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.
10
1,206
to
145
734
444
1,206
1,206
1,206
172,658
34,815
26,680
20,578
9,848
7,967
5,353
5,087
3,605
3,184
3,019
2,382
2,350
1,915
1,482
1,438
1,206
1,013
275
2,888
1,206
257
465
288
193
118
21
81
54
34
50
47
47
33
19
747
396
391
279
220
837
527
119
109
98
24
15
8
7
7
Style: Empire
Period: 20th Century
French Empire Style Glass and Bronze Two-Light Pendant Chandelier, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style glass and bronze two-light Pendant Chandelier, circa the 1950s.
This absolutely adorable Empire-style chandelier features a bronze frame with two arrows and two b...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Matched Pair of Empire Mahogany Pedestal Cupboards with Green Marble Tops
Located in London, GB
A matched pair of Empire mahogany pedestal cupboards of cylindrical form, both with green marble tops, and two shelves to the interior. One wi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early French Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Chandelier, 3 Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Empire Style early round Bronze and Crystal Chandelier with 3 Light-sockets in the center.
Wired for the US and takes 3 candelabra light bulbs max. 60 watts.
In original vintage c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier.
Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fabulous Antique French Empire Twelve-Arm Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant fancy French mpire chandelier dripping with crystals and having 12 arms, 40 watt each.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Large Reclaimed ‘King’ Wall Hanging Sign
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large reclaimed ‘King’ wall hanging sign dating to the early 20th century. Bold and stylish cast bronze letters are mounted onto a smooth mahogany boa...
Category
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Large Empire Style Classical Silver Chandelier Eight-Light Pendant, 1920
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
Elegant and fine classical Empire-style eight-light chandelier with original shades, France, circa 1920. The beautiful large chandelier with foliage motif on the arms and all-over lo...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
French Basket Shaped Crystal Chandelier with Accents of Amethyst Color Crystals
Located in Atlanta, GA
This petite French crystal chandelier from the mid 20th century features a lovely basket shape. Reminiscent of the Empire taste, the c...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Pair of French Empire Style 1940s Ebonized Side Tables with Marble Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style ebonized side tables from the mid 20th century, with marble tops and gilded accents. Created in France during the first half of the 20th century, each o...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Chandelier Empire 6 Arm Brass Gold Finish
Located in New York, NY
20th Century corridor chandeliers from the Towers of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Ave. 6 arms branching out from the central dish light. Brass details. Waldorf Astoria auth...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
20th Century Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Wood Pedestal Plant Stands, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Late 20th century French Empire neoclassical style mahogany wood pedestal plant stands - a pair. Item features solid wood construction, beaut...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Style 8 Arm Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style eight-arm chandelier with crest fleur-de-lis design. Cleaned and rewired. This chandelier and it's sisters hung in the corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Fairfax, VA
This magnificent crystal and bronze doré chandelier with four swans holding double candle light and graduate hand polished crystal chain.
Minimum height fully installed 42".
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Bronze and Crystal Empire Style Pendant Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive Empire style bronze and crystal pendant chandelier with graduated square crystals beads and gilt bronze hardware. Newly rewired. France, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Early 20th Century French Bronze Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
These early 20th-century French candle sconces are a stunning example of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Featuring beautiful gold twelve-point star backplates and patinated bron...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire round French Table
Located in Austin, TX
Library table in the French Empire style. This piece is made of solid ash and burled ash. Four curved legs are connected with an x-stretcher. Each leg boasts a bronze lion's paw foot...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fench 1920's Bronze Empire Wall Sconces, 3 Available
Located in Fairfax, VA
Three arm bronze and black lacquer on bronze wall sconces.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Price per item 3 available.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Exquisite Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstands
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstand Chests With Mounted Gilt
Provenance: From an Establishment on Belgrave Square London see images7
Known to be ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant Daybed Beautifully Carved and Covered With Versace Fabric, Versace Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant Empire revival daybed beautifully hand carved with gold leaf swans
heads, brass details and covered with a Gianni Versace silk.
Part of G.Versace furniture collection...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italy Post-Modern Sky Blue Porcelain Brass Chandelier 6 Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous 6 lights Chandelier in sky-blue color, is one of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in stock unt...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Mahogany Dining Room / Center Table with Gilt Highlights
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire Style mahogany round dining room table with gilt highlights, circa 1900. With a round top that opens (No Leaves) gilt decoration on edge of table top, a round central ...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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, lion heads, very unique item. Circa Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique Large Silver Frame by Russian Manufactory Grachev early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Simple and strict shape large photo/picture frame of medium. Presumably the frame was made by Factory of the Grachev brothers (see marks “Br. Grachev”) at the beginning of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mid Century Bronze Casing Embossed Bataille Scene
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible Mid Century bronze representation casing scene of the Balawat gate, which hails from Balawat (also known as Imgur-Enlil) in northern Mesopotamia, Iraq, and dates back to t...
Category
1960s Croatian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Fine French Empire Giltwood Armchairs In Apple Green Silk
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire style armchairs, carved and water gilded with burnishing. Upholstered in apple green silk with rope piping and horsehair.
These chairs and the matching ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Impressive Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier in the Empire style, featuring four patinated bronze eagle figures.
France, circa 1900. 10 lights.
Dimensions: Heig...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Italian Marble and Gold Gilt Bronze Corinthian Column Table Lamps a pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage High end Italian green marble and gold gilded bronze corinthian column table lamps
Style: Napoleonic, Empire, Regency, Neoclassical, Antique, Vintage, classic table lamps
Des...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Gold Plate, Bronze
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal
By Fabergé
Located in Milano, MI
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal. The set includes a new Faberge, two vodka glasses, a caviar bowl and a bottle. It includes a box.
Egg - Ø 15 cm h 25 cm
Fabergé refers to the renowned House of Fabergé, a company of Russian jewelers and craftsmen known for creating intricate and luxurious Fabergé eggs. The company was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, and subsequently continued by his son, Peter Carl Fabergé.
Fabergé eggs are perhaps the Maison's most iconic and celebrated creations. These were decorated and jeweled eggs...
Category
1940s Russian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Hanging Chandelier Pendant
Located in New York, NY
20th Century Empire style chandelier pendant with cast glass dish and bronze details. These elegant lights graced many of the main corridors of the NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel
Pair of French Empire Style Burlwood Guéridon Tables
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of mid-century French Empire style side tables, having a round burlwood tabletop, over a single drawer, rising on columnar supports, shaped stretcher, ending in turned feet.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Burl
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Weiningen, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
Baccarat Crystal Champagne Flutes Set of 6
By Baccarat
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A wonderful vintage set of 6/eight tall Harcourt 1841 Champagne flutes by Baccarat, France. Marked Baccarat, France in the bottom. No chipping or damage.
Pure, powerful and elegant ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand. Item features a revolving top, nice slender form, good antique item. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements:...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Small Gilt Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Decorative Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Empire style Chandelier. 6 lights. France, circa 1920.
Dimensions: Height 25" Diameter 16"
CW5549
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique French Empire style cheval mirror with claw feet and figural bronze accents, circa 1900. Repairs at one joint; some minor speckling to mirror glass. Dimensions: 65.5"H x 41"W...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Sterling Silver Entrre Dish Empire Style
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant Empire style sterling silver vegetable dish.
The shape is rectangular with rounded corners.
A border has been welded onto the lower and upper parts, created with the Empire s...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Antique Walnut Empire Tulip Fauteuils or Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This set of two elegant Empire arm chairs stand out for their classic simple design and the beautifully shaped front legs. These comfortable and stylish chairs feature a wealth of fi...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Style Planters
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt and patinated bronze Empire style planters
French, 20th Century
Height 50cm, width 62cm, depth 31cm
The planters, crafted in France, showcase the Egyptian-inspir...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Czech Crystal Tent & Bag Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Bohemian Tent and Bag, or Sack of Pearls chandelier made of hundreds of crystal strands. This one is particularly special with a skirt of spear-shaped leaded crystals and beaded g...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Open letters by C. villain
By Jean Garnier
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Open letters by C. villain
Origin France Circa 1915
Empire style patinated bronze
Soldier motif
Excellent condition signed on the side
FRENCH, 1853-1910
Jean Garnier was born in Mou...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Maitland Smith French Empire Iron Bronze Figural Maiden Plant Stand Jardinière
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive cauldron or planter by Maitland-Smith, circa 1990s. Made from iron and bronze in French Empire styling. Features a tessellated marble plater or bowl over a figured scro...
Category
1990s 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
Danish mid 20th century burr walnut desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 20th century burr walnut desk circa 1950.
We are please to offer this desk which is of the highest quality.
Stunning top with a single veneer covering the whole writing ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early 20th Century empire revival painted scandinavian day bed
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century empire revival painted scandinavian day bed circa 1900.
Grand sized swedish day bed featuring scrolled end supports. Pine frame has been later painted white, sta...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Pine, Paint
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Style Mahogany 4 Section Stacking Barrister Bookcase. Item features carved paw feet, 4 glass doors, stacking form, very nice antique bookcase. Top 2 sections ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Dessin Fournir French Empire Style Mahogany Ebonized Gold Leaf Romney Side Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Dessin Fournir Romney Side Table, circa late 20th Century. Drawing inspiration from Louis XVI, Neoclassicism and Empire styling. Features an oval top made from mahogany with 22k gold...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Mid-Century French Empire-Style Brass Candle Sconces, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of 1950s French Empire-style brass two-candle sconces.
Finely detailed throughout. Cast form features a flaming torch motif embellished with an acanthus wreath and rippling r...
Category
1950s British Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Marge Carson French Empire Regency Style Gold Upholstered Library Arm Chair
By Marge Carson
Located in Dayton, OH
French Empire style arm chair by Marge Carson. Features a mahogany finished and distressed frame with an intriguing brown / gold foliate upholstered seat and back. Crest rail is cont...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Grand Dining Room Table Set
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite furniture piece set from an estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. The set includes a table with four leaves and a total of twelve chairs, eight armless and four with arms. The chairs, crafted from medium-tone wood with lattice backs, showcase a sophisticated brown and tan checkered seating...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chandelier Vintage Crystal Brass Pendant Lighting With 3 Light Points, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Adorable Crystal Chandelier with Brass Frame, for 3 light points.
Richly Decorated chandelier with decorative elements and pendants made of transparent crystal.
One of the main ad...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Elegant pair of French turn of the century woos sconces ( Empire style )
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of French wood sconces, Empire style, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Brass Firewood Log Holder
Located in New York, NY
A brass firewood log holder with paw feet and adjustable handle, circa mid-20th century. Dimensions: 21" x 12.75" x 9 Height (or 16" to top of handle.)
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Tent & Basket Chandelier, France, Circa:1910
Located in Alexandria, VA
This armless tent-and-basket chandelier was hand crafted in the Empire style in Paris in the early days of electrified light fixtures. Inside the bronze frame, hidden by the tent of ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Bronze Travel Clock, late 19th Century or Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire style bronze travel clock, late 19th century or early 20th century.
Empire style bronze travel clock with double patina, late 19th or early 20th century, (movement to be revi...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
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 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Flower Button
Black Lacquered China Cabinet
Black Lacquer China Cabinet
Antique Wooden Lock
Brass Shelf Display
Brass Display Shelf
Campaign Style Cabinet
Vintage Receipt
Black Glass Display Case
Burled Walnut Cabinets
Wooden Display Case
Zenith Used
Charms Golden
Vintage 90S Patterns
Wooden Cabinet Pulls
Vintage Glass Panel Doors
Vintage Glass Panel Door
Black Gold Rug