Empire Furniture
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
Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Wall, Pier Mirror, 1820s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Mahogany wall mirror with gilt detailing. Manufactured in Denmark in the early to mid-19th century.
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Estate Signed Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase.
Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Italian Empire 19th Century Walnut Commodes with Columns and Brass Mounts, Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian Empire walnut four-drawer commodes from the 19th century with antique brass mounts and bookmatched veneer. This exquisite pair of Italian Empire walnut four-drawer ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large French Empire Ebony Black and Gold Carved Giltwood and Gesso Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirror is a large statement piece. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina. The neoclassical embo...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror
18Th. C French Empire Collection of Rare Straw Marquetry Bottles, Set of 7
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this rare and exceptional collection of seven French 18Th C. Straw Marquetry Bottles.
These were made by convicts in the 18Th century.
This is a very rare collection, you ...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Straw, Blown Glass
A classical wall light with an ornate design
Located in London, GB
The Empire wall light is a decorative two-branch piece from luxury British brand Beaumont & Fletcher. Its intricate design includes a hoop of richly carved leaves suspended from a ri...
Category
2010s British Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Elegant pair of Salt Cellars in Silver from GAB. Empire style in 1909
Located in Knivsta, SE
A Elegant pair of Salt Cellars in Silver from GAB (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) from Sweden in Empire style dated in 1909 = G7.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Beautiful pair of 1940's French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1970′ French Guéridon in the Style of Adam Weisweiler Maison JANSEN
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze guéridon with a veined awhite marble top, is supported by three pairs of faux-bamboo ormolu legs, joined by a triangular stretcher with incurved sides
the lower spacer receive...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful Sauce Boat in Silver by Johan Petter Grönvall, Sweden from 1832
By Johan Petter Grönvall 1
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful Sauce Boat in Silver made by the well-known silversmith Johan Petter Grönvall ( 1774-1843) in Stockholm, Sweden. This sauce boat was manufactured in 1832=B4 (see pictures) ...
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Gorgeous Pair of French Empire Carved Walnut Armchairs with Dolphin Armrests
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome pair of classic French Empire walnut square back carved armchairs with stunning dolphin armrests.
Measures: Seat height 17.5
Arm height ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Alabaster Marble Empire Style Carved Column Pedestal Plant Stand. Item features a revolving top, nice slender form, good antique item. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements:...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
Empire Commode, Denmark 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Empire commode, Denmark 1810-20, mahogany veneer. In very good refinished condition, French polished. The commode will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are i...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 19" X 14"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Textile
French Empire Style Glass and Bronze Two-Light Pendant Chandelier, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style glass and bronze two-light Pendant Chandelier, circa the 1950s.
This absolutely adorable Empire-style chandelier features a bronze frame with two arrows and two b...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Painted Four-Drawer Commode with Gilded Busts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style painted wood four-drawer commode from the 19th century with ebonized columns, carved giltwood female busts and tapered legs. Experience the grandeur of 19th-cen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Bronze Chandelier with Palmetto Crown and Flame Center
Located in Madrid, ES
An Original 19th Century Empire bronze chandelier. The piece is beautifully suspended from a palmetto crown by five link chains ...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding pair of period Empire bronze-mounted beds in overall very good condition. The figural end column forms feature well cast busts and feet, and there are wreaths, Angels,...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gilded and Painted Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th century Empire daybed painted black with gilded carved accents. Elegant sleigh profile gilded in leaf pattern sits atop legs adorned with leaf detail gilding. Upholstered in com...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
By Baccarat
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Brass, Bronze and Frosted Glass Three-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style brass, bronze, and frosted glass three-light chandelier from ca 1950s.
This adorable and compact Empire-style chandelier features a circular brass body and three...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Gaetano Sciolari Pair of Solid Brass and Glass Lanterns or Pendant Lamp
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Beautiful solid brass lantern or pendant lamp made by Italian designer Gaetano Sciolari, circa 1960-1970, Rome, Italy. The fabulous of vintage light takes four E14 European s...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Art Deco Double Inkwell (1920s/1930s) -1Y04
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Embrace the elegance of the Art Deco era with this exquisite vintage Art Deco double inkwell from the 1920s/1930s. This piece exudes sophistication and functionality, adding a touch ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
Mid-17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
French Empire Clock Garniture By Thomire & Cie
By Thomire & Cie.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite Empire gilt bronze and griotte marble Medici vase-shaped mantel clock with urns is attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. The beautiful vase-shaped case with a leaf-sh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Brass, Bronze, Enamel
Empire Style French Antique Buffet
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from France in the Empire style. This piece is made of ebonized Mahogany finished with a lustrous French polish of museum-quality. The enfilade supports a beautiful, original ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Petite Walnut Commode with Marble Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French 19th century Empire commode having lovely bookmatched walnut and gray fossil marble top that sits over a wide drawer (all are dovetailed) hidden in the apron of the piece, ove...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid 19th century birch root occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century birch root occasional table circa 1860.
Good quality Swedish birch root table, solid burr birch circular top, standing on shaped stem and scrolled legs.
Rich golde...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French Empire Period Pastel and Gouache Painting, circa 1810 in Giltwood Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire period floral pastel and gouache painting from the early 19th century, in giltwood frame. This French painting features an exquisite depiction of a bouquet of flowers...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
19th Century inlaid birch lyre form occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid birch lyre form occasional table circa 1890.
Elegant piece of late 19th century Swedish furniture. Overall rectangular shaped top with canted corners. Made in ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s.
Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Buffet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition
Category
1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Basket Chandelier Brass Empire Crystal Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing our beautifully restored old chandelier from Berlin! This exquisite piece has been professionally refurbished with love, making it suitable for use in the US with its rew...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Henredon Flamed Mahogany Empire Dining Table Natchez Collection Banded Top
By Henredon
Located in Toledo, OH
Henredon flamed mahogany banded top dining table. Empire style part of the Natchez collection. Two pedestals with bun feet. Very nice condition. 86" long x 52" wide x 30" tall. One e...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Empire Style Gondola Chairs, Set of 6 With Carved Swan Heads
Located in Houston, TX
Step into the charm of yesteryears with this captivating set of six Vintage French Dining Chairs, each adorned with intricately carved duck heads. Crafted with the finesse and elegan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s.
Located in Knivsta, SE
A very Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated in period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Czech Crystal Tent & Bag Chandelier
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Bohemian Tent and Bag, or Sack of Pearls chandelier made of hundreds of crystal strands. This one is particularly special with a skirt of spear-shaped leaded crystals and beaded g...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Beautiful Mahogany French Empire Bronze Mounted Bergere Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Measures 37.75 tall x 27.5 wide x 25 deep and seat height is 16.5. Dates to the 1940-50s era.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Side Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or bedroom with this elegant antique side table. Created in France and built of walnut, the occasional table stands on circular column legs ending with bun fee...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Small Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Charming Small Empire Commode is made of flamed mahogany and has been refinished. It has a black marble top and bronze rings around the columns. The contrast of colors is just w...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Library Cabinet, France, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-part library cabinet with mirrored double doors and side cabinet elements, each with a door and decorative segmental arch element. The library is divided by pilasters and decor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Austrian bed 1850s empire period mahogany with inlays and gilding
Located in Cesena, FC
Important and elegant double bed circa 1850.
Bed of Austrian origin, from the Empire period (late Empire circa 1850).
Made of mahogany, with inlays and carved and gilded details.
Mea...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
France, 1810
Walnut
Antique Chest of drawers with black marble on top. Beautiful grain of walnut on front and both sid...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Antique French Empire Style Gilt Eagle Motif & Emerald Glass Paperweight
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, early 20th century.
An antique French empire style paperweight. The paperweight features an emerald green glass base adorned with gilt bronze laurel wreaths surrounding a ce...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candelabra from the 1830s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Table Lamps in gilt and dark patinated metal. Originally a pair of Empire candelabra from the 1830s, converted to tablelamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly ...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Dutch Empire Style Mahogany 6-Drawer Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Empire style 19th century mahogany chest from the Netherlands. This case piece has six beautifully figured mahogany drawers all with working locks and two keys. The top drawer...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Black Forest Carved Wooden Glove Box, Late 19th/Early 20th Century -1Y01
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Antique Black Forest Glove Box
Step back in time with this exquisite antique black forest glove box from the late 19th/early 20th century. This handcrafted piece showcases the intri...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Elegance: Signed Gilly Acid-Etched Glass Bowl (1930s) -1Y09
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Step back in time and add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with this exquisite Art Deco glass bowl, signed by Gilly. Dating back to the 1930s, this piece exudes the charm an...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Jean-Joseph Chapuis Rare Pair of Empire parcel-gilt japanned Fauteuils
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Despite his long life, very little is known about the general production of menuisier (chairmaker) Jean-Joseph Chapuis and even less about his use of bent laminates, which must be vi...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet.
The attractive and original Verde Antico marble top above three freize drawers. The central door with a burr-amboyna l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Bohemian Crystal Cornet Vase (Early 20th Century) - Etched Castle -1Y10
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Embrace the timeless elegance of Bohemian crystal with this exquisite antique cornet vase, dating back to the early 20th century. This captivating piece showcases the craftsmanship a...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Vintage Ceramic Dancing Couple Sculpture (1960s/1970s) -1Y07
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with this captivating vintage ceramic sculpture of a dancing couple. Dating back to the 1960s/1970s, this piece exudes the charm and art...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Empire Secretary, Mahogany and Ormolu Fittings, c 1820
Located in Greven, DE
19th Century Empire Secretary
France
Mahogany
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 143 x 97 x 49 cm
Description:
Very fine French writing desk with delicate dimensions and a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany Cheval Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Envision yourself in the unrelenting elegance of Napoleon's French Empire with this stunning antique mahogany cheval mirror. Featuring a tilting, beveled 19.5" by 49" mirror mounted ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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