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
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 Style Marble and Bronze Antique Centrepiece by Robbe
Located in London, GB
In an ornamental style, with rouge griotte marble and burnished bronze depicting the three Graces, signed 'A. ROBBE. Paris.'
This stunning French centrepiece...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine and decorative Swedish Cartel clock. Very elaborately carved wooden case flanked by two sculptural dolphins. The dial signed P. Ericsson Stoc...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Ebonized and Gilt Sphinx
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) carved ebonized and gilt trimmed small sphinx figure with wings perched on base
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of French Empire Green Marble Barbedienne Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Century) green marble column candlestick lamps with bronze dore trimmed capital and square base (signed F. BARBEDIENNE) (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt Four-Arm Wall Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style ebonized and gilt four-arm wall sconces with flame top (20th century).
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Style Gilt Red Poppy Design Trumeau / Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) carved giltwood trumeau / wall mirror with painted upper panel of red poppies and flowers (signed).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Set of Four French Empire Fauteuil Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Frères
Located in New York, NY
These four early 19th-century Empire fauteuil armchairs, in the manner of the Jacob Frères cabinetmaking firm of the late 18th century, each feature a distinctive pediment-shaped cre...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Period Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly
By Gaston Jolly
Located in London, GB
Depicting a young woman seated at a table holding a book and looking at a celestial globe, above the central dial signed 'Gaston Jolly Paris' and flanked by two busts.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Russian Cut-Glass, Ormolu, and Blue Porcelain Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Russian cut-glass, ormolu, and blue porcelain chandelier
Russian, 19th Century
Height 120cm, diameter 90cm
This stunning Russian chandelier brings together vibrant turquoise porcela...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Small French Empire Style Bust of Napoleon I
Located in New York, NY
Small turn of the century French Empire style bronze bust representing Napoleon's uniformed likeness propped upon a white marble pedestal base adorned with a bronze letter "N."
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine Early 19th Century Empire Russian Inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine Russian Empire gilt- and patinated bronze desk top inkstand, St. Petersburg, circa 1810. Rectangular shaped base raised on four turned fee...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Mantel in Statuary and Brass
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Empire style French mantel of outstanding quality. In flawless Italian statuary marble with very fine ormolu decoration the mantel displays...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Marble Mantle
Located in New York, NY
An imposing 19th century French marble chimneypiece in the Empire style with lion’s paw feet above the plinth blocks supporting paneled jamb...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Mahogany Bibliothéque Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
French Empire flame mahogany 2 door bibliothèque cabinet with with wire mesh and tapered square column sides having gilt bronze trim with classical heads.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Trompe L'oeil Drawing Circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
This trompe l'oeil drawing depicts the artist's tools -- a black and a red crayon, and a folding steel ruler that was painted with silver pigments, which have blackened with age. They're shown on a sheaf of papers that include a medieval manuscript page, a musical score, and a group of prints.
The unifying theme is the artistic patronage of the Medici, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, who intermarried with the Habsburgs, who were the Holy Roman Emperors.
Among the papers are prints by Stefano Della Bella, the Florentine artist who worked for the Medici. They depict a negro page with a horse, and portraits of Lorenzo Lippi...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Lamp Table 19th Century Gilt bronze Metal Shade Neoclassical France
Located in New York, NY
Lamp 19th Century Gilt bronze Metal Shade Neoclassical France . A French Bouillotte lamp made in gilt bronze and a painted metal shade. 3 electrified candle arms.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Unusual Swedish Early 19th Century Empire Wall Cartel Clock by Cederlund
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual Swedish Empire giltwood striking wall clock from the early 19th century. The white painted Arabic dial signed by the clockmaker ‘Jon. Ce...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Ram Head Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire bronze dore 6 arm candelabras with 3 ram heads and 3 claw feet supported on a 6 sided triangular base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style 19th Century Ebonized Mahogany Writing Table Desk
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ebonized mahogany writing table desk with a leather top & claw feet resting on a platform base. (after JACOB DESMALTER at Fonteainbleau Palace).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
French Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
By Jacques-Louis David
Located in London, GB
A Three Piece Jardinière Garniture of the Empire Period
Constructed in tole, being hand painted and decorated in the French Empire Neo-Classical manner of Jacques-Louis David; th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
19th-Century French Empire Bronze Napoleon Commemorative Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (19th Century) bronze inkwell in the form of Napoleon's casket covered by a shroud with a crown finial top and resting on a tiered base with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Steel and Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome empire-style steel and bronze floor lamp with a custom navy blue enamel shade. Possibly by J.E. Caldwell. Newly rewired.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel, Bronze
Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of 'Old Paris' Porcelain Vases with Drapery Decoration
Located in New York, NY
French
Pair “Old Paris” Porcelain Vases with Drapery Decoration, about 1820
Porcelain, painted and gilded
13 1/16 in. high
CONDITI...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Eagle Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore chandelier having 6 arms with eagle heads emanating from a 6 sided tapered center post with a bottom acorn finial.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Dressing Table
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
Constructed using a fine Honduras mahogany with gilt highlights, Bleu Tarquin marble and richly dressed with fire gilt ormolu mounts of the highest quality. The table of lyre end sup...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Set of Four Elegant French Silver Open Salt Cellars
Located in Montreal, QC
Set of four 800 French silver oval open slat cellars decorated with eagle heads, Provincial hallmarks, 1798-1809.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
French Empire Bronze Chandelier with Ebonized Bowl
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (19th Century) chandelier with a bronze ebonized patina bowl with gilt trim and 12 scroll uplight arms trimmed with a finial bottom and supported with 3 chains connecte...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
French Empire Monumental Walnut and Velvet Throne Chair
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) monumental walnut throne chair with carved figure with wreath and red cut velvet upholstery
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Velvet
French Empire Mahogany and Bronze Queen Bed
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style mahogany and bronze and gilt trimmed queen size bed with swan design (includes: headboard, footboard, rails). (19th Century reproduction of Josephine Bonaparte's swan bed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Quartz Swan Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire style (1940s) gilt bronze and rose quartz table lamps with 3 swans at base (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Empire Style Mantel Carved in Incarnat Turquin Marble
Located in New York, NY
Petite French Empire with disengaged columns and rosette corner blocks. Carved in Incarnat Turquin Marble.
Opening dimensions: 33 1/2" W x 34 1/8" H.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Duncan Phyfe American Empire Mahogany Sideboard
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in New York, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard with two pedestal cabinets and 4 carved column supports centering a lower mirror under 3 drawers ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Mirror
French Empire Gilt Swan Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
French Empire gilt oval horizontal wall mirror with swan-shaped sides and urn top with floral decoration.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
French Empire Bronze and Crystal Bowl Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-style (late 19th Century) gilt bronze chandelier with a cut crystal bowl supporting a ring of 8 scroll arms suspended by 3 chains to a canopy with a flame final bottom.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
19th c. French Empire Style Napoleon Bust by F.B. Launay
By F.B. Launay, Chaudet
Located in New York, NY
Nineteenth century French Empire patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon. The work is labeled "Napoleon" and signed by F.B. Launay after the 1804 model by Antoine-Denise Chaudet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 4 Danish Empire Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 lovely Danish chairs with light birch inlays in back and front frieze. Newly upholstered.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
French Folk Art Oak and Marble Eagle Figure
Located in New York, NY
French (19th Cent Napoleonic Era) folk art carved oak life size figure of an eagle with out stretched wings perched on a round globe with a marble base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of 19th c. French Empire Style Electrified Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style candelabra. Each gilt-trimmed bronze candelabrum features a central urn-top arm surrounde...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
Russian (18th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase with brass gallery pediment and trim with 2 front doors revealing 3 drawers and shelves ...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Bronze and Mahogany Vanity
Located in New York, NY
French Empire (19th Century) mahogany vanity / dressing table with gilt bronze trim and swan supports on legs with a rectangular form mirror attached by a Pair of 3 arm candelabra.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Continental Austrian Mahogany Recamier
Located in New York, NY
Continental Austrian Empire-style (Circa 1835) small mahogany recamier with bronze eagle trim and green upholstery
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Each with a winged Victorian female figure carrying a torchère on their hea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
20th c. French Empire Style End Table
Located in New York, NY
Twentieth century French Empire style end table with a bronze campaign style base with four crossed legs and clawfeet beneath a square ro...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Neo-Classic Fruitwood Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Neo-classic (19th Century) fruitwood sideboard cabinet with a marble top over two doors flanked by columns with canted sides.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Empire Striped Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire ivory painted open Armchairs with gilt trim and green stripe upholstered seat and back
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Continental Swedish Empire Gilt and Ebonized Eagle Pediment Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Continental Swedish Empire giltwood wall mirror with ebonized column sides and trim and a carved eagle pediment over an arch form mirror.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Mirror, Wood
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore and Marble Console Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim bracket console tables with half round marble top supported on a single leg ending in a square marble base. (PRICED AS...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Table of Mahogany and Painted Architectural Scenes of Rome
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a good flame-veneer mahogany, with gilt metal mounts; rising from a tripartite incurved base mounted on castors, issuing three entasis form cylindrical columns, gilt m...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Watercolor
French Empire Style Ambonya Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (circa 1860) amboyna wood & gilt bronze mounted cabinet with a Pair of side doors securing and centering 6 Pair of drawers under a dark green marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany Chest with Brown Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany chest with 4 drawers and bronze handles and escutcheons with a brown marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Burl Wood Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful burl wood set against ebonized legs and trim. Desk has a single compartmentalized drawer with key and elegantly curved legs.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Burl
Pair of French Empire Bronze Panther Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (Mid-19th Century) bronze andirons with a panther standing next to a gilt urn with a classical Egyptian head (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Continental Empire Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Continental Dutch Empire-style (Circa 1840) black lacquer Chinoiserie console table with adjustable mirror on back and bronze heads with black marble top.
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Table Swedish Mahogany Floral 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table Swedish Mahogany Floral 19th Century Sweden. A Swedish mahogany Tray Table with floral painted top. 4 smaller trays for candlelight holder.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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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