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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
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

Pair of French Empire Crystal, Ormolu and Marble-Mounted Cornucopia Vases
Located in New York, NY
A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire style cornucopia vases. Each vase features a gracefully fluted cut crystal horn rising from a finely chased ormolu moun...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Crystal, Ormolu

20th Century French Empire Blue Urn Vase with Gold Decoration, Jaget Pinon
Located in Sofia, BG
Amphora-shaped vase and in the Empire style, circa 1920, France made of earthenware with a marine-blue background with gold decorations in the spirit of Sèvres. Round neck surrounded...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Large Blue and Gold Porcelain Vase
Located in Prato, IT
Germany, mid-20th century In blue and gold painted porcelain Dimensions cm W38 x D25 x H52 approx.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Signed Bronze Pierre-Philippe Thomire of Paris Clock Putti Cherub Clock Set
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Presenting a spectacular early 19th-century French three-piece bronze doré clock set signed by Thomire of Paris, a breathtaking ensemble that epitomizes the luxury, craftsmanship, an...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Danish Late Empire Tobacco Box in Nobel Wood, Lid with Walrus Tooth
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire tobacco box in rosewood. The top of the lid is adorned with a walrus tooth. Denmark 1830-1840.
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of urns feature neoclassical motifs, including acanthus leaves, egg and dart borders, and Bacchus mask handles. The Verde antico marble plinth bases are mounted wi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Empire-Style Neoclassical Gilt and Patinated Bronze Stands
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire-style Neoclassical gilt and patinated bronze stands French, 20th Century 42cm high x 31cm wide x 31 cm depth Made from patinated bronze and gilt bronze in the French Empire style, with Neoclassical influences, these excellent stands were made in France in the 20th century. Placed upon four small gilt feet...
Category

20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair French Early 19th Century Hand Carved Giltwood Empire Style bird Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful pair of handcarved giltwood bird fragments. France circa 1805-1820 . Weathered and small losses Measurements individual and include the wooden base.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell. This wonderful rectangular inkwell is raised on circular toupie shaped Ormolu f...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Bronze French Empire Style Candelabrum
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Bronze French Empire style candelabrum.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Skeleton Clock with Vestal Virgins
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Classic two dimensional French Empire skeleton clock, the finely chased and mercury gilded case depicts Amour holding a flaming torch and a banner, symbol of war, seated on a quiver full of arrows and set on top of the dial and movement. The dial is framed by two vestal virgins...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A Pair of Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt Floor Candelabras, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Pair of Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt Floor Candelabras, 19th Century Description: Each with a tapered faux marble column shaft rising to double foliate collar and leaf carved d...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix Bronze Sculpture After Antonio Canova
Located in New York, NY
Finely modeled and cast antique (19th century) patinated bronze sculpture depicting Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix after the original model by the Italian master, Antonio Canova....
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Rare 19th Century Russian Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
An Extremely Rare 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell. The inkwell features a circular base with a faceted crystal insert, framed by an ...
Category

1820s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

French early 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming and high quality French early 19th century Empire st. white Carrara marble and Ormolu clock, signed Veibel a Lyon. This stunning clock is raised on Ormolu topie shaped feet supporting a rectangular marble base. The base is decorated with finely chased Ormolu plaques on three sides, in the manner of Clodion, and with delicate beaded frames. Standing on the base are four Ormolu Doric columns leading up to the Carrara marble entablature decorated with Ormolu pegasi and finely chased beaded trim bands. From the entablature hangs the enameled clock face and mechanism, adorned with a delicate Ormolu frame and richly chased hanging drapery featuring a foliate movements, mythical creatures, and a lovely female mask atop the wonderful sunburst pendulum. All original gilt throughout. Veibel a Lyon, also known as "Weibel", was an 18th century master clock maker based in Lyon, France. Established in 1783, Veibel began his career by crafting exceptional table clocks and pocket watches. Later he specializes in astronomical regulators...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Bronze Clock Depicting Urania Greek Muse of Astronomy
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A magnificent large gilded and patinated bronze period French Empire mantle clock depicting Urania the Greek Muse of Astronomy standing on a stepped rectangular gilded bronze base her left elbow resting on a large gilded globe of the heavens with a central band showing the signs of the zodiac...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Clock Depicting Apollo God of Music and the Arts
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A gilt bronze and griotte marble French Empire clock depicting Apollo Greek God of Music Art Literature and Sciences. The clock shows a a gilt bronze winged figure of Apollo leaning against a griotte marble altar pedestal decorated with gilt bronze garlands. At the center of the pedestal is the clock’s dial and movement. Sitting on top of the pedestal is a standing harp, a mallet and a scroll. The whole is supported by a griotte marble base with a gilt bronze frieze showing a number of frolicking and dancing cupids playing music, drinking wine waving laurel wreaths, carrying a standard and even crowning a bust of Athena. The base sits on two owl feet...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze

Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, 1820s A refined pair of Empire candlesticks in gilt bronze, crafted in France around the 1820s. The design features the elegant, flu...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Leroy à Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
A magnificent 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock, signed by the esteemed clockmaker Leroy à Paris. This timepiece exudes classical elegance, featuring a finely detailed gilt bron...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Tole Water Heater
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted and gilded tole water heater.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin

A Late 19 Century Malachite clock Topped by a Gilt Bronze Bust of Napoleon
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple yet elegant relatively rare malachite cased clock topped by a gilt bronze bust of a young Napoleon in uniform after the marble original work by Jean Antoine Houdon.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock , France 1810
Located in New York, NY
Resting on four very elegant feet the clock features a rectangular base decorated on three sides with classical motifs. The face features a pair of Sphinx flanking a wreath with lau...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Baccarat Crystal Clock Garniture, French Empire with Gilt Bronze
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
French Empire clock garniture with gilt bronze and Baccarat crystal. An important French Baccarat cut-crystal and ormolu mantel clock with four Corinthian style columns. The cut-crystal features a cross hatched diamond patterns throughout. The clock comes with two large Baccarat crystal and gilt...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Gilt Metal Figural Clock, circa 1840, in two parts, the upper section with a seated lute player aside the circular metal dial, the movement strike on bell, the lower se...
Category

1840s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

French Empire Candestick Empire Style, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient Empire Style Sterling Silver Candlestick. Silver 800. Very good condition.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.   
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century Empire Candelabras by Pierre Chibout
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of Empire candelabra for five candles each, crafted by Pierre Chibout in the early 19th century. The candelabra are made of patinated and fire-gilded bronze. The candelabras f...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

EARLY 19th CENTURY GOLDEN WALL CLOCK WITH MUSIC BOX
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid wall clock set in an elegant opening wooden case, with carved frame and golden tablet. The internal finishes of the clock are also in golden tablet and brass. The decoration...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

19th Century Antique Hand Painted Urn
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair of Paris Porcelain Pirate Urns. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Single French Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Winged Victory Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late 19thC French Empire style candelabra in yje manner of Thomire featuring a finely chased patinated bronze statue of Nike or Winged Victory holding aloft five gilt bronze can...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Empire Style Patinated and Gilded Bronze Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive pair of candelabra made in the era of Napoleon III in France circa 1870 are very powerful and impressive. Heavily cast with references to the classical past and profu...
Category

1870s Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair Russian Dog Head Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, Marble 3 Arm Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Pair of 18th-Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, and Marble Three-Arm Candelabra with Dog’s Heads. Each candelabrum is set on a circular white marble base ...
Category

1790s Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu

Pair of Empire Candelabra with Green Marble Bases 4 Candle Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
These pair of Empire candelabras feature angles holding 4 candleholders atop a green marble base.
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Very Handsome Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Brass Candlesticks, Circa 1820
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome tall pair of early 19th century French Empire gilt brass candlesticks. Both showing reeded columns rising up from circular bases decorated by hand with finely chiseled motifs, to similarly addressed urn-shaped nozzles with detachable bobeches. Constructed in three sections, with the nozzle and column firmly attached to the base by means of a full length threaded metal post...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Victory Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Large 19th Century Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Victory Sculptures Candelabras in the manner of Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) A large a...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Candlesticks, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of elegant Empire candlesticks crafted from partially fire-gilded bronze, dating to the early 19th century. Each candlestick stands on a round base, featuring a tapered, flute...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Inkstand Encrier
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular base mounted with a round lidded ink pot with a porcelain container and a sand pot, each raised on winged lion feet, centered by a ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Sterling Silver Salt Cellar Lion Head and Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A sterling silver salt cellar with Lion head and paw feet detail, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century. Piece is a salt or pepper cellar vessel. A great piece for a dining t...
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt bronze clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire French, Early 19th Century Height 45cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm This superb gilt bronze clock, created by the renow...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French fire-gilded candleholders in the Empire style. They feature acanthus leaf decorations. The candle sleeves are removable.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Table Box Enamel Miniature Moscow Kremlin and Red Square Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine hand-engravings fire enameled hand-painted like lapis lazuli stone and beautiful hand-painted enameled ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

19th Century Bronze Mounted Cut Crystal Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cut crystal. Bronze mounted. Swan motif. Finely chased. Measure: Base is 3.5" by 3.5".
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of Neoclassical Marble and Glass Swan Vases
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of neoclassical marble and glass swan vases.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Empire Allegorical Clock Garniture of "Psyche Crowning Amor"
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large scale French Empire figurative allegorical clock showing “Psyche Crowning Amor”. Psyche stands to the right of the domed clock plinth, holding her ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Pair of First-Empire Period 2-Handled Porcelain Vases with Westall Venus Scenes
By Porcelaine de Paris, Richard Westall
Located in New York, NY
An incredible and rare pair of French Paris Porcelain First-Empire Period Winged Sphynx-form double- handled porcelain vases with mythological scenes of Venus and Cupids after Richar...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Empire Period Porcelain Campana Vases, Parisian, circa 1815
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Paris porcelain vases, designed in campana form with the front featuring circular vignettes with landscape scenes, on the reverse are framed musical trophies created t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Napoleonic Boulle Marquetry Longcase Clock c. 1800
Located in Westfield, MA
Embark on a journey through time with this striking Antique French Napoleonic Boulle Marquetry Longcase Clock, crafted around the year 1800. This magnificent timepiece is a testament...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Bronze D ore Carrara Marble Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
These beautiful candelabra have the grace and form sought after by our collectors.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, by Josef Stelzer, Vienna, 1802
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, foot profiled at the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre, constriction in the lower third by a profiled bead, shaft wide...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Pair of French Empire Bronze and Rouge Marble Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and rouge marble column 6 arm candelabra with 3 lion figures on base. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Brule-Parfums in Manner of Thomire 19th Century
Located in Essex, MA
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze Brule-Parfums in manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire, 19th century each openwork cover with an acorn finial above the body having a rim cast to show...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

The Astronomy Lesson French Empire Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent French Empire ormolu mantel clock features the iconic Neoclassical genre scene often referred to as "The Astronomy Lesson." A popular motif during this period, Emper...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Enamel, Ormolu

19th Century Swedish Candelabra
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of fine 19th century Swedish Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra, circa 1830, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Russian Tazzas, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of dolomite tazzas, Shelyabinsk region (Urals), fire-gilt bronze. Russia, Ekaterinburg, 19th century. Provenance: Ex collection Dolf Selbach (1929-2010).
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Pair of 19th c. French Empire Bronze Dore Nike Candelabra
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of nineteenth century French Empire style bronze dore three arm candelabra, each featuring a classical winged victory or Nike figure positioned atop a tiered, architectural pede...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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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