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.
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century. Very period design. Newl...
Bronze
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame A distinguished French Empire bronze relief plaque depicting Napoleon I crowned with the classical laurel wreat...
Bronze
Dagoty Manufacture of Empress Joséphine Wife of Napoleon 1st Swan Cup
By Dagoty
Located in Paris, FR
This very rare set of 12 delicate cups swan shape with their saucers is signed by Dagoty, one of the favorite manufacturers of Empress Joséphine's first Napoleon wife well known for ...
Porcelain
Jacob-Desmalter Style Antique French Empire Mahogany Twin Beds, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of antique French Empire twin beds In the manner of Jacob-Desmalter France, Late 19th Century Carved mahogany, with mounted gilt br...
Bronze
$25,401Sale Price / item|20% Off
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal, Iron, Wire
French Empire style fifteen light bronze dore chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
Exceptional quality is amazing in this classical style chandelier. It has fifteen Brilliant lights and the wiring is very good. The crown at the top is lovely And makes the top spec...
Crystal, Bronze
20th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Giltwood
$15,700Sale Price|25% Off
French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à battant - Jean-Francois Dubut Elaborately crafted bureau à battant, Paris circa 1760, Transition, Jean-Francois Dubut rosewood, amaranth, violet and ebony veneered on o...
Marble
Pocket Pill Box like Egg sea color Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket pill box shaped like a small egg. Pocket pill box like egg hinged opening. Pocket pill box like egg in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated 24ca...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Circa 1805-1815 Empire Period French Marble Top Commode
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period French marble top commode, circa 1805-1815. Beautifully figured mahogany with fine acanthus leaf bronze mounts on the pillar & scroll pilasters. Note the whorled leaf m...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Demilune Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
Antique Baltic Long Bench, Mahogany, Silk Upholstery, Circa 1830-1850
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique Baltic long bench with two pillows made of hand carved Mahogany, in good condition. The three seater sofa, settee is stand...
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire Style Two Tier Console Table by John Widdicomb with Brass Mounts
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 in W: 44 in D: 20 1/2 in Elevate your interior with this exceptional 20th-century French Empire style two-tier console table or server by the renowned American ...
Brass
Italian 19th Century Marquetry and Bronze Empire Side Chair
Located in Brescia, IT
Back decorated in various inlaid woods showing vines, flowers etc., The tops of the back chair rails are mounted with eagle heads, and are joined together with a turned gilded deco...
Wood
Large French Empire Style Balloon Chandelier A Fine Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Balloon Chandelier A Fine Piece, with an age darkened Brass metal frame and set with crystal pendants, it has 6 bulbs giving a very attractive atmospheric ...
Crystal
Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Rock Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold Swan
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Baroque Empire Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is a new repr...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Brass, Wire
Set of Ten Empire Floral Decorated Gilt Banded Plates
Located in New York, NY
Antique set of ten Empire white and gilt plates with center floral bouquets; with underglaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 180...
Porcelain
Early 19th C. French First Empire Mahogany And Belgian Marble Console
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptional antique French first empire marble-topped figured mahogany console table, circa 1800. The rectangular Belgian black-gray flecked marble top surmounts a conforming frie...
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
Set of 11 Heinrich H&Co Selb Bavaria Gold Encrusted Porcelain Dinner Plates
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional set of 11 Heinrich Selb porcelain and gold encrusted dinner plates in white body in good antique condition.Listed price is ...
Gold
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 Empire Chest of Drawers, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
French Empire Chest of Drawers, France, 1810 – A Timeless Antique Masterpiece This exquisite French Empire chest of drawers, crafted in ...
Mahogany
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Regency Bronze Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical / Regency bronze and graduating crystal basket form chandelier with medusa heads and six candelabra sockets around the outer frame and a beau...
Crystal, Bronze
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Brass
$1,552Sale Price|38% Off
Empire Dark Green Four-Arm Chandelier Made of Leather and Brass, France 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
This lovely French chandelier was found in a villa built in the late 1950s. The beautiful, high-quality craftsmanship is impressive. The lampshades are made of metal and then covered...
Brass
20th Century Wood with Onyx Top French Empire Style Dressing Table, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French dressing table from the first half of the 20th century. Carved and veneered mahogany in the Empire style. Console richly adorned with gilded and chiseled bronze and brass. Dre...
Onyx
$3,900Sale Price / set|25% Off
A Pair of Christofle Malmaison Silver-Plated Candelabra For Two Candles
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This silver plated Malmaison candelabra, which can hold up to two candles, adds refinement and elegance to any room. One of Christofle's most historic patterns, Malmaison typifies th...
Silver Plate
$2,541Sale Price|20% Off
English Empire-Style Oak Cabinet From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
English Empire-Style Oak Cabinet From the Late 19th Century An English Empire-style cabinet made of oak, dating back to the late 19th century. The semicircular piece of furniture fe...
Oak
19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840. The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border. The qua...
Mirror, Mahogany
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Couple of Candlesticks Style Empire Empire style Marble and golden bronze Origin France circa 1900 Very good condition. Natural wear.
Marble, Bronze
$1,881Sale Price / set|50% Off
Maison Lucien Gau bronze wall lighting model Swann Empire , France 1960s
Located in La xara, VC
The wall sconces correspond to the swan model by Maison Lucien Gau, a Parisian bronze art manufacturer specializing in bronze lighting since 1860, still active today. Model Identifi...
Bronze
Pair of Danish Empire Mahogany With Inlay Arm Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant Danish early 19th century empire armchairs. Crafted in mahogany and satinwood marquetry on backrest and apron. Apron and upper part of backrest decorated with diamo...
Hardwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
$2,200 / set
Set of Ten White and Gilt French Empire Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of ten white and gilt French Empire plates. Empire white and gilt plates with under-glaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 1800....
Porcelain
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.
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century Empire style cast bronze table lamp with new linen shade, converted from gas to electric. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has a Greco-Roman female figure fo...
Metal, Bronze
$36,000Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Russian Crystal Gilt Bronze and Blue Glass Chandelier
By Johann Zech
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19th century Russian chandelier having eight candle arms. The design is intended to represent waterfalls. The central stem of the chandelier is in four tiers each hung with ...
Crystal, Bronze
$2,060 / item
Empire Style Round Side Table, Country Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style Neo Classic wooden round side table in a rustic country finish, with a dish top, four tapered column legs and an X stretcher base. Dimensions: 30" W x 30" D x 27....
Wood
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant. Mahogany with mahogany & oak secondary wood. Ingenious hidden drawers & locking mec...
Marble, Bronze
$11,250Sale Price|25% Off
Large French Bureau Plat/Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
Large French Bureau Plat / Bureau de Ministre in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, Empire / Napoleon III, French Empire / Napoleon III Bureau de Ministre (Bureau Plat) in Mahogany wi...
Bronze
French 19th Century Painted Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire commode from the 19th century, updated more recently with paint in layered & scraped faux finish that wouldn’t look out of place with Gustavian style furnishings. The...
Marble, Brass
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Style Birdcage Model of Chateau de Luneville, Early 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The wood and wire birdcage faithfully depicting the chateau.
Wood
Large Pair Of French Empire Ormolu Campagna Form Urns
Located in Essex, MA
Impressive size with their original oxidized patina that I have left uncleaned. Handles with rams heads. The plinth decorated with wreaths and musical lyre.
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,056Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Antique French Empire style Bronze & Cut Crystal Cascading Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Cascading crystal form. Bronze frame. Purchased in France.
Bronze
19th Century Russian Pair of Antique Beechwood, Brass Wall Mirrors and Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian pair of wall mirrors and console tables, nightstands made of hand crafted Karelian Beechwood in good condition. The floor mirrors are supported by two arched legs ...
Metal, Brass
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century A charming cast iron paperweight in the shape of a reclining sphinx, dating fr...
Iron
French Empire Walnut Commode with Ebonized Columns, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire walnut commode presents the clean architectural lines and restrained ornamentation associated with the early 19th century. Its façade is arranged in the classic Em...
Brass
Early 19th Century Antique Brass Spoon Rack Wall Mounted Holder
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming antique brass spoon holder or rack featuring intricate detailing throughout. Wonderful addition to any kitchen displayed on the wall or countertop.
Brass
$3,368Sale Price|20% Off
Tavolino Marmo Intarsiato, Base Legno, Fatto a Mano Italia Cupioli Disponibile
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino Marmo Intarsiato, Base Legno, Fatto a Mano Italia Cupioli Disponibile Cream marble round dining table or gueridon table size: diam. 80 cm h. 74 inches 31.50 h. 29.13 This t...
Marble
pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany benches
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Mahogany benches. Each wonderful bench is raised by four scrolled legs with carved lion paws at the bo...
Mahogany
$16,934Sale Price|40% Off
Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Crystal, Iron, Wire
$3,950Sale Price|31% Off
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal ...
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Period Wash Basin and Jug Set by Porcelaine de Paris
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period wash basin (with saucer) and tall pitcher, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring a very striking hand-painted polychrom...
Porcelain, Paint
Elegant Early 20th Century Empire-Style Crystal Beaded Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This refined Empire-style chandelier exudes understated opulence with its graceful silhouette and cascading strands of faceted crystal beads. Likely of French or Northern European or...
Crystal, Metal
Majestic 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found in the South of France, this exquisite burled walnut commode from the early 19th century features a dark grey marble top over four drawers. The lower three drawers are recessed...
Marble, Bronze
Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany & Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company Additional information: Materials: mahogany, mirror Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Center-Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This oblong, French Empire style mahogany table from the 19th century would be perfect for dinning or a center table interchangeably. When closed, this stunning table is supported by...
Brass
French Porcelain Compote Basket
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French oval white and gold pierced Paris Porcelain compote basket tazza bowl in the Empire style, circa late 19th century, France...
Porcelain
1900's Swedish Empire 6 Lights Chandelier with Cobalt Blue Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1900 Swedish Empire chandelier with Cobalt blue glass inset, with 6 lights
Crystal, Brass
2 Antique French Sarregumines Majolica Snake Serpent Mantel Vase Urn 17"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of very large and impressive late 19th century Sarregumines majolica pottery vases - classical urn shape with coiled double headed snake / serpent handles, brown and white multi...
Majolica
$4,645 / set
Empire style Coffee Set Porcelain Darte Frères
By Darte Frères
Located in Paris, FR
Very rare coffee set composed of 5 pièces : 4 cups with their saucer, and 1 sugar bowl. Whole set in porcelain with stripes patterns made of gold. Handles are painted in red, with an Egyptian-style gilt figure on it. Inner part half gilt. Work from the early 19th century period, in the style of Empire or made during it. Signed with red letters stamped "DARTE / FRERES / A PARIS" on the saucer. Darte Frères was a Parisian porcelain...
Porcelain