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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
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

Round Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans kwoledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent round coffee table, that catches the ey...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Brass

Near Pair Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A rare near pair of finely crafted Empire-style desk chairs, attributed to renowned French cabinetmaker Jacob Desmalter, dating from circa 1800–1809. These elegant chairs feature bol...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Royal Empire Mantel Clock / Pendulum Clock, Fire-Gilt, Around 1805-1815, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire mantel clock / pendulum clock, fire-gilt, around 1805-1815, Paris Solid bronze, fire-gilded, Paris around 1805-1815, original French Empire from the first period. ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

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

Pair French Empire Brass, Ebonized & Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of French Empire Brass, Ebonized and Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamps Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 33" in height to the top of the finial and 26" to the top of the li...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Children at Play 10.3X7.4
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

19th Century Black French Antique Wrought Iron Napoleon III Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black antique, late 19th century French floor candle holder, candelabra hand crafted in very ornate fer forge work with wrought iron scrolls and seven candle holders, in good condi...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Giltwood Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and giltwood stools. Each circular stool is raised by three square tapered legs with the front leg displaying a handsome pa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Patinated Bronze Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 47" H (to finial) x 34" H (to light socket) x 8.5" W x 8.5" D...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Dressing Table with Arched Tilted Mirror
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A French Empire period ormolu-mounted mahogany psyché dressing table from the early 19th century in neoclassical style. The rectangular black marble top is surmounted by an arched ti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Brass

17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Woolen Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category

17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

19th Century Pewter Plate with Handle – "Les étains de la tour" - 2Y225
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Pre-owned Comments: Good condition for its age. Shows signs of use with scratches throughout and some oxidation. Needs polishing. Please refer to the photos for more detai...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Pair of vase Porcelain, Valentine, Old Paris, flowers pattern, France 1860
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Porcelain Pair of Vase Ofs Valentine Old Paris Decor Of Bouquet Of Flowers XIXth Century Manufacture of "Valentine" in Saint-Gaudens. Decorated with a bouq...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1950-1970 Bronze Coffee Table with Swans and Its Six Pieces of Sofas Signed GAD
By Artelegno
Located in Paris, FR
Coffee table with two-level, swan decorated with glass shelves, the structure is made of bronze or patinated brass, feet are eagle claws clasping a ball in the Chippendale style, its...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders from around 1820. They are made of fire-gilded bronze. Decorative acanthus leaves adorn the candleholders, along with fluting. Removable candle ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Bernardaud, Gold Line Espresso Coffee Cup and Saucer, France 1950s
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

French Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in London, GB
A Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period Constructed in tole, being hand painted and decorated in the French Empire Neo-Classical manner of Jacques-Louis David; th...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Tin

19th Century French Empire Ormolu Chandelier With Trumpet Light Fittings, c.1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century French Empire style ormolu bronze chandelier fitted with an allegory of trumpets. The item has been converted to accommodate modern day lightbulbs. CONDITION...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
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 light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine and decorative Swedish Cartel clock. Very elaborately carved wooden case flanked by two sculptural dolphins. The dial signed P. Ericsson Stoc...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

19th French Empire Mantel Clock, Pendule, Mercury, Gilded Bronze, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
19th century French pendule, mantel clock - Mercury the messenger of the gods France Bronze gilded Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 37 x 30 x 10 cm Description: French Empire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s.
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Chairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze chairs French, 19th century Dimensions: Height 93cm, width 51cm depth 48cm This pai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Tiger or Lion Cat Paw Decorative Object or Bookend the Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
A substantial tiger or lion cat animal paw decorative object sculpture or bookend, in the Empire design style, circa late-20th century. A great decorative object for a shelf, mantel,...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Composition

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

Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Empire Style Enameled and Velvet Upholstered Scroll Armchairs. Measures 22" in width x 22" in depth x 34.5" in height . Seat height is 20".
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Upholstery, Paint

A Pair of Empire Style Sterling Silver Three Arm Candelabras
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of Empire-style removable arms, weighted sterling silver three-arm candelabras by Gorham. Nice patina to the silver, dating to the 1930's.
Category

1930s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair Empire Style Bronze Candle Holders
Located in San Francisco, CA
each heavy candle holder surmounted by a shallow candlecup with flared lip raised on a gadrooned support above a ring of stylized leaves; all over a cylindrical base adorned with app...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Padded Chair
Located in Premariacco, IT
Single chair from the 1950s in wood with backrest and seat in the original fabric of the time. Shows normal signs of wear, note how little it has been used. The seat is still prot...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top
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

Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders in fire-gilded bronze. They feature decorations of fluting and acanthus leaves. The candle sleeves are removable.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maitland-Smith Empire Style Brass & Chrome Pedestal Jardinière Planter
Located in St. Louis, MO
1980s vintage jardinière in the Empire style manufactured by Maitland-Smith with cylindrical polished-chrome planter trimmed with brass. Planter connects to cast tripod brass base with claw feet by Directoire style intersecting chrome rods with brass disc at intersecting points. In fine condition, some scratches to base, light marks to interior of planter, appears never to have had live plants inside...
Category

1980s Hong Kong Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Pair of Silvered-Bronze and Cut-Glass Urn Lamp Bases, French Empire Style
Located in London, GB
A pair of silvered-bronze and cut-glass urn lamp bases in the French Empire style American, 20th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm These fine lamp-bases, sha...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This charming French Empire chest is made of flamed mahogany with a black marble top. It has claw feet.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal 19th Century French Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt bronze and patinated metal 19th Century French chandelier French, late 19th Century Dimensions: Height 83cm, diameter 60cm Designed in the elegant French Empire sty...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

19th Century German Empire Antique Cherrywood Freestanding Floor Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique German floor mirror made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Cherrywood in good condition. The tall freestanding mirror is consisting its origina...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of French Second Empire Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Montreal, QC
These good quality sconces in mat black and gilt bronze are pierced with scrolls and flower heads and with drip pans and arms cast with stylized acanthus. The two-tone gilding and ha...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce Set by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details. The backplate of this sconce features a central round pla...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century Mahogany Bergères Armchairs
Located in London, by appointment only
A pair of Austrian Empire period large scale mahogany bergères, the square chamfered backs are enriched with bold pierced flutes and the arms terminate in column supports with brass ...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. Richly decorated with period Empire decorations. Newly rewired electricity. Wear c...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful onyx and gold gilt bronze inkwell [ink well] box in the Empire style, circa 19th century, Europe. In addition to its intended use, piece makes a gorgeous standalone decor...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

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

Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt and Beige Rectangular Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful Empire period large rectangular mirror with neoclassical relief ornamentation with gilded details and a very nice patina in beige color with red accents, France, circa 1810...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of French Empire Orb Bronze Three-Light Wall Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire Orb Bronze Three-Light Wall Sconces France, Early 19th Century This exquisite pair of French Empire wall sconces embodies the elegance and workmanship of the...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Gilded Candelabra with Cherubs and Dolphins
Located in Warsaw, PL
Magnificent Gilt Bronze Candelabra - A Thirteen-Light Masterpiece inspired by Second Empire This exceptional candelabra, boasting an impressive thirteen elegantly curved arms of li...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire St. Faux Painted Wood, Giltwood and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Empire st. faux painted wood, giltwood and Gris Turquin marble side/center table. The circular table is raised by a most decorative triangular base ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

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

Practical Manual of Oil Painting by Marine Ernest Hareux - Illustrated - 2Y99
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This manual by Marine Ernest Hareux offers comprehensive guidance on oil painting techniques, enriched with illustrations. It provides valuable insights for artists interested in mas...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Early 20th Century Italian Black Toleware Bucket Bin Container
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Elegant and versatile black metal container featuring an image of a French carriage. This sturdy piece with two handles looks wonderful standing alone or functional holding newspaper...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Square Brass Box With Angel Insignia, America Early 20th Century. This Empire style box makes a wonderful addition to a collection of these classic brass boxes. This box is ve...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

1840s Empire Veneered Mahogany Wood Sicilian Round Tilt-Top Table
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This Sicilian tilt-top table is a distinctive piece of furniture, reflecting the design aesthetics of the Empire style popular during the early to mid-19th century, it's a testament ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Sicilian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces Circa 1830 Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most unique French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. The table is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet below a fine r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Italian Neoclassical Hall Bench
Located in New York, NY
Italian neoclassical hall bench. Large and handsomely proportioned cassapanca / walnut bench in two parts with upper dental carved trim around arms and paneled back. All fitted into ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The original mirror plate is flanked by two most impressive architectural columns with rounded feet, elegan...
Category

19th Century French 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.

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