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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
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 Royal Figures on Islands 6.5X5.5
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

Artwork Wall Panel Natural Motifs Relief Painting handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Artwork Wall Panel Handmade Relief Painting Made in Italy by Cupioli Available. Virtue by Virtue Thorn for thorn Making a comparison between a plant (the pomegranate) and a characte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Scagliola, Wood, Paint

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

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper, Elm

Vintage Tapestry Depicting a Royal Music Room 6.10X5.8
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 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 Angels 5.7X6.6
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 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 Tapestry Depicting Royalty 7.2X5.4
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 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

Vintage Figural Scene Tapestry 7.6X5.15
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 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

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 Depicting Soliders of War 5.10X6.9
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 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

18th Century French Oil Painting Portrait of a Woman and Child Holding a Torch
Located in Queens, NY
French (18th-19th century) large oil painting portrait of a woman holding flowers and a child bearing a torch in an ornate carved rectangular gilt...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

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 Angels
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 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 Tapestry Depicting Angels and Royal Figures 8.2X7.0
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 Angel 6.7X5.6
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 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 Figurial Scene Tapestry 5.7X5.6
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 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

Antique Persian Souf Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Souf carpet woven somewhere in Iran. Whereabouts are unknown but we suspect it’s from the sarouk Jozan region. 2'1'' x 2'7'' Souf r...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Souf Carpet
Antique Persian Souf Carpet
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Worcester Barr Flight Barr Porcelain Saucers with Bat-Printed Shells
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of early transferware English porcelain saucers, made by the Worcester Porcelain Factory during the Barr, Flight & Barr period, 1807-1813. The late 18th and early 19th cent...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Naïve Allegorical Landscape Paintings Sign, Christian Georg v. Lind
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of naïve allegorical landscape paintings. Oil on canvas Signed Lieutenant Christian Georg V. Lind, 1837 and 1838. See text on the back. In original gilded damgaard frames. ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Gilt Antique Friezes from France
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pair of antique golden friezes with olive branches. They are from the French Empire period and are perfect. ref. O/7147.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Fruitwood

Gilt Antique Friezes from France
Gilt Antique Friezes from France
$1,397 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paper

Set of Antique Glazed Ceramic Tiles Depicting Napoleon
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Eight 6-inch antique glazed ceramic tiles depicting Napoleon, 18th century French Emperor and military figure. Likely the central part of what was once a larger panel, these tiles are hand-painted in vibrant colours and detail, illustrating an adaption of Napoleon and his armies during the French Revolution. The frontmost figure depicts the famed Napoleon Bonaparte, wearing his signature side to side bicorne hat, leading a procession of horses and an army of French foot soldiers. Dating from the late 19th / early 20th century, it is a stunning antique tile panel...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Naïve Allegorical Landscape Paintings Sign, Christian Georg v. Lind
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of naïve allegorical landscape paintings. Oil on canvas Signed Lieutenant Christian Georg V. Lind , 1837 and 1838. See text on the back. In original gilded Damgaard frames....
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Michael Kenna, "Entrance, Prague, Czechoslovakia" Silver Gelatin Photograph
Located in Atlanta, GA
Michael Kenna (United Kingdom, Born 1954), "Entrance, Prague, Czechoslovakia" 1990 Toned Silver Gelatin Photograph. Image 11/45. Measurements: 16.25" w, 20.25" h (Framed) 7.485" square (Photgraph) "Michael Kenna is an English photographer best known for his unusual black and white landscapes featuring ethereal light achieved by photographing at dawn or at night with exposures of up to 10 hours. His photos concentrate on the interaction between ephemeral atmospheric condition of the natural landscape, and human-made structures and sculptural mass. Many books have been published of his work, the subjects of which range from The Rouge, in Dearborn Michigan, to the snow-covered island of Hokkaido, Japan. Kenna's work is also held in permanent collections at the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, The National Gallery of...
Category

Late 20th Century British Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Sampson & Dalilah "At The Gate Of Prison" Colored Copper Engraving
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sampson & Dalilah, At the gate of prison. Colored copper engraving in contemporary Empire mahogany frame with internal line intarsia, gilt with ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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

Jepthas "Distress at Meeting His Daughter" Colored Copper Engraving
Located in Kastrup, DK
Jephthah's Distress at meeting his Daughter. Painted by H. Singelton. Engraved by W. Bond Colored copper engraving in contemporary Empire mahogany frame...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Paper

Early 19th Century Empire French Hand Painted Wall Canvas Signed Louis A. David
Located in Dallas, TX
This monumental antique painted canvas titled "Le Cercle de Jeux" was created in France, circa 1810; the art work depicts a gambling scene in a very cozy game room. The scene features eighteen men dressed in authentic Empire clothing and playing cards game around three different tables. The canvas is signed on the bottom right Louis Alphonse David. The large wall decoration...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Early 19th Century Empire Period Portrait of a Gentleman
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming portrait of a young Empire period gentleman with an earring, under glass in a period gild wood frame. Oil pastel on paper, French, circa 1800.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Male Portrait, Pastel In Its Frame, Circa 1800
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Male Portrait, Pastel In Its Frame, Around 1800
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

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...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint, Paper

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Baby Angels 5.8X5.5
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 Angels 8.9 X 8.3
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 Flower Picking 7.5X5.2
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 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 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 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 Children Playing Music 6.0X4.6
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 Tapestry Depicting Greenhouse 7.3X5.0
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 Woven Warrior Scene Tapestry 8.0X3.6
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

18th Century Oil Painting of Child with Tambourine Walking on a Panthera
Located in NICE, FR
The child, at the center of the composition, is dressed in an immaculate white tunic that delicately falls over their shoulders and stops just above their knees. The simplicity of th...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

French Sevres Green Ground Porcelain Framed Charger Napoleon Courting Josephine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Large and very fine French Sevres green ground porcelain framed charger depicting the consecration of the Emperor Napoleon I and coronation of the...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Still Life Painting on Wood of a Classical Scene with a Horn
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) acrylic still life of a brass horn and sword alongside a bird perched on an antler that is spearing sheet music reading, "Le Retour La Chasse -1923."Painted on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

C1880 French Barbizon Landscape Of A Village
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Barbizon Landscape of a Village & Lady doing Laundry Unique piece purchased in France. Oil on board. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us wit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Capriccio Jeremias August Urlaub Clock Picture Germany
Located in Epfach, DE
Capriccio from Jeremias August Urlaub, born 1784 in Hanau, death 1837 in St.Petersburg belongs to an important franconian painter family. Original magnificent and special frame, o...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Mid 19th Century French Empire Style Portrait of Lady with Coral Jewelry
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mid 19th Century French Empire Style Portrait of a Lady with Coral Jewelry. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, please see detailed photos or message us with q...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

French Empire Napoleonic Military Oil on Canvas Painting, Framed
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire Napoleonic military oil on canvas painting with a newer ebonized and gilded frame. The still life painting depicts French Nation...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Wood

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

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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