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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal
By Fabergé
Located in Milano, MI
Imperial Vodka and Caviar Set in Fabergé Crystal. The set includes a new Faberge, two vodka glasses, a caviar bowl and a bottle. It includes a box.
Egg - Ø 15 cm h 25 cm
Fabergé refers to the renowned House of Fabergé, a company of Russian jewelers and craftsmen known for creating intricate and luxurious Fabergé eggs. The company was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, and subsequently continued by his son, Peter Carl Fabergé.
Fabergé eggs are perhaps the Maison's most iconic and celebrated creations. These were decorated and jeweled eggs...
Category
1940s Russian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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
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
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
Pair of Antique French Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These bronze candelabra were created in France in circa 1810, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The candelabra combine neoclassical and ancient Egyptian motifs, in a manner charac...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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