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 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
A rare 19th century French Empire gilt bronze mounted mahogany dining table
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare 19th century French Empire gilt bronze mounted mahogany dining table. The top with a molded edge ,over baluster legs joined by a stretcher, carved with a Vitruvian scroll, (2)...
Bronze
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
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
$3,602Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
19th century beech gueridon with 3 legs on wheels. Legs are detailed with black lacquer at the top and at the base of each column.
Belgian Black Marble
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
French Empire Style Console Marble Entry Table & Mirror
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...
Marble, Bronze
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
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
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 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
$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
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Mahogany Side Tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality pair of French mid 19th century Empire st. ormolu mounted mahogany circular side tables. Each table is raised by a beautiful bottom tier with mottled feet...
Ormolu
French early 19th century Mahogany and Ormolu center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French early 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany and Ormolu center table, circa 1815. This high quality circular table is raised on ball supports which conceal t...
Ormolu
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
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
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
$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
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An elegant and attractive early 19th century Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). The double ratcheted hinged rectangular top lined with dark green oi...
Brass, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
$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
$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
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
19th Century Empire Style Verde Antico Marble Pedestal With Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in London, GB
A Fine Green Marble Empire Style Pedestal The free-standing pedestal constructed from Verde Antico marble of tapering rectangular form dressed on all sides with gilt bronze mounts o...
Marble, Ormolu
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
19th century Swedish oval burr birch occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish oval burr birch occasional table circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this burr birch table that has just undergone a full restoration in our workshop. Oval sha...
Birch
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
Large Sonno Bedside Table In Flamed Mahogany From The Empire Period Early 19 Cen
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Empire period mahogany bedside table from the early 19th century. This large model is quite rare, measuring 82cm high and 42cm in diameter (they are often 74cm high). Its size...
Mahogany
Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases Also great for the garden The bronze statue showed not includ...
Bronze
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
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
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
$30,000 / set
Pair of Empire Console Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Empire Console Tables. France, early 19th century.
Marble
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
Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt & Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960. In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Marble
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
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
$6,320Sale Price|20% Off
Empire Table, Germany 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and very elegant Empire table dates back to around 1810-20. It comes from Germany. It was probably made in the northern part of Germany or possibly in Berlin. The table s...
Mahogany
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