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
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
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
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
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...
Brass, Metal
French Empire Mahogany Vanity with Marble Top, Circa 1804-1814
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
$2,562Sale 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
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 Vanity with Gilt Bronze Trim
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
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
$2,562Sale Price|50% Off
H 56.7 in W 24.81 in D 16.54 in
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
$1,192Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.85 in W 37.01 in D 20.48 in
20th Century French Vintage Wooden Vanity Table with Mirror Top and Drawers
Located in Sofia, BG
Very well preserved 20th century french vintage vanity table with mirror top and drawers that is made in fruit wood. It is raised on slightly curved legs with a delicate detail at th...
Fruitwood
Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage wicker dressing table / writing table with stool. It is oval shaped with a raised galleried back. There is one center drawer. This very ...
Wicker
A Very Fine 19th Century Dressing Table Attributed to 'Gillows'
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th Century well figured mahogany dressing table attributed to 'Gillows'. This fabulous piece is stunningly hand carved, of exceptional quality and richly patinated wit...
Mahogany
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
Unavailable|$18,750
H 29.75 in W 39.5 in D 18.25 in
French Mid-Century Pecan Wood Dressing Table with Parquetry, 1940s
Located in Queens, NY
French Mid-Century (1940s) pecan wood dressing table with a parquetry top and mirror (20" high) over a drawer centered by 2 open side shelves.
Nutwood
$1,630 / set
H 37.41 in W 28.75 in D 17.33 in
Dressing table with chair in Art Deco style, Poland, mid-20th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Art Deco dressing table with chair from the 1950s. A dressing table in a geometric form characteristic of the Art Deco style. The furniture has one small drawer, a spacious top idea...
Walnut
$3,800
H 130 in W 90 in D 42 in
Art Deco Dressing Table by Laurent Neiss, Mahogany, France, Circa 1930
By L Neiss
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dresser from the art deco period handcrafted by Laurent Neiss : He created several pieces designed by Émile André, Jacques Grüber, Eugène Vallin, and others, thus becoming part of th...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with dark stone top. The gray, Saint Anne-type marble is in wonderful ...
Marble
$1,920Sale Price|50% Off
H 52.76 in W 48.82 in D 19.3 in
Beresford & Hicks Tola Wood Four Drawer Kneehole Ebonised Dressing Table
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Beresford & Hicks Tola Wood Four Drawer Kneehole Dressing Table. With Ebonised Legs & A Swing Framed Tryptic Mirror For There Berwick Furniture Range Made in Hoxton, Londo...
Brass
$1,746
H 29.73 in W 31.7 in D 20.08 in
Louis XV Style Marquetry Dressing Table, Vanity Table With Mirror, 20th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant marquetry dressing table in wood, opening with two side panels and a central top revealing a mirror and several storage compartments lined with light fabric. The piece res...
Wood
18th century Louis XVI Dressing Table
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI dressing table, France 1780. For the beautiful marquetry, the maker combined two types of veneer: Walnut and kingwood. The dressing...
Kingwood, Walnut
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 Stamford, CT
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.