Empire Tapestries
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 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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Floral Tapestry in Red & Tan 8.1X3.1
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royal Figures 6.11X6
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Woven Figural Tapestry 7.8X5.6
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Woven Scene Tapestry 7.5X6.0
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Woven Fight 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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Floral Vintage Tapestry in Blue & Tan 11.9X9.3
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry With Birds and Animals 6.7X4.5
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting an Exotic Bird 7.9X5.2
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty and Majestic Animals 6.3X6.1
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Woven Still Life Tapestry 7.0X5.65
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Floral Hanging Tapestry 10.0X4.0
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...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Tapestries
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Woven Throne Scene Tapestry 7.9X6.9
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 Tapestries
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Flag 1953
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH Queen Elizabeth 2nd, June 2nd 1953.
Due To The Size T...
Category
1950s English Vintage Empire Tapestries
Materials
Cotton
Queen Elizabeth ii Flag Union Jack Order of the Garter Honi Soit Mal Y Pense
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Queen Elizabeth II Flag Union Jack Order of the Garter HONI SOIT MAL Y PENSE from the 1950's.
The ...
Category
1950s English Vintage Empire Tapestries
Materials
Cotton
King Edward VII Coronation Flag, 1902
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A rare and Historical Royal Coronation flag from The Coronation Of HRH King Edward VII, this flag was produced to commemorate t...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Empire Tapestries
Materials
Cotton
King George VI Coronation Flag 1937
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH King George VI in 1937.
George VI (Albert Frederick Arth...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Tapestries
Materials
Cotton
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Coronation Flag, 1937
Located in Hastings, GB
British Royal Family
A Rare And Historical Royal Coronation Flag from The Coronation Of HRH King George VI in 1937. Flag shows King George VI alongside Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Tapestries
Materials
Cotton
Antique 19th Century Gobelin Style Tapestry After Horace Vernet's "Lion Hunt"
By Gobelins Royal Manufactory
Located in Peabody, MA
Framed (behind glass) 19th century Gobelin style Belgian woolwork tapestry depicting French artist Horace Vernet’s “Lion Hunt in the Sahara Desert, 28 May, 1...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Empire Tapestries
Materials
Wool
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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 Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire tapestries for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire tapestries 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 tapestries 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 fabric, cotton and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire tapestries made in a specific country, there are Unknown, Europe, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 tapestries differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,087 and tops out at $4,500 while the average work can sell for $1,345.
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