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
Period: 20th Century
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite and gilt bronze pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 115cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm
This pair of 20th century French pedestals is crafted fro...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Pair Empire Style Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of bronze candlesticks feature Classical motifs including acanthus leaves and reeded tapering shafts.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Painted Console Table Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful vintage French Empire style painted gilded and ormolu mounted console table, Mid 20th century in date.
The rectangular faux marble top with an ormolu plaque to t...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
Located in London, GB
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
French, Early 20th Century
Height 52cm, width 123cm, depth 63cm
Exemplifying all that is grand and regal about the fan...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair Patinated Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Bronze Empire style column table lamps. Ready to use. Nice condition. Very good quality. Very heavy. 30” top of finial,
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console. Item features antiqued glass top, shell carved knees, paw feet, distressed finish. Circa Mid 20th Century. Me...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
French Turn of the Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany and Ormolu Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier in Bronze and Crystal
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant Empire style hot air balloon chandelier is made of bronze and lead crystal. The fixture is decorated with arrows and swan's necks. This is a a fine French...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 43cm
Ref.: 84654535
40-41
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
Empire Style 32 Inch Diameter 9 Light Alabaster Chandelier
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a very impressive and elegant alabaster bowl chandelier. This uniquely shaped 24 inch diameter hand carved bowl has a bowed bottom with tall flat sides. There are 3 bronze do...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf will bring understated elegance to your dining experience! Hand-crafted from sumptuous walnut, it features six tapered legs...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze & Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain)
Weight...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
China Dinner Service for 6 by Richard Ginori Black Onice Rim, Gold Trim & Verge
Located in Roma, IT
A Tableware set in very fine porcelain made in Italy between the 60s and 70s by the Doccia factory "Richard Ginori".
Richard Ginori is an historic Italian ceramic's factory founded in Tuscany, in Sesto Fiorentino, near Florence, of which Gio Ponti was creative director for 10 years.
This dinnerware is part of a Manufacture collection inspired by the elegant lines of the Empire style and which was out of stock for a long time.
Now, the new ownership of the brand, recently purchased by the Gucci Group, has included the Contessa collection back in the range but without the subtle tone-on-tone trim that embellished the gold encrusted rim.
We could say that this vintage dinner service...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Amethyst Murano Glass Empire Macaroni Swags Gold Gilt Chandelier c 1900
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 6 lights, sitting on gold gilt posts. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang at our expen...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Mid 20th-Century Baccarat Style Crystal Decanter
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This exquisite 20th-Century crystal decanter echoes the refined craftsmanship associated with Baccarat. Featuring a distinctive flat, flared bottom, this piece is designed for servin...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Mid Century Cut Crystal & Metal Delphin Dolphin Centerpiece Compote Bowls 10"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of rare mid 20th century French Empire / Neoclassical compote bowls featuring cast metal pedestal bases in the shape of delphins / dolphins / fish, painted in off white, balanci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
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
French Empire Style Baloon Chandelier, France Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
French Empire Style Chandelier, France Early 20th Century.
Small French balloon chandelier, in gilded and chiseled bronze with Empire palmet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Early 20th century Scandinavian gilt pedestal column
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Scandinavian gilt pedestal column circa 1900.
Good quality decorative pedestal in original gilt finish. Roman doric style with white painted top, fluting down th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
T...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal, Approx 140 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 43.75" H x 13.5" W x 13.5" D. Top: 12" x 12".
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Angel Motif Sterling Silver Snuff Box
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful snuff box is made from sterling silver. The lid and sides are covered in an intricate floral design with musical instruments and a scene of two playing cherubs in its ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Side Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze side tables
French, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 85cm, diameter 50cm
These striking octagonal guéridons are crafte...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Vintage Kodak Instamatic 133 Camera - 2Y218
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Capture a piece of photographic history with this vintage Kodak Instamatic 133 camera, a classic from the iconic brand that revolutionized amateur photography. This compact and light...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Mahogany Dog’s Bed
Located in Spencertown, NY
The diminutive mahogany sleigh bed with green and white upholstery.
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Walnut Wood Rounded Coffee Table White Marble from Carrara Top
Located in IT
Empire Wood Rounded Coffee Table with White Marble from Carrara Top
19th century Italian Empire rounded coffee table in wood.
Original Bronze details such as the stars and the neck...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Empire Style Seven-Light Bronze, Brass and Glass Chandelier, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful French Empire-style chandelier features six bronze swan arms. Dark green painted body with decorative bronze mounts and richly ornate pine finial, on top centered with...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Empire Style Gold Bench or Settee
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage French Empire Style Gold Bench or Settee
This vintage bench is a perfect addition to any home looking for a touch of classic style. The unique design and functional features...
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Antique Large Oil Lamp - Pewter, No Hallmark - 2Y82
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A charming antique large oil lamp, likely made of pewter, though unmarked. This lamp, with its timeless design, is in fairly good condition and would m...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Empire Buffet with Marble Top and original Brass Hardware
Located in Wichita, KS
French Empire style sideboard buffet with a marble top. late 19th/ early 20thc. The buffet is fitted with four drawers, central dual cabinet doors opening to a shelved interior, fl...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large and impressive Empire style Gilt Bronze & Malachite center table. The table features a circular top, which has been beautifully inlaid with malachite and edged with gilt bron...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our exquisitely restored old chandelier from Berlin! This stunning piece has been professionally refurbished with care and love, and its electrical wiring is compatible w...
Category
1970s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Maitland Smith Italian Tole Wall Sculpture Lavabo 3 Piece Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant wall lavabo or wash basin with beautiful detail throughout including floral and various instruments. Lavabos are gracious religious bowls for the lavabo ceremony of washing t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany desk with gilt bronze mounts, circa 1890-1910. This desk has very fine quality gilt bronze mounts.
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Chandelier, 1920's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Charming French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1920s.
This lovely piece has an ornate bronze frame hung with prisms of crystal glass.
The crystal glass pr...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Vintage Brass Wall Sconces – Classic Design - 2Y60
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This pair of vintage brass wall sconces features a timeless design, perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any room. The intricate detail...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical oil on canvas nude painting contemporary Roman style 'll bath'
By Henri-Pierre Picou
Located in Palermo, IT
Attributable to HENRI PIERRE PICOU. (FRENCH !(1824-1895)
Le Bain oil on canvas, with gold leaf frame, 1900.
Big picture
Now available
Shipping with triple box.
Any information cont...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Crystal Brass Basket Chandelier Ceiling Light With Tassels France, 1960s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Ceiling Light for 1 light point. Brass frame and crystal pendants.
Manufactured in France.
This beautiful chandelier has a classic style and is made of high quality materia...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of French Empire Portraits of an Aristocratic Couple by Antoine Borel
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of original oil paintings on canvas depicting a handsome young aristocratic couple of the Directoire, early Empire period. They are each pictured from the waist up, she holdin...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair of 20th Century Wood and Marble Top Italian Empire Style Night Stands, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Pair of Italian bedside tables from the mid-20th century. Furniture made in Cantù, carved and veneered in walnut, burl, beech, mahogany and fruitwood in the Empire style. Bedside tab...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Elegant Syrian Jewelry Box - Rectangular, Inlay Marquetry with Red Velvet - 2Y29
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover the beauty of this elegant Syrian jewelry box, featuring intricate marquetry and a luxurious red velvet interior. This rectangular, flat box is ideal for storing jewelry, ke...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Burl Wood Marble Top Italian Empire Style Commode, 1970
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian chest of drawers from the second half of the 20th century. Empire style furniture veneered in burl and ebonized wood of beautiful lines and pleasant furnishings. Commode with...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Tall Back Loveseat with Carved Mahogany Base
Located in New York, NY
Empire style tall back loveseat with carved mahogany base and claw feet. Newly upholstered in off-white fabric.
Category
1920s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Ca.1920 Antique Suzani Pillow - 20'' X 20''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1920 Antique Suzani Pillow 20'' X 20'', Handmade and Needlework
Category
1920s Uzbek Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
A Maison Jansen Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A mid-century Maison Jansen table lamp of Empire style with arrows mounted on a cylindrical base.
Please note:
Lampshade not included. Lamp photographed with a 18” diameter pale cr...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
ONE OF A KIND!! Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1920s Antique Indian Rug - 14'10'' X 11'7''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
1920s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
American Classical Empire Style Over Mantel Mahogany Trident Pediment Mirror 49"
Located in Dayton, OH
American Classical Empire style Pediment Mirror, circa last quarter 20th century. Features a mahogany frame with an arched pediment over acanthus carved spandrels set around a triden...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Pair of French Crystal and Brass Sconces in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
These Empire-style sconces showcase a signature element of Maison Jansen lighting: pierced brass encrusted with beaded crystals. This intricate combination of brass and encrusted crystal beads creates a stunning visual effect resembling a glistening, flowing fountain of light.
This meticulous craftsmanship embodies the elegance and sophisticated artistry for which Maison Jansen is famous. Maison Jansen, a renowned Parisian interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burl Wood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chest
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
By Thomasville
USA, Late 20th Century
Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled marble top, ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Charming Lithograph by Jean Pierre Bertaux "Le Marais" with Certificate - 2Y173
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This captivating lithograph titled "Le Marais" by Jean Pierre Bertaux showcases a serene and picturesque marsh scene. Accompanied by a numbered certificate of authentication (No. 45)...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of 20th Century Wood Italian Cantù Empire Style Night Stands, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Pair of Italian bedside tables from the mid-20th century. Cantù-made furniture in Empire style veneered in burl, mahogany and beech. Bedside tables with two doors and a drawer of goo...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Czech Crystal Beaded Empire Style Dome Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, 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.