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.
$3,932Sale Price|32% Off
Antique Empire Console Table with Wood and Marble Top, Circa 1800
Located in IT
Empire console in wood, antique mirror and original gilded bronzes. The top pf the table is in marble. Conservative restoration of the wooden part. Size 60x137 xh90 cm
Marble
Circa 1830 Mahogany Wood Empire Console Table With Marble Top
Located in High Point, NC
Here is a table, its dark mahogany, marble top visible, brass ring the first thing to catch the eye. Originating in France during 1830s, it shows the construction techniques typical ...
Mahogany
19th Century French Console with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Console with Marble Top and bronze accenting
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Server Console Table
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Server Console Table Dimensions : 36.5" Wide X 36" Tall X 16.75" Deep This console was made in France in the late 19th century in the French e...
Mahogany
Empire-style console table with green Alps marble and gold-plated friezes from the 1970s
Located in IT
A 1970s console table in the Empire style. The console is crafted in the Empire style, with an original green Alpine marble top and a wooden frame decorated with gilded ornaments. Th...
Marble
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Paw Feet Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Bronze Ormolu Paw Feet Console Hall Table. Finely cast bronze ormolu, paw feet, gold gilt accents, bronze inlay,...
Marble, Bronze
$11,234Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Italian Empire Consoles Tables with White Marble Top, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Empire mahogany and finely carved gilt-wood consoles tables with the rectangular Carrara white marble top. Timeless elegance for your interior. Measures: Height cm 102 width cm 124, ...
Mahogany
Continental Empire Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Dutch Empire-style (Circa 1840) black lacquer Chinoiserie console table with adjustable mirror on back and bronze heads with black marble top.
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
20th century French Empire Style Marbre and Cherrywood Console Table, 1980s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Elegant Empire-style console table crafted in cherrywood, resting on four turned columns adorned with bronze rings. The top is made of speckled marble, bringing a refined and timele...
Marble
$35,000 / set
Impressive Pair of Northern European Empire Consoles
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Marble tops set on a veneered flame mahogany frieze with finely carved acanthus leaf molding. Supported by a pair of superbly detailed solid mahogany swans flanking a veneered stretc...
Mahogany
French Empire Console Table, Mahogany with Green Marble Top, Gilt Trim
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th-20th century) mahogany console table with a stretcher and gilt bronze trim with a green rectangular marble top.
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Half Round Bracket Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style mahogany half round bracket console table with bronze doré trim and green marble top, 19th century.
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Console Table, Mahogany & Marble, Mirrored Door, 1850
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany & bronze trimmed console table with scroll form sides and a drawer over a mirrored door with a grey marble top.
Marble
French Empire Early 19th Century Walnut Console Tables with Grey Marble Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire period walnut veneered console tables from the early 19th century, with dark grey marble tops, bronze mounts and tw...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular original marble top over a frieze with drawer, all supported by parcel gilt columns joining a shelf, block feet.
Mahogany
pair of 19th century Empire Period Giltwood and Marble consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive pair of Continental 19th century Empire/Restauration Period Giltwood and Fleur de Pêcher marble consoles. This stunning pair of consoles is raised o...
Marble
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Marble Top Console ~ Pier Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Marble Top Console ~ Pier Table is an amazing example of the style that launched a revolution felt around the Western World. Highly talented ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$2,106Sale Price|32% Off
Neoclassical Style Brass and Lacquered Metal Mirror with Cup and Swan Necks.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Empire style mirror is made of brass and lacquered metal with decoration. This is a French work, circa 1940.
Metal, Brass
Empire Console Table, France, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Original Empire console table, France, 1820, mahogany veneer with original brass fittings. The elegant columns with their brass capitals and bases stand on a rectangular base. The ba...
Mahogany
Neoclassical Style Cream Faux Marbre Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully faux painted in a cream marble faux finish, the rectangular top raised on two volute form supports terminating in sunflower heads and enriched with foliate decoration.
Wood
19th Century, Pair of Italian Empire Console
Located in IT
Paire de grandes consoles Empire en bois laqué, Toscane, début du XIXe siècle Dimensions : H 96,5 x L 133 x P 65,5 cm Cette élégante paire de grandes consoles Empire a été réalisée ...
Bronze
Empire style Console Square Column Legs Hand Carved Decoration White Pine Marble
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Console inspired by the Empire style characterised by square column legs with Doric-Corinthian capitals, carved decorations of garlands of leaves and rosettes. Materials In patinate...
Marble
Empire style console leg. Resin. 20th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Figure located on a rectangular base with fine moldings. A claw gives way to an oval shape from which emerge two wings with the tips rolled forward (with some lines of Persian air) a...
Other
Elegant Italian Empire Consoles Tables with White Marble Top, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Empire mahogany and finely carved gilt-wood consoles tables with the rectangular Carrara white marble top. Timeless elegance for your interior. Measures: Height cm 102 width cm 124, ...
Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Wall Consoles with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate two small corners or entry spaces with this elegant pair of wall-mounted consoles, crafted in France circa 1820. Each petite table is composed of a triangular body with a bo...
Marble, Bronze
Walnut and Gray Marble Empire Console, circa 1880
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Walnut and gray marble Empire console, circa 1880. Carved legs with leaf curved design on front legs and reeded legs in back.
Marble
EARLY 19th CENTURY TEARDROP CONSOLLE WITH GOLDEN BRONZE DECORATIONS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant small console table veneered in blond walnut, spirit polished and enriched with two-tone details of carved solid walnut. The console table is also embellished with gilded bro...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Console Table
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A stylish Early C19th Swedish console table, the original Carrara marble top above a giltwood base with carved acanthus and fish scale frieze, raised twin monopodium supports with c...
Marble
Direttorio crescent-shaped console table - late 18th/early 19th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant Venetian console table of Direttorio taste, datable to the late eighteenth-early nineteenth century. Semicircular (half-moon) in shape, the cabinet is distinguished by its so...
Wood
$1,800
Empire Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Empire style console table features golden claw feet, criss-cross back, and inlay top trim. Great for entry way or behind a sofa. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Wood
Austrian Empire Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Austrian console table from the Karl Johan Period in mahogany and a top of black marble. Drawer in frieze. The table is decorated with Swans that are p...
Marble
A pair of French 19th century Mahogany, Ormolu and white Carrara marble consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and white Carrara marble consoles. This wonderful pair of consoles is raised by an impressive and thick bottom Maho...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
$27,910 / item
Special Price Luxury Console Table at Stock for Sale
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Console inspired by the Empire style characterised by square column legs with Doric-Corinthian capitals, carved decorations of garlands of leaves and rosettes. Materials In patinate...
Marble
French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Griotte marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble console. This wonderful freestanding console is raised by a square flame Maho...
Marble, Ormolu
Italian 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Sienna marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately Italian early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Sienna marble console. This handsome demi lune shaped freestanding console is raised by four square tapered Maho...
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Empire Commode, Nightstand or Sewing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
French Empire. Solid mahogany wood. Gilded and chiselled fittings. Two-wise frame base with protruding rectangular marble slab on square columns, joined by an intermediate compartmen...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Consulate Empire Console
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Early 19th Century French Consulate Empire Console with Eagles Gorgeous piece purchased in France Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos. Message us with questions.
Carrara Marble
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Vert Campan Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu and Vert Campan marble console. The solid Mahogany console is raised on a rectangular plinth with a mottled edge on the thr...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome 19th century, Circa. 1880, French Empire style, crouch Mahogany and Satinwood inlaid console. The solid Mahogany paw shaped carved supports are joined by a bottom tier pla...
Mahogany, Satinwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Burl Walnut, Ormolu, and Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scale French 19th century Empire st. burl walnut, ormolu and white Carrara marble console. The console is raised by elegant circular mottled supports below a mos...
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Mirror planter/console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most unique French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Mirror planter/console. This exquisite freestanding elongated demi lune console is raised by on thick f...
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Style Trumeau Wall Mirror with Matching Console Table
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century French Empire style trumeau mirror with matching console table, featuring a decorative mythological "Verre Églomisé" reverse paint...
Bronze
Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood, Ormolu, Mirror and marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most decorative Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood, Ormolu, Mirror and marble console. This stunning freestanding console is raised on four block feet suppo...
Ormolu
Empire Style Marble-Top Nightstand or Console
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Empire style marble-top nightstand or console. One drawer and lower ledge, gilt bronze details and neoclassical columns.
Siena Marble, Bronze
Console and Mirror with Metal Leaf and Bronze Details, 1990s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Console with mirror produced by Lam Lee Group of Dallas, the style refers to the French eclecticism of 1940. Both the console and the mirror are made o...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mirrored Mahogany Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of French 19th century Empire st. mirrored mahogany consoles. Each demi-lune shaped console is raised by two mottled...
Mirror, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Console Table, Birch and ebonised wood
Located in Madrid, EX
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Console Table made of ebonised wood and birch wood, with column legs. This striking console stands out due to ...
Birch
An Italian early 19th century Mahogany, Giltwood and veneered marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and most decorative Northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany, Giltwood and veneered marble console. This stunning cons...
Breccia Marble
Italian early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Giltwood console and mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and most impressive Northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany, Giltwood and Veneered marble console and mirror. This stunning console and its origin...
Marble