Empire Decorative Objects
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
Black and Gold Carved Vase Statues - Set of 2
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved painted black and gold vase statues, the vase and base can be separated. Sits very tall at 7 feet but is very lightweight being made from wood. Likely originated in Franc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$9,500 / set
Pair 19thc French Empire Bronze Male Figural Candelabra
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Gold Bronze Male Mask Figural Candelabra. Very nice detail and stately candelabra.
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$3,420 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Pair of French Lion and Tiger Bookends
A pair of bookends. Each bookend features a metallic sculpture of a big cat, with one being a lion and the other a tiger. The sculptures are mo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Metal
$1,700 / set
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Clock of Seated Cupid Holding a Rose
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Finest quality period French Empire clock depicting a seated winged cupid holding a rose; the case in gilt and patinated bronze. The clock show a gilt cupid...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French 19th C.Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases
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 green colored ground and further adorned with 24K gold-painted accents around the neck, handles, and bases. The vases are of a slender amphora form with git swan handles and two-tone matte and shiny 24K gold decoration throughout. Each vases body is hand-painted with landscape decoration which depicts a beautiful outdoor gazebo...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Four Light Bronze Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Empire period parcel-gilt and patinated bronze four-light candelabra, the patinated column raised on triform scrolled feet over incurved plinth supporting a gilt bronze stand...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$3,600 Sale Price / set
44% Off
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Malm Candle Holders, 1950s. Set of 4.
Two pairs of candleholders in malm, which is a brass alloy with added copper. The cobber gives the brass a darker color.
The hei...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Green and Gilt Faux Marble Samovar Coffee Urn
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical green and gilt faux marble samovar coffee urn. Gilt and green faux marble painted samovar with Greco Roman mask issuing spout on pedestal abov...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Empire Ormolu Bronze and White Marble Portico Clock
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique (19th century) French portico form mantel clock in white marble with finely cast ormolu bronze mounts, distinguished by its large size and Cupid with bow among clou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Candlesticks Empire France
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candlesticks made in France during the late Empire period. Made from gilt- bronze. Standing on a round foot with a baluster shaped stem. Loose cuffs. Cannelated frame.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver, Brass
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of neoclassical alabaster and gilded wood columns, early 19th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Rare and fine pair of decorative columns in neoclassical style, made in the first quarter of the 19th century, probably in the Austro-Venetian area. The work presents a composite str...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster, Gold Leaf
Italy Mid-18th Century Empire Pair Brass Candle Holders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy Mid-18th Century pair of brass Empire five lights candleholders or table lamps
This wonderful pair of brass candle holders, is a magnificent hand made work by Italian artisan...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire-Style Marble and Ormolu Vases by Raingo
Located in London, GB
Pair of Empire-style marble and ormolu vases by Raingo
French, Late 19th Century
Height 37cm, width 22cm, depth 18cm
This superb pair of vases combines stunning veined grey marble...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Candleholders, Berlin, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Executed as stylized palms on rectangular landscape bases. The girandoles, each with four nozzles, are crafted in gilt-patinated wood with stucco elements. In unrestored original con...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
$16,725 / set
Pair Bronze Candelabras - Large French Cherub Manner Clodion
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style bronze cherub candelabras
Good size to them at three feet - 91 cm - tall
Classic French Empire look, great interiors driven pair
In the manner of...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Miniatur Mantel Clock, Gare La Bombe, Cupido, France, Gilded Bronze
Located in Greven, DE
Pendulette "Gare La Bombe"
France
gilded bronze
first half 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 20 x 15 x 7 cm
Description:
Antique miniature mante...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Italy Late 18th Century Pair Empire Brass Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
Italian late 18th Century pair of Empire burnished brass candleholders
This pair of antique brass candleholders was handcrafted by Italian...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Coppia di Vasi Impero Italiani Intagliati Dorati e Laccati in Color Avorio 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Vasi Impero, due vasi con manici stilizzati, vasi portapalme in legno intagliato a motivi fitomorfi di gusto Impero e decorati con una finitura in lacca avorio e oro fino.
...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Photo Frame Heart-Shaped Fired Enamel on Guillochè Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Heart-shaped rounded frame with oval photo in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guillochè. With hinged silver-gilt foot engraved in Empire style. ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Royal Copenhagen, pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks. 1962.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen, a pair of Blue Fluted candlesticks in porcelain.
1962.
Model 1/15.
Marked.
In perfect condition.
First factory quality.
Dimensions: Height 22.5 cm x 7.8 cm.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Figural Bronze Sphinx Green Marble Desk Top Double Inkwell. Item features decorative cast bronze sphinx like figures all mounted on an oval green marble base wh...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore Ram Head Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire bronze dore 6 arm candelabras with 3 ram heads and 3 claw feet supported on a 6 sided triangular base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Photo Frame inserted into a harp-shaped object Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Oval photo frame inserted into a harp-shaped object, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamels on guilloché inspired by a model created by Peter Carl Fab...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$4,623 Sale Price
23% Off
19th-Century French Empire Bronze Napoleon Commemorative Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire (19th Century) bronze inkwell in the form of Napoleon's casket covered by a shroud with a crown finial top and resting on a tiered base with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Victorian Bronze Ormolu Walnut Vatican Wall Clock. Item features a glass dome front and bronze ormolu. Has not been tested. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurement...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Two-Tone Pair Fine Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze two-tone pair of fine candelabras.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Royal Empire Mantel Clock / Pendulum Clock, Fire-Gilt, Around 1805-1815, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Royal Empire mantel clock / pendulum clock, fire-gilt, around 1805-1815, Paris
Solid bronze, fire-gilded, Paris around 1805-1815, original French Empire from the first period.
...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Empire Period Gilt Bronze and Marble Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze campana form vases, each 13 3/4 by 6 7/8 inches, circa 1810, with flared neck with gadrooned bronze rim, decorated with Bacchic putti...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock of Aurora in Her Chariot Pulled by Her Winged
Located in London, GB
Fine antique French Empire Ormolu mantel clock of a chariot drawn by two winged horses carrying the chariot with a female figure. Thi...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Pair Italian Empire Period Brass 3-Light Figural Candelabras, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Finely cast and supported by circular bases, the tops issuing two arms with single candleholders with a central figural candleholder.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Empire Bowl w Winged Lady
s and Dolphins Base Gold Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare find of this centerpiece bowl in a golden Dore' finish. With two winged nude Angles for handles. All supported by four Dolphins in a bronze patina finish. Still has the Origin...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze and Marble Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Magnificent Antique French Empire Gold Bronze & Marble Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Classic Neo Bronze Samovar, Italy, 19th Century
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze Tripod Candelabras, Lion
s Paw Feet, 19th c.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabras. These tall three light patinated bronze candelabras have a tripod base with very detailed lion's paws. The columns are fluted with palmettes...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Wall-Mounted Flower Basket, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A vase-shaped, semi-circular flower basket from the 19th century. The wall is adorned with intricate leaf motifs and rosettes, defined by vertical struts. A narrow beaded brass band ...
Category
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$3,631 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian empire style table stand in finely crafted brass and bronze early 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Table stand in finely crafted brass and bronze, early 1900s
Table stand with double display, in brass and bronze. The two brass rod displays are adjustable. The structure is...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze
French Empire Bronze Dore Eagle
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze dore figure of perched eagle with spread wings (19/20th Cent.)
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
A Set Of Gilt Iron Lion Heads Door Knockers
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Set of Gilt Iron Door Knockers. It depicts a pair of large and heavy lion heads with a ring in their mouths. The rings are decorated with some acanthus leaves in the bottom...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
$1,600 / set
Cut Crystal Amethyst glass Vase w Gilt bronze Griffins and Lion paws Empire
Located in Sweden, SE
Such items were always made in small batches and only by hand. Mercury gilt bronze (ormolu, gilded) rim, hand chasing, lion's paws and heads of eagles-griffins, repeat the motifs of ...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze
Allegorical French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting Earth’s Source of Water
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A gilt bronze French Empire clock depicting an allegory to the earth’s water source. In this clock a classically draped nymph sits atop a rocky outcrop her right foot resting on the ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of vases Barbediene foundry France Napoleon III
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Barbadians of Napoleon III
Pair of vases with enamel Barbediene French foundry
Very good condition (some natural wear)
Gilt bronze and enamel
Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Royal Copenhagen Figure H.C. Andersen
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen figure H.C. Andersen
Measures: 19 cm.
In perfect condition.
Designed by Hanne Warming.
2. Factory quality.
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Empire Decorative Objects
Sugar Box Russia
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous box made of blue glass beautifully decorated with white details. Frame of brass. original lock and key. Made during 19th Century Russian Empire period. Small lockable boxes...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$3,400
Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique bronze candelabra with antique crystal, with 3 candleholders. Marble beige base 4" x 6".
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$1,520 Sale Price
20% Off
Attributed, Val St-Lambert, Empire Style Vase, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and large empire style vase attributed to the Val Saint Lambert manufacture, 19th century Belgium. Openwork of gilt bronze in arches and wreat...
Category
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze
Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Paris Porcelain Vase with Landscape Scene, France c. 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Paris porcelain vase of good quality, almost two feet in height. The body with painted figural and landscape vignettes on opposing sides, contained by acid-etched gilt border...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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 furniture, each candlestick rests on a triform bronze base of claw feet and petal scrollwork, topped by a gilt acanthus leaf throne supporting a simple black slate stem. The sleek stone posts in turn support an urn-form bronze capital with floral and gilt elements. A gorgeous example of French opulence...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Tripod Cachepot Brass Bowl
Located in Sheffield, MA
Charmingly elegant antique Empire style brass bowl centerpiece on tripod hoofed feet and decorative handles in an 'abstract' animal form. Lovely aged brass patina all-over, can easil...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$850 Sale Price
29% Off
Antique Empire Head of Hermes Carved Wood Messenger of Zeus God of Merchants
Located in Munich, DE
This beautiful head of Hermes wearing his winged helmet is carved out of boxwood and has preserved the original gilding. The head is mounted on a blacke...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Boxwood, Oak
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock
André Antoine Ravrio
Circa 1800
This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Important Pair of Darte Frere early 19th C. French Empire Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Paris Darte Freres Porcelain Portrait Vases with Gold-Ground Acanthus Scroll Form Handles and etched gold back C. 1810
This set consists of two Baluster form vases with hand painted with portraits of peasant women protecting children from a lightning storm...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold
Lidded Service Terrine in Empire Style after J.B. Claude Odiot
Located in Berlin, DE
Silver engraved and silvered. Four columns with full moulded and finely
engraved swans.
Diameter:26cm,
height: 28 cm.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Pair French Empire Bronze and Marble Campana Form Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of Classical style urns are finely cast featuring acanthus leaves, mask form handles, and laurel leaf wreaths on Sienna marble plinth form bases.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Paris Porcelain Cameo Vase Attributed to Nast
By Nast
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classical French Empire Paris porcelain twin handled vase featuring a signed cameo of Caracalla on the front and gilded military attributes on the back. The very well painted profi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock Depicting the Lydian Queen Omphale
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19 century French Empire gilt bronze clock depicting the mythological Lydian Queen Omphale sitting astride on a draped drum th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$6,240 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Bronze Dore Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore rectangular inkwell on 4 clawed feet with relief (signed BARBEDIENNE)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Sphinx
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) bronze reclining winged sphinx figure mounted on a tripartite black marble base
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire style (19th Cent) gilt bronze urns with finial top and handles with claw feet on square base (matching clock: Inv. #032441) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$1,800 / set
Empire decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Gherardo Degli Albizzi, Franco Salimbeni, and Alexandre Vossion. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $170 and tops out at $148,649 while the average work can sell for $4,772.
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