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.
French 19th Century Empire-Style Dressing Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This exceptional mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass pivoting mirror and white marble top. The mirror exhibits some foxing and is framed with beautifu...
Ormolu
French Empire Style Mahogany Dressing Table
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
Superb 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Mahogany Dressing Table Vanity
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This exceptional French 19th century Empire mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass mirror and white Carrara marble top. The oval mirror is framed with be...
Ormolu
Mid 19th century Swedish ebonised dressing table with classical detail
Located in London, GB
A decorative and functional ebonised Swedish dressing table in a Empire style with angular cornice and applied gilt rosette detail to the support columns of the mirror. The dressing ...
Wood
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.
Ormolu
$2,652Sale 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
Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' Desk
Located in Berlin, DE
An early 19th century gilt bronze and walnut veneer ladies desk or dressing table or vanity, with a rectangular grey fossil marble top above two mirror paneled doors and two drawers, flanked by Greek Revival female caryatids, above a folded leather lined writing surface and a frieze drawer, raised on square legs, joined by an incurved stretcher. The whole mounted with finely chased ormolu casts depicting winged figures, ribbons and foliage. Beautiful early 19th century French Empire small desk...
Bronze
French Early 19th Century Vanity
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Vanity is made of mahogany with a white marble top. It has some bronze pineapple on each side of the mirror. dimension from the floor to the marble top 30.8''H dimension from th...
Marble
20th Century Wood with Onyx Top French Empire Style Dressing Table, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French dressing table from the first half of the 20th century. Carved and veneered mahogany in the Empire style. Console richly adorned with gilded and chiseled bronze and brass. Dre...
Onyx
Vanity Table in Mahogany, Probably Denmark, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Danish Biedermeier dressing table with adjustable mirror with an architectural layout and fire-gilded fittings. The dressing table is equipp...
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
A Fine French Art Deco Mirrored and Mahogany Vanity
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco engraved mirrored vanity with a mahogany base and one drawer.
Mirror, Mahogany
Fine French Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A wonderful French kidney shaped dressing table, with parquetry veneers, U shaped undertier, wonderful mounts and swing mirror , some foxing to the original mirror (can be replaced ...
Walnut
Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very nice quality Victorian mahogany dressing table, mercury plate mirror, white procelain castors, jewelry drawers to the top, single drawer below, lovely colour and condition. 6...
Mahogany
$5,907
H 57.49 in W 38.19 in D 11.82 in
1930s Art Deco Vanity, Mahogany and Burr Mahogany Veneer, France
Located in Girona, Girona
Art Deco vanity in solid wood with mahogany and burr mahogany veneers, French polish. Original thick mirror with oxidation. France, circa 1930 Mirror...
Mirror, Mahogany
$2,411
H 59.06 in W 42.13 in D 19.69 in
19th Century English Softwood & Mahogany Veneer Vanity Table, Signed Maple & Co.
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century English Softwood & Mahogany Veneer Vanity Table, Signed Maple & Co. We present you this vanity table circa the late 19th century in mahogany veneer. The whole is signed by the British furniture manufactory of Maple & Co. that was founded in the early 19th century. The vanity is of a simple form, placed on high, angular legs, and composed of a base with three drawers, an upper section with a movable mirror, and two adjacent to the rear wall compartments with small drawers. Moreover, the mirror is oval, in a wooden frame, and mounted to the wall with brass hooks. The legs of the vanity are on the porcelain rolls. The fronts of the drawers, pulpit, and the mirror frame are inlaid with fillet stripes. Presented vanity has been restored and finished in French polish. The Maple manufactory was one of the major producers and suppliers of furniture to the British aristocracy...
Softwood, Mahogany
$2,700Sale Price|20% Off
H 63.78 in W 48.43 in D 21.26 in
Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century This majestic mahogany dressing table effortlessly marries function and ...
Mahogany, Mirror, Wood
$5,171
H 55.91 in W 41.54 in D 16.54 in
ANTIQUE FRENCH EMPIRE HAND PAINTED 19TH CENTURY DRESSING TABLE + TRi FOLD MIRROR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning original hand painted French Country dressing table which is part of a small suite Circa 1890-1910 I hav...
Mirror, Oak
$10,248
H 27.56 in W 43.31 in D 25.6 in
Freestanding Vanity / dressing table in Teak by Erik Riisager Hansen, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Freestanding Vanity in Teak by Erik Riisager Hansen, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Has...
Teak
French Walnut and Bronze Vanity with Candelabra Arms
Located in Miami, FL
A fine French Louis XVI style dressing table with bronze decorations, having a kidney-shaped top with a gilt bronze frame and a superstructure supporting an oval mirror flanked by gi...
Bronze
French Double Sided Dressing Table / Vanity
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning Louis XVI style dressing table/vanity. Featuring a double sided mirror and painted metal legs, this dressing table is a stunning addition to any bedroom, dressing room or ba...
Metal
Mahogany duchess dressing table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Mahogany duchess dressing table, the original mirror plate in the moulded frame between carved supports, To the base with a large mahogany top above an arrangement of freeze drawers....
Wood
French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Vanity
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite ebonized vanity with bone inlay detail from the 1800s, France. The unadorned vanity top opens on brass hinges to reveal an inset mirror for checking one's appearance, over a...
Wood
Antique console with mirror, circa 1840, Southern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique console with a mirror from the first half of the 19th century. Beautiful intarsia and animal and floral motifs Dimensions: he...
Walnut
Sold
H 64.57 in W 29.14 in D 15.75 in
Antique Dressing Table-Vanity, Northern Europe, circa 1880, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique dressing table from the end of the 19th century. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 164 cm / width 74 cm / de...
Marble
Sold
H 58.75 in W 32 in D 18.25 in
Empire-Style Bronze-dore- Mounted Dressing Table, Mahogany with Circular Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
The circular mirror is encased in a bronze frame, supported by columns with A bronze dore flame capitals and swiveling candle arms, on a base with a Dished white marble top over a...
Mahogany
Elegant French 19th Century Empire Vanity with Original Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful French 19th century Empire marble top mahogany dressing table or vanity featuring an arch design adjustable mirror held by...
Mirror, Mahogany
French Custom Cherry Vanity with Marble Top & Sink
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely Empire style vanity custom-made by an artisan in the city of Rennes, France. Made of solid French cherry, this vanity features a stunning li...
Marble
French 19th Century Empire Dressing Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This gorgeous dressing table is the perfect combination of form and function. The whole is made of mahogany and the top is stunning white marble. Complete with its original mercury m...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 53.5 in W 25.5 in D 15.75 in
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany & Ormolu Marble-Top Dressing Table, c 1810
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Empire dressing table offers flame mahogany construction with round swivel mirror having ormolu trim and seated in cradl...
Marble, Metal, Ormolu
Sold
H 70 in W 30 in D 22.25 in
French Early 19th Century Empire Period Mahogany & Ormolu Dressing Chest/Vanity
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high-quality French early 19th century Empire period mahogany and ormolu dressing chest/vanity signed Chapuis. The chest is raised by fine rounded front supports below...
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Shaving Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
An early 19th Century French mahogany shaving stand with black marble top over a single drawer over a case with a marble top and three cubbies. The mirror is resessable.
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Table
Located in Essex, MA
With hinged lid exposing a mirror and two compartments opening to a candlestick and pin cushion, over a drawer opening to a leather writing surface and ink wells, raised on circular ...
Sold
H 56 in W 32.75 in D 15.5 in
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Vanity with Marble Top and Oval Tilt Mirror
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire mahogany vanity with marble top and oval tilt mirror.
Marble
Early 19th Century Period Empire Vanity Desk with Mirror and Sconces
Located in Manhasset, NY
A period Empire vanity desk with mirror and sconces. A fully refinished bronze mounted vanity desk in a fine crotch mahogany having doré bronze mounts and lighted sconces. SXX.