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
Recognized Seller Listings
Empire Chandelier Made Around 1810
Located in Stockholm, SE
Gilt bronze chandelier with eight candleholders. Great design with be winged putts holding the urns that in turn holds the candles. Good quality and condition.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 10 French Empire Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 10 French Victorian (late 19th century) mahogany side / dining chairs with shaped open backs, leather seats, and fluted front legs.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Continental Marble and Gilt Eagle Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
Empire Period French Gilt Bronze Six Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Empire period French gilt bronze six light chandelier
French, c. 1810
Height 80cm, diameter 45cm
Made in France around 1810, at the time when the Empire style was in vogue, the chan...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Large Prussian Chandelier After a Design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Berlin
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This large and spectacular German eight-light chandelier is made after the design by the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) in the manufactory of Schwitzky & Mencke...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Restauration Period Ormolu Lyre Mantel Clock with Apollo Mask
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual French Restauration period ormolu mantel clock. The elaborately pierced gilt bronze case in the form of a lyre, with an Apollo mask cresting, on a white marble stepped bas...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror by ‘Alix A Paris’, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style mahogany and Parcel gilt overmantel Mirror by ‘Alix A Paris’.
French, circa 1880.
Stamped 'ALIX A PARIS'.
The mirror has an arched bevelled plate within a moulded and ribbon-tied, berried laurel surround, it is surmounted by a military trophy cresting.
'Georges-François Alix...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Gilt-Bronze Clock Depicting Diana the Huntress. French, c 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire Period gilt bronze clock depicting Diana the huntress.
The dial signed 'Thomas a Paris'.
The white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Breguet hands, the case sur...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique 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
Bras En L'air French Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This bras en l'air, or "arms in the air," French mantel clock demonstrates the neoclassical luxury of the Second Empire style. The focal point of the clock is a large doré bronze mai...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted Empire style mahogany pedestal desk.
French, circa 1870.
This imposing Empire style pedestal desk is mounted with fine gilt bronze Egypt...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair 19th Century Empire Table Lamps
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of 19th Century Empire table lamps with three brass legs, ormolu eagle busts in relief and Corinthian style capitals. The pair sit on triform bases featuring lion paw feet on si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
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
French Restauration Antique Mahogany Cylinder Roll-Top Desk circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE RESTAURATION PERIOD ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED MAHOGANY BUREAU À CYLINDER
France, circa 1830
Item # 403ZGP18C
An exceedingly fine bureau à cylinder from the Restauration period in F...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Set of Eight Empire Style Gondola Dining Chairs
Located in Austin, TX
Set of eight dining chairs from France in the Empire style. This set is made of Cuban flamed mahogany and finished with a lustrous French polish. They are strong and comfortable with...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
French Empire Period Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France made of solid walnut with bronze detailing adorning the detached columns and two dovetailed drawers. There are also two doors that open to interior shelving.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire-Style Marble and Ormolu Vases by Raingo
Located in London, GB
Pair of Empire-style marble and ormolu vases by Raingo
French, Late 19th Century
Height 37cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
This superb pair of vases combines stunning veined grey marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm
This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Pietre Dure And Doré Bronze Box By Tahan
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted by Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan, the esteemed cabinetmaker to Napoléon III, this jewelry box is a remarkable example of 19th-century European artistry. The box, shaped in doré...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu, Wood and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style ormolu, wood and marble pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 83cm, diameter 52cm
This superb pair of French 20th century pedestals celebrates the ver...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 77cm, diameter 100cm
Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
A French Empire Mahogany Gueridon with a Gray Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
The light gray fossilized marble top supported on center column on a tripod base.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier
French, Late 19th Century
Height 32, diameter 42cm
This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases
French, 20th Century
Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm
Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu
A Continental Mahogany Oval Center Table
Located in New York, NY
The oval tilt-top over a bold turned support on scroll-form feet.
Category
1840s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose.
These...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Giltwood
Set of 5 French Empire Mahogany Living Room Set
Located in New York, NY
Set of 5 French Empire-style (19th century) mahogany salon or living room set with bronze trim and red damask upholstery.
Measurements:
2 arms 27½" W 28" D 40½" H
2 sides 22½...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Giltwood Early 19th Century Empire Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine, giltwood Swedish console table, possibly by the Stockholm master cabinet maker Lundelius (1778-1823). The wooden top in faux marble painted, the base plinth is painted black....
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Cast Iron Relief Portrait of King Karl XIV Johan.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine medal plaque in cast-iron of King Karl XIV Johan (1763-1844), empire period.
It is a relief portrait of Karl XIV Johan as a Roman general, with text "Carolus XIV Iohannes Rex Sveciae et Norvegiae" and made by Finspång's foundry. It has a small metal loop attached on the back so that it can hang on a wall.
Finspång's foundry was for about three centuries Sweden's largest cannon foundry, located in Östergötland's northern mountain range, Finspång is mentioned for the first time as a foundry in 1573. A small foundry was built there at the time, which was first run on behalf of the crown, but in 1587 was leased to the Dutchman Wellam De Wijk, who seems to have held it until 1599, when it was passed back to the crown.
in 1641 Louis De Geer...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candlesticks
Located in Stockholm, SE
A decorative pair of empire style candlesticks in gilt bronze and dark green marble. France, end of the 19th century. Nice condition.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marble Fireplaces with Cast Iron Insets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ormolu mounted marble fireplaces with cast iron insets
French, Late 19th Century
Fireplaces: Height 112cm, width 152cm, depth 33cm
Iron inserts: Height 89cm,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble, Iron, Ormolu
Fine 19th century French ormolu mantel clock (pendule) by Leroy a Paris, c. 1825
By LeRoy
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A most beautiful French ornolu mantel clock by Leroy à Paris
A lovely French late Empire/early Charles X mantel clock with an ormolu case, c. 1825. The ormolu brass case depicts a celebration of Science and Learning. It is dominated by a rectangular superstructure containing the movement, flanked by an engine-turned column with a celestial globe on top on the left and an elegant lady reading a book on the right. The superstructure is surmounted by a bookcase and a bust of Socrates...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mahogany Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
French Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany five-piece salon suite
French, Late 19th Century
Sofa: Height 107cm, width 162cm, depth 65cm
Armchair: Height 101cm, width 68cm, depth 6...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Antique “Somno” Column
Located in Austin, TX
Column; “somno” French Empire period originally used as a night stand. This period circular piece sits on a square base and is crafted of bent wood (mahogany) and features a brêche r...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of French Empire Style Brass or Bronze 3 Light Sconces
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-cast and stylish pair of French brass or bronze 3 light wall sconces in the Empire style, each with a central female figure garbed in classical clothing and holding 2 candle b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 painted canvas fitted with a circular enam...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Porphyry Table Top.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish Porphyry top. This type of top was the most expensive one could buy during the early 19th c. It took something like 40 weeks to cut and poli...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry
19th century Empire Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very nice directoire/empire mahogany bookcase from around 1800 or early 19th century. The craftsmanship and quality of this piece is high and above what you normally see. It's maho...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Of French Empire Revival Bronze Two Light Wall Sconce
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Empire Revival wall sconce with a torch like design having two scroll form arms and flame finial top (PRICED AS PAIR )
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Pair of French Consulate Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of French Consolate mahogany (circa 1800) open arm chairs with beige leather seat and square back with an open X design (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights
French, 20th Century
Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm
Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Revival Style Burled Walnut Extension Dining / Center Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Revival-style (19/20th Century) burled walnut circular center / dining extension table which opens to accommodate 4 leaves, resting on a central fluted and tapered colu...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Burl, Wood
Empire Style Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon, French, in the Empire style. This piece has three swan legs on a triangular base supporting the top covered with a veined black marble top (professionally repaired).
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Five-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Style (1880) gilt bronze 5-light chandelier in neo-classic form with sphinx figures, ancient urns, medallion heads and multi-patterned reserves.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Empire Style White Painted Tole 6-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
French Empire-Style (20th Century) distressed white painted tole 6-light chandelier featuring an elaborate urn form base with draped beads, branching out to 6 scroll candelabra.
...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Antique Empire Style Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet, French, in the “return from Egypt” Empire style. After the Egyptian campaign Napoleon asked his “ebenistes“ to incorporate stylistic elements i...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
An Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Commode, Marble Top, French, ca. 1820
Located in Banner Elk, NC
An Empire Commode in figured mahogany with a Belgian black fossilized marble top above a frieze drawer and three uniform drawers flanked by two squared columns, each with ormolu moun...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Empire 9 Light Chandelier, Made circa 1820
Located in Stockholm, SE
A charming Empire-lamp made around 1820. The large bowl is greenpatinated and the patina is untouched and has a very charming look with its irregularities in colour. The arms and oth...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Golden Paris Porcelain Pierced Basket 19th Century circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This elegant Paris Porcelain pierced basket is oval shaped, with lavishly gilded latticework.
The Empire style is timeless, and the latticework of the baskets lends delicacy and light to the design.
The white line across the top of the base accentuates the richness of the gold, adding a touch of intensity to the overall design.
The long rectangular base of the basket harmonizes with its oval shape, creating a pleasing visual balance.
Filled with flowers, this is the perfect centerpiece for a formal dining room table...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Gilded Paris Porcelain Centerpiece w/ Pair Gilded Paris Porcelain Vases
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this elegant three-part group of Paris Porcelain in the Empire style crafted circa 1840.
Dimensions of the basket: 13.75" long x 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall. The basket is 4.75" deep.
Dimensions of the vases: 12.5" tall x 6" across the handles x 4" deep
Condition: Very Good, to Excellent with some touches of gilt invisibly restored on the basket.
Price for the set of three Paris Porcelain pieces: $2,600
The centerpiece is an oval-shaped pierced basket, lavishly gilded with delicate latticework.
The golden Empire style lends an air of grandeur to the design, while the intricate latticework adds a sense of delicacy and allows light to play through. The white line across the top of the base further enhances the richness of the gold, creating a touch of intensity. The long rectangular base harmonizes beautifully with the oval shape, creating a visually balanced composition. With dimensions of 13.75" long x 7.5" wide x 10.75" tall and a depth of 4.75", this basket is perfect as a centerpiece for a formal dining room table...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire-Style Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Gilt and patinated bronze Empire-style wall lights
French, Early 20th century
Height 35cm, width 36cm, depth 20cm
This pair of wall lights or sconces are modeled in the opulent...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Side Chair
Located in London, GB
Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze side chair
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 94cm, width 52cm, depth 52cm
Crafted from mahogany, this unusual side chair...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Empire Style Seven-Light Candelabra
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair of Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze and Rouge Griotte Marble Seven-Light Candelabra.
These palatial sized candelabra date to the First Empire period. As becoming of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Library Jacob Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Large and very unusual French Empire bookcase in beautifully figured mahogany veneer. Four glazed doors (original glass), interior with original shelves (two on each level allow an adjustment for larger...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A superb 19th century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Egyptian style Mantel Clock
This clock was produced in the Fr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Empire Chandelier with Ten Candleholders in great condition. Ca 1820.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unusually large chandelier with a beautiful design. The chains that holds the chandelier are of an interesting shape with grooved pipes and rings. The pressure-turned saucer-like c...
Category
1820s French 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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