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
Italian Florentine Architectural Gilt Wall Shelf Bracket, circa 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Italian Small Gold Leaf Wall Shelf. This bracket could certainly stand alone on a narrow wall or functional to hold a treasure on top. Wonderful classic addition to any livi...
Gold Leaf
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Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Wall Brackets. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood painted and gilt wall brackets with scrolled floral and tassel arms supporting upper shelf. Early 19th Century
Gold Leaf
$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
$880 / set
H 17 in W 14 in D 8 in
Pair Vintage Florentine style Architectural Carved Wood Corbel Wall Brackets
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Vintage florentine style Architectural corbel wall brackets, dating to the 1970s. Hand-carved from solid wood, each bracket possesses an impressive, high-quality weight of 12...
Wood
$1,673
H 20 in W 17 in D 11 in
Italian Carved and Gilt Wall Shelf/Bracket w/Eagle & Grapes, 19th Century
Located in East Point, GA
An Italian carved and gilt wood wall-hanging bracket in eagle, grape, and shell motif, 19th century. This antique architectural wall decorations from Italy features a three-dimension...
Wood
$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
$6,500 / set
H 10 in W 8 in D 3.25 in
Pair of Italian Gilt Carved Wood Demilune Acanthus Wall Brackets, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian gilt carved wood demilune wall brackets with scrolled foliage acanthus motif. All original. Early 19th Century.
Giltwood, Wood
$575 / 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
$1,500
H 10.25 in W 17.63 in D 7.63 in
French Baroque Style Parcel-Gilt Carved Wood Wall Bracket, Sconce, or Shelf
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A large last half of the 19th century French Baroque style stained, painted, and parcel-gilt wall bracket of unusual bisected cornice form having stained chestnut shelf above compoun...
Wood, Giltwood
$1,642
H 19.69 in W 14.97 in D 12.21 in
18th Century Carved Giltwood Shelf / Wall Bracket / Architectural Corbel
Located in Madrid, ES
This hand carved giltwood shelf / wall bracket or architectural corbel clearly displays the strength, drama and beauty of Spanish Baroque style. The cen...
Wrought Iron
$1,280 / set
H 16.5 in W 10.5 in D 6.75 in
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Neoclassical Carved Gilt Wall Bracket Shelves
By Borghese
Located in Elkhart, IN
An exceptional pair of Italian neoclassical wall sconce shelves by Borghese, richly carved with foliate swags, fluted detailing, and p...
Composition
Italian Early 19th Century Painted Wood Architectural Wall Shelf
Located in East Point, GA
An antique Italian carved wood wall-mounted shelf. This Italian architectural piece, from the early 19th century, has been hand-carved in a scroll and leaf motif. The shelf top has a...
Wood
$3,331 / set
H 19.69 in W 18.9 in D 13.39 in
19th Century Italian Wrought Iron Wall Brackets Shelves or Consoles 4 Available
Located in Firenze, IT
An exceptional and increasingly rare set of four 19th-century Italian wrought iron wall brackets, handcrafted in Tuscany—a region world-renowned for its architectural metal craftsman...
Wrought Iron
$12,000 / set
H 11.5 in W 14.25 in D 8.75 in
pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. Giltwood wall brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and richly carved pair of Italian 19th century Baroque st. Giltwood wall brackets. This stunning pair are designed with three handsome scrolled and tapering acanthus leave...
Giltwood
Pair of Italian Gilt Wall Brackets. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood and gold gilt wall brackets with flanking carved shells, centered carved tassel, and scrolled floral decorative work. Circa 1820
Nautilus Shaped Silver Gilt Wall Brackets
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stunning Pair of Silver Gilt Nautilus Shaped Wall Brackets, Balsam Wood. 23"H X 19.5 W X 8" D
Other
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