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.
to
879
2,628
2,060
4,607
151
110
197,421
113,739
42,838
32,762
16,107
11,770
10,559
10,478
9,704
8,878
7,254
6,726
6,372
6,318
6,135
5,667
4,868
3,738
252
2,946
1,409
261
476
342
213
106
19
89
51
45
46
70
51
57
25
2,601
2,012
1,431
1,001
820
3,988
2,739
424
266
239
4,868
4,782
4,805
40
30
25
18
12
Style: Empire
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
French 19th Century Empire St. Three Piece Porcelain from Limoges, France
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome 19th century French Empire st. three piece Limoges porcelain set, from Limoges, France. The three pieces, one bowl and two vases, are hand painted with wonderful scen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Bras En L'air French Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This bras en l'air, or "arms in the air," French mantel clock demonstrates the neoclassical luxury of the Second Empire style. The focal point of the clock is a large doré bronze mai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
20th Century antique Empire style Chandelier with 8 Silver Swans brass
Located in Berlin, DE
Galvanized bronze and partly red patinated. Bowl-shaped body with pine finish. Starting from this, eight candlestick arms designed as swans with cylindrical spouts over a round eaves...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
Antique French Empire Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Eagle Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb and unique antique French Empire style neoclassical gilt and patinated bronze multi light chandelier of fine detail. This fine chandelier is embellished with reticulated gilt...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Figural Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Winged cupid with flowing robe, clock resting between wings and fabric, raised on bronze ormolu-mounted verde antico plinth.
France, first half of the 19th century.
Measures: H ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
French Empire Style Bronze Candelabra as Lamps, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Style Patinated Bronze Four Branch Candelabra Mounted as Lamps, after the antique, 19th century, each in the form of a brazier, with scrolled foliate branches, ...
Category
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
Restauration Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Restauration Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra, circa 1830, each with five branches on reeded leaf-capped tapering columns and conforming bases. 38.5" H x 10.25" W x 6.25" D.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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
Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Sevres Green Ground Porcelain Framed Charger Napoleon Courting Josephine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large and very fine French Sevres green ground porcelain framed charger depicting the consecration of the Emperor Napoleon I and coronation of the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock. The foliate and fruit engraved gilt-brass dial with enamel painted roman numerals. Inside with eight day movement w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
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
Gilt Bronze & Crystal "Basket" Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze & cut crystal "Basket" chandelier. 12 lights. Great quality. France, circa 19220.
Dimensions: Height 44" Diameter 21"
CW4886.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Classic Swan French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Classic model for this French Empire chandelier, perfect in any particular: gilt bronze, classic swan, green nail, 6 lights.
It's perfect ! over Your table or sleeping room...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1900's Swedish Empire 6 Lights Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 Swedish Empire chandelier with Cobalt blue glass inset, with 6 lights
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Lot of 3 Music Story Vinyl Records - Volumes 1, 9, 10 (33 RPM) - 2Y37
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This set features three classic vinyl records from the "Music Story" series, including volumes 1, 9, and 10. Each record offers a diverse selection of musical styles and artists, providing a nostalgic listening experience for vinyl enthusiasts.
Product Details:
Type: Vinyl Records
Series: Music Story
Volumes Included: 1, 9, 10
Speed: 33 RPM
Artists Featured:
Volume 1: Little Eva, Chubby Checker, Alan...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Marble Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and high quality French 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted on Alabastro Sardonico and black Belgian marble pedestal. The pedestal is raised by a protruding square ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th century Empire st. patinated, Verdigris Bronze and Slate console.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated, Verdigris Bronze and Slate console. This impressive six leg console is raised by three maiden caryatids with lion's paw feet in t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Buffet cabinet designed following some distinctive elements of the Empire
style such as the applications of bronzes on the column legs, zoomorphic feet
and friezes that frame the s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu fire screen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A decorative and most handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu fire screen. This stunning square fire screen is raised by a long slender rectangular patina...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique coffee table container style imperio '900 Italy
Located in Cantù, IT
Imperial style antique container coffee table '900 Italy - Private Collection Domenico Rugiano
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Converted Cobalt Blue Glass Brass Oil Lamp Urn 29"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Empire Sevres style oil lamp converted to electric - deep cobalt blue glass vase / trophy / mantel urn shaped with brass base, pierced top, and handles decorated with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze vases
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 46cm, diameter 19cm
Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mou...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
Bronze and Sea-Green Marble Table Planter with Caryatids, Empire Style, 19thC
Located in Paris, FR
Gilded and patinated bronze planter mounted on a stepped sea-green marble base, with women in long tunics at the corners and a central amphora with swan-shaped handles. Like the colu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Austrian Empire Style Walnut Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century Austrian Empire walnut commode. Exceptional wood finish and superb quality. A truly elegant piece that is sure to impress!.
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Good French 1st. Empire Console
Located in Montreal, QC
A good French 1st. Empire "Retour d'Egypte" Console, the rectangular surface with later black marble top above a single frieze drawer, supported by a pair of caryatids modeled as fem...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock, signed Ferey au Havre, Ormolu
Located in Greven, DE
Small mantel clock with bas-relief
France
Bronze, enamel
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 33 x 19 x 9 cm
Description:
Antique, fire-gilt portal clock with figurative, Gre...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Viennese Silver Jug With Finest Enamel Painting, Hermann Boehm, Circa 1870
By Viennese Manufactory, Herman Boehm
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Viennese Enamel Work from around 1870:
Silver vessel on an oval plan, with a large, offset, domed foot, baluster-shaped body with a large, broad spout, on the back a siren hol...
Category
1870s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of Empire-Style Marble and Ormolu Vases by Raingo
Located in London, GB
Pair of Empire-style marble and ormolu vases by Raingo
French, Late 19th Century
Height 37cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
This superb pair of vases combines stunning veined grey marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk
This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Empire pattern biscuit barrel by WMF.
High quality crafted from silverplated brass with a cut glass liner this piece can also perfectly be used as a ice cube to...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique Empire Revival Black Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Revival Tall Black and Bronze Figural Candelabra Table Lamps - Pair
This stunning pair of tall candelabra desk lamps is decorated...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th-Century 1873 Engraving by Antonin Delzers - 2Y170
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This antique 1873 engraving by Antonin Delzers is a fine example of 19th-century craftsmanship. Executed with meticulous detail using the burin technique, the piece showcases Delzers...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Antique 19th Century French Empire Patinated Bronze & Ormolu Chandelier Ca. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu, Circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Rare Fine Quality Brass and Iron Lyre Form French Empire Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Quality Turrn of the Century French Empire Style Chandelier.
Mixed metals.
Dimensions: 36" h x 19 3/4" diameter.
Category
1880s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Egg style Faberge Blue Savoia Enamel Medium Size Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè, Russian Empire style inspired by Carl Fabergè eggs late 1800s, early 1900s. Measurem...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Set of Eight French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Neoclassical Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A set of eight superb French Empire style gilt bronze figural double light wall sconces of great quality embellished with fine figural masks of neoclassical men.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Figural Carved Dragons 9 Light Chandelier
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Antique French Empire Style Figural Carved Dragons 9 Light Chandelier
Measures
37 In H x 27.25 In w x 27.24 D
Category
1910s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Rectangular Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Afghan Green Onyx top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with gol...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Gold Leaf
Antique Faience Plate - 20th Century or Earlier, "Hamage Nord" Design- 2Y12
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover this exquisite antique faience plate from the 20th century or earlier, showcasing the distinctive "Hamage Nord" design with the captivat...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Faience
Vintage Lithograph of Reclining Nude by "Sujio Velleuni" - 2Y168
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This striking lithograph by "Sujio Velleuni" features a compelling depiction of a reclining nude, showcasing the artist's mastery in capturing the human form with sensitivity and ele...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
1900's Empire Ivory Tan Silk/Satin Upholstered Settee
Located in Louisville, KY
This early 1900's settee is a unique Empire style with simplistic and elegant lines with scrolls and intricately carved claw feet. This piece is done in a beautiful ivory and tan sil...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Empire Style Eight-Arm Crystal and Bronze Chandelier
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A French empire style crystal and gilt bronze chandelier, the top gilt band of palmettes supporting strings of cut crystals terminating at the central gilt rosette mounted ring, pain...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Superb Antique French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze 8 light chandelier of fine quality. This unique neoclassical chandelier is embellished with figural masks and ne...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Black Lacquered Wood Empire Style Table Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
Black lacquered wood empire style table lamp stencil with gilded motifs
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Reproduction of "Aquarelle de Didier Boulais – Le Port de La Rochelle" - 2Y65
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This beautiful reproduction of an original watercolor by Didier Boulais captures the serene and picturesque view of the Port of La Rochelle. Signed by the artist, this piece exudes t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of French 19th C.Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a green colored ground and further adorned with 24K gold-painted accents around the neck, handles, and bases. The vases are of a slender amphora form with git swan handles and two-tone matte and shiny 24K gold decoration throughout. Each vases body is hand-painted with landscape decoration which depicts a beautiful outdoor gazebo...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet.
The attractive and original Verde Antico marble top above three freize drawers. The central door with a burr-amboyna l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Crystal Prisms Balls Empire Sconces, circa 1930 Sparklers
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze top, middle and bottom with great ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Empire Style French Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. Architecturally articulated body. Two-door, bent frame box on pressed, carved, poliementvergolddete claw feet. Recessed tower with two t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
Napoléon's Footbath by George Bullock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing footbath was created for Napoleon Bonaparte. It was part of the toilet service to be used during his exile on St. Helena. Just before shipm...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Russian 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Deux-Corps Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive and grand scale Russian 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Deux-Corps cabinet. The cabinet is raised by fine ball feet encased by handsome ormolu claws. Ab...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Metal Wagons
Wiener Werkstatte Textile
Wood Handrail
Wood Tobacco Figure
146 X 12
18th Century French Bronze Putto
18th Century Copper Bowl
1960 Wrought Iron Dining Table With Glass
19th Century Italian Marble Clocks
5 Ft Sofa
606 Art
7 Ft Mirror
77 Etched
A G S Mirror
Albert Dammouse
Altar Fruit
Angel Table Marble
Anri Italy