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.
Russian Empire Style Gilt Bronze & Malachite Griffin Center Table
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Russian Empire Style Gilt Bronze & Malachite Griffin Center Table Dimensions : 43" Round X 34.25" Tall This magnificent bronze and malachite center table was made in the 20th centu...
Malachite, Bronze
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
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Cannonball Paw Foot Pedestal Table Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Cannonball Column Paw Foot Pedestal Table Bas...
Mahogany
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...
Bronze
$5,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
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.
Marble, Bronze
Antique Swedish Empire Gilded Marble Pedestal or Geridong
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gilded empire pedestal or geridong from the mid 1800s, around 1840. The pedestal is from Sweden and is gilded with a white marble top in Carrara...
Carrara Marble
Anthony Querville Drop Leaf Mahogany Table w/Acanthus Leaf Carving Circa 1845
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exquisitely crafted mahogany drop leaf table attributed to renowned cabinetmaker Anthony Querville, circa 1845. Features the distinctive proportions and refined joinery characteristi...
Mahogany
Italian 19th Century Rolo Inlaid Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A remarkable Italian mid-19th century Rolo center table, celebrated for the refined marquetry tradition of the renowned Rolo workshops in Reggio Emilia. The circular top is exquisite...
Wood
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...
Metal
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Style Walnut Dining Table with Leaf will bring understated elegance to your dining experience! Hand-crafted from sumptuous walnut, it features six tapered legs...
Brass
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Breakfast Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal dining breakfast table, game table, or center table. By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection. Italy, circa ...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Dressing Table with Mirror, Circa 1820, France
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This exceptional French 19th century Empire mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass mirror and charcoal and white marble top. The arched mirror displays s...
Metal, Brass
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
1980s Empire Style Mahogany Gueridon Table with Giltwood Swan Supports
Located in Morristown, NJ
A late 20th century Empire style mahogany gueridon with parcel-gilt swan supports. Compact in scale and visually sculptural, this table while flexible in application, works particul...
Mahogany, Giltwood
$3,465Sale Price|20% Off
Square Coffee Table Scagliola Art Top wooden base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Hand painted wooden central base formed by 4curved elements, ...
Scagliola, Wood
Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection Burl Wood Ebonized Regency Center 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
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
$2,528Sale Price|36% Off
Empire Period Gueridon Table, Marble Top, Ebonized Walnut, Circa 1815
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant guéridon is a fine example of Empire-period craftsmanship, dating back to the early 19th century. Its refined design and high-quality materials reflect the timeless eleg...
Marble
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Burl Wood Tesselated Marble Top Center Table
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Burl Wood Tesselated Marble Top Center Table Dimensions : 34" Tall X 46" Round This gorgeous center table was made by Maitland Smith in the Frenc...
Walnut
Incredible Russian Gilt Bronze Gueridon with a Granite Top, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An Incredible Russian gilt bronze Gueridon with a granite top, 19th century. The circular black painted top within a turned wood border frieze painted with laurel leaves and pink ri...
Granite, Bronze
Empire Italian console in black marble, bronze and walnut wood, 1820-1830s
Located in MIlano, IT
Empire Italian console in black marble, bronze and walnut wood, 1820-1830s Console with rectangular top in Belgian black marble. The structure and legs are in veneer in walnut feathe...
Marble, Bronze
Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table French, 20th Century Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Malachite, Ormolu
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Marble
$33,250Sale Price|30% Off
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Center Table
Located in Tarzana, CA
A large and impressive Empire style Gilt Bronze & Malachite center table. The table features a circular top, which has been beautifully inlaid with malachite and edged with gilt bron...
Malachite, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Marble Top Mahogany Side Table
Located in Carmine, TX
Elegant mahogany side table featuring a striking gray marble top and beautifully curved, sculptural supports with saber-style legs. A distinctive example of French Empire-period design.
Marble
Mahogany table, Western Europe, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany table, Western Europe, circa 1880. Based on a three-legged base with brass rollers. Currently under renovation. dimensions height 77 cm diameter 119 cm
Mahogany
Bleached Elm Console Table
Located in London, England
Small sized bleached French console table with wooden top in elm. Circa 1870
Elm
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Wood
Italian Empire Console Table with Gilt Eagle Base and Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Marble, Gold Leaf
French Empire-Style Mahogany Accent Table, 19th Century, Unique Design
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
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
$5,577 / item
Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Wood
$1,506Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Iron
Antique Empire Style Console Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany console table with a marble top, circa 1900. With a rectangular grey and white marble top with slightly rounded front corners, a frieze drawer with a we...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Empire Writing Table, Ebonized Mahogany & Leather
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ebonized mahogany writing table desk with a leather top & claw feet resting on a platform base. (after JACOB DESMALTER at Fonteainbleau Palace).
Leather
$8,180
French Empire Gueridon
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This amazing large Gueridon tripod is made of flamed mahogany with gilt claw feet and inlay.
Mahogany
19th Century French Retour d'Egpyte Antique Veneered Mahogany Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Retour d'Egpyte freestanding console table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The rectangular table is composed with one small drawer, consisting a grey Belgian marble top, standing on four legs, resting on a thick wooden base. The front part of side table is particularized by star-shaped brass décor, the front legs are enhanced by black carved large caryatids. The décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Marble, Metal, Brass
Fine Large Antique Empire Revival Mahogany and Marble Top Circular Center Table
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary antique Empire Revival mahogany center table measures an impressive 70.5" across and 32" tall (179 cm by 81 cm) and features four pairs of gilt Greek caryatid figu...
Wood
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...
Walnut, Giltwood, Glass, Wood
French Empire Walnut Pedestal Table with Round Marble Top and Tripod Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period walnut table from the 19th century with circular marble top, pedestal and tripod base. Evoke the elegance of 19th-century France with this resplendent French E...
Marble
Antique Empire Russia St. Petersburg Mahogany Games Console Table Brass Banding
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant Russian games and console table was made in st Petersburg circa 1810. It has ben crafted out of mahogany and is decorated with fine brass banding.The table is convertibl...
Brass
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Console Table
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century French Empire Console. France, 1810 Mahogany, Beautiful Empire Period Mahogany and Mahogany Veneer Console, resting on Front Columns and Rear Pilasters. This Console is...
Mahogany
Christian VIII Empire Oval Pedestal Tea Table in Mahogany, Denmark, circa 1835
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome Christian VIII neoclassical-style tea or breakfast table in mahogany with oval top on foliate-carved baluster-turned column resting on quatre-form pedestal base with carve...
Mahogany
Empire Wall Console with Marble Top, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire wall console with white marble top and mirrored back panel. The mirror glass is period and shows age-related spotting. The console features a drawer and is veneered in mahoga...
Marble, Bronze
Mid c19th ebonised Swedish empire style dressing table with classical detail
Located in London, GB
A decorative and later ebonised Swedish Empire style dressing table with an angular cornice and applied gilt rosette detail to the support columns of the mirror. The dressing table c...
Wood
French Empire Console Table of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French Empire console table of fine proportions, featuring a rectangular figured marble top, set upon a frieze of flame mahogany with one long hidden drawer over a base with t...
Marble
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
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Dining Table with Brass Ormolu
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This oblong, French Empire style mahogany table from the 19th century would be perfect for dinning or a center table interchangeably. When closed, this stunning table is supported by...
Brass
$1,088Sale Price|60% Off
Empire Side Table From Brede Main Building, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This amazing table comes from Brede main building outside Copenhagen, Denmark.
Metal
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
French Empire Side Table of Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French Empire period side or end table or nightstand of flame-cut mahogany with figured black marble top, featuring a frieze of one fitted drawer with decorative ormolu es...
Marble, Metal, Brass
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Brass Gallery Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Center Table with Brass Gallery. Item features a pierced brass gallery, pedestal base, gold gilt details, beautiful wood grai...
Brass
19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany adjustable height tabletop desk, made for writing or reading in bed. Beautifully crafted desktop has a green leather writing surface, wit...
Brass
Italian Inlaid Walnut and Burl Walnut Center Table, Mid-19th Century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegant Italian center table from the Emilia region, probably produced in the area of Rolo during the mid-19th century. Crafted in solid walnut and finely veneered in exceptional bur...
Fruitwood, Fir
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Round dining table inlaid top and wooden tripod base handcrafted by Cupioli "Verbena " round dining or center table. This table with scagliola art inlay takes inspiration from the c...
Scagliola, Wood
$15,600Sale Price|20% Off
19th C. Hand Carved Wood Round Table & Marble, Top Center Entrance Hall Gueridon
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Hand Carved Wood Round Table & Marble, Top Center Entrance Hall Gueridon Elegant French Circa 1830-1848 King Louis Philippe with Hand Sculpted Saint Anne marble-top cente...
Marble, Brass
Tilt Top Table Swedish Empire in Birch Burl
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Swedish Empire tilt top table, circa 1810–1820. The tabletop is veneered with birch burl (masur birch), creating a beautiful and highly decorative surface. The base is made of solid birch with a finely turned central column, resting on a gracefully shaped tripod. The tilting mechanism allows the table to be folded upright, making it both practical and decorative. Measurements H: 73 / 110 W: 71,5 D: 71.5 cm A fine and well-preserved example of Swedish Empire furniture...
Birch
Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Demilune Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...
Bronze, Ormolu