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Empire 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
Antique Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Drop Leaf Sewing Work/Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Carved Flame Mahogany 2 Drawer Drop-Leaf Sewing Work/Side Table This gorgeous 19th century balanced and proportioned drop-leaf sewing work/side table is crafted from ...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Empire Bleached Cherry Side Table
Located in Viterbo, VT
Empire side table hand-made in France in the early 1800s using cherry wood. The table is very elegant in lines featuring very straight edges couple with soft, curved legs and hand-tu...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Cherry

Empire Style Eglomise Mirrored Center Table E.J. Victor
Located in Toledo, OH
Empire style eglomise mirrored round center table. Black finish painted leaf details and trim in gold. Distressed mirror top. Excellent condition. 38" diameter x 30.5"
Category

20th Century Unknown Empire Tables

Materials

Mirror

Empire Style Gueridon Side Table
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...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Antique French Gueridon Table with Bronze Details
Located in Buxton, GB
Add a touch of history to your home with this antique French Gueridon Table Empire Style. The handcrafted piece is beautifully designed with intricate carvings and made of mahogany v...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage French Empire Style Painted Console Table Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful vintage French Empire style painted gilded and ormolu mounted console table, Mid 20th century in date. The rectangular faux marble top with an ormolu plaque to t...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunningly beautiful center or dining table designed by Charles Pollock for William Switzer. The table has a combination of solid woods and veneers such as burlwood on the base al...
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Wood

19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890. Rectangular top with canted corners.  Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged aroun...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

Early 19th C French Empire Walnut Center Table, Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Gueridon / Center Table with Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Ebonized Empire Console Table with White Marble Top, 1808
Located in Berlin, DE
This striking console table, crafted in France circa 1808, embodies the grandeur of the Empire style. Its ebonized wood frame, finished to a deep, lustrous black, provides a dramatic...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Swedish Empire Octagonal Drop-Leaf Light Blue Painted Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire octagonal blue painted tilt-top pedestal end table with claw and ball feet with rotating table top. Please note that this table is located in Halmstad, Sweden.  
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Sewing Table, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire sewing table with socketed saber legs and a basket tray, adorned with an oval frame featuring fire-gilded fittings. The table includes a lockable drawer with diamond-shaped fi...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Granite, Bronze

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...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Circular Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire style circular side table, or nightstand, made of beautifully patterned veneer of mahogany on pine with a dark gray St. Anne marble top. Door with small ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Italian Walnut Side Table / Writing Desk
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire side table / writing desk hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The table is very elegant in proportions and features two inset drawers of with beautiful hand-ma...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Desk work table, wood , ormolu , Bureau Plat
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and Amazing Large Empire French writing desk or bureau plat with embossed black leather top, bronze dore mounts, column legs, and five .drawers. Spectacular French wor...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Ormolu

George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA . Rare Exquisite Early 19th century Empire Gueridon with classic...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze

French Empire Bronze and Mahogany Vanity
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (19th Century) mahogany vanity / dressing table with gilt bronze trim and swan supports on legs with a rectangular form mirror attached by a Pair of 3 arm candelabra.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Ormolu

Spanish Empire Console Table with Mirror in Mahogany, circa 1810
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Spanish Empire console with mirror in mahogany and rosewood with satinwood inlays, circa 1810.
Category

1810s Spanish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Rosewood

French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and very high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table. This handsome table is raised by a triangular base with concave side...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Ormolu

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Empire Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style mahogany bronze mounted, leather top writing desk. C 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Bronze

Iron Faux Leather Side Table in the style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful console table made from iron and glass. Unique and well thought out faux leather iron base. You could not tell it isn't real leather until you touch it. Good condition ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Metal

19th Century Empire Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestal
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze and marble pedestal. Fine gilt bronze female head with gilt bronze Empire bronzes.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Nordiska Kompaniet, desk in beech from Hotel Knaust, Sweden 1931.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk in beech from Hotel Knaust by Nordiska Kompaniet / NK, Sweden 1931. With brass details and signed with NK badge and tracking number (easy to see who ordered the furniture and w...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Beech

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Bronze

Fabulous Demi-Lune Console, Jardiniere, Mirror available, 1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful demi-lune console, usable as jardiniere, made around 1810 in Austria, an original of the Empire era. This wonderful wall console has a faceted mirror in the lower area. Th...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Sheet Metal

French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table French, 20th Century Height 77cm, diameter 100cm Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Category

20th Century French Empire Tables

Materials

Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Regency Ebony Inlaid Cross-Banded Crotch Mahogany Fold Top Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Regency Empire Ebony Inlaid Crotch Cross-Banded Mahogany Fold Top Table. Measures 36" in width, 17.75" in depth and 25.75" in height. Closed. Open, it is 35" in. Depth.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Ebony

Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore and Marble Console Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim bracket console tables with half round marble top supported on a single leg ending in a square marble base. (PRICED AS...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Birch

Maitland Smith Mahogany Game Table
Located in MC Leansville, NC
This Maitland-Smith Mahogany Game Table is where luxury meets leisure in timeless harmony. Crafted with precision and elegance, the table shows a rich mahogany finish complemented by...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

French Empire “Gueridon” Tripod Table
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the French Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a high gloss French polish finish. The “gueridon” has a tri...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

French Empire Style Center 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Tables

Materials

Quartz, Brass

Pair of Empire Style Marble Top Mahogany Parcel Gilt Demilune Consoles
Located in Milford, NH
A fine pair of Empire style marble top mahogany parcel gilt demilune consoles with triangular bases and gilt accents, including gilt carved paw feet. The pair are probably French in ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian Console with Marble Top
Located in Millbrook, NY
Italian Marble Console Table. Exquisitely hand carved wood table with floral details, carved tassels and animal "hoof" legs. Crafted with intricate detailing with bronze and silver a...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of Dark Oak Square Side Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The tables seamlessly blend classic design with refined craftsmanship. The table's symmetrical lines are complemented by the rich oak surfaces and sturdy columns, which are inspired ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Tables

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Empire Style Ormolu and Lapis Lazuli Table
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical Empire style ormolu and lapis lazuli table with patinated bronze mounts, French, 20th century Dimensions: Height 74cm, diameter 100cm Finely wrought in the French N...
Category

20th Century French Empire Tables

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu

Irish Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Carved Sideboard. Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Irish Cuban mahogany three drawer sideboard with carved scrolled gallery, gadrooned molded edge, carved eagle heads, flanking lower cabinets, original brasses, and terminating on acanthus carved...
Category

1840s Irish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Brass

Empire Pedestal Table with Its Saint-Anne Marble
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb empire pedestal table with its Saint-Anne marble Pedestal table or center table with a pyramidal base ending with claw feet simulating dolphin heads Very beautiful origina...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Italian, Lucca Empire Walnut Giltwood Ebonized 1-Drawer Center Table circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a circular hand painted scagliola top resting atop a circular frame, the thick walnut veneer of a pronounced grain, the ebonized columnar standard with carved giltwood rings r...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Walnut, Giltwood

Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Linke Style Pedestal Stands French Empire Tall Tables Inlay Gilt
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant pair of French pedestal stands after Francois Linke These really are the ultimate for a high end interior Crafted from kingwood with intricate inlay work including floral mot...
Category

1850s Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Kingwood

Empire Center Table/desk in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts, White Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Empire table with Egyptian style bronze mounts at all Corners including the sides having white marble with Gray veining throughout. Mahogany apron and legs decorated with bronze d...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Maitland Smith French Empire Green Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith attributed French Empire Style Green Lacquer Greek Key Sunburst Round Dining/Center Table. Item features thick round glass, green paint lacquered top with sunburst center and Greek Key border, dark brown and gold pedestal...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer

French Empire Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Mahogany Parcel Gilt Console Table, with green marble top on two maiden supports and brass mounts on four bun feet. 33" H x 48.5" W x 19.25" D. Provenance: From a...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Figural Bronze Gueridon/side table w/ Pietra Dore Top
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century French Empire-Style Pietra Dura Top Table/Gueridon with Gilt Bronze Maiden Base. This table features a gilt bronze caryatid support and an octagonal pietra dura top. ...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Console Table with Drawer
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of mahogany wood, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columnar supports embellished with decorative bronze mounted rings at the...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

Pair Empire Pedestal Stands - Gilt Side Tables
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style gilt pedestal stands Perfect for displaying decorative pieces such as vases and urns Round marble tops are smooth and chip free Bought from a dea...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Tables

Materials

Marble

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Empire Mahogany Marble Top Mirror Back Console with Ormolu
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful example of an Empire rectangular marble top console with fine carved scrolled front legs, figured mahogany veneers, applied ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Console W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite mid-19th-century French console table in the Empire style, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from walnut, it features a stunning, thick Carrara marble ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble

French Empire Style Cocktail Table Speckled by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical round coffee or cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The table is made in the French Napoleonic empire style featuring bronze mounted ...
Category

20th Century American Empire Tables

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 20th Century French Empire Style Lapis Lazuli Side Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of Circa 1900 French Empire Style side tables made of lapis lazuli, malachite, and onyx. This is a beautiful set that has been marvelously handcrafted with a variety of high-q...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Tables

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Brass

Antique columns, France, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Representative columns - pedestals from the second half of the 19th century in the Empire style. A pair of potbellied columns with marble tops, beautifully decorated with light wood...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Tables

Materials

Walnut

Empire tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire 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 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, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tables, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, and Grosfeld House. 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 tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $595 and tops out at $26,000 while the average work can sell for $2,675.

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