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
Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and very elegant Empire table dates back to around 1810-20. It comes from Germany. It was probably made in the northern part of Germany or possibly in Berlin. The table s...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror, 1800s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful antique table mirror in mahogany. On the sides the mirror is supported by two columns. Antique mercury mirror.
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Candelabras
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning pair of period Empire gilt patinated brass and bronze candelabras.
Born in France in the early 19th century, fine quality and detailing, elaborately decorated, unique d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum.
Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm
This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Round Pedestal Pot Cupboard Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th C. slender fluted cylindrical pedestal mahogany cabinet with marble inset top. Latch on door opens to interior shelving for storage. Can be used as a side table, end table, occa...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Card or Tea Table, Vienna 1880-1900
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique card or tea table dates back to around 1880-1900 and comes from Vienna. It has an elegant mahogany veneer and gorgeous bronze fittings. The small table has a fold out top...
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Ormolu Bronze Table Screen
Located in New York, US
Our ormolu bronze table screen from the early 19th century is unique for its red wax seal depicting an officer on horseback, mounted to brilliant blue gl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Baltic 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality Baltic 19th century Empire st. ormolu, patinated bronze and crystal chandelier. The two tiered eight arm twenty four light chandelier is centere...
Category
19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Ink Stand, Desk Inkwell, France 1880, H527
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique French Empire style ink stand, desk inkwell, France 1880, H527
France 1880
Floral mounts to the back
Gilt pierced three quarter gallery on top
Pair of gilt inkwells with lid...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Meissen Group of Calvary General Mikhail Kutuzov with Aide de Camp
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large 19th century Meissen porcelain Group of Russian Calvary General, believed to be Mikhail Kutuzov, the hero of Borodino, with aide de camp, marked with the Meissen underglaze blue crossed swords, and incised and impressed with numbers. While Russia endured great hardships during Napoleon's invasion, it was the skill of her general's and a terrible Russian winter...
Category
1880s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1960's Italian Marble Bronze Urn Table Lamp by Marbro
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous Italian purple marble urn lamp with golden bronze handles, base and hardware.
Made by the artisans of Marbro Lamp CO. No issues or damage.
Very heavy piece, 55 lbs +.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Gold Leaf Console with Guatemala Green Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Astonishing Made in Italy console fully decorated with gold leaf finish and a Guatemala green marble top. The precious hand-made carvings, which Modenese artisans developed through c...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Onyx, Gold Leaf
Pair of Empire Style Patinated and Gilded Bronze Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive pair of candelabra made in the era of Napoleon III in France circa 1870 are very powerful and impressive. Heavily cast with references to the classical past and profu...
Category
1870s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt and Painted Neoclassical French Empire Bird Plate
Located in New York, NY
Gilt and painted neoclassical French Empire bird plate. Large old Paris Porcelain circular serving dish with hand painted gilt foliate scrolled border with wide bands centering a pai...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Candelabra with Tripartite Lion Paw Feet
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of bronze five-light candelabras was produced in France in the early 1800’s, during the Empire period that coincided with the rule of Napoleon. Under Napoleon’s decree that...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Porcelain Empire Style Vases Marked Paris
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French porcelain vases, the front of the vases hand painted with battle scenes, while the reverse decorated with golden e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Figural French Empire Style Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of figural French Empire style table lamps. Rouched black shades are trimmed with a rope twist detail and gold gimp. Columns are topped with cast brass acanthus plumes above large cut glass crystals. Opposing cast cherubs...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
Antique French Empire Paw Foot Brass Pierce Decorated Fireplace Mantle Piece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire style paw foot brass pierce decorated fireplace mantel (fireplace) piece, circa late 19th century. Measurements: 7" H x 48" W x 15.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Side table scagliola inlaid top iron base handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
This table can be used as tea table, side table, lamp table it has multiple uses.
The top is manufactured in scagliola art inlay, same technique of the "Paliotto" of the 16th century...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of French Empire Style Porcelain Urns
Located in Montreal, QC
Now fitted as lamps, these two handled Paris urns are painted with floral bouquets on one side and a courtship scene on the other. The gilding is rubbed but the painting is well exec...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Original antique Empire Sofa / canapé circa 1860-1870 Empire Room mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room.
Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze.
Top condition.
Measurments:
width:140cm
Height: 100cm
Depht: 80cm.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century French antique Empire style set with Two Armchairs and sofa beech
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid beechwood, carved, colored and gilded.
Cambered frame on curly legs. Braced supports for slightly rising armrests ending in rolled-up volutes.
High-rimmed, slightly curved bac...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads.
Each sconce ha...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Transitional Commode
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a transitional Empire-Biedermeier satinwood and ebonized commode. This unusual blend of design elements offers a unique home furnishing. Mid 19th century.
Category
1840s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze period Empire mantle clock. France, circa 1805.
Period Empire clock featuring an stylized Hercules with Lion's pelt. Origin...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century French tall chest of drawers with a black marble top, made from walnut. The case is lovely and has paneled sides and a single uppe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Modena (MO), Modena (Mo)
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two widths... 19.5 and 14 inches. A...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
c.1820 French Ormolu Mantle Clock Depicting Orpheus
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Case:
The well-cast and finished ormolu case depicts a large male figure, Orpheus, standing on rockwork while leaning on the clock and playing the flute. He is surrounded by severa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Pair of Empire Candelabra Gilded Flambeaux with Putti
Located in Milan, IT
From a luxury villa at Como Lake a stunning pair of early 19th century Empire four-light gilt bronze figural candelabras, of French origin, dating back to circa 1810, measure: 31.50 ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Napoleon I Empire French Gold Leaf Wood Mirror
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Elega...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Wood
French Empire Ormolu Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
French Empire ormolu candlesticks of outstanding quality. Set on a circular base with unusually a decorated band around the top outside edge of th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair Charles X Ormolu Candlestick Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair Charles X Ormolu candlestick lamps. Fine pair finely chased gilt metal candlesticks with grey painted candle sleeves above anthemion capitals with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
20th Century Empire Style Horn-Formed Rolling Candlesticks French Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and casted, partially silvered. Three stylized, horn-formed rolling candle sticks.
(T-Mr-14-Bp).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish, Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Neoclassical Style Brass and Lacquered Metal Mirror with Cup and Swan Necks.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Empire style mirror is made of brass and lacquered metal with decoration. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted Amethyst Crystal Scalloped Rim Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality 19th century Russian Empire period Dore bronze mounted amethyst crystal scalloped rim tazza/cache-pot. The crystal is of a beautiful rich amethyst purple color. The crystal is beautifully hand-cut and shaped with a scalloped rim. The crystal is mounted on an incredible dore bronze base with the finest quality. The base is all hand-burnished and matted with an acanthus leaf design and is resting on a square plinth with an acanthus leaf border. The Crystal is easily attributable to the Imperial Russian Glass...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Round Top Side Table with Bronze Mounts and Low Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire side table from the 19th century, with bronze accents and lower shelf. Created in France during the politically dynamic 19th century, this Empire side table features ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Cast Iron Gilded Antique Urn or Jardiniere
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking antique cast iron urn, planter or jardiniere dating from the late 19th century. Originating from France, this 150-year-old, gilded urn is a showstopping piece with its bold black paint and gold colour contrasts. The design brings a sense of grandeur to any setting, detailed with masks among foliage and scrolls to both the front and the back and a pair of handles with stylised winged lion heads. This French urn makes an impressive display piece, the vibrant colours certain to draw any eye.
Additional Information
Base 8.66 x 8.66 inch (22 x 22 cm)
Blue plinth...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire wall mirror, 1800s walnut wood hand carved with finely decorations. Elegant carved and gilded decorations. On the sides two columns with gilded corin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Demilune Console Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire demilune console table with a pair of large hand-carved mahogany swans. Good craftsmanship and beautiful stylized sculptural swans wit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Mahogany Console Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze and mahogany console table
French, early 19th Century
Height 92cm, width 120cm, depth 51cm
This elegant console table is a superb example of French Emp...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century, Pair of French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sculptures Sphinxe
Located in IT
19th century, Pair of French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Sculptures Sphinxes
This pair of decorative elements was made in F...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Oval Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans knowledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent oval c...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Monumental 20th Century Classic Cascade Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
Monumental 20th century classic cascade chandelier with gold metal banding and glass beads.
Have included an image of the chandelier in its original Location, Belgravia, London from...
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Empire Fire Gilded Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful fire gilded Empire mantel clock with a shepherdess on top with a wreath and ribbon. On the left a staff with pan flute.
At the bottom of the clo...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style mahogany and ormolu-mounted freestanding Cheval swiveling mirror. The oval framed mirror plate surmounted with Empire style ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Monumental 19th Century French Empire Sèvres Style Porcelain Urns, a Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent pair of French antique gilt bronze mounted pink Sèvres porcelain style vasiform urns.
Born in France in the 19th century, hand-crafted in rich grandiose Empire taste, palatial awe-inspiring large scale, featuring ornate finely chiseled and sculpted dore' bronze hinged handle mounts, partial gilt pink ground baluster form amphora - pithos form body surmounted by patinated brass final topped cover affixed to the flaired narrowing neck rising from voluptuous bulbous tapering body, embellished with elaborate gilded gold enameled scroll flourish filigree decoration framing central oval medallion showcasing hand painted polychrome classical landscape and pastoral figural scenes, over doré bronze mount fillet adorned porcelain foot ending in substantial sturdy octagonal cast gilt metal plinth base.
A superb example, high quality craftsmanship, construction, and materials, exceptionally executed design, this pair makes for a wonderful decorative object and most impressive statement piece!
Exceedingly rare, boldly beautiful and absolutely stunning, this majestic pair is sure to become the focal point in any room. Placed in beside a fireplace, flanking an door, entry or hall, atop a massive sideboard...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Napoleonic Military Oil on Canvas Painting, Framed
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire Napoleonic military oil on canvas painting with a newer ebonized and gilded frame. The still life painting depicts French Nation...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Paris Porcelain Cameo Vase Attributed to Nast
By Nast
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classical French Empire Paris porcelain twin handled vase featuring a signed cameo of Caracalla on the front and gilded military attributes on the back. The very well painted profi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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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