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Empire Wall Decorations

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
19th-C. French Hand Painted Oil on Canvas Floral / Urns Panels in Giltwood Frame
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely pair of 19th century hand painted panels in giltwood frames. They are beautifully done with cascading blue and white elements surrounding neo-classical revival urns....
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Upholstery, Giltwood

GBV Nine Ceramic Shelf with Hand Painted Fair 19th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Ceramic shelf from Nove di Bassano with flowers and fair, hand-painted by Gian Battista Viero and made in the 19th century. Restorations have been carried out as shown in the picture...
Category

1880s Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 8.2X6.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Tapestry With Birds 7X5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Danish Golden Age Painting of a Soldier and a Lady at Rosenborg Castle
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oil painting from the Danish Golden Age (c. 1840-1860) portraying a soldier engaged in conversation with a lady, with the historic Rosenborg Castle elegantly positioned in the backgr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Period Giltwood Large Italian Empire Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame. Early 19th century. Internal measurements cm 37.5 x 45.5. Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certific...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving Early 19th century Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47 Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Pair of Architectural Gilt Wood Wall Shelves Brackets, Mid-19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Pair of French Gold Gilt Wall Shelves. Could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful classic addition to any living room,...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

French Empire Portrait of a Boy, Circa 1810, Life-size
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming life-size portrait of a young boy in a formal high-collared coat holding a French dictionary, oil-on-canvas, circa 1810 in an age appropriate gilt-wood frame. The portrait...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Ansiaux Antoine - Attributed To, (1764-1840) Drawing, Portrait Of A Young Woman
Located in Bilzen, BE
Antoine ANSIAUX is an artist born in Belgium in 1764 and died in 1840. Drawing on paper, unsigned (attributed to) around 1810 Framed in a recent frame Frame 37 x 38 cm, drawing 17 x ...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Early 19th Century Framed Napoleon Medallion by Bertrand Andrieu
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 19th-century French round cast pewter medallion, a masterpiece by Bertrand Andrieu (1761-1822), captures the Napoleonic era's essence. The laurel-crowned Napoleon, reminis...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Pewter

20th Century French Oil Painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor by S. Chapin
By Chapin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French oil on canvas painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in a hand carved original gilded wooden frame, painted by S. Chapin in good condition. The wall décor art pie...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood

21th Century Authentic Wall Hanging Tapestry 7'4'' X 6' Ft
Located in Los Angeles, US
Est. Delivery from Los Angeles, CA
Category

Early 2000s French Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Beautiful Early 19th Century Portrait
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful early 19th century portrait dated and signed at the back. Portrait attributed to Berthon, student of David "The young girl and the c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

EARLY 19th CENTURY PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN IN UNIFORM
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid oil portrait on canvas of a gentleman in uniform, identified as Professor Moses Bosisio, mayor of Monza, who died in 1846, as reported on a plaque on the back of the paintin...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Vintage Tapestry Depicting A Secret Garden 6.5X6.1
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 6.8X5.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

19th Century Italian Painted Wood Empire Folding Screen in Gilt Bronze Frame
Located in Firenze, IT
This one-of-a-kind antique Italian Empire Period folding screen is a masterpiece of early 19th-century craftsmanship, dating most likely from 1801 during the Republic of Lucca. Pain...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th century French School after F. Gerard : mythological scene picturing Homere
By François Pascal Simon Gérard
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Early 19th century French school featuring poet Homer and Glaucus' daughter after Francois Gerard's work, oil on canvas circa 1815 - 1820. The painting depicts the time when Homer ha...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Gold Leaf

"The Artist in his Studio", Oil on Canvas, Italian School, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful circa 1810 Italian school oil-on-canvas painting of an artist or painter in his studio seated legs-crossed in a chair facing the canvas on easel with palette and brush in...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Pair of Danish Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas, A Pair Charming pair of Danish Early 19th Century paintings oil on canvas. Thes...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Early 19th Century Pair of Reverse Glass Paintings by Lebelle
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of reverse glass paintings in gouache depicting two landscapes. One of them features a castle and a bath scene, the other one animals and various chara...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Country Picnic, Framed Hst, Early 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Beautiful oil on canvas depicting a country picnic scene, animated by characters frolicking under a tree Beautiful scene, beautiful quality of painting, unfortunately not signed We...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

French Empire Portrait of Boy, circa 1810
Located in Doylestown, PA
A fine, lifesize oil-on-canvas portrait of a young boy dressed in period attire, holding a book titled “Dictionaire de France” In a period appropriate giltwood frame. Empire period, ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Four Shelves Etagere
Located in Miami, FL
This tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and four shelves.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Exotic Animals 5 X 3
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century. Perfect in the kitchen for vinegar and oil or in the hallway for gloves or keys. Wear consistent with a...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royal Commanders 7.1X6.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Vintage Woven Tapestry 7X6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Original Engraved Print by Pierre Joseph Redouté, 1802, Les Liliaceés
Located in New York, NY
A stunning original engraving from The Lilies (Les Liliaceés) by P.J. Redouté, considered the greatest botanical artist of all time. Produced between 1802 and 1816 under the patron...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper, Paint

19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper, Second Empire Era, E. Muller Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper, second Empire era, polychrome printing in the style of E. Muller enhanced with gold decorating cartridges with a floral cut of poppies and daisies. M...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Zabihi Collection Jewel Tone Superfine Antique Persian Jozan Souf Mat
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century collector caliber Persian Souf carpet handwoven in the Jozan Region. Measures: 2'3" x 2'7" Souf rugs are very rare technique foun...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Vintage Woven Forrest Tapestry 7.2X6.0
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Period Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame. Early 19th Century Internal measurements cm 13 x 10 Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompanied by a certifica...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Mother and Her Children 6.4X5.3
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Pine

19th Century Signed Portrait of a Young Gentlewoman Painting
By Francesco Vinea 2
Located in Roma, IT
Francesco Vinea portrait of a woman Portrait of Empire taste Work by painter Francesco Vinea ( Forli 1845- Florence 1902). Oil on panel, depicting a young woman in Empire style in re...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Vintage Colorful Floral Tapestry 5.0X5.05
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Late 20th Century Vintage Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 6.9X5.5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Children at Play 7X7.8
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper

Vintage Woven Floral Scene Tapestry 7.7X5.7
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Period French Empire Neoclassical Wallpaper Screen by Zuber of Dufour
Located in Essex, MA
Period Empire neoclassical wallpaper screen. Either by Zuber of Dufour. Was always intended as a screen.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Vintage Woven Fountain Tapestry 7.2X5.5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

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...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Neoclassical oil on canvas nude painting contemporary Roman style 'll bath'
By Henri-Pierre Picou
Located in Palermo, IT
Attributable to HENRI PIERRE PICOU. (FRENCH !(1824-1895) Le Bain oil on canvas, with gold leaf frame, 1900. Big picture Now available Shipping with triple box. Any information cont...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Cello 6.0X5.5
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Large French Empire Coastal Scenic Painted Oval Tole Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire salver or oval metal tray decorated with an outstanding border. The tray features painted medallions and edges and has two hand grips. The painted coastal scene depicts...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farm Kids 6.9 X 5.2
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Woven Crest Tapestry 7.6X6.3
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Floral and Bird Tapestry 9X2.4
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Pair of French Empire Portraits of an Aristocratic Couple by Antoine Borel
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of original oil paintings on canvas depicting a handsome young aristocratic couple of the Directoire, early Empire period. They are each pictured from the waist up, she holdin...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Harvest Season 4.6X5.8
Located in Los Angeles, US
The art of tapestry weaving is an exceptional art different than any other weaving art. Based on a design cartoon, the background, pattern, and every element is woven over a warp wit...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Hand Painted Wallpaper Frieze Second Empire Era
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century roll of wallpaper frieze in trompe-l'oeil ribbon on an 8-way roll. About 61 m/0.05 cm. useful. Second Empire era, polychrome printing. ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer , Beautiful Early 19th century Heavy Bronze Imperial Armorial Armoirie Coat...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Bronze

Empire wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, cotton and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Unknown, Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Chapin, Claude Marie Dubufe, Cupioli made in Italy, and Jean Zuber. 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 wall decorations 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 $95,530 while the average work can sell for $4,061.

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