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
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
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
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
Rider Two-Tier Side Table
Located in New York, NY
Parisian Flair. A fab storage solution for an entryway or a bathroom, our Rider two-tier side table is an updated take on French Empire style. Blacke...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Side Tables
Materials
Brass
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Early American Classical Empire Period Flame Mahogany Sewing Stand Work Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare fine quality Federal period American Empire flame mahogany sewing stand work table from the early 19th century.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in the northeastern United States, most likely Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1820, having a hinged top, opening to reveal contrasting Birdseye maple marquetry oval cartouche inlay, a fitted maple divided compartment interior, the front having two nicely shaped curved drawer fronts, consisting of a faux drawer front over a single dovetailed ogee drawer, above a vasiform pedestal standard, molded stepped platform base, rising on bracket feet, resting on casters.
Attractive highly figured crotch cut swirl mahogany with striking grain patterns, rich and deep antique wood color...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
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
French Empire Style End Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A vintage, French Empire style mahogany end table by "Weiman Heirloom" featuring a French pen pillard case with long elegant tapered legs. This table h...
Category
20th Century American Empire Side Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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 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
Antique Italian Biedermeier French Empire Small Marble Top Drinks Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Biedermeier French Empire Small Round Marble Top Drinks Gueridon Side Table with Bronze Ormolu. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 16" Diameter.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
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
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
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
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Crotch Mahogany & Ebony Lyre Pedestal Sewing Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th Century Duncan Phyfe Style Occasional Sewing or Spool Table. Features a crotch mahogany frame over an ebonized lyre base with brass rods and downswept scrolled feet. Inc...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Side Tables
Materials
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...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
French Empire Gueridon Side Table with Tripod Columns Brass and Marble Top
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful French Empire style gueridon table from 19th century. Beautiful black fossil marble over a mahogany body. A simple apron showcases the deep toned wood. Three columnar leg...
Category
20th Century French Empire Side Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Marble-Top French Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Toronto, CA
This 19th century French walnut side table with a lovely patina developed with age. The off white marble top is framed on three side with a brass gallery. The table has one drawer an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
By Palladio
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
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
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
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
Pair French Side Tables Painted Lacquer Occasional
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style side tables
Feature a lacquer finish and hand painted floral motifs
Very colourful interiors pair with original gilt fixtures
Good size to these ...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Side Tables
Materials
Wood
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
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...
Category
1990s Philippine Empire Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Empire Corner Étagère, Berlin circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
An exceptional corner étagère made of mahogany, resting on three gold-patinated paw feet. The segment-shaped structure is supported by three stylized palm-form columns, featuring gol...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Giltwood
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
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
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Side Table with Doric Column Legs
Located in Birmingham, AL
This exquisite French Empire period side table is a superb example of early 19th century craftsmanship. Handcrafted from rich walnut by skilled artisans near Lyon, circa 1810, it sho...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
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
French Empire Period Walnut & Brass Mounted 1-Drawer Side Table, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a kidney shaped top with a raised gallery edge and a conforming inset leather writing surface, the case below housing a shaped drawer, the top raised on columnar legs with bra...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Russian Empire Brass Microfusion Side Table Real Gold 23 3/4 Plated, Inlayed Top
Located in Barlassina, IT
Brass side table inspired by Russian Empire style ( Golden Age period), was proposed by Belloni for the first time in 1988 and and it's still in production.
The frame is made in bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Side Tables
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass
19th Century Italian Giltwood and Marble Top Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A good centre table in the Italian impero manner
Constructed in carved gold leaf giltwood, and having a St Jean brecciated marble top; of circular form, the tripartite base of canin...
Category
19th Century Italian 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
French Empire Figural Bronze and Marble Round Glass Tazza Low Side Tables - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Figural Bronze and Marble Round Glass "Tazza" Low Side Tables - a Pair. Item features thick round glass tops, heavy marble bases with bronze figural ormol...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Brass and Leather Side Table Maison Jansen Style
Located in Bradenton, FL
French Maison Jansen Style Brass and Tooled Leather Side Table. Rectangular table features leather inserts on the two shelves, and acorn finials. The four acorn finials cap each of t...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Side Tables
Materials
Brass
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 American Empire Floral Spiral Carved Mahogany Round Library Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Floral Spiral Carved Pie Crust Mahogany Round Library Center Table. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 29" H x 30" Diameter.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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 Mahogany Console Table
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular original marble top over a frieze with drawer, all supported by parcel gilt columns joining a shelf, block feet.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Side Tables, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style two-tier end tables or nightstands
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Carved cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Side Tables
Materials
Cherry, Satinwood, Burl
Pair of French Midcentury Steel and Glass Side Tables
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.
Simple, elegant, mid century cra...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Side Tables
Materials
Steel
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
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 ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Side Tables
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Brass
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
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.