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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
Returnable Items Only
Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests. Measures: Seat height 17.5 Arm height ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

French Empire Chandelier with Opaline Glass 16 Lights
Located in New York, NY
1930’s French Empire chandelier with swans, cherubs and lions. Opaline glass inset. 16 lights
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Continental Marble and Gilt Eagle Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Gold Leaf

Sterling Silver Box Striped Fire Enameled Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Sterling silver Jewel box with Rectangular rounded corners gold plated with translucent fire enamel stripes on guilloche and hand engraved with late Russian Empire style ornament app...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Early 20th Century Large Russian Imperial Brass Samovar Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous, early 20th century large Russian imperial brass samovar set. Tray and bowl included. Measures 16" in width, 16" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Console with Carrara Marble Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Empire console table having a rectangular Carrara marble top, on mahogany table base with single frieze drawer, raised on square-section, tapering legs capped and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Crystal and bronze chest
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Crystal and bronze chest Empire style chest Crystal and gilded bronze materials Origin France Circa 1920 Excellent condition The Empire style (in French: style Empire) is a dominant ...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Unbeatable age and patina on this black painted and gilt on oval tray. The tray features leaves in an oval pattern. As found in Sweden, we see this metal tray functioning on a coffee...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte. If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Empire Candelabra with Green Marble Bases & 4 Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
These pair of Empire candelabras feature angles holding 4 candleholders atop a green marble base.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire period bed with its canopy
Located in Paris, FR
Empire period bed in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, richly decorated with finely chased and gilded bronzes, with its canopy. The front of the bed features a lyre in the center, framed by two sheath feet with shafts decorated with caduceus and Mercury busts...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large Empire period boat bed and canopy
Located in Paris, FR
Large boat bed in solid flamed mahogany, mahogany veneer, richly decorated with finely chased and gilded bronzes, from the Empire period. Four baluster jambs, adorned with fleurons, ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A French Figural Bronze Inkwell Desk Lamp with Tole Shade
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Figural Bronze Inkwell Desk Lamp with Tole Shade, Late 19th / Early 20th Century French double inkwell figural bronze desk lamp, comprised of a central winged bronze cherub...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terra...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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

Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
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...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze and Bronze Dore Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style patinated and gilded bronze chandelier, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Silk Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
The history of Aubusson textiles dates back to the 14th century. The town of Aubusson is located in the La Marche area of France, which is located at the base of the Creuse River. It...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century French Empire Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in San Francisco, CA
Elegant Empire Period black lacquered walnut chaise or daybed with brass ormolu decoration. Has its original horsehair mattress. Sturdy and sound, b...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Upholstery, Walnut

Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five-Arm Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Regency Petite Five Candelabra Light Chandelier, This Fixture Comes With Shades That Maybe Removed
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Chest of Drawers with Granite Top, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire chest of drawers in cherry with lateral pilasters with blackened caryatids on lion's paw feet. The black granite top complements the ebony carved details beautifully. The fitt...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Granite, Brass

Antique French Empire Swan Faucet, Circa 1820
Located in Dallas, TX
A unique French faucet tap dating to circa 1820, this highly detailed spout has the appearance of a swan with a craned neck. Swan motifs were sometimes see...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Armoire
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French Empire period armoire. With stunning book matched walnut veneer to the two long doors flanked by two columns. Original restra...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. American Empire Carved Winged Paw Foot Mahogany Large Box Stool Ottoman. Item featured is a very rare model, shapely raised box form, beautiful crotch mahogany veneer, black ...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style Mahogany Pink Chaise
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany chaise with bronze trim and large pink and gold cushion upholstery
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Wooden Bed Italian Manufacture, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage wooden bed entirely hand made and realized in Italy in he early 20th Century. Can be also used as a sofa. Good condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

119-Piece Silver Plated Flatware for 12 Persons by SFAM Model Sans-Gêne Empire
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of silver plated tableware from the French brand SFAM (Société Française d'Alliage de Métaux). The cutlery is beautifully decorated in Empire style. SFAM ceased to exis...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Empire Period Armchairs and Bergere by P.BELLANGÉ
By Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in Paris, FR
EXCEPTIONAL seats by Pierre Bellangé PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS, circa 1805 Mahogany with mahogany veneer. Powerful tapered front legs with three scalloped rings, and sabre back legs. Slight...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch, Fruitwood

Louis Marie Moris French bronze Napoleon on horseback . (1818-1883)
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large French bronze of Napoleon on horseback . Crossing the Alps on Marengo. Fine detail on a marble base . Large and impressive scale
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Baker Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category

1960s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Baker Empire Chest of Drawers
Baker Empire Chest of Drawers
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Empire Backgammon Games Box in Mahogany with Pieces, early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An Elegant Empire Backgammon Game Box in Mahogany (Swietenia Mahogani) with details in Hallmark Silver. Made in the early 19th Century. This Games Box for Backgammon is the perfect decorative piece that is also complete with pieces for playing the game! A refined Empire outside which lets the expensive materials of the piece convey the object's elegance. The interior of the box's lid forms one of the playing fields, the other being the bottom part. The backgammon board on the inside of the box is made out of intarsia wood...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver, Brass

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

Early 19th Century Biedermeier or Empire Demi Lune Console with Mirror
Located in Greven, DE
Antique demi-lune console with pillar mirror North Germany Mahogany Biedermeier/Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 234 x 88 x 51 cm single height console: 78 cm, sing...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Regency Bronze Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical / Regency bronze and graduating crystal basket form chandelier with medusa heads and six candelabra sockets around the outer frame and a beau...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire / Early Biedermeier Corner Cabinet in Mahogany, Sweden, circa 1815
Located in Miami, FL
A large and very beautiful Karl Johan Empire corner cupboard in mahogany with tiara-shaped top banded with satinwood inlays and resting on bracket feet. Features a storage drawer mid...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-19th Century European Aubusson Style Rug 5'7'' x 4'5'' , handmade and hand-knotted, empire traditional style
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Walnut Display Cabinet Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves, Sweden circa 1850-70
Located in Round Top, TX
This stunning walnut display cabinet standing at 7' tall/ and 8' wide will make a grand and elegant statement piece. Enlarge close up photos to appreciate the exceptional grain of th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Late 19th Century French empire mahogany and ormolu cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality french empire revival mahogany cabinet circa 1890. Generous proportions and as with all furniture of this scale and period it was built to come apart. Central glazed d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Rare early 19th century American Late Empire inlaid mahogany Bowfront Chest
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
A rare and important Antique American mid-Atlantic region Late Empire Inlaid mahogany large Bowfront Chest of Drawers with checkered inlays, rosewood crossbanding (inlay), half-turne...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style brass and crystal glass basket chandelier. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has an or...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

1920's Hollywood Regency Empire Style Armchair
Located in Houston, TX
Hollywood Regency Empire Style Armchair with ebonized frame and gold gilt accenting and Lions Head detail. The fabric is Scalamandre
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Tiffany & Co. Style Antique Empire Marble Rocker Blotter With Brass Handle
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Empire or Neoclassical marble rocker ink blotter with brass laurel wreath handle In the manner of Tiffany & Co. USA, Late 19th Century Measures: 5.13"W x 3"...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th century Swedish birch root shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish burr birch shaped occasional table circa 1870. Fine quality table which is ideal for multiple uses around the home.  Scalloped shaped top which has been beautif...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

Pair of Early 19th c Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th C Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes. With a classic egg and dart pattern on the rim, the pair are adorned with two sets of winged male figures. The pair rest atop rec...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Style Black lacquer Mirror Table with original mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful Antique Empire style table is one of a kind and a stunner. Antique mirror and Black lacquer wood trim. it would make a gorgeous entry table or dining table and so much more. the patina of the mirror is original and truly amazing. To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha Design, scroll down and click on VIEW ALL FROM SELLER. Also follow us to be notified when new items are posted. We also have a brick and mortar...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 23'' x 23'', Empire and Traditional.
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Empire French Semainier Commode
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Semainier, Mahogany, France, 1825-1830 ,,The Empire style is an early-nineteenth-century design movement in architecture, furniture, other de...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style Mahogany Daybed with Ormolu Mounts and Velvet Upholstery
Located in Chicago, IL
20th century French Empire style mahogany daybed on casters with ormolu gilt bronze mounts in floral/thistle decoration and original wood jo...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Baker Furniture Regency Paw Foot Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Neoclassical style pedestal extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with rosewood banding and...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Empire Style Childrens Chair
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An elegant and rare childrens 'Bergère chair made in Empire style. Made of finely carved beechwood. At the top swan heads, which is a typical ornate of the Empire style. Upholstered ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Antique French Empire 2 door Walnut Bookcase Bibliotheque 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique French walnut and omolu mounted bookcase / Bibliotheque, dating Circa 1870 in date. It has been hand crafted from solid walnut and decorated with fine Neo- ...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ash, Burl

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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