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
Vintage Woven Creek Tapestry 6.5X5.33
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 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
Jacques-Louis David 1748-1825 Collection of 200 Prints Ltd Edition Produced 1953
Located in Chicago, 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...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Antique French Giltwood Barometer Thermometer, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
Although constructed circa 1815 as a scientific instrument, this French giltwood barometer is a beauty to behold. Our exquisite barometer has a unique composition, featuring an elong...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Romantic Seascape With Figures Oil On Panel Supra Porte
Located in Munich, DE
This charming peaceful romantic scene shows a fine summer day in a hilly landscappe near the sea.
The blue sea surrounds a peninsular with a with a fortress on a hill. We see an iso...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood
Polychrome Print Eau Forte - General In Chief Marceau - Period: XVIIIth Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Large color etching on wove paper, representing General Marceau, a military hero of the French Revolution. The model was created in 1798 by Antoine Louis François Sergent-Marceau, known as Sergent Marceau.
Antoine Louis François Sergent, also known as Sergent-Marceau, was a French politician, painter, engraver born in 1751 in Chartres, France, and died in 1847 in Nice, France. He was mainly active during the classical period in the 19th century.
The works of Antoine Louis François Sergent are mainly preserved in the Army Museum in Paris.
Period : XVIIIth
Circa : 26 Germinal Year VI - 15 April 1798
Dimensions : Height : 72cm x Width : 5cm x Depth : 2cm
Very nice militaria object, very decorative, large size. Superb bright pastel colors, Â
The notice written underneath is to the glory of Marceau.
Born in Chartres, soldier at 16, General at 23, died at 27. General-in-Chief of the Army of the West, he defeated the Rebels at Le Mans and Laval. Major General in the Ardennes, Sambre et Meuse armies, where he commanded the right wing, he was victorious at Fleurus, on the Ourthe, the Röer, the Hundsruck, he seized Coblentz (October 23, 1794).Â
Mortally wounded at Hoestback, he died on September 22, 1796 at Altenkirchen, surrounded by the Generals of the Austrian army...
Category
18th Century European Antique Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Pair of Small Reverse Painted Glass Portraits of Nobility in Burl Wood Frames
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
European Hinter Glass Painted Portraits of Nobility in Burl Wood Frames.
These small charming burl wood framed portraits of Wolfe and Lafayette could be English or French. They are ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Burl
Regency Period Gentlman Painting
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Hutton-Clarke Antiques is delighted to present a captivating artwork from the Regency period, circa 1810. This remarkable painting, executed in oil on canvas, retains its original fr...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas
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
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
20th Century Unknown Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century Vintage Tapestry 5.0X3.0
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
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5.7X4
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
"C'est L'Empereur !" Antique Oil on Canvas after Hugh de Twenebrokes Glazebrook
Located in Dallas, TX
According to the book, History of the First Napoleon, by Louis Philippe R. Fenwick de Porquet, the scene portrayed in this oil on canvas painting is a historical event. Originally by the British painter, Hugh de Twenebrokes Glazebrook in 1890 (ours is an interpretation by L. Garnier), C’est L’Empereur depicts Napoleon himself standing watch in a field during the Revolutionary War.
Napoleon is positioned in between two haystacks that dot the field. He is dressed in his typical battle uniform of a colonel in the Chasseurs à Cheval de La Garde Impériale, which is a grayish-green overcoat...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage Tapestry With Trees 7.11X5.3
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 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 Depicting an Exotic Bird 4.0X4.11
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 Trees 6.7X5.8
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
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
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 Royalty 5X4.10
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 Depicting River and Trees 6.4X5.0
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
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6X5.2
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 Tapestry Depicting a River 7.1X4.10
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
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 Animalia Tapestry 6.23X4.25
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
Suite Of 3 Engravings, Camposanto De Pisa, Lasinio And Molini Landi & Cie, Empir
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Suite of 3 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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Vintage Tapestry Depicting A Rooster 5.8X3.11
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 Pond Tapestrty 7.35X5.45
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 an Exotic Bird 6.2X5.3
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 Tapestry Depicting a Hidden Garden 7.5X5
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 Outdoor Scene Tapestry 6.25X5.0
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
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Royal Vase 6.2X2.3
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 Tapestry Depciting a Royal Vase 6.2X2.3
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 Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6.0X6.11
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 Ship Tapestry 7.7X6.5
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 Very Fine Aubusson Tapestry 6X6
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 Farmers 6X5.6
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 Tapestry Ddepicting Royal Emblem 3.8X3.9
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 Royalty and Angels 8X7
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 Angel 6.8X5.3
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 Tapestry Depicting Wildlife 7.1X6
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 Wool Tapestry 5.6X5.7
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
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 Woven 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
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 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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royal Figures 9.9X6.4
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
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 8X6.5
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 Floral Tapestry 5.1X5
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
Vintage Cotton Wool Floral Tapestry 6X5.10
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 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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5.7X6.7
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
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 wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Dr. Robert John Thornton, Chapin, Claude Marie Dubufe, and Cupioli made in Italy. 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 $393,398 while the average work can sell for $3,500.
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