Empire Desks and Writing 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
Empire Writing Table, probably Vienna around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Small Empire work table with partly gold-patinated, curved caryatid legs and walnut veneered body. The table is inlaid with wonderful fire-shaded floral bands decorated with ink pain...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Leather Top French 19th Century Writing Table
Located in London, England
Empire style bureau plat with aged leather inset top. Solid Mahogany frame which has been refinished and brass mounts on the legs. Circa 1870.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Gentleman's Desk
Located in New York, NY
Procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, this desk showcases the timeless craftsmanship of the French Empire period.
Crafted from rich mahogany, this desk features...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Empire Mahogany Desk With Hunter Green Leather Top, Circa 1930
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Empire mahogany desk with tooled hunter green leather top. The desk with bronze banding and trim, bronze finely fluted corner medallions, fluted and tapering legs with bronze caps an...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Danish mid 20th century burr walnut desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 20th century burr walnut desk circa 1950.
We are please to offer this desk which is of the highest quality.
Stunning top with a single veneer covering the whole writing ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Empire Desk, France 1830
Located in Leimen, DE
This Empire desk dates back to around 1820-30 and was made in Northern Germany. The spacious desk has a total of five drawers and pull out shelf. The elegant design has the typical c...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted writing desk, leather top circa 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted writing desk with leather top, circa 1940.
Category
1940s Argentine Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Writing Desk with Embossed Leather Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant dual-sided 1880s French Empire style pedestal leg desk featuring the original rectangular gold embossed green leather top in good condition. Top sits on turned trestle legs w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Large Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat or Writing Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
A large Empire style mahogany bureau plat or writing desk with a dark green leather writing surface above a central long drawer, flanked to each side by a short drawer. The square ta...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table / Desk
Located in Houston, TX
This 19th Century Empire Style Gold Leaf Library Table/Desk is a truly exquisite piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted in the opulent Empire st...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
Located in IT
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
Measures: cm H 103 x W 52 x closed D 9. Open D 59 cm
This particular travel desk was made in France, in the earl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Classic French 18th Century Empire Walnut Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Found near Paris, France, we purchased this museum quality 18th century Empire style desk for its impeccable quality and style. Made predominantly from walnut and featuring Empiric s...
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Desk, Carved, Empire, Tooled Leather Top, Elegant, 19th C., 1800's!!
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant Antique Desk, Carved, Empire, Tooled Leather Top, 19th C., 1800's!!
19th Century Empire Caved Desk With Tooled Leather Top, Height: 28 in. by Width: 52 in. by Depth: 22 in.
Wear and imperfections commensurate with being moved, age and use.
t15
As per Worth Point, Empire style furniture tends to be massive in scale, imposing, and abundantly adorned, reflecting Napoleon's magnificence.
Empire furniture has simple geometric shapes with distinct angles. Decorations and motifs are symmetrically placed on both sides.
Like Neoclassic style furniture, ancient Roman and Greek elements strongly influence Empire pieces.
The Empire style furniture is characterized by war and the classical world—coat of arms, trophies, and spires became common motifs. Roman mythological themes frequently appeared in furniture designs such as eagles, winged lions, and deities. These were commonly seen as chair armrests and table legs.
Unique motifs that appeared during the Empire period were initials "N" and "J" encircled by laurel wreaths. Bees, swans, bows, and arrows, and the lyre came into fashion prominent.
The furniture uses imported dense woods, such as mahogany and ebony.
Empire style chairs are stiff and sculptural. Typical Empire style chairs include square, rectangular, or rolled-over chair backs.
The Empire tables are bulkier and more circular than neoclassical. Tables of this period range from massive dining tables to small guéridon tables...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk in beech from Hotel Knaust by Nordiska Kompaniet / NK, Sweden 1931.
With brass details and signed with NK badge and tracking number (easy to see who ordered the furniture and w...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash, Burl
French 19th Century Lady's Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This petite work table from 19th century France is full of charming elements within a compact design. Details allude to this piece serving as a correspondence and sewing table. Unloc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beech wood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers.
Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Three-bar frame, brass-framed, protruding rectangular worktop with historically three-section, gold-embossed leather plate...
Category
20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Bureau a Cylindre Gentleman's Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A exceptionally rare Period French Empire (1804-1814) walnut bureau a cylindre.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in France, most likely Parisian work, dating to the early 19th century, the large antique cylinder desk...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rectangular top inset with a beige tooled leather writing surface and slide outs on both ends. Above five drawers, the reverse side with dummy drawers raised on columnar legs wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French, Mid-19th Century Empire-Style Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-19th century
The petite mahogany knee-hole desk with a central drawer and two slender drawers on each side,
with gilt-bronze mounts and inset tooled green leather writing su...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
A perfect example of the Bureau Plat.
French Empire style desk with wood marquetry and gilt metal mounts at all angles. This piece features three working drawers on the front with three faux drawers on the back. The superb gilt metal hardware is on the front as well as the back. The four arched legs grace gorgeous gilt metal decor...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Large French Neoclassical Mahogany Roll-Top Desk
Located in Troy, NY
French mahogany Empire desk of stately proportions, with a roll top, revealing a double row of total six drawers under an open shelf, as well as a sliding writing surface with inset ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
20th Century Empire Style Writing Table or Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table or bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter.
Solid, ebonized beech, partially carved and hand-painted. Cutted out pedestal on profiled disc feet. Over which ar...
Category
20th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed sides. The top is provided with inlaid green leather; the drawers have divided small...
Category
Early 1800s Scandinavian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date.
The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century French Empire style roll-top desk
French, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 113cm, width 84cm, depth 62cm
This charming roll-top desk is crafted from ormo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
An early 19th century gilt bronze and walnut veneer ladies desk or dressing table or vanity, with a rectangular grey fossil marble top above two mirror paneled doors and two drawers, flanked by Greek Revival female caryatids, above a folded leather lined writing surface and a frieze drawer, raised on square legs, joined by an incurved stretcher. The whole mounted with finely chased ormolu casts depicting winged figures, ribbons and foliage.
Beautiful early 19th century French Empire small desk...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk, circa 1870
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted Empire style mahogany pedestal desk.
French, circa 1870.
This imposing Empire style pedestal desk is mounted with fine gilt bronze Egypt...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality, 18th century Louis XV Escritoire. The Escritoire has a drawer at the top with ornate mounts, above a fall front opening...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan lea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat by Maison Forest.
Paris, circa 1900.
Bearing two labels to the underside: 'FOREST/TAPISSERIE/EBENISTERIE/31 RUE CAMBACERES.PARIS...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Roll Top Desk with Bronze Gilt Trim
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany roll top desk with bronze trim.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Elegant French Empire bureau-plat or partners desk, The top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and small decorations on each corner, above five drawers, the middle one opening from th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 drawer table desk with stretcher, griffins, and green marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Style '19th Century' Mahogany and Bronze Trimmed Table
Located in New York, NY
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany and bronze trimmed table with single drawer and green (repaired) marble-top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Baltic writing or sofa table in the Empire style (and edging toward the Art Deco period that would follow.) In Cuban mahogany with carved trestle-base ending in carved li...
Category
1910s Baltic Vintage Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th century French Mahogany Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Stately Empire desk on four monopodia legs painted a dark verdis gris, joined by two stretchers. Top inset with a tooled black leather writing surface and slide outs (16.5 inches eac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Burl Wood Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
Beautiful burl wood set against ebonized legs and trim. Desk has a single compartmentalized drawer with key and elegantly curved legs.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl
Russian Empire Leather Top Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Russian Empire leather top mahogany desk with two slides, brass trim, and mounts on square tapered legs.
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Empire desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Jean Joseph Chapuis, Maison Forest , and NK (Nordiska Kompaniet). 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,495 and tops out at $65,000 while the average work can sell for $7,500.
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