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.
Rare French Empire Wooden and Brass Folding Console or Card Table, circa 1820
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning antique table for unforgettable games of poker, bridge etc. At first sight, this is an exceptionally elegant Empire console table: narrow, architectural and beautifully bal...
Brass, Bronze
Vintage Flame Mahogany Convertible Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite antique flip-top games table is a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring a breathtaking flame mahogany veneer that ripples with deep, shimmering grain. Dra...
Brass
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire Period mahogany gueridon, or game table, with Grey St. Anne marble top. A versatile table with removable top, one side with green felt and the other with...
Marble, Brass
$8,500 / item
19th Century French Mahogany Backgammon Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Tric Trac or Backgammon Table. Ebony and bone backgammon well with boxwood draught pieces. Two drawers. Top with leather on one si...
Mahogany
$4,000Sale Price|38% Off
Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Game table made during the Karl Johan period 1810-1830 in Sweden. Made from light mahogany and decorated with brass hardware. Tapered legs. Felt interior with backgammon and chess ga...
Mahogany
French Empire Style Burr Walnut and Ormolu Games Table, Chess and Backgammon
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Burr Walnut and Ormolu Games Table, Chess and Backgammon This is a charming piece, the table stands on bombe style cabriole legs and has ormolu decoration in the...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Round, folding Demi Lune Mahogany Game Table, German
Located in Madrid, EX
This beautiful early 19th Century Game Table is quite a piece... when folded, it makes for an elegant demi-lune console table, perfect for an entrance way or samller room. When opene...
Mahogany
Empire Noble Wood gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Empire style game table in Noble Wood - 19th century. Portuguese, 19th century; made of Noble Wood. Central column base. Dimensions: 81x81x43 cm.
Wood
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders. An object of the highest quality. Inside compartments a...
Brass
Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Northern European Empire games table. Flamed mahogany top opens to reveal felt lined game surface. Brass mounts embellish a neoclassic sensibility.
Mahogany
French Art Deco Pascaud Light Mahogany Game Table
By Jean Pascaud
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco light mahogany square game table with a removable parquetry top & ebonized banded inlay trim over a concave apron with bronze trim & sabot. (JEAN PASCAUD) (Related it...
Bronze
19th Century English Victorian Rosewood Games Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Victorian rosewood games table. The table has an inlaid top which swivels and folds over to reveal a chess board and backgammon. Below this is a single fit...
Rosewood
19th Century Mahogany Card Table
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany card table, the moulded edge shaped top opening to reveal a green baize playing surface, the shaped frieze below with carved leaf decoration at each side,...
Mahogany
$4,800
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 16.15 in
Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Board, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover an exceptional Victorian Game Table, originating from the 1860s. This rectangular table stands on four beautifully twisted legs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The top ...
Kingwood
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century French mahogany marble topped Gueridon, having three circular tapering column supports, each with gilded ormolu capitals and classical ormolu motifs to th...
Marble
Custom Walnut Game Table with Ebony Backgammon and Chess Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut and mahogany backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. New production. Made to order in walnut and mahogany. Designed and made in NYC, each tab...
Walnut
French 19th Century Restauration Mahogany Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French marble-top gueridon table from the Restauration period (19th century). This round pedestal table is topped with a disc of black, fossil marble with taupe inclusions...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French game table is a masterful blend of form and function, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Made from fine walnut, the table f...
Walnut
Antique French Empire Side Table, Mahogany & Black Marble, Circa 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, antique French Empire side table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Honduran Mahogany in good condition. The detailed small center table is composed with a black marble top, standing on three arched legs, supported by a wooden base, resisting on three round feet. The Parisian table is enhanced by detailed gilded wood carvings...
Marble
$2,570
H 30.5 in W 33 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Maitland-Smith Regency-Style Mahogany Chess and Backgammon Games Table
Located in Morristown, NJ
A handsome and exceptionally versatile Regency-style games table by Maitland-Smith, handcrafted in the Philippines during the late 20th century. The rectangular top features a remov...
Brass
Early 19th Century French Gueridon Table in Mahogany & Marble
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful Restauration French Gueridon made in mahogany and marquetry. This marble named "Brecht" is recognized by its different forms and colors.
Marble
French 19th Century Bistro Table - Gueridon
Located in Round Top, TX
Classical mid-19th century Bistro Table - Gueridon from the Provence area of France. Soundly constructed from cast iron with a beautifully patina'd marble top.
Marble, Iron
Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period French First Empire Tric Trac or Backgammon Table. Reversible top with leather on one side and felt on the other. Opening to a backgammon playing well with inlay in ebony an...
Mahogany, Ebony
Sold
H 26.78 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Folding game table, Western Europe, around 1890. Antique. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique game table from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 68 cm / width 57 cm / depth 57 cm
Walnut
Antique American Empire Style Cuban Mahogany Game Table
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant American Empire style game table, circa 1835. This versatile piece showcases classic design with a practical function. The swivel top, supported by a graceful cylinder column...
Mahogany
Empire Octagonal Chess Table, 1870s, Set of 33
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A stylish Empire wooden chesstable from around 1870 in good condition with some minor signs of wear. It is stable and quite heavy. The table would be a great addition in a classic in...
Bone, Birdseye Maple, Padouk
Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period French Empire Mahogany Tric Trac Games Table. Inlaid Backgammon Well. Original Removable Top with leather on one side for writing and felt o...
Ebony, Mahogany
Sold
H 31 in Dm 35.25 in
Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular hand painted scagliola top resting atop a circular frame, the thick walnut veneer of a pronounced grain, the ebonized columnar standard with carved giltwood rings r...
Walnut, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Game Table, Backgammon
Located in El Monte, CA
19th century French Empire period Tric Trac Games Table. The top features an inlaid checkerboard with delicate veneered inlays framing each players side. When flipped over, inset gre...
Brass
Empire Style Parcel Ebonized Occasional Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire style parcel ebonized occasional table with gilt accents.
Wood
Card Table, Empire, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
A unique card game from around 1870. Very good condition. Origin: Northern Europe Wood: Mahogany Dimensions: Height 60 cm Width 57 cm x 57 cm unfolded 81 cm x 81 cm.
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.25 in W 36 in D 35.5 in
American Empire Crotch Flame Mahogany Paw Feet Pedestal Base Console Game Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th century American Empire crotch flame mahogany paw feet pedestal base console game table. Item features swivel and flip top, pedestal base, beaut...
Mahogany
3 Piece 20th Century Burr Birch Games Table and Armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
3 piece 20th century burr birch games table and armchairs circa 1980. Good quality games table and chairs, set comprises of 2 armchairs and a games table. Table with inlaid chess ...
Birch
Sold
H 27.75 in W 23 in L 27.75 in
French Empire Style Faux Marble Decorated Games Chess Checkers Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautifully designed French Empire style games table. Perfect for chess or checkers, this tables features an ebonized frame with faux marble decorated top and gilded elemen...
Walnut