Empire Furniture
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.
1990s Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s American Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
1990s Empire Furniture
Stone, Iron
1990s Unknown Empire Furniture
Metal
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1990s French Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
1990s Empire Furniture
Silver
1990s American Empire Furniture
Bronze, Gold Leaf
1990s North American Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s European Empire Furniture
Silver
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Brass
1990s Empire Furniture
Brass
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
1990s American Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
1990s North American Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s European Empire Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1860s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Silver
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Hardwood
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Furniture
Stone, Metal
20th Century English Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1990s American Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1990s English Empire Furniture
Earthenware
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1990s French Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
1990s American Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s French Empire Furniture
Brass
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1990s French Empire Furniture
Marble
1990s American Empire Furniture
Wood
1990s American Empire Furniture
Crystal
1990s North American Empire Furniture
Bronze
1990s North American Empire Furniture
Bronze