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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.

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 "Bout de canapé" End or Side Table, Massive Mahogany & Marble, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Little table, sellette side or end table in the Empire style. Massive mahogany and marble. The marble was broken and very properly glued. Made circa 1960 Good condition, few ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

French Vintage Oval Marble & Brass Coffee Table-Cocktail Table-Lounge Table-70s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
French Vintage Marble and Brass Coffee Table - Lounge Table - Cocktail Table Emporium Style from the 70s Massive Oval Marble T...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze, Steel

Late Empire Style Coffee Table
Located in Roveredo In Piano, IT
Late Empire style coffee table made in the late 1700s early 1800s. The lines of this furniture are straight, the smooth surface gives to the coffee table static but elegant composu...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

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

Empire Coffee Table French Parquetry Inlay
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French parquetry mahogany coffee table in the Empire style circa 1920 This coffee table stands upon shaped legs with impressive ormolu moun...
Category

1920s Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

Antique Empire Table, Scandinavia, circa 1900s, Restored
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique table in the Empire style from the beginning of the 20th century, around 1900. Made in Scandinavia. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: H. ...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Square Coffee Table Scagliola Top Yellow Marble Base Handmade in Italy by Cupiol
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

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

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

19th Century French Parisian Ebonized Lacquered Coffee Table
Located in Forney, TX
A phenomenal rare Parisian Empire period hand carved later ebony lacquered low table / coffee table converted from a piano stool of the same period, having later added smoky glass mirrored...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mirror, Ebony

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

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. Green beveled marble top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Onyx, Gold Leaf

Antique Swedish Satin Birch Occasional Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A beautiful antique Empire style Swedish table in Satin Birch, dating from the 1900-1920’s period. It is of superb quality and has an absolutely stunning design. It is a lovely si...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Birch

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. Green beveled marble top, eight empire-style legs and walnut finish with ...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Onyx, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

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

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

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 structure hand decorated in walnut f...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Gold Leaf

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

Empire Cocktail Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style cocktail table. The molded-edge rectangular top is beautifully crafted in ribbon mahogany veneer parquetry and stands on bold column legs joined by a network of X-stretc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Oval Empire Style Mirrored Bronze Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Very fine quality French 19 century oval empire style mirrored bronze coffee table The mirrored top plateau is 19 century and the bronze legs have been ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

Original antique Empire Table circa 1860 - 1880 Mahogany veneer bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire table circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. The table stands on 3 feet of each foot 1 empire head cast in bronze. Top condition.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Maison Jansen Gueridon Occasional Table Verre Églomisé Glass Inset Circular Top
Located in Stamford, CT
French Empire style mahogany and parcel-gilt gueridon occasional table, the circular top with verre Églomisé glass inset, atop a single pedestal supported by squared block base. By M...
Category

1940s Argentine Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

Empire Side Table, Ebonized Wood and Brass, Austria, circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant ebonized Empire side table from Vienna, Austria, circa 1815. Black polished (ebonized) maple solid wood. Three elegantly curved legs with finely chased original brass ring.
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

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 r...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

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

Pair of Italian Pietra Doré Specimen Marble Plaques/Tops with Porphyry, Jasper
Located in New York, NY
An early antique pair of Italian pietra doré specimen marble plaques or table tops, Italian Grand Tour, each plaques of exquisite quality with rare types of marbles such as purple an...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

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 (18...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

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

19th Century Danish Empire Mahogany Salon Table
Located in Pasadena, 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

French Empire Style Midcentury Walnut Drinks Table with Ebonized Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut drinks table from the mid 20th century, with ebonized columns and bronze mounts. Created in France during the Midcentu...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

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 Artelegno. 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 $695 and tops out at $74,500 while the average work can sell for $3,489.

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