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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
Set of Empire Armchairs / Chairs, Maple Wood, Paris, 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Seat group made of maple wood with rosewood intarsia, France, presumably G. Alphonse Jacob, the last of the famous Eben family, probably second quarter of the 19th century. Semi-circ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Maple

1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically stacked. Similar piece can be ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper, Paint

French Empire Brass Art Deco Shell Desk Table Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
1920s Empire French brass table desk lamp Nickel Art Deco shell shade with heavy brass base Brass base. Black cotton wire and plug. Also, available with US/UK plug Weight: 1.00 kg...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Italian Black & Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late-20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height. Larger Italian cachepot...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Tilt-Top Table in Blue Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and beautifully painted tilt-top table from the Swedish Empire period (circa 1810–1820), also known as the Karl Johan era. The table is finished in a beautiful blue paint. T...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Pine

French Empire style Brass Column Lamp with an Eagle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly decorative French empire style lamp likely made in the early 20thC. The polished brass column was likely the stem of a candelabra which was later embellished with an eagle ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Antique Bronze Statue Of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Bilzen, BE
Old bronze statue from the beginning of the 19th century of Napoleon Bonaparte of fine quality. Original aged patina Total height 22 cm, base 8.8 x 8.8 cm, heigth figure 9 cm
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Marble Cassolette Urns French Empire Decorative Vases 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
These are based in the US where we will ship from You are viewing a gorgeous pair of French marble cassolettes urns This highly decorative pair of antiques are circa 1890 Ormolu fixt...
Category

1890s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Book by J. Girardin - "Le Locataire des Demoiselles Rocher", 2Y120
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore a classic piece of literature with this antique book by J. Girardin, titled "Le Locataire des Demoiselles Rocher." Published by Hachette, this novel offers a glimpse into historical storytelling and is a notable addition to any vintage book collection...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Originally an Empire Candelabra from the 1820s converted into a table lamp in the early 20th Century. The lampshade in black ...
Category

1820s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 30" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

1900's Empire Ivory Tan Silk/Satin Upholstered Settee
Located in Louisville, KY
This early 1900's settee is a unique Empire style with simplistic and elegant lines with scrolls and intricately carved claw feet. This piece is done in a beautiful ivory and tan sil...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish. The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair French Miniature Portraits Of Commander Jean-baptiste Raymond De Lacrosse
Located in Bilzen, BE
A Pair of Napoleonic Portrait Miniatures Commander of Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse (1760-1829) Career Joined the French Navy in the 1780sPartic...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Fall Front Desk with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century fall front desk from Kalix, North of Sweden. The overhanging rectangular top abowe a drop down writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with drawers and a central cu...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of 19th Century Empire Candelabra Italian Gilt Bronze Three-Arm Flambeaux
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Candelabri a Tre Fiamme Impero in Bronzo Dorato della prima metà del XIX secolo, di origine italiana, si presentano in buono stato di conservazione con segni di usura nell...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820 A beautiful and elegant pair of bronze table lamps, originally crafted as Empire candlesticks in France ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Capodimonte Porcelain, Bronze and Gold Teapot Late 1800s
Located in Milano, MI
Capodimonte porcelain teapot, bronze and pure gold, made in the late 19th century Ø cm 23 Ø cm 14 h cm 30 Capodimonte porcelain is an excellence of Italian craftsmanship, with a ri...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Danish Empire Sofa, 19th Century, Detailed Woodwork & Striped Fabric
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning Empire-style sofa from the 19th century, featuring exquisite craftsmanship and intricate wood detailing. The frame boasts elegantly rounded armrests, finely carved columns...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Textile, Mahogany

Pair of 19th Century Empire Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of 19th century Empire Lyre back dining chairs Wonderful pair of walnut dining chairs with carved double eagle head and lyre carving. Mea...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Empire Octagonal Drop-Leaf Light Blue Painted Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire octagonal blue painted tilt-top pedestal end table with claw and ball feet with rotating table top. Please note that this table is located in Halmstad, Sweden.  
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Brass And Cut Frosted Glass Pendant Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Brass and frosted glass cut to clear pendant, rewired and ready to hang. New single socket and wire. Original ceiling cap and hardware to hang included. Good overall condition, ready...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Napoleonic Column Table Lamps French Rosewood Gold Gilded Bronze, a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage Napoleonic gold gilded brass and faux rosewood column table lamps With gold/bronze matching lampshades ( new condition ) Style: Empire, Regency, Neo classical, Napoleonic, Vintage, Antique Design: In the manner of Caldwell, Chapman manufacturng company, Stiffel Origin: France, 1980s Description: Vintage Napoleonic style tabl lamps. Made faux rosewood ( patinated metal) and brass Tuscan capitals. The lampshades are handmade and in ew condition. Condition: The lamps are in a good condition,one lamp have minor wear on the back ( see pics) socket E27, 230 volt and max 60w, black wired with switch. The lamps are US compatible but a adapter for plug is required Create the right ambience, good well positioned lighting can make a room! All our lamps are fully working condition, however, we are shipping from Europe...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique French Empire Bergere
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely period French Directoire bergere, restored and upholstered in silk velvet. Lovely armchair with beautiful turned legs and columnar supports at the arms.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century Empire style bench featuring Neoclassical style carved swan frame newly padded and upholstered in a Chanel style chuncky tweed.
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

French Empire Bronze Marble Figural Clock, c. 1830
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Verde Antico Marble Figural Clock, circa 1830, the clock surmounted with seated figures of Apollo and Diana, each holding a torch, the clock w...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Swedish 19th century inlaid empire revival birch side table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid empire revival birch work table circa 1880. Rectangular top surface veneered in birch and decorated with a inlaid border. Single lockable drawer fitted with pine...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Mirrored Top & Mahogany Wood Sideboard/Credenza By Dessin Fournir
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exquisite sideboard, crafted by the renowned Dessin Fournir company in the mid-20th century, exemplifies superb craftsmanship and elegant design. Constructed from beautifully gr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Napoleonic Porcelain Soup Plates Set of 10 by Nast w/ French Imperial Decoration
By Nast
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of ten beautiful French porcelain soup plates was made by Nast, the Parisian factory renowned for producing porcelain for Napoleon and his imperial court. During the Napole...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830. solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with lace up padding. very com...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...
Category

1810s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer under the marble top. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique 19th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow - 19'' X 19''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 19th century French Aubusson tapestry pillow. 19'' x 19'' x 6''.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Empire Library, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large library with five glazed doors flanked by columns in the upper section and three double doors in the lower section. The fronts of the doors as well as the pilaster strips, the ...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candelabras, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candelabras originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire furniture, each candlestick rests on a tiered, triform bronze base of gilt foliate scrollwork surrounding a central baluster post. From each base, a sleek stone stem of polished black slate rises to support the cast bronze top of three curved arms and four candle dishes, embellished with further gilt elements and bobèches, or drip pans. A gorgeous example of French opulence...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Slate, Bronze

Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding pair of period Empire bronze-mounted beds in overall very good condition. The figural end column forms feature well cast busts and feet, and there are wreaths, Angels,...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frames
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Europe, a pair of impressive rectangular antique wooden frames in silver gilt leaf with great patina. This set would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf

Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix Bronze Sculpture After Antonio Canova
Located in New York, NY
Finely modeled and cast antique (19th century) patinated bronze sculpture depicting Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix after the original model by the Italian master, Antonio Canova....
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table with Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of mahogany wood, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columnar supports embellished with decorative bronze mounted rings at the...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Empire Inspired Walnut Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charmingly patinated solid walnut buffet, exhibiting French Empire flair tempered by Louis Philippe, circa 1860. The simple plank top is held with visible tongue & groove joinery,...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

A Pair French 1st Empire Period Ormolu & Verde Antico Marble Figural Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fine and Unusual Pair of French 1st Empire Period Doré Bronze and Verde Antico Marble Figural Neoclassical Five-Arm Candelabra. Each candelabrum features a tall central shaft issui...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Giltwood Bed Corona
Located in Essex, MA
With acorn and oak leaf crest and scrolled swans. Probably used over a bed.
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Other

ebonized 19th Century Mahogany Round Center Empire Table with Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1840s mahogany empire center table has a new, professionally applied ebonised finish. Gray and white streaked round marble top with a brass trimmed trefoi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Fabulous Demi-Lune Console, Jardiniere, Mirror available, 1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful demi-lune console, usable as jardiniere, made around 1810 in Austria, an original of the Empire era. This wonderful wall console has a faceted mirror in the lower area. Th...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Sheet Metal

19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier 19th Century Height: 34 inches Diameter: 22.5 inches Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Empire style bronze chandelier with Royal Eagle heads and flame. This chandelier
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice 6 arms Empire style chandelier is made of chiseled bronze with Royal Eagle heads around a center flame. This is a French work. Circa 1900
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Ottoman Silver-Inlaid "Jambiya" Dagger with Sheath
Located in Middleburg, VA
An elegant 19th-century Ottoman Jambiya, richly decorated with intricate silver inlay and highlighted with the deep black sheen of traditional niello work. Both the sheath and the fo...
Category

Mid-17th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver, Metal

Ansiaux Antoine - Attributed To, (1764-1840) Drawing, Portrait Of A Young Woman
Located in Bilzen, BE
Antoine ANSIAUX is an artist born in Belgium in 1764 and died in 1840. Drawing on paper, unsigned (attributed to) around 1810 Framed in a recent frame Frame 37 x 38 cm, drawing 17 x ...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century Empire French Chest of Drawers with marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Chest od Drawers with white marble on top, France, Ca. 1830 Spectacular Commode with original white marble on top and original empire legs. Front of d...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Italian Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers / Dresser With Marble
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire commode / chest of drawers hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The commode features three inset drawers with beautiful hand-made dovetail joints and wood grain...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Bronze Figural Swan Chandelier
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs. Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Style Console Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany console table with a marble top, circa 1900. With a rectangular grey and white marble top with slightly rounded front corners, a frieze drawer with a we...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Unbeatable age and patina on this black painted and gilt on oval tray. The tray features leaves in an oval pattern. As found in Sweden, we see this metal tray functioning on a coffee...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terra...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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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