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
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders.
An object of the highest quality.
Inside compartments a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Gris st. Anne, white Carrara marble, and Ormolu clock. This beautiful clock is supported on a circular white Carrara marble...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets
Classic urns of amphora form
Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy
Ormolu fixtures are origin...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
1920s Scroll Side Bench / Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
1920s scroll side bench / stool, window seat, tall rolled sides, French Empire Style, with gilt wood trim. tufted cushion. French, 20th century
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Muslin, Giltwood
Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and finely detailed pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu armchairs. The armchairs are raised by four square and gently curved legs with Ormolu pawed ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu & Vert De Patricia Marble Buffet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scaled French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble buffet. The four door three drawer buffet is raised by a straight base with...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Swedish 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Polychrome and Giltwood Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable and most elegant Swedish 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, polychrome and giltwood center table. The rectangular table is raised by an elegant H shaped bottom mahogany s...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Bronze Garnitures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze and dore bronze compote/tazas with finely chased details. Can be used to hold a topiary or a thick candle. Base is 7" Top is 11.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mirrored Back Console / Side Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning quality antique French Empire style period console table, dating from around the 1820-1840’s period.
It is of lovely proportions and is beautifully designed. The top is c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
A very fine Gilt & Enameled Bronze Empire style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Empire style chandelier. Gilt and enameled bronze.
France, circa 1910. 4-light
Dimensions: Height 34", diameter 18".
CW3...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Ram's Head Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Six-arm Empire style ram's head chandelier. Solid brass and heavy. Has great patina. In working condition. Will be professionally packed and shipped. Price based on destination.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Style Palatial Torchieres
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Empire style palatial composite torchieres with fluted column over acanthus leaf and urn form details, and rising on paw feet. Continental, second half 20th century.
Dimens...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Composition
Pair of Bronze Empire Style Classical Urns, circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, GB
A pair of bronze Empire style classical urns, circa 1820 on square bases with double handles on each. Grecian Classical subject around the body with a wide rim superb classical design.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier
Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Empire Bronze Ewers in The Manner of Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of empire gilt and patinated bronze ewers in the manner of Claude Galle.
French, Circa 1820.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
19th century French Empire style hall lantern, of pentagonal form with gilt swan mounts to each vertex and three-light suspended fitti...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Bronze D'ore Wall-Lights, circa 1830-1850
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique bronze D'ore French Empire wall-lights, circa 1830-1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Extending Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style beech and knotty walnut extending dining table with a circular top extending with two additional leaves, a plain frieze on turned legs with acorn feet with triple end le...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine silver over bronze hand carved alabaster pendant, France, circa 1930.
Dimensions: Height 39 1/2", diameter 22"
CW3329.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The mirror is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. The original central mirror pl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass four
Located in Berlin, DE
**Set of 6 Available - Vintage Chandeliers from a Baltic Sea Castle**
Here's a unique opportunity to acquire a set of 6 exquisite vintage chandeliers, each originating from a castle...
Category
Early 18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
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
Antique French Ormolu and Milk Glass Empire Fixture
Located in New Orleans, LA
The ormolu swans lend a special grace to this milk glass Empire style fixture. It is medium-sized and would work well in many settings.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Chest of Drawers with Painted Trompe L'Oeil, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Tall French Empire-style commode. The pine wood is painted in a faux-bois trompe l'oeil imitating mahogany. Wood columns on either side are painted a darker color.
The chest is in ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Pair of Antique French Empire Gold and Patinated Bronze Sconces
Located in New Orleans, LA
These patinated sconces are handsome, with their floral and eagle decorations. They make a strong statement while being modestly sized.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Original Antique Empire Library / Shelve / Vitrine, circa 1860-1880 Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Biblithek, circa 1860s-1880s from an Empire room
Mahogany with beautiful empire figures, cast bronze.
Very rare to get today.
3 glass doors, interior with glass shelves, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze and Crystal Basket Chandelier
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and crystal basket chandelier attributed to Baccarat. 15-light
France, circa 1910.
Dimensions: Height 5...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Impressive Royal Early 19th Century German Empire Mirror
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare early 19th century German Empire giltwood trumeau mirror. The large rectangular plate surmounted by a scrolled pediment enriched with wines leaves and a central medallion encl...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Mahogany Bijouterie Curio Table
Located in New York, US
Our exceptional curio table in the French Empire style is crafted from mahogany with engine-turned gilt bronze mounts. Measures: 32 by 23 by 15 inches.
Category
Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Enfilade, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Four-door sideboard with three drawers and dark gray marble top and gilded applications. The headboard protrudes slightly and rests on four smooth columns with gilded bronze bases an...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of early 19th century Maple and Walnut Fluted Columns
Located in Albignasego, IT
Elegant pair of fluted columns.
They rest on a parallelepiped and are veneered in maple and walnut wood.
the two woods with such different colors, light maple and brown walnut, creat...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Pair of Empire Coffers Lucca First Quarter Nineteenth Century
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of walnut-paneled Empire chests of drawers, Lucca first quarter 19th century. Contoured Green Alps marble tops, ebonized under-top band, three drawers on the front, hermetic upr...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful Empire French Commode is made of walnut with a black marble and full columns.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late 19th C. French Overmantel Mirror
Located in Houston, US
This is an impressive classically styled yet restrained overmantel mirror and frame, painted with gilded decorative elements. Fluted pilasters are topped with a classical urn with pe...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in gilt Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewired elect...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in bronze, early 19th Century France, originally candlesticks.
Includes new black lacquer lampshade with gold details, giving the lamp a warm and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
By Palladio
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1960s signed "Palladio" of Italy wall-mounted Carrara marble console table with mirror. Elegant piece sculpted of iron with gold gilded paint.
Fabulous foyer piece.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French Empire mahogany alcove daybed and bed crown hand-crafted in France in the 19th Century. A rare lit de repos made of mahogany most likely from Cuba or the Antilles and fitted with brass and ormolu figurines...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Alabaster Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze and hand carved Alabaster pendant. 4 lights.
Dimensions: Height 39" diameter 29 1/2" France, circa 1930.
CW3174.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
19thC Gilded Wood Framed Beveled Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple rectangular beveled mirror with a bright beaded water-gilt frame.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Tavolino in marmo con intarsi base legno fatta a mano in Italia disponibile
Located in Rimini, IT
Cream marble round dining table or gueridon table
size: diam. 80 cm h. 74
inches 31.50 h. 29.13
This table has been handcrafted by skilled artist using the old technique
of the sca...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible pair of spirited early 19th century French Empire bronze candlesticks celebrating the arts with individually cast and applied painters' palettes with brushes, sculptors' hammers and compasses, writers' books, musicians' harps, drama masks...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
Antique French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Bust Stand Cabinet 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A superb French Empire mahogany and ormolu mounted pedestal cabinet, Circa 1870 in date.
THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THIS PEDESTAL IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Leroy à Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
Mantel clock 19th Century Empire
Le Roy et fils (French, founded 1785)
Le Roy et fils was a prestigious French clock making firm. The company was fou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Circa 1820s Swedish Stripped Wood Empire Classical Style Wall Mirror
Located in London, GB
Wonderfully pale, this Swedish Empire style mirror circa 1820 has been stripped of its gilt, down to its pale soft tones beneath.
The mirrored glass has been replaced and some of its...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Glass, Mirror
Ferdinand Barbedienne Set of Gilt Bronze-Mounted Champleve Onyx Garniture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Ferdinand Barbedienne set of gilt bronze-mounted champleve onyx garniture. It consist of two urns and one large oval vase/jardiniere. The vase...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Set of Ten Ormolu Mounted Classical French Empire Style Dining Chairs
Located in Rochester, NY
A matched set of ten French Empire style chairs with finely detailed brass metal ormolu mounts at backs, legs and feet - the wood frames with aged original old finish . There are tw...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Ralph Lauren Style French Empire Flame Mahogany King Size Bed
By Ralph Lauren
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding French Empire style king size bed
In the manner of Ralph Lauren
Late 20th Century
Gorgeous flame mahogany, with carved details and brass accents.
Measures: 84"W x ...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Eclectic Set, Unique Set of 4 Armchairs Each in Different Design
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the set of 4 Empire armchairs.
Each armchair carries a typical motif of the empire style. Refers to the moment of re-discover of classical o...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A French Empire style marble-top mahogany bedside cabinet (nightstand - end table) with elegant beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1870
Hand-crafted in France in the secon...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
By Old Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, 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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