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Empire Center 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
French Empire Potheau Mahogany and Gilt Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire mahogany & gilt bronze trim round center table on 3 legs with a revolving inset brown leather top and pearl medallions over 6 drawers with a stretcher (stamped: POTHEAU).
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

An Empire Style Table de Salon, with Tiger's Eye Gemstone Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Table de Salon, with Tiger's Eye Gemstone Top. The rectangular top is veneered in Tiger's Eye gemstone in radiating geometric patterns. ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Style Mahogany Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed rectangular center table with winged females, open stretcher, and onyx top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

French Empire Mahogany Winged Griffins End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany end/center table with bronze trim and winged griffins on legs with a green rectangular marble top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

An Exceptional French Empire Period Mahogany Pedestal / Centre Table, Circa 1815
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The original fossilized black marble circular top over a conforming frieze of richly figured crotch mahogany, mounted upon a stunning flame-mahogany tri-corner base accented with thr...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

Hexagonal Center Table with Marquetry Inlay Surface
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century hexagonal shaped center table with Marquetry surface. Marquetry inlay features a knight on horseback with spear, fighting off a medieval animal. Table sits on a turned s...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Wood

French Empire Mahogany and Brass Centre Table
Located in New York, NY
With round red fossil stone top over a frieze raised on three columnar supports with gilt metal capitals and bases headed by brass inlaid diamonds, joined by platform stretchers. Nic...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Brass

Napoleon 111 Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Centre Table
Located in Montreal, QC
This imposing table is based on the celebrated example made for Marshal Murat, subsequently used by Napoleon and now in the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Supported by four draped caryatids, the striking Nero Antico marble above and heavy H frame cross...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Gris St. Anne marble table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most elegant French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Gris St. Anne marble side/center/games table. This wonderful table is raised by Brass casters below t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

Empire Splendid French Saloon Table, Bronze Gilt
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely chased and gilded bronze in wax casting. Three curly legs connected with gutter. Medium with garland-shaped decoration. The legs are in the form of three winged, fully plastic...
Category

20th Century French Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Mahogany Centre Table in the Empire Style
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century French mahogany centre table in the Empire style, having a wonderful decorative segmented top with engraved brass moulding, the ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French mid-19th century Empire style mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble center table, circa 1850. The table is raised by three legs with rectangular support...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Empire Style Eglomise Mirrored Center Table E.J. Victor
Located in Toledo, OH
Empire style eglomise mirrored round center table. Black finish painted leaf details and trim in gold. Distressed mirror top.
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Center Tables

Materials

Mirror

Fine Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mahogany Center Table inthe Manner of Jacob-Desmal
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine Empire style gilt bronze mahogany gueridon or centre table  With a verde antico marble top.  In the manner of Jacob-Desmalter,  circa 1880 Height 31 1/4 Diameter 35 in.   A very fine Empire style gilt bronze-mounted mahogany guéridon after a model by Jacob-Desmalter, the circular verde antico marble top above a mahogany frieze mounted with laurel leaf banding in between rosettes and anthemions, supported of the heads of three finely cast gilt bronze female caryatids, each facing outward with hair in plaits, bare feet and arms crossed, wearing arm bands and a low cut diaphanous dress gathered up toward her breast, the stretcher centred by a chased covered urn flanked by three elegant crouching winged sphinxes wearing Nemes headdresses and plaits tied at the front. The design for this superb guéridon is based on a famous table-console or ‘console double face’ by the celebrated firm of Paris ébénistes Jacob-Desmalter which was itself based on designs by Napoleon’s chief architects and ornamentalistes Charles Percier (1764-1838) and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Mahogany Table de Milieu with a Verde Antico Marble Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany table de Milieu, with a Verde Antico Marble Top, in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter. The rectangular marble top above a frieze...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Tables in Empire Style with Ebonized Inlaid and Gilded "Ram's Foot" Legs
Located in Cesena, FC
Pair of round tables in Empire style with three ebonized "ram's foot" legs with carved and gilded details representing typical elements of the Emp...
Category

1850s Italian Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Plaster, Fruitwood

French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Wood

Spectacular Temple Guardian Antique Empire Style Table Birdseye Maple Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Spectacular Temple Guardian Empire style table Root on solid beechwood. A classical table with three monumental, fully ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Center Tables

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Category

1990s Empire Center Tables

Materials

Stone, Iron

Empire Marble & Mahogany Round Pedestal Table
Located in New York, NY
This 19th Century French Empire round table consists of a black marble top and a mahogany pedestal base. The bronze-mounted mahogany has a rich red-brown tone, while the marble has f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French 19th Century Empire Style Porphyry Marble Top Center Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive good quality 19th Century French Empire influenced Gueridon, having a rare Porphyry marble top, wonderful hand carved gilt wood decoration to the frieze of Oak leav...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Porphyry

Center/Entry Table in Brass and Wood by La Barge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful center or entry table designed and manufactured in the Philippines by La Barge. The table has beautiful carved frame and solid brass accents with a glass top that allows t...
Category

1990s Philippine Empire Center Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

Empire Center Table/desk in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts, White Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Empire table with Egyptian style bronze mounts at all Corners including the sides having white marble with Gray veining throughout. Mahogany apron and legs decorated with bronze d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Russian Baltic Brass Bound Marble Top Empire Style Center Occasional Table
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

1870s Russian Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Fine Late 19th C Empire Bronze Gueridon Center Table with a Micro Mosaic Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 19th century Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze center table with a micro mosaic and marble top with a malachite border. Scenes of Roman architecture in micro mo...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

A Fine French Early 20th Century Gilt-Bronze Center Table Attr. Francois Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French early 20th century Empire style ormolu and figural patinated bronze-mounted amboyna and veined Verde d'Alps marble top "Gueridon" attributed to François Linke (185...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French Empire Style Oval Centre Table An amazing piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Oval Centre Table An amazing piece, the table is made in walnut it is a large Oval, the table top is made with Rosso Levanto Marble and set with a pierced brass g...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

French Empire Center Table, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century Empire Center Table with gilt bronze accents
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

French Empire Center Table, C. 1850
French Empire Center Table, C. 1850
$5,880 Sale Price
30% Off
French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal & Glass Center Table with Ram's Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Category

20th Century Empire Center Tables

Materials

Metal

A Continental early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany Fruitwood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most handsome Continental early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ebonized Fruitwood center table. The wonderful table is raised on Ebonized Fruitwood bun feet belo...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Fruitwood, Mahogany

Antique French Empire Neoclassical Round Marble Top Eagle Carved Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Round Marble Top Eagle Carved Center Table. Item features a round marble top with raised edge, gold gilt eagle heads, lower shelf, ebonized finish,...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Marble Gueridon Table With Turned Wood Column & Brass Paw Feet
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful French 19th Century Marble & Mahogany Gueridon Pedestal Table With Turned Wood Column Over a Tripod Base Terminating With Brass Paw Feet. Would make for an excellent hal...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

French Ormolu Bronze Malachite and White Marble Gueridon Table, circa 1870
Located in Queens, NY
A French Ormolu bronze malachite and white marble Gueridon table, in the Empire style, circa 1870 The circular top supported on three bronze winged female...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Marble Gueridon Table With Turned Wood Column & Brass Paw Feet
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful French 19th Century Marble & Mahogany Gueridon Pedestal Table With Turned Wood Column Over a Tripod Base Terminating With Brass Paw Feet. Would make for an excellent hal...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon Table
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French mahogany gueridon table having circular moulded grey marble top raised on reeded turned tapering column and scrolled leaf-carved tripod base ending on bo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Antique Burl Walnut Center Table with Black Marble Top, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine Empire center table crafted of beautifully patinated burl walnut veneers over secondary woods, the table retains its original black marble top. This was turned to create the dished top with an integral raised rim. Over each of the three columns is a honeysuckle gilded bronze mount, each pillar...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and very elegant Empire table dates back to around 1810-20. It comes from Germany. It was probably made in the northern part of Germany or possibly in Berlin. The table s...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
$6,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Mahogany Table with Inset Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular table with contrasting marquetry of star decoration on the outer rim and then stylized greek key below it with a black fossilized marble top with white highlights. Slig...
Category

20th Century German Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style ‘19th Century’ Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Centre Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th centntury) mahogany and bronze trimmed rectangular centre table with winged females, open stretcher and onyx top.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Walnut Round Leather Top Polychromed Center Table in the Classical Form
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of a walnut polychromed round center table with leather top in a craquelure finish with beaded edge in the classical form, with center round pedestal supported by thre...
Category

20th Century English Empire Center Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Mahogany and Bronze Veneer Middle Table, "Return from Egypt" Style
Located in Paris, FR
Important middle table in the style "Return from Egypt" in mahogany, mahogany veneer and bronze with double patina, from the 19th century. This large table is supported by four uprights claws and lion heads in patinated bronze, connected by a carved and curved strut. The table is adorned with gilt bronze appliques with swans and horns of plenty motifs and opens with six drawers. Two integrated trays extend each side of the table by 50 cm if needed. A glass window covers...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Center/Library Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and ormolu center/library table. The large scale circular table is raised by three most exceptional scrolled ta...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Italian 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Scagliola center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and large scale Italian 19th century Empire st. Flamed Mahogany, Ormolu and Scagliola center table. This very impressive circular table is raised on three squared cabri...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Gilt Centre Table Lacquer Winged Maiden Legs
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a stunning lacquered centre table in the French Empire style Features a large marble top which is smooth and chip free In turn supported by the winged maiden creature...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique French Empire Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Mahogany Center Table Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire bronze mounted marble-top mahogany center table Circa 1880. A very handsome mahogany table with accompanying bronze decorative elements.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Period Dore Bronze Mounted Center Table/Library Table
By Thomas Hope
Located in New York, NY
A marvelous French empire period dore bronze-mounted center table with X-form stretcher on either side, most probably from a Thomas Hope design. This beautifully hand carved center t...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Bronze

Beautifull Gueridon of the End of the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautifull gueridon of the end of the 19th century Very good condition Mesures: 60 cm diameter and 77 cm high.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Wood

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 Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

French Empire Centre Table Burr Walnut circa 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire style burr walnut centre table. Circa 1860 Standing on swept legs with cast gilt Mouldings. This table has 1 x Mahogany lined drawer. The shaped top featuring high ...
Category

1860s Antique Empire Center Tables

Materials

Walnut

Empire center tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire center tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage center 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 center tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 center tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,759 and tops out at $82,590 while the average work can sell for $14,565.

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