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
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
Pair of French Empire Andirons done in gilt brass, featuring snakes and ram head
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of very rare French Empire andirons or chenets, completely done on brass. They feature carefully and precisely sculpted snakes in motion, as well...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Cast Bronze Figural Lion Sculpture Marble Top Pedestals After P.J Mene, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast bronze figural lion sculpture marble top pedestals after P.J Mene - a Pair. Item features right and left forms, heavy cast bronze lion figures, round black marble tops, signed "...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights
French, 20th Century
Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm
Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Chairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze chairs
French, 19th century
Dimensions: Height 93cm, width 51cm depth 48cm
This pai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and architectural pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors. Each palatially scaled mirror with it's original mirror plates is raised on a s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
Located in IT
19th Century, French Gilt Bronze Buillotte Lamp
This elegant table lamp model buillotte was made in France in the early nineteenth century, classic taste with decorative elements Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Folk Art Oak and Marble Eagle Figure
Located in Queens, NY
French (19th Cent Napoleonic Era) folk art carved oak life size figure of an eagle with out stretched wings perched on a round globe with a marble base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Wood Mirror Front Gold Lion Storage Bar Black Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
This piece was acquired from an estate located in Greenwich, Connecticut. French Empire mirrored front wood bar with black marble top. It features two drawers and storage shelves on ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
French Empire style gilt bronze and cut crystal chandelier by Gherardo Degli Albizzi with eight lights.
This chandelier is characterized by classical plate embellished with gilt bron...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
A Pair of French 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French 19th century Empire gilt and bronze candlesticks.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marble Fireplaces with Cast Iron Insets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ormolu mounted marble fireplaces with cast iron insets
French, Late 19th Century
Fireplaces: Height 112cm, width 152cm, depth 33cm
Iron inserts: Height 89cm,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble, Iron, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Candelabras with 7 Lights
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a pair of 19th Century French Empire Style candelabras with 7 lights, featuring a luxurious design typical of the French Empire period. These decorative collectibles exude el...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Empire Period Mahogany Mirror, Type "Psychee"
Located in Sofia, BG
Empire period mahogany mirror. The triangle topped frame holding the mirror supported on two columns with two removable bronze candleholders. Standing on four carved griffon legs, th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Of Viennese Imperial Porcelain Glass Coolers, Cobalt And Gold, Dating 1811
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare pair of elegant oval porcelain vessels on offset, fluted feet, with bulging, raised walls, fluted, indented straight opening rim with ten crenellated-like cut-out small segments...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Style Black Stone and Ormolu Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each candleholder of columnar form surmounted with ormolu stiff-leaf capitals and with acanthus-wrapped base, on pedestal bases with outswept scrolling feet. Fitted with two brass bulb sockets. Adjustable. Later mounded as a lamps. With duck blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass, Ormolu
Baker Furniture Neoclassical Burled Walnut Tea Table, Circa 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Neoclassical or Empire style tea table or occasional side table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Gorgeous burled walnut, with ebonized and gold gilt column legs....
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood, Burl
19th Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted Amethyst Crystal Scalloped Rim Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality 19th century Russian Empire period Dore bronze mounted amethyst crystal scalloped rim tazza/cache-pot. The crystal is of a beautiful rich amethyst purple color. The crystal is beautifully hand-cut and shaped with a scalloped rim. The crystal is mounted on an incredible dore bronze base with the finest quality. The base is all hand-burnished and matted with an acanthus leaf design and is resting on a square plinth with an acanthus leaf border. The Crystal is easily attributable to the Imperial Russian Glass...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Brass Sconces, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of French Empire three-light brass sconces with lion faces, converted to electric.
Recently restored, having wax candle sleeves and holding chandelier size light bulbs.
Fran...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Italian Empire Style Walnut Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome pair of 19th century Italian Empire style walnut side tables. Beautiful marble tops with pretty star pattern. Creates a very stylish look!!
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Paw Foot Brass Pierce Decorated Fireplace Mantle Piece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire style paw foot brass pierce decorated fireplace mantel (fireplace) piece, circa late 19th century. Measurements: 7" H x 48" W x 15.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Oval Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans knowledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent oval c...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Empire style large chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant style makes this fixture highly desirable.
It has a crown at the crest and has brilliant crystals
That cascade downward in an arc shape that attach
To a large bowl forming a...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Swedish 19th C. Empire Style Butler's Chest w/Nice Architectural Details
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Empire style chest with secretary from the 19th century. This antique case piece from Sweden has been designed in Swedish Empire style with a wonderful architectural appear...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Empire pattern biscuit barrel by WMF.
High quality crafted from silverplated brass with a cut glass liner this piece can also perfectly be used as a ice cube to...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs.
Measures 22" in width x 22" in depth x 34.5" in height . Seat height is 20".
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Upholstery, Paint
Timothy Outlton, Empire Style, Wall Sconces, Steel, Crystal, 1990s
Located in Manhasset, NY
A pair of Niermann Weeks style three light crystal and metal wall lights by Timothy Oulton. Each in the Empire style with aged metal and crystal design. Part of a large collection of...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Empire Commode, Denmark 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Empire commode, Denmark 1810-20, mahogany veneer. In very good refinished condition, French polished. The commode will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are i...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Glass Ormolu-Mounted Neoclassical Urns
Located in Roslyn, NY
Pair of lovely French empire style bronze and glass urns. Please note, they are blown glass and one is slightly higher than the other. The base measures 3" x 3".
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Aigle de la Garde Imperiale
Located in Paris, FR
Jean-Auguste Barre
1811-1896, French
Aigle de la Garde Impérial,
Second Empire, circa 1870.
Bronze - Casted by MARRION.
Jean-Auguste Barre: born the September, 25th, 1811, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Exceptional 19th-Century French Empire Salon Set Stamped Maigret
Presenting a rare and exquisite French Empire-style salon set, attributed to Alexandre Maigret, a distinguished cabi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Lacquered Book Reading or Book Stool Early 19th Century
Located in BILBAO, ES
Chinese Lacquered book reading or book stool early 19th century.
Beautiful golden lacquerd nature design book standing or book reading stool.
Measures ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Brass Jardiniere
Located in New York, NY
A jardiniere made in brass with beautiful details and lions heads with twisted ring handles standing on lions feet. Made during the 20th century.
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
X-Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Antique Pair of French Empire Neoclassical Louis XVI Harp Lyre Back Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of antique harp back side chairs with brass or bronze mounts in the French Empire / Louis XVI taste. Item features solid wood construction, harp back...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Empire Style Eight-Arm Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French empire style crystal and gilt bronze chandelier, the top gilt band of palmettes supporting strings of cut crystals terminating at the central gilt rosette mounted ring, pain...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Allegorical Clock of Love Nourishing Life
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural French Empire clock in gilded bronze representing an allegory on how love nourishes life or “L’Amour alimentant la vie” in French. The clock shows a seated winged Amor refi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock with Putto in Chariot, signed Thiery à Paris, Early 19th C.
Located in Greding, DE
Empire mantel clock made of fire-gilded bronze. The scene shows a putto in a richly decorated chariot pulled by a jumping poodle. The clockwork is elegantly integrated into the wheel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Jules Verne "L'île mystérieuse" book - 12th Edition, Ed. Hetzel - 2Y78
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is the 12th edition of Jules Verne’s classic novel, L'île mystérieuse (Deuxième Partie), published by Éditions Hetzel. The book is in decent condition, with a cover and spine sh...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire-Style Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An outstanding French Empire-style mahogany accent table with a unique basket wrapped around the pedestal. A circular wood top with raised trim rests on an apron housing two small dr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Style Giltwood Two-Light Sconces Attributed to E.F Caldwell
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Empire style giltwood two-light sconces, the backplate in the form of the harvest goddess Ceres, issuing two candle arms, the bottom half in the form of an anthemion, wired...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sunburst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815.
Dimen...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Couch
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze couch
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Height 107cm, width 192cm, depth 72cm
This beautiful canapé style couch...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Marble Top Gueridon
Located in London, England
Marble top French Empire style mahogany gueridon with brass mounts. Fantastic condition. Fully restored. Circa 1850.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Orologio a Vaso Francia Primo Quarto XIX Secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Orologio a vaso in bronzo dorato poggiante su un plinto ornato con motivi a foglie susseguenti poggiante su quattro piedini a sfera. Il corpo dalla caratteristica forma a vaso biansa...
Category
1820s 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
Empire Torchères, Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Empire torches or candelabra on a three-pass base tapering to the top and inlaid with brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves and floral motifs. Rising above three ...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Carved Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive late 19th Century Empire carved giltwood Mahogany wall Mirror, Circa 1890s. Measures 49.5" in width, 4" in depth and stands 33" in height.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Square Coffee Table with Emperador Dark Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy the real Made in Italy luxury life style with this hand-decorated square coffee table. Emperador Dark marble top, solid empire-style wooden...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf
A Unique Large Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This unusual Antique French Empire gilt bronze chandelier embodies the refined aesthetics of the Neoclassical style. It features multiple gracefully curved arms, each delicately ador...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Armchair
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely empire style mahogany armchair from the end of the 19th century
Very good quality bronze and beautiful mahogany
Very beautiful armchair which can be used as a library chair or...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Danish Late Empire Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire secretary bureau in mahogany veneered oak with beautiful grain.
In 2 parts.
Desk top offers three bowed doors. A concave door in the mid...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Mahogany
Boch La Louviere, Suite Of 18 Plates, Napoleon Ist Battles, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Suite of 18 commemorative plates of Napoleonic battles and military events, such as "Bonaparte at Arcole", "Battle of Iéna", "General Masséna before Zurich", "The death of General de Lanne"...
The grisaille decoration stands out against the white background; the perimeter is decorated with the symbols of the Empire: "N" surmounted by the crown, bicorne
Boch Fes La Louvière plate series, Made in Belgium...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
19th Century French Empire Hand Painted "Porcelaine de Paris" Oval Jardiniere
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a dining table with this elegant antique center piece. Crafted in France circa 1830, the "Porcelaine de Paris" oval jardiniere stands on bronze paw feet. Dressed with lion head figures handles, the large cache pot...
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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