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
Antique Empire Tile Top Table with Dutch Tiles Denmark 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Danish or perhaps Swedish empire tile top table with dutch tiles and 1 drawer. It's made in the 19th century period by a skilled carpenter of soli...
Ceramic, Wood
Pair Empire Style Mahogany Two-Tier Single Drawer Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Empire Style Mahogany Two-Tier single drawer Side Tables Dimensions: 23.5" in width, 16.5" in depth and 24 inches in height.
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Empire or Louis XVI Mahogany Dutch Side Table
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant side table was made in The Netherlands around 1780. It has a beautiful mahogany top made of two symmetrical planks, also known as “livre ouvert”. The two pieces of timber are cut and folded open like a book. (livre ouvert is French for open book” The top is surrounded by a slightly raised and molded trim. The table features one dovetailed central drawer with two Dutch ajour cut brass pulls. The drawer has its original lock and key. The interior of the drawer is made in the best quality thin watered oak...
Mahogany
Pair of Reproduction Empire Revival Gueridon Tables
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A small yet dramatic pair of French Empire inspired reproduction side tables. Nero Marquina black marble tops are ringed with bronze bezels, su...
Marble, Metal
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Somno or Drum Table with Marble
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period mahogany somno or drum table features a thick Saint Anne marble top and a hinged curved door with a bronze pull detailed with a ros...
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Somno or Drum Table with Marble
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period mahogany somno or drum table features a black marble top and a hinged curved door with bronze pull. Its cylindrical form and clean ...
Marble, Bronze
$3,640Sale Price|30% Off
Side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum, maple, rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Rare side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum wood, maple and rosewood veneered on softwood, table top with floral banding and vase motif, ingenious mechanism w...
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Empire Style Fruitwood Pedestal Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Empire Style Fruitwood Pedestal Side Table in great vintage condition. Very sturdy. Quality made in USA. Measures 16" in diameter
Fruitwood
$3,234Sale Price / set|41% Off
A Pair of Empire Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Ebonized Column Supports
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A handsome pair of Empire gueridon side tables, each with a circular black marble top set above a warm mahogany-toned frieze. The tables are raised on three ebonized column supports...
Marble
French Country Provincial Biedermeier Cherry Marble Side Table Ice Bucket Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Country Provincial Biedermeier Style Cherry Wood Marble Side Table w/ ...
Marble
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
$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
Antique French Empire Side Table, Mahogany & 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
Antique French Empire Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table. Item features mother of pearl and wood floral wreath inlay, carved reeded column-form legs, very ...
Mahogany
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
Magnificent Round Onyx and Gilt French Empire Side Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superbly elegant and fancy French Empire style cast gilt and onyx round pedestal side table having gorgeous coloration, ornate dragon motif feet and scalloped base.
Onyx, Brass
Vintage Empire Style Low Marble Top Pedestal Base Side Tables by Imperial - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Empire Style Low Marble Top Pedestal Base Side Tables by Imperial - a Pair. I...
Marble
19th Century French Empire Guéridon Table with Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze guéridon table on triple swan leg platform with stretcher, gallery, and green marble top.
Bronze
19th C Empire Ebonised Round Table with Brass Figural Mounts
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this two tier round table has strong empire / neoclassic style elements. We had the table professionally ebonised in England an...
Bronze
French Consulat Empire Mahogany Side Table with Black Marble Top, Circa 1805
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French Consulat to early Empire side table, circa 1800–1810, crafted in richly figured mahogany and retaining its handsome black marble top with delicate white veining. Th...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Table
Located in Chicago, IL
In the French Empire (1804-1815) period, grandeur was often measured in gilt bronze—sphinxes, swags, laurel wreaths gilded to catch the light. But every so often, a piece turns up th...
Mahogany
Late 19th Century birch sewing table with contents
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century birch sewing table with contents circa 1895. Good quality find on our travels around Sweden, complete with contents which we decided to keep with the piece. Bookm...
Birch
$1,479Sale Price|20% Off
Side table blue scagliola top metal base handmade in Italy by Cupioli available
Located in Rimini, IT
This table can be used as tea table, side table, lamp table it has multiple uses. The top is manufactured in scagliola art inlay, same technique of the "Paliotto" of the 16th century...
Iron
Vintage mahogany and leather Empire style martini table after Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome vintage mahogany and tooled black leather martini side table. This empire style side table features a black leather top with tooled gold decoration around the edge...
Wood
Pair of Italian Empire Style Mahogany Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of Italian Empire Style Mahogany Side Tables is a stylish addition to any living room. Made of high-quality mahogany with inlaid marble tops and brass details, these are a ...
Marble, Brass
$1,798Sale Price / item|30% Off
Lovely Pair of French Style Black Lacquer Side Tables
Located in London, GB
A Striking Pair of French Style Side Tables with Black Lacquer Finish and Floral Decoration Lovely Detail Dated C20th
Lacquer
Swedish 19th century inlaid empire revival birch side table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid empire revival birch work table circa 1880. Rectangular top surface veneered in birch and decorated with a inlaid border. Single lockable drawer fitted with pine...
Birch
French Empire-Style Mahogany Accent Table, 19th Century, Unique Design
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
19th century Swedish burr birch tripod table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish burr birch tripod table circa 1860. Good quality piece of traditional furniture which showcases the nations favourite wood, birch. Square top with rounded corn...
Birch
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
Italian Wrought Iron Safe With Original Spring Loaded Locking Mechanisms
Located in Viterbo, VT
Hand-wrought iron safe hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s. The safe is made of thin sheets of iron folded and nailed together over a wooden case. Thicker bands of iron were then u...
Wrought Iron
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2 Available.
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Circular Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style circular side table, or nightstand, made of beautifully patterned veneer of mahogany on pine with a dark gray St. Anne marble top. Door with small ...
Marble, Brass
Pair of Early 20th Century French Empire Style Lapis Lazuli Side Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of Circa 1900 French Empire Style side tables made of lapis lazuli, malachite, and onyx. This is a beautiful set that has been marvelously handcrafted with a variety of high-q...
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Brass
Small Round Vintage Baker Pedestal Table In Gold Trompe L'oeil
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This rare Baker round gold pedestal end table features Napoleon style bronze hardware throughout. This accent table would be great next to a chair in any...
Bronze
$1,479Sale Price|20% Off
Side Table Scagliola Inlaid Top Iron Base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli Available
Located in Rimini, IT
This table can be used as tea table, side table, lamp table it has multiple uses. The top is manufactured in scagliola art inlay, same technique of the "Paliotto" of the 16th century...
Iron
Pair of Empire Style Parcel-Gilt Metal Console Tables
Located in Essex, MA
A pair of Empire style parcel-gilt metal console tables, late 19th-early 20th century in the Egyptian Revival taste, each with a rectangular stone top. Measures: Height 35 1/4 x...
Metal
French Empire Figural Bronze Gueridon/side table w/ Pietra Dore Top
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century French Empire-Style Pietra Dura Top Table/Gueridon with Gilt Bronze Maiden Base. This table features a gilt bronze caryatid support and an octagonal pietra dura top. ...
Marble, Bronze
Baker Furniture Neoclassical Burled Walnut Tea Table, Circa 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Neoclassical or Empire style tea table or occasional side table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous burled walnut, with ebonized and gold gilt column legs....
Walnut, Giltwood, Burl
Maison Jansen Style Polished Steel & Brass Galleried Glass Top Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent of French Maison Jansen style Empire Revival brass and polished steel side tables with brass gallery and inset glass tops, each with three legs joined by X-form stretch...
Brass, Steel
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Period 19th Century Rosewood Card Table English
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant English mid-19th Century well figured card table of serpentine form having carved decoration. A very good quality table that can be used in any space. The rectangular top wi...
Rosewood
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Brass Gallery Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Center Table with Brass Gallery. Item features a pierced brass gallery, pedestal base, gold gilt details, beautiful wood grai...
Brass
19th Century Swedish inlaid burr birch oval occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid burr birch oval occasional table circa 1870. Good quality swedish burr birch center table that could be used for multiple purposes around the home. Oval shape w...
Birch
Vintage Ormolu Green Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your interior with the stately elegance of the Neoclassical period with this striking vintage Empire-style side table. Drawing significant influence from 19th-century French d...
Marble, Brass
French Empire Rosewood Two Tier Occasional Table With Parquetry Accents
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique 19th Century French Empire Rosewood Two Tier Occasional Table With Parquetry Accents With Turned Supports & Porcelain Castors. Central Round...
Brass
Empire Style Gueridon Side Table, Ebonized Wood & Brass, France 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon side table from France in the Empire style. This piece has three column legs each adorned with brass detailing at the top and bottom. The base has been ebonized and finished...
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Brass, Bronze
Mid 19th century birch root occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch root occasional table circa 1860. Good quality Swedish birch root table, solid burr birch circular top, standing on shaped stem and scrolled legs. Rich golde...
Birch
French 1870s Empire Style Walnut Table with Vitrine Top and Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut gueridon table from the late 19th century, with vitrine top, corinthian columns, ebonized and gilt accents. Born in France dur...
Walnut, Giltwood, Glass, Wood
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Mahogany Side Tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted mahogany circular side tables. Each table is raised by a beautiful bottom tier with mottled feet...
Ormolu
French Empire Gueridon Side Table, Ebonized Mahogany, Marble Top, 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the French Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a high gloss French polish finish. The “gueridon” has a tri...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$3,936Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Trouvailles Metal and Brass Side Tables with Swan Necks and Doors, Frenc
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A PAIR OF FRENCH PATINATED STEEL AND PARCEL-GILT GUERIDONS Each with removable galleried top above two cupboards on turned legs headed by swan-neck-shaped handles 21½ in. (57 cm.) h...
Gold Plate, Brass, Steel
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 19th Century Dutch Empire Oak and Gold Leaf Trumeau or Sideboard
Located in Casteren, NL
This elegant Empire sideboard was made in the Netherlands in the early 1800s and is also known as trumeau. It was made in the finest quality watered oak an...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
19th century beech gueridon with 3 legs on wheels. Legs are detailed with black lacquer at the top and at the base of each column.
Belgian Black Marble
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Italian metal folding side table Empire style, yellow and black, Mid century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Transport your living space back to the opulent Empire era with this Italian folding table crafted from metal, dating back to around 1970. The Em...
Metal
$1,100Sale Price|29% Off
19th Century Walnut Empire Style French Opening Side Table Called "Somno"
Located in LEGNY, FR
19th century walnut Empire style French side table called "Somno". Beautiful green marble top. Opening door with one shelf. Nice quality.
Walnut
Empire Style Side Table, French Wood with Black Marble Top, 1910
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon, French, in the Empire style. This piece has three swan legs on a triangular base supporting the top covered with a veined black marble top (professionally repaired).
Marble
19th Century Italian Iron Safe / Side Table / Nightstand
Located in Carmine, TX
Hand-wrought iron safe hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s. The safe is made of thin sheets of iron folded and nailed together over a wooden case. Thicker bands of iron were then u...
Iron
Period Charles X Vide Poche or Dished Occasional Table
Located in Hudson, NY
This table made in expensive imported mahogany was made in France, circa 1820. Stylish in an Empire form but in a then new easy less formulaic way showing the end of the countries ne...
Mahogany
Pair of French Midcentury Steel and Clear Glass Side Tables, Empire Design
Located in London, GB
A good pair of steel and glass side tables, made in France in the 1960s. Made with an empire design, with pine cone finials and flower details. This pair of minimalist side tables ...
Steel