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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
Period: 19th Century
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Early 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in London, GB
France, c. 1820 An early 19th century Empire mahogany commode with finely chased ormolu mounts, retaining the original marble top. Height 88.50cm Width 130.00cm Depth 57.00cm
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of French Champleve Enamel Bronze Engraved Glass Trumpet Form Vases
Located in Lisbon, PT
A pair of French Champleve enamel gilt bronze mounted engraved glass form vases. Clear trumpet form glass vase, gilt bronze with lion feet at the base. Late 19th century. Champlevé...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Commode Empire, France, vers 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Commode Empire, France, vers 1860. Très bonne condition. Dimensions : hauteur 104 cm / largeur 178 cm / profondeur 59 cm
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th century French Empire Bronze Candlestick Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
pair of late 19th century French empire candlesticks with three lights converted into table lamps
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Small English Rectangular Mahogany and Gilt Wall Mirror, Scandinavian
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rectangular antique wall mirror in Mahogany and gilt inner frame This Scandinavian mirror is on the smaller size, but totally charming with regards to the warmth of the wood and the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Mirror

19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper Frieze Second Empire Era
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper frieze in trompe-l'oeil ribbon on an 8-way roll. About 61 m/0.05 cm. useful. Second Empire era, polychrome printing. ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

24-Karat Gold Leaf Giltwood Empire Beveled Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Spanish 19th century gold leaf giltwood rectangular mirror with beveled glass. Empire style. Made of carved wood, gesso and 24-karat gold leaf finish. It has a nice aged pa...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Pair of Gilt Bronze Candelabra with Putti Empire Period 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
From a luxury villa at Como Lake a stunning pair of early 19th century Empire four-light gilt bronze figural candelabras, of French origin, dating back to circa 1810, measure: 31.50 ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fine 19th Century European Gilt Bronze Ormolu Monstrance Reliquary
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce fine quality neoclassical Empire style vasiform gilt bronze ormolu church religious relic altar monstrance reliquary. Exquisitely hand-crafted in Continental Europe in the second half of the 19th century, most likely French Napoleon III Period (1852-1870), having a fanned cross crest, above winged angel mask, central oval display...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th century French empire revival mahogany armchair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century french empire revival mahogany armchair, circa 1860. Single french armchair made in mahogany. Shaped back linking to the padded armrests and scrolled arms. Front scroll...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 19" X 13", it also has it's pair as well for whom that is interested, … more
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Russian Empire Dressing Table with Mahogany Carvings and Gilt Bronzes
By Andrey Voronikhin
Located in Vienna, AT
The desk body is made of pine and oak with a Karelian birch veneer and the mirrored base is supported by four curved feet, embellished by an entwined patinated bronze snake with a gilt head and tail. The pad feet are supported by ebonized mahogany floor plates. The middle portion consists of five small drawers and a large desk drawer and within a manufactured mahogany interior with seven compartments and eight secret compartments as well as two movable elements, one of which is covered with velvet. The lower drawers have gilt gooseneck fittings. The mirror attachment includes a mechanism for taking the mirror plate vertically out and up to 180 degrees, which can, in turn, be fixed in almost any position. This mirror is flanked by two carved mahogany phoenixes with gilt heads and feet, and on the reverse side there are two more secret compartments in the lower area of the right as well as the left foot of the base. The Poudreuse Secretary is an exceptional example of Russian furniture of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The depiction and symbolic arrangement of the remarkable bronze snakes and the carved phoenix is typical of the style of the important Russian architect Andrey Voronikhin (1759-1814). As well, this Poudreuse Secretary Desk has as well a similar structure to a dressing table made by the celebrated cabinetmaker (ebéniste) Heinrich Gambs...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Empire Bookcase in Walnut
Located in Doylestown, PA
An early 19th century French provincial biblioteque in walnut, with upper case with adjustable shelves and wire-grill doors over a lower pair of paneled cabinet doors, circa 1810.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Wear consistent with age and use
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Italian Empire Rock Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 18th century Italian Empire style rock crystal basket style chandelier with 6 lights. A classic style for a beautiful home!
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal

Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890. The lamp ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810/15
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Empire secretary featuring a two-door lower cabinet, a smooth writing flap, and a top drawer. The piece is adorned with fine inlays depicting stars, lyres, and palmettes, ...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Candelabras
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning pair of period Empire gilt patinated brass and bronze candelabras. Born in France in the early 19th century, fine quality and detailing, elaborately decorated, unique d...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century Paris Porcelain Neoclassical Corbeille or Centrepieces
Located in Essex, MA
19th century pair of gilt and bisque porcelain Empire centrepieces Of Sevres form though Old Paris porcelain Each with three neoclassical female...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category

1790s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Elegant pair of Gilt Candlesticks with Caryatids. French Empire, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of gilded candlesticks with dark patinated caryatids in bronze. French empire, circa 1820. Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Napoleon III Commode, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: French Empire Napoleon III Commode Date/Period: 19th century Dimension: 90cm x 63cm x 120cm Materials: walnut wood and marble Additional information: French. Empire Napoleon I...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Empire Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Decorative Jewelry Box
Located in Firenze, IT
This French Empire 19th century rectangular porcelain dresser box or jewlery decorative casket has a wonderfully patinated powder blue/cerulean light blue background color and features grotesque masks, architectural vase, fruit, flowers and leafy scrolled design throughout painted as a trompe l’oeil in the round. Ormolu mounts enrich the whole box. The paintings on this casket are striking as is the color palette used, a wonderful mix of light purple, cream, blue and soft brown. The lid is centered by a grotesque mask inspired by antiquity. The front, back and sides are profusely decorated with architectural elements, cartouches and volutes. The design is centered by a vase with a fruit arrangement that appear to be plums. The decoration could refer to the allegory of autumn and the mask painted on the lid could refer to Bacchus. Both the color of the porcelain and the paintings are very unusual and a sign of high quality and uniqueness.The box was most probably given to a high-ranking lady as a gift on the occasion of her marriage, or perhaps after the birth of a child. The lidded box is fitted with ormolu mounts, hinges and clasp. A gilt bronze band finelly chiseled in the form of a rope adorns the upper part. The trinket box rests on four gilt bronze lion paw feet. This striking French porcelain box...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Patent Secretaire, France, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Patent secretaire with mahogany veneered frame and columns with bronze capitals and bases.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire gold gilt mantle mirror from the 1800’s. The carved frame has its original gold gilt finish revealing the reddish bole beneath with decorat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Mirror

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

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 the early 20th Century. Newly rewire...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Commode, Nightstand or Sewing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
French Empire. Solid mahogany wood. Gilded and chiselled fittings. Two-wise frame base with protruding rectangular marble slab on square columns, joined by an intermediate compartmen...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 13" X 11"
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Category

1810s Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large 19th Century Continental Neoclassical Between Dresser Vanity Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An extensively filled 19th century ormolu-mounted ebonized wood dresser vanity box fitted with silver gold washed lidded glass gars and sewing tools. The ...
Category

1880s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 19" X 13", Circa 1850s
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA . Rare Exquisite Early 19th century Empire Gueridon with classic...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the pai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Gueridon Table with Bronze Details
Located in Buxton, GB
Add a touch of history to your home with this antique French Gueridon Table Empire Style. The handcrafted piece is beautifully designed with intricate carvings and made of mahogany v...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Late 19th Century French Empire Arrow Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1900's Empire style sconces with two Roman warriors on black backplate.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Silk Damask Pomegranates 102"
Located in Canterbury, GB
An exquisite length of fine quality French Burgundy Red Silk Damask Dating from circa 1820 Woven with large Medici design featuring lovely Pomegranates gorgeous colour of deep ric...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk

19th Century French Mahogany Table Empire style with Louis Philippe four Chairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
IMPORTANT: ON REQUEST WE WILL RE-UPHIDE THE CHAIRS WITH A SUPPLEMENT OF EURO 150 EACH. Reinforced structure of the chairs for daily use. Spring seat. French mahogany dining table...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19thc British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Lantern style Pendant/ Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1890 British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Bag and Tent style Chandelier/ Pendant Ceiling Fixture. I purchased this fixture along with some other beautiful British fixtures from a ...
Category

1890s English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabras Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of 19th-Century French Empire gilded bronze three arm light wall sconces, circa 1850-1870. These beautiful sconces have a lovely gilt patina with foliate and floral d...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Bronze Metal and Crystal Urn, Pair, attributed to Baccarat
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century French artisans knew how to design lasting classical beauty. This extraordinary pair of French urns is proof of the mastery put forth in design and construction. Fro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Circa 1860 Antique French Textile Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1860 Antique French Textile Pillow
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

French Empire Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Blue Glass Liners Return from Egypt
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
French Napoleonic Empire table set "return from Egypt" Made of sterling silver and cobalt blue liners Collectible for it's beauty and hallmarks that were only used during Napoleons E...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Elegant Pair of Empire Appliques in Gilt Bronze from Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An elegant pair of Empire Appliques in gilt bronze. Made in France during the early 19th century. Very beautiful original gilding. Wear consisten...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Large French Empire Coastal Scenic Painted Oval Tole Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire salver or oval metal tray decorated with an outstanding border. The tray features painted medallions and edges and has two hand grips. The painted coastal scene depicts...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

French 1860s Empire Style Walnut Bench with Out-Scrolled Sides and Swan Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut bench from the mid-19th century, with carved swan heads and new upholstery. This French walnut backless bench features an exquisite silhouette, flanked w...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock André Antoine Ravrio Circa 1800 This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene. Stock number: CC59.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 1st Empire Period Dore Bronze Grouping of Lovers, Att. Thomire A Paris
Located in New York, NY
An Exceptional Antique French 1st Empire Period Dore Bronze Grouping of Lovers, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire a Paris. Exceptionally cast, hand-chiseled and further burnished and matted with two-tone gold, this dore bronze grouping of two neoclassical lovers is of the upmost quality and craftsmanship. As Pierre-Philippe Thomire is regarded as one of the greatest bronzier's of the late 18th century and early 19th century, this dore bronze piece could only be made by someone with his artistic talents. The lovers are seen with the man seated on a cushioned bench with tasseled...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Marble-Top French Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Toronto, CA
This 19th century French walnut side table with a lovely patina developed with age. The off white marble top is framed on three side with a brass gallery. The table has one drawer an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Pair of Very Large French 19th Century Gilded Bronze Sconces
By Pierre Bureaux
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very large French 19th Century gilded bronze sconces. Last picture in situ. Empire style, three-branch wall-lights, after a model by Edme Jean Gallien (1720-1797) and Pierre ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Museum Court Empire Armchair circa 1830, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum court Empire armchair circa 1830, mahogany Solid mahogany body. Empire beginning of the 19th century. Armrests, curved volute-shaped, ending in carved dolphins. Rectangular b...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg. The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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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