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
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Empire mahogany armchairs by Jacob Frères, France, 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine pair of mahogany Empire gondola armchairs, very confortable gondola chair model. The armrest are swan-shaped and front legs are lion-legs-shaped. The seats are covered with a ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany and Ormolu armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and high quality French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany and Ormolu armchair. This solid Mahogany desk/armchair is raised by 'S' scrolled Mahogany legs decorat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
Located in IT
19th Century, French Empire Gilt Bronze Centrepiece
This refined centerpiece stand was crafted in France in the early 19th century, during the Empire period, from finely chiselled an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th C. French First Empire Mahogany And Belgian Marble Console
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptional antique French first empire marble-topped figured mahogany console table, circa 1800. The rectangular Belgian black-gray flecked marble top surmounts a conforming frie...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850.
Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark.
Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge. Below the to...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Cérés À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Empire clock signed à Paris
The mantel clock is in gilded bronze representing Ceres as a goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain crops and motherly relationships. In ancient Rom...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1880 Antique Metallic Silk Soumak Uzbak Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1880 Antique Metalic Silk Soumak Uzbak Pillow 19 X 14. A beautiful textile accent!
Category
1880s Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
Pair French Early 19th Century Hand Carved Giltwood Empire Style bird Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of handcarved giltwood bird fragments.
France circa 1805-1820 . Weathered and small losses
Measurements individual and include the wooden base.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Pair Of Italian Neoclassical Painted And Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Small mirrors nice to flank a painting or other artwork. Arched scrolled crest over a mirror plate surrounded by a white painted border.
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Bibliotheque, Late 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional high quality French Empire style mahogany bookcase - bibliotheque with finely cast gilt bronze mounts and interior fitted with 4 shelves.
Very fine workmanship. In ex...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original
This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Napoleonic French Empire Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Wine Cabinet Armoire 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality French Empire Napoleonic period Mahogany & parcel gilt wine cabinet/armoire, circa 1810.
Made of the finest mahogany this cabinet has the shape of a secretaire ab...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Napoleonic Porcelain Soup Plates Set of 10 by Nast w/ French Imperial Decoration
By Nast
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of ten beautiful French porcelain soup plates was made by Nast, the Parisian factory renowned for producing porcelain for Napoleon and his imperial court.
During the Napole...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Candelabras 5 Arms French Silver Plate 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Candelabras 5 Arms French Silver Plate 19th Century France . A pair of French silver plated candelabras. Decorated with leaves and flowers.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Empire French Mahogany Console Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Second Empire French Mahogany and parcel gilt console table with varigated marble top and single drawer.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table
Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawer...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of French 19th Century Gilt & Patinated Bronze Sphinxes on Porphyry & Bron
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in France circa 1840s this finely cast pair of sphinxes are represented in the recumbent position most associated with the form. Showing on both figures are two hieroglyphic car...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
19th Century Berlin Oval Plate Table on Carved Foot Dining Table Mahogany German
Located in Epfach, DE
19th Century Berlin Oval Plate Table on Carved Foot
A magnificent and rare 19th-century dining table, crafted in Berlin, featuring a solid mahogany oval tabletop supported by a rema...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
24-Karat Gold Leaf Giltwood Empire Beveled Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Spanish 19th century gold leaf giltwood rectangular mirror with beveled glass.
Empire style.
Made of carved wood, gesso and 24-karat gold leaf finish. It has a nice aged pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Vieux Paris Campagna Form Urns
By Old Paris
Located in Savannah, GA
Hard paste porcelain with polychrome and gold leaf - iron bolt. Impasto decoration. Lovely colors. These classical form urns are clearly a pair, but not an identical pair. Each has a...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870.
This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
An Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock First Quarter 19th Century
Located in Firenze, IT
Very nice high quality French Empire clock, showing a Cupid holding two flag. The opaline dial with Roman and Arabic numbers. The watch is signed by Eugene Bornand
Height 19in (48cm)
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Hartmann À Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
An exceptional 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock by Hartmann à Paris, meticulously crafted in gilt bronze. This distinguished timepiece showcases a finely detailed white enamel ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique French Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large antique French Empire-style alabaster, frosted glass, and bronze pendant chandelier from circa 1890.
An impressive and large twelve-light alabaster pendant chandelier from the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire style table can easily adapt from an oval center table to an oblong dining table, having the ability to extend to 110” long by four, foldable legs to support the e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal”
The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The cloc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Danish Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas, A Pair
Charming pair of Danish Early 19th Century paintings oil on canvas. Thes...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Late 19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century Empire 8 lights chandelier it’s unusual bronze fittings, from Waldorf Hotel in NYC
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Pair of Italian Empire Gilt Bronze Candleholders or Floor Lamps, 1800
Located in Rome, IT
Impressive pair of Italian Empire finely chiseled ormolu Flambeaux, on triform base, each with 25 scrolled gilt-bronze candle arms. Attributed to Luigi Manfredini the famous bronze a...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Super Rare Pair Of Paris (Darte Freres) Porcelain Gold-Ground Models Of Temples
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
An Ultra Rare and Impressive 19th Century Pair Of French Paris (Darte Freres) Porcelain Gold-Ground Models Of Temples with Iron-Red Stenciled Marks. Each round dome with biscuit lau...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century 12-Light Chandelier circa 1820-1830, Empire France Bronce
Located in Epfach, DE
This magnificent Empire chandelier exemplifies the grandeur of early 19th-century French design. Crafted from ormolu and patinated bronze, it reflects the Empire style's fascination ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Fine Pair of Russian Empire Period Malachite And Ormolu Obelisks, Early 1800's
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental and Quite Rare Pair of 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Malachite Obelisks with Maiden Ormolu Mounts. Each obelisk is complete with four sides which terminate upwards to a triangular point. The bases are fitted with ormolu mounts which include hand-chased and hand-chiseled maidens holding flaming torches in either hand and on the other panel decoration of a vine with a winged bow. On top of the large ormolu mounts are smaller mounts which depict child masks in wings. Underneath and on top of the square base are ormolu mounts which depict acanthus leaves flourishing throughout with hand-chased and hand-chiseled fluted veins. The entire body of the obelisk is veneered with the most incredible and highest quality antique Russian malachite...
Category
1830s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
English Crown Derby Porcelain Potpourri Vessel, early 19th century
Located in New York, NY
An English porcelain potpourri vessel with gold gilt god-like heads and lion paw feet, Empire design, by Crown Derby, circa early-19th century, England. Red makers' mark date range c...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Fine 19th Century European Gilt Bronze Ormolu Monstrance Reliquary
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce fine quality neoclassical Empire style vasiform gilt bronze ormolu church religious relic altar monstrance reliquary.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in Continental Europe in the second half of the 19th century, most likely French Napoleon III Period (1852-1870), having a fanned cross crest, above winged angel mask, central oval display...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Heavy 19th century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Two Candelabra Lamp with Black Tole Shade. Shade is decorated with gilt wreaths that add contrast nicely with the black shade. Gilt f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Small French Floral Painted Toleware Metal Vanity Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small French decorated butterfly shaped tray featuring hand colored flowers. We see this versatile piece on a cocktail table or used on a vanity holding you're favorite jewelry or tr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period decorations.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Rare Empire Period Giltwood and White Rechampi Frame.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare Empire period giltwood and white rechampi frame.
Empire period frame in giltwood and white rechampi, very fine Greek frieze decoration, 19th century.
Interior dimensions: H: 73...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
This impressive pair of gilt and patinated bronze candelabra is a quintessential example of the French empire style. Drawing from Greco-Roman influence, each candelabra features a ce...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
French Antique Stately Bronze Napoleon on Prancing Horse Sculpture, Marble Base
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted. Practical size sculpture of imperator Napoleon Bonaparte.
If you are a collector of good quality antiques having to do with (French) historical figures then this rare a...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Chestnut & Ormolu Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth decorated with a brass mount, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer dressed with a decorative center brass mount. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire French Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France from the empire period. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily walnut. There are two half columns with bronze detailing at the top and bottom. Th...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of bronze candelabras with a male figural base.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Napoleonic Ormolu Parcel Gilt Bureau Desk Armchair, 1815
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & stylish antique French Empire Napoleonic parcel gilt and ormolu mounted French Fauteuil de bureau (desk chair), circa 1815.
The chair back and armrest of hooped shaped form,...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow With Garlands of Flowers
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Italian Empire Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century Italian Empire desk is a beautifully crafted piece that exemplifies the neoclassical elegance of the Empire style. Made from richly grained walnut, the de...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Pair of Paris Porcelain Campagna Form Table Lamps with New Shades
Located in Essex, MA
With a classical scene on a campagna form vase with handles.
Category
1840s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Italian Carved and Gilded Frames Rome 18th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Pair Roman Gilded Frames 1700, rare pair of antique carved and gilded wooden frames, Rome 18th century. Rectangular in shape, with three orders of carving, this pendant of ancient Ro...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Late 19th Century French Empire Small Sconces
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire style sconces with one light. Price per pair
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
19th century beech gueridon with 3 legs on wheels. Legs are detailed with black lacquer at the top and at the base of each column.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
French Empire Console Table of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French Empire console table of fine proportions, featuring a rectangular figured marble top, set upon a frieze of flame mahogany with one long drawer, the drawer with bras...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Secretary, Germany, 1820
A magnificent Empire-style secretary crafted in walnut veneer over coniferous wood, with ebonized accents and partial gilding. This piece showcases t...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
J A Houdon 1790 "Diane" bronze by Barbedienne founder.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible J A Houdon model bronze 1790 representing "Diane" with bow and arrow by Barbedienne founder.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers.
This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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