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.
1900 French Empire Gilt Bronze Two Lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire gilt bronze two-light sconces, 19th century, with a flame atop and empire faces design
Bronze
Tall Antique Danish Empire Floor Candelabra Gilded and Brown Metal 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique tall empire style 3-armed floor candelabra made of a combination of gilded and brown-patinated metal and bronze. Made in Denmark by skilled metalworkers circa 1880-1900 Very...
Metal, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Ewers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (19th century) French bronze ewers in the Empire period manner of Andre Antoine Ravio (1759-1814), with urn forms with green patinas, decorated with gilt lotus flower...
Bronze
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 ...
Crystal, Ormolu
Wonderful Neoclassical Empire Bronze Star Bowl Petite Chandelier Ormolu Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Neoclassical / Regency / Empire Bronze Bowl With Star Ormolu Mounts Hanging From Fabric Rope And Tassels, This Beautiful Chandelier Has 3 Candelabra Lights. Comes ...
Bronze, Ormolu
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Small Danish Empire Veneered and Brass Trinket Box, Circa 1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Period Empire Trinket Box in Veneered Mahogany and Brass Panels on the Edges, Denmark Circa 1825.
Brass
Early French 19th Century Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Firescreen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early French 19th century Empire mahogany and gilt bronze firescreen Screen has a period embroidered flower decorated insert.
Bronze
French Empire Style Crystal Glass Pineapple Column Brass Table Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Vintage French Empire Style Crystal Glass Pineapple Column Brass Table Lamp. Measuring 6.5" in diameter and 28.5" in height.
Crystal
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.
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Wood
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beechwood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers. Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Thre...
Birdseye Maple
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
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
Pair of Italian Empire Silver Candlesticks, Milan, circa 1810
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of elegant Empire candleholders on an unfilled base, conical structure, offset olive-shaped grommets with a flat, plate-shaped drip edge, smoo...
Silver
$11,250Sale Price|25% Off
Large French Bureau Plat/Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
Large French Bureau Plat / Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, Empire / Napoleon III, French Empire / Napoleon III Bureau de Ministre (Bureau Plat) in Mahogany wi...
Bronze
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Crystal, Iron
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with dark stone top. The gray, Saint Anne-type marble is in wonderful ...
Marble
Pair of Girandoles, Candle sticks, Candelabras, bronze, ~ 1810 Empire, France
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning pair of so called Girandoles, made in France around 1810, in the famous Empire period. The stepped pedestals are beautifully designed with masks and garland décor. On each...
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, Bronze & Fruitwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome Continental mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany, ormolu, patinated bronze and ebonized fruitwood drop front secretary. The secretary is raised by four square tapered...
Bronze, Ormolu
Set of 4 Paris porcelain coffee cups. 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A set of 4 Paris porcelain coffee cups and their saucers, a finely Empire-style decorated model : Italian landscapes framed by a fine gold gilt cartouche on a burgundy background, ed...
Porcelain
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
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candelabra Italian Gilt Bronze Three-Arm Flambeaux
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Candelabri a Tre Fiamme Impero in Bronzo Dorato della prima metà del XIX secolo, di origine italiana, si presentano in buono stato di conservazione con segni di usura nell...
Bronze
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2 Available.
Marble, Bronze
4 Framed Antique French Empire Style Lithograph Prints of Napoleon's Coronation
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions (Per Frame) - H: 22 3/4 in W: 30 1/4 in D: 1 3/4 in Dimensions (Art Per Piece) - H: 14 1/4 in W: 21 3/4 in Presenting a striking set of four Antique French Empire Style...
Wood, Paper
Pair of Empire Six-Light Candelabra Attributed to Escalier De Cristal circa 1819
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A remarkable and highly important pair of Empire gilt-bronze and cut-crystal six-light candelabra attributed to Escalier De Cristal De Paris. French, circa 1819. This exceptional pair of candelabra can almost certainly be attributed to the workshops of l'Escalier de Cristal de Paris. They relate in particular to a dressing table and chair, now in the collection of the Louvre, which formed part of a toilette suite that was exhibited by L'Escalier de Cristal at the 1819 Paris exhibition of the Produits de l'industrie. The present candelabra may very likely have been made as part of this suite. In 'Baccarat: La Legende du Cristal', it states: "A l'Exposition des produits de l'industrie française de 1819, Mme Désarnaud présente une toilette, une cheminée, deux grands candélabres, deux tables, une grande pendule et plusieurs vases, en cristal et bronze...
Crystal, Bronze
Elegant brass table lamp in the form of an amphora urn, late 19th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant brass table lamp in the form of an amphora urn, from the late 19th century Striking and elegant table lamp in polished brass, shaped as a classical amphora urn with sweepin...
Brass
Empire style bronze chandelier with Royal Eagle heads and flame. This chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice 6 arms Empire style chandelier is made of chiseled bronze with Royal Eagle heads around a center flame. This is a French work. Circa 1900
Bronze
$4,000 / set
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Empire candleholders in fire-gilded bronze. Manufactured in France around 1810/1820. The candleholders are decorated with beautiful acanthus leaves. A decorative meander ba...
Bronze
Empire Corner Cabinet or Cupboard in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From the Baltic region, a very beautiful and unusual Empire corner cupboard in fine West Indies/ Cuban mahogany with two stacked cabinet doors that are bowed, and are separated by a ...
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s An elegant and architecturally striking pair of French Empire candlesticks executed in finely chiseled gilt bronze, dating to t...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s An elegant pair of French Empire candlesticks in finely chased and gilt bronze, dating from the 1820s. The tall and bal...
Bronze
French Gilt and Marble Occasional Table in the Empire Style
By Jacob Frères
Located in London, GB
A fine gueridon in the Empire manner after a model by Jacob Freres. Based on designs by Percier and Fontaine. Of circular form, constructed in Amboyna, rising from giltwood bun feet, the platform base of tripartite incurved form, centered with a fire gilt bronze waisted vase...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
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
$10,827 / item
French Empire Style Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design anchored by a sleek quartz top with a refined moulded surround and elegant canted corners, this table blends architectural grace with timeless luxury...
Quartz, Brass
$156Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Antique Empire Barrel Box in Hardwood. Charming piece as a decorative piece on a desk or library shelf and additionally could be used to hold jewelry on a dresser or nig...
Wood
Empire Inkwell in Mahogany and Walnut with Gilt Bronze Mounts, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Inkwell in Mahogany and Ebonized Walnut with Gilt Bronze Mounts, circa 1820 A rare and finely crafted Empire inkwell, dating from around the 1820s. Made of richly grained ma...
Bronze
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon. Stained.
Plaster
French 19th Century Empire Style Bronze and Ormolu Seven-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu seven light chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine ormolu acorn inverted finial below a richly chased base with most decorative foliate patterns in a striking satin and burnished finish. Each of the six scrolled ormolu arms display fine foliate chasing and candle cups, with rich foliate reserves at the rim. Three ormolu supports...
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Empire Style Childrens Chair
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant and rare childrens 'Bergère chair made in Empire style. Made of finely carved beechwood. At the top swan heads, which is a typical ornate of the Empire style. Upholstered ...
Fabric, Beech
Vintage Cast Iron Sculpture Fragment Candle Pillar Holder Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cast iron sculpture with unbeatable patina. Originally this fragment had a glass shade and was used as a hurricane. We see this being repurposed with a pillar candle on top as a cand...
Iron
A beautiful 19th century Empire mahogany and parcel gilt marble top console
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Empire French mahogany and parcel gilt mirror backed console. The reverse side is a hidden back with two drawers and a marble top shelf.
Mahogany
Northern Italian Neoclassic Walnut & Ebonized Stenciled Leather Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with 3/4 gallery edge and a stenciled leather writing surface, with two side drawers, the top supported by four Ebonized columns atop a base with a concave f...
Walnut
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
By Charles Pollock, William Switzer
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...
Wood
Small Round Tray with Red Carrara Marble Top and Brass Edging
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round barware tray with red carrara marble top and brass edging. This tray was most likely an old table top, that is now being used as a tray.
Carrara Marble, Brass
$5,800 / set
Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
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...
Bronze
Italian Bleached Walnut Burl Veneer Round Empire Center Table
Located in Viterbo, VT
Round center table hand-crafted in Italy in the early 1800s and decorated with beautiful walnut burl veneer. The top of the table is absolutely stunning featuring radially-placed boo...
Walnut
Russian 19th Century Empire St. Patinated Bronze, Crystal, and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely decorative Russian 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze, crystal, and ormolu chandelier. The twelve arm chandelier is centered by a Fine solid crystal...
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
Elegant Pair of French Empire Candelabra in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of French Empire Candelabra in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, 1820s An exquisite pair of early 19th-century French Empire candelabra, masterfully crafted in finely chased g...
Bronze
19th Century burr walnut pedestal cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century burr walnut pedestal cupboard circa 1870 We are pleased to offer this stunning pedestal cupboard which are becoming increasingly rare to find, made in burr walnut with ...
Ebony, Walnut
Large Empire Style Lamp in Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze, 1940s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Empire style lamp in cut crystal and chiselled and gilt bronze mount. Circular gilt bronze base adorned with a Walter leaves frieze, gadroons and beads topped by a cut crystal ...
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Period Wastepaper Basket
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French Empire period wastepaper basket.
Brass
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Brass
French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze dore figure of perched eagle with spread wings (19/20th Cent.)
Bronze
$720Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Doré Saint Louis Crystal Etched Tumbler Glass Gilt Brass Music Box Holder
By Saint Louis
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Saint Louis Crystal Empire style Nelly pattern etched tumbler glass. The etched glass features what appears to be some fern leaves forming mu...
Crystal
French Empire Mantel Clock, Carrara Marble, Gilt Details, Circa 1850 revised
Located in Berlin, DE
French mantel clock made of white marble Enamel dial with blue Roman numerals and gilt hands. French eight-day movement with anchor escapement, striking the hours and half-hours on...
Carrara Marble
$273Sale Price|30% Off
Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Brass
Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock, signed Ferey au Havre, Ormolu
Located in Greven, DE
Small mantel clock with bas-relief France Bronze, enamel early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 33 x 19 x 9 cm Description: Antique, fire-gilt portal clock with figurative, Gre...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$2,939 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s A striking and substantial pair of French Empire table lamps in bronze, dating from the 1820s and originally conceived as large Empir...
Bronze
19th Century Eagle Painted Cast Iron Nut Cracker
Located in Stamford, CT
American 19th century eagle nut cracker. Cast iron with original painted finish.
Iron