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Empire Prints

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
4 Framed Antique French Empire Style Lithograph Prints of Napoleon's Coronation
4 Framed Antique French Empire Style Lithograph Prints of Napoleon's Coronation

4 Framed Antique French Empire Style Lithograph Prints of Napoleon's Coronation

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Dimensions (Per Frame) - H: 22 3/4 in W: 30 1/4 in D: 1 3/4 in Dimensions (Art Per Piece) - H: 14 1/4 in W: 21 3/4 in Presenting a striking set of four Antique French Empire Style...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper

Print by Jean Marlet From His Scenes of Paris "Les Voitures de Versailles"
Print by Jean Marlet From His Scenes of Paris "Les Voitures de Versailles"

Print by Jean Marlet From His Scenes of Paris "Les Voitures de Versailles"

Located in valatie, NY

Jean-Henri Marlet, aka Jean Henry Marlet 1771-1847, was a French painter and engraver. A humorous depiction of life in Paris. He painted large tableaux depi...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Set of 9 French Empire Commemorative Coins, 19th Century, Framed
Set of 9 French Empire Commemorative Coins, 19th Century, Framed

Set of 9 French Empire Commemorative Coins, 19th Century, Framed

Located in Queens, NY

SET of 9 Armand Auguste Caqué French Empire commemorative coins of Childeric II and other French dignitaries in a square brown and black frame placed in a brown floating mount and br...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Marble

Print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard
Print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard

Print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard

Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB

One of a Set of Four different scenes available. The image provided is a lithographic print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Cha...

Category

Early 20th Century Empire Prints

Materials

Glass

Set of Four 18th Century Animal Engravings After Jacques E. de Sève, Framed
Set of Four 18th Century Animal Engravings After Jacques E. de Sève, Framed

Set of Four 18th Century Animal Engravings After Jacques E. de Sève, Framed

By Jacques Eustache de Seve

Located in Morristown, NJ

Set of Four 18th Century Animal Engravings After Jacques E. de Sève, Framed A beautifully presented set of four 18th-century animal engravings after Jacques Eustache de Sève (French...

Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paper

Print of a 19th-century military illustration titled "Garde Impériale
Print of a 19th-century military illustration titled "Garde Impériale

Print of a 19th-century military illustration titled "Garde Impériale

Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB

One of a Set of Four different scenes available. This framed print is a 20th-century reproduction of a 19th-century military illustration titled "Garde Impériale, Artillerie à ...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Empire Prints

Materials

Glass

Suite Of 2 Engravings, Camposanto De Pisa, Lasinio And Molini Landi & Cie, Empir
Suite Of 2 Engravings, Camposanto De Pisa, Lasinio And Molini Landi & Cie, Empir

Suite Of 2 Engravings, Camposanto De Pisa, Lasinio And Molini Landi & Cie, Empir

Located in MARSEILLE, FR

Suite of 2 large engravings from the Empire period, after the frescoes of the Camposanto in Pisa, the city's famous monumental cemetery, frescoes dating from the 14th century The th...

Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper

Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame
Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame

Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features iconic Louis Vuitton words and letters artistically arranged. Similar piece ca...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood

Louis Vuitton Eiffel Tower Trunks Monogram Art Print in Gold Frame
Louis Vuitton Eiffel Tower Trunks Monogram Art Print in Gold Frame

Louis Vuitton Eiffel Tower Trunks Monogram Art Print in Gold Frame

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage European gold leaf frame. Artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically formed in the shape of the Eiffe...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paper

Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed
Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed

Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden black painted frame. The artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically stacked. Similar piece can...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

French 1825 Hand Written Letter Artwork in Burl Wood Frame
French 1825 Hand Written Letter Artwork in Burl Wood Frame

French 1825 Hand Written Letter Artwork in Burl Wood Frame

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Custom burl wood framed art that features an antiquarian handwritten letter in French, dated "Paris Le 6 Novembre 1825". This versatile artwork and can be displayed in any living roo...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper, Burl

Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed
Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed

Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically stacked. Similar piece can be ...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper, Paint

Set of 3 Framed Commemorative Coins, French Empire, Black Gold Frame
Set of 3 Framed Commemorative Coins, French Empire, Black Gold Frame

Set of 3 Framed Commemorative Coins, French Empire, Black Gold Frame

Located in Queens, NY

SET of 3 similar Armand Auguste Caqué French Empire commemorative coin of Charles VI and other dignitaries in a square black and gold square frame with the coin center mounted by a p...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Gold

Military illustration titled Garde Impériale by the 19th-century French artis Al
Military illustration titled Garde Impériale by the 19th-century French artis Al

Military illustration titled Garde Impériale by the 19th-century French artis Al

Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB

One of a Set of Four different scenes available. This print is a reproduction of a military illustration titled "Garde Impériale" by the 19th-century French artist Alf...

Category

Early 20th Century Empire Prints

Materials

Glass

Pair of Framed Zoological Prints, Fish of the Nile
Pair of Framed Zoological Prints, Fish of the Nile

Pair of Framed Zoological Prints, Fish of the Nile

By Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire

Located in Los Angeles, CA

France 1805-1812, pair of rare original prints by Etienne Geoffroy de Sant-Hilaire (15 April 1772-19 June 1844) The French zoologist who accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte on his Egyptia...

Category

1810s French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper, Elm

Set of 3 French Empire Gold Coins, Framed, 19th Century, Antique
Set of 3 French Empire Gold Coins, Framed, 19th Century, Antique

Set of 3 French Empire Gold Coins, Framed, 19th Century, Antique

Located in Queens, NY

Set of 3 Armand Auguste Caqué French Empire Commemorative Coins in square black and gold frames floating in a black mat (PRICED EACH)

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Gold

Set of 9 Gold Commemorative Coins, French Empire, 19th Century, Carved
Set of 9 Gold Commemorative Coins, French Empire, 19th Century, Carved

Set of 9 Gold Commemorative Coins, French Empire, 19th Century, Carved

Located in Queens, NY

SET of 9 Armand Auguste Caqué French Empire commemorative coins in square gold frames placed in a floating beige and cream striped mat (PRICED EACH) Some minor chips on frame

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Gold

Temple Of Edfu, Framed Engraving 19th Century
Temple Of Edfu, Framed Engraving 19th Century

Temple Of Edfu, Framed Engraving 19th Century

Located in MARSEILLE, FR

Edfou or "Apollonopolis Magna" large framed engraving of the temple, "perspective view of the pilone and the courtyard of the great temple" Engraving which bears the mentions "Selli...

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper

John The Baptist, Framed Engraving, 19th Century
John The Baptist, Framed Engraving, 19th Century

John The Baptist, Framed Engraving, 19th Century

Located in MARSEILLE, FR

John the Baptist, framed engraving representing John as a young shepherd dressed in a melote, seated next to his cruciform reed staff and the banner "Ecce agnus dei ecce qui tollit.....

Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper

Coqueret, View of Paris N°12, Color Print, Early 19th Century
Coqueret, View of Paris N°12, Color Print, Early 19th Century

Coqueret, View of Paris N°12, Color Print, Early 19th Century

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Henri Courvoisier-Voisin & Pierre-Charles Coqueret, signed. Colors print untitled “View of Paris n°12 From the Pont au Change, Notre-Dame and the Pont Marie took between the P...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper

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18th Century Set of Four Engravings by J Audran
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Antique Napoleon Bonaparte First Consul at Malmaison Print Burl Frame
Antique Napoleon Bonaparte First Consul at Malmaison Print Burl Frame

Antique Napoleon Bonaparte First Consul at Malmaison Print Burl Frame

Located in Dayton, OH

An antique portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte depicted as the First Consul. The original artwork was created by the French painter Jean-Baptiste Isabey. He is standing in front of the C...

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Set of Four 19th Century Equestrian Prints
Set of Four 19th Century Equestrian Prints

Set of Four 19th Century Equestrian Prints

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Set of four 19th century equestrian prints.

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Set of Six Framed 18th c. Engravings of Moths
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Set of Six Framed 18th c. Engravings of Moths

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H 20.25 in W 16.5 in D 0.5 in

Set of Six Framed 18th c. Engravings of Moths

Located in Greenwich, CT

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1760s English Antique Empire Prints

Materials

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Antique Hand-Colored Print of the Labyrinth of Versailles, c.1720
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H 16 in W 19 in D 0.001 in

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Located in Langweer, NL

Antique print titled 'Le Serpent à plusieurs Testes: dans le Labyrinte de Versailles'. This print illustrates the fable 'The Snake with several heads' of the labyrinth of Versailles ...

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Materials

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Previously Available Items
Original Antique Framed Print of Napoleon Bonaparte After David. French C.1800
Original Antique Framed Print of Napoleon Bonaparte After David. French C.1800

Original Antique Framed Print of Napoleon Bonaparte After David. French C.1800

Located in St Annes, Lancashire

Wonderful image of Napoleon Bonaparte after Jacques Louis David Aquatint. Published C.1800 On paper applied to card Old Hogarth frame Slight restoration above the hair. Shown in ...

Category

Early 1800s English Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper

Early 19th Century French Napoleonic Urban Battle Engraving
Early 19th Century French Napoleonic Urban Battle Engraving

Early 19th Century French Napoleonic Urban Battle Engraving

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Early 19th Century French Napoleonic Urban Battle Engraving. Gorgeous engraving with a gilded period frame. See detailed photos attached. Contact us for more information.

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Paper

Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 Collection of 200 Prints Ltd Edition Produced 1953
Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 Collection of 200 Prints Ltd Edition Produced 1953

Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 Collection of 200 Prints Ltd Edition Produced 1953

Located in Highwood, IL

Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 was a well-known French artist who was awarded with the Prix of Rome and the Commander of the Legion of Honor. The Book titled; The Birth of a Genius is...

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1950s French Vintage Empire Prints

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Paper

Antique Botanical Print,  Dragon Arum by Thornton, Robert John, C.1804
Antique Botanical Print,  Dragon Arum by Thornton, Robert John, C.1804

Antique Botanical Print, Dragon Arum by Thornton, Robert John, C.1804

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique botanical print - the dragon arum by Thornton, Robert John c.1804. It is exquisitely framed in a gold and black empire style star clad giltwood frame. Additional informat...

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Early 19th Century Antique Empire Prints

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Giltwood

Antique Botanical Print, Nodding Renealmia by Dr. Thornton, Robert John
Antique Botanical Print, Nodding Renealmia by Dr. Thornton, Robert John

Antique Botanical Print, Nodding Renealmia by Dr. Thornton, Robert John

By Dr. Robert John Thornton

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique Botanical Print - The Nodding Renealmia by Dr. Thornton, Robert John c.1801. It is exquisitely framed in a gold and black empire style star clad giltwood frame Additional ...

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Early 19th Century Antique Empire Prints

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Giltwood

Antique Botanical Print, Aloe by Dr. Thornton, Robert John, Circa 1798
Antique Botanical Print, Aloe by Dr. Thornton, Robert John, Circa 1798

Antique Botanical Print, Aloe by Dr. Thornton, Robert John, Circa 1798

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique Botanical Print - the Aloe by Dr. Thornton, Robert John C.1798.. It is exquisitely framed in a gold and black empire style star clad giltwood frame. Additional information: ...

Category

18th Century Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Giltwood

Set of Seventeen Framed Giovanni Donegani Engravings
Set of Seventeen Framed Giovanni Donegani Engravings

Set of Seventeen Framed Giovanni Donegani Engravings

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Newly framed set of 17 engraved plans of architecture, irrigation, daming, etc by Giovanni Donegani.

Category

19th Century Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Iron

Set of Nine Horse Breeds Lithographs by Italian Giarre 1822 Firenze
Set of Nine Horse Breeds Lithographs by Italian Giarre 1822 Firenze

Set of Nine Horse Breeds Lithographs by Italian Giarre 1822 Firenze

By Luigi Giarrè

Located in Milano, MI

Horse breeds known in Europe, Firenze 1822 a unique set of nine stone lithographs by the Italian painter, engraver and printmaker Luigi Giarrè (circa 1772-1844). Italian publisher Litografia Ridolfi, active in Florence in 19th century. The collection consists of nine prints and an additional slightly smaller one with the legenda, from the key of the lithograph collection by the painter Luigi Giarrè, we desume that the whole collectione originally should consist of twelve works, containing The Most Beautiful Breeds of Horses Known in Europe, such as Normando Arabic, English (runner), Spanish, Egyptian...

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Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Prints

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Etching Portrait of Joseph Napoleon Gold Frame and Important Autograph Signature
Etching Portrait of Joseph Napoleon Gold Frame and Important Autograph Signature

Etching Portrait of Joseph Napoleon Gold Frame and Important Autograph Signature

By Pradier

Located in Prato, Tuscany

We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. We wa...

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Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper

Pair of Framed Zoological Prints, Fish of the Nile
Pair of Framed Zoological Prints, Fish of the Nile

Pair of Framed Zoological Prints, Fish of the Nile

By Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire

Located in Los Angeles, CA

France 1805-1812, pair of rare original prints by Etienne Geoffroy de Sant-Hilaire (15 April 1772-19 June 1844) The French zoologist who accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte on his Egyptia...

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1810s French Antique Empire Prints

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Empire prints for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire prints for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage prints created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire prints made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original prints, popular names associated with this style include Luigi Giarrè, Pradier, and Aaron Siskind. 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 prints differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $5,200 while the average work can sell for $1,724.