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.
$3,500Sale Price|43% Off
Table Swedish Mahogany Floral 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table Swedish Mahogany Floral 19th Century Sweden. A Swedish mahogany Tray Table with floral painted top. 4 smaller trays for candlelight holder.
Mahogany
French 19th century Empire st. patinated, Verdigris Bronze and Slate console.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated, Verdigris Bronze and Slate console. This impressive six leg console is raised by three maiden caryatids with lion's paw feet in t...
Slate, Bronze
Superb Gilt Bronze Center Table with Lapis Lazuli Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt bronze table featuring a lapis lazuli top. The striking contrast between the fire gilding with its mustard yellow and the deep blue of the lapis is something to see. Th...
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Dressing Table
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
Constructed using a fine Honduras mahogany with gilt highlights, Bleu Tarquin marble and richly dressed with fire gilt ormolu mounts of the highest quality. The table of lyre end sup...
Marble, Ormolu
Empire-style Mahogany and parcel gilt table
Located in Houston, TX
This unique center table is beautifully made with a circular top with a banded and Gilded edge, the apron rim with carved and gilt decor, mounted to a tapered Triangular pedestal, t...
Mahogany
Swedish Giltwood Early 19th Century Empire Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A fine, giltwood Swedish console table, possibly by the Stockholm master cabinet maker Lundelius (1778-1823). The wooden top in faux marble painted, the base plinth is painted black....
Giltwood
Continental Empire Style Burl Wood and Ebonized Side Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome early 20th century Continental Empire style burl wood side table. Very fine finish on this piece with ebonized details and pretty hardware. An elegant piece!
Marble
Fine Late 19th C Empire Bronze Gueridon Center Table with a Micro Mosaic Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 19th century Empire gilt bronze and patinated bronze center table with a micro mosaic and marble top with a malachite border. Scenes of Roman architecture in micro mo...
Bronze
Early 19th century French Empire Bureau Plat / Desk
Located in Troy, NY
French Empire Bureau Plat of Stately Size, the top inset with a dark leather writing surface surrounded by a stenciled gilt border, the frieze containing a center drawer flanked by s...
Leather, Walnut
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Antique Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beech wood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers. Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Three-bar frame, brass-framed, protruding rectangular worktop with historically three-section, gold-embossed leather plate...
Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century French Empire style roll-top desk French, Early 20th Century Height 113cm, width 84cm, depth 62cm This charming roll-top desk is crafted from ormolu mounted hardw...
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Tables in Empire Style with Ebonized Inlaid and Gilded "Ram's Foot" Legs
Located in Cesena, FC
Pair of round tables in Empire style with three ebonized "ram's foot" legs with carved and gilded details representing typical elements of the Emp...
Plaster, Fruitwood
Empire Oval Red Tole Tray Table with Parcel Gilt
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Empire red tole tray with gold leaf decorations on modern stand.
Metal
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
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...
Marble
Circa 1820 Wood Empire Mahogany Column Table With Marble Top
Located in High Point, NC
This piece presents as a pedestal, distinguished by dark mahogany, marble top, round column. The piece dates to 1820s, sourced from France, and carries the hallmarks of period crafts...
Marble
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beechwood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers. Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Thre...
Birdseye Maple
Fine and Rare Pair of French Gilt Bronze , Porcelain and Marble Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French gilt bronze, porcelain & marble pedestals 19th/20th century Each with portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma Measures: 44 x 14...
Marble
Pair of Empire Style Side Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of Empire style polished mahogany and rosewood side tables, serpentine tops on four legged bases with carved and gilded caryotid legs and with ormolu mounts
$2,400 / item
Ebonized Empire Style White Marble Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century ebonized Empire style white marble side table featuring square, tapered legs with bronze lion head ormolu and clawfeet.
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Magnificent French Empire Napoleonic Sevres Porcelain Gilt Bronze Pedestals Pair
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally large and magnificent pair of French Empire Napoleonic Sèvres porcelain gilt bronze mounted pedestals. These are a exceptionally beautiful pair of 19th century 24-karat raised gold decorated, gilt bronze-mounted, onyx and Sèvres porcelain pedestals...
Onyx, Bronze
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1820-1829 Source: Austria, Wien. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Wood, Lacquer
Empire Style Desk, Late 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire style desk with large bronze mounts in the form of festoons and wreaths. The desk has two doors and three drawers and stands on eight tapered square legs with brass sabots. T...
Brass, Bronze
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...
Ormolu
$1,985Sale Price|32% Off
20th Century Italian Empire Style Wooden Guéridon with Bronze and Marble Top
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
20th Century Italian Empire Style Wooden Guéridon with Bronze and Marble Top. We present this splendid gueridon table, made in Italy in the second half of the 20th century. Made of s...
Marble, Bronze
Mahogany and Bronze Veneer Middle Table, "Return from Egypt" Style
Located in Paris, FR
Important middle table in the style "Return from Egypt" in mahogany, mahogany veneer and bronze with double patina, from the 19th century. This large table is supported by four uprights claws and lion heads in patinated bronze, connected by a carved and curved strut. The table is adorned with gilt bronze appliques with swans and horns of plenty motifs and opens with six drawers. Two integrated trays extend each side of the table by 50 cm if needed. A glass window covers...
Bronze
Napoleon 111 Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Centre Table
Located in Montreal, QC
This imposing table is based on the celebrated example made for Marshal Murat, subsequently used by Napoleon and now in the Grand Trianon at Versailles. Supported by four draped caryatids, the striking Nero Antico marble above and heavy H frame cross...
Marble
$5,246Sale Price|20% Off
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century French mahogany marble topped Gueridon, having three circular tapering column supports, each with gilded ormolu capitals and classical ormolu motifs to th...
Marble
French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most elegant French 19th century Empire st. flame Mahogany, Ormolu and Leather desk. This exceptional desk is raised by eight Mahogany legs with superbly detailed Orm...
Ormolu
Italian Mid-19th Century Empire St. Circular Mahogany Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive Italian 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, polychrome, and white carrara marble side table. The circular table is raised by three elegant square tapered legs with ha...
Carrara Marble
Russian Empire Walnut Sofa Table, Early 19th Century, Lyre Pedestals
Located in Montreal, QC
This beautiful table is probably Russian, We describe it as a sofa table but it might equally be for the library . (The drawer has ink stains) It is a fine piece of cabinetry with ...
Walnut
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beechwood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers. Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Thre...
Birdseye Maple
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 Mahogany Table with Marble Top, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
A handsome Empire style mahogany center table with a black marble top circa 1840. Surrounding the edge of the tabletop is a brass gallery with an openwork design. A rich mahogany fri...
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Style Flamed Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most impressive French mid 19th century Empire st. flamed mahogany, ormolu and marble console, with one drawer. The console is raised by a striking bottom tier which showcases the ...
Marble, Ormolu
Empire-style Writing Desk Made Of Cuban Mahogany Burl
Located in BARSAC, FR
Empire-style writing desk made of Cuban mahogany burl. The drop-down tabletop features a mercury mirror on the underside and reveals storage compartments, a silver-plated candlestic...
Mahogany
$9,200
French Empire Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
French empire console in figured walnut with one large drawer, flanked by bronze mounted columns with shelf below and an unusually coloured pale ...
Marble
French Empire Cuban Mahogany "Somno" Side Table, circa 1805
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful "Somno" side table made of high quality Cuban mahogany with a grey marble top. This French Empire piece dates from the early 19th century, circa 1805. Meaning sleep in ...
Mahogany
$6,950 / set
19th Century French Empire Pedestals
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Strong and sturdy. Gilt and paint possibly not original. They have been waxed and look beautiful.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique Mahogany Side Table with Turned Pedestal Base and Profiled Top
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique side table made of mahogany with rectangular profiled top, turned pedestal base and four shaped legs. The table has classic proportions and details typical of European salon ...
Mahogany
Early 20th C. Refinished French Regency Tiered Tea Side Table with Brass Accents
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th Century Refinished French Regency Tiered Tea Table / Side Table with Brass Accents. Measures 30" in width and 29.75" in length and 29.5" in height. Lower is 11" high wi...
Brass
Baker Furniture Empire Banded Mahogany Drum Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire or Georgian style drum side table or tea table By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Beautiful flame mahogany, with satinwood banding. Measures: 24"W x 24...
Mahogany, Satinwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany, And Gray Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Mahogany, and gray marble console. The console with original mirror plates is raised by two front Ormolu foliate b...
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Centre Table Burr Walnut circa 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
French Empire style burr walnut centre table. Circa 1860 Standing on swept legs with cast gilt Mouldings. This table has 1 x Mahogany lined drawer. The shaped top featuring high ...
Walnut
$7,903Sale Price|55% Off
19th Century Extendable Table, Made in France, Fully Restored Mahogany, Empire
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Unique Empire folding table. The table's legs feature bronze lion paws, with spherical glass wheels on which the table moves. The table is designed for ...
Bronze
19th Century Empire Influenced Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century burr walnut French Empire influenced gueridon / centre table. Having classical gilded ormolu mounts to the frieze and ca...
Walnut
Beautifull Gueridon of the End of the 19th Century
By France"
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautifull gueridon of the end of the 19th century Very good condition Mesures: 60 cm diameter and 77 cm high.
Wood
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble consoles. Each freestanding one drawer two tiered console is raise...
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Period Dore Bronze Mounted Center Table/Library Table
By Thomas Hope
Located in New York, NY
A marvelous French empire period dore bronze-mounted center table with X-form stretcher on either side, most probably from a Thomas Hope design. This beautifully hand carved center t...
Bronze
JOHN WIDDICOMB Russian Empire Console Sideboard Table
Located in Perkasie, PA
JOHN WIDDICOMB Russian Empire Console Sideboard Table – Item L68570 This striking John Widdicomb console table brings the grandeur and architectural...
Wood
French 19th Century Empire St. Faux Painted Wood, Giltwood and Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive French 19th century Empire st. faux painted wood, giltwood and Gris Turquin marble side/center table. The circular table is raised by a most decorative triangular base ...
Marble
Empire Style Mahogany Table with Inset Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular table with contrasting marquetry of star decoration on the outer rim and then stylized greek key below it with a black fossilized marble top with white highlights. Slig...
Marble
Especially beautiful Side Table, Pillar Commode Trumeau, Empire, ~1810-15, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful pillar commode, trumeau - an original of the Empire era, made around 1810-15, in Italy. This piece of furniture has a wonderfully classic shape, with a base, a round body...
Marble
French Empire Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Mahogany construction with rectangular leather writing surface with gilt brass medallion pulls. Back has gilt metal chariot and horse plaque. Top sits on ...
Brass
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer 19th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Empire Dining or Center Table in Rosewood Veneer, 19th Century. This is a very elegant and large 19th century Empire style dining / center table with a top in expressive rosewood ve...
Wood, Rosewood
20th Century, French Desk or Bureau Plat with Lions in the antique Empire Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird's-eye maple wood on massive beech wood, partially carved and framed. The pedestal is arched on profile shaped washers. Above the four large winged, polygonal standing heads. Th...
Birdseye Maple
19th Century, Empire Style Mahogany & Bronze Console Table
Located in Beaune, FR
Rare and superb Empire style mahogany console table decorated with gilded bronzes. It is topped with an original Siena marble in good condition. This console is large in size which i...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Giltwood and Marble Top Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A good centre table in the Italian impero manner Constructed in carved gold leaf giltwood, and having a St Jean brecciated marble top; of circular form, the tripartite base of canin...
Marble
Empire Style Gilded Marble Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Empire style marble-top gilded plant stand or pedestal. Lovely piece with paw feet and carved details. Photos show different lighting. Ships from Philadelphia. Very good condition.
Marble
French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Gris St. Anne marble table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most elegant French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Leather and Gris St. Anne marble side/center/games table. This wonderful table is raised by Brass casters below t...
Marble