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Empire Side 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
Pair of French Blue Painted Fluted Bedside Column End Tables with Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This pair of side tables with a single drawer and cabinet below have been constructed from solid wood. The interior features a shelf for additional storage. Classic details on this s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Elegant vintage classical Empire inspired marble top table by Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an elegant empire inspired marble topped side table by Maitland Smith. This Empire inspired table has a hand forged wrought iron base with three decorative brass wings. This ...
Category

1990s Philippine Empire Side Tables

Materials

Iron

French Empire Round Marble Top Mahogany Column Pedestal Cabinet End Table Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Round Marble Top Mahogany Reeded Column Form Pedestal Cabinet End Tables - a Pair. Item features single cabinet door, brass door pull, white Italian marbl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Marble Topped Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A vintage Empire style side table handcrafted in France. A wonderful square piece of emerald green marble featuring black veining and hazy white patterns sits atop a cast iron base w...
Category

20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Iron

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....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Side Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Italian Iron Safe / Cassaforte / Side Table / Nightstand
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...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Iron

French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal & Glass Center Table with Ram's Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Category

20th Century Empire Side Tables

Materials

Metal

Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1960s signed "Palladio" of Italy wall-mounted Carrara marble console table with mirror. Elegant piece sculpted of iron with gold gilded paint. Fabulous foyer piece.       
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere
Located in Dereham, GB
Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere 3 Mahogany & Satinwood banded inlaid shelves, Supported by brass Column frame with Finials at top, ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Side Table, Vienna, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Viennese Empire side table in mahogany, crafted around 1810. The table features a single drawer and rests on gracefully curved C-shaped legs with brass sabots. An elevated...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Carlo X Italian Walnut Side Table, 1820s
Located in Viterbo, VT
Empire / Carlo X side table hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut and decorated with book-matched walnut veneer. The side table has elegant lines and lyre-like legs, con...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th century Swedish birch root shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish burr birch shaped occasional table circa 1870. Fine quality table which is ideal for multiple uses around the home.  Scalloped shaped top which has been beautif...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Birch

19th Century Italian Sorrento Inlaid Side Table
Located in Viterbo, VT
Sorrento round side table hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The table follows the canons of the style with intricate geometrical radially symmetrical inlay on the ...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Poplar, Satinwood, Walnut

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
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables

Materials

Lacquer

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 ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Empire Two Drawer Worktable or Stand in Flame Mahogany
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique 19th century Empire stand with two drawers in flame mahogany. It features dovetailed drawers with original wood knobs, a finished back and boldly carved legs with acanthus le...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Round Mahogany Side Table - Antique Marble Table
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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Table Tilt Top Swedish Chess Game Pedestal Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table Tilt Top Swedish Chess Game Pedestal Sweden. A Swedish tilt top table made during the later part of 19th Century. Painted chess game on the top. Ornate base.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

A Pair of Empire Style French Bronze Gueridons with Black Marble Tops
Located in London, GB
France, 20th century A pair of mid twentieth century Empire style circular gueridon, the black marble tops with polished brass rims, all supported on tripod bronze bases with cross...
Category

20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Brass, Bronze

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Style Mahogany and Ebonized Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and restored Empire-style Mahogany side table. Round Mahogany top and base with new polish, three ebonized legs with dual ring gilt-wood accent det...
Category

20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood, Wood

Pair of French Neoclassical Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Side Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair of French neoclassical style malachite and gilt bronze side tables French, 20th century Dimensions: Height 85cm, diameter 50cm These striking octagonal guéridons are crafte...
Category

20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Bleached Cherry Side Table
Located in Viterbo, VT
Empire side table hand-made in France in the early 1800s using cherry wood. The table is very elegant in lines featuring very straight edges couple with soft, curved legs and hand-tu...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Cherry

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century French Empire period side table or nightstand made of solid walnut and veneer of walnut and finished on all four sides. Book matched veneers with beautiful swirli...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Side Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table. This striking table features bronze decorative trim as well as gilt bronze legs decorated with eagles ring handles an...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire Style Gueridon Side Table
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...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique French Empire Bronze Figural Swans Paw Foot Pedestal Base Low Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Figural Swans Paw Foot Pedestal Base Low Side Table. Item features an ornate bronze pedestal base with swans and paw feet, beautiful wood grain, very nic...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire “Gueridon” Tripod Table
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...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890. Rectangular top with canted corners.  Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged aroun...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Italian Walnut Side Table / Writing Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire side table / writing desk hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The table is very elegant in proportions and features two inset drawers of with beautiful hand-ma...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

Empire Octagonal Mahogany Sunburst Inlay Pedestal Base Side Table w/ Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C. American Empire Octagonal Mahogany Sunburst Inlay Pedestal Base Side Table with Paw Feet. Item features an octagonal central column with satinwood pencil inlay, tripo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Side Tables

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Birch

Swedish 19th century inlaid birch games table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian 19th century inlaid birch games table circa 1880. Fine quality games table ideal for chess. Scalloped shaped top with inlaid playing area in walnut and birch. Playing a...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Birch

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...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique thread table, Northern Europe, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique nickak table from the end of the 19th century, Northern Europe. The piece of furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 78 cm / ...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Style Marble Top table with bronze mounts
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant tall side table made of mahogany with black marble top. It Is well made with exceptional bronze dore gilt mounts in the empire Style with a tapered leg ending in bronze dore ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

A Pair of Empire Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Ebonized Column Supports
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Pair Of Matching French Empire Style Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Column Supports United By A Triform Base and Side Drawer.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Painted Empire Table
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A Regency design circular marble topped painted and decorated centre/lamp table with elongated turned feet. Bespoke sizing, design adaptations and finishing available. We are c...
Category

18th Century British Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Paint

Pair Empire Pedestal Stands - Gilt Side Tables
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style gilt pedestal stands Perfect for displaying decorative pieces such as vases and urns Round marble tops are smooth and chip free Bought from a dea...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Empire Style Walnut Lamp Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire Style Walnut Lamp Table, 20th century, the circular carved top above a quatre partite base, with paw feet on a conforming plinth. 23.5" H x 26" Diameter.
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Drop Leaf Sewing Work/Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Carved Flame Mahogany 2 Drawer Drop-Leaf Sewing Work/Side Table This gorgeous 19th century balanced and proportioned drop-leaf sewing work/side table is crafted from ...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Metal

Bleached Fruitwood French Swan Leg Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
This bleached fruitwood French swan leg side table from the early 20th century showcases elegant craftsmanship with its gracefully curved legs resembling swan necks and inset Carrara...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency Empire Mahogany Side Table w/ Black Columns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency/Empire Style Flamed Mahogany Side Table with Black Columns, Satinwood Inlay, and Dovetailed Drawer. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Brass

French Empire Cuban Mahogany "Somno" Side Table, circa 1805
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful "Somno" side table made of high quality Cuban mahogany with a grey marble top. This French Empire piece dates from the early 19th century, circa 1805. Meaning sleep in ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Restored Empire Small Table, Mahogany, Cherry Wood, Lacquer, France, 1840s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant round classicist table comes from France from the mid-19th century. It is made of a combination of cherry and mahogany veneer with inlay and has brass fittings. The tabl...
Category

1840s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer, Wood, Cherry

Regency Empire Two Tier Flame Walnut Gueridon Table With Elegant Reeded Legs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Beautiful Regency Empire Two Tier Flame Walnut Gueridon Table With Elegant Reeded Legs Finished With Brass Detailing. The veneer top is a real eye catching centrepiece. Height bet...
Category

19th Century British Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Brass

French Empire Style 19th Century Bleached Table with Marble Top and Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style bleached wood side table from the 19th century with black marble top, three column legs, in-curving tripartite base and petite feet. Bask in the timeless allure...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Late 19th Century Empire Style Side Table
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Late 19th century Empire style jewelry side table.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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. ...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Style Round Accent 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 featu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Side Tables

Materials

Quartz, Brass

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.
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Empire side tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire side tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire side tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Netherlands pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side tables, popular names associated with this style include and Jonathan Sainsbury. 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. Prices for side tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,495 and tops out at $5,700 while the average work can sell for $2,821.

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