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.
Swedish 19th Century Empire Oval Center Table, circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Swedish Empire oval center table, circa 1830, distinguished by its bold architectural form and richly carved pedestal base. Crafted during the first half of the 19th centu...
Wood
Antique Empire Tile Top Table with Dutch Tiles Denmark 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Danish or perhaps Swedish empire tile top table with dutch tiles and 1 drawer. It's made in the 19th century period by a skilled carpenter of soli...
Ceramic, Wood
Antique Swedish Desk from the Empire Period, Decorated Drawer and Rustic Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish empire desk made by hand in solid pine. The desk is from the empire period in northern Sweden around 1850. Straight tapered legs and a functional extendable drawer. H...
Pine
A French Empire style ormolu and malachite centre table, Late 20th century
Located in CABA, AR
A monumental French Empire style console table featuring an extraordinary combination of richly gilt ormolu and vibrant malachite decoration, inspired by the grand decorative vocabul...
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
Contemporary Empire Style Brass Dolphin Table
Located in Houston, TX
A chic vintage brass dolphin pedestal dining table with 48" diameter glass top.
Brass
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Iron & Inlaid Stone Round Center Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An eye catching handmade Breakfast, Centre or Foyer table by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a rounded top with inlaid and tessellated stone in the shape of shells and tulips. ...
Stone, Iron
Tray Table Light Green Painted Metal , Late Empire
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late Empire side table / lamp table with a metal tray featuring a painted brass rim, placed on a later collapsible stand. The tray dates from around 1820–30, while the stand was mad...
Metal
19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Pedestal Center Table with Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant late 19th-century French Empire-style pedestal table, sourced from Provence and expertly restored. Crafted from solid walnut with beautiful grain character and warm tones,...
Marble, Brass
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...
Birch
$2,716Sale Price|20% Off
Maitland Smith French Empire Cocktail Table
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Brass
Antique American Empire Style Cuban Mahogany Game Table
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant American Empire style game table, circa 1835. This versatile piece showcases classic design with a practical function. The swivel top, supported by a graceful cylinder column...
Mahogany
$4,154Sale Price|20% Off
Tavolino Ferro Battuto e Piano Marmo Bianco Intarsiato a mano in Italia Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Tavolino da salotto realizzato con la tecnica decorativa dell' intarsio in scagliola su piano in marmo bianco Carrara, che appoggia su di un basamento in ferro battuto decorato in fo...
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron
Antique French Empire Period Walnut Marble Top Console Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent, imposing antique French Empire Period marble-topped walnut and parcel gilt console table, Circa 1810 in date. The rectangular specimen marble top features ro...
Carrara Marble, Siena Marble
Empire Wall Console by P. G. Bylander, Gothenburg/Sweden, First Half of 19th C.
Located in Greding, DE
Swedish wall console in gilt and stuccoed wood with rich Neoclassical decoration. At the center appears an Aesculapian staff, accompanied by a winged helmet of Hermes...
Marble
$3,250 / item
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Console
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Console with Ebonized Marble Top & Bronze Dore Details, ca. 1810
Walnut
19th century Swedish empire elm marble top console table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish elm marble top console table circa 1860. Fine quality console table of grand proportions. Shaped marble top standing on an elm base. Single concealed draw...
Marble
Baker Furniture French Empire Burl Wood and Brass Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire style extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched burled olive wood, with inlaid walnut banding, and brass accents. ...
Brass
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 ...
Marble, Bronze
$401Sale Price|42% Off
Square French Empire Brass Swans and Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Square French Empire brass swans and wrought iron coffee table is a striking example of neoclassical design, blending refined craftsmanship with timeless elegance. The table fea...
Metal
French Country Provincial Biedermeier Cherry Marble Side Table Ice Bucket Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Country Provincial Biedermeier Style Cherry Wood Marble Side Table w/ ...
Marble
Pair 19th Century Italian Empire Consoles
Located in Houston, TX
A stately pair of 19th Century Italian Empire white marble top mahogany consoles supported by ebonized caryatid columns.
Marble, Ormolu
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...
Marble
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...
Mahogany
Brass and marble jaguar coffee table, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Stunning coffee table with two brass jaguar sculptures mounted on marble column bases and a clear rectangular glass top. This empire style coffee table and style often attributed to...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
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...
Wood
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...
Birch
$3,220Sale Price / set|41% Off
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.
Marble
Pair of Neoclassical Empire Marble-Topped Consoles with Gilt Sphinx Supports
Located in Elkhart, IN
Elegant and theatrical, this pair of Neoclassical Empire console tables captures the enduring appeal of French Empire design through a refined palette of pale blue-gray paint, richly...
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Empire Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Empire lacquered walnut dolphin center table.
Wood, Walnut
$2,820 / item
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base. Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H. Clearance: 27"
Wood
Stunning French Empire Style Walnut Writing Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer sell this stunning large French Empire style walnut desk having a gilt tooled green leather top with a ormolu edge and scrolling mounts flanked by an arrangement ...
Brass, Ormolu
Transforming Table by Martin-Guillaume Biennais, Consulat Period, France circa 1
Located in New York, NY
Transformation table, on high square pointed legs with brass sabots and curved table top including intermediate shelf with gilded gallery rail. The middle part of the table top can b...
Brass
Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Bronze
French Empire Antique Burl Walnut Center Table with Black Marble Top, circa 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine Empire center table crafted of beautifully patinated burl walnut veneers over secondary woods, the table retains its original black marble top. This was turned to create the dished top with an integral raised rim. Over each of the three columns is a honeysuckle gilded bronze mount, each pillar...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
$4,500 / item
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Very finely cast Empire style gilt bronze gueridon table with swan motif.
Bronze
Late 19th Century birch sewing table with contents
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century birch sewing table with contents circa 1895. Good quality find on our travels around Sweden, complete with contents which we decided to keep with the piece. Bookm...
Birch
French Empire Style Mahogany and Bronze Griffins Table Desk
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze trimmed 2 drawer table desk with stretcher, griffins, and green marble top.
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Russian Pair of Antique Beechwood, Brass Wall Mirrors and Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian pair of wall mirrors and console tables, nightstands made of hand crafted Karelian Beechwood in good condition. The floor mirrors are supported by two arched legs ...
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Tric Trac Backgammon Games Table
Located in Essex, MA
Period French First Empire Tric Trac or Backgammon Table. Reversible top with leather on one side and felt on the other. Opening to a backgammon playing well with inlay in ebony an...
Mahogany, Ebony
Pair of Reproduction Empire Revival Gueridon Tables
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A small yet dramatic pair of French Empire inspired reproduction side tables. Nero Marquina black marble tops are ringed with bronze bezels, su...
Marble, Metal
19th Century burr birch empire revival console table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th Century burr birch empire revival console table circa 1880. Good quality Swedish burr birch side table, ideal for use in the hallway, but suitable for most rooms around the hom...
Birch
French Empire Demilune Console Table, Mahogany, Hand-Carved, 1840-1860
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire demilune console table with a pair of large hand-carved mahogany swans. Good craftsmanship and beautiful stylized sculptural swans wit...
Mahogany
Outstanding Pair of 19th Century Italian Empire Console Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Outstanding Pair Of 19th Century Italian Empire Console Tables. This beautiful pair of free standing antique early 19th century Italian period ...
Walnut
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...
Mahogany
$2,879Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Small Antique Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this fantastic small antique Italian desk dating back to the early 19th century, during the sumptuous Empire period. This desk, crafted from fine walnut, is characterized b...
Bronze
French Empire Style Marble-Top Painted Center Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French vintage mid-century Empire-style center table, a silhouette revived by the famous Maison Jansen, and updated more recently in a fresh new color. The surface is a heavy disc of...
Marble
Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection Burl Wood and Ebonized Regency Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Biedermeier style round pedestal breakfast table, game table, or center table From the exclusive "Stately Homes" Collection by Baker Furniture USA, C...
Ebony, Burl
Antique French Empire Side Table, Mahogany & Marble, Circa 1820
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...
Marble
Swedish 19th century inlaid empire revival birch side table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid empire revival birch work table circa 1880. Rectangular top surface veneered in birch and decorated with a inlaid border. Single lockable drawer fitted with pine...
Birch
$2,060 / item
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....
Wood
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...
Marble, Bronze
Kindel Furniture Empire Carved Mahogany and Gold Gilt Console Tables, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Empire, Neoclassical, or Regency style console tables, sofa tables, or entry tables By Kindel Furniture, "National Trust" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Carved...
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Marble
Swedish Empire Center Table
Located in Essex, MA
Circular top with wood edge surrounding a geometric mosaic of hard stones raised on a triangular tapered column and tripartite base with gilded scroll feet. From the estate of Willia...
Marble
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French style side table features a single drawer with two door cabinet above. The table has been hand painted in Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from solid wood...
Brass
20th Century Wood with Onyx Top French Empire Style Dressing Table, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French dressing table from the first half of the 20th century. Carved and veneered mahogany in the Empire style. Console richly adorned with gilded and chiseled bronze and brass. Dre...
Onyx
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Side Table W/ Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century French Empire-style guéridon side table, sourced directly from Provence and meticulously restored. Handcrafted from solid mahogany, the table features ...
Marble
$2,416Sale Price|58% Off
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...
Bronze
Rich Mahogany Antique American Empire Round Pedestal Center Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rich looking round mahogany American Empire antique center table with ebonized pedestal and gilded details. Structurally sound having turned feet and castors. A 48” round piece of ...
Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Brass, Steel