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.
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,...
Metal
$1,450 / set
H 26 in W 10 in D 6.5 in
Antique Italian Mirrored Wall Brackets, Giltwood, Mid-19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Antique wall brackets with water gilding & mirrored back.
Giltwood
$640 / set
H 6.75 in W 7.5 in D 4.4 in
Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Giltwood Roses Wall Brackets Shelves
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Italian gilded wood and gesso wall brackets shelves, circa 1950. They are decorated with lovely roses and scrolls in a beautiful gilt patina, perfect for dis...
Giltwood
$4,250 / set
H 17.5 in W 16.5 in D 6.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted and Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century Italian Painted and Gilt wood Wall Brackets. Stunning large pair of Italian Baroque style painted and gilt wood wall brackets, wall shelves or wall consoles to d...
Giltwood
$850Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 20 in W 14 in D 8 in
Italian Oversized Gilt Wall Brackets/Shelves a Pair
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1838 Pair Oversized Italian gilt wall shelves/brackets
Cast Stone
Pair of Blue Velvet Wall Shelves or Brackets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of blue velvet wall shelves or brackets. Handmade and covered in silk-rayon velvet. Measures: 12" x 6" x 9" H each.
Velvet, Wood
Pair Of 19th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Brackets. Stunning large pair of Italian Baroque style painted and gilt wood wall brackets, wall shelves or wall consoles to display your p...
Giltwood
$695 / set
H 7.25 in W 9.25 in D 4 in
Pair of Mid-20th Century Italian Giltwood & Gesso Wall Brackets Shelves
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Italian gilded wood and gesso wall brackets shelves, circa 1950. These stunning brackets are decorated with scrolling leaves in a beautiful gilt patina. They...
Giltwood, Gesso
$2,520
H 13.25 in W 26.5 in D 14.5 in
Spanish Carved-Wood Capital Decorative Architectural Wall Bracket, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish carved-wood capital wall bracket from the 19th century. This antique architectural wall ornament from Spain features a rectangula...
Wood
$595 / set
H 11 in W 10.5 in D 5.5 in
20th-C. Regency Style Gilt And Faux Tortoise Wall Brackets / Shelves - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of regency style wall brackets with a gilt a faux tortoise shell finish. They date to the later part of the 20th century, and they are in very good condition. They are...
Composition
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Giltwood Brackets Shelves
Located in Pearland, TX
A stylish pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian giltwood brackets or shelves. Faintly impressed "Made In Italy" mark on reverse. Sleek Art Deco style geometric design in a lovel...
Giltwood
$7,500 / set
H 22.75 in W 17.5 in D 10 in
Pair of 19th Century Italian Giltwood Wall Brackets with Acanthus Carving
Located in Atlanta, GA
An ornate pair of 19th-century Italian wall brackets, hand-carved in wood and finished in a classic palette of ivory paint with gilded highlights. Each bracket is modeled as a corbel...
Wood
Pair of Antique 19th Century Cast Iron Wall Brackets
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of antique late 19th century Victorian cast iron wall brackets with thickly cast elements, suitable for interior or exterior use. The intricate scrolling foliage design showca...
Metal, Iron
Empire Style Pair of Giltwood and Plaster Ram’s Head Bracket/Shelves
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a pair of gilt wood ram’s head wall brackets/shelves. They depict a half moon shaped top shelves. They are decorated with a carved garland of acanthus leaves below the top. Their bodies are shaped as large ram’s heads...
Wood, Plaster