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: 20th Century
Antique Wedgwood Jasperware Black and White Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
By Wedgwood
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Antique Black and White Wedgwood Jasperware Urn Table Lamps. Item features porcelain urn form bodies, wooden base, dual sockets, white ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
1920s Caldwell Bronze Medusa Head Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s sconces with medusa head and arrow design. Two lights
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Cannonball Column Form Branch Foot Andirons - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 10" W x 17" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mahogany French Empire Style Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
Attributed to Nordiska, this mahogany sideboard features bronze mounting on marble in a French Empire style.
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$7,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Beautiful pair of 1940's French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Monumental Candelabra in Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bronze, finely engraved and silvered. Chanelled columns with
black patination, as holder for four sweeping candelabra arms.
Measures:
Diameter 33cm,
height 62cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Empire Style Gilt Pedestal Table with Rojo Marble
Located in Houston, TX
Embrace the allure of vintage luxury with the Empire Style Gilt Pedestal Table. Its Rojo Marble top and ivory lacquered finished base portray sophistication, while gilt accents eleva...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet,...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Dutch Fireplace Scuttle Bucket Delft Handle
Located in New York, NY
A small Dutch copper and brass fireplace scuttle bucket with lion head design and blue and white Delft dandle, circa early, 20th century, Holland. Handle is adjustable up/down/side t...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
Vintage brass sunburst mirror 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brass sunburst or flower mirror with convex glass.
This mirror fits in most interiors and is a perfect add-on for a regency style interior.
Good condition.
France - 19...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk
Located in New York, NY
Procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, this desk showcases the timeless craftsmanship of the French Empire period.
Crafted from rich mahogany, this desk features...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Pair of French Empire-Style Sconces With Etched Hurricane Shades
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French empire style gilt bronze wall sconces with neoclassical details having antique etched glass hurricane shades. Circa 1980
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Sterling Silver Empire Style Centerpiece, Italy, 1990
Located in Cagliari, IT
Wonderful oval Empire style centerpiece with foot made in sterling silver by Ilario Pradella for Bellezza Cagliari. New, never used
Pradella Iario, founded in 1920, was the greatest Italian silversmith of the second half of the 20th century, famous for his collaboration with Buccellati. We have had the honor and privilege of collaborating with them for over fifty years until its closure.
With silversmith marks for Pradella Ilario...
Category
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
$5,909 Sale Price
25% Off
Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Cut Glass Dish Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Empire style pendant light with a cast glass dish and bronze decorative frame. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the Waldorf Astoria. This requires three stan...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Console table with round legs made in mahogany wood from 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
Console table or hall table from the 1920s, made of mahogany with round, elegantly turned legs. The table's slim design makes it ideal as a functional piece of furniture in the hall ...
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Superb Maria Theresa Crystal Chandelier
Located in Rome, IT
Magnificent "Maria Theresa" (or Maria Teresa) Empire style traditional crystal chandelier features 24 lights and framework with a golden iron, with glass encased arms and rosettes.
...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$6,685 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Empire Trumpet Arm Tole Metal Shade Nickel Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Trumpet Arm Tole Metal Shade Nickel Bouillotte Desk Lamp. Item features 3 lights/arms, trumpet arms, very rare nickel plated finish, red tole metal shade,...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console. Item features antiqued glass top, shell carved knees, paw feet, distressed finish. Circa Mid 20th Century. Me...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Fine Large Antique Empire Revival Mahogany and Marble Top Circular Center Table
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary antique Empire Revival mahogany center table measures an impressive 70.5" across and 32" tall (179 cm by 81 cm) and features four pairs of gilt Greek caryatid figu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Style Ebonized Cross-Sword Bench with Gilt Highlights
Located in San Francisco, CA
the rectangular upholstered seat above an ebonized wooden frame raised on splayed swords with gilt handles; newer upholstery
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$2,280 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Regency Crystal and Gilt Bronze 12-Light Wedding Cake Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Stunning large French Empire cut crystal and bronze twelve-light chandelier with crystal drops and swags
Measures:
Diameter 26 in/ 66 cm
Height 45 in (32 in+ 13 in/chain) / 115 cm (7...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century French Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century French Crystal Chandelier. Empire style bronze and crystal chandelier with new wiring. 4 lights
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$6,650 / item
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Quartz Swan Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (1940s) gilt bronze and rose quartz table lamps with 3 swans at base (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Large Pair, Empire Style Sconces, 18-Karat Gold Plate, 3 Lights, Black Shaft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Larger pair of Empire Looking style sconces They are of hi-quality lost wax Bronze castings with fine detailing . With polished 18-karat gold plated finish in Antique. Center sha...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Empire Wall Sconces, circa 1950
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Gilded empire style wall sconces in the shape of ribbons cast in solid bronze with inlaid hand painted porcelain decor. Produced in the 1950s. Comes with lime green lamp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$417 / item
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass and Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured in Italy during the 1970’ and left in the warehouse of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,011 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 79cm, diameter 69cm
This very elegant 20th century French...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
1920’s French Empire Chandelier with 3 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s French Empire three lights chandelier with swans and beaded crystals
Category
1920s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
1900 French Empire Sconces With Swams
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1900 French Empire sconces with swan's head
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,400 / set
1930’s French Empire Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930 French empire style three lights sconces with swan heads
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,800 / set
1990s John Widdicomb Neoclassical Double China Cabinet No 5588
Located in Hartville, OH
Spectacular Widdicomb piece. Two independent display cases join together and are capped by a single crown that finishes off the piece brilliantly. Incredible details. The cabinet fea...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch, Cherry
$12,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Gilded Crystal 18 Light French Empire Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Empire style gilded bronze chandelier with 18 lights. This has been newly restored and rewired and is ready to ship. This was retrieved from an estate located in Green...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Parcel Gilt Stools
Located in El Monte, CA
A magnificent pair of Empire-style parcel-gilt stools that exude timeless elegance. Each stool features a carved wooden frame with a cream and gilt finish showcasing the luxuriousnes...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,200 / set
Duncan Phyfe Style Love Seat Settee with Scrolling Arms
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Duncan Phyfe style loveseat settee with scrolling arms and featuring a floral print upholstery and matching side pillows. Infuse your home with timeless sophistication with Hollywood...
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,981 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair of French Brass and Crystal Sconces in the Manner of Maison Jansen
Located in Chicago, IL
These Empire-style sconces showcase a signature element of Maison Jansen lighting: pierced brass encrusted with beaded crystals. This intricate combination of brass and encrusted crystal beads creates a stunning visual effect resembling a glistening, flowing fountain of light.
This meticulous craftsmanship embodies the elegance and sophisticated artistry for which Maison Jansen is famous. Maison Jansen of Paris, a renowned interior design firm...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pedestal Empire Style, Italy 1940s
Located in Catania, IT
1940s Italian pedestal empire style in walnut with alabaster top and bronze medallion depicting two putti on each façade
at the base porcelain plaques, bronze feet and bronze deta...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
$986 Sale Price
54% Off
20th Century antique Empire Style Lion canapé Sofa beech bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style. Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
French Empire Style Crystal and Brass Sconce Wall Light, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable Empire-style sconce features a brass frame draped with crystal glass beading on the top level and three tiers of crystal glass pendants on the bottom.
Two interior ligh...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Brass
French Empire Style Gilt Composition Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Composition Mirror. 42" H x 29" W. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
$1,300 Sale Price
27% 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 ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$3,950 Sale Price
31% Off
Empire Style Swan Chairs attributed to Maitland Smith
Located in Newtown, CT
Vintage Empire Style pair of Swan Chairs. Good condition with fading to the fabric would need reupholstery. Wood has a few chips and losses. Attributed to Maitland Smith
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column
Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases
Also great for the garden
The bronze statue showed not includ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Carved Figural Marble Top Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: Height: 27 in Width: 40 in Depth: 40 in
This vintage French Empire style carved figural marble top coffee table/center table is of the highest quality! If you look at th...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Wonderful French Empire Regency Louis XVI Ormolu Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire / Regency Louis XVI Style Ormolu & Black Patinated Bronze 5 Candelabra Light Chandelier
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx" Ormolu - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx/Lion" Ormolu - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H x 18" W x 20" D x 19.5" Seat height.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique 19th/Early 20th Century Commemorative Bronze Plaque - Gadzarts - 2Y183
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exceptional antique bronze plaque, dating from the 19th century or early 20th century, is a rare and significant piece associated with the ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$276 Sale Price
60% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Two-Light Wall Torchère Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of French empire style gilt-bronze two-light wall torchère sconces. Each elongated gilt-bronze applique with central twin-tassels supporting a pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$5,950 Sale Price / set
63% Off
Large Statuette of an Asian Woman with Peacock Decor - Resin - 2Y91
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Presenting a stunning large statuette of an Asian woman, exquisitely crafted in resin. This piece showcases intricate details, including a peacock, child, and other ornate decoration...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
$422 Sale Price
65% Off
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite and gilt bronze pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 115cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm
This pair of 20th century French pedestals is crafted fro...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Gilded Candelabra with Cherubs and Dolphins
Located in Warsaw, PL
Magnificent Gilt Bronze Candelabra - A Thirteen-Light Masterpiece inspired by Second Empire
This exceptional candelabra, boasting an impressive thirteen elegantly curved arms of li...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany desk with gilt bronze mounts, circa 1890-1910. This desk has very fine quality gilt bronze mounts.
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$3,900 Sale Price
49% Off
20th Century Empire Style Wall Girdle/Wall Light after Antoine-André Ravrio
By André-Antoine Ravrio
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial Empire wall girdle to Antoine-André Ravrio 1759-1814.
Bronze, gilded or partly dark patinated. From acanthus of fullplastic herme / Amor adult with, holding a vase as a car...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Gilt & Patina Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of unusual Antique French Empire style gilt bronze and patinated bronze multi light figural neoclassical chandeliers. Each circular patinated bronze chandelier is embellished with eight gilt bronze neoclassical winged figures of ladies holding flames which represents light and further adorned with neoclassical gilt bronze motifs in relief depicting owls. Finally each chandelier is connected to the top crown...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Bronze Ewers, Late 19th or Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An important pair of Empire style bronze ewers, late 19th or early 20th century.
A pair of Empire style patinated bronze ewers with marble base, late 19th or early 20th century.
H: ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Tall Back Loveseat with Carved Mahogany Base
Located in New York, NY
Empire style tall back loveseat with carved mahogany base and claw feet. Newly upholstered in off-white fabric.
Category
1920s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Maitland Smith Mahogany Game Table
Located in MC Leansville, NC
This Maitland-Smith Mahogany Game Table is where luxury meets leisure in timeless harmony. Crafted with precision and elegance, the table shows a rich mahogany finish complemented by...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Four Doors Cabinets, Armoire or Dry Bar
Located in Firenze, IT
These imposing solid mahogany cabinets with gilt bronze mounts in the style of the Louis XVI French Empire furnished the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel. It has recen...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, 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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