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.
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire Empire style Marble and golden bronze Origin France circa 1900 Very good condition. Natural wear.
Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Table Lamps, Handcrafted Marble & Gilded Bronze, 1920s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Marble, Bronze
$2,060 / item
Empire Style Round Side Table, Country Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style Neo Classic wooden round side table in a rustic country finish, with a dish top, four tapered column legs and an X stretcher base. Dimensions: 30" W x 30" D x 27....
Wood
Swedish Empire Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top with wood edge surrounding a geometric mosaic of hard stones raised on a triangular tapered column and tripartite base with gilded scroll feet. From the estate of Willia...
Marble
French Silk Tapestry Pillow 1850
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
Pair of Empire Style Verde Antico Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in San Francisco, CA
If you have a puppy or puppy-like children who customarily race through the house, move on. These slender marble and gilt bronze pedestals were typically crafted for more peaceful se...
Marble, 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...
Terracotta
French Porcelain Compote Basket
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Porcelain
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mirror Plateau with Mascaron Feet, Paris, circa 1810
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mirror Plateau with Mascaron Feet, Paris, circa 1810 An elegant and refined Empire mirror plateau in fire-gilded bronze, most likely Parisian work from the...
Bronze
$6,910Sale Price / set|35% Off
Antique Baccarat Champagne Flutes from Sainte Anne factory in Voneche, 1810 cca.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Champagne Cut-Glass Flutes from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca. The set provenance: Collection Baron Charles Jean Mauri...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in bronze, early 19th Century France, originally candlesticks. Includes new black lacquer lampshade with gold details, giving the lamp a warm and ...
Bronze
Fine French Empire Carved and Giltwood Méridienne, Circa 1810–1820
Located in New York, NY
Fine French Empire Giltwood Méridienne, Circa 1810–1820 A fine and elegant French Empire giltwood méridienne dating from the early 19th century, executed in the pure neoclassical tas...
Wood, Giltwood
$2,528Sale Price|36% Off
Empire Period Gueridon Table, Marble Top, Ebonized Walnut, Circa 1815
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant guéridon is a fine example of Empire-period craftsmanship, dating back to the early 19th century. Its refined design and high-quality materials reflect the timeless eleg...
Marble
19th Century French Empire Console Table with Mahogany & Marble
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with dark stone top. The gray, Saint Anne-type marble is in wonderful ...
Marble
French Style Gilt Metal and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Brentwood, TN
French-style crystal basket chandelier with a gilt-metal frame supporting cascading strands of faceted crystal beads above a rounded crystal basket. The elegant tent-form silhouette ...
Crystal
Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection Burl Wood and Ebonized Regency Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Biedermeier style round pedestal breakfast table, game table, or center table From the exclusive "Stately Homes" Collection by Baker Furniture USA, C...
Ebony, Burl
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Bookcase With Mounted Ormolu, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique French Empire bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of Herter Brothers USA, Circa 1890s Carved mahogany, with glass front doors, and mounted gilt bronze or...
Bronze
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...
Silver, Brass
19th Century French Empire Buffet in Walnut & Grey Marble, Provence
Located in Astoria, NY
Sourced in Provence, France, this early 19th century French Empire buffet is crafted from solid walnut and retains its original grey marble top with natural white veining. The façade...
Marble, Brass
Vintage Pair of Empire Style Fauteuils with Carved Dolphin Arms by Century, USA
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th c., high quality American made pair of custom upholstered Fruitwood frame armchairs, labeled under seat. This pair of armchairs from Century Furniture Industries in Hickor...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Chandelier, Gilded Bronze and Green Lacquered Metal 20 Bulbs
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We are pleased to offer you this elegant and rich chandelier dating back to the early decades of the 20th century, featuring 20 light bulbs. This chandelier features a design inspir...
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Style Brass Double Bouillotte Table Lamp
By Stiffel
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stiffel sryle brass double bouillotte table lamp featuring a dark green shade Style: Regency/French Empire, featuring a candlestick column design on a tripartite base. Features: In...
Brass
Pair Fine Brass Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Antique Empire Sac-à-Perle Chandeliers – Lovingly and Professionally Restored This stunning pair of antique chandeliers has been carefully and expertly restored in Berlin. T...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and iron pendant with six candle arms. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bronze, Iron
Pair of French Empire Candlesticks in Gilt and Patinated Bronze, Circa 1810
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of French Empire candlesticks in gilt and patinated bronze. Slender, gently tapering fluted stems with gilt bronze mounts to the top and bottom, decorated with acanthus leave...
Bronze
Late Empire Antique Mirror Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from rich mahogany wood, dates back to the late Empire period around the 1840s. It is a stunning example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristic...
Mahogany
$3,904Sale Price|60% Off
Swedish Black & Gilt Bronze Eagle Empire Chandelier, Early 1800's
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Empire-style, black and gold chandelier made in Sweden circa 1830. In a bowl-form with 5 candle-style lights with finely cast, eagle head...
Bronze
19th Century Empire French Chest of Drawers with marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Chest od Drawers with white marble on top, France, Ca. 1830 Spectacular Commode with original white marble on top and original empire legs. Front of d...
Walnut
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany Bergere Chair with Ram’s Head Arms
Located in Milford, NH
A nicely carved Empire style mahogany bergere chair with white upholstery and carved ram’s head arms. A fine form, probably French in origin, dating to the 19th century with newer up...
Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire-Style Fauteuil Handcrafted by Trouvailles, Inc
Located in Dallas, TX
a handsome and sturdy French Empire-style throne-like fauteuil (armchair) with silver and gold gilt decoration inspired by Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign 1798-1801, square back with ca...
Damask, Wood, Giltwood
$18,950Sale Price|23% Off
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 ...
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, 1810-1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, circa 1810–1820 Charming and finely proportioned miniature chest of drawers in mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni), dati...
Marble, Brass
Antique French Empire Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, Circa 1820
Located in High Point, NC
A handsome French Empire chest of drawers featuring rich flame mahogany veneers with striking book-matched grain across all four drawer fronts. Fitted with a gray marble top and orig...
Marble
Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock France Fire gilded bronze Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12 Description: Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock. The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Bronze, Enamel
Set of 4 French Empire Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs in the Maison Jansen Style
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
An elegant and highly refined set of four French Empire style side chairs, executed with remarkable sophistication and craftsmanship in the manner and quality associated with the leg...
Silk, Mahogany
Set Of 2 Antique Empire Style Armchairs Made In Mahogany From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Danish Empire style hand-polished mahogany armchairs with striped fabric from around the 1920s. Measurements in cm: H:84 W:52 D:47 SH:50 This product will be inspected ...
Mahogany
Antique Swedish Country Secretary Desk, Empire Period with Original Faux Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique country secretary desk from the empire period. Made in northern Sweden around 1840 with original untouched faux paint, an 19th century painter’s free interpretation o...
Pine
$3,817Sale Price|25% Off
20th Century French Empire Style Wooden Sideboard with Dark Marble Top
Located in Sofia, BG
This is an elegant French Empire-style sideboard or credenza featuring a sleek, dark marble top and rich mahogany wood finish. The piece is beautifully designed with three drawers at...
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century burr walnut pedestal cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century burr walnut pedestal cupboard circa 1870 We are pleased to offer this stunning pedestal cupboard which are becoming increasingly rare to find, made in burr walnut with ...
Ebony, Walnut
$17,587Sale Price|20% Off
Claude Galle French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1805
By Claude Galle
Located in Lisbon, PT
An exceptional and highly collectible French Empire mantel clock attributed to the celebrated Parisian bronzier Claude Galle, dating to circa 1805. Executed in richly gilded and dark...
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$2,137Sale Price / item|20% Off
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 an...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Bookcase Bibliotheque Display cabinet 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique French Empire Mahogany & ormolu mounted bookcase display cabinet, circa 1910. This elegant antique cabinet is made of the finest mahogany, the top with an archite...
Ormolu
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, and orig...
Brass
Antique Danish Oak Chest of Drawers, ca. 1800.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Danish Oak Chest of Drawers, ca. 1800. Amazing Empire oak dresser made by Danish master carpenter 1790-1810. Solid oak body and drawer fronts. Ebonized trim and concealed top...
Oak
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Rolo Inlaid Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A remarkable Italian mid-19th century Rolo center table, celebrated for the refined marquetry tradition of the renowned Rolo workshops in Reggio Emilia. The circular top is exquisite...
Wood
French Empire Round Table or Gueridon of Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French round table or gueridon in the Empire style, featuring a circular top of figured black marble (25.5" diameter), set upon a tripod column support of mahogany with or...
Marble, Metal, Brass
Vintage golden sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 43cm Ref.: 84654535 40-41
Resin
$5,245Sale Price|20% Off
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Brass
19th Century Wood with Marble Top Empire Style Italian Console Table, 1880s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian console table from the late 19th century. Empire-style furniture, carved and veneered in high-quality mahogany. The console table features a spacious central drawer and a fab...
Marble, Bronze
$800Sale Price|50% Off
Empire-Style Crystal and Brass 'Bonbonnière', or Sweet Box
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A refined French Empire style gilt brass and cut crystal casket, dating from the 19th century. This elegant decorative box beautifully reflects the neoclassical vocabulary inspired b...
Crystal, Brass
Amazing FURNITURE WITH SOFA end 19th century Empire Style
Located in Madrid, ES
FURNITURE WITH SOFA 19th century Empire style. Made of mahogany wood, with bronze applications, decorated with vegetal motifs and busts of female figures. Upholstered seat. Dimensio...
Wood
French Empire Cherry Wood Black Column 1 Drawer Lamp End Table by Heritage, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Empire Style Cherry Wood Black Column One Drawer Lamp End Tables by He...
Wood, Cherry
$1,250Sale Price|35% Off
French Empire Large Self Standing Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Foyer French Empire mirror in original condition. Brass around the top and the bottom part of the column. Two small side drawers as well as middle glass shelf with the storage. Top p...
Wood
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Four Shelves Etagere
Located in Miami, FL
This tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and four shelves.
Wood
Bohemian crystal and bronze chandelier in the style of Empire
By Preciosa
Located in Eindhoven, NL
An exquisite expression of Bohemian craftsmanship, this magnificent Preciosa crystal chandelier combines timeless elegance with exceptional artistry. Handcrafted from the finest Bohe...
Crystal, Brass
Wonderful French Ormolu Mounted Glass Bronze Baccarat Jar Casket Jewelry Box
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire Ormolu Mounted Glass And Bronze Baccarat Style Lidded Jar / Casket / Jewelry Box, Glass Has Damage To One Corner
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage French Empire Brass Tole Metal Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Tole Metal Twin Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp with White Painted Metal Adjustable Oval Shade. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H ...
Brass
$835Sale Price|53% Off
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa, Ebonized Wood, Early 20th Century
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Trenton, NJ
nfuse your home with timeless sophistication with this Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa. Its ebonized wood frame features exquisite carvings that highlight the skill and craftsmanship...
Upholstery, Wood