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.
French Empire Demilune Console Table, Mahogany, Hand-Carved, 1840-1860
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire demilune console table with a pair of large hand-carved mahogany swans. Good craftsmanship and beautiful stylized sculptural swans wit...
Mahogany
$34,950Sale Price / set|22% Off
Pair of French 19th Century Empire Style Giltwood & Gesso Carved Console Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and rare pair of French 19th century Empire style giltwood carved and ebonized gesso figural console tables with figures of winged lions and f...
Marble
$2,391 / set
H 34.65 in W 48.04 in D 18.31 in
X2 Lovely Bevan Funnell Phoenix Zebrano Wood Demilune Console Tables
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of brand new Bevan Funnell Phoenix Zebrano wood demilune console tables I have two pairs...
Wood
$5,700Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 33 in W 53.5 in D 24.5 in
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted and Gilt Marble-Top Console Tables
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fine pair of 19th century Italian rococo console tables, fine breche marble tops over scalloped sides and molded edge with carved gilt shell in center of aprons, which each have a si...
Marble
$1,587Sale Price|40% Off
H 32.29 in W 18.51 in D 11.03 in
19th Century French Hand Carved and Painted Console in Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
This is a French hand carved walnut console raised on a single leg richly decorated with typical floral elements in Louis XV style. It is carefully hand painted in light beige with g...
Walnut
Pair of Vineyard Demilune Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The Vineyard demilune console table is a stunning piece that brings a touch of nature into your home. Made from pine, it has a natural and rustic look that will instantly warm up any space. The flaky pine finish gives it a one-of-a-kind texture and depth, while the half-round demilune top...
Wood
$1,311Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 14.18 in
French Demilune Hand Painted White Wooden Console with White Marble Top
Located in London, GB
A very pretty French 19th century original hand painted wooden demilune with original marble top. The paintwork is original and has a distressed look but this only adds to the beauty.
Marble
Custom English Walnut Burl Demilune / Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
Custom made for us in England by our talented craftsmen this table features a segmented, bookmatched top with boxwood inlays, a deep apron and tapered legs. A classic look that offer...
Walnut, Boxwood, Olive, Satinwood
Louis XV Style Giltwood Console Table
Located in Pembroke, MA
Louis XV style giltwood console table with white marble top. Elegant carved details include shell and leaf forms, flowers and other Ro...
Marble
19th Century Italian Walnut Demi Lune Console Table
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This console is of a classic design. Made for centuries and perfected by local artisans. The proportions are unusual but work beautifully together. In particular the one piece walnut...
Walnut
Custom English Mahogany Demilune / Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
This inlaid demilune / console features a radial top with satinwood crossbanding and ebony stringing. A central fan medallion of satinwood offers a fitting balance to the outside ban...
Mahogany, Ebony, Olive, Satinwood
Hollywood Regency Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A long Demilune console table in a deep mahogany stain for the entranceway or Hall. The shaped lower tier made in panels is raised on four ...
Wood
Custom English Walnut Demilune / Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
Veneered in the finest walnut burl, this demilune / console has straight-grain crossbanding and inlays of satinwood. The lightly tapered legs are a Classic look, but allow this table...
Walnut, Burl, Satinwood
$5,750
H 29.5 in W 31.25 in D 16.75 in
English 1860s Oak Demilune Table with Drawer, Tapered Legs and Pierced Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English oak demilune console table from the mid-19th century, with tray top, single drawer and tapered legs. Born in England during the third q...
Brass
Sold
H 37.5 in W 63.5 in D 24 in
Antique French Empire Mahogany Ormolu Marble top Demi-Lune Cabinet Commode 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique French Empire flame mahogany, marble top and ormolu mounted demi lune cabinet, circa 1810. The cabinet is fitted with the original mottled black marble top, the demi l...
Marble, Ormolu
Swan Console Table
Located in Savannah, GA
A figural swan demilune console table with marble top, circa 1980s. 40 ½ inches wide by 17 ¼ inches deep by 32 ¼ inches tall
Marble
Sold
H 40 in W 22.25 in D 13.75 in
Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Caryatid Mounted Mahogany Pedestal Table Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce pair of exquisite French Empire style gilt bronze mounted mahogany stands in the manner of important royal ébéniste Jacob-Desmalter (1770–1841; Paris, France). circa 1880 ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Demi Lune Consoles
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Elegant pair of early 19th century Swedish console tables. These tables are of demi lune form, fitting together to give the option of a dining or centre table. The crescent-sh...
Pine, Paint
French Empire Period Demilune Mahogany Console
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
French Empire period demilune mahogany console, the frieze accented with classical gilt mounts, the central turned tapering column with gilt ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 41.74 in W 24.02 in D 12.6 in
Early 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Pair of Demilune Console, 1920s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful early 19th century Mahogany French Empire style pair of demilune console with wooden cariatides and bronze ornaments. Removable Black and white marble top. Mirror in the ...
Marble
Sold
H 26.78 in W 23.63 in L 26.78 in
19th Century Italian Empire Period Giltwood Sphinxes Console Demilune Tables
Located in IT
19th century Italian Empire Period giltwood sphinxes console demilune tables 19th century Italian empire period giltwood sphinxes, set of two. Two wo...
Crystal
Empire Style Demilune Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Neoclassical Empire style demilune marble-top console table, featuring three bronze caryatid mounted tapered legs, and triangular lower tier shelf. In great antique condition with ag...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Painted Demilune Dolphin Consoles with Mirrored Tops
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of demilune consoles, with painted finish showing desirable wear; each having a D-shaped top of aged mirror, conforming foliate-carved apron, raised on pedestal base, decorative...
Mirror, Wood
Empire Style French Console Table
Located in Austin, TX
French Empire style console table made of mahogany and finished with a lustrous ebonized French polish. There are two full front columns with finely cast brass capitals, an elaborate...
Marble, Brass
19th Century Empire Console Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Empire demilune console table, finely decorated with led flowers with Carrara marble top, circa 1820, Sweden.
Carrara Marble
French Marble-Top Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A late 19th century French bookmatched flame mahogany pier console table with white marble top, lion paw feet, and a mirror. Table mounts to the w...
Mirror, Mahogany