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Empire Sofa 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
19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Marble Top Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent 19th century French empire gilt wood console table featuring a marbleized limestone top with partial shell fossil remnants. The marble specimen is...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Black French Empire Ebonized Wood Center Table - Antique Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French Empire sofa table made of hand crafted ebonized wood, in good condition. The round Parisian side table is composed with a shellac polished clear glass top to protect the surface, supported by a detailed carved gold-patinated octagonal column...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Glass, Ebony

Danish Empire Yellow Metal Tray Table, Denmark Early 19th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Danish empire tray table. Tray in yellow-painted metal with silver-plated carrying handles. On later mahogany base with tapered legs ending in brass feet and casters. Orig...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

French Empire Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Empire style Neo Classic console table with strict lines, perfect symmetries, and secrets. A plain frieze apron holds a hidden drawer. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Style Console Table, Refinished, Bronze, Celebrity Provenance
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical style console table, Refinished, bronze, Celebrity provenance A walnut and parcel bronze and iron two-legged console table with a pink and gray marble top in the Neo...
Category

1890s Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

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 Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Fir

Empire Style Mahogany and Gold Gilt Console by Kindel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Empire style console or entry table made in mahogany wood having gold gilt wood carvings. The table has a faux marble top and am mirrored back. The table was made by Kindel...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Table in the Versace Style with 4 Columns Frame in Maple Root Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Table in the Versace style with 4 columns frame in maple root veneer. Made in Italy.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Maple

19th Century Empire Serpent Paint & Gilt Decorated Mirrored Back Pier or Cons
Located in Stamford, CT
An early 19th century Empire serpent paint and gilt decorated mirrored back pier or console table. The white marble top supported by a single drawer with bronze pulls flanked by bronze decorative corners. The whole having a pair full bodied serpents with gilt heads...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian Empire Writing Table in Mahogany with Marquetry
Located in Miami, FL
A handsome Italian Empire desk or sofa table in mahogany with fold-down leaves, and resting over trestle base with splayed legs ending in carved li...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Russian Empire period Walnut Sofa Table
Located in Montreal, QC
This beautiful table is probably Russian, We describe it as a sofa table but it might equally be for the library . (The drawer has ink stains) It is a fine piece of cabinetry with ...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Walnut

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19th century rosewood sofa table
Located in Penzance, GB
Here we have a very good quality rosewood and brass inlayed sofa table with amboyna banding in the top surface . It also has superb brass cast feet and casters the brass inlay is top class ,tables with this type of finish were for wealthy homes in the early 18th century ,and this one would have been made by one of the top cabinet makers most likely in London. This is possibly by John Maclean...
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Early 18th Century English Antique Empire Sofa Tables

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Rosewood

19th century rosewood sofa table
19th century rosewood sofa table
H 27.5 in W 55 in D 24 in
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
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Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
H 37.5 in W 39.5 in D 30 in
19th Century English Butlers Tray Table
Located in Pomona, CA
A mid-19th century English mahogany butlers tray on the stand features a rectangular tray with a surrounding gallery. On a folding X-frame stand with woven straps to accommodate the ...
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1840s English Antique Empire Sofa Tables

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Mahogany

19th Century English Butlers Tray Table
19th Century English Butlers Tray Table
H 34.25 in W 27.75 in D 17.5 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Mahogany Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique console was crafted in France, circa 1810. Standing on turned front columns ending in round feet, and pilaster legs in the rear over a stretcher platform bottom ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Mahogany Tripod Round Small Side Table
Located in Sofia, BG
Fine mahogany side table with round top resting on tripod hand carved leg. Very good condition with no restorations. France, circa 1860.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Console with Faux Marble Painted Top
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Italian neoclassical giltwood console with Faux marble painted top is an amazing example of fine craftsmanship and timeless style, rendered by the master artisans of Mil...
Category

1890s Italian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Giltwood

Late 19th/Early 20th Century French Louis XV Carved Oak Tray Top Tea Table
Located in Forney, TX
A lovely French Louis XV style hand carved oak two-tier tea / dessert server table with beautifully aged warm patina. circa 1900 Born in France at the turn of the late 19th / early ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Oak

French 19th Century Empire Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th Century bookmatched flame mahogany console has its original charcoal marble top that fits over the base. Column-form front legs support the top along with the consol...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Empire Console
French 19th Century Empire Console
H 34.75 in W 47.75 in D 23 in
Pencil Reed Console Table
Located in Denton, TX
Offered is a fabulous, 1970s Italian curved, pencil reed-rattan console table with a circular pattern.
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed

Pencil Reed Console Table
Pencil Reed Console Table
H 25.5 in W 55.38 in D 18.5 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Mahogany and Gold Gilt Console Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional monumental modern neoclassical or Art Deco style console or sofa table By Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture USA, circa 1990s Mahogany, with gold gilt trim Measures...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

Baker Furniture Georgian Carved Mahogany Console or Sofa Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian style console or sofa table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Carved mahogany, with shell motif and hairy paw feet. Measures: 58.5"W x 23.5"D x ...
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Late 20th Century American Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Regency Style Antiqued Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Regency style mahogany and reclaimed oak veneered console table restored with pollard oak, the rectangular three quarter gallery top with six turned finials atop each turn...
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood

Regency Style Antiqued Console Table
Regency Style Antiqued Console Table
H 35.25 in W 64 in D 16 in
Previously Available Items
Near Pair of Somno Empire Period Bedside Tables in Mahogany
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of somno in mahogany Empire period Very nice set of two somnos that come from the same castle with one that has a black marble and the other a white marble. It has the...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

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Mahogany

Antique Empire Table, Scandinavia, circa 1900s, Restored
Located in Chorzów, PL
Sofa coffee table with delicate intarsia on the sides in the Empire style. Come from Scandinavia from circa 1900s. After wood polishing and refinishing. Very good condition. ...
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Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Empire Table, Scandinavia, circa 1900s, Restored
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique table in the Empire style from the beginning of the 20th century, around 1900. Made in Scandinavia. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: H. ...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Empire Style, Bronze Dragon with Thick Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This Empire style coffee table, has as a base a gilded bronze casting, lost wax casting, depicting a dragon, the glass top has a thickness of two centimeters, the edge is hand chisel...
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1890s French Antique Empire Sofa Tables

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Bronze

French Empire Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary vintage empire style sofa table beautifully crafted out of walnut & burled veneers combination and has been completely restored by our craftsmen team. This console is eye-catching features a beautiful light-walnut and ebonized color combination with a lacquer finish, a rectangular tabletop with three inches apron covered with by exotic burled veneers, and brass molding accents details. Underneath there is an open shelf supported by two carved columns on the back and two scroll carved legs accentuated by two round brass rosettes sitting on a two-inch arch design burled base. This burled console...
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1970s French Vintage Empire Sofa Tables

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Lacquer, Wood, Walnut

French Empire Console Table
French Empire Console Table
H 32 in W 55 in D 16 in
Swedish Empire Mahogany Sofa Table, circa 1820s
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Empire mahogany and fruitwood line inlaid sofa table, First Quarter 19th Century, the rectangular top with slightly rounded corners above a conforming frieze with three dra...
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1820s Swedish Antique Empire Sofa Tables

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Mahogany

Empire-Style Mahogany and Gold Gilt Console by Kindel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have 2 matching consoles but this listing is only for one. French Empire style console or entry table made in mahogany wood having gold gilt wood carvings. The table has a f...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

19th Century Italian Empire Period Giltwood Sphinxes, one Gueridon Tables
Located in IT
19th century Italian empire period giltwood sphinx, only one available. Wood gold foil sphinx with woman head and wings adapted as a small table/ Gueridon / coffee tables. From Italy...
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Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture Burl Wood Marble Top Empire Style Demilune Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or neoclassical style console or entry table By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Cherry and olive ash burl wood, with brass accents and Italian marble top....
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Italian Empire Period Giltwood Sphinxes, Set of Two Gueridon Tables
Located in IT
19th century Italian empire period giltwood sphinxes, set of two. Two wood gold foil sphinxes with woman head and wings. Originally used as legs for a table, today we have adapted as...
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Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Wood

French Painted Marble Console
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Vintage French Empire Console is made out of mahogany wood features a thick black and gold marble top in great condition and has been newly restored. The marble top rests on a s...
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1950s French Vintage Empire Sofa Tables

Materials

Marble

French Painted Marble Console
French Painted Marble Console
H 34.5 in W 72 in L 34.5 in
Round Cream Coffee Table Scagliola Art Inlaid Top Royal Yellow Marble Base
Located in Rimini, IT
Decorative coffee table designed by Cupioli made in Italy. Inlaid scagliola art top with Classic decor and turned royal yellow marble base. This i...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Sofa Tables

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Marble

Empire sofa tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire sofa 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 sofa tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire sofa tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sofa tables, popular names associated with this style include Johan Öman, and Kindel Furniture. 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 sofa tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,525 and tops out at $17,800 while the average work can sell for $7,650.

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