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
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Magnificent Antique French Empire Gold Bronze & Marble Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique French Ormolu and Milk Glass Empire Fixture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The ormolu swans lend a special grace to this milk glass Empire style fixture. It is medium-sized and would work well in many settings.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood & Gesso Carved Console Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and rare pair of French 19th century Empire style giltwood carved and ebonized gesso figural console tables with figures of winged lions and f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage French Empire Sofa With Carved Swan Arms
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful painted and parcel gilt Empire sofa with medallions heads on the back, uprights modeled as swan heads in the arms, ( the swan heads are carved wood). This beautiful sofa ha...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of 19th C. French Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Torchieres/floor lamps
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Large Pair of 19th Century Empire Period French Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mounted Torchieres. The patinated bronze base is decorated with hand-chassed and hand-c...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Influenced Chandelier, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French Empire influenced chandelier, having a coronet with chains hanging down to the chandelier that has twelve branch sconces each with swan heads, a fl...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire style Bronze and Bronze Dore Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Spectacular Pair of French Empire style Bronze & Bronze Dore 12 light Figural Candelabra, late 19th Century, each depicting a standing winged Victory with outstreached ...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Hand-Carved Maya Wooden Mask - Indigenous American Art, 2Y119
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your collection with this exquisite antique Maya mask, a stunning example of Indigenous American art. Hand-carved from wood, this mask showcases intr...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
IMPORTANT EMPIRE TABLE CLOCK 19th Century Émile Gallé
By Émile Gallé
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT EMPIRE TABLE CLOCK 19th Century Émile Gallé
19th century French.
in gilded bronze, surmounted by birds.
Profusely enamelled circular dial with Roman numerals.
Relief d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Side Chair
Located in London, GB
Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze side chair
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 94cm, width 52cm, depth 52cm
Crafted from mahogany, this unusual side chair...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Russian 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Deux-Corps Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and grand scale Russian 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Deux-Corps cabinet. The cabinet is raised by fine ball feet encased by handsome ormolu claws. Ab...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Inlaid Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century Marquetry two-drawer commode with a wonderful marble top.
Featuring wonderful inlaid decoration, this commode conveys typical Empire styles.
A great storage pi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock
France
Fire gilded bronze
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12
Description:
Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock.
The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century French Empire Mahogany and Gilt Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century French Empire mahogany and gilt armchair. Upholstered in a red velour fabric. Makes an elegant statement!!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Male Portrait, Pastel In Its Frame, Circa 1800
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Male Portrait, Pastel In Its Frame, Around 1800
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
French Empire Period Demilune Mahogany Console
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
French Empire period demilune mahogany console, the frieze accented with classical gilt mounts, the central turned tapering column with gilt ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large pair of wall lighting Empire style brass , 1950s
Located in La xara, VC
Large pair of Wall lighting in Brass with 3 bulbs E27 .
full brass in Empire style in mid century 1950s
Ceramic support Bulb original
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm
This mantel clock feat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Hand Painted Crest on Metal in Carved Gilt Frame
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or study with this elegant antique wall decor. Crafted in France circa 1830, and set in the original carved gilt frame, the art w...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
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
Giustiniani Manufacture Mid-19th Century Earthenware Crater Vase, Naples
Located in Puglia, Puglia
The Giustiniani factory was founded in 1775 in Naples by Nicola Giustiniani known as Bel Pensiero, founder of a famous family of Neapolitan ceramists.
Like many Neapolitan factories,...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique 20th Century Bonbonnière in Genuine L.F. Porcelain, Coach Scene - 2Y128
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your collection with this exquisite antique bonbonnière, crafted from genuine L.F. porcelain and featuring a charming coach scene. This del...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Late Empire Upholstered Bench with Carved Gilt Carvings
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and elegant Late Empire bench with upholstered seat. Frame crafted in beech with original white color and delicate gilt woodcarved details. Resting on elegant turned taper...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Late Empire Column Table Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The late Empire column table from the 1840s is a magnificent example of furniture craftsmanship from that era. Crafted from rich mahogany, this table exudes elegance and sophisticati...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze period Empire mantle clock. France, circa 1805.
Period Empire clock featuring an stylized Hercules with Lion's pelt. Origin...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Psyche Mirror in Mahogany, France, early 19th century
By P. Marcion
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Psyche mirror in solid and veneered mahogany with antique triangular pediment and feet carved in the shape of animal claws/paws (sphinx, lion).
The bronze parts are on the theme of n...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Renault Road Tractor Toy- 2Y41
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Introducing a classic piece of vintage machinery: this small Renault road tractor. This collectible toy tractor offers a glimpse into mid-20th-centur...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Clock Depicting Apollo God of Music and the Arts
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A gilt bronze and griotte marble French Empire clock depicting Apollo Greek God of Music Art Literature and Sciences. The clock shows a a gilt bronze winged figure of Apollo leaning against a griotte marble altar pedestal decorated with gilt bronze garlands. At the center of the pedestal is the clock’s dial and movement. Sitting on top of the pedestal is a standing harp, a mallet and a scroll. The whole is supported by a griotte marble base with a gilt bronze frieze showing a number of frolicking and dancing cupids playing music, drinking wine waving laurel wreaths, carrying a standard and even crowning a bust of Athena. The base sits on two owl feet...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL**
GILDED EMPIRE STYLE
PORCELAIN LAMP!
The Only One in The World!
CIRCA 1960
Incredible Midnight Color!
A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black!
DI...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Gold
Jules Verne Book - First Part, 7th Edition, Ed. Hetzel - 2Y80
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A classic Jules Verne book titled "Un Capitaine de Quinze Ans" (A Captain at Fifteen), first part, 7th edition published by Ed. Hetzel. This vintage b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich mahogany and stately lines define this handsome Empire drop front secretary.
Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning color and pattern of the mahogany veneer.
Multip...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840.
Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads.
Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of Authentic S.E.R France Porcelain Coffee Pot, Pitcher & Sugar Bowl - 2Y48
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This elegant set includes a coffee pot, pitcher, and sugar bowl made from authentic porcelain by S.E.R France. Each piece features timeless design and superior craftsmanship, making ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Tall French Empire Antique Giltwood Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Carved gilt wood. 59 7/8" h x 37 7/8" w x 4 5/8" d.
Condition
Gilt loss. Mirror loss. Carving loose. Cracks in wood.
Dimensions
60 x 38 x 5 in
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Walnut
Desk Set, Viennese Empire, c. 1815
Located in Greding, DE
Seven-piece desk set from Vienna in granite with polished steel mounts.
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Steel
Fine French Empire 19th Century Bronze Candelabras Mounted as Lamps, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Fine French Empire 19th Century Bronze Candelabras Mounted as Lamps, Pair
A pair of fine French 19th century Empire bronze candelabras that have been electrified and converted to ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire Serpent Paint & Gilt Decorated Mirrored Back Pier or Cons
Located in Manhasset, NY
An early 19th century Empire serpent paint and gilt decorated mirrored back pier or console table. The white marble top supported by a single drawer with bronze pulls flanked by bronze decorative corners. The whole having a pair full bodied serpents with gilt heads...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
A Late 19 Century Malachite clock Topped by a Gilt Bronze Bust of Napoleon
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple yet elegant relatively rare malachite cased clock topped by a gilt bronze bust of a young Napoleon in uniform after the marble original work by Jean Antoine Houdon.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
French Ormolu Table Clock, Bacchant Sitting On Wine Barrel, Paris, Around 1840
Located in Vienna, AT
Fire-gilded bronze table clock: a childlike bacchanal seated on a wine barrel under an arched vine arbour, holding grapes and a wine glass in his hands, on an oval base with an appli...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire side table with drawers, Westphalia, c. 1780/90, walnut, maple, rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Side table, Westphalia around 1780/90, walnut, maple, rosewood and other precious woods veneered and marquetry, original fittings, shellac-wax polish
Height 75 cm, width 49.5 cm, de...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810, Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Salon Suite, France 1810
Step back in time to the opulent era of 19th-century France with the exquisite Elegant Empire Salon Suite, crafted i...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder Vinyl "We Are the World" - 2Y07
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Own a piece of musical history with this vintage 45 RPM vinyl record of USA for Africa's iconic single "We Are the World." Featuring legendary artists M...
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of ormolu mounted and lacquered metal curule chairs in the Empire style
Located in London, GB
These beautiful, simple, and sophisticated, curule chairs were executed in the Empire style, combining the majesty of Roman rule with Napoleonic imperial France. Long a symbol of rule and power, curule chairs originally appeared in the Roman Republic, called sella curulis, seats reserved exclusively for those who held imperium, i.e. those who held positions of military or governmental command. Inherited by many subsequent civilisations, and a favourite of European kings wishing to frame their own authority within this Roman tradition, they feature heavily in Empire period France, holding a particular associated with Napoleon. These particular pieces are made of lacquered metal and are mounted with ormolu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
Printing Block Wallpaper Complete Repeat Empire Acanthus Leaf Roundel
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare woodblock with complete repeat. Of interest to wallpaper collectors or as a conversation piece in the home as a decorative carved wallhanging.
A rare, large 19th Century French wallpaper...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Bécassine Nourrice - 1924 Edition by Ed. de la "Semaine de Suzette" - 2Y24
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Delve into the world of Bécassine with this original 1924 edition of "Bécassine Nourrice," published by Ed. de la "Semaine de Suzette" and illustrated by Pinchon. This classic volume...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Unusual Early 19th Century Swedish Carved Giltwood Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and unusual Swedish giltwood and ebonized console table with a white marble top supported by two sculptural griffins (part eagle, part sea creature).
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Wallpaper "Zeus Fed by the Goat Amalthée", Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period wallpaper with mythological subject representing Zeus fed by the goat Amalthée. The wallpaper is divided into four strips and is laminated on a composite wood panel and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze chandelier. France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box
Located in Roma, IT
A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box
This wonderful rectangular box is decorated overall with sets of lace pattern friezes.
In Morocc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
20th Century Empire Style Table Decoration after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, engraved and silvered. Three columns shafts with full-plastic, finely engraved swans. Funnel-shaped insert.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Pendulum In Gilt Bronze Early 1800s With Putti and Bookcase
Located in Milano, MI
French Empire gilt bronze pendulum dating from the early 1800s, charming table clock with allegory of the Arts, arched case, flanked by two putti, one seated with a book and the oth...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Painted Toleware and Brass Desk Lamp A lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Painted Toleware and Brass Desk Lamp
A lovely piece, adapted from an original oil lamp, the lamp has a single brass sconce and opposite we can see the secretary bird both set...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
A beautiful and elegant pair of bronze table lamps, originally crafted as Empire candlesticks in France ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Eglomise Mirrored Center Table E.J. Victor
By E. J. Victor
Located in Toledo, OH
Empire style eglomise mirrored round center table. Black finish painted leaf details and trim in gold. Distressed mirror top.
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
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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