Empire Furniture
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.
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Swiss Empire Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Ebony, Burl
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold Plate
1990s Empire Furniture
Stone, Iron
20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Copper
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Metal
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
1950s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 1900s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Gold
Mid-20th Century English Empire Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Metal
20th Century Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Birch
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Silver Plate
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
1920s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Ormolu
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Iron
1990s Italian Empire Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1970s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Onyx, Travertine, Gold, Gold Plate
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Mirror, Resin
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Metal
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture
Brass
1990s French Empire Furniture
Metal, Brass, Bronze
1990s American Empire Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass





