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.
Danish Architect’s Drawing Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Architect’s Drawing Cabinet / Plan Chest Danish design, c. 1920 Exceptionally well-crafted drawing cabinet from around 1920, made as a unique piece and originally commissioned for a...
Mahogany, Maple
Neoclassical Coffee Samovar Urn
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical Coffee Samovar Urn. Antique English dark patinated metal urn-form samovar for tea or coffee in the neoclassical taste featuring a classic urn form body with a sphinx kno...
Metal
19th Century Italian Polychrome Queen Headboard in Garnet and Gold
Located in Miami, FL
This versatile and unique polychrome headboard was completely carved and painted by hand in Italy during the 1800’s. The headboard has a stylized garland which transitions seamlessl...
Wood
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Bronze, Steel
Swedish Empire Karl Johan Wood Sofa 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire Karl Johan style sofa dating c. 1830
Upholstery, Wood, Birch
$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
Putti Face Empire Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Restored Crystal Chandelier – Handcrafted Elegance We are offering a unique, fully restored chandelier in excellent condition: Completely restored, including fully renewed wiring Ha...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
Early 19th Century Ormolu Mantel Clock "Portefaix", Paris, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Pendule Portefaix Paris Bronze, enamel Empire around 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 36 x 28 x 11 cm Description: Beautiful, fire-gilded and patinated bronze pendule from the early 19...
Ormolu
Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its impeccable quality and style. Made predominantly from walnut and featuring Empiric s...
Walnut
French Empire Bronze Bouillotte Lamp with Swan Arms, Circa 1880s
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 20th century bronze doré 2 swan arm round base bouillotte table lamp with oval green tole shade.
Bronze
Venetian Glass Lantern Hand Blown
By Balboa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking 1970s Italian Murano glass pendant featuring a richly textured amber glass shade enclosed in a sculptural brass frame. The organic, handblown form displays a mesmerizing p...
Metal
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Abattant with Figural Ormolu 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Empire abattant secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper drawer over drop front desk opening to interior with p...
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Gilt Tole and Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th-century Italian Empire style gilt tole and crystal basket chandelier exudes a touch of elegance and sophistication. The intricate design features a beautiful combination of...
Crystal, 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
Attractive Vintage Vase Kaiser, Pavillon, Germany Porcelain Large Vase
By Kaiser
Located in Bastogne, BE
Attractive vintage vase with handles by Kaiser, Pavillon, Germany. Baluster-shaped vase made of white high quality porcelain with gilding ...
Porcelain
French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A highly rare and remarkably sophisticated French Charles X period luxury desk accessory, measuring 33 cm in height. Designed as an exceptional suspension inkwell (encrier), this pie...
Bronze, Ormolu
Forest Green French Bouillotte Bronze Lamp Rewired
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Bouillotte Bronze Lamp with Forest Green Tole Shade, France, circa late 19th Century. It has been rewired and is ready to use.
Metal, Brass, Bronze
French Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock - Allegory of Astronomy
Located in New York, NY
French Empire period early 19th century ormolu bronze mantel clock depicting Urania, muse of astronomy, in an allegory of astronomy, beside a variety of scientific instruments. 16 b...
Bronze
Sage Green French Empire Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style table lamp in sage green. A round central column is topped with an acanthus pressed brass capital beneath a matching sage green lampshade. The column sits above...
Brass
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Purple Red...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Pair Empire Dore Bronze Winged Putti Candelabras
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Wonderful pair of French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassical four-arm candelabra with finely cast decorated detail. Each lamp features a classical w...
Bronze
$4,500 / set
French empire gilt bronze sconces
Located in Augusta, GA
Nicely cast French empie style sconces with women hong up the arms
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and iron pendant with six candle arms. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bronze, Iron
$12,400Sale Price|29% Off
Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers. This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Bronze
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
$2,520Sale 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
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Wool, Feathers
19th Century Swedish inlaid burr birch oval occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid burr birch oval occasional table circa 1870. Good quality swedish burr birch center table that could be used for multiple purposes around the home. Oval shape w...
Birch
Pair of Napoleonic Empire Style Gondola Chairs with Dolphins
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of carved walnut gondola chairs featuring dolphins. Crafted in the grand Napoleonic French empire taste with a curved crestrail and intricately carved splat centered by...
Fabric, Walnut
$14,935 / set
Att. Moser, Glassware Service (43 pieces), 1950s
By Moser, Saint Louis
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb glassware service composed of 43 pieces featuring glass cutting techniques in the style of Moser’s “Splendid” model, with gold thistle decorations along the rim reminiscent of...
Glass
$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
Pair Russian Dog Head Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, Marble 3 Arm Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Pair of 18th-Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, and Marble Three-Arm Candelabra with Dog’s Heads. Each candelabrum is set on a circular white marble base ...
Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
$2,146Sale Price / item|20% Off
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This an...
Crystal, Brass, Wire
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Antique 16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 29'' X 18''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 16th-century Brussels tapestry pillow. Empire and Traditional Design.
Wool, Feathers
Pair of Danish Late Empire Birch Armchairs With Inlay, 1810-1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of elegant late empire armchairs. Crafted in birch wood with marquetry inlaid on backrest in the form of vases. Fine line inlays on backrest and apron. The tops of the bac...
Birch
18th Century Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Mirror with Flower Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
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
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
Important and Very Rare Pair of Micromosaic, Malachite and Walnut Console Tables
By Antonio Deangelis
Located in London, GB
Important and very rare pair of micromosaic, malachite and walnut console tables Italian & Russian, early 19th century Measures: Height 89cm, width 106.5cm, depth 62cm These exceptionally beautiful antique console...
Malachite, Ormolu
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
HAND CARVED & PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles Please...
Upholstery, Wood
Italian Empire-Style Chandelier in Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1950s Empire-style chandelier crafted in gilt brass and richly adorned with hand-cut Bohemian crystal beads. The piece features a classic basket form with a tapered upper sec...
Crystal, Brass
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. Newly rewired electrici...
Bronze
$2,681
Empire Commode
Located in London, England
Small sized French " Empire " style mahogany commode with marble top and original brass fittings. Circa 1870.
Marble
Antique Empire Two Drawer Worktable or Stand in Flame Mahogany
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique 19th century Empire stand with two drawers in flame mahogany. It features dovetailed drawers with original wood knobs, a finished back and boldly carved legs with acanthus le...
Mahogany
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
Located in IT
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk Measures: cm H 103 x W 52 x closed D 9. Open D 59 cm This particular travel desk was made in France, in the earl...
Wood
Italian Empire Console Table with Gilt Eagle Base and Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Marble, Gold Leaf
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box.
Located in Middleburg, VA
18th Century Brass Mounted and Lacquered “Marriage” Dowry Box. Exquisite Indian craftsmanship made of teak with decorative brass on a patinated red lacquered surface with intricate ...
Brass
$13,600 / set
Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Giltwood
Marble and Brass Round Pedestal Lion Paw Feet Plant Stand
Located in New York, NY
A substantial European round marble and brass pedestal with Lion paw feet base in the Empire style, circa 20th century. Images #5 and 6 show size comparison. Marble top is a combinat...
Marble, Brass
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
Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Three-Light Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has a brass and metal frame hung with chains of crystal glass beads forming a basket...
Metal, Brass
Napoleonic Gilt-Bronze Portrait Medallion Napoleon, by Carlier Fecit, 1804-1806
By Carlier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleonic Gilt-Bronze Portrait Medallion of Napoleon, Signed Carlier Fecit, France, circa 1804–1806 An Empire-period gilt-bronze portrait medallion of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821...
Bronze, Ormolu
Royal Copenhagen, pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks. 1962.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, a pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks in porcelain. 1962. Model 1/15. Marked. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Dimensions: Height 22.5 cm x 7.8 cm.
Porcelain
Italian 1820s Empire Walnut Guéridon Table with Three Drawers and Rams' Heads
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Empire walnut guéridon table from the early 19th century, with three pop-out drawers and gilt rams' heads. Born in Italy during the first quarter of the 19th century, this...
Walnut, Giltwood
French Pair of Petite 19th Century Empire Period Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire period Old Paris Porcelain vases, circa 1810, with painted landscapes and figural scenes on each side. The Classical amphora profile features a gold-banded mo...
Gold
19th Century French Empire Pier Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
A handsome and stately French Empire mirror with gilded hand carved detail.
Mirror, Walnut, Giltwood
Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu