Empire Furniture
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.
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 2000s French Empire Furniture
Wool
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Feathers
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Majolica
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Birch
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Pine
1980s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Chrome
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Opaline Glass
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Birch
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
2010s German Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Granite
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Maple
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
1990s Empire Furniture
Stone, Iron
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood, Wood
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
1950s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Stone, Marble, Metal
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Porcelain