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.
19th Century French Mahogany Table Empire style with Louis Philippe four Chairs
Located in Vigonza, Padua
IMPORTANT: ON REQUEST WE WILL RE-UPHIDE THE CHAIRS WITH A SUPPLEMENT OF EURO 150 EACH. Reinforced structure of the chairs for daily use. Spring seat. French mahogany dining table...
Mahogany
A table and four chairs from the early 20th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A set of four chairs with a table from the early 20th century. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: Table: height 79 cm width 125 cm...
Fabric, Walnut
Antique table with chairs, Northern Europe, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique table and chairs from the late 19th century, Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition, professionally renovated. Chair seat...
Walnut
$4,082 / set
Table with chairs in Empire style, France.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Table with chairs in Empire style, France. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: mahogany Dimensions: Table: height 75 cm / length 129 cm / depth 101 - 146 cm...
Walnut, Fabric
$42,304Sale Price / set|50% Off
19th Century Original Rare British Dinning Room Set with 12 Chairs, Satin Wood
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Individual items are not for sale separately. A very popular supplier and manufacturer of furniture, Maple & Co. It is a perfect example of the English aristocracy and is still in great demand. The whole set is remarkable in that it has been kept intact this entire time, including the original 12 chairs at the table. The table has a rare unfolding system with two double action screw table expanders. One person alone can easily unfold the table by turning the handle. The system is patented by the company Joseph Fitter...
Leather, Upholstery, Satinwood, Lacquer
19th Century Original British Dinning Room Set with 12 Chairs, Satin Wood
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Hassle-free US shipping: We provide all necessary 100+ year-old certifications to ensure a flat 15% customs rate for our US clients Individual items are not for sale separately. A very popular supplier and manufacturer of furniture, Maple & Co. It is a perfect example of the English aristocracy and is still in great demand. The whole set is remarkable in that it has been kept intact this entire time, including the original 12 chairs at the table. The table has a rare unfolding system with two double action screw table expanders. One person alone can easily unfold the table by turning the handle. The system is patented by the company Joseph Fitter...
Leather, Upholstery, Satinwood, Lacquer
$3,600Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 29.5 in W 44 in D 44 in
Bernhardt Table with 8 chairs, two extension and table cover
Located in Birmingham, AL
This is a Bernhardt "Shibui" Asian-style dining set, featuring a rosewood table with a hand-painted top and eight chairs, With two leaves and cover, 80 years old according to the ori...
Hardwood
$2,566Sale Price|50% Off
H 56.7 in W 24.81 in D 16.54 in
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Marble
$3,442
H 30.32 in W 33.47 in D 20.48 in
Antique Genuine Gustavian Small Table from Northern Sweden with a Drawer
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish gustavian table from around 1810. The table is gustavian, also known as neoclassic, and made in solid Swedish pine. The table has the original paint with a rustic cha...
Pine
$6,450 / set
H 32.88 in W 78.75 in D 63.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Set with Table, Bench, Set of Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of a dining table, bench, and pair of chairs, solid beech, Scandinavia, 1980s This expansive dining room set is a rare find, distinguished by its exceptio...
Beech
Original Domus Dinning Set by Michael Van Beuren
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Domus dinning set (Table and 4 chairs) in pine wood and with the characteristic green Van Beuren color, designed by the American Bau...
Pine
19th Century Dutch Library Table Desk and Four Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Dutch ebonized library table desk and four chairs with beautiful inlay marquetry.
Burl
$270Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.36 in W 14.18 in D 14.18 in
Small Inlaid Side Table From the Early 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Small Inlaid Side Table From the Early 20th Century in light brown A small table with floral marquetry, featuring four openwork legs and a rou...
Wood
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Side Table W/ Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century French Empire-style guéridon side table, sourced directly from Provence and meticulously restored. Handcrafted from solid mahogany, the table features ...
Marble
19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century Louis Philippe French side table made of solid and veneers of mahogany with two woven cane shelves and a small dovetailed drawer. Turned legs with small cast brass cas...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Mahogany Center Table brings refined 19th century French elegance to the room with a beautifully proportioned round top, rich mahogany venee...
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Empire Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Empire lacquered walnut dolphin center table.
Wood, Walnut
French Marble-Top Round Table or Guéridon in the Empire Style
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French round occasional table or gueridon in the Empire style, featuring a circular top of figured white marble surrounded by a low pierced brass gallery, set upon a tripo...
Marble, Stone, Metal, Brass
Antique, large dining table with chairs, Western Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique table with a set of six chairs from around 1870, Western Europe. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seats and backs of the chairs have been...
Oak
Sold
H 35.83 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in
Empire Style Table with Chairs, Northern Europe, Mid-19th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chairs with an Empire style table from around 1850. The furniture is in very good condition, the chairs have been professionally renovated, upholstered in a new fabric. ...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 51.97 in D 40.95 in
Extendable Frenchempire Style Dining Table in Mahogany-Burr with Four Chairs
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Beautiful and elegant oval French Empire style extendable table...
Mahogany
Sold
H 30.71 in W 78.75 in D 63 in
19th Century Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Dining Room Suite in Empire Style
Located in Paris, FR
This 13-piece Napoleon III dining room suite crafted of mahogany and mahogany veneer, boasts intricate ormolu bronze decoration in Empire style. The suite features twelve chairs and a large dining table. The octagonal table has a rich gilt and chiseled bronze ornamentation composed of trophies, masks, laurel crowns and swans. Each corner is decorated with an eagle, a typical motif of the Empire period. The table is set on four cambriole legs that end in gilt bronze lion paw, and two other straight legs. With its impressive size and exceptional ormolu decoration, this table is a majestic find. The gondola chairs are also crafted of mahogany and mahogany veneer. These elegant seats with graceful lines are decorated with gilt bronze Hermes...
Bronze