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
Empire Console Table, France, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Original Empire console table, France, 1820, mahogany veneer with original brass fittings. The elegant columns with their brass capitals and bases stand on a rectangular base. The ba...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Side Tables
Materials
Metal
Antique French Empire Bronze Figural Swans Paw Feet Pedestal Base Low Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire bronze figural swans paw feet pedestal base round low side table. Item features ornate bronze pedestal base with swans and paw feet, beautiful wood grain, very ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Side Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Walnut Tray Top Table with Drawers, Doric Columns and Bottom Shelf
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire walnut side table features a rectangular tray top over two thin drawers, one in the front and one in the back. To maintain a harmonious symmetry, the artist has in...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
18th Century French Neoclassical Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an exquisite 18th century French neoclassical side table, an exceptional piece of furniture that exudes timeless elegance and so...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
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....
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Side Tables
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood, Burl
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
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
1920s Vintage Empire Side Tables
Materials
Wood, 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 side table with drawers, Westphalia, c. 1780/90, walnut, maple, rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Side table, Westphalia around 1780/90, walnut, maple, rosewood and other precious woods veneered and marquetry, original fittings, shellac-wax polish
Height 75 cm, width 49.5 cm, de...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Side Table or Nightstand
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century French Empire style side table or nightstand made of solid walnut and veneer of walnut and finished on all four sides. Expertly crafted tambour door made of preci...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th century Empire st. Belle Époque period Mahogany, Ormolu side table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most attractive French 19th century Empire st. Belle Époque period Mahogany, Ormolu and Verde Antico marble side table. This beautiful single drawer table is raised by...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Italian Empire Style Walnut Side Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome pair of 19th century Italian Empire style walnut side tables. Beautiful marble tops with pretty star pattern. Creates a very stylish look!!
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
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
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...
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
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
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.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Walnut
Period Empire Marble Top Gueridon Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful, period Empire veneered, ebonized and gilded, marble top gueridon table with figurative legs terminating in goat hooves.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Sofa Table by Johan Oman
By Johan Öman
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 19th century Swedish mahogany sofa table by Johan Oman. Stylized double headed axe, a Swedish motif, original ormolu mounts and gilded winged feet...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Fir
French Empire Period Dore Bronze Mounted Center Table/Library Table
By Thomas Hope
Located in New York, NY
A marvelous French empire period dore bronze-mounted center table with X-form stretcher on either side, most probably from a Thomas Hope design. This beautifully hand carved center t...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Bronze
French Gilt and Marble Occasional Table in the Empire Style
By Jacob Frères
Located in London, GB
A fine gueridon in the Empire manner after a model by Jacob Freres.
Based on designs by Percier and Fontaine.
Of circular form, constructed in Amboyna, rising from giltwood bun feet, the platform base of tripartite incurved form, centered with a fire gilt bronze waisted vase...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
19th Century Empire France Lyra-Shaped Curly-Legs Side Tables, circa 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid wood and partly boned. Round leaf with black-and-white interspersed marble, over simple frame and lyra-shaped curly legs on three-sided retracted base plate and dis...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
Square Side Table with Crema Valencia Marble Top by Modenese Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Bespoke square Cream Valencia marble side table. Its elegant and linear empire-style legs make this piece an unique piece of luxury furniture to keep your sofas company in your spaci...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
Unusual Early 19th Century Swedish Carved Giltwood Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and unusual Swedish giltwood and ebonized console table with a white marble top supported by two sculptural griffins (part eagle, part sea creature).
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
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
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
19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century Italian Empire style walnut side table with brass gallery. A quality piece with a beautiful finish. Perfect for the...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Brass
Small Restored Empire Era Table, Made in 1810s Austria, Ash
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Austrian Empire small table
Period: 1810-1819
Material: Ash.
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer
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 Empire France Lyra-Shaped Curly-Legs Side Tables, circa 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid wood and partly boned. Round leaf with black-and-white interspersed marble, over simple frame and lyra-shaped curly legs on three-sided ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
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 19th Century Empire St. Burl Walnut, Ormolu and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and extremely high quality French 19th century Empire st. burl Walnut, ormolu and Jaune de Sienne marble side table. The oblong shaped table is raised by impressive richly...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Patinated and Dore Bronze Empire/Neo-Grec French Side Table, Att. F. Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A Beautifully Designed Small Patinated and Dore Bronze French Side Table, Attributed to F. Barbedienne, the Magnificent French Metalworker and Manufacturer. This beautifully cast an...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Weiman Heirloom Italian Regency Empire Mahogany Side Table w/ Black Columns
By Weiman
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
Square Side Table with Emperador Dark Marble Top by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Enjoy the real Made in Italy luxury life style with this hand-decorated square side table. Emperador Dark marble top, solid empire-style wooden s...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Side Tables
Materials
Griotte Marble, Marble, Gold Leaf
19th C. French Empire Style Round Mahogany Bronze Mount Tilt Top Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th Century French Empire Style Round Mahogany Tilt Top Table w/ Bronze Ormolu. Item features ornate cast bronze ormolu, brass casters, carved central column, beautiful wood grain, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Bronze
Especially beautiful Side Table, Pillar Commode Trumeau, Empire, ~1810-15, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful pillar commode, trumeau - an original of the Empire era, made around 1810-15, in Italy.
This piece of furniture has a wonderfully classic shape, with a base, a round body...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Side Tables
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Side Tables
Materials
Fruitwood
American Empire Expanding Rectangular Wood Side Table with Mahogany Veneer
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire folding rectangular side table with a sliding table top and extendable hinged leaf, resting on a baluster pedestal base ending in 4 flattened scroll legs with casters...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Empire Banded Mahogany Drum Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or Georgian style drum side table or tea table
By Baker Furniture
USA, circa 1980s
Beautiful flame mahogany, with satinwood banding.
Measures: 24"W x 24...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Side Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
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
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...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
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
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...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Low Marble Top Empire Style Pedestal Side Tables by Imperial, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage low marble top Empire style pedestal side tables by Imperial - a Pair. Item features a nice low form, square white marble tops, wooden urn form ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble
French 1870s Empire Style Round Table with Marble Top, Brass Gallery and Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style round side table from the late 19th century, with red marble top, single drawer and brass accents. Born in France during the third quarter of the 19th century, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, 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
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
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
Pair of Restored Empire Side Tables, Yew-Tree, Revived Polish, Austria 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of console tables, designed on the border of Empire and Biedermeier, comes from Austria from the early 19th century. They are made of yew veneer and have undergone ...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Lacquer, Wood, Yew
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most unique French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. The table is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet below a fine r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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.