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Empire Serving Tables

EMPIRE STYLE

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.

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Style: Empire
Extremely Fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Center Table
Extremely Fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Center Table

Extremely Fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Center Table

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

An extremely fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany center table, circa 1820-1830. Very finely mounted with crisp ormolu throughout, with bronze female figures, foliate scrolling, lions head...

Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Amethyst, Quartz, Marble, Ormolu

Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table
Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table

Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A 19th century classical Empire pier console table having a beveled rectangular marble top above an Ogee mahogany veneered apron raised on carved and gilt white Alabaster Ionic colum...

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Alabaster

Irish Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Carved Sideboard.  Circa 1840
Irish Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Carved Sideboard.  Circa 1840

Irish Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Carved Sideboard. Circa 1840

Located in Charleston, SC

Irish Cuban mahogany three drawer sideboard with carved scrolled gallery, gadrooned molded edge, carved eagle heads, flanking lower cabinets, original brasses, and terminating on acanthus carved...

Category

1840s Irish Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Brass

Italian Empire Period Serving Table
Italian Empire Period Serving Table

Italian Empire Period Serving Table

Located in New York, NY

Italian Empire Period Serving Table. Neapolitan Empire period mahogany serving cart / trolley with broad recessed serving area for food service or bar with ormolu decorative carnival...

Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Ormolu

19th C. Rosewood Tiered Server Cabinet
19th C. Rosewood Tiered Server Cabinet

19th C. Rosewood Tiered Server Cabinet

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Beautiful figured wood tall server cabinet with a top 3/4 gallery and turned tapering column supports. The projecting cabinet with pilaster supports with ...

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

French Empire Style  Kidney Shape & Brass Gallery 2 Tier Butler's Table
French Empire Style  Kidney Shape & Brass Gallery 2 Tier Butler's Table

French Empire Style Kidney Shape & Brass Gallery 2 Tier Butler's Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Such an elegant French Empire Style Mahogany Butler's Table in a Kidney Shape with Brass Galleries, There are two shelfs, top and bottom that have the reticulated Brass gallery T...

Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Brass

A 19th Century Rafraichissoir Table
A 19th Century Rafraichissoir Table

A 19th Century Rafraichissoir Table

Located in Dallas, TX

A 19th century rafraichissoir table with gilt and ebonized swan supports. Mahogany, circa 1845. France.

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Related Items
English Antiqued Serving Table
English Antiqued Serving Table

English Antiqued Serving Table

$4,857 / item

H 35.75 in W 42 in D 20 in

English Antiqued Serving Table

Located in Westwood, NJ

A mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered serving table, the galleried top and undertaker with a glass overlay, on spiral turned legs joined by an under tier fitted with two drawers, on ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Serving Tables

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Wood

Mahogany Butler's Tray Table
Mahogany Butler's Tray Table

Mahogany Butler's Tray Table

$1,435

H 19.3 in W 32.68 in D 21.26 in

Mahogany Butler's Tray Table

Located in Kastrup, DK

English Regency style butler's coffee-, end table or side table in mahogany with tray top. High-quality crafted and expertly refinished. England approx. 1950

Category

Mid-20th Century English Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Style Butler’s Tray Coffee Table with Scalloped Gallery
Chippendale Style Butler’s Tray Coffee Table with Scalloped Gallery

Chippendale Style Butler’s Tray Coffee Table with Scalloped Gallery

By Councill

Located in Louisville, KY

Classically designed for a diverse décor palette, this Councill Craftsman Chippendale Style Butler’s Tray Coffee Table has a beautiful scalloped gallery with butler tray handle openi...

Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of American Mahogany Console Servers in Natural Washed Finish
Pair of American Mahogany Console Servers in Natural Washed Finish

Pair of American Mahogany Console Servers in Natural Washed Finish

$9,600Sale Price|20% Off

H 38.25 in W 53 in D 19 in

Pair of American Mahogany Console Servers in Natural Washed Finish

Located in North York, ON

American mahogany console servers in natural washed finish. Original design and look with beautiful inlaid work and slender curved legs. This piece is p...

Category

2010s American Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Metal

Walnut Veneer Waterfall Table
Walnut Veneer Waterfall Table

Walnut Veneer Waterfall Table

$3,500 / item

H 30.5 in W 60 in D 16 in

Walnut Veneer Waterfall Table

Located in Greenwich, CT

Our classic Waterfall table has been built with a walnut veneer and finished with a clear matte lacquer. Size finish are customizable. Measurements: ...

Category

2010s American Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Walnut

Large Georgian Serpentine Sideboard
Large Georgian Serpentine Sideboard

Large Georgian Serpentine Sideboard

$9,221

H 36.75 in W 72 in D 28 in

Large Georgian Serpentine Sideboard

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A Very Good Quality George III Hepplewhite Period Mahogany Serpentine Shaped Sideboard Having Well Figured Top Over Three Drawers With Replacement Brass Handles, Unusually With Elega...

Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th C English Mahogany Three Tier Server with Drawers
Early 20th C English Mahogany Three Tier Server with Drawers

Early 20th C English Mahogany Three Tier Server with Drawers

Located in Troy, MI

Found in England, this circa 1900 mahogany server table has a top with two drawers that have a functional lock and two lower tier shelves. Decorative turned legs in the front,nicely ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Elba Serving Table Ivory

Elba Serving Table Ivory

$4,315 / item

H 30.32 in W 27.56 in D 18.12 in

Elba Serving Table Ivory

By Arcahorn Srl.

Located in Milan, IT

Elba table has dimensions cm 70 x 46 x H 77, but since it's a pliant it can be stocked anywhere. This little but useful serving table has a tray made of horn, and the structure is ma...

Category

2010s Italian Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Wood

English Style Painted Dresser Base
English Style Painted Dresser Base

English Style Painted Dresser Base

$6,842 / item

H 30.5 in W 124 in D 22 in

English Style Painted Dresser Base

Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Huge 19th century style painted potboard dresser base. Dimensions: 124 inches (315 cms) wide 22 inches (56 cms) deep 30.5 inches (77 cms) high.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Pine

American Walnut Two Tier One-Drawer Server, Circa 1820
American Walnut Two Tier One-Drawer Server, Circa 1820

American Walnut Two Tier One-Drawer Server, Circa 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

American walnut two-tier server with carved scalloped skirt, one-drawer with original wooden knobs, and terminating on turned bulbous legs, Early 19th Century.

Category

1820s American Antique Empire Serving Tables

19thC Monumental French Provincial Server Table
19thC Monumental French Provincial Server Table

19thC Monumental French Provincial Server Table

$8,142

H 29.14 in W 94.49 in D 23.23 in

19thC Monumental French Provincial Server Table

Located in Staffordshire, GB

Circa 1820 19thC Monumental French Provincial Server Table with a 2 plank scrubbed top, pegged pine & fruitwood construction Excellent ...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Fruitwood, Pine

Previously Available Items
French Empire Mahogany Console Desserte
French Empire Mahogany Console Desserte

French Empire Mahogany Console Desserte

Sold

H 35.25 in W 58 in D 19 in

French Empire Mahogany Console Desserte

Located in Essex, MA

Rectangular marble top over a frieze drawer flanked by columns with bronze capitols , lower plinth shelf.

Category

1810s French Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Antique French Empire Buffet Sideboard Serving Table 19th C
Antique French Empire Buffet Sideboard Serving Table 19th C

Antique French Empire Buffet Sideboard Serving Table 19th C

Located in London, GB

This is an elegant antique ormolu mounted mahogany buffet / serving table, dating from the late 19th century. It features a striking rectangular grey marble top above two frieze drawers above two open undertiers supported with ormolu mounted fluted columns. The cabinet is raised on ormolu mounted bun feet. Add a touch of elegance to a special room in your home with this superb antique serving...

Category

1890s French Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Style Baker Flame Mahogany & Ormolu Server, 20th C
French Empire Style Baker Flame Mahogany & Ormolu Server, 20th C

French Empire Style Baker Flame Mahogany & Ormolu Server, 20th C

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Big Flats, NY

A French Empire style server by Baker Furniture Co. offers flame mahogany construction with drawer tower having upper pull out work tray and flanking stylized and tapered column supp...

Category

20th Century American Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Empire Console Table with Marble Top
Antique Empire Console Table with Marble Top

Antique Empire Console Table with Marble Top

Sold

H 36 in W 44.5 in D 19.5 in

Antique Empire Console Table with Marble Top

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Notable antique Empire console table with marble top, mirrored base, decorated with bold 5 1/2" relief buttons, frieze drawer with brass ...

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Swedish Black Empire Tilt-Top Table
Early 19th Century Swedish Black Empire Tilt-Top Table

Early 19th Century Swedish Black Empire Tilt-Top Table

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A Swedish black painted tilt top table. From early 19th century empire period and with a very decorative later painting that follows the Scandinavian tradition of painted furniture....

Category

1820s Swedish Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Wood

Golden Bronze and Brass Two Tops Marble Rounded Gueridon Small Table
Golden Bronze and Brass Two Tops Marble Rounded Gueridon Small Table

Golden Bronze and Brass Two Tops Marble Rounded Gueridon Small Table

Located in IT

Brass and green alps marble rounded gueridon small table from France from mid century. Empire style and details such as pine cones and lion ending legs. It features three bronze rings hang on the top where the legs end. This table features two tops in green marble. The marble is in perfect conditions, no cracks. The brass and bronze details show wears coherent with age but no structural defects, they have a vintage eating...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Pair of French Burr Walnut Empire Pier Cabinets / Serving Tables, 19th Century
Pair of French Burr Walnut Empire Pier Cabinets / Serving Tables, 19th Century

Pair of French Burr Walnut Empire Pier Cabinets / Serving Tables, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is an elegant pair of antique Empire burr walnut and mahogany pier cabinets / serving tables, dating from the late 19th century. They each feature rectangular verde antico m...

Category

1890s French Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

19th Century French Mahogany Chiffonier Server
19th Century French Mahogany Chiffonier Server

19th Century French Mahogany Chiffonier Server

Sold

H 51.5 in W 29 in D 16.5 in

19th Century French Mahogany Chiffonier Server

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Lovely French mahogany and brass Empire style chiffoniere server A diminutive size with upper open shelves and closed storage at the bottom.The wood in a highly figurative flame maho...

Category

1870s French Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Silver-Gilt Exhibition Tea Table by Maison Aucoc
Silver-Gilt Exhibition Tea Table by Maison Aucoc

Silver-Gilt Exhibition Tea Table by Maison Aucoc

Located in New Orleans, LA

The turn of the century was the golden age of the great international exhibitions, the venues at which artisans from across the globe would showcase their absolute best creations for the world to see. The items on display were the often the finest examples of science and art ever created, as the sheer number of visitors provided the unique opportunity for artists to display the very best they had to offer. This incredible silver-gilt tea table is one such masterpiece, exhibited at not one but two international exhibitions. Created especially for the 1904 St. Louis International Exposition and later exhibited at the Exposition de Liége in 1905, its artistry and craftsmanship rival those of silver works found in any museum in the world. The one-of-a-kind table was created by the renowned Paris firm of Maison Aucoc...

Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Marble, Silver, Bronze

French Empire Mahogany and Marble Console Table
French Empire Mahogany and Marble Console Table

French Empire Mahogany and Marble Console Table

Sold

H 36.23 in W 44.1 in D 16.93 in

French Empire Mahogany and Marble Console Table

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

A handsome 19th century French console or serving table in mahogany with inset marble surfaces and brass detailing.

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Serving Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire serving tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire serving tables for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.