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.
"The Artist in his Studio", Oil on Canvas, Italian School, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful circa 1810 Italian school oil-on-canvas painting of an artist or painter in his studio seated legs-crossed in a chair facing the canvas on easel with palette and brush in...
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
$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
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
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Crystal
A Pair of Elegant Empire Candlesticks, Gilded and Patinated Brass, 1820s France
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of exquisite Empire candlesticks which combine gilt and patinated brass. Made in 1820s France. Various intricate rose, floral and leaf patterns adorn the bases in gilt brass. ...
Brass
Gold and White Paris Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Gold and white Paris porcelain urn. Elegant white and gilt painted Empire handled vase in the Campana urn form. Unusual unpainted floral gilded outlines against a white background re...
Porcelain
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed sides. The top is provided with inlaid green leather; the drawers have divided small...
Brass
French Empire Style Gilt Leaf and Urn Motif Wall Mirror
Located in Peabody, MA
French empire style wall mirror featuring a classic motif of gilt leaf and flower vining emanating from a center urn, circa 1960s.
Metal
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 6.9X5.5
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
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
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 7.5X6.0
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
19th - 20th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Porcelain Cassoulettes
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of small Cassoulettes made hand crafted porcelain, in good condition. Each of the Parisian Athenians are composed with four gilded bronze maidens, particulariz...
Metal, 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...
Bronze
French Double Body Furniture from the 19th Century in Walnut Root
Located in Madrid, ES
French Double Body Furniture from the 19th Century in walnut root H: 240cm 50cm below 40cm above good condition origin: Roman house (Italy)
Walnut
French 19th Century Empire Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant white marble portico clock with gilt bronze appliques dates to the French Empire period, circa 1830. The floral-and-foliate ormolu-mounted frieze sits above four Doric c...
Marble, Bronze
Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A 19th century classical Empire pier console table having a beveled rectangular marble top above an Ogee mahogany veneered apron raised on carved and gilt white Alabaster Ionic colum...
Alabaster
$1,416Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Empire Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror, 1800s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique table mirror in mahogany. On the sides the mirror is supported by two columns. Antique mercury mirror.
Mahogany
$355Sale Price / item|56% Off
Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Can & Saucer, Lemon En Grisaille, Circa 1800
By Paris Studio
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain coffee can and saucer, made by a French "Old Paris" maker, dating to the very early 19th century, circa 1800. The coffee can is carefully hand pai...
Porcelain
A 19th Century French Empire Giltwood Mirror
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1850 A fine mid-nineteenth century French empire pier mirror with fine neoclassical decoration throughout, retaining the original mirror plate, the outer frame painted...
Giltwood
19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Marble
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25'' x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
16th Century Antique Brussels Floral Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A vibrant sixteenth century Brussels tapestry fragment featuring stylized florals fruit and foliage woven in a beautifully aged palette of deep indigo muted teal golden wheat olive g...
Wool, Cotton, Feathers
Empire Style Mahogany Chest of Drawers, 20th Century
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Empire style chest of drawers in mahogany veneer and Saint Anne grey marble top. Very good condition. Additional information: Period: 20th century Style: Empire - Consulate Condi...
Marble
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra, sleek and sophisticated in design, each one fitted with three lights, fire gilt details, raised on an...
Bronze
Antique Meissen Empire Coffee Pot with Gold Decoration, 19th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique Meissen Empire coffee pot with gold decoration. 19th century. Measures: 27 x 20 cm. 1st factory quality. In good condition with wear in the ...
Porcelain
$544Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Empire Wall Sconces in Bronze with Flower Basket Motif, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of nice sconces. Each fixture requires a European E14 candelabra bulb, bulb up to 40 watts. Each wall light has a beautiful patina and gives each room an eclectic statement. Mad...
Bronze
Camille Le Tallec Gilded Porcelain Signed Cups Empire-Style Set
Located in Roma, IT
Camille Le Tallec Gilded Porcelain Cups Empire-Style Set Spectacular set of ornately gilt service cups hand-painted by Le Tallec of France Important and magnificent Empire-style gi...
Porcelain
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Gold, Brass
Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Empire Black Ebonized Walnut Needlepoint Parlor Arm Chair. Circa Late ...
Walnut
Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two width...
Crystal
Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s. Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Gold Leaf
Romweber Empire Mahogany, Burl Wood, and Brass Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Empire or Neoclassical style nightstands By Romweber USA, circa 1940s Mahogany cases, with gorgeous book...
Brass
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 French Empire Brass Converted Oil Lamp Mahogany Wood Column Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brass Converted Oil Lamp Corinthian Column Table Lamp With Mahogany Wooden Column. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 31.5" H (to finial) x 26" H (to light ...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Empire Ormolu and Marble Winged Victory Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Grand Gilt Bronze and Marble Empire Candelabra. Each with a Winged Victory Holding a four arm trumpeted candleholder. Period Early 19th Century and we believe these to be S...
Marble, Ormolu
$6,800 / set
1920 Empire Bronze Swam Sconces 3 Lights
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1920’s gilt bronze French Empire sconces with swam head holding a ring with 3 lights
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century English Regency Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of English Regency mahogany frame dining chairs, early 19th century. Features exquisite carved back-splats in conjunction with further foliate carvings to the top crest, strip...
Mahogany, Upholstery, Giltwood
$952Sale Price|30% Off
Green Bouillotte Bronze Three Lights Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A French Empire style period desk lamp, boasting three bronze lights and an adjustable screen, is complemented by a verdant tole shade in hues of vivid green. Take into account that...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5.7X4
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
Circa 1670 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow Ca. 1670
Wool, Cotton
Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Six Arms, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms. Cleaned and re-wired, in full working order and ready to use. In excellent vintage condition. Si...
Crystal, Bronze
French Bronze Bows Crystal Prisms Empire Sconces, circa 1930
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light each. Will be rewired with certified US UL sockets for the United States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Bronze detail bows with ...
Crystal, Bronze
$3,000
Antique Chinese Runner
Located in New York, NY
Rare short and narrow antique soft blue Chinese runner.
Wool
19th c. French Empire Paris Porcelain Gilt Reticulated Centerpiece Baskets
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair round French Empire Paris porcelain baskets - fully gilt with pedestal bases. Measure 9" diameter x 8 1/8" tall. Display beautifully together on fireplace mantel or dining table...
Porcelain
C19th Century French gilded mirror with urn detail
Located in London, GB
A C19th gilt mirror with nicely aged original plate and urn and swag decorative detailing at the top
Pine
Elegant French Empire Table Plateau in Bronze with nice patina from the 1810s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Table Plateau in Bronze with a lovely patina. Worn in the original mirror glass. (see pictures). Made in France during the 1810s Wear consistent with age and ...
Bronze
Maitland Smith French Empire Figural Phoenix Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental late 20th century Maitland Smith Empire style Bouillote / Budoir lamp. Made from brass with a pierced and paw footed base over an acanthus wrapped column leading to a figural winged Phoenix / Griffon candlestick...
Brass
Pair of Corinthian Column Faux Marble Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive pair of Corinthian column candlesticks featuring a beautiful and decorative capital with faux marble stems as well as a detailed square base. Fantastic pair featured on a ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid 19th century Danish empire mahogany mirror on cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Danish mahogany mirror on cabinet circa 1860. Beautiful piece of mid 19th century Danish furniture strong in the influence of the regency period. Comprising of 2 p...
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Ormolu and Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century directoire bouillotte table lamp. Lamp features original elements and original black tole lampshade with gilt brass leaf applied detailing. Newly rewired with side ...
Bronze, Tôle, Brass
16th Century Antique Brussels Fruit Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
A beautiful sixteenth century Brussels tapestry fragment depicting fruit and foliage in a richly aged palette of deep indigo muted teal soft ivory warm golden taupe sage green and to...
Wool, Cotton, Feathers
Fine Pair Of French Empire Style Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of burl walnut Empire style armchairs with upholstered seats and backs featuring fine craftsmanship with a square top rail and stylized carved accent on front of each arm suppor...
Fabric, Burl
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire Period mahogany gueridon, or game table, with Grey St. Anne marble top. A versatile table with removeable top, one side with green felt and the other wit...
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Woven Ship Tapestry 7.7X6.5
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
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
Antique French Gilded Wall Mirror with Floral Carvings, Circa 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black-gold, antique French wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Parisian mirror...
Mirror, Pine
Rare Artillery Plate First Empire Imperial Eagle And Crossed Cannons, 1804–1815
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Rare Artillery Plate – First Empire – Imperial Eagle And Crossed Cannons, 1804–1815" Rare French Napoleonic Artillery Brass Plaque – Imperial Guard Style – 31 x 34 cm – ca. 1804–181...
Brass
Empire Inkwell in Mahogany and Walnut with Gilt Bronze Mounts, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Inkwell in Mahogany and Ebonized Walnut with Gilt Bronze Mounts, circa 1820 A rare and finely crafted Empire inkwell, dating from around the 1820s. Made of richly grained ma...
Bronze
A large pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and 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
$13,643Sale Price / item|20% Off
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a captivating blend of Art Deco charm and Empire sophistication, our lead crystal chandelier is a testament to opulence and craftsmanship. Crafted in-house, we offer the ...
Crystal