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.
Empire Double Headed Eagle Wall Mirror in Bronze, Spain 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, Spain, 1930s-1940s. Spectacular bronze wall mirror with a crowned double headed eagle surrounding a shield shaped beveled glass. This stunning br...
Bronze
$10,400Sale Price|20% Off
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer , Beautiful Early 19th century Heavy Bronze Imperial Armorial Armoirie Coat...
Bronze
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant French Empire Bronze Relief of Napoleon I in Thuja Wood Frame A distinguished French Empire bronze relief plaque depicting Napoleon I crowned with the classical laurel wreat...
Bronze
Large French Empire Gilt Bronze and Crystal Sconce Attributed to Thomire
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly unusual large scale single French Empire wall sconce, the bronze having the finest chasing and gilding ever produced. A winged cupi...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Antique Brass Spoon Rack Wall Mounted Holder
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming antique brass spoon holder or rack featuring intricate detailing throughout. Wonderful addition to any kitchen displayed on the wall or countertop.
Brass
Elegant Plaque in cast iron, Swedish King Karl XVI Johan from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Plaque in cast iron. Swedish King Karl XVI Johan as a Roman General from the 1820s. Made by Finspång Bruk in Östergötland, Sweden Wear consistent with age and use
Iron
Antique Empire Head of Hermes Carved Wood Messenger of Zeus God of Merchants
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful head of Hermes wearing his winged helmet is carved out of boxwood and has preserved the original gilding. The head is mounted on a blacke...
Boxwood, Oak
Large French Empire Coastal Scenic Painted Oval Tole Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire salver or oval metal tray decorated with an outstanding border. The tray features painted medallions and edges and has two hand grips. The painted coastal scene depicts...
Metal
Antique fireplace with a sculpted mantelpiece, in the Empire style (late 19th century).
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique fireplace with a sculpted pilaster, in the Empire style (late 19th century), with strong influences from the Louis XVI style. Crafted from fine white Carrara marble, featurin...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
$490
H 13 in W 1 in D 22 in
Antique Chinese Hand Carved Lacquered Rosewood Wall Plaque from the 19th Century
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 19th century Chinese carved wall plaque of lacquered rosewood. This plaque features a cloud-shape medallion with various figures within. ...
Rosewood
$4,433
H 28.15 in W 17.92 in D 2.37 in
Framed Bronze Relief of St. John the Baptist After Desiderio Da Settignano
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Framed bronze relief sculpture of St. John the Baptist after Desiderio da Settignano. Cast in high relief with complex detail, John the Baptist is depicted as a youthful character...
Bronze
$1,500
H 21.5 in W 40.5 in D 3 in
19th Century Antique Wood Carved Wall Sculpture, White Washed, England
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique white washed wood carved wall plaque featuring two Dog heads on top surrounded by scrolls.
Wood, Paint
Fortini Cast Bronze Figural Relief Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cast hollow bronze figural sculpture carved in relief (ca. early 20th Century Italy). No chips or losses; light patina throughout. Masterful work and appealing subject matter. Can be...
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Bronze
Three Piece 19th Century Brass Wall Hanging Ornament
Located in Delray Beach, FL
One of a kind wall hanging ornaments made of solid brass, originally part of 19th century Antiqe screen salvage. will make exceptional decorative...
Brass
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.25 in W 11.5 in D 0.75 in
"Twelfth Labor of Hercules, " Bronze Relief Panel Depicting Hercules & Cerberus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gorgeously detailed and beautifully cast and patinated, this oval panel depicts, in high relief, the victorious Hercules after his twelfth labor, having subdued the monstrous Cerberu...
Bronze
$3,808 / item
H 29.53 in W 13.78 in D 15.75 in
French Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt and burnished bronze victory wall Sconce is an elegant example of figural wall light that shows a winged Victory, mounted ...
Bronze
$562
H 18.9 in W 12.6 in D 0.4 in
Sink Plaquette with Relief of a Roman Adonis in Loincloth Posing as Le Penseur
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This plain and austere plaquette shows us a muscular Roman young man wearing just a loincloth. Squatting on the ground he sits, in the typical position of the Le Penseur artwork by R...
Zinc
19th Century Circular Wall Mount Fountainhead
Located in GB
A circular wall mounted Fountainhead depicting a river God cast in lead. Circa 1900.
Lead
Neal Smalls "Slopes" Mirror Wall
By Neal Small, Converso
Located in Chicago, IL
Neal Small Slopes Mirror Wall, faceted wall sculpture, Classic design. These are "The Original" authorized edition This version can be displayed horizontal (image one) or vertically ...
Mirror, Wood
$4,950 / set
H 37 in W 4.5 in D 3 in
Pair of 1880s Italian Carved Wooden Wall Carvings Depicting Pomegranates
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian carved wooden wall carvings from the late 19th century, depicting pomegranates. Created in Italy during the last quarter of the 1...
Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Brass Wall Pocket Vase or Match Holder
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming antique brass wall vase or planter featuring intricate detailing throughout. We also see this being used near a fireplace to hold matches. Wonderful addition to any inf...
Brass
Large French Empire Hand Painted Tole Tray Floral Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Empire rectangular metal tray with rounded corner, featuring hand-painted floral and birds pattern. We see this early 19th Century versatile piece on a cocktail table, ottoman...
Metal
A Pair of Framed Marble Cameos of Roman Emperors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Superb Pair of Breche Violette & Marble Cameos depicting Roman Emperors resting inside oval giltwood frame. France, circa 1860. CW5028
Marble
Early 19th Century Framed Napoleon Medallion by Bertrand Andrieu
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 19th-century French round cast pewter medallion, a masterpiece by Bertrand Andrieu (1761-1822), captures the Napoleonic era's essence. The laurel-crowned Napoleon, reminis...
Pewter
White Plaster Relief with Royal Couple, France 19th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
White plaster relief with royal couple, France 19th century plaques A pair of white French plaster reliefs depicting (probably) a royal couple....
Plaster
Sold
H 21 in W 17.5 in D 2 in
Pair of Ormolu and Turquin Grey Marble Wall Mahogany Framed Armorial Plaques
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of armorial Ormolu mounts and Turquin grey marble wall plaques presented in mahogany frames with gilded bronze mounts and banding.
Marble, Ormolu
Selection of Modernist Ceramic Plaques
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of modernist ceramic plaques, circa 1950s. They are: 1) Mischievous boy ceramic plaque, in the manner of Pablo Picasso, French, circa 1950s. It is pictured at the top and ...
Alabaster, Bronze
Sold
H 9.5 in W 4 in D 4.5 in
Striking Maison Baguès Style Solid Bronze Hand w. Brass Torch Wall Sconce / Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Midcentury made 'mano negra' holding a torch wall lamp. If you are looking for a decorative wall sconce that literally gives light then look no further. This highly stylish, dark bronze hand is like reaching out from the wall and offering you light in the form of a torch with a faux candle on top. The time-worn bronze and brass surface gives this desirable sconce an ancient look and feel that cannot be duplicated. Its great style and modest size makes it perfect for all kinds of purposes. Thanks to the crossbar in the bronze wall plate...
Brass, Bronze
Italian Empire Period, Naples, Carved Wooden Eagle, circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
In excellent condition, beautifully carved with detailed feathers and talons, the eyes painted, retaining iron ring which was likely used for a fabric enclosure atop a poster bed.
Wood
Spanish Double-Headed Eagle Insignia Iron Hat Rack
Located in Atlanta, GA
The double-headed eagle motif was used as a symbol for the idea of a strong Empire. The two heads symbolize dominance over the East and the West. This motif was used as a coat of arm...
Iron
Sold
H 51.38 in W 102.37 in D 4.73 in
Great Stucco Bas Relief, Simon Louis Boizot, Representing the Battle of Neuwied
By Louis-Simon Boizot
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpted stucco circa 1800 Made by French artist Louis Boizot Stucco model that allowed to create the one in marble exhibited in the Battle gallery of Versailles Castle, built by ...
Stucco