Empire Mirrors
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
French 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large 19th century French Empire trumeau mirror that is bold yet refined, using Neoclassical decorative elements to project a respect for history and luxury. Across the frieze alon...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold
French 19th Century Gold Empire Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mirror (c. 1800) is symmetrical to hang in either direction, exhibiting low-relief floral decorations that leave ample space for the gilt molding to reveal its red...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold
Empire Double Headed Eagle Wall Mirror in Bronze, Spain 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two Headed Eagle Bronze Wall Mirror, Spain, 1930s-1940s.
Spectacular bronze wall mirror with a crowned double headed eagle surrounding a shield shaped beveled glass.
This stunning br...
Category
20th Century Spanish Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An early 19th century painted and parcel-gilt Empire trumeau mirror with horse and chariot scene.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
19th Century empire revival mahogany pier mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century empire revival mahogany pier mirror circa 1870.
Excellent quality pier mirror using the finest mahogany. Architectural cornice top with cresent shape which showcases t...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Mahogany Standing Tilting Floor Mirror from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately mahogany adjustable/tilting floor mirror standing over 5.5' tall.
Note the elegant finials and central flourish that crown the mirror, resting on elaborately carved lion's fe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Table Mirror / Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming French gilt bronze mirror, late 19th century, in Empire style. The rectangular frame is richly decorated with acanthus leaves and classical motifs, crowned with a laurel wre...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Empire Style Gilded Tole Toleware Mirror Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning Empire style toleware mirror. The gilded resin or plastic frame surrounds a glass mirror. Made in Italy, circa 1950s. Beautiful mirror for any room or your hall entry. Nice ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
Antique early 20th century small oval gold leaf and paint gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a beautiful small oval mirror that was crafted in France in the early 20th century, around 1910. The mirror features a frame made of lime wood and is adorned with plaster mol...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
$956 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French rectangular wall mirror made of hand carved gilded Pinewood with its original mirror glass, in good condition. The arched mirror is particularized by detailed flower carvings and fittings. The Parisian décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pine, Giltwood
A large French Empire wood and gesso mirror, C 1840.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The two-tone painted, rectangular frame with ornate gilt highlights throughout. Perfect in an entryway, to elongate a hall way or above a mantel horizontally. The neutral mirror may...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving
Early 19th century
Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47
Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Vintage Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Heavy gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 55cm/ 21.6"
Diameter glass: 1...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Resin
$478 / item
19th Century American Empire Mahogany Gentleman
s Shaving or Dressing Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century American Empire gentleman's tilt-top shaving mirror of mahogany. The original mirror glass is in a beveled frame with a dome top and is supported by beautifully crafter ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Table Mirror Dated, 1870
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique rustic vanity mirror / table mirror dated 1870.
The Mirror has nice carved details on the top
This orginal painted mirror...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Pine
French 19th Century Empire Mantel Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mantle mirror (c. 1800) exhibits restrained surface decoration concentrated to intermittent, low-relief floral motifs that leave ample space for the gilt molding t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold
Round Empire Style Gold Mirror by Randy Esada Designs, 2010s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round Empire style gold mirror by Randy Esada Designs. Beautiful gold gilding and beveled mirror.
Additional information:
Materials: Giltwood, Gold, Mirror
Color: Gold
Brand: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
A French Empire gold mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fine and Large Antique hand carved giltwood frame with beautiful floral, scroll and rosette decorations. A statement piece for your entryway...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Wood
Napoleonic Empire Antique Giltwood Wall Mirror c1850s
Located in High Peak, GB
P0290 Outstanding 19th century Napoleonic Empire gilded wall mirror / over mantel mirror of versatile form, can be positioned either way, having replacement glass in moulded gold lea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Neoclassical Gilt Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire Neoclassical gilt mirror. Antique Italian gilt Neoclassical mirror frame with interior leaf and dart holding with large ogee band and o...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Carved Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive late 19th Century Empire carved giltwood Mahogany wall Mirror, Circa 1890s. Measures 49.5" in width, 4" in depth and stands 33" in height.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
American Classical Empire Style Over Mantel Mahogany Trident Pediment Mirror 49"
Located in Dayton, OH
American Classical Empire style Pediment Mirror, circa last quarter 20th century. Features a mahogany frame with an arched pediment over acanthus carved spandrels set around a triden...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$822 Sale Price
30% Off
Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassical giltwood mirror. Antique gilt carved mirror with scrolled acanthus surround, leaf-tipped outer edge with cor...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Pier Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
A handsome and stately French Empire mirror with gilded hand carved detail.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut, Giltwood
Small Rectangular 19th Century Wooden Mirror and Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Danish or Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror. This classic rectangular mirror features the original mirror. Wonderful mirror that can be displayed on a vanity or hung verticall...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Italian Carved Giltwood
Whitewashed French Empire Style Balloon Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood and whitewashed balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has tassel appointments. It is in very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Poplar
19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border.
The qua...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Beautiful Empire French Period Trumeau
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful Empire French period Trumeau.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mercury Glass, Gesso, Wood
Large early 19th century empire style over mantle
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very decorative early 19th century empire style overmantle miror
French circa 1840’ s with original backboards and mirror plate
Height 157 cms or 62 inches
Width 115.5 cms or ...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
$1,725 Sale Price
49% Off
Large French Carved Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century French Carved Painted and Giltwood Mirror. This Impressive mirror features a rectangular frame adorned with finely carved trailing floral and foliage garlands, a h...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Gold Giltwood Wall Mirror Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood wall mirror in the Neoclassical-Empire design, circa 19th century, Europe. The Empire period was another or second phase to Neoclassism. Mirror has beautiful, detaile...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire gold gilt mantel mirror from the 1800’s. The carved frame has its original gold gilt finish revealing the reddish bole beneath with decorat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Large Mahogany Mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
Large mirror made of mahogany, the mirror itself consists of two panels in a large mahogany frame with two candleholders on each side.
Originates...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Elegant Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fine period French antique, good sized Gilt Empire mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame. From near Paris, France!
#8435
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
American Empire Gilt Three Section Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire gilt horizontal three section wall mirror.
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Empire Table Mirror
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique Empire rustic vanity mirror / table mirror.
The Mirror has original paint in colorful color.
This orginal painted mirror ha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Pine
19th Century Russian Pair of Antique Beechwood, Brass Wall Mirrors and Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian pair of wall mirrors and console tables, nightstands made of hand crafted Karelian Beechwood in good condition. The floor mirrors are supported by two arched legs ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Overmantel Mirror
Located in London, GB
A good sized Gilt Empire antique mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame, lambs tongue design inner slip. Mirror in good condition. Original boarded bac...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany
Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company
Additional information:
Materials: mahogany, mirror
Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Category
20th Century Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Empire Period Carved Giltwood
Gilt-Gesso Mirror, early 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
of rectangular shape and having a coved form with a rabbet of carved gesso, now fitted with a modern mirrorplate
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian mirror dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined mirror.
Made of fine walnut wood and characterized by an el...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut
$3,540 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Mirror, circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large wall mirror in the Neoclassical Empire style, circa 1810. The rectangular frame is gilded and adorned with applied stucco ornaments, including stylized acanthus leaves and leaf...
Category
1810s Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass
Large French Empire Parcel-Gilt and Beige Rectangular Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful Empire period large rectangular mirror with neoclassical relief ornamentation with gilded details and a very nice patina in beige color with red accents, France, circa 1810...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s.
Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
$2,287 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Geometrical Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror with Carved Crest
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840, 19th century.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$2,880 Sale Price
20% Off
19th French Empire Period Gilt Wood Oval Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
19th French Empire period gilt wood oval mirror
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Beige Painted Trumeau Mirror with Carved Gilt Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style beige painted trumeau mirror from the 20th century with gilded décor. This exquisite French Empire style trumeau mirror from the 20th century is a testament to ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Biedermeier or Empire Demi Lune Console with Mirror
Located in Greven, DE
Antique demi-lune console with pillar mirror
North Germany
Mahogany
Biedermeier/Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 234 x 88 x 51 cm
single height console: 78 cm, sing...
Category
1810s German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
19th century Swedish empire revival birch pier mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century Swedish empire revival birch pier mirror circa 1890.
Fine architectural pier mirror made in birch.
Rich golden empire revival birch, with architectural cornice. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Birch
Russian Mahogany Gilt Eagle and Bell Flower Garland Rope Wall Mirror, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
Russian mahogany gilt eagle wall mirror with lambs tongue, beading, bell flower garland, and rope twisted border wall mirror. Mirror retains the original spotted glass...
Category
Early 1800s Russian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is origina...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
$2,488 Sale Price
20% Off
Second Empire Giltwood Rectangular Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Second Empire Giltwood Rectangular Mirror, late 19th century, with foliate and scroll frame, William Schaus label to reverse. Mirror: 29" H x 33" W; frame: 42" H x 45.5" W x 2.5" D.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Custom Mirror Hand-Made in our Workshop Using 24kt Gold Leaf and Ebonized Oak
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Custom Hand-Made Aged Mirror by our inhouse Old Plank workshop. The Mirror profile was copied from a 19th century original french Mirror we had in stock and since everyone seemed to ...
Category
2010s American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Large Empire Mirror in Cuban Mahogany with Columns and Carved Capitals, c. 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite Empire mirror in Cuban mahogany with carved anthemions as antefix decorating the crown molding and columns with carved acanthus capitals flanking the mirror and frieze, ...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Wonderful 19th century gilded wall mirror , empire style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very good quality 19th century gilded wall mirror in the empire style
French circa 1840’s with original backboards and mirror plate Height
It can hang landscape or portrait
Heig...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
$2,082 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful elegant antique Empire wall mirror, 1800s walnut wood hand carved with finely decorations. Elegant carved and gilded decorations. On the sides two columns with gilded corin...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mercury Glass, Walnut
$4,784 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors 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 mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors 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 mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. 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 mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.
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