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
Fabulous Antique French Empire Twelve-Arm Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant fancy French mpire chandelier dripping with crystals and having 12 arms, 40 watt each.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats. Each has been freshly upholstered in red Clarence House fabric with gold stars. This listing is from one pair ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Period French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Fireplace Fender, Circa 1815
Located in Dallas, TX
The era of history known as the Empire period coincided with the reign of Napoleon over France. It was considered the second phase of Neoclassicism, as Napoleon believed that his onl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Steel
Empire Jewellery Case Side Table Bijouterie Display Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sweet little French Empire style display cabinet
Round glass top opens out to reveal storage space
Great for jewellery or trinkets
Would work well as a shop display piece
Some of our...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Porcelaine de Paris - Empire Centerpiece Reticulated Coupe
Located in DELFT, NL
Gilt Porcelaine de Paris Openwork Coupe Centerpiece to be placed centrally on the table, for fruit or flowers. Empire Style. French, 19th century center basket, rond form with reticu...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Fruitwood Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire fruitwood four-drawer commode from the early 19th century with ebonized columns, gilt Corinthian capitals and bronze hardware. This exquisite French Empire style frui...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Mantel Clock, Firegilt Bronze, Paris circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare "Au Bon Sauvage" mantel clock
France
Fire-gilt and patinated bronze
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 34 x 41 x 13 cm
Description:
Extremely rare French bronze m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Brass and Eglomise Glass French Midcentury Side Table
Located in London, GB
This three tier side table was made in France in the 1960s using brass and eglomise glass.
The empire style designs on the sides are finished with a flower - please take a look at ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Nightstand
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style nightstand or end table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with burl wood columns and original ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category
1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
19th Century Large Antique Leather Traveling Luggage with Brass Accents
Located in Wichita, KS
This beautiful 19th Century large scale Antique leather traveling bag or luggage is truly a special piece. The bag opens and all of the bra...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Marble Pedestal with Greek Key Carving
This white marble column with grey streaks has a Greek key band and other minimal carvings. It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Fireplace In Antique Green Marble And Gilded Bronze
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire style fireplace in antique green marble and gilded bronze
Hearth dimensions: 85 x 102 cm
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late Empire Chatol Made In Elm Wood From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This late empire chatol is a fine representation of furniture style from the 1840s. Made of elm wood and adorned with intarsia details, it exudes both noble craftsmanship and histori...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Elm
Early 19th Century Mahogany Sidetable, Ladies Desk, France, circa 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Empire Lyra writing and work table
Paris
Mahogany
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 80 x 53 x 34 cm
Description:
Lyra writing and work table based...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1920s Scroll Side Bench / Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
1920s scroll side bench / stool, window seat, tall rolled sides, French Empire Style, with gilt wood trim. tufted cushion. French, 20th century
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Muslin, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Demilune Console Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire demilune console table with black marble top. Made of solid walnut with veneer of burled walnut. Turned columns with ebonized capitals. Good craft...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier
French, Late 19th Century
Height 32, diameter 42cm
This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat & Greatcoat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat and Greatcoat
France, circa 1920s
Capture a piece of French history with this exquisite Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century.
Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid 19th century Danish empire mahogany mirror on cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century danish mahogany mirror on cabinet circa 1860.
Beautiful piece of mid 19th century danish furniture strong in the influence of the regency period.
Comprising of 2 p...
Category
1860s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Mid century vintage Italian brass and porcelain whimsical decorator lamp
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid-century vintage Italian made decorator table lamp. The table lamp features a botanical inspired bouquet flowers with handmade porce...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique French Empire bronze and marble watch holder - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Antique French Empire watch holder, early 19th century circa 1820.
The watch holder allows conversion of an open faced pocket watch in to a desk cl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Armchairs ~ Bergere with Fauteuil with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating wha...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
XX Century Empire Style Dressing Table with Ivory and Bronze
Located in Lisboa, PT
Empire Style Dressing Table, features a mirror and a small compartiment, that can be closed with a key. European made, from the 20th Century.
Empire-style furniture draws its inspiration from the Napoleonic era, particularly the designs that flourished during Napoleon Bonaparte's reign in France. This style is characterized by grandeur, symmetry, and classical motifs.
The use of bronze and ivory...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Danish Antique Brass Fireplace Neptune Toasting-fork
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Neptune shared brass fireplace toasting-fork tool.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair French Empire Green Marble Gilt Bronze Urn Pedestal Pillars
Located in New York, NY
Standing at an impressive 6 feet tall, they were procured from an esteemed estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, which adds a layer of history and significance to the pieces. They are pr...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A French Empire Mahogany Gueridon with a Gray Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
The light gray fossilized marble top supported on center column on a tripod base.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
An antique set of chairs from around 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique set of chairs from around 1860.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
wood: mahogany
Dimensions:
height 79 cm, seat height ...
Category
1860s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Green Painted Table Bouillotte Candlestick Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century Green Painted Library Table Lamp, France
Charming French desk lamp with narrow brass center support in between two bases best used for candles, or just left alone for ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
A Pair of 19th Century Empire Bedside Cabinets
Located in London, GB
France, circa 1860
A pair of mid nineteenth century Empire bedside cabinets, with original grey marble tops, with ormolu Egyptian caryatids, opening wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Empire Style Painted Sofa ~ Canape with cut silk velvet recalls the glory days of Napoleon and Josephine creating what many experts consider t...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Walnut, Paint
Danish Early 19th Century Empire Black Polished Mahogany Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Danish early 19th century empire bench. Frame in mahogany with a black French polish. Newly upholstered in a teal velour fabric.
Scrolled spindle sides with geometric brass i...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases
French, 20th Century
Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm
Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu
Empire Style Ormolu & Cut Crystal Compote/ Tazza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza
Made in Austria, circa 1920s
An elegant Empire Style Ormolu and Cut Crystal Compote/Tazza made in Austria during the 1920s, present...
Category
20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Vtg F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Ice Bucket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage F.B. Rogers Empire Style Silver Plated Small Trophy Cup Champagne Chiller Ice Bucket. Item features is a nice small size, engraved "W.A.S., Many Thanks, T.G.W." to center, ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Beautiful Rare Shape Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Tea set ca 1850-1880
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful, Rare shape model, Old Paris porcelain coffee tea set with coffee filter attachment and cup and saucers with monogram!
The coffee filter only fits the large coffee (tea) p...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dutch Empire Style Tall Chest
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A tall Dutch Empire style chest made of mahogany and ebonized wood during the 1800’s. This mahogany case piece has six bookmatched drawer fronts each with two ring drawer pulls for e...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire St. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, And Ormolu Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Sèvres Porcelain, Gilt, Onyx, and Ormolu pedestal. This beautiful pedestal is raised by a square stepped Onyx base with fou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Mounted Cut Crystal Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cut crystal. Bronze mounted. Swan motif. Finely chased. Measure: Base is 3.5" by 3.5".
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Paris porcelain coffee can & saucer, c. 1810.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
A fine Paris porcelain coffee can and saucer, possibly Dihl Et Guerhard, c. 1810. The coffee can, hand painted in the style of Gerard van Spaendonck, with ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A Continental Mahogany Oval Center Table
Located in New York, NY
The oval tilt-top over a bold turned support on scroll-form feet.
Category
1840s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Period Porcelain de Paris Water Pitcher with Gilt Decoration
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period water pitcher in Porcelain de Paris and finely embellished with gilt in a striking, hand-painted design of flowers, leaves and other decorat...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
1800's Antique Empire Period, Medallion Back, New Upholstery, Red/Beige Sofa
Located in Austin, TX
1800's Antique Empire Period, Medallion Back, New Upholstery, Red/Beige Sofa
Beautiful with New Upholstery, Antique Sofa, Empire Period, Medallion Back, New Upholstery, Red/Beige, 19th Century, 1800's!
This antique sofa from the Empire Period features a stunning medallion back design and has been newly upholstered in a beautiful red and beige fabric. With its dark wood tones and traditional style, this sofa is sure to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any living room, lounge, or guestroom. Measuring 26" in length and 84" in width, this sofa comfortably seats up to three people. No additional parts are required for assembly, and the sofa is ready to use right away. The brand is Empire, and the country/region of manufacture is unknown. Overall, this antique sofa is a one-of-a-kind piece that is perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of history and charm to their home.
Period empire medallion...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Mahogany Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique console was crafted in France, circa 1810. Standing on turned front columns ending in round feet, and pilaster legs in the rear over a stretcher platform bottom ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th Century Massive Empire Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A massive French white marble top Empire Gueridon made of mahogany. The solid pedestal base has a painted and gilt collar above three splayed feet, the whole raised on working caster...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu, Mahogany, And Gray Marble Console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Mahogany, and gray marble console. The console with original mirror plates is raised by two front Ormolu foliate b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
A 19th Century Rafraichissoir Table
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century rafraichissoir table with gilt and ebonized swan supports. Mahogany, circa 1845. France.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Beautiful Antique Old Paris Porcelain Coffee service - France 1850-1880
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Beautiful antique Old Paris porcelain (Porcelaine de Paris) coffee tea service from ca 1850-1880!
Very delicately hand decorated with gold...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
20th century Russian Miniature Brass Samovar Set
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Of typical form in the Russian imperial style, a classic samovar set tooled in brass comprising a miniature brass samovar, drip bowl and tray. The samovar ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Paul Ferrante Empire-Style Six-Arm Chandeliers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful pair of Paul Ferrante empire-style six-arm chandeliers with 7 bulb sockets
Gold gilded & green painted bronze
25" W x 36" H
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Chandelier, circa 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Finely chiseled gilt bronze and cut crystal Empire elegant chandelier with six arms.
Six E 14 light bulbs.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Empire Gentlemans Dressing Shaving Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive antique 19th century (circa 1880s) English Empire gentleman's dressing mirror. Made from mahogany with a beveled wooden frame supported by exceptional barley twist upright...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
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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