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
Egg Box in Lacquered Sheet Metal with Chinese Decor, French Work, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Egg box in lacquered sheet metal with Chinese decor. French work. Executive period - 19th century.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
Empire Style Card or Tea Table, Vienna 1880-1900
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique card or tea table dates back to around 1880-1900 and comes from Vienna. It has an elegant mahogany veneer and gorgeous bronze fittings. The small table has a fold out top...
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
1970 Post-Modern Pair Brass Porcelain Wall Lights with Lampshades
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamourous two lights wall light in pink lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970' and then left in...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large 19th Century French Empire Period Floor Candelabrum
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinary period Empire gilded gold dore bronze rolling floor candelabrum.
Born in France, the stunning Neo-classical style architectural antique...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Twenty Four Light Chandelier
Located in Bagshot, GB
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Twenty four light Chandelier of pierced dished form, 19th Century, the crown form corona over foliate cast linked chains, suspending a circular pierced dish cast with classical masks...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
12-Light Chandelier circa 1820-1830, Empire France Bronce
Located in Epfach, DE
12-light chandelier Empire, France
Large Empire chandelier ormolu and patinated bronze
Pattern inspired by antique Roman lamps
the electrifi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Chandelier Dore Bronze and Crystal having Ten Lights
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Empire bronze and crystal chandelier having 10 lighted arms.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century French Empire period side table or nightstand made of solid walnut and veneer of walnut and finished on all four sides. Book matched veneers with beautiful swirli...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Late Empire North German Corner Cabinet In Polished Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Senempire corner cabinet from Northern Germany, made of polished mahogany and dated to the 1840s, is a splendid representative of the elegance and sophistication typical ...
Category
1840s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Figural French Empire Style Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of figural French Empire style table lamps. Rouched black shades are trimmed with a rope twist detail and gold gimp. Columns are topped with cast brass acanthus plumes above large cut glass crystals. Opposing cast cherubs...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Pillow in Blue
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Toile De La Prairie with a self welt finish. A meadow’s worth of songbirds, butterflies, blooming branches, and seed pods intermingle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Historicizing Brass Three-Armed Chandelier, Turn of the 19th and 20th Century
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Brass three-armed chandelier in a historicizing style from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. It was made in the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The chandelier i...
Category
20th Century Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Side Table, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Empire side table, France 1810, mahogany veneer.
Beautiful side table with an exquisitely designed base. The table is in good original condition.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pr. French Empire Period Patinated & Dore Bronze Candlesticks Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of French empire period patinated and dore bronze candlesticks mounted as lamps. Each is beautifully cast, hand-chased, and hand-chiseled with the finest quality of burnished and matted dore bronze mounts. The fluted columnar bodies are beautiful with a dark patina which is offset with magnificent rich dore bronze mounts. The bodies are fluted with acanthus leaf dore bronze mounts which terminate at either end. The tops are supported by multiple patinated bronze lions paws. The bases are square with dore bronze medusa...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Empire 19th Century Wood Carved Chandelier France Solid Oak 6 Lights
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply amazing! This fully hand-carved Empire style chandelier in solid oak from France 19th century.
The chandelier has 3 male figures & 3 female figures on its arms all displayed...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Candelabras
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning pair of period Empire gilt patinated brass and bronze candelabras.
Born in France in the early 19th century, fine quality and detailing, elaborately decorated, unique d...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Florentine Hall Glass Chandelier by Banci Gilt and Green Wrought Iron
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Banci Firenze wrought iron verdigris painted lantern with glass bowl 1980s. Elegant three-light vintage bell jar lantern with a verdigris scav...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze & Patinated Bronze Oil Lamp
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze & patinated bronze oil lamp.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of fine French Empire style brown patinated bronze candlesticks from the Napoleon III period. A fluted column beautifully decorated with ivy, rises on a tripod with claw-shape...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Exquisite French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Light Candelabra ca 1810
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
These candlesticks are ornate artifacts from the French Empire period, which dates back to the early 19th century, typically considered as the reign of Napoleon I from 1804 to 1814. ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A 19th century classical Empire pier console table having a beveled rectangular marble top above an Ogee mahogany veneered apron raised on carved and gilt white marble Ionic column...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique 19th Century American Empire Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique 19th century American Victorian Empire box seat ottoman or stool featuring large crotch flame mahogany wood veneer with rolling casters. The ottoman has a large size seat mak...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great quality 19th century gilt bronze lamp with finely chased neoclassical detailing. Tripod base supports a tapered shaft with decorative mounts, surmounted by a 'petal' form top...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Majestic Table with Dolphins in the Antique Empire Style Birdseye maple carved
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple root on solid beechwood. A classicist table with three monumental, full-plastic, hand carved dolphins made of solid wood. Shed colored, heads and fins are antique gold and fram...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birdseye Maple
Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Naïve Allegorical Landscape Paintings Sign, Christian Georg v. Lind
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of naïve allegorical landscape paintings.
Oil on canvas
Signed Lieutenant Christian Georg V. Lind , 1837 and 1838.
See text on the back.
In original gilded Damgaard frames....
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Pair of French 1920s Empire Style Bronze and Opaline Glass Table Lamps, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style bronze and opaline glass candelabra table lamps from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms and volutes. Created in France during the first quarter of the 20th century, each of this pair of table lamps attracts our attention with its bronze scrolling arms resting upon a white opaline glass pedestal. Raised on a tripartite base accented with delicate volutes, the candelabras have been rewired for the US. With their Empire silhouette...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Sofa
Located in New Haven, CT
Second Empire period mahogany sofa with original ormolu mounts including the paw feet.
Note: The fabric is in decent condition, but should be reupholstered.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
24-Karat Gold Leaf Giltwood Empire Beveled Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Spanish 19th century gold leaf giltwood rectangular mirror with beveled glass.
Empire style.
Made of carved wood, gesso and 24-karat gold leaf finish. It has a nice aged pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire handcrafted mirror. Oval shaped hand carved wooden structure with silver foil finish.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie Buffet Lavabo Alcove Fountain Cabinet Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Empire Charles X Enfilade Boiserie buffet lavabo alcove fountain cabinet sink LA . Very important and large Enfilade De Boiserie buffet lavabo circa 1810 Empire Transition Charles X a great patron of the arts. Light colored woods, yellow or bleached were dominant. This piece is made of the Bois Clairs in warm blond tone typical of the period 1810-1830.
Wall paneling cabinets and a trumeau mirror at the center of the curve, in front of it a nicely carved stone Urn with sphere finial top creating a back splash of a Sink. A very elegant architectural element “La Haute Société ". Focal point of a grand room. These pieces make for a truly special interior to any residence. Antique Dealer Los Angeles CA Melrose Ave La Cienega Blvd . Two very large wall mount cabinets with very large doors and original hardware hinges, keys and locks, interior of each cabinet with 3 dividers that makes 4 compartments, a great space to store your dinner service, your porcelain, wine, your glassware etc. Painted a beautiful light green on the interior.
A very large marble hand carved Urn, on a pedestal and the Swan Fountain...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
c.1820 French Ormolu Mantle Clock Depicting Orpheus
Located in Greenlawn, NY
Case:
The well-cast and finished ormolu case depicts a large male figure, Orpheus, standing on rockwork while leaning on the clock and playing the flute. He is surrounded by severa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
T. Boone Pickens 19th Century French Empire Period Fire Fender
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and important period French Empire dore bronze mounted iron fire fender, with rich provenance, adding character and historic depth, it's from the home of iconic American busin...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron, Ormolu
Napoleon III Gilt Cheval Mirror
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Impressive continental cheval mirror with a mild carved design and a gilt surface.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique American Flame Mahogany and Cane Empire Period Recamier or Chaise Longue
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare and important antique American flame mahogany and cane Empire period recamier or chaise longue, acquired from and made for the Charleston ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Cane
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Armchair by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this breathtaking upholstered empire armchair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in deta...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Majestic Huge Schonbek "Camelot" 2643 Crystal Gem Cut 84 Light Chandelier
By Schonbek
Located in Tustin, CA
Very elegant, finest quality, estate Schonbek Swarovski Gemcut crystal chandelier features classic Napoleonic Empire style. This stately and magnificent chandelier has two tiers and approximately 84 incandescent lights. It measures 65" long and 41.5" in diameter. The hardware is finished in gold. This chandelier is lavishly draped in crystals.
The retail price of a new, made to order chandelier of this size is over $22,000.00. Reference page 104 of the Schonbek Beyond Lighting catalogue shown in the photos.
Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, a Swarovski company, has 149 years of experience crafting superior crystal...
Category
Early 2000s Austrian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
French Empire Style Gilded Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Montreal, QC
French Empire style gilded bronze bouillotte lamp with 4 arms and a black tole lampe shade.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Barber Piece Empire Period Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant barber furniture in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer from the early 19th century Empire period
Very beautiful barbière composed of 5 drawers. interior of the drawers in oa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads.
Each sconce ha...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Patinated and Gilded Bronze Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive pair of candelabra made in the era of Napoleon III in France circa 1870 are very powerful and impressive. Heavily cast with references to the classical past and profu...
Category
1870s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Italian Empire Rock Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant 18th century Italian Empire style rock crystal basket style chandelier with 6 lights. A classic style for a beautiful home!
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Salon Set After Jean Francois Bellange
By Bellanger
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
This three piece early 19 Century salon set features finely carved gold leaf gilded frames accented by rosettes palmettes and acanthus characterizing most French Empire furnitur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire wall mirror, 1800s walnut wood hand carved with finely decorations. Elegant carved and gilded decorations. On the sides two columns with gilded corin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Walnut
American Empire Style Zoomorphic Design Cheval Mirror
Located in New York, NY
American Empire-style (first quarter 20th Century) mahogany cheval mirror flanked by carved swans on a scalloped base with paw feet and an eagle finial.
Category
1910s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French Empire Brass Candelabra Lamps, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of very fine quality 19th century brass candelabras, now converted to table lamps.
Professionally re-wired.
These have their ori...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set Vase Clock 19th Century Style Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
This Etruscan vase-shaped mantel clock cast from bronze with gilded elements and brown patina originated from the first half of the nineteenth century. The Empire style was based on ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Empire Style Splendid Chandelier or Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Splendid chandelier or candelabra in French Empire style.
Bronze patinated. There from a with eight swans designed light arms.
(F-Ks-3).
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet, Copenhagen, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cylinder burl walnut pedestal cabinet. Late empire. Oak beautifully veneered with walnut. A large front door that opens to reveal a set of four shelve...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon.
Stained.
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Empire Style Parcel-Gilt Mahogany Hall Bench
Located in Stamford, CT
Empire style parcel-gilt mahogany hall bench, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Chair by Modenese Gastone Interior
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this wonderfully upholstered empire side chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal sa...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair Antique French Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Bergere Armchairs, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bergere armchairs with red & gold upholstery, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell.
This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Wood Nightstands, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful pair of 1930s empire style mahogany nightstands.
They are shaped like a half moon and two legs give elegance and typical style of their time. They also have a central dra...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk.
In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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