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.
Elegant Louis XVI Gilded Bronze Lantern with Hand-Cut Glass Panels, France
Located in Coimbra, PT
This exquisite Louis XVI-style lantern is a remarkable example of early 20th-century French craftsmanship. Executed in finely gilded bronze, the piece features intricate neoclassical...
Bronze
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...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Sac a Pearl Lustre Ceiling Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing two exquisite basket chandeliers, available as a pair! Both have been lovingly and professionally restored in Berlin, with electrical wiring compatible with the US. They ...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$4,340Sale Price|38% Off
Empire french bronze chandelier in gold-plated with 'Quimeras" circa 1800
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible chandelier in bronze and gold empire circa 1800 with "Quimeras" for 6 lights.
Gold, Bronze
$3,800 / set
1920's French Empire Black Cherubs Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1920's empire style sconces with Blackmoore putti.
Bronze
19th Century Empire Influenced Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century burr walnut French Empire influenced gueridon / centre table. Having classical gilded ormolu mounts to the frieze and ca...
Walnut
Antique French Copper Napoleon Bonaparte Commemorative Military Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Copper Napoleon Bonaparte Commemorative Military Letter Opener France Copper 19th Century Dimensions: Length 15.5cm This letter opener celebrates French milit...
Copper
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
December 1874 Godey's Fashions Lithograph Mahogany Trumeau Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
December 1874 Godey's Fashions Lithograph Solid Mahogany Framed Trumeau Mirror. Measures 14.25" in width, 31" in height.
Mirror, Mahogany
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble consoles. Each freestanding one drawer two tiered console is raise...
Marble, Ormolu
$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
French Empire Period Dore Bronze Mounted Center Table/Library Table
By Thomas Hope
Located in New York, NY
A marvelous French empire period dore bronze-mounted center table with X-form stretcher on either side, most probably from a Thomas Hope design. This beautifully hand carved center t...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Polished Brass and Black-Enameled Cast Iron Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Each with removable nozzle in brass above an acanthus shoulders over a brass column with lotus-leaf capital terminating in an acanthus-form knob, supported on a tripartite base with ...
Brass, Iron
Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Interesting Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Cabinet The Vert marble top above two large doors mounted with angels, the top ...
Marble, Bronze
Tobey Furniture Monumental Antique French Empire Mahogany and Brass Dining Table
By Tobey
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding palatial antique French Empire style monumental extension dining table By Tobey Furniture USA, Circa 1900 Gorgeous mahogany, with brass accents. Measures: 66"W x 5...
Brass
Pair 19thc French Neoclassic Gilt Bronze Horns & Arrow Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Lovely Pair French Empire Neoclassic Gilt Bronze Horns & Arrows Wall Sconces. Very nicely detailed. Parisian Estate.
Bronze
French Empire Centre Table Burr Walnut circa 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire style burr walnut centre table. Circa 1860 Standing on swept legs with cast gilt Mouldings. This table has 1 x Mahogany lined drawer. The shaped top featuring high ...
Walnut
French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and finely detailed French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece. The stunning cut Crystal bowl is raised on four straight legs displaying clawed f...
Crystal, Ormolu
$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
Early 20th Century Wood Pair of Empire Upholstered Armchairs
Located in High Point, NC
Here is a bed frame, its dark walnut, purple/plum upholstered panel the first thing to catch the eye. Dating to Early 20th Century and originating from France, it reflects the design...
Fabric, Walnut
$23,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
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
French empire antique desk with leather top with bronze mounts
Located in Houston, TX
The fine quality of t mahogany that was incorporated In the construction of this piece Is exceptional. The gilt bronze mounts are excellent with a brilliant patina. Each side Has a c...
Leather, Mahogany
Antique Meissen Empire Coffee Pot with Gold Decoration, 19th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique Meissen Empire coffee pot with gold decoration. 19th century. Measures: 27 x 20 cm. 1st factory quality. In good condition with wear in the ...
Porcelain
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant and finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu chandelier. This exceptional four arm eight light circular chandelier is centered by an Ormolu acorn bottom f...
Ormolu
Beautifull Gueridon of the End of the 19th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautifull gueridon of the end of the 19th century Very good condition Mesures: 60 cm diameter and 77 cm high.
Wood
French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror, Early 1800s, Hand-Carved
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant French Empire mahogany cheval floor mirror, early 1800’s, retains the original glass and features a rectilinear mahogany frame which can pivot to adjust the angle or ref...
Ormolu
Pair of Empire Style Sconces Wall Lights, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming pair of sconces. Perfect to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway as a charming welcom...
Metal
$2,203Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Bronze Crossed Arrows Wall Sconces
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of bronze wall sconces present a chiseled macarrons with two crossed arrows. This is a French work in the Empire style. Circa 1950
Bronze
Burr-Amboyna, Marble, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Cabinet by Maison Krieger
Located in London, GB
This beautiful display cabinet was crafted by the prestigious furniture company, Maison Krieger. The firm was founded in 1826 by Antoine Krieger. Over the course of the 19th century,...
Marble, Bronze
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
$1,232Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Glass
19th Century Empire Style French Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Majestic basket chandelier in French. Empire style in 1900. Bronze, gilded. Basket-shaped, profile-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prism strings. In the course, con...
Bronze
Pair Of French Early 19th Century Empire Period Patinated Wood Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated wood armchairs. The pair are raised on front circular tapered legs with gilt carved foliate bands at the top and bottom wh...
Wood
Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier. Swedish, Circa 1825.
Crystal, Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Gilt Wood Rectangular Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This rectangular mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Empire style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been carefully hand carved, with an emphas...
Gold Leaf
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each stunning candlestick mounted into a lamp is raised on four Ormolu lion paws below a ...
Crystal, Ormolu
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu and Marble buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Mouchette Mahogany, Burl Ash, Santos Mahogany, Kingwood, Ormolu, and Giallo Antico marble buffet. This stunning three draw...
Marble, Ormolu
$1,085Sale Price|20% Off
Maitland-Smith Empire Revival Table Lamp, Verde Alpi Marble, 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Empire Revival table lamp by Maitland-Smith was crafted in the 1980s and exemplifies the brand’s refined approach to historical reinterpretation. Drawing directly from Napoleoni...
Marble, Bronze, Wrought Iron
Large French Empire Brass Crackle Art Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Large French Empire Gilt Brass & Crackle Frosted Art Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture Having 3 Internal Candelabra Lights Rewired With New Sockets
Brass
Pair of Late Empire Armchairs in Birch from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Late Empire birch armchairs, upholstered in red fabric and from around the 1840s, make a beautiful and period feature in any interior with their...
Fabric, Birch
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière French, c.1820 Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm Made in the early nineteenth ...
Malachite, Ormolu
19t Century Pair French Empire Lamps Paris Porcelain (Rust) Ormolu Mounts
Located in Phoenix, AZ
19th Century Scottish Etched Glass Compote. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Porcelain
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Brass
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Marble Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted on Alabastro Sardonico and black Belgian marble pedestal. The pedestal is raised by a protruding square ...
Marble
19th Century, Empire Style Mahogany & Bronze Console Table
Located in Beaune, FR
Rare and superb Empire style mahogany console table decorated with gilded bronzes. It is topped with an original Siena marble in good condition. This console is large in size which i...
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Mirror with Bronze Stars
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A slender, 19th century French Empire mirror with its original glass plates. The frame is made of beveled mahogany decorated with gilt bronze stars, a motif popular throughout the Em...
Brass
Living Room Suite in the antique Empire Style beech hand carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Very exact fine-carved sculpture made of solid, blackened beechwood. Poliment gold-plated. Scratched frame on sculpturally carved legs ending in claws. Armrests volute-shaped bent in...
Beech
Oval Empire-Style Pedestal Table in Walnut and Marble, 20th Century
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Oval Empire-style pedestal table in walnut and Corsican marble. A very beautiful and high-quality 20th-century piece. A slight chip to the marble (polishing and restoration possibl...
Marble
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Sconces, Circa 1830-1850.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Museum Quality Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Sconces, Circa 1830-1850.
Marble, Bronze
$201Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Old-Paris Porcelain Saucer with 'En Grisaille' Decoration, French Ca 1810
By Paris Studio
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain saucer made by a French Old Paris maker, dating to the early 19th century, circa 1810. The saucer is very well painted "en grisaille" with a deer ...
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Appliqués, Hand-Carved Empire Style
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning pair of Italian 19th century giltwood wall appliqués–decorative elements to enhance the architectural program–likely obtained from a church or cathedral as they are flat a...
Gold
19th Century Italian Giltwood and Marble Top Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A good centre table in the Italian impero manner Constructed in carved gold leaf giltwood, and having a St Jean brecciated marble top; of circular form, the tripartite base of canin...
Marble
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. Th...
Birdseye Maple
Antique English Brass Fireplace Trivet Ottoman or Stool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th-century brass English fireplace footman trivet. The footman is an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent p...
Brass
Pair of French Empire Silvered Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Silvered Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A refined pair of Empire candlesticks crafted in silvered bronze, dating from France, circa 1820s. These elegant pieces d...
Silver Plate, Bronze
19th Century Empire Writing Desk With Roll Top, Nutwood, Austria ca. 1800
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute extraordinary crafted, rare early 19th century roll top writing desk from the turn of the century around 1800 in Austria. This remarkable, elegantly designed nutwood writing desk was artfully made in the transition period from the so-called "Josephinism" (1780-1790) to the renowed Empire era (1800 - 1810). The extravagant executed mirrored veneer work as well as the superb shape, reflects perfectly the form language of this famous, long past period. According to the previous owner´s story who owned the castle where we found this outstanding looking, valuable Empire roll top desk...
Brass
Early 19th Century Empire Column, Plaster, Restored, Sweden, 1800
Located in Ljungby, SE
A decorative Empire column made of plaster. It was likely produced in Sweden during the early 19th century. The color is the original, restored finish. The column features decoration...
Plaster
Pair of French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mounted armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet with a roset...
Ormolu