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.
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Alabaster
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Fabric, Pine, Paint
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Crystal, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Cane, Beech, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble, Serpentine, Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Spelter
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1910s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood, Burl
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Birch
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 1900s German Antique Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Sapele Wood