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
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
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
A very fine Gilt & Enameled Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Empire style chandelier. Gilt and enameled bronze.
France, circa 1910. 4-light
Dimensions: Height 34", diameter 18".
CW3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Tole Metal Oval Shade Small Brass Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Tole Metal Small Brass Bouillotte Desk Lamp with Adjustable Height Oval Shade. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 19" H (to finial) x 8.5" H (to light socket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Empire Style Gilt Composition Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Composition Mirror. 42" H x 29" W. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
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
Pair of two-body bookcase sideboards in carved walnut - Veneto, early decen
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant pair of walnut sideboard-bookcases from a historic Venetian villa, where they furnished a reception room. Dating from the early nineteenth century, they are distinguished by ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Nutwood, Fir
Pair Antique French Paris Porcelain Hand-painted Dog Vases by Darte Frères 1810
By Darte Frères
Located in Portland, OR
A large & wonderful pair of antique French Porcelain de Paris Darte Frères hand-painted & gilded portrait vases, with scenes of dogs, and painted in the manner of Fragonard, circa 18...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style chest of drawers
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 86cm, width 127cm, depth 57cm
This beautiful ches...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Allegorical French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting Earth’s Source of Water
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A gilt bronze French Empire clock depicting an allegory to the earth’s water source. In this clock a classically draped nymph sits atop a rocky outcrop her right foot resting on the ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire-Style Bronze Column Table Lamp with Gilt Detailing, Circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire-style table lamp began its life circa 1840 as a finely cast bronze column, likely part of a decorative candlestick, architectural mount, or garniture element. Now ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Early 19th Century Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual North European mahogany desk armchair with original brass castors. Fully carved armrests with eagle heads, the design probably by a designer from Berlin or Copenhagen (e.g...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal Crystal Chandelier
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Empire Style Ten-Light Gilt Metal Crystal Chandelier, with suspended crystal canopy and swags with drop crystal prism accents. 40" H x 24" Diameter. Provenance: From a New Yo...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
19th Century Russian Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast and gilded Russian Empire style candelabra that was transformed into a lamp; featuring a classical maiden holding aloft three winged sea horses terminating in candle no...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Restored Empire Crystal 6 Arm Brass Frame Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier is a captivating piece of history. Meticulously restored, it features a brass frame adorned with sparkling crystals and six arms, radiating timeless eleg...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Monumental French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Malachite Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very large and impressive 19th century Empire style gilt and patinated bronze malachite mantel clock depicting 'Psyche Crowning Cupid.'
Psyche crown...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze
French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Quality Pair of Early Empire Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Lamps
Located in New York, NY
The fine diamond cut crystal column-form table lamps supported by gilt bronze paw feet.
Date: Early 19th century
Origin: French
Dimension: 36 in x 10 in.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of John Somers 'Copo de Whisky' pewter cups
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter – Pair of 'Copo de Whisky'
Elevate your barware collection with this elegant pair of Copo de Whisky cups, crafted by the celebrated Brazilian pewter ar...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Original Empire Set of a Sofa 2 Armchairs and 1 Table Mahogany with Bronze Figur
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room.
Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze.
The armchairs are made of a different fabric than the sofa and should b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Strong and sturdy. Gilt and paint possibly not original. They have been waxed and look beautiful.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Regiment Des Dromedaires Camel Saddle
Located in New Orleans, LA
This fascinating piece of military history is a camel saddle created for and used by the Dromedary Regiment (Regiment des Dromedaires) during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaigns between 1798-1801. The term “dromedary” refers to the dromedary camel...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver, Brass, Iron
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. ormolu cabinet vitrine. The vitrine is raised by striking paw feet with luxuriant pierced palmette designs. Above the st...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire period gilt bronze obelisk inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
Chased and gilded bronze inkwell on a canted base with a frieze of interlacings centered on rosettes. Leobelisk model, topped by a seeded fruit. It features two covered cups decorate...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Set of 5 White Opaline Spheres for Wall Sconces - 2Y161
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage set of five white opaline spheres is designed for use with wall sconces, adding a touch of classic elegance to any interior. These spheres are ideal for restoring or upg...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
19th Century Pair of French Reverse Painted Profile Silhouettes Art
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This charming set features framed silhouettes of a young woman and young man from the 19th Century on reversed glass. Wonderful addition to add to an existing collection on a wall or...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set early Empire solid mahogany wood and sheepskin armchairs, France 1820s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1820 / 2 armchairs / mahogany, sheep skin / Romantic / Antique / Empire
Set of two early Empire armchairs constructed of solid mahogany wood and with sheepskin upholstery. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
Large Pair, Empire Style Sconces, 18-Karat Gold Plate, 3 Lights, Black Shaft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Larger pair of Empire Looking style sconces They are of hi-quality lost wax Bronze castings with fine detailing . With polished 18-karat gold plated finish in Antique. Center sha...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Lot of 3 Vinyl Records - Various Music Styles: G. Bécaud, Julio Iglesias - 2Y28
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This collection features 3 vinyl records from various musical styles, including artists G. Bécaud, Julio Iglesias, and Alibert. Each record brings a unique sound to your collection, ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Plateau mirrors was used on the dining or dressing table, in front of guest of honor, to put flowers or candles on.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Wall Girdle/Wall Light after Antoine-André Ravrio
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial Empire wall girdle to Antoine-André Ravrio 1759-1814.
Bronze, gilded or partly dark patinated. From acanthus of fullplastic herme / Amor adult with, holding a vase as a car...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gold Gilt Empire Style Lamp
Located in Tampa, FL
A single gold gilt lamp in the Empire style. It is very nicely gilded and at the bottom has company name. The lamp has the original plugs, socket and ha...
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century French Neoclassical Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an exquisite 18th century French neoclassical side table, an exceptional piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and so...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Vintage Vallauris Large Dish – 50 cm Pocket Tray with Signature - 2Y197
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your decor with this exquisite large dish from Vallauris, perfect as a decorative tray or pocket dish. Its signature craftsmanship and substantial size make it a versatile piece for both display and practical use.
Material: Ceramic
Signature: Vallauris
Length: 50 cm (19.7 inches)
Width: 26.5 cm (10.4 inches)
Height: 7 cm (2.8 inches)
Weight: 1.957 kg (4.3 lbs)
Condition: Good condition with one noticeable chip on the edge and several small chips; underside shows slight wear (see photos for details)
This Vallauris dish...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
19thc Antique French Empire style Bronze & Cut Crystal Cascading Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Cascading crystal form. Bronze frame. Purchased in France.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Rare Model Empire Clock Depicting Faustulus Discovering Romolus and Remus
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The highest quality late French Empire/Charles X mantle clock in terms of bronze casting, chasing, and gilding. The partially clad figure of Fau...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Heinrich Goeschl, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style:
The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Bookcase - Walnut Open Front Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sumptuous French Empire style bookcase and cabinet in walnut
Hope the photos do this stunning piece some justice certainly more impressiv...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
20th Century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, Black
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century French Empire Salon Sofa/Couch, black
Very specific finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Partially gilded. Cum...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of Gilded, Mirrored, Period Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of period, hand carved, gessoed, and 22-karat gold gilded, Second Empire, French sconces. Each with gilt bronze arms, and inset with original, mercury glass mirrors. Each with...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Giltwood Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large French Empire carved and original water gilded Empire picture frame inset with a modern mirror, the corners of the deeply scooped sides set with palmettes.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Miniature Vase "Tentsin Porcelain Hp" with Floral Decor - 2Y56
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming miniature vase, marked "Tentsin Porcelain Hp," features an elegant floral decor. Its intricate design and delicate size make it a lovely addition to any collection or a...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
French Empire Style Mable-Top Mahogany Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
French Empire style marble-top mahogany sideboard, 20th c, having rectangular marble top, over case fitted with four drawers, cabinet doors opening to interior shelves, with gilt met...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Empire / Biedermeier Armchair, circa 1810, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany solid wood, partially veneered. Semicircular backrests, Bergeren-form.
Restored and reupholstered with original Wollrips fabric covered.
(C-147).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large and Very Fine French Empire Period Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large and very Fine French Empire period ormolu and malachite mantel clock
French, circa 1825
Height 89cm, width 57cm, depth 23cm
This very Fine, sculpturally decorated mantel clock dates to the first French Empire period, and combines excellent antique clockmaking with Fine Classically-inspired sculpture to make a beautiful decorative piece. Both the backplate and the silvered brass dial, painted with Roman numerals, are stamped 'JACQUIER, A PARIS.' It bears the serial number 146 to upper left hand margin, and features steel moon hands set within a generous gilt laurel wreath cast bezel; it is cased in malachite (a later veneer), and richly adorned with gilt-bronze.
The case is surmounted with a gilt-bronze sculpture of the Roman leader Caesar who wears a toga and a laurel crown...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary. Opens to reveal lovely storage space. There are nooks, shelves, a pull out writing surface. There are gilt bronze adornments and there a...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Magnificent French Empire Napoleonic Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pedestals Pair
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally large and magnificent pair of French Empire Napoleonic Sèvres porcelain gilt bronze mounted pedestals. These are a exceptionally beautiful pair of 19th century 24-karat raised gold decorated, gilt bronze-mounted, onyx and Sèvres porcelain pedestals...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet.
Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround.
Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension.
The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Dutch Fireplace Scuttle Bucket Delft Handle
Located in New York, NY
A small Dutch copper and brass fireplace scuttle bucket with lion head design and blue and white Delft dandle, circa early, 20th century, Holland. Handle is adjustable up/down/side t...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
19th Century French Brass Desk Adjustable Lamp in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century electrified brass desk lamp in Empire style.
The part with the bulbs is adjustable.
France, circa 1860.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell.
This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of neoclassical style gilt bronze and marble vases
French, early 20th century
Measures: Height 52cm, width 21cm, depth 19cm
Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant and imposing, 19th century, Italian cheval mirror made in solid mahogany. Belonged to a well known Italian actress of the golden age o...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Marble-Top Round Table or Guéridon in the Empire Style
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French round occasional table or gueridon in the Empire style, featuring a circular top of figured white marble surrounded by a low pierced brass gallery, set upon a tripo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
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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