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.
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Brass Chenets with Flame Finial
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Brass Chenets, early 20th century, each column form with flame finial. 13" H x 18" W x 6.75" D. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Townhouse.
Brass, Iron
Elegant Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fine period French antique, good sized Gilt Empire mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame. From near Paris, France! #8435
Mirror, Giltwood
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
Le Style Empire, Décoratations, Extérieures Et Intérieures, Mobilier, Bronzes
Located in valatie, NY
Le Style Empire: Décoratations, Extérieures et Intérieures, Mobilier, Bronzes. Printed in Paris by Chez F. Contet. All volumes are 1st Ed's with the exception of volume 1 which is a ...
Paper
19th Century French Marble & Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Signed By Japy Freres
By Japy Frères
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transport yourself to the grandeur of the 19th century with this exquisite French Marble and Bronze Figural Mantel Clock. A true masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, this clock...
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th C Empire Bronze & Gilt Mounted Mahogany Console / Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Empire Neoclassical Brass Mounted and Mahogany Wall Mirror in good condition. Solid Mahogany frame. Measures 18" in width and 36" tall. Mirror glass is 15"W x 2...
Mahogany
Empire Malachite Centre Table Gilt Pharaoh Legs
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning French Empire table in gilt with malachite base and top Such a great look to this piece which reeks of style and elegance The look is very high Empire with all the classical...
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Table of Mahogany and Painted Architectural Scenes of Rome
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a good flame-veneer mahogany, with gilt metal mounts; rising from a tripartite incurved base mounted on castors, issuing three entasis form cylindrical columns, gilt m...
Mahogany, Watercolor
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Antique French "Empire" Bronze Fish/ Dolphin/ Sea Creature/ Koi Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 19thc French Antique Empire Bronze Fish/ Sea Creature/ Dolphin Chandelier. 3 fish with curled tails. Floral Art Glass shades. Parisian Estate a...
Bronze
French Silver-Plated Bronze Three-Light Bouillotte Lamp attributed to Christofle
By Christofle
Located in leucate, FR
This exquisite three-light Bouillotte lamp is a quintessential example of French Neoclassical design, combining the rigorous elegance of the Empire style with the world-renowned craf...
Metal, Silver Plate, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Secretaire, Chest Of Drawers, Dressing Table
Located in Greven, DE
Antique mirror chest of drawers with writing compartment Frankreich Mahagoni erste Hälfte 19. Jahrhundert Dimensions: H x W x D: 15...
Mahogany
French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2 part construction, beautiful tapered capitol, brass hardware, mother of pearl keyh...
Mahogany
Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Wool, Cotton
Empire Period Chest of Drawers - Chiffonier with a Marble Slab, 19th Century
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Empire period walnut chest of drawers topped with a marble slab at waist height. Fully restored. Interior drawer height 15.5 cm. Marble slab height 81/75 cm. Additional inf...
Marble
Pair Golden Antique Paris Porcelain Vases with Paris Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this elegant three-part group of Paris Porcelain in the Empire style crafted circa 1840. Dimensions of the basket: 13.75" long x 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall. The basket is 4.75" deep. Dimensions of the vases: 12.5" tall x 6" across the handles x 4" deep Condition: Very Good, to Excellent with some touches of gilt invisibly restored on the basket. Price for the set of three Paris Porcelain pieces: $2,300 The centerpiece is an oval-shaped pierced basket, lavishly gilded with delicate latticework. The golden Empire style lends an air of grandeur to the design, while the intricate latticework adds a sense of delicacy and allows light to play through. The white line across the top of the base further enhances the richness of the gold, creating a touch of intensity. The long rectangular base harmonizes beautifully with the oval shape, creating a visually balanced composition. With dimensions of 13.75" long x 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall and a depth of 4.75", this basket is perfect as a centerpiece for a formal dining room table...
Porcelain
French Empire Cut Crystal Glass Urn & Brushed Brass Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
High Quality Contemporary French Empire Style Cut Crystal Glass Urn & Brushed Brass Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 24" H...
Brass
$3,800 / set
1920’s Caldwell Empire Style Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s Caldwell Empire style sconces with arrow design
Bronze
Early 19th century French Empire Period Burl Elm Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale early nineteenth century French Empire period console table is constructed of solid burl elm and features a black marble top. A single drawer of dovetail constructio...
Marble
19th Century French Empire Console Table with Mahogany & Marble
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 table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pair of table Lamps in Brass Gold Color Silk original Shades France 19th US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BUYERS
Brass
French 19th Century Double Arm Empire Brass Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A two-arm Empire brass wall sconce of French design, 19th century. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophisticated when it's off. The narrow diamo...
Metal, Brass
American Empire Mahogany Drop Leaf Bedside Table, 19th Century, USA
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany bedside / end table with hinged drop leaves on either side, 2 pullout drawers with rounded wooden drawer pulls, the top drawer divided into 4 compartments wi...
Felt
Antique Brass Trivet, English, 19th Century Floral Design
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique early 19th-century brass English trivet. Certainly an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent in a kitchen or next to...
Brass, Iron
Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features iconic Louis Vuitton words and letters artistically arranged. Similar piece ca...
Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood
Rectangular Mirror in Green Lacquered & Gilded Wood, 19th Century French Empire
Located in FR
Elegant 19th century rectangular mirror crafted in the French Empire taste, featuring a striking combination of deep green lacquer and rich gilt decoration. The architectural frame i...
Wood, Mirror
19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Reticulated Cherub Compote
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Old Paris Porcelain: a reticulated gilt glazed compote featuring a kneeling cherub .
Porcelain
Irish Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Carved Sideboard. Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Irish Cuban mahogany three drawer sideboard with carved scrolled gallery, gadrooned molded edge, carved eagle heads, flanking lower cabinets, original brasses, and terminating on acanthus carved...
Brass
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Children at Play 7X7.8
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
Pair of French Empire Style Walnut Arm Chairs with White Silk Upholstery
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Walnut Arm Chairs, with scroll form crest and white silk upholstery on four scroll form legs. 37.5" H x 22.5" W x 19" D; seat: 17" H. Provenance: From a...
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Mantel Mirror, Hand-Crafted
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An architectural, Empire-style mantel mirror from France with some light foxing throughout the original mercury mirror plate. The carved mahogany has gained a fine patina, composed o...
Brass, Metal
Pair of Empire Style Milk Glass Lamps with Hand Painted Gilding
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of lamps, in Empire style, of milk glass, each columnar form handpainted with gilt festooning, on round brass base. Stock ID: D7199
Milk Glass
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Crystal Column Small Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Crystal Glass Column Small Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 11.5" H (to top of bronze ...
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Burl Walnut, Ormolu, and marble side table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Burl Walnut, Ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. This impressive circular side table is raised by a three Ormol...
Marble, Ormolu
$2,985 / 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
Danish Empire Set of 4 Small Chairs, Elm Wood with Hand Embroidered Seats 1850s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of four antique danish empire or Biedermeier style dining chairs handmade by a skilled danish master carpenter in Denmark the middel of the 19th. The frame is made of elm wood, ...
Wool, Wood, Elm
Pair of Russian Empire Brass Candlesticks with Drip Basins, circa 1790–1835
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Russian Empire Brass Candlesticks with Drip Basins, circa 1790–1835 A substantial and finely proportioned pair of Russian Empire–period brass candlesticks, dating to the lat...
Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candlesticks with Guilloché Decoration
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, early 19th century (circa 1805–1815). Each candlestick is formed with a tapering cylindrical shaft rising from a broad circula...
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Empire Mirror by Testolini, Murano for Empire Hapsburg Vienna
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important Mirror Made by Verreries Artistiques Testolini Venice, for Empire Hapsburg Vienna. The precious mirror is carved by hand and entirely decorated with gold leaf, copper and s...
Wood, Mirror
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
Rare early 19th century American Late Empire inlaid mahogany Bowfront Chest
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
A rare and important Antique American mid-Atlantic region Late Empire Inlaid mahogany large Bowfront Chest of Drawers with checkered inlays, rosewood crossbanding (inlay), half-turne...
Brass
19th C. Empire Mahogany Frame Mirror W. an Inset Print after J.B. Camille Carot
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Empire Style Mahogany Frame Trumeau Mirror with an Inset Print Signed after Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Mirror glass appears to be original. Original Hardwood backing. Measur...
Hardwood, Mahogany
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
Empire-style Chandelier In Gilded Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful Empire-style chandelier with six light arms in gilded bronze with a green patina. High-quality French craftsmanship from the mid-20th century Beautiful gilding, finely chis...
Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Bronze
Empire Pedestal Mahogany Cabinet with Faux Tortoise Columns, Denmark, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome and unusual form, this Empire pedestal cabinet in mahogany with line inlays has carved acanthus capitals on tapered torch-like columns that are in rich birch wood and have...
Ebony, Mahogany
$8,873Sale Price / set|20% Off
Claude Galle - Pair of Directoire ormolu urns circa 1800
By Claude Galle
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of ormolu amphora-shaped urns standing on marble pedestals, late 18th century or Empire period circa 1800. High end production attributed to French bronze maker Claude Ga...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Picture Frame square Sterling Silver Enamel Empire-style friezes Salimbeni
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Square shaped frame with Empire-style friezes and borders, in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on a sunburst guilloché pattern. Exterior 13.8 x 13.8...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Czech Empire-Style Dome Chandelier, Crystal & Brass, Vintage 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Crystal, Brass
$12,500 / set
Beautiful Pair of 19th C French Empire Chenets
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze chenets with dolphin feet.
Bronze
Mid 19thC French Empire Kingwood Occasional Center Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
Mid 19thC French Kingwood Occasional Centre Table - with ormolu banding and scroll decorations - sunburst veneered top - reeded and capped legs and single frieze drawer - 24" diam x...
Ormolu
Six Early 19th Century Venetian Chairs, Walnut, Empire Style, wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
6 early 19th century Venetian chairs in carved walnut, original upholstered spring seats in pink velvet, still usable. Clean and sanitized upholstery, structure polished with transpa...
Walnut
Dutch Brass Umbrella Stand with Lion Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A Dutch brass umbrella stand with lion paw feet and blue and white Delft pottery handles, circa mid-20th century, Holland. Dimensions: 8.25" Depth x 11" Width (handle to handle) x 16...
Brass
Vintage Tapestry Ddepicting Royal Emblem 3.8X3.9
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
Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century
Wool, Cotton
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Brass
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Children Playing Music 6.0X4.6
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
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes Empire style Salimbeni
By Franco Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and stripes with two-tone translucent fired enamels on guilloché and hand-engraved motifs in...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Bronze