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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
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Feet Side Tables, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Feet Side Tables - a Pair. Item features a claw foot tripod pedestal base, lower shelf, beautiful woodgrain,...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

Mid-Century Mahogany Magazine Stand/Side Table
By Company of Master Craftsmen
Located in Hudson, NY
Circa 1960 by The Company Master Craftsman. Although designed for magazines, this exquisitely crafted mahogany table could serve a number functions from holding remotes, keys and col...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Opera Fantastico marble side table. The table is raised by three elegant lightly curved square tapered legs with hands...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

Empire Style Side Table
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).
Category

1910s French Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

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.
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, 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 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 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

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

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 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

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

Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Sofa Table by Johan Oman
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

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

French Empire Style Mahogany Mother of Pearl Wreath Inlay Accent Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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 nice vin...
Category

Early 20th Century 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

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

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Oval Side Table, Circa 1800
Located in NICE, FR
Presenting you this Empire gueridon in mahogany from the Napoleon I period. Boasting a veined black marble top resting on four spindle legs ending in gilded bronze claws, this guer...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 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

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 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...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Birch

French 19th Century Empire St. Faux Painted Wood, Giltwood and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Empire st. faux painted wood, giltwood and Gris Turquin marble side/center table. The circular table is raised by a most decorative triangular base ...
Category

19th 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

French Gilt and Marble Occasional Table in the Empire Style
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

Iron Faux Leather Side Table in the style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful console table made from iron and glass. Unique and well thought out faux leather iron base. You could not tell it isn't real leather until you touch it. Good condition ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Metal

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

Mid 19th century Swedish burr birch work table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish burr birch work table circa 1850. Beautiful sewing table which could now function as a lamp/side table.  Made from stunning burr birch.  Lid top opens to re...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Birch

Original antique Empire Table circa 1860 - 1880 Mahogany veneer bronzed
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire table circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. The table stands on 3 feet of each foot 1 empire head cast in bronze. Top condition.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

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

Elegant Italian Empire Consoles Tables with White Marble Top, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Empire mahogany and finely carved gilt-wood consoles tables with the rectangular Carrara white marble top. Timeless elegance for your interior. Measures: Height cm 102 width cm 124, ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

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 Bronze Lion End Tables
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze end table with 4 legs ending in lion heads holding rings with a round inset black marble top and shelf.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique thread table, Northern Europe, around 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A thread table from the second half of the 19th century in the Biedermeier style. A small piece of furniture, a bit forgotten today, but once a must-have for a housewife for needlew...
Category

1860s Scandinavian Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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 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

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

19th C. French Empire Style Walnut Bouillotte Table with Black Fossil Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique French bouillotte table was crafted circa 1870 in the Empire style and features a rich walnut cylindrical body topped with a round fossil black marble surface. The marbl...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt End Table
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...
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

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

Elegant Italian Empire Consoles Tables with White Marble Top, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Empire mahogany and finely carved gilt-wood consoles tables with the rectangular Carrara white marble top. Timeless elegance for your interior. Measures: Height cm 102 width cm 124...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood, Glass, Wood

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

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...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Side Tables

Materials

Metal

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

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

Pair Empire End Tables Walnut Black Columns Vintage Regency
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Great pair of Empire Style end tables with brass collared black columns and bun feet. Beautiful bookmatched veneer on top surfaces with medallion corners....
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Empire style thread table, Western Europe, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A thread table from the mid-19th century, Western Europe. The furniture is in very good condition. Dimensions: height 79 cm / width 38 cm / depth 31 cm
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Empire-Style Pedestal Table in Walnut Veneer with Gray Marble Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined 19th-century Empire-style pedestal table crafted in walnut veneer, featuring a stately circular gray marble top resting on a neoclassical columnar base. The table is suppor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Coffee table from the 1920s, France.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique coffee table from the early 20th century, France. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 73 cm / width 78 cm / depth 49 cm
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Side Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

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

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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