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
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces
Circa 1830
Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Empire style table clock and inkwell
Origin France Circa 1900
The watch has a Paris machine and it works
Golden bronze and Onix materials
Very good general condition
the marble ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Paul Ferrante Empire-Style Six-Arm Chandeliers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful pair of Paul Ferrante empire-style six-arm chandeliers with 7 bulb sockets
Gold gilded & green painted bronze
25" W x 36" H
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Centerpiece in Bohemian Crystal and Sculpted Bronze from the Early XX Century
Located in Milano, MI
Centerpiece in transparent and blue Bohemian crystal and worked bronze, made in the early 20th century
Ø 39 cm Ø 30 cm h 18 cm
The Bohemian crystal is a decorative glass produced s...
Category
1910s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Six-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Brighten a entry or a powder room with this sophisticated antique Empire chandelier. Crafted of solid bronze in Paris France, circa 1920, the wall hanging fixture is circular in shap...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, Circa 1875
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted Toleware Converted Oil Lamp, France
Charming French Tole Lamp on a frosted lucite base. Wonderful patina on this vintage piece. Certainly a statement piece in any home libr...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Large Antique Leather Traveling Luggage with Brass Accents
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful 19th Century large scale Antique leather traveling bag or luggage is truly a special piece. The bag opens and all of the bra...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid 20th Century Italian Tole Lamp
Located in Doylestown, PA
Mid 20th century Italian tole lamp with original shade.
Fine Italian tole column form table lamp in a warm ochre hue. It is intricately painted with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle, Brass
Paris porcelain coffee can & saucer, c. 1810.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
A fine Paris porcelain coffee can and saucer, possibly Dihl Et Guerhard, c. 1810. The coffee can, hand painted in the style of Gerard van Spaendonck, with ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Empire Settee: Elegance & Craftsmanship Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Step into unparalleled elegance with our Antique Empire Settee, a masterpiece meticulously revived by our skilled in-house team. This exceptional...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a River 7.1X4.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
IMPERO chimney spark plugs made of cherry wood. Early 19th century
Located in Torino, IT
Fireplace spark arrestors
EMPIRE
in cherry wood
with ebonized details.
PERIOD
Early 19th century
MATERIALS
Solid cherry wood
with ebonized details.
Canvas screen
DIMENSIONS
Height...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. Below is a fold front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked with empirical styled columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Chest of Drawers With Four Drawers Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This exquisite Empire chest of drawers boasts a timeless design and is crafted from rich mahogany, reflecting the elegance of the 1840s. With its stately presence and intricate deta...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Neoclassical French Empire Green & Gold Painted Wooden Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Neoclassical / French Empire Style Green & Gold Painted Carved Wood Column Pedestal. Circa 1900, (painted finish appears to be a vintage addition) Measurements: Over...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
An antique set of chairs from around 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique set of chairs from around 1860.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
wood: mahogany
Dimensions:
height 79 cm, seat height ...
Category
1860s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Bronze Dore Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Brighten an entry or a powder room with this sophisticated antique chandelier. Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1920 and built of bronze, the wall hanging fixture is circular in shape...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Table Lamps Oil Lamps Franc 1880s
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Oil Lamps ca 1880s
Beautiful antique Old Paris porcelain Lamps
These lamps, originally oil lamps, we...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Empire Gentlemans Dressing Shaving Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive antique 19th century (circa 1880s) English Empire gentleman's dressing mirror. Made from mahogany with a beveled wooden frame supported by exceptional barley twist upright...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Beautiful Rare Antique Copeland Spode Creamware Tableware Parts ca 1800s
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful rare extensive antique Copeland Spode creamware tableware parts ca 1800s
The border outside and inside are Handpainted decorated with...
Category
1790s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Bouillotte Lamp In Gilt Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire style bouillotte lamp in gilded bronze, with a green lacquered sheet metal shade.
Illuminated by 3 lights.
French work of quality from the 20th century (circa 1950)
Perfect ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Empire Walnut Console Table with Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress an entryway or hall way with this elegant, antique console. Crafted in France, circa 1820, the simple, narrow, fruit wood table stands on four turned legs embellished with a bo...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Mantel Clock with reading young lady, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire mantel clock with enameled dial and fire-gilt case. The clock is crowned by a full-figure young lady sitting on a Klismos chair and reading a book. Her feet rest on a stool an...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Neo classical Empire style Chandelier in gilt bronze and green crystal
Located in Paris, FR
Imposing Neo-classical chandelier in pure Empire style, with castpalmettes motifs and mythological figures in fine gilded bronze
In the center, a green cut crystal cup support a m...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in silver-plated bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Porcelaine de Paris - Empire Centerpiece Reticulated Coupe
Located in DELFT, NL
Gilt Porcelaine de Paris Openwork Coupe Centerpiece to be placed centrally on the table, for fruit or flowers. Empire Style. French, 19th century center basket, rond form with reticu...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Mahogany Pair of Library Armchairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very fine quality pair of 19th century mahogany
French Empire library armchairs having well figured
Top rails over enclosed swept arms with c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of large Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra. France 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A pair of large and elegant Empire Candlesticks, convertible into Candelabra, made in France during the 1820s. Gilded and dark patinated bronze. Can be used as large candlesticks or ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Empire Caryatids Gilded Bronze Cut Glass 4-Light Lantern Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful pair of antique large French Empire caryatids cast bronze lanterns. Fire gilded solid heavy bronze and cut glass shade with four-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Heig...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French early 19th Century twelve light gilded chandelier attributed to Thomire
Located in Southall, GB
An impressive gilt and patinated bronze French Empire chandelier with twelve lights, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843). Winged Victory figures wearing classical robes stand...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Silver-Gilt Pair of Dishes, Odiot, circa 1890
By Odiot
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century French rare and important Empire style pair of solid silver dishes, each of circular form with very fine acanthus leaves borders and chased with a frieze of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Beautiful Rare Shape Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Tea set ca 1850-1880
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful, Rare shape model, Old Paris porcelain coffee tea set with coffee filter attachment and cup and saucers with monogram!
The coffee filter only fits the large coffee (tea) p...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Empire Ebonized Dresser: Timeless Craftsmanship Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of our antique empire dresser, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and style brought back to life by our sk...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Period Porcelain de Paris Water Pitcher with Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period water pitcher in Porcelain de Paris and finely embellished with gilt in a striking, hand-painted design of flowers, leaves and other decorat...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Late 19th century French empire mahogany and ormolu cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality french empire revival mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
Generous proportions and as with all furniture of this scale and period it was built to come apart.
Central glazed d...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts exudes elegance, and is extraordinarily versatile with two leaves that are always there when you need them, t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Empire Style Bronze and Iron Fireplace Four-Piece Tool Set on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique fireplace tool set next to your mantel. Crafted circa 1980, the "Serviteur" sits on an intricate iron bottom base decorated with a bronze gallery around th...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
French Empire Jacob Desmalter et Cie mahogany two door commode with marble top
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
French Empire oak lined two door mahogany commode with brass mounts and marble top by Jacob Desmalter et Cie
Interior reveals 3 linen slides “Tiroir à l’anglaise”
Stamped to the t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Gilt Bronze & Cut Crystal Centerpiece
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze centerpiece featuring hand cut crystal columns (4). Base and Top supporting oval container. France, circa 1900.
Dimensions: He...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins' Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine Empire armchair with four elegant saber legs, upholstered in vertical cream and crimson stripes, and featuring ornately carved dolphins' heads at the base of each shaped arm r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire 68" Tall Bronze & Marble Lighted Candelabra Torchere Floor Lamps - a Pair. Item featured is a tall impressive size, 7 electrified candelabras, stunning cast bronze ormolu with rouge marble supports, square black painted wooden bases, remarkable quality and overall presence. Approx 60 lbs each. Stunning and rare pair of floor candelabras...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fireplace Empire Lombardy First Quarter 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Lombard fireplace set in walnut, with ebonized and gilded parts.
In the lower part, a broken plinth base with ebonized reserves
bounded by successional leaf-carved and gilded battens...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee service - France 1850-1880
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful antique Old Paris porcelain (Porcelaine de Paris) coffee tea service from ca 1850-1880!
Very delicately hand decorated with gold...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is original and just as it was done at the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Style Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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 nice vin...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier.
Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set Of Rare Danish Antique Silverware By Nicolai Brandt, Horsens (1787-1813).
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice set of solid silver and horn cutlery for six persons, by famous silversmith Nicolaj Brandt, Horsens, Denmark, 1787-1813.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Italian Empire Style Beech Wood Round Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian empire style round pedestal table in beech wood. The top is supported by three pairs of refined columns. In the lower part the columns end with a deligh...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose.
These...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Giltwood
Mid 19th Century French Empire Walnut Chest
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A handsome French Empire commode. Beautiful color and patina
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A Pair of French 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of French 19th century Empire gilt and bronze candlesticks.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Iron and Brass Torchiere Floor Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Stunning patinated wrought iron torchiere floor lamp with solid brass details stands on three legs and features three lights with red, black and gold shades. Time earned patina and b...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Fine Baccarat Crystal Harcourt Serving Piece
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful, luxurious Baccarat Harcourt serving piece makes a perfect gift and an elegant addition to any dining table. It is an ideal vessel for caviar at an intimate dinner, wo...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Early 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Mahogany Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique console was crafted in France, circa 1810. Standing on turned front columns ending in round feet, and pilaster legs in the rear over a stretcher platform bottom ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Goeschl
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant couple costumed in Empire style:
The lady in a dress that softly hugs the body with a high waist that sits just below the bust, a short cape covering the neckline and shoulde...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt Brass Pier Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This timeless piece features a swing open cabinet and pull out drawer. The drawer and lower cabinet door are keyed for secure locking, complemented by one barreled skeleton key. This...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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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