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Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

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
Empire Style Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Empire style gueridon table with black and white marble circular top within a beechwood frame, on baluster-form column support atop an incurved tripod base. Dealer: S138XX
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Marble

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Cherry wood base, with mo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Fruitwood Pedestal Center Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style fruitwood pedestal breakfast table or center table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, late 20th century. Measures: 38.25"W x 3...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany and Mounted Brass Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th century Mahogany, with mounted brass ormolu. Measures: 20" W x 16" D x...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Tea Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Book-matched mahogany in starburst pattern, with gold g...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Ebonized Gueridon, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Cherry wood, with ebonized columns and brass and gold g...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Style Card or Tea Table, Vienna 1880-1900
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique card or tea table dates back to around 1880-1900 and comes from Vienna. It has an elegant mahogany veneer and gorgeous bronze fittings. The small table has a fold out top...
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Christian VIII Empire Oval Pedestal Tea Table in Mahogany, Denmark, circa 1835
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome Christian VIII neoclassical-style tea or breakfast table in mahogany with oval top on foliate-carved baluster-turned column resting on quatre-form pedestal base with carve...
Category

1830s Danish Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire Russia St. Petersburg Mahogany Games Console Table Brass Banding
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant Russian games and console table was made in st Petersburg circa 1810. It has ben crafted out of mahogany and is decorated with fine brass banding.The table is convertibl...
Category

1810s Russian Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Period 19th Century Rosewood Card Table English
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant English mid-19th Century well figured card table of serpentine form having carved decoration. A very good quality table that can be used in any space. The rectangular top wi...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Related Items
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced in walnut and refinished in ebony. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Category

2010s American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
H 29.38 in W 32 in D 32 in
Pair of White Lacquered Mahogany Drink Tables by Baker Furniture
Located in North York, ON
Pair of White Lacquered mahogany drink tables by Baker Furniture. Featuring curved jellyfish design with satin white lacquered finish. Brand new, American, by iconic American manufac...
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2010s American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Twig Occasional Side Table by Bill Sofield for Baker Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous "Twig" side table by Bill Sofield for Baker Furniture, circa 2000s. This super fun occasional accent table has bronze twig li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Metal

Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced and refinished in a medium walnut. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Category

2010s American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
H 29.38 in W 32 in D 32 in
Vintage Baker Furniture French Louis XVI Style Walnut Accent Table Brass Gallery
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Baker Furniture French Louis XVI style side table, circa last quarter 20th century. Made from walnut with crotch veneered top inset around a pierced brass gallery. Large central drawer is dovetailed with brass knocker...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Walnut

Baker Furniture Occasional Table Rosewood Barbara Barry
Located in Toledo, OH
Rosewood occasional table by Baker Furniture for Barbara Barry. High style with chrome leg caps. Very good condition. Dimensions: 30" diameter x 24.5H. Due to CITES, this listing ca...
Category

20th Century North American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Baker French Louis XV Leather Top Painted Card Games Table Circa 1970
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Antique Pair of Tea Tables
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A fine pair of George III Sheraton period mahogany tea tables of a good original color and patina.
Category

1790s English Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Pair of Tea Tables
Antique Pair of Tea Tables
H 29 in W 37 in D 18 in
Empire Style Side Table by Baker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic French Empire revival side table was created in the 1980s-1990s, by the American firm of Baker Furniture. The piece is fabricated in mahogany and burl venee...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Burl

Baker Furniture Two Tier Oval Primavera Mahogany & Gilt Metal Side / Tea Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A stylish contemporary two tier oval table by Baker Furniture in primavera mahogany(blonde mahogany) and gilt metal frame. The table features an extremely heavy, sturdy and gorgeous ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Metal

English Queen Anne Mahogany Dish Top Tea Table, Circa 1740
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Queen Anne mahogany tea table with dish top, carved skirt, shell knee, and terminating on stocking feet. Early 18th Century
Category

18th Century and Earlier British Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Expertly Restored - Finn Juhl Side / End Table for Baker Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finn Juhl side / end table for Baker Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life,...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Wood, Sycamore, Walnut

Previously Available Items
19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon
Located in El Monte, CA
19th century French Empire period Tric Trac Games Table. The top features an inlaid checkerboard with delicate veneered inlays framing each players side. When flipped over, inset gre...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Tea Table with Starburst Top
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Cherry wood, with burled walnut banding on top and stun...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Empire Mahogany Pedestal Tea Table or Center Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire style carved mahogany pedestal tea table or center table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Circa 1980s M...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Baker Furniture Empire Burled Walnut Lazy Susan Drum Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or Neoclassical style drum side table or tea table with unique rotating Lazy Susan interior By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Walnut, with burled walnut ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Baker Furniture Milling Road French Empire Mahogany Tea Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style carved mahogany pedestal tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture "Milling Road" Collection Circa 1990s Measures: 30"W x 30"D x 2...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
A unique card game from around 1870. Very good condition. Origin: Northern Europe Wood: Mahogany Dimensions: Height 60 cm Width 57 cm x 57 cm unfolded 81 cm x 81 cm.
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
H 23.63 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Side Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire or neoclassical style mahogany tea tables or occasional side tables By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Measures: 26" W x 26" D x 27.25" H. ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Tea Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Book-matched mahogany in starburst pattern, with gold g...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style Cherry Wood Tea Table by Hickory Chair Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style two-tier cherrywood and parcel ebonized tea table or occasional side table By Hickory Chair Company USA, circa 1990s Measures: 28" W x 28" D x...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Cherry

Empire Card Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This French Late 19th-Century Empire Card Table has been restored and is made out of solid oak wood covered in Flemish mahogany veneers with a newly waxed patina finish. The top open...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Card Table
Empire Card Table
H 28 in W 36 in D 18 in
Empire Pedestal Table in West Indies Mahogany w/ Oval Top, Denmark, circa 1825
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire salon or tea table in fine West Indies mahogany with oval top on vase-turned and fluted column resting on quatre-form pedestal base with carved lions' paw feet....
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Chessboard Inlaid Squared Small Table
Located in IT
Small squared walnut wood table with one frontal drawer and inlaid chessboard. From Italy from Veneto Region from early 19th century period. Legs are linear and squared with black sq...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Card Tables and Tea Tables

Materials

Walnut

Empire card tables and tea tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire card tables and tea tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage card tables and tea tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire card tables and tea tables made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original card tables and tea tables, popular names associated with this style include and Baker Furniture Company. 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 card tables and tea tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,595 and tops out at $9,792 while the average work can sell for $2,098.

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