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 C French Yellow Toleware Tiered Tray Table Stand Chinoiserie Pastoral Scene
Located in Dayton, OH
This antique 19th-century French Empire toleware tier table, also classified as a table à ouvrage, chiffonière or gueridon, is a stunning example of late Louis XVI or Directoire revi...
Metal
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table with Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This classically styled side table features three drawers with original brass hardware. The table has been hand painted in a Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from sol...
Brass
$2,060 / item
Empire Style Round Side Table, Country Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Empire-style Neo Classic wooden round side table in a rustic country finish, with a dish top, four tapered column legs and an X stretcher base. Dimensions: 30" W x 30" D x 27....
Wood
French Empire Cherry Wood Black Column 1 Drawer Lamp End Table by Heritage, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Empire Style Cherry Wood Black Column One Drawer Lamp End Tables by He...
Wood, Cherry
$1,088Sale Price|60% Off
Empire Side Table From Brede Main Building, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This amazing table comes from Brede main building outside Copenhagen, Denmark.
Metal
French Empire Side Table of Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French Empire period side or end table or nightstand of flame-cut mahogany with figured black marble top, featuring a frieze of one fitted drawer with decorative ormolu es...
Marble, Metal, Brass
French Empire Mahogany End Table with Griffins and Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany end/center table with bronze trim and winged griffins on legs with a green rectangular marble top.
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Commodino with Ebonized Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
The early 19th century Italian Empire commodino with ebonized detail, 1 drawer above cabinet below and gilt metal mounts. All resting on raised shaped legs.
Bronze
$8,487 / item
French Empire Style Round End Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design, anchored by a quartz top with a refined moulded surround, this table balances classical elegance with luxurious materials. Its bold brass frame feat...
Quartz, Brass
French Empire-Style Round End Table, Ebonized Wood, Gilt Trim, 1940s
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-Style (1940s) ebonized and gilt trim round end table with bronze trim on apron and a top rim surrounding a mottled mirrored round top. (At...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Marble Top End Table By Georg Kofoed
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 31 1/4 in W: 20 in D: 20 in The elegance of the French Empire period is beautifully captured in this exceptional antique pedestal end table by Georg Kofoed, one of ...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Mahogany Table with Marble Top, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
A handsome Empire style mahogany center table with a black marble top circa 1840. Surrounding the edge of the tabletop is a brass gallery with an openwork design. A rich mahogany fri...
Marble, Brass
$2,795Sale Price|27% Off
French Empire Mahogany Table with Gold Gilt Ormolu Mounts and Black Granite Top
Located in Savannah, GA
"The French Empire style which impacted furniture design and other arts was popular from about 1804 to 1815, lasting longer in some areas. It developed in France under the reign of e...
Granite, Brass
19th Century Round Pedestal Pot Cupboard Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th C. slender fluted cylindrical pedestal mahogany cabinet with marble inset top. Latch on door opens to interior shelving for storage. Can be used as a side table, end table, occa...
Marble
19th Century French Empire Bronze End Table with Lion Head Legs
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze end table with 4 legs ending in lion heads holding rings with a round inset black marble top and shelf.
Marble, Bronze
19TH C Empire Bronze Mounted Marble Top Round Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless sophistication to your home with this 19th Century Empire Bronze Mounted Marble Top Round Table, a stunning example of classic French Empire style. Featuring a ric...
Marble, Bronze
EARLY 19TH-CENTURY EMPIRE-STYLE SIDE TABLE WITH CHERRY WOOD VENEER
Located in Firenze, FI
An elegant side table, finely veneered in cherry wood and cherry burl. The piece features details and finishes typical of the Empire style, with decorations in gilded acanthus leaves...
Gold Leaf
French Art Deco Period Empire Style Round End Table with Birdseye Maple Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegance and classical simplicity are beautifully expressed in this French round end table, created during the Art Deco era as a refined interpretation of Empire design. The circular...
Brass
Late 18th Century French Directoire / Early Empire Marble-Top Stand, circa 1780s
Located in Perkasie, PA
A handsome late 18th century French marble-top stand or petite console, dating to approximately 1780–1800, displaying the restrained neoclassical character associated with the transi...
Walnut
French Designer, Side Table, Mahogany, Marble, Bronze, France, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
A small Maison Jansen style claw foot and bronze mounted marble-top circular end or side table. Mahogany, Bronze, Marble France, 1940s
Marble, Bronze
Baltic Empire Style Writing Table or Desk, circa 1910 in Mahogany
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
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...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Side Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century parquetry and marquetry side table. Having floral inlaid decoration to the top and under-tier. The top hinges open to reveal a compartmented interior...
Kingwood
$4,895 / set
H 25.75 in W 16.5 in D 11.5 in
Pair of French Cherrywood Nightstands or Bedside Tables with Marble Tops
Located in Austin, TX
A fine pair of French bedside end tables or night stands - each stand featuring a figured marble-top over a frieze with two inlaid drawers with original brass pulls. Superb origina...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Marquetry Side Table
Located in Norwood, NJ
Elegant French side table dating to the late 19th century, crafted in richly grained wood with fine marquetry inlay throughout. The gently shaped top is centered by a detailed geomet...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Walnut, Ebony, Pearwood
$1,300 / item
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Sculptural Side Table Solid Mango Wood with Burnt Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table or stool. Its neutral pigment makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely sculptural and versatile piece certain to invoke conversation. It w...
Wood, Fruitwood
$2,360 / set
H 27.56 in W 16.15 in D 12.21 in
Pair of French Night Stands Bedside Tables with Drawers and Carbriole Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
A French pair of bedside tables night stands with two drawers and sliding tray. The top parts are surrounded by a three-quarter wooden carved gallery and sitting above the sliding sh...
Brass
19th C Style Charles Pollock Black & Gold Chinoiserie Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th C style Charles Pollock black & gold chinoiserie side table. It features a rustic black painted finish with gilt details and a cane bottom shelf Additional information: ...
Gold
White Furniture French Country Two-Drawer Maple Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
White furniture French country two-drawer maple side tables in good vintage condition. Two roomy dovetailed drawers close and open smoothly. Measure...
Maple
$1,995 / set
H 22 in W 22.5 in D 26 in
Heritage One Drawer Walnut Burl Side Tables, circa 1960s, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful pair of Heritage one drawer walnut burl side tables. Good condition. Wear appropriate with age and normal use. Measure 22.5"W x 26"D x 22"H W5.
Walnut
French Designer, Side Table, Mahogany, Marble, Bronze, France, 1940s
Located in Stamford, CT
A small Maison Jansen style claw foot and bronze mounted marble-top circular end or side table. Mahogany, Bronze, Marble France, 1940s
Marble, Bronze
Lacquered Horn Nightstand or End Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lacquered horn nightstand or end table, American, circa 1980s. It is constructed of lacquered horn with beautiful color and graining. It is a versatile size and can be used as a nigh...
Wood, Horn
$1,647 / set
H 23.82 in W 17.72 in D 13 in
Pair of Blue Powder Coated Steel Robot Bedside Tables, Nightstands
Located in Leicester, GB
A pair of ice blue Robot bedside tables. The Robot side table features an open shelf on zig zag legs. A fun and functional design made of solid steel, powder-coated in ice blue. The ...
Steel
$2,600 / set
H 21 in W 21 in D 27 in
Pair Vintage Travertine Tops Cherry or Walnut Two Drawers End Tables Nightstands
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Vintage Travertine Tops Cherry or Walnut Two Drawers End Tables Nightstands.
Marble, Travertine
Falcon's Eye and Tiger's Eye Table by Théodore Millet
Located in New Orleans, LA
Bronze Table with Falcon Eye and Tiger Eye Top Théodore Millet Circa 1890 This exceptional table by renowned Parisian ébéniste Théodore Millet epitomizes the grandeur of late 19th-c...
Stone, Bronze
Antique Empire Revival Carved Mahogany End Table
Located in Freehold, NJ
This empire revival end table features hardwood construction, carved mahogany detailing, original finish, three dovetailed drawers with brass hardware, and unique carved feet. Dimen...
Brass
Baker Furniture Empire Style Walnut Lamp Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Baker Furniture Empire Style Walnut Oval Lamp Table, with central drawer having brass ring handles, on four fluted tapered legs and brass tips, with "Baker Furniture" and "McMillen C...
Brass
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French style side table features a single drawer with two door cabinet above. The table has been hand painted in Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from solid wood...
Brass
Sold
H 26.5 in W 13 in D 26 in
Spectacular Pair of Gilded Wood Jonathan Charles Style Empire Winged Sofa Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Jonathon Charles style carved walnut Empire winged sofa- end tables pair. Metal base, gold gilt wings with glass tops. does show minor scratches and finish loss DImensions: 26 1/2" ...
Metal
Rider Two-Tier Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Parisian Flair. A fab storage solution for an entryway or a bathroom, our Rider two-tier side table is an updated take on French Empire style. Blacke...
Brass
French Ebonized Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Classic, French Empire round end table of white marble top on a tripod base with recent painted finish. The mottled stone top is mostly white with faint gray veining and offers a rai...
Marble, Brass
Pair of Dark Oak Square Side Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The tables seamlessly blend classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the rich oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspired ...
Wood
19th Century Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Side Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or bedroom with this elegant antique side table. Created in France and built of walnut, the occasional table stands on circular column legs ending with bun fee...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Empire Salesman Sample Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire mahogany and birch salesman sample chest of drawers, circa 1820. With a rectangular birch top, a protruding frieze drawer, two larger lower...
Ormolu
Vintage Red Empire Style Trompe l'Oeil Side Pedestal Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Red Empire Style Trompe l'Oeil Side Pedestal Table. It features a faux marble top and ebonized triple hoof feet and gilt trim. It is marked Made In Italy
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Verdi Green Marble Top French Empire Pedestal End Table Circa 1870
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Marble top. Brass accents and claw feet. Wood frame. 29 1/2" h x 15 5/8" diameter. Condition Loose trim. Splits in seams. Previous repair. Veneer bubbling.
Marble, Brass