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
Pair of Early 20th Century French Bronze Candle Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
These early 20th-century French candle sconces are a stunning example of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Featuring beautiful gold twelve-point star backplates and patinated bron...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Vitrine Cabinet Pedestal, Circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
French Empire ormolu-mounted vitrine cabinet pedestal, circa 1840.
Very good quality bronze mounts of typical Empire period heads.
Very useful pedestal vitrine combination tha...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mahogany Empire Tea Caddy Wooden Casket Box with Glass early 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Rectangular shape mahogany veneered casket made in first half of 19th century presumably in Europe. Cast glass vessels are intact at their original place. Candy sugar bowl along with...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Cut Glass, Mahogany
Antique Large Silver Frame by Russian Manufactory Grachev early 20th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Simple and strict shape large photo/picture frame of medium. Presumably the frame was made by Factory of the Grachev brothers (see marks “Br. Grachev”) at the beginning of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
British Silver Plated Tea Urn Samovar 19th century Egg Shaped with Lion Heads
Located in Sweden, SE
Neoclassical shape coffee and tea urn decorated with lion heads and solid silver plating and hand chased. Tea Urn Samovar is made in the so-called “Egoist” size for very few persons ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet, lion heads, very unique item. Circa Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Large Silver Plated Serving Tray - Christofle - Malmaison
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful large silver-plated tray, from the French brand Christofle.
The name of the model is Malmaison.
The tray is in incredibly beautiful condition, it looks as if it has hardl...
Category
Early 2000s French Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Mid Century Bronze Casing Embossed Bataille Scene
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible Mid Century bronze representation casing scene of the Balawat gate, which hails from Balawat (also known as Imgur-Enlil) in northern Mesopotamia, Iraq, and dates back to t...
Category
1960s Croatian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Fine French Empire Giltwood Armchairs In Apple Green Silk
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire style armchairs, carved and water gilded with burnishing. Upholstered in apple green silk with rope piping and horsehair.
These chairs and the matching ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Chandelier Vintage Crystal Brass Pendant Lighting With 3 Light Points, France
Located in Bastogne, BE
Adorable Crystal Chandelier with Brass Frame, for 3 light points.
Richly Decorated chandelier with decorative elements and pendants made of transparent crystal.
One of the main ad...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1805-1810 Circa
Located in Milano, IT
Charles-François Delamarche
Ptolemaic armillary sphere
Paris, circa 1805-1810
Wood and papier-mâché
covered with printed and partly hand-coloured paper
It measures 15.74” in height, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper, Wood
French Empire Carved Marble Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire carved marble and brass table lamp. This marble lamp is shaped like an urn with gold gilt brass trim and paw feet with a complimentary new linen drum shade. Recently ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design. Cool and unusual composition between gilded and dark patin...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Sculpture of Soldier
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Continental Gilt Bronze Statue of Soldier. Continental gilt bronze figure of a Classical soldier, late 19th century, with sword extended, resting on a gilded octagonal m...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Rectangular Empire Floor Jardinière Planter, France 1810-1830
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period French Empire Floor Jardinière in Amazing Wooden Veneer and Period Zinc Insect, circa 1810-1830's.
Classic plant stand with removable galvanized zinc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Early 19th Century French Guéridon Centre Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality Early 19th Century, French Empire Period, Mahogany Guéridon Centre Table, Having Original Dish Moulded Circular Marble Top, Over Elegant Comcave Triangulate...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Impressive Gilt Bronze & Crystal Basket Chandelier in the Empire style, featuring four patinated bronze eagle figures.
France, circa 1900. 10 lights.
Dimensions: Heig...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Style 19th Century Walnut Chest with Drop Front Desk, Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century with drop front desk and two additional drawers. This elegant French Empire style walnut chest from the 19th century exudes c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Empire Style Gilded Bronze and Crystals Chandelier
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful and refined italian Empire style late 19th century chandelier with ten lights of which six on the outer circumference and four that illuminate the interior, called a hot-ai...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Old Paris Tureen, France, Circa:1860
Located in Alexandria, VA
This exceptionally beautiful tureen is not just for soup anymore. It is a stunning piece that will look wonderful anywhere it is placed. Perfect for flowers or fruit. Hard paste porc...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire period Day Bed, from the designs of Percier & Fontaine
By Percier & Fontaine
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful Empire period mahogany and mahogany veneer daybed. Straight legs flanked by scrolled brackets. The straight belt is punctuated with antique bronze applique...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Dresser "Semainier" or High Boy Dresser, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 6 Chippendale Chairs in Light and Dark Mahogany -1X56
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your dining experience with this exquisite set of 6 Chippendale chairs, crafted in alternating light and dark mahogany tones around...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Sewing Table, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire sewing table with socketed saber legs and a basket tray, adorned with an oval frame featuring fire-gilded fittings. The table includes a lockable drawer with diamond-shaped fi...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire round French Table
Located in Austin, TX
Library table in the French Empire style. This piece is made of solid ash and burled ash. Four curved legs are connected with an x-stretcher. Each leg boasts a bronze lion's paw foot...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Parquet Regulator Clock in Empire Style Mahogany -1X55
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your home decor with this impressive and museum-worthy parquet regulator clock in the Empire style, crafted from luxurious mahogany wood. Dating back to around 1880, this stu...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1800s Antique English, Mahogany, Pedestal, Drawers Sideboard
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning Antique Sideboard, English, Mahogany, Pedestal Sideboard, 6 Drawers, 19th C, 1800s!!
This antique English sideboard is a true masterpiece. Crafted from fine mahogany and ca...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Period Armchairs and Bergere by P.BELLANGÉ
Located in Paris, FR
EXCEPTIONAL seats by Pierre Bellangé
PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS, circa 1805
Mahogany with mahogany veneer. Powerful tapered front legs with three scalloped rings, and sabre back legs.
Slight...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Fench 1920's Bronze Empire Wall Sconces, 3 Available
Located in Fairfax, VA
Three arm bronze and black lacquer on bronze wall sconces.
Professionally rewired and ready for installation.
Price per item 3 available.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Elegant Daybed Beautifully Carved and Covered With Versace Fabric, Versace Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant Empire revival daybed beautifully hand carved with gold leaf swans
heads, brass details and covered with a Gianni Versace silk.
Part of G.Versace furniture collection...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Exquisite Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstands
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of French Empire Design Figured Walnut Three Drawer Nightstand Chests With Mounted Gilt
Provenance: From an Establishment on Belgrave Square London see images7
Known to be ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very stylish 19th century Empire style 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilt bronze, lit by three curvaceous 'swans head' arms and topped with a green lacquered metal (tole) shade adorne...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Darte Brothers Porcelain Plates
By Darte Frères
Located in Maidstone, GB
Pair of antique Darte Brothers cobalt blue porcelain plates magnificently painted with the French countryside, featuring cows, goats and sheep, decorated with gold rims. Each with th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted / Cut Glass Empire Style Centerpiece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Step into the splendor of the 19th century with this exceptional Empire-style tableware centerpiece, a captivating union of gilt bronze mounts and cut glass that epitomizes the opule...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Style Bronze & Crystal Tent & Basket Chandelier, France, Circa:1910
Located in Alexandria, VA
This armless tent-and-basket chandelier was hand crafted in the Empire style in Paris in the early days of electrified light fixtures. Inside the bronze frame, hidden by the tent of ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805. This exquisite chaise is raised by six elegant Mahogany legs with Ormo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Italian Walnut Gueridon Table with Trifold Base & Lock Drawer
Located in Houston, TX
A remarkable piece of 19th-century craftsmanship, this Italian Walnut Round Wooden Table boasts both functionality and beauty. Its round top, crafted from rich walnut wood, showcases...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Pair 19th Century Empire Table Lamps
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of 19th Century Empire table lamps with three brass legs, ormolu eagle busts in relief and Corinthian style capitals. The pair sit on triform bases featuring lion paw feet on si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of gilt bronze urns raised on a marble plinth with ormolu mounts (CW5595). The quality is superb, chasing is 10 on 10. France, circa 1870. Dimensions: Height 15 1/2", the base i...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Commode
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This wonderful Empire French Commode is made of walnut with a black marble and full columns.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Large Antique French Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large antique French Empire-style alabaster, frosted glass, and bronze pendant chandelier from circa 1890.
An impressive and large twelve-light alabaster pendant chandelier from the ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Feet.
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French Empire Style Bleached Walnut Marble Top Chest with Ebonized Paw Feet. Ca. 1860. Bleached walnut with ebonized trim and black marble top.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Glass and Ormolu lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and wonderfully detailed pair of French 19th century Empire st. Glass and Ormolu lamps. Each lamp is raised by a square lattice cut column with an Ormolu plinth and capita...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of Six Porcelain Bird Teacup Trios
Located in New York, NY
Set of six porcelain bird teacup trios. Strikingly modern looking antique set of six BFB Worcester trios of six teacups and six coffee cups with six sh...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French Empire mahogany alcove daybed and bed crown hand-crafted in France in the 19th Century. A rare lit de repos made of mahogany most likely from Cuba or the Antilles and fitted with brass and ormolu figurines...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed French 19th century Empire st. Lemon and patinated wood center table. This very unique oval table is raised by four statement making legs displaying large scale paw...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique American Empire Carved Mahogany Bookcase in the Manner of R.J. Horner
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique American Empire or Victorian glass front bookcase with carved columns and lion paw feet
In the manner of R.J. Horner
USA, C...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Superb Circassian Walnut Bronze French Empire 1780s Era Commode Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, absolutely breathtaking Circassian Walnut with incredible contrasts of blacks and browns that are remiscient of rosewood. The piece features bronze figural carya...
Category
1780s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs
Located in Weiningen, CH
Pair Empire Style leather armchairs very wide and comfortable with golden print on the seat and back
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Louis Seize style sideboard, 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Demi-lune sideboard in Louis Seize style with red and white marble top and two doors and three drawers. The doors are framed with brass profiles. The sideboard is veneered in mahogan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
EARLY 19th CENTURY PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN IN UNIFORM
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid oil portrait on canvas of a gentleman in uniform, identified as Professor Moses Bosisio, mayor of Monza, who died in 1846, as reported on a plaque on the back of the paintin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
A beautiful pair of small Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful pair of small Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze from the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Onyx Jewelry or Decorative Box
Located in New York, NY
A substantial Italian green onyx marble and gold gilt metal jewelry or decorative box, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Onyx is a combination of green hues finishe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Metal
Period Empire Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Magnificent Period Empire Chandelier. Gitl Bronze (matte & burnished) and Patinated Bronze. Exquisite detail throughout. A rare find. France, circa 1800.
Dimensions: Height 40 1/2...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL!
MID CENTURY
MONUMENTAL
BRASS MARBRO LAMP!
MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON!
DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS!
POLISHED BRASS
ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL
DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21"
In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived!
Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Gold
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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