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
Recognized Seller Listings
French Empire Style Half Round Bracket Console Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style mahogany half round bracket console table with bronze doré trim and green marble top, 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Ground Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
These excellent gilt ground vases are high quality antique pieces, dating from the Empire period in France at the start of the 19th century. Each vase is set on a square base, is mounted with twin scrolling handles inset with neoclassical masks, and has a flared gilt ground neck. Both vases are also decorated to the front with depictions of winged putti on gilt ground; one vase shows the putti playing musical instruments, while the other shows them holding writing tablets and laurel wreaths. The reverse of each vase is Neo-Gothic in character, showing medieval church arches...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Center Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (Circa 1825) mahogany and gilt round 3 legged center table on platform base with green lacquered bird heads and grey marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style 19th Century Mahogany Etagere
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany etagere with bronze trim and shaped back rail above shelves with lyre form sides.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Charles X Ormolu and Bronze Candelabra Lamps
Located in New York, NY
With acanthus-wrapped fluted columns on scroll-form feet and triangular base. Lamp shades not included. Height to socket is 20" - height can be adjusted with different harps.
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Armchairs Pair of Swedish Mahogany Brown Gilded Details Green and White Seat
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs made in Sweden during the Karl Johan period 1810-1840. Frame made in mahogany with gilded details. Upholstered in a durable outdoor Rogers and Goffigon stripe.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Gold Upholstered 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in New York, NY
Set of 7 French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany living room / salon set with gilt swan head arms and gold upholstery (settee: 66¬Ω"w 24¬Ω"d 36¬Ω"h, 2 bergeres: 24¬Ω"w 23¬Ω"d 38"h, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Empire Period Antique Parisian Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of antique porcelain vases, dating from the early 19th century in the period of Napoleonic rule known as the Empire period, ar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns Wired as Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns, Wired as Lamps. Featuring ornate swag garlands and rams heads, with a frieze of dancing putti.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt End Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-Style (1940s) ebonized and gilt trim round end table with bronze trim on apron and a top rim surrounding a mottled mirrored round top. (At...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
American Empire Gothic Mahogany Dressing Table
Located in New York, NY
American Empire Gothic design mahogany dressing table on carved pedestal base with mirror and drawers.
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Steel And Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (19th Century) steel inkwell with gilt bronze trim with four original glass inserts and a side drawer.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Pair of Caldwell French Empire Style Ormolu Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (late 19th Century) ormolu wall sconces with sixteen arms, and shield form back plates with crossed palm fronds surrounding a scrolling vine cast pierced ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Game table made during the Karl Johan period 1810-1830 in Sweden. Made from light mahogany and decorated with brass hardware. Tapered legs. Felt interior with backgammon and chess ga...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Mahogany and Ormolu Bookcase in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
An exceptional and fine library breakfront bookcase by Antoine Krieger of Paris
In the Empire taste, this wonderful piece shows careful selection of matched flame mahogany veneers, contrasted by finely chiselled mercury gilded ormolu bronze mounts. The glazed, four door upper section is surmounted by ormolu laurel wreath victory garlands, and acanthus leaves to the cornice, the lower four blind doors having central caduceus mounts, emblematic of Mercury’s staff; the outer doors showing central Apollo masks, with acanthus leaves in a cruciform pattern; the cornered motifs being rosettes with conforming acanthus leaves; the pilaster columns are capped by stylised Tuscan capitals. The four oak lined drawers have Grecian Lyre backplates to the handles, and the locks are signed by the maker. The bookcase is elevated on toupie ‘cotton reel’ feet.
The very finest workmanship has gone into this piece, as evinced by the ethereal ‘gold dust’ ormolu mounts, with the crispest of ciselure, and the breathtaking quality of the mahogany veneers. This piece, originally conceived by Percier and Fontaine, adopting the decoration from the Antique, is signed by Antoine Krieger of Paris. Circa 1860
Percier and Fontaine published in 1812 the ‘bon ton’ design collection, ‘Recueil des Decorations Interieurs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Mahogany Leather Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany and bronze trimmed Armchairs with black leather seat and back.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (circa 1820) bronze & gilt trimmed chandelier with 8 scroll arms emanating from a circular corona with an acorn drop finial and suspended by 4 foliate chains.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Silver Plate Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) silver plate 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green tole shade.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Tôle
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany bookcase cabinet with bronze trim and 2 glass doors.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Steel and Brass Daybed
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19/20th Century) steel and brass trimmed daybed with open arch and scroll design sides
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Caryatid Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim 8 scroll arm chandelier with 4 caryatid females.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Carved Center Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire mahogany pedestal base center table with 3 carved swans on a base supporting a round black veined top with an molded ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Bronze Egyptian Lamp
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze lamp with 3 Egyptian ebonized & gilt figures resting on a round base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Style Ormolu Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
19th century Empire style ormolu table mirror
French, 19th Century
Height 56cm, width 37cm, depth 4cm, depth when open 46cm
This fine table ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
French Empire Style Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) bronze dore 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan motif.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
2 French Empire Mahogany Loveseats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Cent) Egyptian Neo-classic design mahogany loveseats with filigree back and yellow upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire Style Ebonized Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) ebonized and gilt bronze 6 arm chandelier suspended by 3 black and gilt bronze link extensions with a flame ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Potheau Mahogany and Gilt Center Table
By Potheau
Located in New York, NY
French Empire mahogany & gilt bronze trim round center table on 3 legs with a revolving inset brown leather top and pearl medallions over 6 drawers with a stretcher (stamped: POTHEAU).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Hanging Lantern
Located in New York, NY
American (glass attributed to Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, Sandwich, Massachusetts), circa 1830-1840.
Glass, blown, partially frosted, and wheel cut, with cast and die-rolled brass, patinated.
This hanging lamp is typical of the production of such lanterns by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company of Sandwich, Massachusetts, during the 1830s, and perhaps as late as the early 1840s. The present example is an unusually elaborate specimen with its overall frosting and cutting. In their The Glass Industry in Sandwich, II (1989), Raymond E. Barlow and Joan E. Kaiser quote Boston & Sandwich Glass Company manager Deming Jarves on the fabrication of lamps of this general type (p. 225 no. 2398). These hanging lanterns could be supplied with a candle or with a peg lamp...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (circa 1810) gilt bronze and cut glass chandelier with cut crystal strands emanating from a gilt bronze center ring with 8 arms.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique Gilt Bronze and Opaline Glass Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful, tall chandelier is ideal for a grand entrance hall or room where it can be seen and admired. It is an exceptional piece of Empire style design, perfectly combining gl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Swedish Empire Green Stripe Club Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Swedish Empire-style (20th Century) gilt club chairs with green lacquered claw feet and stripe upholstery (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany and bronze trimmed table with single drawer and green (repaired) marble-top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 drawer table desk with stretcher, griffins, and green marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Marble Top Center Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) round mahogany center table with bronze classical heads over 4 legs and trim on apron resting on an inla...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Marble Top Center Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed round center table with inlaid marble top supported on a pedestal base.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Coffee Pot Silver European 19th Century Empire Blackened Handle, Austria
Located in New York, NY
Coffee pot silver European 19th century blackened handle Austria. An exquisite example of a empire coffee pot made during the 19th century in Austria. Ov...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of 19th c. French Empire Bronze Dore Nike Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style bronze dore three arm candelabra, each featuring a classical winged victory or Nike figure positioned atop a tiered, architectural pede...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany Sleigh Design Recamier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany sleigh design Récamier with bronze doré trim and red damask upholstery.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of ormolu mounted and lacquered metal curule chairs in the Empire style
Located in London, GB
These beautiful, simple, and sophisticated, curule chairs were executed in the Empire style, combining the majesty of Roman rule with Napoleonic imperial France. Long a symbol of rule and power, curule chairs originally appeared in the Roman Republic, called sella curulis, seats reserved exclusively for those who held imperium, i.e. those who held positions of military or governmental command. Inherited by many subsequent civilisations, and a favourite of European kings wishing to frame their own authority within this Roman tradition, they feature heavily in Empire period France, holding a particular associated with Napoleon. These particular pieces are made of lacquered metal and are mounted with ormolu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Gilt Wood and Lacquer Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) giltwood and black lacquer wall sconces with four arms and figural winged ladies (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Medici-Form Vases
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Schoelcher, Paris, France, circa 1830.
Porcelain, painted and gilded.
16 1/4 in. high, 9 1/2 in. wide, 9 1/2 in. deep.
Ex Coll.: by repute, Joseph Bonaparte...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of French Empire Style Mahogany Sphinx Figure Wall Mirrors
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany wall mirrors with gilt sphinx heads and trim with tapered inset inlaid design marble sides (Related item: 055517)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style ‘19th Century’ Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Centre Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th centntury) mahogany and bronze trimmed rectangular centre table with winged females, open stretcher and onyx top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of “Old Paris” Porcelain Coolers, Yellow Bands, Floral Wreaths
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères, Paris, made, circa 1820.
Porcelain, partially painted and gilded.
Measures: 14 1/4 in. high, 10 3/8 in. wide (through the handles), 7 3/4 in. deep.
Signed (with stencil, in black, on the bottom of each): Darte. f.
Recorded: cf. Régine de Plinval de Guillebon, Porcelain of Paris, 1770–1850 (New York: Walker and Company, 1972), p. 333 no. 79 illustrates the mark on these coolers.
Some of the most beautiful porcelain produced in Paris during the Empire/Restauration periods was made or sold by the firm of Darte Frères. Although the Darte family, which came from Namur, then in The Netherlands, had set themselves up in the business of the manufacture of porcelain as early as 1794–95, by 1803 the three Darte brothers had decided, as Régine de Plinval de Guillebon notes (ibid., p. 231), that “each should have his own establishment,” and, indeed, by 1804 their prior business partnership had been “annulled,” and from that point forward there were two businesses using the name Darte.
The Darte brothers, Louis Joseph and Jean François, began independent operation in 1804 at the Hôtel Montalembert, at 90, rue de la Roquette. Their business arrangements were only formalized in 1808, at which time they began to use the name “Darte Frères.” They remained in the business until 1825, when their partnership was dissolved.
Darte Frères produced a large variety of porcelain, including vast dinner and...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Gilt and Marble Occasional Table in the Empire Style
By Jacob Frères
Located in London, GB
A fine gueridon in the Empire manner after a model by Jacob Freres.
Based on designs by Percier and Fontaine.
Of circular form, constructed in Amboyna, rising from giltwood bun feet, the platform base of tripartite incurved form, centered with a fire gilt bronze waisted vase...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany and Mirrored Console Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany & bronze trimmed console table with scroll form sides and a drawer over a mirrored door with a grey marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Italian Giltwood and Marble Top Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A good centre table in the Italian impero manner
Constructed in carved gold leaf giltwood, and having a St Jean brecciated marble top; of circular form, the tripartite base of canin...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of American Empire Mahogany Corner Console Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Empire mahogany corner console tables with scroll legs (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Ormolu and Cut Glass Empire Period Chandelier
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The ormolu finely decorated corona hung with swags of icicle drops and strings cascading down to a corresponding main band supporting fifteen candle branch arranged on two tiers the ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Queen Bed
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19/20th Century) mahogany queen size bed with gilt bronze trim and upholstered panel on headboard (includes: headboard, fo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful antique French chandelier dates from the 19th Century and could be attributed to the master bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. It is cast entirely in gilt bronze, and fea...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th/20th Century) mahogany wall mirror with gilt bronze ormolu mounts and a shaped pediment top with a bevelled glass.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Charles X (19th Century) bronze dore 3 arm candelabras with candlestick bases in two sections. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilded and Painted Paris Porcelain Vase, France circa 1815
Located in CH
A large gilded and painted Paris Porcelain Vase, France circa 1815
The picture in the front reproduces a painting by the French artist Louis Ducis (14 July 1775, Versailles - 2 March 1847, Paris) of Torquato Tasso...
Category
1810s 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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