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.
Antique Early 19th c. French Empire Paris Porcelain Coffee Cup or Can by Dihl
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique early 19th century Paris porcelain coffee cup or can by Dihl circa 1800. Decorated with floral sprig in shades of purple and green. Measures 3 1/2" across over handle x 2 1/2...
Porcelain
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
Hand-Knotted Wool Mahi Rug with Silk Highlights 3' x 4' Brown Ivory Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A finely woven hand-knotted Mahi rug featuring an intricate geometric floral pattern centered around a beautifully detailed medallion. Rich shades of brown, ivory, charcoal, and warm...
Wool, Silk
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
19th Century French Brass Empire Sconce, Neoclassical Antique Lighting
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire brass sconce of French design, 19th century. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophistic...
Metal, Brass
Mid 19th Century French Empire Commode With Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique French Empire three-drawer mahogany commode, circa 1840, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and balanced proportions characteristic of the Empire period. The c...
Marble
19th C, Style Empire Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite Wall Sconce
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th C style empire black Neoclassical Corinthian Column 2 Lite wall sconce Priced Each. Additional information: Materials: bronze Color: Black Period: 2010s Styles: Empire, ...
Bronze, Metal
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Royal Vase 6.2X2.3
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
Small Painted Tole Trinket Tray Dish Floral Pattern, 1830's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming black toleware metal tray with scalloped corners, featuring hand-painted flowers. We see this early 19th Century versatile piece on a cocktail table or used for trinkets in ...
Metal
French Sèvres Style Bronze-Mounted Cobalt Blue Hand Painted Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large French Sèvres style gilt bronze ormolu-mounted cobalt blue hand painted porcelain urn table lamp, first half of the 20th century. Bronze figurine handles, front side with han...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
Empire Four-Light Candelabra, Parcel-Gilt Bronze, Pair, Early 19th Century
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire period parcel-gilt and patinated bronze four-light candelabra, the patinated column raised on triform scrolled feet over incurved plinth supporting a gilt bronze stand...
Bronze
EMPIRE CLOCK in bronze with its beautiful original gilded patina depicting
Located in Berlin, DE
Applies bronze clock completely and finely carved, decorated with a lyre player foot on a curule stool, his zither placed beside the dial, the latter flanked by wreaths and musical i...
Bronze
$1,412Sale 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
Besancenot Wine Beaune Second Empire Fireplace Mantel Signed H. Duplain 1857
Located in Beervelde, BE
This extraordinary original antique fireplace mantel, carved in 1857 in Beaune, Burgundy, is a rare and historically anchored artefact from France’s Second Empire under Napoleon III....
Stone, Limestone
Coppia di Vasi Impero Italiani Intagliati Dorati e Laccati in Color Avorio 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Vasi Impero, due vasi con manici stilizzati, vasi portapalme in legno intagliato a motivi fitomorfi di gusto Impero e decorati con una finitura in lacca avorio e oro fino. ...
Wood
$940Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Empire Style Beech Wood Round Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian empire style round pedestal table in beech wood. The top is supported by three pairs of refined columns. In the lower part the columns end with a deligh...
Beech
Stunning Gueridon Table, hand carved Dolphin, second Empire, ~1900, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning rare side table, so called Gueridon, from the second Empire, made around 1900 in Italy. This elaborate structure of the table is composed of a round base with small extens...
Mahogany, Spruce
Fantastic French Bronze Mounted Marble Column Marble Top Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic French bronze mounted sideboard is a true statement of luxury, artistry, and craftsmanship. Featuring an elegant marble top and flanked by striking white marble column...
Breccia Marble, Bronze
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century Description: Each piece is configured as a two-light candelabrum, featuring two decorative scrolling side ar...
Bronze
$5,643
Empire Octagonal Convex
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A fine carved octagonal mirror frame with inner and outer reeded detailing with centralised ebony star decoration and central ebonised slip. Please note we are currently working to ...
Mahogany
$3,800 / set
1930's French Gilt Bronze Triangle Shape Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930's French Empire style gilt bronze sconces with triangle shape
Bronze
19thc French Empire Gilt & Patinated Bronze Table Lamp / Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire Gilt & Patinated Bronze Tall Table Lamp/ Candelabra Featuring Medusa. Originally for 5 candles now a stunning Table Lamp electrified for 2 bulbs. Intricate Neocla...
Bronze
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
Pair of Russian Empire Brass Candlesticks, Early 20th Century
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Russian Empire Brass Candlesticks, early 20th century, marked "Factory of Moscow" in Cyrillic to undersides. 12.25" H x 6" Diameter. Provenance: From an Upper West Side, Ne...
Brass
Empire-style Writing Desk Made Of Cuban Mahogany Burl
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire-style writing desk made of Cuban mahogany burl. The drop-down tabletop features a mercury mirror on the underside and reveals storage compartments, a silver-plated candlestic...
Mahogany
$2,800 / set
1930's French Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
a pair of circa 1930 French Empire style sconces
Bronze
Large French Empire Coastal Scenic Painted Oval Tole Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire salver or oval metal tray decorated with an outstanding border. The tray features painted medallions and edges and has two hand grips. The painted coastal scene depicts...
Metal
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farmers 6X5.6
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
Circa 1920 Antique Suzani Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique Suzani Pillow
Wool
Empire-style Bouillotte Lamp
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Empire-style hot-water bottle lamp in gilded bronze with an oval painted sheet metal shade. Two light arms, faux opaline candles. Made in France, circa 1950 Very good condition...
Bronze
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Wool
$256Sale Price / set|68% Off
Deshoulières Limoges Empire Tea Set, 15-Piece Fine Porcelain Set
Located in London, England
This Empire-style tea service, from Sologne, is a real jewel of the 20th century. Composed of 15 pieces in fine porcelain, each element is delicately decorated with fine gold, testif...
Gold Leaf
Antique French Empire Style Flame Finial Brass and Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Flame Finial Brass and Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 20" H x 9" W x 16" D.
Brass, Cast Iron
$12,223Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Italian Empire Mahogany Commode Two Doors Cabinet
Located in Firenze, IT
Striking mahogany 19th century Italian commode from the Empire period, circa 1815-1820. The straight, timeless shape combined with unique mahogany veneer makes this early 19th centur...
Metal, Iron
1900s Antique European Rug 13′ × 16′3″
Located in Los Angeles, US
Savonnerie Carpets – During the early seventeenth century, a weaver named Pierre DuPont traveled to the Levant. Upon his return, he claimed to have discovered the technique of creati...
Wool, Cotton
Swedish 19th century empire revival birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century empire revival birch chest of drawers circa 1870. Elegant chest of drawers with generous proportions, fitted with 4 graduating drawers. Rectangular top with ro...
Birch
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
Pair of Monumental Empire Style Crystal and Bronze Sconces, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pair of gilt bronze and crystal 1930s or older, waterfall sconces in empire style. Each fixture requires three European E14 candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to 40 watts. The wall light...
Crystal, Bronze, Metal
$448Sale Price|20% Off
19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Crystal
Ice Bucket with Lion Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A copper and brass ice bucket with lion head design, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century. This copper ice bucket with lid has brass lion head and loop design on sides (or fro...
Brass, Copper
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s A refined pair of French candlesticks from the 1820s, crafted in gilt bronze and richly decorated in the classic ...
Bronze
Waldorf Astoria Brass & Crystal Empire Wall Sconce Qty Available
Located in New York, NY
Large scale 20th Century brass and crystal Empire style wall sconces. These were retrieved from the Vanderbilt Room which was located off the right side of the main lobby entrance on...
Crystal, Brass
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Danish Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas, A Pair Charming pair of Danish Early 19th Century paintings oil on canvas. Thes...
Canvas, Wood
Fabulous Demi-Lune Console, Jardiniere, Mirror available, 1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful demi-lune console, usable as jardiniere, made around 1810 in Austria, an original of the Empire era. This wonderful wall console has a faceted mirror in the lower area. Th...
Sheet Metal
Pair of Stunning Russian Empire Period Ormolu Wall Sconces , ca. 1820s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A stunning pair of Russian empire period ormolu wall candelabras , ca. 1800s-1830s.
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Bronze, Ormolu
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire, made during 1820s-1830s in Europe. Classic Laurel Wreath from the Empire Era. Wear c...
Marble, Bronze
Italian Late Empire Carved and Gilded Chandelier with Cut Glass Prisms
Located in Kastrup, DK
Italian Late Empire chandelier, carved in wood, richly decorated and water-gilded, adorned with cut glass prisms. The central section features classical Empire motifs, including aca...
Brass
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Cello 6.0X5.5
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
Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
Located in Barntrup, DE
A splendid Empire-style sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s. Gilt brass frame adorned with crystal glass beads and prisms, three interior lights for E14 size light bulbs. Dimensions: Hei...
Crystal, Brass
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service. Antique Empire Paris porcelain by Darte Frères 1795-1825 in a rich mocha faux tortoise pattern with neoclassical decorativ...
Porcelain
Elegante ausdrucksstarke frühe Biedermeier Kommode mit Geheimschublade, 1810
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Hessian Biedermeier chest of drawers, circa 1810. Walnut veneer on an oak carcass. The three-drawer body is flanked by ebonized half-columns with gilded bases and capitals. Raised on...
Oak, Walnut
Empire Wall Console with Marble Top, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire wall console with white marble top and mirrored back panel. The mirror glass is period and shows age-related spotting. The console features a drawer and is veneered in mahoga...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Glass
Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 19" X 12", handmade piece , from mid-16th century
Wool
$6,943 / set
Empire Candlesticks, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of elegant Empire candlesticks crafted from partially fire-gilded bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each candlestick stands on a round base, featuring a tapered, flute...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Two Branch Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu figural two branch candelabra. Set on square ormolu socle with cylinder ormolu stem wit...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Figural Swan Chandelier in Bronze
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs. Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Bronze