, in the Empire style, attributed to Furstenberg Porcelain, Germany, circa 20th centur...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
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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