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.
$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
$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
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
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
$48,950Sale Price|48% Off
Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Eagles Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Palatial French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood Carved Figural Center Table with Figures of Winged Eagles and Wreaths, the center medallion with a figure of a bull and and raised on lion paws over a sphere, fitted with a veined verde d'alps marble top (Marble top is recent and not the original - Gilding restored with 23.5 cart...
Marble
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
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
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 Serving Dish, French, Cut Glass, Ormolu, Bowl, Empire Taste, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique serving dish. A French, cut glass and ormolu presentation centrepiece or fruit bowl in the Empire manner, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890. Wonderf...
Ormolu
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
Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Wool, Cotton
Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) A large a...
Bronze
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
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
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...
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
Transforming Table by Martin-Guillaume Biennais, Consulat Period, France circa 1
Located in New York, NY
Transformation table, on high square pointed legs with brass sabots and curved table top including intermediate shelf with gilded gallery rail. The middle part of the table top can b...
Brass
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
$3,900Sale Price|37% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Chaise Lounge Daybed
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant Empire Period black lacquered walnut chaise or daybed with brass ormolu decoration. Has its original horsehair mattress. Frame is sturdy ...
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
Chest of drawers, Empire around 1800/10, Cherrywood with three drawers
Located in Münster, DE
Empire chest of drawers, circa 1800/10, cherry, plum, and apple wood veneered on oak, three drawers with a central lock in the middle drawer, original hardware and lock. Hand-poli...
Wood, Cherry, Fruitwood, Oak
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
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
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
Early Nineteenth Century Grand Antique Marble Column
Located in London, GB
An early nineteenth century Grand Antique Marble column, the dramatic brecciated shaft on turned socle base. Likely French.
Marble
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
$3,823Sale 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
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Female Figures Vestals Candlesticks
By Claude Galle
Located in Berlin, DE
A beautiful French early 19th century Empire pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candlesticks with female figure decoration in the manner of Claude Galle: Each candlestick with a...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
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
Bench Stool Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish Black 19th Beige Linen century Sweden. A stool made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black and upholstered in a beige linen.
Empire Style Wall Console Table with Sculptural Dogs
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
20th Century An elegant Empire-style wall console table, distinguished by its sculptural supports in the form of finely carved dogs. Inspired by the neoclassical grandeur of the ear...
Wood
Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
By Germain Pilon, Atelier de moulage du Louvre
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Plaster
19th Century French Empire Tôle Chandelier with Six Lights
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French, 19th century Empire style ceiling fixture of black tôle using six candelabra lights to illuminate the stunning gold-tone accents. The round, painted metal bowl...
Metal, Bronze
19th century Swedish flame birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish flame birch chest of drawers circa 1880. Fine quality Swedish chest with flame birch veneered drawer fronts. Birch top with rounded and moulded edge. Fitted ...
Birch
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Bronze
$5,240Sale 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
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
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
Large Empire desk, France, circa 1870. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique Empire desk from the second half of the 19th century, France. This piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional ren...
Walnut
A pair of French 19th century 1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine and high quality pair of French 19th century 1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu urns, circa 1805. This wonderful pair are raised on square Ormolu plinths with top R...
Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Genovese Empire Chandelier 1780 in Gilded Wood and Crystal Twelve Lights
Located in Milano, MI
Extraordinary Genovese Chandelier circa 1780 with Twelve Lights with transparent and blue crystals. Large Empire chandelier in Sculpted and Gilded Wood from the late 18th century, li...
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
French Empire Style Chandelier, Bronze Swan Arms, Green Body, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful French Empire-style chandelier features six bronze swan arms. Dark green painted body with decorative bronze mounts and richly ornate pine finial, on top centered with...
Bronze, 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
Antique French Empire Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table. Item features mother of pearl and wood floral wreath inlay, carved reeded column-form legs, very ...
Mahogany
Pair French Empire Egyptian Doré Bronze Candelabra Designed by Charles Percier
Located in New York, NY
Thomier A Paris, A Monumental & Quite Rare Pair of French Empire Egyptian Style Doré Bronze and Patinated bronze Seven Light Candelabras After Designs by Charles Percier, Signed ...
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Burnished Brass Small Bouillotte Black Column Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21" H (to finial) x 15" H (to light socket) x 10" W x 10" D. {3-...
Brass
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
1876 The Family of Serbs Russian Imperial Porcelain Manufacture August Spiess
Located in Malmö, SE
Beautiful, extremely rare and valuable unglazed Bisque Porcelain group depicting a family of Serbs. An armed man is saying goodbye to his wife and little son before leaving for war against Turks. Manufacture : Russian Imperial Porcelain...
Porcelain
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Rouge Griotte Marble Paperweight, Late Empire Period, 1830–1840 A beautifully proportioned French paperweight from the late Empire period, crafted in richly veined Rouge Grio...
Griotte Marble
Italian Florentine Architectural Gilt Wall Shelf Bracket, circa 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Italian Small Gold Leaf Wall Shelf. This bracket could certainly stand alone on a narrow wall or functional to hold a treasure on top. Wonderful classic addition to any livi...
Gold Leaf
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
$8,176Sale Price|20% Off
Late 18th Century Walnut Empire Chest of Drawers, South Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant walnut chest of drawers from southern Germany dates from around 1790 and belongs to the late 18th century, showing the clear transition from the Louis XVI to the early E...
Brass
$9,407Sale Price / set|40% Off
Large Set of 25 Antique Baccarat Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne, Voneche 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 33 piece set of 1st Empire Cut-Glass Tumbler glasses from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1810 circa. Similar pieces are in fundus of the Louvre collection. "Gobele...
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Timothy Outlton, Empire Style, Wall Sconces, Steel, Crystal, 1990s
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Niermann Weeks style three light crystal and metal wall lights by Timothy Oulton. Each in the Empire style with aged metal and crystal design. Part of a large collection of...
Crystal, Metal
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
$3,250 / item
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Console
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Console with Ebonized Marble Top & Bronze Dore Details, ca. 1810
Walnut
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Swedish Empire Marble Topped Drawer Chest Commode
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Swedish Empire three-drawer commode chest veneered in burled bird's-eye elm emblematic of Baltic furniture in the 18th-19th centuries, the rectangular side columns mounted with brass Egyptian...
Elm
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
$6,868Sale Price|30% Off
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Crystal, Wire
Antique Russian Secretary by Heinrich Gambs, Mahogany, Circa 1800
By Heinrich Daniel Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed and produced by Heinrich G...
Metal, Brass
Swedish Empire Settee, Painted Wood & Gilt, Hand-Carved, Circa 1820
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A glamorous Swedish Empire style settee from the early 19th century (circa 1820) as a painted wood frame sheltering the fully upholstered interior of a single bench cushion, three ba...
Gold