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.
Handsome Empire Style Walnut & Upholstered Armchair
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic Empire style armchair having walnut frame with gilded dolphins on the arms and cranberry upholstery. Duffy
Upholstery, Walnut, Giltwood
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, Circa 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1830, the circular dial with strike on bell movement, surmounted by a woman writing, on an acanthus and fluted base with scrolled feet. ...
Metal
Pill Box Empire style handpainted Sterling Silver fine hand engravings Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped pill box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with a hand-painted miniature with fired enamel by the painter Romano Buccioni in the Louis XVI Empire style of the second hal...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Circa 1820 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow Ca. 1820
Wool, Cotton
Charming brass and glass centerpiece, classic style , 1970s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Stunning centerpiece made of cobalt blue glass with fine embossed decoration and gold details along the edge. The wide and scenic bowl is supported by a richly worked base made of gi...
Crystal, Bronze
Hand-Knotted Wool Mahi Rug with Silk Highlights 3' x 4' Brown Ivory Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A finely woven hand-knotted Mahi rug featuring an intricate geometric floral pattern centered around a beautifully detailed medallion. Rich shades of brown, ivory, charcoal, and warm...
Wool, Silk
Pair of French Empire Style Brass and Bronze Three-Light Wall Sconces, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Elegant French Empire-style brass and bronze sconces with three-light configuration, circa 1920, featuring circular form and classical symmetry. A refined pair of French Empire-styl...
Brass, Bronze
$18,733 / set
Pair of Empire Semainières, Vienna circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of tall chests of drawers, each with six drawers and side pilasters adorned with caryatids. Veneered in mahogany and hand-polished. The slightly projecting top drawer rests upon...
Mahogany
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabras, Late 19th Century Description: Each piece is configured as a two-light candelabrum, featuring two decorative scrolling side ar...
Bronze
$420Sale Price|70% Off
Contemporary Pillow Made from 18th Century Metallic Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Metallic Tapestry Pillow 14" X 11", Authentic 18th Century piece, handmade
Wool, Feathers
Vintage Tapestry With Birds and Animals 6.7X4.5
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...
Wool, Cotton
$1,950Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair Antique French 'Sevres' Red Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pot Pourri Urns 1804-1809
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Portland, OR
Pair of Antique French 'Sevres' porcelain lidded pot pourri and gilded bronze lidded urns, 1804-1809. The urns having a rich red ground with gilded panels, the domed lids with gilded bronze eagle...
Bronze
1820-1829 France Rich Mahogany Mahogany Pedestal Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
Mahogany pedestal cabinet in Rich Mahogany. Its rich mahogany finish sets off black marble top, brass mounts, plinth base, a hallmark of of the empire period France craftsmanship in ...
Stone
Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Brass
19th Century, French, Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell Signed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE).
Bronze
French 7 piece 19th century empire mahogany salon suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
7 piece 19th century french empire mahogany salon suite circa 1880. Rare 7-piece salon suite made in rich mahogany. Set comprises of a 2-seat sofa, 2 armchairs and 4 open armchairs....
Fabric, Mahogany
1900s Empire Style Urn Vase Pot, Rudolf Wächter, Germany
Located in Skien, NO
Elegant Vintage Empire-Style Urn Vase by Rudolf Wächter, 1960s A stunning Empire-style urn vase or jardinière pot in glazed porcelain, adorned with exquisite rose decorations encirc...
Porcelain
19th Century Tribal Muted Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Authentic Oriental Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Wool, Cotton
Belgian Empire Gilt Metal Three-Piece Garniture Clock Candelabras Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Belle Epoque Belgian Empire style Gilt Metal Three-Piece candelabras and Clock Garniture set with Asian inspiration. They measures 11" in width,...
Brass
$4,200 / set
1930s French Empire Three lights Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 1930’s French empire gilt metal 3 lights sconces with swans head, original gilding and patina
Bronze
$1,680Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 14" X 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
Mid-18th Century French Part Metallic Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Part Metallic Tapestry Pillow - 23" x 9"
Wool, Feathers
Blue Marbleized Empire Wastebasket
Located in New York, NY
Blue marbleized empire wastebasket. Faux marble painted empire style wastebasket on gilt paw feet. France, 20th century Dimensions: 9" L x 9" W x 9.88" H.
Metal
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,800 / set
1930’s French Empire Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930 French empire style three lights sconces with swan heads
Bronze
Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving Early 19th century Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47 Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Wood
Picture Frame oval photos French Empire Napoleon III style Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and hand-painted miniature of a garland of flowers with oval border, intern...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 7.7X6.5
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...
Wool, Cotton
$4,400 / set
Late 19th Century French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French Empire gilt bronze small sconces. Unusual design with woman holding balls
Bronze
Vintage Bird Tapestry 9X2.4
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...
Wool, Cotton
A pair of Empire Swedish pewter candlesticks made 1820.
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A distinguished pair of Swedish pewter candlesticks by Nils Eric Justelius, dated 1820. Executed in the Empire style, the candlesticks display elegant neoclassical proportions with t...
Pewter
Vintage Woven Warrior Scene Tapestry 8.0X3.6
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...
Wool, Cotton
Italian Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers With Walnut Veneer, 19th Century
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The chest of drawer is very simple in lines, yet very elegant and ornate because of the beautiful book-mat...
Walnut
Empire French bronze clock around 1810-20 extremely rare
Located in Berlin, DE
French bronze pendulum clock with patinated female figure Attributed to Gérard-Jean Galle, Height: 59 cm. Width: 38 cm. Depth: 19.5 cm. Empire 1804-1815 Eight-da...
Bronze
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
19th Century Original Empire Period Fireplace Mantel
Located in Beervelde, BE
This is one of a kind fireplace surround in Carrara marble was made by special order for the Castle of Fontainebleau. The identical but in grey mantel was ...
Carrara Marble
Circa 1850 Antique French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton
Vintage faux tusk coffee table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking vintage faux tusk coffee table made from tesselated stone with a beveled clear oval glass top. Beautiful and elegant coffee table which will be, without a doubt an eye catc...
Stone
1920 Antique Geometric Sumak Flat Weave Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Soumak rugs (also spelled Sumak) – This construction technique produces a flat-weave rug that is thick, strong and exceptionally durable. Unlike kilims, Soumak rugs are not reversibl...
Wool, Cotton
Empire Giltwood Candleholders with Stylized Palms, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Executed as stylized palms on rectangular landscape bases. The girandoles, each with four nozzles, are crafted in gilt-patinated wood with stucco elements. In unrestored original con...
Wood, Giltwood
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Royal Music Room 6.10X5.8
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...
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Gold French Empire Pair of Embossed Brass Candlesticks
Located in Savannah, GA
This graceful pair of antique French candlesticks are made of hand crafted brass and are in very good condition. Details include downward tapering on fluted shafts supported by a rou...
Brass
$912Sale Price|73% Off
Pair Of French Faceted Flower Decorated and Signed Opaline Table Lamps
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of antique French faceted flower decorated and signed opaline table lamps These are 19th century oil lamps converted it electrified table lamps.
Opaline Glass
French Aubusson 1800 - 17.5" x 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
$3,463Sale Price / set|35% Off
Set of Four Empire Style Wall lights Laudarte Grifone
Located in London, GB
Magnificent set of four empire style wall Sconces 24 crt gilt finish Malachite inset Designed by Giovanni Maria Ma These wall lights are fully Restored and Rewired
Other
Circa 1850 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 30" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Pewter Bowl Planter With Handle, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Danish Pewter Bowl or Planter With Handle and Makers Mark Circa 1800. This handmade piece would look wonderful sitting on a window sill holding ...
Pewter
19th Century Authentic Khotan Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Wool, Cotton
$1,012Sale Price|25% Off
Austro-Hungarian Empire 1880 Budapest Vesta Tinder Box In .900 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
An Austro-Hungarian mechanical vesta tinder case. Beautiful antique fusee vesta tinder case, created in Budapest Hungary around the 1880. It was crafted during the Austro-Hungarian ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Aubusson French Tapestry 1850 - 21" x 19"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 22" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
Wonderful Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Figural Regency
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large pair of French Empire gilt and patinated bronze figural Regency candelabra raised on paw feet, each figure holding a 6-branch cand...
Bronze
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton
$213Sale Price / set|20% Off
Print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
One of a Set of Four different scenes available. The image provided is a lithographic print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Cha...
Glass
$1,560 / item
Ca.1920 Antique Suzani Pillow - 20'' X 20''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1920 Antique Suzani Pillow 20'' X 20'', Handmade and Needlework
Wool
Throw Pillow Made from 17th Century Brussels Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17" x 12", authentic 17th century European piece, good condition
Wool
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" X 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers