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.
to
113
1,012
11
23
826
163
11
50
55
35
11
7
4
2
4
28
14
11
4
26,298
14,182
9,296
5,451
3,974
3,098
2,294
1,737
1,417
1,338
1,158
1,156
1,023
938
886
674
667
592
847
589
253
162
138
498
434
947
719
95
42
23
Height
to
Width
to
1,023
1,012
1,023
45
33
11
10
5
Style: Empire
French Empire Style Porcelain Urn with Nautical Scene
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) white and gilt trimmed urn with scene of boats by coast and 2 handles with lion heads.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Paint, Porcelain
Elegant French Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Three-Light Fixture Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Very fine, beautifully detailed French doré bronze and crystal three-arm chandelier with flame top urn centre in the neoclassical style.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French Empire Clock
Located in Hudson, NY
A very finely cast gilt bronze clock depicting Psyche at her toilet. The reflective mirror of polished bronze and that each element is cast separately then screwed on is an excellent...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
$5,150
Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Large silver plated copper candlestick, France ca. 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / candlestick / silver plated copper / Antique / Empire
A large French Empire style candlestick with very detailed graphic decorations. This silver plated copper candl...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver Plate, Copper
Hercules And Omphale, Glass And Silverplated Metal Bowl , Late 19th Early 20th
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Blue glass Bowl, set in a silver-plated metal frame: the decoration represents Hercules and Omphale on one side: Hercules spins wool and Omphale has taken on the attributes of the li...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Wonderful Empire Dore Bronze Rock Crystal Neoclassical Figure Candlestick Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Empire doré bronze rock crystal neoclassical figure candlestick lamp
Stamped made in France on base
Completely rewired.
Category
20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Style Picture Frames
Located in London, GB
Pair of late 19th century French Empire style picture frames
French, Late 19th century
Height 16cm, width 11.5cm, depth 2/ 7 cm
Circular in shape and mounted in an easel style, this...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Table Clock Empire France
Located in New York, NY
A table clock made in France during the Empire 1790-1820. Made from blackened wood and burnt-gilt bronze. Godronned urn-formation, lion mascarons, pine cone all Empire attributes
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Torchères, Vienna, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Empire torches or candelabra on a three-pass base tapering to the top and inlaid with brass inlays in the form of acanthus leaves and floral motifs. Rising above three ...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
$64,487 / set
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra having female attendants in flowing gowns holding gilded torchieres, standing on parcel gilt plinths, 19th century, now mounted as lamps
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Sceaux Faux Porphyry Tobacco Jars, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of jars with covers with old repairs and chips.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Faience
$1,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Seated Female Figure in French Fire-Gilt Clock from Empire Era
Located in 263-0031, JP
A French fire-gilt clock depicting a seated female figure - Urania, I presume, judging from the iconography. Empire Era, 1800-1815. The gilding sh...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Pendule au char
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base decorated with a wheat and foliate frieze and raised on four ball feet, the goddess of agriculture Ceres standing while leaning against a Roman chariot with harv...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Birth of the King of Rome, Bronze Clock, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Patinated bronze clock representing The Birth of the King of Rome or the allegory of the Birth of Love
Empress Marie-Louise is standing near a cradle filled with roses with a winged cupid in the middle; decor of an Athenian woman with rams' heads and a curtain draped...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Desk Set, Viennese Empire, c. 1815
Located in Greding, DE
Seven-piece desk set from Vienna in granite with polished steel mounts.
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Granite, Steel
$9,744 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair French Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Trumpet Vases, Late 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This pair of French trumpet-form vases dates from the late 19th century and blends two luxurious materials: engraved clear glass and richly decorated gilt bronze mounts with champlev...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Crystal, Metal
$2,296 Sale Price
37% Off
19th Century Bronze Scuplture "Venus Bather" by H.S. München
By H.S. Munchen
Located in Firenze, FI
Lost wax cast Italian bronze sculpture, the subject reproduces 'Venus bather'. The base is made of Bardiglio red marble. Italian manufacture, early 19th century. Made by H.S. München...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair French Carved Alabaster Lighted Urn Torchieres
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair French Carved Alabaster Lighted Urn Torchieres
Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with details.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
$1,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Ljungby, SE
An Empire mantel clock in gilded wood, made in Austria or Germany 1820-1830. It features a warrior dressed in classical armor with his arm resting atop the clock. The clock pillar is...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Russian Silver Niello Tobacco Box, Moscow, circa 1820-1830
By Gustav Klingert
Located in Sarasota, FL
Russian silver niello tobacco box with finely etched pastoral scenes and interior gold wash. The box is marked on inside with "84" for Russian si...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
French Empire Allegorical Clock of Love Nourishing Life
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A figural French Empire clock in gilded bronze representing an allegory on how love nourishes life or “L’Amour alimentant la vie” in French. The clock shows a seated winged Amor refi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Candelabras Male and Female 18-Karat Doré Bronze after Clodion the pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine pair of Cherub candelabras cast in Lost Wax bronze with fine Hi-Quality details and black patina and 18-karat Doré gold-plated made from the originals of Clodion. Wired and r...
Category
1990s American Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU BUST OF HOMER
After the Antique
The bearded bust of Homer on a rectangular clock decorate with lyres and gryphon heads on the side
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,100 Sale Price
40% Off
Empire Bronze and Ormolu Cartel Clock by Bailly, Paris
Located in Essex, MA
A wall clock with gilt bronze ribbon bow joining a gilt bronze ribbon attached to the clock case with patinated bronze back section and laurel leaf mounted surrounding a circular glass hinged cover opening to an enamelled dial signed Bailly a Paris. An eagle with spread wings at the base seated on a plinth. All finely cast. The laurel leaves signify victory and the eagle represents strength and power. Bailly is considered on of the finest French clock makers...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique French Glass
Marble Cornucopia Vase
Located in London, GB
A fantastic and rare antique French Empire Style glass cornucopia vase mounted on a marble and gilt bronze base. This was made in France, we believe it...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Mantel Clock by Ledure with Apollo or Eros
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The clock is signed on the enamel dial by the famous Parisian bronzier ”Ledure Bronzier à Paris” and the clockmaker ”Hedon Hr" (horloger). Patinated and fully sculpted bronze figure ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Empire Centerpiece with Putto Decor, Bronze and Glass, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire centerpiece made of cut glass and fire-gilded bronze with griffin decor and small putto figure in the center.
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Very Fine Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine gilt bronze period Empire mantle clock. France, circa 1805.
Period Empire clock featuring an stylized Hercules with Lion's pelt. Origin...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Design, Empire, Candelabras, Patinated Bronze, France, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Empire 19th century bronze candelabras depicting insects. These are quite possibly the finest cast bronze pieces on the market. Each having a center column formed rod with wi...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Ormolu Bronze Cassolettes or Censers/Candlesticks
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of early 19th century, French ormolu bronze cassolettes. The censers having pierced tops and Candlestick receivers on the revers.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Rare Empire French Fire Gilded Center Piece Tazza Warrior Horses Harp
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
More than 200 years old showpiece for on the table. Made from glass, fire-gilt bronze and green veined marble. Beautiful horses with a warrior and mythological figures with harp and ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Allegorical Clock Depicting the Astronomical Sciences
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine early 19th century French Empire gilt bronze clock representing an allegory of astronomy; featuring two classically draped maide...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Palatial pair of "Chevaux de Marly" france bronzes circa 1850
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and large pair of "Chevaux de Marly" in bronze with spectacular work on the bases. Circa 1850 in perfect conditions.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Cararra Marble and Bronze Cassolettes ~ Mantel Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique French Empire Cararra Marble and Bronze Cassolettes ~ Mantel Urns will make a stunning visual accent for any room! Hand-crafted from prized Carrara marble and gold-plat...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Antique French Marble
Gilded Brass Candelabras circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite pair of antique French candelabras are masterfully crafted from white marble and ornate gilded brass. Each candelabra features three gracefully arched arms adorned wit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Brass
$1,135 Sale Price / set
41% Off
French Empire Period Pair of Bronze Candleholders, Neoclassical
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Emprie Period pair of bronze candleholders, neoclassical
A rare collector quality pair of French First Empire candleholders. A classical bi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
$1,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century French Playing Card Box Rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Large casket, rosewood solid and veneered, France circa 1860/70, brass handle embedded in the lid, brass inlays, nice division inside (originally for tokens and cards), restored cond...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Bronze Inkwell with Roman Figure on Brown Marble Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your office desk with this large Empire style inkwell. Created in France circa 1870 and rectangular in shape, the inkwell features a bron...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Empire Silver and Silver Gilt Inkstand
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Of oval shape, with a cupid holding a bow and arrow riding aloft a gilt dolphin forming a lid over a compartment, flanked by ink and sand pots on masked plinths cast with Medusa masks and mounted to a lion's-paw footed oval galleried tray...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Pair of French Empire Style Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of bronze candelabras with a male figural base.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$7,400 / set
19th Century Empire Bronze Fire-Gilded Pendule
Located in Berlin, DE
Great bronze pendulum. Base and pedestal with lavish floral and figurative embellishments such as rocaille, acanthus leaves, cartouches, garlands, putti and central masks. Additional...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière
French, c.1820
Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
Made in the early nineteenth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns Wired as Lamps
Located in Long Island City, NY
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Urns, Wired as Lamps. Featuring ornate swag garlands and rams heads, with a frieze of dancing putti.
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Table Clock Empire Period France
Located in New York, NY
A mantel clock made during the Empire period 1790-1820 in France. Made from burnished gilt bronze. The Greek God Apollo is playing the lyre with his feet resting on a guilded stool.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Period Antique Parisian Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of antique porcelain vases, dating from the early 19th century in the period of Napoleonic rule known as the Empire period, ar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Bronze Figure of Napoleon
Located in London, GB
An early 19th Century well-cast bronze statue of Napoleon in full uniform, standing on square socle with applied ormolu laurel leaf wreath, ending o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Swan Handle Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of comprises pendant krater-shaped porcelain vases. Each vase’s wide-lipped ovoid body is supported by a flared stem, which stands on a square-sided podium. Most strikingly...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century French Marble and Bronze Rooster Sculpture Signed Melotte
By Melotte
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your desk or study with this elegant antique inkwell, crafted in France, circa 1880, and situated on a rectangular green marble base, the desk accessory features a bronze ro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Enamel
Gilt Bronze French Empire Clock Depicting An Allegory of a Library
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare model of a French Empire clock in gilded bronze called The Library, featuring a boy and a girl dressed in classical attire diligently studying in a library, both are sitting on a stool in front of a clock which is integrated into a column which also serves as a bookshelf. The oval clock...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Elegant 19th Century Bronze Clock Empire
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant 19th century bronze clock.
19th Century French clock in gilded bronze. The machinery works and has its pendulum and key. Difficult ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Metal Four-Light Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of gilt-metal four-light candelabras, probably French, c. 1900, designed in the Empire style, the base with acanthus borders, the body having reeded, beaded, fluted decorations ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Allegorical French Empire clock Titled " Le Sacrifice d’Iphigénie "
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine example of a period French Empire mantle clock which depicts the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon in Homer’s Iliad. The case is of matte and burnished gilded bronze, th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Important First Empire Period Ormolu Sconces
By Percier
Fontaine
Located in Essex, MA
Period ormolu sconces in First Empire, imperial Russian, realistic lion mask form
--Percier and fontaine designed lion mask being impaled by th...
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Imperio Obelisk in Tortoiseshell Inlaid with Semi-Precious Stones
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Huge obelisk from the French imperial period in tortoiseshell with semi-precious stones resting on balls.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Tortoise Shell
Empire Fire Gilded Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful fire gilded Empire mantel clock with a shepherdess on top with a wreath and ribbon. On the left a staff with pan flute.
At the bottom of the clo...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
French Portico Clock – Black and White Marble, Gilt Bronze – Early 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Refined French Empire-style portico clock, dating from the early 1800s, in black and white marble, richly adorned with finely chiseled gilt bronze. The enameled dial with Roman numer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Important Empire Clock in Bronze with Two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th Cen
Located in Madrid, ES
Important Empire clock in bronze with two Patinas Alexander the Great 19th century
Weight: 11.00 kg
Sizes: H 51cm x L 39cm
France
very good condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Vases In Polychrome Porcelain
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair Of Empire Vases In Polychrome Porcelain
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Ceramic Mermaid
Vintage Cologne Bottles
Vintage Copper Decor
Vintage Lion Figurine
Vintage Murano Glass Cat
Vintage Pot Plant Holders
West Germany Yellow
White Horse Porcelain
Wood Ram Sculpture
Wooden Carved Dog
Wooden Cow
1920s Royal Copenhagen
1960 Italy Cats
19th Century Bronze Stag
Acrobats Bronze
Alexandrite Murano
Amsterdam Clock
Antique Bronze Hare