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
Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$25,000
Vintage French Bronze Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant vintage French bronze and brass Empire style Bouillotte table lamp with a metal shade.
Measures: Height 20.5" in. (52 cm), diameter 15" in. (38 cm).
Lighting: takes one l...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
19th Century Pair of Mahogany Armchairs in the Directoire style
Located in NICE, FR
Elegant pair of Empire period armchairs, 19th century, crafted in solid wood and representative of refined French taste.
These seats stand out with their finely chiseled bronze orn...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style French “Chiffonier”
Located in Austin, TX
French antique chiffonier in the Empire style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany that has been fully ebonized and finished with a lustrous French poli...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Style Ebonized Bookcase
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This handsome Empire style open book shelf has a recent ebonized finish. This antique has the rounded column fronts of the empire style raised on paw feet. The interior is fitted wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 11 Heinrich H&Co Selb Bavaria Gold Encrusted Porcelain Dinner Plates
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional set of 11 Heinrich Selb porcelain and gold encrusted dinner plates in white body in good antique condition.Listed price is ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
$2,212 Sale Price
25% Off
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category
1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Rare Needlepoint Empire Salon (One Sofa and Two Armchairs)
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa and two armchairs in mahogany. The armrest is adorned with dolphins and saber-shaped legs.
Circa, 1830.
Rare upholstery of complete needlepoint...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Tapestry With Birds 7X5
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
Antique Empire Gold Gilt Patinated Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire Gold Gilt Patinated Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock
French, c. 1810
Height 48cm, width 31cm, depth 20cm
A superb example of early 19th-century French decorative arts, thi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold 2
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac-a-Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with mesmerizing crystals, evoking the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new re...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
$9,424 Sale Price / item
20% Off
19th Century Empire Amphora Vases in Gilded Porcelain with Handles of Swans
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this fantastic pair of porcelain amphora vases, Empire period, first half of the 19th century. The two vases are characterized by a rich decoration. The attention is certa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
English Silver Plate Covered Biscuit Box or Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver plate covered biscuit box or tea caddy with hinged finial lid top, attached claw footed gallery tray, and exterior repou...
Category
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
$780 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with leafy cornucopia carvings, carved top rail, great antique sofa. Cir...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Period French, Empire Painted Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Period French, Empire Painted Commode
The solid wood body is painted in a textured, aged, distressed patina showing some of the gesso-painted base and original wood b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire English Silver Plated Corinthian Column Candlestick Table Lamp w/ Marble Insert, Stepped Base and Wreath Design. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 35" H (t...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Silver Plate
French 19th Century Empire Buffet in Recent Paint
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A very unique French Empire 19th century buffet, or desserte server, in demilune profile and more recent painted finish of uncertain age. The top surface is a handpainted faux marble that is nearly all black except for delicate wisps of smoky gray veining. In the frieze are three drawers: one in each corner that swings outward at an angle, and one wide drawer in the center, all using lion-motif ring pulls. The case is washed in an ethereal tone of French gray with matte texture and mottled variation blending streaks of white, gray, and blue pigment that may just as easily blend with Directoire and Gustavian tastes than the opulence of Empire. Carved wood caryatids in ebonized (painted) effect flank the pair of doors at center, which open in tandem by working lock and key. Inside the case are two shelves at different depths which could be perfect as a dry bar or dining room storage...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Black French Empire Polished Ebony Secretary, Antique Birch Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Ebony, in good condition. The b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
French Empire Revival Style Burled Walnut Extension Dining / Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire Revival-style (19/20th Century) burled walnut circular center / dining extension table which opens to accommodate 4 leaves, resting on a central fluted and tapered colu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Burl
French 19th Century Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large French Empire period gueridon from the 1800’s. The original fossil black marble top has been professionally repaired. Its refined mahogany base has a simple apron above a col...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Stunning French Empire Style Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer sell this stunning large French Empire style walnut desk having a gilt tooled green leather top with a ormolu edge and scrolling mounts flanked by an arrangement ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
French Federal EmpireStyle Victorian Cherry Wood Armchairs, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Amazing set of 4 Empire Style Armchairs, ornately decorated with bronze appliqué, leaf foot caps and stunning bronze griffin arm details. The commanding chairs are made of solid Cher...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$8,250 Sale Price / set
44% Off
French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Signed Portrait of a Young Gentlewoman Painting
By Francesco Vinea 2
Located in Roma, IT
Francesco Vinea portrait of a woman
Portrait of Empire taste
Work by painter Francesco Vinea ( Forli 1845- Florence 1902).
Oil on panel, depicting a young woman in Empire style in re...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details
In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Pair of Petite 19th Century Empire Period Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire period Old Paris Porcelain vases, circa 1810, with painted landscapes and figural scenes on each side. The Classical amphora profile features a gold-banded mo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Set of Ten White and Gilt French Empire Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of ten white and gilt French Empire plates. Set of ten Empire white and gilt plates with under-glaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,850 / set
Czech Crystal Beaded Empire Style Dome Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
This absolutely adorable Czech crystal beaded Empire-style dome chandelier pendant from circa the 1950s consists of strands of crystal cut balls sizing from small to big. Ballroom st...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French 19th Century Console
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This console is made of flamed mahogany and a white marble with grey veines.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A stately and beautifully proportioned French Empire commode, crafted in the early 19th century, circa 1810–1830. This classic piece features a rich flame mahogany veneer, a hallmark...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Black Marble Coffee Table with metal and Brass Base Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Coffee Table, Black Marble Top, Metal Base, Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Black Slate coffee table top with scagliola art inlays , whrought metal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Wrought Iron
$5,427 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Italian Large Empire Crystal & Gilded Iron Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
A grand 19th century Empire chandelier with cascading strands of hand-cut crystal and a richly gilded iron frame, showcasing classical symmetry and the opulence of Napoleonic design....
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Empire Style Birdcage Model of Chateau de Luneville, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The wood and wire birdcage faithfully depicting the chateau.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$16,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Empire Bergere
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely period French Directoire bergere, restored and upholstered in silk velvet. Lovely armchair with beautiful turned legs and columnar supports at the arms.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in San Francisco, CA
Elegant Empire Period black lacquered walnut chaise or daybed with brass ormolu decoration. Has its original horsehair mattress.
Sturdy and sound, b...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
French Empire Green and Gilt Montieth Jardiniere Cachepot
Located in New York, NY
French Empire green and gilt montieth jardiniere cachepot. Neoclassical period gilt rimmed Empire montieth/ verriere in mottled green painted tole with scalloped edge and handles. Be...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Heavy gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 55cm/ 21.6"
Diameter glass: 1...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Resin
$476 / item
EARLY 19th CENTURY GILT AND PAINTED EMPIRE CONSOLE TABLE
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant, slightly curved, half-moon console table, crafted from hand-carved wood, gilded with gold leaf, and painted. The console table features a geometric base and a columned shaft...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th C Empire Star & Shield Coat of Arms Dining Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire star & shield coat of arms dining chairs
Priced each.
Additional information:
Materials: Mahogany
Color: Olive
Period: 19th Century
Styles: Empire
Numb...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Porcelain Tea Service 19th Century, Empire Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Porcelain tea service with Napoleon decorations, Sèvres Imperial Manufactory, 19th century, Empire style.
A Sèvres porcelain tea service with Napoleo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$4,284 / set
Fine French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Red Glass Crystal Baltic Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French Empire / neoclassical style gilt bronze and red glass centerpiece with crystal drop Baltic chandelier having four swan arms rewired...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire-Style Commode / Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
This is a handsome chest of drawers having four drawers that
Draw easily. A column flanks each side and is accented with
Original bronze dore mounts. The drawers are dove tailed an...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French style side table features a single drawer with two door cabinet above. The table has been hand painted in Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from solid wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pretty crystal, stoppered bottle, intricately clad in an openwork gilt-brass motif of entwined poppies and mistletoe. This square-sided Art Nouveau period bottle features a simple,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Empire Candelabra with Green Marble Bases & 4 Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
These pair of Empire candelabras feature angles holding 4 candleholders atop a green marble base.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Exquisite French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Light Candelabra ca 1810
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
These candlesticks are ornate artifacts from the French Empire period, which dates back to the early 19th century, typically considered as the reign of Napoleon I from 1804 to 1814. ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
A good sized Gilt Empire antique mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame, lambs tongue design inner slip. Mirror in good condition. Original boarded bac...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
20th Century Italian Silver Standard Floor Lamps Baroque Revival.
Located in VALENZA, IT
Finely hand-chiselled and embossed by hand.
The cast shade-supports bear delicately chiselled decorative elements. The main support is refined, chiselled and embossed with swirls and...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
GBV Nine Ceramic Shelf with Hand Painted Fair 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Ceramic shelf from Nove di Bassano with flowers and fair, hand-painted by Gian Battista Viero and made in the 19th century. Restorations have been carried out as shown in the picture...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Empire Old Paris porcelain tea and coffee set
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Empire Old Paris porcelain tea and coffee set
An early 19th Century Old Paris porcelain coffee, tea set with green painted French country scenes and gold paint. The gol...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 21'' X 21''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th century French Aubusson tapestry pillow. 21'' x 21''
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte
By Sitzendorf
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte by Sitzendorf, in porcelain, hand-painted.
Detailed example of the Emperor, dressed with bicorn hat,
green uniform with medals, draped with a coat.
On the...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle
18th Century French Neoclassical Mahogany High Back Armchairs, Silk Upholster
Located in Firenze, IT
These French Neoclassical mahogany armchairs, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century are a legacy of craftsmanship, a touch of Parisian elegance for your home, potentially a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood, Mahogany
$6,664 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Empire Portal Clock, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Portal clock on a rectangular, stepped base in mahogany veneered with small bun feet. The stepped architrave is supported by four smooth columns, the capi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,618 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Style Bleached Commode with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century French Empire style commode exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring bleached mahogany and a marble top The bleached finish gives it a timeless and classic loo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Empire style eight-light chandelier, with intricate brass casting that, contrasts with the black to create a striking effect. The fine detai...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$22,500 / item
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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