Empire Coffee and Cocktail 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
Black Marble Coffee Table with metal and Brass Base Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Coffee Table, Black Marble Top, Metal Base, Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Black Slate coffee table top with scagliola art inlays , whrought metal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Slate, Wrought Iron
Square Coffee Table Scagliola Art Top wooden base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Hand painted wooden central base formed by 4curved elements, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Tavolino Quadrato Intarsio Scagliola, Base Marmo Giallo, Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Royal Yellow marble base.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Black Marble Coffee Table with metal and Brass Base Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Coffee Table, Black Marble Top, Metal Base, Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Black Slate coffee table top with scagliola art inlays , whrought metal ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Slate, Wrought Iron
Pair of Gilded Wrought Iron Empire Coffee Tables
Located in Miami, FL
This rare 1920's French Empire swan coffee tables are made of wrought iron with gilded accents. Very heavy and sturdy with two tier glass tops. Good vintage condition with normal cos...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Iron
French Empire Style Round Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame features cast tapering legs adorned wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Quartz, Brass
Mid-Century Empire Style Pacel Gilt and Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive mid-century Empire Style parcel gilt and carved Mahogany coffee / cocktail Table.
Measures 46" in width, 27.75" in depth and standing 17.5" tall.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Baker Furniture French Empire Inlaid Cherry and Burl Wood Coffee Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or neoclassical style coffee or cocktail table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Inlaid cherry wood top, with burl wood banding, ebonized co...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Cocktail Table Speckled by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical round coffee or cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The table is made in the French Napoleonic empire style featuring bronze mounted ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Bronze
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table. Item features beveled glass, inset top, 6 saber legs, 2 tier band...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Empire Style Coffee Table Lacquer Speckled by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical French empire style coffee cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The oval table features a two-tier design with dramatic eagle's head l...
Category
20th Century Mexican Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
Located in London, GB
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
French, Early 20th Century
Height 52cm, width 123cm, depth 63cm
Exemplifying all that is grand and regal about the fan...
Category
20th Century French Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
1930s French Brass and Marble Top Coffee or Side Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1930s French Empire solid brass and Carrara marble top cocktail or side table.
An elegant table with delicate floral motifs throughout and graceful cabriole legs. The inset ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Square Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top and Walnut Finish by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Afghan Green Onyx top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with gol...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Empire Style Cocktail Table with Italian Portoro Marble
Located in Miami, FL
Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Empire Style Cocktail Table with Italian Portoro Marble
Offered for sale is an elegant Baker, Knapp & Tubbs Empire-style coffee table. The table is created wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique French Brass Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique French brass marble top coffee table, dating from around the 1930’s.
This is of exceptional quality, the solid brass frame is beautifully designed with intricate ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble
Square Coffee Table with Emperador Dark Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy the real Made in Italy luxury life style with this hand-decorated square coffee table. Emperador Dark marble top, solid empire-style wooden...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
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 Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Danish Empire Mahogany Salon Table
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th century Empire mahogany salon table, featuring a pair of drop leaves and delicate inlay design of a vase as the focal point with foliage designs mirroring each other on both s...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Oval Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans knowledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent oval c...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Square Coffee Table Scagliola Art Top wooden base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Hand painted wooden central base formed by 4curved elements, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
Oval Figured Coffee Table in Ivory Finishing and Gold Leaf Details by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
When deciding how to express charme and magnificence, one has many alternatives among which to choose. Modenese Luxury Interiors suggests you the answer with this oval figured coffee...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf
Rectangular Coffee Table with Green Onyx Top by Modenese Luxury
Located in PADOVA, Italy
A decorative complementary item that will make the difference, this square coffee table is not for everyone. Afghan Green Onyx top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with gol...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Gold Leaf
Tavolino in marmo Bianco Intarsiato e Base Ferro Battuto Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino da salotto realizzato con la tecnica decorativa dell' intarsio in scagliola su piano in marmo bianco Carrara, che appoggia su di un basamento in ferro battuto decorato in fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
Tavolino Quadrato Intarsio Scagliola, Base Marmo Giallo, Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Royal Yellow marble base.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
French Empire Neoclassical Cornucopia Base Round Pink Marble Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Marble Top Coffee Table. Item features a triple cornucopia carved wood base, pink round marble-top, off white original painted finish and rol...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble
Square French Empire Brass Swans and Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
French Empire style coffee table with inset beveled glass top on metal base with swans.
Category
20th Century French Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal
Green Marble Top Fluted Wood Corinthian Column Pedestal Base Round Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
42" round green marble-top fluted Corinthian column coffee table. Item features a substantial green marble top with very attractive "wave" pattern veins. The marble top rests on a ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble
Restored Empire Small Table, Mahogany, Cherry Wood, Lacquer, France, 1840s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant round classicist table comes from France from the mid-19th century. It is made of a combination of cherry and mahogany veneer with inlay and has brass fittings. The tabl...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer, Wood, Cherry
Baker Furniture Empire Burl and Cherry Wood Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or neoclassical style coffee table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string inlay.
Measures: 38" W x...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Cherry, Satinwood, Burl
1950-1970 Bronze Coffee Table with Swans and Its Six Pieces of Sofas Signed GAD
By Artelegno
Located in Paris, FR
Coffee table with two-level, swan decorated with glass shelves, the structure is made of bronze or patinated brass, feet are eagle claws clasping a ball in the Chippendale style, its...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
Round Coffee Table with Azul Marble Top and Luxury Gold Leaf by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Modenese artisans kwoledge of gold leaf applications goes beyond imagination. The true essence of their work is shown through this magnificent round coffee table, that catches the ey...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Northern European Empire games table. Flamed mahogany top opens to reveal felt lined game surface. Brass mounts embellish a neoclassic sensibility.
Category
1840s Baltic Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Inlaid empire side table circa 1800
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Inlaid empire side table circa 1800 professionally stained and repolished.
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Empire coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire coffee and cocktail tables 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 coffee and cocktail tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire coffee and cocktail tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original coffee and cocktail tables, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Baker Furniture Company, Cupioli made in Italy, and Ira Yeager. 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 coffee and cocktail tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $556 and tops out at $74,500 while the average work can sell for $4,034.