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
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
Vintage French Empire Brass & Italian Black Marble Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Italian Black Marble & Polished Brass Column Table Lamps With Black Textured Shades - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mahogany Empire Commode with Gilt Caryatids, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable early 19th century mahogany commode/ half cabinet from the late famous Empire period in Germany around 1815/20. The clean straight, timeless shape combined with exceptional mirror matched mahogany veneer makes this 19th century so-called "trumeau" an absolute dreamlike piece. This perfect sized commode/ half cabinet offers two doors and a drawer. Artfully hand carved caryatids depicting women busts covered in fine gold leaf. The door panels are additionally framed by ebonized wooden bars and the fully functional locks are adorned by lovely crafted brass fittings. Delicate, pointed legs complete the outstanding look and confer this gorgeous piece of a late Empire trumeau commode a certain kind of lightness. A real precious, perfectly restored masterpiece of antique empire furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Enameled Bread Basket, Denmark
Located in Copenhagen, K
Amazing 19th century enamel bowl or bread basket.
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Armchairs Pair of Swedish Mahogany Brown Gilded Details Green and White Seat
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs made in Sweden during the Karl Johan period 1810-1840. Frame made in mahogany with gilded details. Upholstered in a durable outdoor Rogers and Goffigon stripe.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage JRD Berliet Relaxe Truck Toy- 2Y42
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore a piece of vintage transportation history with this classic JRD Berliet Relaxe truck. This small collectible features a Berliet cab and is a testament to mid-20th-century toy...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Design of Lady Face Sconces Gold Dore' Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast in bronze with real 18K gold Dore' finish. Contemporary hi-quality castings in fine details. From the original French pair. Look fantastic on the wall a...
Category
1990s North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A French mid 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble fireplace mantel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and finely detailed French mid 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble fireplace mantel. This beautiful mantel is raised by striking elegantly scrolled jambs with ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Marble Topped Vitrine in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Antique French marble topped vitrine in the Empire style
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 132cm, width 72cm, depth 47cm
This antique mahogany vitrine was made in France and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's.
We have 2 of these chandeliers available, and they are sold individually.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Empire Centre Table
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An early 19th Century Swedish Empire centre table.
With circular top and decorative triangular base, tapering to lions paw feet. Re-painted in soft black.
Circa 1820.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Charming Painting Signed R.Y - City Alleyway Scene, Oil on Canvas - 2Y84
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming small painting, signed by the artist R.Y, beautifully depicts a quaint city alleyway. The oil on canvas work captures the essence of urban charm with detailed brushwork...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Large and elegant Table Lamp in Empire style - Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Large, beautiful table lamp of gilded and dark patinated bronze, in classic Empire style from the early 20th century. The lamp with a black lacquer shade with gold on the inside give...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Interesting Late 19th-Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Long Island City, NY
An interesting late 19th-early 20th century gilt bronze empire style sixteen light chandelier
Four long chains connect the top with the body, eight gilt sphinx encircle and light ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Gilt Metal and Tole Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique gilt metal and tole table lamp, made in England and dating from around the 1920’s.
It is of superb quality, with fine and intricate details. The tole shade is or...
Category
1920s British Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
XXL French Empire Jardinieres done in bronze on marble base, France 1805
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of extra large French Empire jardinieres. They are done in bronze and have the base made of two types of ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Set of Two 19th Century French Hand-Colored Regional Maps
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These historical regional maps depict the “Dépt de la Moselle" (Department of Moselle) and the Departement de Gard in France. Both pieces date back to the 19th Century, given their s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer 19th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer, 19th Century.
This is a very elegant and large 19th century Empire style dining / center table with a top in expressive rosewood ve...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
Vintage Corgi Daily Planet Miniature Helicopter - 1:43 Scale - 2Y220
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a piece of nostalgia to your collection with this vintage Corgi Daily Planet miniature helicopter. Crafted with attention to detail, this 1:43 scale non-military helicopter is a ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th century silver plate centerpiece
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century table centerpiece or double bowl in finely chiseled silver plated
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
A pair of Antique English Brass Andirons
Located in Charleston, SC
Likely mid to late 19th century. The pair have a bold form with scrolling base atop orbs with log support at backside in iron. H21" L22" W11" Providence: from the collection of a Pawleys Island...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
1920s French Empire Giltwood Arrow Wall Lights
Located in Hastings, GB
Wonderful pair of 1920's French Empire style wall lights, in giltwood and gilt iron, each light with three small screw in (e14) lap holders. Fully rewired and tested and ready to use...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Gueridon Empire Cherry Alabaster Italy \'800
Located in Milano, IT
Gueridon supported by three uprights carved with lion feet and in the upper part with caryatids, to support the undertop band. The female figures are standing, dressed according to t...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
A fine 19th c French mahogany and gilt bronze marble top sideboard by Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French mahogany and gilt bronze mounted marble top sideboard signed Antoine Krieger. Flame mahogany with fine gilt bronze mounts .
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 8.2X6.10
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
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
A Continental early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany Fruitwood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most handsome Continental early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ebonized Fruitwood center table. The wonderful table is raised on Ebonized Fruitwood bun feet belo...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Mahogany
Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror in Mahogany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large Swedish Empire mirror features a mahogany frame, characterized by its clean, classic lines and a deep honey-toned hue. The design exudes timeless elegance and architectura...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Charming Vintage Enameled Vase with Twisted Rim - Multicolored Ceramic - 2Y144
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming vintage enameled vase is a delightful decorative piece, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any space. The vase features a unique twisted rim and is crafted from ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass Candlesticks, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of antique French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks from ca. 1890.
A beautiful and compact-sized pair of French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks with removable bobeches (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Napoleonic Tin Wall Mounted Candle Sconces Ca. 1820s
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of 19th century French Napoleonic tinned steel wall mounted candle sconces in the Empire style.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
French, Empire Provencal Armchair
Located in Montreal, Quebec
A rare, beautiful, early-19th century Napoleon I, First Empire provencal armchair, a period piece, newly upholstered in the traditional laurel-leaf ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Chairs With Red Silk Upholstered Seat
Located in Sheridan, CO
Extraordinary pair of French Empire style mahogany chairs featuring a tub or gondola form frame. Minimally decorated having a curved back,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
Pair of French Blue Painted Fluted Bedside Column End Tables with Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This pair of side tables with a single drawer and cabinet below have been constructed from solid wood. The interior features a shelf for additional storage. Classic details on this s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Pair of Patinated and Dore Bronze Empire Covered Urns
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and rare neoclassical pair of patinated and doré bronze Empire period covered urns with doré bronze cupid masks and foliage scroll doré bronze handles. Each is beautifully...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire style console leg. Resin. 20th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Figure located on a rectangular base with fine moldings. A claw gives way to an oval shape from which emerge two wings with the tips rolled forward (with some lines of Persian air) a...
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Other
19th Century French Empire Ormolu Bronze and White Marble Portico Clock
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique (19th century) French portico form mantel clock in white marble with finely cast ormolu bronze mounts, distinguished by its large size and Cupid with bow among clou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris
By Thiéry Paris 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock by Thiéry, Paris.
Thiery Paris, late 18th century.
The drumcase con...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Bronze
Empire Era Fire-Gilt Bronze Clock Representing a Figure in Neo-Egyptian Style
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French patinated and fire-gilt clock depicting a standing figure in the neo-Egyptian style, Empire Era, 1800-15. The silk-thread mechanism is in good working condition with key and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and enamel Ceres mantel clock after Thomire.
French, c.1810
Measures: height 46cm, width 38cm, depth 13cm.
This superb mantel clock was made in the First Fr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Bernardaud, Gold Line Espresso Coffee Cup and Saucer, France 1950s
By Bernardaud
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful gold line espresso coffee cup and saucer by the Bernardaud manufacture from the 1950s. Sold individually, 10 available.
Very good condition.
Dimensions in cm :
- Cup : 4....
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish, Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Regency Empire Glass Etagere
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Empire glass cabinet. A chic mahogany with gorgeous Ormolu detail. Interior mirror and glass make the cabinet really light up. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
French Empire Period Trumeau
Located in Pembroke, MA
Empire painted trumeau mirror with neoclassical detailing, including winged cherub, in dark green and gold.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood, Paint
Important Empire Early 19th Century Fauteuil by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Despite his long life, very little is known about the general production of menuisier (chairmaker) Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864) and even less about his use of bent laminates, which must be viewed as the most advanced of its kind until the appearance of Michael Thonet’s work of the 1830s.
The profound reverence for the classical world in enlightened circles in early 19th century Europe and the United States often resulted in the archaeological resurrection of the art, architecture, and design of ancient Greece and Rome. No chair employing the innovative technique of bending wood more boldly expresses this allegiance to the past than this armchair painted in le style antique and based on the ancient Roman sella...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire-Style Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Gilt and patinated bronze Empire-style wall lights
French, Early 20th century
Height 35cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm
This pair of wall lights or sconces are modeled in the opulent...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire fruit wood chest of drawers with gilt bronze hardware and ebonized columns, 19th century. No keys.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Period Sèvres Porcelain Pale Blue and Faux Porphyry Ground Vases
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite large pair of Empire period Sèvres Porcelain pale Celeste blue and faux porphyry ground vases. Each vase is intricately hand painted with meticulous detail and further adorned with 24-karat hand painted gilt decoration. The bases are a very unusual hand painted faux porphyry porcelain. Each vase and base is marked with various pressnumera and Sèvres signs...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A pair of elegant candelabra with caryatids, Empire, early 19th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of elegant candelabra with caryatids, Empire, early 19th century
A very elegant and high-quality French pair of candelabra in gilt and dark-patinated bronze. Each candelabrum...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting the Lydian Queen Omphale
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19 century French Empire gilt bronze clock depicting the mythological Lydian Queen Omphale sitting astride on a draped drum th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Empire Style Lamp in Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze, 1940s
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Empire style lamp in cut crystal and chiselled and gilt bronze mount. Circular gilt bronze base adorned with a Walter leaves frieze, gadroons and beads topped by a cut crystal ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Fine Pair of Early 20th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Sconces, Lyre Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Empire style gilt-bronze two-light lyre sconces
Each pierced stringed lyre-form backplate with the mask of Apollo above two scrolling branches centered by a star over an acorn pendant.
Provenance:
Maison Tisserand, Paris.
C Property from the Estate of Roger Prigent.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
21st Century Empire-Style Bed Bench with Plated Fabric by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
This lovely pleated bench by Modenese Gastone Interiors will make a classy statement at the foot of a bed or as part of the decor in any living or night ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
20th Century Antique Louis XV Style French Salon Table Bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Majestic French salon table in Louis XV style. White polished on solid pinewood. Exceptionally finest engraved, decorative broken rocailles, inlaid with acanthus, and flowered detail...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Important Pair of 1st Period French Empire Pat. & Dore Bronze 6-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous and important pair of antique French 1st period Empire patinated and two-tone matte and burnished doré bronze six-light candelabras. Each modeled with figures of Goddess D...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2 part construction, beautiful tapered capitol, brass hardware, mother of pearl keyh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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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