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.
19th Century Empire Gueridon Table in Cherry and Alabaster
Located in Milano, IT
Gueridon supported by three uprights carved with lion feet and in the upper part with caryatids, to support the undertop band. The female figures are standing, dressed according to t...
Alabaster
$11,800
Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.
Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire to Louis Philippe Mahogany Cabinet ~ Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
Created during the transition from the Empire period toward the emerging Louis Philippe style, this elegant French antique cabinet possesses a ...
Marble, Brass
Baker Furniture Empire Burl and Cherry Wood Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or neoclassical style coffee table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Cherry wood, with burl wood banding and satinwood string inlay. Measures: 38" W x...
Cherry, Satinwood, Burl
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Figural Partners Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 31.75 inches high x 63.5 inches wide x 30.25 inches deep An exceptional example of early 20th-century French craftsmanship, this antique Empire style partners desk datin...
Bronze
French Empire Giltwood Sphinx Console Table with Triangular Design
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire gilt sphinx carved triangular console table with black painted top.
Giltwood
$10,827 / item
French Empire Style Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Early 19th-century French design anchored by a sleek quartz top with a refined moulded surround and elegant canted corners, this table blends architectural grace with timeless luxury...
Quartz, Brass
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....
Walnut, Giltwood, Burl
19th Century French Empire Style Gueridon with Black Marble Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome classical Empire-style round center table with a dark gray/black marble top, raised on a hand turned ebonized black center pedestal. The table lends itself to be use...
Marble
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
Pair of Gilded Wrought Iron Empire Coffee Tables
Located in Miami, FL
This rare 1920's French Empire swan coffee tables are made of wrought iron with gilded accents. Very heavy and sturdy with two tier glass tops. Good vintage condition with normal cos...
Iron
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
Large Empire Period Mahogany Extending Dining Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire period mahogany extending dining table French, c. 1810 Fully open: Height 77cm, width 446cm, depth 178cm Shorter: Height 77cm, width 326cm, depth 178cm A striking repr...
Metal
$18,000 / set
19th Century Pair of Empire Console Tables
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Italian Empire mahogany veneered console tables with one drawer each. Inlaid with lion mascarons, wood carved decoration of eagle heads with paw feet, back ...
Mahogany
Early 19th C. French First Empire Mahogany And Belgian Marble Console
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An exceptional antique French first empire marble-topped figured mahogany console table, circa 1800. The rectangular Belgian black-gray flecked marble top surmounts a conforming frie...
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
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
$3,654Sale Price|20% Off
Tavolino Quadrato Intarsio Scagliola, Base Marmo Giallo, Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Royal Yellow marble base. T...
Scagliola, Wood
Empire Style Gueridon Side Table, Ebonized Wood & Brass, France 1920
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon side table from France in the Empire style. This piece has three column legs each adorned with brass detailing at the top and bottom. The base has been ebonized and finished...
Marble, Brass
An Ebonized Dining Table, Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ebonized mahogany dining table, attributed to Maison Jansen, features intricate rosettes and classic and contemporary elements, making it a versatile addition to various...
Mahogany
Kindel Furniture Empire Carved Mahogany Console Table With Mirrored Back
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Empire, Neoclassical, or Regency style console table, sofa table, or entry table By Kindel Furniture, "National Trust" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Carved mahogany, ...
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer
Empire Style Grey Green Marble Bronze Tall Pedestal
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an heavy Empire Style Grey Green Marble Bronze Pedestal. It depicts a tall four sided tapered marble walls pedestal. The marble walls of the pedestal are embellished with thr...
Marble, Bronze
Mid 19th Century Swedish center table with writing slope
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century center table with writing slope circa 1860. Fine quality empire period swedish flame mahogany center table. Oval top with the unusual feature of having a fitted wr...
Leather, Mahogany
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rectangular top inset with a beige tooled leather writing surface and slide outs on both ends. Above five drawers, the reverse side with dummy drawers raised on columnar legs wit...
Brass
Petite Empire Console with Marble Top, France 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Empire Period mahogany console table of small size. The rectangular top inset with a white and green variegated marble top and the frieze inset with a drawer and flanked by paint...
Mahogany
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small mahogany and walnut veneered table or writing desk with brass holders in the lyres formed sides. The top is provided with inlaid green leather; the drawers have divided small...
Brass
Antique Dutch Empire Burl Wood veneered desk or sofa table
By Chapuis
Located in Den Haag, NL
Superb Dutch Empire Burl Wood -veneered sofa table ,On Iron casters On four shaped scroll feet joined by a baluster turned beech stretcher, the top ...
Burl
$3,936Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Trouvailles Metal and Brass Side Tables with Swan Necks and Doors, Frenc
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A PAIR OF FRENCH PATINATED STEEL AND PARCEL-GILT GUERIDONS Each with removable galleried top above two cupboards on turned legs headed by swan-neck-shaped handles 21½ in. (57 cm.) h...
Gold Plate, Brass, Steel
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Marble, Bronze
Italian, Tuscany, Empire Period Walnut & Ebonized Center Table, ca. 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular walnut top above a conforming apron raised on rectangular ebonized columnar legs joined by a lower ebonized circular level on small square feet
Walnut
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Rosewood
$30,000 / set
Pair of Empire Console Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire Console Tables. France, early 19th century.
Marble
French Empire Rosewood Two Tier Occasional Table With Parquetry Accents
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique 19th Century French Empire Rosewood Two Tier Occasional Table With Parquetry Accents With Turned Supports & Porcelain Castors. Central Round...
Brass
Vintage Ormolu Green Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your interior with the stately elegance of the Neoclassical period with this striking vintage Empire-style side table. Drawing significant influence from 19th-century French d...
Marble, Brass
$7,947 / item
French Empire Style Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Style extension dining table with carved pedestal, inset fold-out leaves, scrolled tri-base, and carved claw feet, with radiating veneer top. The table seats up to nine people...
Wood
Mid-Century Empire Style Pacel Gilt and Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive mid-century Empire Style parcel gilt and carved Mahogany coffee / cocktail Table. Measures 46" in width, 27.75" in depth and standing 17.5" tall.
Mahogany, Giltwood
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...
Birch
Vintage Flame Mahogany Convertible Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite antique flip-top games table is a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring a breathtaking flame mahogany veneer that ripples with deep, shimmering grain. Dra...
Brass
Antique French Empire Walnut Console Table
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous antique French empire walnut console table, dating from around the 1870-1890 period. It is of wonderful quality and has a beautiful, useful design. The top has a cross ba...
Walnut
Austrian Empire Console Table with back mirror and Swan Pedestals
Located in Miami, FL
Austrian console table from the Karl Johan Period in walnut and ebonized wood. Drawer in frieze. The table is decorated with Swans that are painted in a gold color to imitate oxidize...
Wood
$1,079
Gueridon
Located in London, England
French mahogany Empire style marble top gueridon. Circa 1920
Marble
19th Century Swedish Empire Centre Console Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine and unusual 19th century Swedish Empire centre console table with Italian pink Calacatta marble top, Ca 1830.
Marble
19th C. French Empire Crotch Mahogany Bronze Ormolu 1 Drawer Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Crotch Mahogany Bronze Ormolu One Drawer Console Hall Table. Item features beautiful wood grain with attractive mounts including human form feet, rear back spla...
Metal
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.
Maple
Vintage Stone Top Flame Mahogany Pier Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent Empire-style pier table is a masterwork of Neoclassical design, characterized by its architectural strength and luxurious material palette. The piece features a stri...
Marble
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon or Game Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Empire Period mahogany gueridon, or game table, with Grey St. Anne marble top. A versatile table with removable top, one side with green felt and the other with...
Marble, Brass
Vintage Empire Style Low Marble Top Pedestal Base Side Tables by Imperial - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Empire Style Low Marble Top Pedestal Base Side Tables by Imperial - a Pair. I...
Marble
19th Century Bronze Ormolu Swan Koi Fish Empire Wood Marble Round Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning table you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being a most spectacular and beautifully presented bronze ormolu swans...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Two Tier Console Table by John Widdicomb with Brass Mounts
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 in W: 44 in D: 20 1/2 in Elevate your interior with this exceptional 20th-century French Empire style two-tier console table or server by the renowned American ...
Brass
Antique Empire Table with Flaps and Marquetry in Birch Wood from 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Empire dining table, an antique piece featuring intricate intarsia work, crafted from birch wood and originating from Denmark in 1840, is a remarkable testament to the craftsmans...
Birch
French Early 19th Century Empire Neoclassical Style Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French early 19th century Empire style mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The most impressive circular center table is raised by three stunning ...
Marble, Ormolu
$2,588Sale Price|50% Off
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Marble
Empire Demilune Lyre Console in Mahogany with St. Anne Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A graceful Empire style demilune console in mahogany, crowned with a richly veined St. Anne marble top. The half-moon form gives the piece an elegant architectural presence, while t...
Marble, Brass
Mirrored and gilt wood console by Deknudt Belgium, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Hollywood regency style console by Belgian company Lusterie Deknudt with a gilt wood frame and a mirrored top. Elegant piedce of furniture for your hall or living room,... Dimensi...
Wood
French Empire Style Desk with Gilt Metal Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
A perfect example of the Bureau Plat. French Empire style desk with wood marquetry and gilt metal mounts at all angles. This piece features three working drawers on the front with three faux drawers on the back. The superb gilt metal hardware is on the front as well as the back. The four arched legs grace gorgeous gilt metal decor...
Metal
19th Century French Empire Guéridon Table with Marble Top
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany and bronze guéridon table on triple swan leg platform with stretcher, gallery, and green marble top.
Bronze
$8,487 / item
French Empire Style Round End 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 feat...
Quartz, Brass
French Surtout De Plateau Three Piece Mirror and Bronze Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19/20th Century) three-piece coffee table (Surtout De Plateau) with a mirrored surface supported on a bronze base with a stretcher having gilt bronze trim and ga...
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Distressed Gold Giltwood Hall Table Console. Item features antiqued glass top, shell carved knees, paw feet, distressed finish. Circa Mid 20th Century. Me...
Glass, Wood
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining ~ Conference Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining ~ Conference Table will make an impressive statement in any room of the home or office! Crafted from exotic imported mahogany, ...
Brass
Tray Table with Candle Slides. Swedish Empire
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Swedish Empire tray table with pull-out candle holders, crafted in birch with diamond inlays in maple and light satinwood stringing along the aprons and corners. The legs are...
Metal