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.
Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection Burl Wood and Ebonized Regency Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Biedermeier style round pedestal breakfast table, game table, or center table From the exclusive "Stately Homes" Collection by Baker Furniture USA, C...
Ebony, Burl
Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Brass
$3,450Sale Price|20% Off
Tavolino Marmo Intarsiato, Base Legno, Fatto a Mano Italia Cupioli Disponibile
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino Marmo Intarsiato, Base Legno, Fatto a Mano Italia Cupioli Disponibile Cream marble round dining table or gueridon table size: diam. 80 cm h. 74 inches 31.50 h. 29.13 This t...
Marble
$5,577 / item
Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Wood
$22,588Sale Price|25% Off
Italian Empire Style 19th Century Oval Cherrywood and Ebony Dining Room Table
Located in Firenze, IT
This simply stunning antique 19th century Tuscan large oval dining room table has a gorgeous shape, thanks to its soft and sober lines- ty...
Cherry, Ebony
Early 20th Century Empire Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Empire lacquered walnut dolphin center table.
Wood, Walnut
Baker Furniture Regency Paw Foot Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Neoclassical style pedestal extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with rosewood banding and...
Brass
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts exudes elegance, and is extraordinarily versatile with two leaves that are always there when you need them, t...
Bronze
Magnificent French Dining Room table End 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Magnificent French Dining Room table End 19/20th Century French, carved and golden wood, marble top on two swan columns. Signs of use. Dim.: 80 x 170 x 110 ...
Marble
Large Empire Period Mahogany Extending Dining Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire period mahogany extending dining table French, c. 1810 Fully open: Height 77cm, width 446cm, depth 178cm Shorter: Height 77cm, width 326cm, depth 178cm A striking repr...
Metal
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli "Verbena " round dining or center table. This table with scagliola art inlay takes inspiration from the c...
Scagliola, Wood
Tobey Furniture Monumental Antique French Empire Mahogany and Brass Dining Table
By Tobey
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding palatial antique French Empire style monumental extension dining table By Tobey Furniture USA, Circa 1900 Gorgeous mahogany, with brass accents. Measures: 66"W x 5...
Brass
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Breakfast Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal dining breakfast table, game table, or center table. By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection. Italy, circa ...
Mahogany
$7,155 / item
French Empire Style Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Style extension dining table with carved pedestal, inset fold-out leaves, scrolled tri-base, and carved claw feet, with radiating veneer top. The table seats up to nine people...
Wood
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer 19th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer, 19th Century. This is a very elegant and large 19th century Empire style dining / center table with a top in expressive rosewood ve...
Wood, Rosewood
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf will bring understated elegance to your dining experience! Hand-crafted from sumptuous walnut, it features six tapered legs...
Brass
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
By William Switzer, Charles Pollock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunningly beautiful center or dining table designed by Charles Pollock for William Switzer. The table has a combination of solid woods and veneers such as burlwood on the base al...
Wood
An Ebonized Dining Table, Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ebonized mahogany dining table, attributed to Maison Jansen, features intricate rosettes and classic and contemporary elements, making it a versatile addition to various...
Mahogany
French Provencal Early 19th Century Empire Extendable Table Solid Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
French Provencal early 19th century empire extendable table solid walnut This extendable Empire table from the early 19th century enhances the the...
Walnut, Burl
$8,500 / item
Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch
Located in Annville, PA
The Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch is a high quality 60 inch round table when closed. The field of the table top being produced from the...
Mahogany
Mahogany and Bronze Veneer Middle Table, "Return from Egypt" Style
Located in Paris, FR
Important middle table in the style "Return from Egypt" in mahogany, mahogany veneer and bronze with double patina, from the 19th century. This large table is supported by four uprights claws and lion heads in patinated bronze, connected by a carved and curved strut. The table is adorned with gilt bronze appliques with swans and horns of plenty motifs and opens with six drawers. Two integrated trays extend each side of the table by 50 cm if needed. A glass window covers...
Bronze
Antique Empire Style Black lacquer Mirror Table with original mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful Antique Empire style table is one of a kind and a stunner. Antique mirror and Black lacquer wood trim. it would make a gorgeous entry table or dining table and so much more. the patina of the mirror is original and truly amazing. To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha Design, scroll down and click on VIEW ALL FROM SELLER. Also follow us to be notified when new items are posted. We also have a brick and mortar...
Mirror, Wood
Mahogany table, Western Europe, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany table, Western Europe, circa 1880. Based on a three-legged base with brass rollers. Currently under renovation. dimensions height 77 cm diameter 119 cm
Mahogany
$6,320Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and very elegant Empire table dates back to around 1810-20. It comes from Germany. It was probably made in the northern part of Germany or possibly in Berlin. The table s...
Mahogany
Antique Empire Table with Flaps and Marquetry in Birch Wood from 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Empire dining table, an antique piece featuring intricate intarsia work, crafted from birch wood and originating from Denmark in 1840, is a remarkable testament to the craftsmans...
Birch
French Turn of the Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany and Ormolu Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...
Ormolu
$8,131Sale Price|55% Off
19th Century Extendable Table, Made in France, Fully Restored Mahogany, Empire
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Unique Empire folding table. The table's legs feature bronze lion paws, with spherical glass wheels on which the table moves. The table is designed for ...
Bronze
$9,252Sale Price|20% Off
Black Dining Table Eco-shagreen top and brass legs handcrafted by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Black Dining Table Eco-shagreen top and brass legs Handcrafted by Cupioli. Dining Table black scagliola shagreen top casted brass legs handmade in Italy This is a sophisticated dini...
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood and Brass Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched burled olive wood, with inlaid walnut banding, and brass accents. ...
Brass
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining ~ Conference Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining ~ Conference Table will make an impressive statement in any room of the home or office! Crafted from exotic imported mahogany, ...
Brass
Maitland Smith French Empire Green Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith attributed French Empire Style Green Lacquer Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining/Center Table. Item features thick round glass, green paint lacquered top with sunburst center and Greek Key border, dark brown and gold pedestal...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
A large, oval conference table.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Large conference table. Dimensions: height 75 cm / length 299 cm / depth 180 cm
Walnut
Table, Western Europe, circa 1920.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany table, Western Europe, circa 1920. Very good condition. Wood: mahogany dimensions : table height 78 cm width 132 cm depth 94 cm when unfolded 145 cm
Wood