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 Pair of Engravings of "Description of Egypt"
Located in Madrid, ES
Two engravings from the book "The Description of Egypt", a major publication by the scholars who accompanied Napoleon, which included descriptions and engravings made by these schola...
Wood, Paper
Male Portrait Pastel Drawing, Empire Style, Circa 1800, Framed
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Male Portrait, Pastel In Its Frame, Around 1800
Canvas
Suite Of 3 Views Of Rome, Framed Drawings, Illegible Signature, Early 19th Centu
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Suite of 3 framed drawings depicting views of Rome: *The Trajan column *The Vatican *The port of Ripa grande These drawings bear partially faded annotations and an illegible si...
Paper
Set of Two 19th Century French Hand-Colored Regional Maps
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These historical regional maps depict the “Dépt de la Moselle" (Department of Moselle) and the Departement de Gard in France. Both pieces date back to the 19th Century, given their s...
Wood, Paper
$486Sale Price|20% Off
Preparatory Drawings Empire Antique Inspirations 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very nice sketches of characters. Representing different emotions, clothes and personalities. We have a portrait of a strong woman with arrows. Below this woman, there is a representation of oriental characters, also called barbarians during Antiquity. Finally, on the left, another woman is represented with her head in her hands and sitting on a Klismos chair. This chair is typical of the ancient period. It is written at the bottom right "March 15", surely the date of creation of this sketch. The Empire style and period are inspired by Greco-Roman art, it is called the neoclassical. The woman on this drawing wears an empire style dress...
Paper
French Trompe L'oeil Drawing Circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
This trompe l'oeil drawing depicts the artist's tools -- a black and a red crayon, and a folding steel ruler that was painted with silver pigments, which have blackened with age. They're shown on a sheaf of papers that include a medieval manuscript page, a musical score, and a group of prints. The unifying theme is the artistic patronage of the Medici, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, who intermarried with the Habsburgs, who were the Holy Roman Emperors. Among the papers are prints by Stefano Della Bella, the Florentine artist who worked for the Medici. They depict a negro page with a horse, and portraits of Lorenzo Lippi...
Paint, Paper
Early 19th Century Drawing of an Officer of the French Army
Located in Hudson, NY
This drawing on blue paper is from a collection of late 18th and early 19th century drawings mostly made during the time of Napoleon as First Consul of France. This group consisted o...
Paper, Pencil
Two Companion French Sanguine Drawings, circa 1800
Located in Hudson, NY
These two drawings by the same hand are unsigned. Done in Sanguine on paper the nudes appear to both be different aspects of the same individual since both works have the same facial...
Paper
$1,200
H 16 in W 8 in D 0.1 in
Signed Durham Cathedral Antique Drypoint Etching Drawing, 19th Century, England
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare, antique drypoint etching pencil signed by the artist whose name is illegible, circa mid-19th century, England.
Paper
$2,750
H 24 in W 18 in D 0.1 in
"Contemplation, " Brilliantly-Hued Pastel Drawing of Standing Male Nude by Cox
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sensuous and vividly-hued, this pastel drawing of a standing male nude with his head resting against the wall was made by Allyn Cox, son of the famous muralist Kenyon Cox...
Paper
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.5 in W 12 in D 0.1 in
"Standing Male Nude, " Pastel Drawing by Allyn Cox, US Capitol Muralist
By Allyn Cox
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully executed in warm, roseate colors -- coral, terra cotta, brick and ivory -- this drawing was made by Allyn Cox, probably as a study for one of many murals he was commissioned to paint at the US Capitol...
Paper
Fine Early 19th Century Academic Preparatory Drawing
Located in Hudson, NY
This very fine drawing in Sanguine is from the early 19th century. Made as a preparatory sketch concerning composition, musculature and shadow this work is unsigned but we have four ...
Hardwood, Paper
Pair of Trompe L'oeil Paintings on Wood
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pairr of Trompe L'Oeil still life paintings on wood-framed.
Wood
Maitland Smith Trompe L'Oeil Leather Book Bracket
Located in Waxahachie, TX
An unusual carved wood wall bracket by Maitland Smith. Covered in leather and embossed gold decoration and writing. Sturdy and solid. Perfect for any bibliophile. Belongs in an Ea...
Leather
$1,100
H 5.88 in W 4.75 in D 0.1 in
"Bathers, " Oil Pastel Drawing with Four Nude Male Figures in Blue and Green
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This lovely drawing of four nude male figures looking into the distance contrasts realistic human figuration with a highly abstract setting in bold blues, greens and burnt sienna. Th...
Paint
$1,635
H 18.51 in W 16.34 in D 1.97 in
Portrait of a young woman in an gilt oval frame, pastel drawing, 18th century
Located in NICE, FR
Portrait of a Young Woman, pastel drawing, presented in its original oval frame protected by glass, 18th century Delightful portrait of a young noblewoman in the fashion of the late...
Paste, Paper
"Standing Male Nude, " Preparatory Drawing by Dunbar Beck
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This ethereal drawing by Dunbar Beck demonstrates his mastery of the human figure, with antecedents in Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Beck was one of America's most accomp...
$4,200
H 118.125 in W 148 in D 0.25 in
Large Antique French Trompe L'Oeil Painted Canvas Theater Backdrop, Circa 1920s
Located in Dallas, TX
Originally a scenic backdrop for a French theater during the 1920s, this large painted canvas can be considered a trompe-l’œil. A trompe-l’oeil (literally “deceive the eye”) is a sty...
Canvas, Paint
19th Century Horse Study — Pencil Drawing - Framed - France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Dessin d'étude de cheval du XIXᵉ siècle, réalisée au crayon. Le rendu est fin et précis en ce qui concerne le dessin du cheval, tant sur le plan anatomique que dans la capture de l’a...
Paper, Crayon
Sold
H 22.84 in W 18.71 in D 0.79 in
Silverware drawing : crystal and vermeil ewer - Boulenger catalog
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine silverware drawing enhanced with gouache showing a crystal and vermeil ewer / bottle. The item pictured is a silverware project meant to be listed in famous French silver make...
Paint, Paper
Antique Black Ink and Gouache Drawing of a Young Lady Made circa 1835
Located in Katonah, NY
A lovely English painted antique Silhouette portrait of a young lady arranging flowers. The scene is drawn in black ink with delicate white...
Paper
19th Century Empire Period Engraving
Located in Madrid, ES
A large early 19th century Empire period engraving. depicting Belisarius receiving Almas, original ilded frame in classical taste, with original gl...
Glass, Giltwood
Adèle Gramagnac, Portrait of a Young Man, 1812
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Adèle Gramagnac, signed. Drawing on paper representing a young man with long hair holding a stick on his right hand on which hangs a ferret. He holds the animal by a leash in his le...
Paper
French Empire Pencil Drawing of a Putto in a Helmet Allegory of War
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An original oval pencil drawing on a wooden panel from the French Empire period showing a young boy sitting on the outside of a military helmet with various military attributes in the background, an allegory of war...
Paper
Robert Cheseman Chief Falconer to Henry VIII, Print SALE
Located in Sofia, BG
He was born in 1485, son and heir of Edward Cheeseman, Cofferer and Keeper of the Wardrobe to Henry VII, and succeeded to the family estates in 1517. He was made a Justice of the Pea...
Paper
Lion Charcoal Drawing, Empire Gold Foil Frame
Located in IT
Here you have a charcoal particular drawing representing a lion framed by a precious Empire gold foil frame. The drawing is from the early 20th century, the frame is from early 19th ...
French Framed Architectural Drawing
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular finely carved and gilded frame, the scene depicting a memorial. Exhibited the arts group, 52 East 76 st, NYC in 1984. Sold Christies NY.