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.
Beautiful 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
Candlestick winged victory goddess empire only half 19 centuries
Located in Berlin, DE
Here we have another, absolutely characteristic and stylistically outstanding object from the epoch of the French Empire (ca. 1805–1815). It is a rare, figurative table chandelier (...
Bronze
Imperial Triple Mirror in Louis XVI Style with Gilded Console
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Magnificent triple mirror in Louis XVI style, featuring a fine carved and gilded wooden frame. The scenic design is embellished with classical ornamental details, decorative festoons...
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Mahogany Table Empire style with Louis Philippe four Chairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
IMPORTANT: ON REQUEST WE WILL RE-UPHIDE THE CHAIRS WITH A SUPPLEMENT OF EURO 150 EACH. Reinforced structure of the chairs for daily use. Spring seat. French mahogany dining table...
Mahogany
French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly...
Ormolu
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
Stunning 16-Light Murano Crystal Chandelier, circa 1920s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A wonderful very large sixteen light Murano glass and cut crystal silvered chandelier, Italy, circa 1920s. This beautiful handcrafted fixture is made of silvered brass elements, Mur...
Crystal
French Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, Circa 1875
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, France Charming French Tole Lamp on a frosted lucite base. Wonderful patina on this vintage piece. Certainly a statement piece in any home libr...
Metal
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Drops Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
One of a kind! Housing 6 lights, sitting in crystal bobéches, dripping with white opaline beads and vintage crystal prisms. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA...
Murano Glass
19th Century Pair Cobalt Blue Glass Gilt Salt Pepper Cellars
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Denmark, we see this pair of cobalt blue salt cellars atop a formal or informal table or kitchen counter. Unbeatable wear and patina to the bases. Each side as well as th...
Gold Leaf
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp Amazing old bronze patina The lamp has been re-wired. Shade included The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade Free UK shipping ...
Spelter
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Walnut Bedside Cabinet with Columns, Early 19th Century
Located in LEGNY, FR
Charming French Empire bedside cabinet crafted in walnut, dating from the early 19th century. It features two elegant columns adorned with decorative brass rings, a characteristic el...
Bronze
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Swan Goose Motif Arms, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice Sconces. Each fixture requires two European E14 candelabras bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic stat...
Bronze
Antique Empire Bronze Column Table Lamp, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th century Empire brass column table lamp Additional information: Materials: Brass Color: Gold Period: early 19th century Styles: Empire Lamp Shade: Not Included ...
Brass
Pair of Antique French Silver Gilt Fruit Knives, Mother of Pearl Handle, Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of antique French silver gilt fruit knives with mother of pearl handle, Paris 1820 This exquisite pair of early 19th century silver fruit knives...
Silver
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Bergere Chair with Ram’s Head Arms
Located in Milford, NH
A nicely carved Empire style mahogany bergere chair with white upholstery and carved ram’s head arms. A fine form, probably French in origin, dating to the 19th century with newer up...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces Circa 1830 Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Bronze
Elegant Large Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Large Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, France, 1820s An elegant and imposing pair of Empire candlesticks, France, circa 1820, crafted in gilt and dark pati...
Bronze
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Regency Style Bulls Eye Eagle Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A large Regency style mirror with birds eye maple round frame and domed glass central mirror. Topped with a large hand cast black resin eagle and accented on the bottom with matching...
Resin, Birdseye Maple
American Empire Cherry Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
American empire cherry wood chest of drawers, circa 1830. With a back splash with circular ends, a large top drawer, 3 graduated lower drawers all drawers with shield shaped escutche...
Cherry
Empire Style Solid Silver Column Clock
Located in Charmes, FR
early 19th century empire-style column clock in sterling silver (swan hallmark) and gilt bronze in very good condition, probably Swiss work we have not had the movement overhauled gr...
Silver
Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Bronze
Late-19th Century Spanish Woolen Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Late-19th Century Spanish Woolen Rug 6'3'' x 4'10", made in Spain around late 19th century by villagers at the time
Wool
Antique French Giltwood Wall Mirror in Gold
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
An antique French giltwood wall mirror, dating to the late 19th century. This rectangular mirror has a warm gold frame with age-related wear, minor losses, surface marks, and rubbing...
Mirror, Giltwood
$1,360Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style A dressing table mirror with tiltable mirror, which is fixed to the side with 19th cent...
Nutwood
Canadian Nautical Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted on Mahogany Rope Base, 20th Cent.
Located in Charleston, SC
Canadian Nautical brass yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope base with an oval glass viewing port, gimballed compass, central carrying handle, and the original brass side light ...
Brass
Antique Angel Motif Sterling Silver Snuff Box
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. The lid and sides are covered in an intricate floral design with musical instruments and a scene of two playing cherubs in its ...
Sterling Silver
Empire-Era Chandelier, Fully Restored, Made 1800s, in Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Chandelier made out of steel and carved pear tree in the 1800s Fully restored. No damages. Rare design. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air transport from Europe to the whole w...
Steel
$12,356Sale Price / set|25% Off
19th Century Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilt and patinated bronze sconces from embellished with winged Victories. Each sconce features four candlestick branches that terminate in lions heads and are intricately scu...
Bronze
20th Century Swedish Empire Console in Carved, Polychrome and Gilded Wood
Located in Miami, FL
Swedish Empire console table in carved, polychrome and gilt wood, early 20th century. Rectangular marble top in a low white, frieze decorated with leaves and legs with winged Egyptia...
Wood
French Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Eagle Heads and Arrows, 1930s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A large French empire style six-light gilt and patinated bronze chandelier with eagle heads and arrows, circa 1930s. Socket: 6 x E14 for standard screw bulb.
Bronze
Pair of Antique Swedish Empire Candlesticks Made by Hand in Solid Birch
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of Swedish empire candlesticks from around 1840 to 1850. The candlesticks are made by hand with a frame in solid birch with elements of birch root in the candleholders and foot....
Birch
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal & Glass Center Table with Ram's Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Metal
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Wool, Cotton
$4,470Sale Price|20% Off
Raingo Frères Louis XVI Style Table Clock in Alabaster & Gilded Bronze, 1800
Located in Milano, MI
French Louis XVI style table clock in alabaster and gilded bronze, made by Raingo Frères Paris in 1800 Measures: Ø cm 24 Ø cm 14 h cm 46.
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of Antique Empire Style Dutch Marquetry Inlaid and Carved Side Chairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 1/4 in W: 17 1/4 in D: 20 1/2 in SH: 19 1/2 in Pair of Antique Dutch Empire Style Marquetry Inlaid & Carved Side Chairs – 19th Century Neoclassical Elegance Ele...
Upholstery, Wood
Zabihi Collection Ivory Antique Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese Peking Dragon motif rug with a spacious open field design on an ivory ground Measures: 7'3'' x 9'7'' Chinese dragons are an important and powerful...
Wool
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 7.2X5.4
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
Italian Empire White Murano Opaline Beads Blue Beaded Tole Chandelier, c 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting in white opaline bobéches. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang at ou...
Murano Glass
Empire gilt bronze inkwell, Turquin marble base - early 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Empire style inkwell, Restauration period circa 1830 - 1840. The bronze inkwell is finely chiseled and gilt with fine gold ; it rests on an ormolu 6-peaks star set on a blue T...
Marble, Ormolu
$647Sale Price|50% Off
Empire Table Lamp Cut Crystal Diamond Pattern Gilded Bronze
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large and rare Empire style table lamp, made of cut crystal and gilded bronze and brass, dating from around the beginning of the 20th century, France. This very high quality table l...
Crystal, Brass, Gold Leaf, Bronze
20th-Century Wooden Empire-Style French Secrétaire Cabinet, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Small French secrétaire from the mid-20th century. Empire-style cabinet carved and veneered in mahogany and fruitwood. This very compact secretaire features a recessed marble top wit...
Wood
Pair of vase Porcelain, Valentine, Old Paris, flowers pattern, France 1860
By Old Paris
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Porcelain Pair of Vase Ofs Valentine Old Paris Decor Of Bouquet Of Flowers XIXth Century Manufacture of "Valentine" in Saint-Gaudens. Decorated with a bouq...
Porcelain
8-light Empire-style Chandelier In Gilded Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Beautiful Empire-style chandelier with 8 light arms in gilded bronze with a green patina. High-quality French craftsmanship from the mid-20th century Beautiful gilding, finely ...
Bronze
Elegant Pair of Empire Fire-Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Fire-Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s A magnificent pair of Empire candlesticks in finely chiseled and fire-gilded bronze, France, circa 1820. These e...
Bronze
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock circa 1920. Empire revival burr yew cigar box with clock. Strung and inlaid to outer edges, decorated with an ormolu mount to the...
Brass
Vintage Woven Fountain Tapestry 7.2X5.5
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
$3,317
Constance Pier Mirror
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A pier mirror with a simplistic carved moulded frame, taking its inspiration from the Venetian mirrors of the early 19th Century, with a contemporary twist. Please note we are curre...
Mahogany
$12,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Empire Salon Set After Jean Francois Bellange
By Bellanger
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This three piece early 19 Century salon set features finely carved gold leaf gilded frames accented by rosettes palmettes and acanthus characterizing most French Empire furnitur...
Beech
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire wall mirror, 1800s walnut wood hand carved with finely decorations. Elegant carved and gilded decorations. On the sides two columns with gilded corin...
Mercury Glass, Walnut
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...
Bronze
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Candle Wall Sconces Candlestick, Italy, 1970s
By Palladio
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of giltwood candlestick wall sconces 1970s in empire style. Each fixture requires two candles. The wall lights have a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement.
Metal
Anthony Querville Drop Leaf Mahogany Table w/Acanthus Leaf Carving Circa 1845
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exquisitely crafted mahogany drop leaf table attributed to renowned cabinetmaker Anthony Querville, circa 1845. Features the distinctive proportions and refined joinery characteristi...
Mahogany
Vintage Corton Clarinet Table Lamp with Onyx Base, Art Deco Style
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Corton clarinet made in Czechoslovakia (found in France), upcycled into a fabulous table lamp mounted on a beautiful onyx base with a vintage black silk shade. The clarinet shows signs of being a much loved and used musical instrument...
Onyx, Metal
21th Century Authentic Wall Hanging Tapestry 7'4'' X 6' Ft
Located in Los Angeles, US
Est. Delivery from Los Angeles, CA
Wool
Especially beautiful Side Table, Pillar Commode Trumeau, Empire, ~1810-15, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful pillar commode, trumeau - an original of the Empire era, made around 1810-15, in Italy. This piece of furniture has a wonderfully classic shape, with a base, a round body...
Marble
A Rare Brass Bouillotte Triple Branch Table Lamp With Height Adjustable Shade
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Rare Brass Bouillotte Triple Branch Table Lamp With An Adjustable Height Shade. Complete with rare brass accessories such as a candle snuffer and candle wick cutter...
Brass