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 Painted Wood and Marble Pedestal Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage column pedestal painted in a Gustavian color called Gustav. Certainly a very neutral color that bl...
Marble
Empire Style Grey Green Marble Bronze Tall Pedestal
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an heavy Empire Style Grey Green Marble Bronze Pedestal. It depicts a tall four sided tapered marble walls pedestal. The marble walls of the pedestal are embellished with thr...
Marble, Bronze
$24,000 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze Pedestals
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire style (20th Cent) bronze dore brazier style pedestals with round green marble top and cross leg supports.(PRICED AS PAIR)
Bronze
Antique Swedish Empire Gilded Marble Pedestal or Geridong
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gilded empire pedestal or geridong from the mid 1800s, around 1840. The pedestal is from Sweden and is gilded with a white marble top in Carrara...
Carrara Marble
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire-Style Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An outstanding French Empire-style mahogany accent table with a unique basket wrapped around the pedestal. A circular wood top with raised trim rests on an apron housing two small dr...
Mahogany
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Alabaster Pedestal
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal, Mahogany, and Onyx Tripod Pedestal, early 20th century. 44" H x 20" W x 20" D.
Alabaster, Metal
Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt & Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960. In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Marble
$959Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Empire Style Beech Wood Round Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian empire style round pedestal table in beech wood. The top is supported by three pairs of refined columns. In the lower part the columns end with a deligh...
Beech
Monumental Antique French Empire Period Hall Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent over 200 year old French Empire Period (1804-1815) parcel gilt walnut armorial hall pedestal / plant stand. Born in France in the early 19th century, most likely near the Italian border or Napoleonic territory in present day Northern Italy, most impressive palatial scale, exceptionally executed one-of-a-kind sculptural work, having carved fiolate apron with H monogram, decorative scroll work, stylized grotesque satyr mask with acanthus leaf accent, over high relief crest mural crown depicting four towers representing fortified city walls, shield escutcheon coat of arms with three fleur-de-lis above wavy lines depicting sea water in front of castle tower, supported by figural winged female caryatid, flanked by volute supports, joined by turned stretcher. circa 1810 Provenance / Acquisition: An important San Antonio estate Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Texas Mansion Carved French and Italian Antiques catalog...
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Wood & Marble Pedestal, C.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century French ormolu mounted Empire-style pedestal, cast and figurine depicting a Greek goddess along with sculpted heads overlaid with flora. The middle design de...
Marble, Ormolu
Midcentury Decorative Pair of Pedestals Walnut with Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Midcentury decorative pair of pedestals walnut with brass.
Walnut
19th Century Empire Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze and marble pedestal. Fine gilt bronze female head with gilt bronze Empire bronzes.
Marble
Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases Also great for the garden The bronze statue showed not includ...
Bronze
Pedestal Empire Style, Italy 1940s
Located in Catania, IT
1940s Italian pedestal empire style in walnut with alabaster top and bronze medallion depicting two putti on each façade at the base porcelain plaques, bronze feet and bronze deta...
Alabaster, Bronze
Italian Empire style pedestal in wood and brass, mid 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Empire style pedestal in wood and brass, mid 1800s Pedestal or display column with square top in wood. The top is supported by four round wooden strips with brass finishes at...
Brass
Magnificent French Empire Napoleonic Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pedestals Pair
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally large and magnificent pair of French Empire Napoleonic Sèvres porcelain gilt bronze mounted pedestals. These are a exceptionally beautiful pair of 19th century 24-karat raised gold decorated, gilt bronze-mounted, onyx and Sèvres porcelain pedestals...
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated and Mahogany Veneered Wood Gueridons
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated wood and mahogany veneered Gueridons, early 19th century.
Wood
Pedestal Table in Mahogany Period Late Empire with Carved Details from 1840's
Located in Lejre, DK
Pedestal table in late Empire style from around the 1840s, crafted in mahogany with rich carved details and classic proportions. The table can be extended with four additional leaves...
Mahogany
Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late empire. Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of four shelve...
Oak, 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
Fine and Rare Pair of French Gilt Bronze , Porcelain and Marble Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French gilt bronze, porcelain & marble pedestals 19th/20th century Each with portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma Measures: 44 x 14...
Marble
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mahogany Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Mahogany Pedestal, early 20th century, the circular top on a tapering column on a quadripartite plinth and ball feet. 35.5" H x 15.25" D...
Metal
Empire Style Gilded Marble Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Empire style marble-top gilded plant stand or pedestal. Lovely piece with paw feet and carved details. Ships from Philadelphia. Very good condition.
Marble
$2,698 / set
Antique columns, France, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Representative columns - pedestals from the second half of the 19th century in the Empire style. A pair of potbellied columns with marble tops, beautifully decorated with light wood...
Walnut
Napoleon III pedestal with clock
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III pedestal with clock Onyx marble column and champleve enamel with golden bonce The watch has very fine machinery and is stamped Vincenti y Cia 1855 The machinery works Ci...
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Neoclassical Style Marble and Porcelain Pedestal
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style marble and porcelain pedestal French, late 19th century Measures: Height 108cm, width 30cm, depth 30cm This Fine column-form pedestal is crafted in the Neocla...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$6,950 / set
19th Century French Empire Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Strong and sturdy. Gilt and paint possibly not original. They have been waxed and look beautiful.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Wood
$1,645Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.53 in Dm 17.33 in
19th Century French Pedestal Table in Veneered Wood Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
Elegant round pedestal table in veneered wood and bronze elements, arched legs joined by a crotch plate, built-in marble tray, Louis XV style. France, circa 1870. Measures: H 75, D...
Mahogany
$24,830 / set
H 40.95 in W 16.15 in D 13 in
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Parcel Gilt Mahogany Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style parcel gilt mahogany pedestals French, early 20th century Measures: Height 104cm, width 41cm, depth 33cm This fine pair of mahogany pedestals i...
Mahogany
Antique Small Marble Neoclassical Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique small marble Neoclassical pedestal is the ideal choice for displaying a small sculpture, vase, or objet d'art. It's also a good choice as a riser ...
Marble
Antique Italian Gilded Putti Pedestal Table Stand
Located in Forney, TX
A hand carved antique Italian gilded putti decorated pedestal table or stand. Exquisitely handcrafted in the early 20th century, having a circular top, ra...
Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A French Empire style marble-top mahogany bedside cabinet (nightstand - end table) with elegant beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1870 Hand-crafted in France in the secon...
Marble, Brass
Italian Gilt Metal Tassel Pedestal / Fern Stand
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Italian gilt metal tassel pedestal or fern stand with glass top.
Metal
$2,800
H 39 in W 24 in D 13.5 in
Wide & Tall Mid Century Italian Modern Dark Green Marble Pedestal or Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple yet elegant green marble pedestal table from Italy circa 1980's. It features beautiful veining of solid slab marble construction. ...
Marble
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Wooden Pedestals
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A handsome pair of substantial 19th Century French pedestals or plinths. Each of rectangular architectural form with a broad moulded top above a fielded panel front and deep, steppe...
Pine, Paint
Antique Flower Stand or Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Antique pedestal originally used to hold flowers or plants. Full dimensions ; top shelf 8″ x 8″ x bottom shelf 9.5″ x 9.5″ x 39.5” high. Circa 1950. Andrianna Shamaris. The Leader I...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pedestal table with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian pedestal table from Skelleftea, Northern Sweden. A charming classic 19th century Swedish round Pedestal table...
Pine
Antique 19th Century Turned Wood Polychrome Painted Column or Pedestal
Located in Casteren, NL
This large turned and carved wooden pedestal stand was made in Southern France in the late 19th century. The column has a solid oak top, 17.7 in...
Steel
Sold
H 30.32 in W 52.17 in D 40.75 in
Pedestal Table in Mahogany from Empire period with carved details from 1820's
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table in Empire style from the 1820s, crafted in mahogany as a classic pedestal table with a rectangular top. A decorative and functional piece with period-typical design, sui...
Mahogany
French Empire Style Gilt Metal and Marble Pedestal
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Metal and Verde Antico Marble Pedestal, late 19th century, with a rectangular canted corner, marble top above a pierced frieze and conforming reeded legs, on...
Marble, Metal
A Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Two Tier Pedestal
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Two Tier Pedestal The Vert marble with a reticulated bronze gallery top leading to a tripod of legs headed by Egyptian bron...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 43.75 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Green Marble Empire Classical Spiral Carved Column Pedestal, Approx 140 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 43.75" H x 13.5" W x 13.5" D. Top: 12" x 12".
Marble
Empire Style Ebonized & Giltwood Pedestals, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt Painted Wood Pedestals, 20th century, each with a circular molded top above scrolled swan neck supports, on splayed legs joined by an undertier...
Wood, Giltwood
Empire period mahogany pedestal round table, 19th c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mahogany and mahogany veneer pedestal round table, side table, dining table, tea table column shaft, black granite top with basin, Empire period. France, 19th c.
Marble
Pair of Baltic Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Corner Stands
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Baltic Empire Mahogany Marble Topped Encoignures. Early 19th Century. Each with a neoclassical lyre shaped support holding a lobed stylized basin, topped with black marble....
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Pedestal Table with Marble Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
This exquisite early 19th century French Empire period pedestal table, or guéridon, was masterfully handcrafted in Lyon by talented artisans around 1810. Commissioned for a wealthy château owner near Villeurbanne, it exemplifies the refined elegance and timeless craftsmanship of the French Empire period. The original black fossil marble top provides a striking contrast to the warm walnut base. The three gracefully curved tripod legs, beautifully carved and joined by a central carved ring, reflect the classical symmetry and balance characteristic of the Empire style. A robust concave triform stretcher at the base connects the legs, ensuring both stability and durability for generations to come. Whether placed in an entryway, living room, or used as a sophisticated accent piece, this handsome French Empire pedestal table...
Marble
Linke Style Pedestal Stands French Empire Tall Tables Inlay Gilt
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant pair of French pedestal stands after Francois Linke These really are the ultimate for a high end interior Crafted from kingwood with intricate inlay work including floral mot...
Kingwood
Pair of early 19th century Maple and Walnut Fluted Columns
Located in Vo', Veneto
Elegant pair of fluted columns. They rest on a parallelepiped and are veneered in maple and walnut wood. the two woods with such different colors, light maple and brown walnut, creat...
Maple, Walnut
Pedestal à la Athénienne, 2nd Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Round pedestal on a tripod stand with three legs and crossed intermediate struts. The round shelf consists of a green marble disc surrounded by a gilded bronze surround. The mahogany...
Marble
Late 19th Century Swedish Pedestals
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of late 19th century Empire style wooden pedestals in an faux marble finish. ca 1890 Sweden.
Pine