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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
20th century French Empire Style Brass and Silk Table Lamp, 1950s
Located in LEGNY, FR
This elegant Empire-style lamp, dating from the 1950s, features a refined gilt brass base with a timeless silhouette, set on a contrasting black marble pedestal that adds both charac...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

A Pair of 19th C. Paris Porcelain Gilt and Portrait Painted Vases
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th C. Paris Porcelain Gilt and Portrait Painted Vases. Each vase features a neoclassical amphora form, richly decorated with gilt accents and hand-painted portrait panel...
Category

1840s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 6 American Empire Style Carved Wood Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Empire wood dining chairs in mahogany veneer with sloped gondola backs with an openwork, urn-form center topped by a carved foliate neoclassical crown...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Antique table with chairs, Northern Europe, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique table and chairs from the late 19th century, Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, professionally renovated. Chair seat...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Style Double Dresser in Painted Gray Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Empire style double dresser with gilt metal hardware. We have a matching tall chest in our listing. Great classic French empire style to add some French architecture to your h...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Empire Fireplace Bronze or Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
19th century Empire fireplace bronze
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Marble Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French early 19th century Empire st. highly chased ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble, three arm candelabra, mounted into a lamp. The square Rouge Griotte marble base with or...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Early 19th Century Set of Two Empire Giltwood Sicilian Torcheres
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of giltwood Torcheres hand carved in Sicily in 1820, they are in original conditions, with consistent signs of use and age visible on the pics. The candlesticks were decorativ...
Category

Early 19th Century Sicilian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Pitcher "Savines les Lacs" Genuine High-Fired Flame Glazed Stoneware - 2Y210
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming pitcher, carafe, or jug from "Savines les Lacs" is crafted from genuine high-fired flame-glazed stoneware. It boasts a rustic yet elegant design, making it a versatile ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Book by Charles de Gaulle "Mémoire de Guerre: Le Salut 1944-1946", 2Y112
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage edition of "Mémoire de Guerre: Le Salut 1944-1946" by Charles de Gaulle offers a unique insight into the mind of one of the 20th century’s most influential leaders. Cove...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 43cm Ref.: 54676504 67 - 68
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Resin

Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table Empire style dressing table in burl walnut with 2 drawers. Venetian glass pulls. The flap reveals a large origina...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table
Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table
$1,920 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Empire Regency Inlaid Mahogany Swivel Piano Harpist Stool Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Inlaid Mahogany Swivel Piano Harpist Stool Chair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H x 17.5" W x 18" D x 20" Seat height.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Wall Sconces, Circa 1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire gold bronze wall sconces, Circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock of the Astronomical Sciences
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a period French Empire mantle clock in finely chased and gilded bronze made in France in the first quarter of the 19thC. One of the Greek muses with a star atop h...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Mahogany Table de Milieu with a Verde Antico Marble Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany table de Milieu, with a Verde Antico Marble Top, in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter. The rectangular marble top above a frieze...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Impressive Italian Gilt Brass Frame Sixteen Light Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your space with the grandeur of this Impressive Early 20th Century Italian Gilt Brass Frame Sixteen-Light Cut Crystal Chandelier. This chandelier is a magnificent example of ...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 24" x 11"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

1850s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Vintage Woven Scene 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...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

French Empire Gueridon
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This amazing large Gueridon tripod is made of flamed mahogany with gilt claw feet and inlay.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box
Located in Roma, IT
A French Empire Gilt-tooled Morocco Leather Box This wonderful rectangular box is decorated overall with sets of lace pattern friezes.
 In Morocc...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Chapman French Empire Glass Column Brass Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chapman French Empire Style Glass Column Brass Double Candelabra Candlestick Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H (to finial) x 28.5" H (to li...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Italian Solid Silver Empire Style Sugar Bowl on Feet
Located in VALENZA, IT
Important Italian sugar bowl in 800 solid silver made in Florence. The Empire style is characterized by the Classic leaves, embossed and finely chis...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" X 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder Vinyl "We Are the World" - 2Y07
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Own a piece of musical history with this vintage 45 RPM vinyl record of USA for Africa's iconic single "We Are the World." Featuring legendary artists M...
Category

1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Plastic

American Empire Gothic Mahogany Dressing Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire Gothic design mahogany dressing table on carved pedestal base with mirror and drawers.
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Brass

Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

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
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Gorgeous pair of table lamps in classic versailles red 20th century style.
Located in Cantù, IT
Splendid pair of table lamps in classic versailles red 20th century style.
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique "Hamage Nord" Faience Plate - 20th Century - 2Y33
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover the charm of vintage ceramics with this antique faience plate from "Hamage Nord," dating from the 20th century or earlier. Sign...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Faience

Austrian 18th Century Empire Style Two Doors Larch Wood Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious and original larch wood wardrobe, convertible into a bookcase, with two doors in the Austrian Empire style of the 18th century The wardrobe, all in larch wood, is all origi...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Other, Brass

Drouot French Empire Bronze Mantel Clock, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This French Empire mantel clock features a seated female figure, finely sculpted, draped in flowing fabric, and positioned next to an elegant water fountain motif. The round enamel d...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

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...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Polychrome and Fossilized Marble Cabine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany, polychrome and fossilized marble cabinet. The four door, three drawer cabinet is raised by fine block feet bel...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Italian Empire Period Gilt Cast Metal & Glass 12-Light Chandelier, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
from the Italian Empire period this chandelier retains its original gilt metal rings and glass bead chain and has unique glass prisms, the top with a crown of sorts utilizing bead ch...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Book: Le Livre et les Arts qui s'y Rattachent (1887) by M.P. Louisy- 2Y96
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This classic book, "Le Livre et les Arts qui s'y Rattachent", authored by M.P. Louisy, explores the relationship between books and the arts, providing valuable insights into the subj...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century Gold French Empire Hexagonal Giltwood Verre Églomisé Barometer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold patinated, antique French hexagonal barometer made of handcrafted giltwood, in good condition. The top part of the Parisian décor piece is enhanced by flower carvings. The glass dial is particularized with Verre Églomisé. The thermometer represent the First French Empire time...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Antique French Empire Mahogany & Gilt Metal Mounted Cabinet on Chest circa 1800
Located in Suffolk, GB
This antique French Empire mahogany and gilt metal mounted antique cabinet on chest has an upper tier with two doors fitted boasting attractive gilt metal mounts. The bottom chest ha...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Late 19th-C. French Empire Gilt Bronze Mahogany Side Chairs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of late 19th century French Empire mahogany side chairs with gilt bronze mounts. Note the griffins on the legs! The fabric appears to be silk. It is vintage and in ver...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of Eight Empire Floral and Gilt Decorated Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of eight Empire floral and gilt decorated plates. Paris porcelain transitional Empire gilt plates with flowers. France, circa 1830 Dimensions: 9....
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Style Gueridon in the Manner of Jacob-Desmalter, circa 1880
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany gueridon, with a Verde antico marble top, in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter. French, circa 1880. The circular Verde antico marble ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 1960s French "Bastille Day" Painted Tole Wall Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant pair of 1960s French "Bastille Day" sconces in painted tole tinwork, in the style of Maison Baguès. The bundle of rods at the center reference the ancient Roman symbol of the...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Tin

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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Spelter

French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Hanging Sculpture of a Woman by Igor S. Stéphano - Numbered 611 - 2Y143
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite vintage hanging sculpture by Igor S. Stéphano captures the elegance and grace of a woman in stunning detail. Made of ceramic and porcelain, the sculpture showcases vib...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Monumental 19th Century French Empire Sèvres Style Porcelain Urns, a Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent pair of French antique gilt bronze mounted pink Sèvres porcelain style vasiform urns. Born in France in the 19th century, hand-crafted in rich grandiose Empire taste, palatial awe-inspiring large scale, featuring ornate finely chiseled and sculpted dore' bronze hinged handle mounts, partial gilt pink ground baluster form amphora - pithos form body surmounted by patinated brass final topped cover affixed to the flaired narrowing neck rising from voluptuous bulbous tapering body, embellished with elaborate gilded gold enameled scroll flourish filigree decoration framing central oval medallion showcasing hand painted polychrome classical landscape and pastoral figural scenes, over doré bronze mount fillet adorned porcelain foot ending in substantial sturdy octagonal cast gilt metal plinth base. A superb example, high quality craftsmanship, construction, and materials, exceptionally executed design, this pair makes for a wonderful decorative object and most impressive statement piece! Exceedingly rare, boldly beautiful and absolutely stunning, this majestic pair is sure to become the focal point in any room. Placed in beside a fireplace, flanking an door, entry or hall, atop a massive sideboard...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Vintage 20th-Century Small Enameled Earthenware Pot with Floral Decor - 2Y155
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming vintage 20th-century small pot is made of enameled earthenware and features a delicate floral design. The pot is in good overall condition with some small spots and a c...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

French Empire style walnut Armchair - blue green yellow - France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty Empire-style walnut armchair with carved palmettes and acanthus leaves. The armrests are fluted. The legs are saber-shaped. The armchair is upholstered with floral tapest...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Wall-Mounted Porcelain Decorative Plate – "Christmas Eve", 2Y115
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming vintage wall-mounted decorative plate captures the warmth and tradition of Christmas Eve in the picturesque village of Greetsiel, Germany. Issued in 1979 as part of a l...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique book "Retour en Chrétienté" - Collection by J. Servel - 2Y36
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the insightful collection titled "Retour en Chrétienté" by J. Servel, a notable work reflecting on religious themes. Published by Édition du Chalet, this book is an essential...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections. The upper section has three doors: a l...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood

Antique Missal No. 21 "L'Imitation de Jésus Christ" – A Spiritual Guide - 2Y180
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This antique missal, titled L'Imitation de Jésus Christ, is a precious spiritual work published by the esteemed C. Droguet & R. Ardant. A beautifully co...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Rare Imposing Empire Period Walnut and Gilt Bronze Cheval Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This magnificent First Empire period cheval mirror, standing at over 1.90 meters in height, is an exceptional example of early 19th century French craftsmanship. Designed as a freest...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Period Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame. Early 19th Century Internal measurements cm 13 x 10 Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certifica...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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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