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
Bouillotte Lamp Empire Period
Located in BARSAC, FR
Lampe bouillotte en bronze doré finement ciselé à trois bras de lumière figurant des cygnes.
Abat-jour en tôle laqué vert orné de frises dorées.
Bras de lumière et abat-jour réglab...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Table Lamp by Danish Sculptor TH Stein Denmark 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
Artist made Bronze lamp attributed Danish Sculptor TH Stein and is made in the 1850’s.
The lamp has clear references to both Pompeii and Herculanum.
The lamp is made in solid bronze ...
Category
1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farmers 6X5.6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
1810s Bergere Armchair
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An impressive 'Bergère' armchair in solid wood, dating from the First Empire period (early 19th century) and generously upholstered throughout in alternating stripes of deep pink and...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Gilt Bronze / Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Pair Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with the enchanting charm of our Late 20th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Table Lamps. This exquisite pair of lamps seamles...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Baker Furniture French Empire Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire or Neoclassical style double pedestal extension dining table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Gorgeous book-matched flame mahogany top,...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp
Amazing old bronze patina
The lamp has been re-wired.
Shade not included
The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade
Free UK shipp...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Spelter
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6X5.2
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Empire style console table features golden claw feet, criss-cross back, and inlay top trim. Great for entry way or behind a sofa.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
1810s Large Lidded Porcelain Apothecary Jar, 1st Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A wonderful Empire period porcelain lidded apothecary jar, dating from the 19th century. Exuberantly decorated with a vibrantly enamelled design of exotic birds and butterflies on a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century Italian Empire Giltwood Queen Bed
Located in Houston, TX
A period Italian Empire queen bed beautifully carved with Neoclassical influences to include acanthus finials, flourishing floral fauna, reeding and r...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre - Pêcheur - 18ème
Located in TOULON, FR
Grand Santon Napolitain en terre cuite, aux yeux de verre églomisé
Pêcheur
Italie 18ème siècle
signé Chanato, Porto (quartier de naples) sous le socle
32 cm
1,3 kg
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Pair of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style, two pairs are available.
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th C. American Empire Mahogany Vanity Dressing Table w/Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th Century American Empire vanity dressing table
Black marble top, turned legs and supports, and brass casters on two pull-out basin drawers (lacking basins)
36.25" W x 20.5" D...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Silver-Gilt Pair of Dishes, Odiot, circa 1890
By Odiot
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century French rare and important Empire style pair of solid silver dishes, each of circular form with very fine acanthus leaves borders and chased with a frieze of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Palatial French Empire Doré Bronze and Patinated Neoclassical Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
Palatial elegant French empire patinated green tone and doré bronze fifteen-light neoclassical chandelier.
Measures: 32" H x 32" W.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg White with blue garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style Sterling Silver Salimb
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg White with blue garlands is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg White with blue garlands has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg White with blue garlands i...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Empire Style Buffet With Marble Top
Located in Houston, US
Impressive grande Empire style two door buffet in mahogany with original marble top. The cabinet is accented with brass key escutcheons and with a caryatided bust and feet at top and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Porcelaine de Paris - Ajour Centerpiece 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
Pair of French Empire Style Ormolu, Wood and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style ormolu, wood and marble pedestals
French, 20th Century
Height 83cm, diameter 52cm
This superb pair of French 20th century pedestals celebrates the ver...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Paris Porcelain Basket Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A stunning openwork corbeille, or basket vase, dating from the early 19th century Empire Period, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and richly gilded all over its delicatel...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th century French Pair of Empire Period Gilded Bronze Sconces
Located in LEGNY, FR
18th century French very beautiful pair of gilded bronze sconces from the Empire period in good condition.
Caryatid heads. Very elegant model. Electrification up to standards.
Nice q...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire
Located in Benington, Herts
Fine Set of Four of Italian Ormolu Wall Lights or Appliques in the French Empire Style.
Italian - Circa 1880
These lovely wall lights are conceived as notched arrows with lion ...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Set of armchairs, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
armchairs height 98 c...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Figural Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabrum
Located in Montreal, QC
Crisply modelled as a standing godess, supporting ebonised and gilt arms, her slender body clad in a clinging toga with gilt tassels , arm bands, and sandals. She stands on an elabo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Living room set, Northern Europe, circa 1890.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions :
sofa height 113 cm sea...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Sideboard, Chiffoniere with special Central Locking System
Located in Greven, DE
Semaniere with interesting locking technology
Belgium
Walnut, oak
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 142 x 127 x 51 cm
Description:
Small antique cabinet with drawers...
Category
1820s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Wall Shelf with/Mirror Back
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Hand Painted Porcelain Columned Brass Mounted Mirror Back Dresden Style Wall/Vanity Shelf
Imbued with the grace of Antique French design, this hand-painted porcelain ...
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
empire brass column lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
empire lamp stem in solid brass with contemporary lampshade from the 1950's
base is 44 centimetres high ( 17 1/3")
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Paris Porcelain Teacup and Saucer Depicting Empress Josephine
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite teacup and saucer in Sèvres style Old Paris Porcelain, depicting the Empress Josephine in ornate dress and wearing her crown. Dating from the early 19th century First Em...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Very Fine Aubusson Tapestry 6X6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th century gilt bronze French Empire candlesticks
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
An elegant pair of French candlesticks in gilded bronze.
Beautiful fine quality; decorated with acanthus leaves, palmettes and flowers.
Original gilding.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Neoclassical Empire Bronze & Mahogany Lingerie Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
19th century French Louis XVI neoclassical mahogany semainier or tall chest. Hand crafted from mahogany, this design was fitted with seven drawers to provide a drawer for every day o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Set of Brass Travel Candlesticks Chamber-stands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of two small travel candlesticks in brass. The set can easily disassemble into 4 parts, two bases and two candleholders. The four parts can then be assembled into a pair of candl...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage golden sunburst mirror
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 35cm
Ref.: 87456414
Ref.: 1
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Farm Kids 6.9 X 5.2
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Empire Flame Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire flame mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze mounts and marble top, early 19th century. With a rectangular marble top, the top drawer with a central gilt bronze mount of swans drinking from a fountain, flanked by gilt bronze mounts of a classical lady with a flowing robe playing a harp that is resting on a pedestal, 3 lower drawers with foliate chased bronze pulls and escutcheons, flanked by columns with bronze capitals, a small lower drawer with a central foliate bronze mount, resting on turned Empire feet...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5.7X6.7
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Egg Purple Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Purple Red enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg Purple Red enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg Purple Red...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Chaise Lounge, Austria Circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Empire Recamiere in ash-tree veneered with fire gilt bronze rosettes on the curved backrest and feet. Measuring 155 cm in length with a seat height of 40 cm, this recamier has underg...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Marble Urns Amphora Cassolettes Empire 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire marble cassoulets
Classic urns of amphora form
Beautiful tones of marble including salmon pink, orange, cream and burgundy
Ormolu fixtures are original and finely cast
Purchased from a dealer on Marche Biron...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Exquisite Petite Empire Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
An exquisite pair of early nineteenth century small candlesticks from France, made of gilt bronze on small, square alabaster bases. These candlesticks feature neoclassical columns sw...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Small Table Lamp From The 19th Century
Located in BARSAC, FR
Charming little bouillotte lamp in gilded and chiseled bronze, with one arm of light and red lacquered sheet metal lampshade.
Old work from the beginning of the 19th century, empire...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 5.7X6.6
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Patinated Ormolu Bronze Chandelier Fixture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Empire / Neoclassical Style Patinated & Ormolu Dore Bronze Chandelier 8 Candelabra Light Fixture
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 77cm, diameter 100cm
Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
This cupboard was constructed using a flat pack technique, with panels held in place by bolts.
Central door with ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood Bachelor Chest or Nightstand, 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style nightstand or bachelor chest
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1960s
Beautiful book-matche...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candelabras, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candelabras originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire fur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 6.4X5.3
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Paris Porcelain Three-Footed Gilded Coffee Cups. Empire Period
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb pair of opulent 'Porcelain de Paris' three-footed coffee cups with matching saucers – one blue, one burgundy – each richly embellished with hand-painted gilt detailing in ey...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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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