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.
to
31
Height
to
Width
to
274
2
143
128
5,882
2,430
1,207
791
689
569
539
489
486
421
365
356
347
276
271
167
68
58
8
209
57
2
10
25
17
2
1
4
4
13
10
1
1
232
153
136
85
76
236
129
33
32
19
276
276
276
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Empire
19th Century Silver Backed Crackle Foxed Giltwood Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Sometimes mirrors are all about the frames, this stunning French mirror is all about the almost other Worldly foxed mirror plate, it is truly spectacular, over more than 150 years the silver backed...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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
$4,759 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Wall Mirrors, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of pillar mirrors in gold-patinated and stuccoed frame with profiled molding. The mirror panes are divided in the upper third. Patination is rubbe...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
$13,921 / set
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
$2,083 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Woodbury, CT
In walnut with ebonized trim, this stately mirror has exquisite lines and exemplifies the design motifs of the period. Burl walnut surrounds the glass that has survived more or less ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut
$10,850
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
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
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror. Item features burl wood, beveled glass, stately bronze mounts including human figured feet, maiden face...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Large Self Standing Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Foyer French Empire mirror in original condition. Brass around the top and the bottom part of the column. Two small side drawers as well as middle glass shelf with the storage. Top p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
$1,250 Sale Price
35% Off
Gilded Empire Wall Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Profiled wall mirror in the Empire style with a rectangular frame and applied acanthus leaf decorations. The surface is fully gilded with an elegant patina. The mirror glass has been...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
P.-B. Marcion, Empire Period Dressing Table, France, circa 1810
By P. Marcion
Located in PARIS, FR
Empire period dressing table, decorated with rich chiseled and mercury gilded bronze ornamentation. Surmounted by an oval-shaped psyche mirror, decorated with a frieze of ivy and sma...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror.
Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s.
This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Gorgeous Pair of Empire Style Black
Gold Wall Mirrors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirrors which are elegant statement pieces. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina, and t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
French Napoleon III Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Napoleon III Empire style mahogany and ormolu-mounted freestanding Cheval swiveling mirror. The oval framed mirror plate surmounted with Empire style ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
$18,950 Sale Price
23% Off
Large French Empire Ebony Black and Gold Carved Giltwood and Gesso Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirror is a large statement piece. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina. The neoclassical embo...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gesso, Mirror
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, is a stunning example of Danish craftsmanship from around the 1880s. The rich, deep tones of the...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Mahogany fram mirror with the original glass with gilt decoration.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
$590 Sale Price
24% Off
vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 43cm
Ref.: 54676504
67 - 68
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin
Italian Empire Walnut Brass
Giltwood Cheval Mirror Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
important and rare and completely intact, retaining antique beveled mirrorplate, the pivoting mirror held in place within the columned frame by brass arrow parts, the frame surmounted by a neoclassical pediment adorned with brass decoration, below the mirror is a shaped tray and lower still a hexagonal stretcher supporting the carved giltwood rams heads and hoof feet which are painted a dark green, this mirror is a lovely example of Lucchese neoclassical furniture.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Classical Continental Hall Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Sarasota, FL
Classical hall mirror with giltwood and bronze ornamentation. The top is decorated with a pierced bronze gallery. At the center, a domed oil on panel depicts a classical woodland sce...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 40cm
Ref.: 54676506
71
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Resin
$535 / item
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century Plateau Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Plateau mirrors was used on the dining or dressing table, in front of guest of honor, to put flowers or candles on.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
$380 Sale Price
30% Off
French 19th Century Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This elegant French Empire mahogany cheval floor mirror, early 1800’s, retains the original glass and features a rectilinear mahogany frame which can pivot to adjust the angle or ref...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Elegant Polladio of Italy Sculpted Iron Mirror with Wall Console Table
By Palladio
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1960s signed "Palladio" of Italy wall-mounted Carrara marble console table with mirror. Elegant piece sculpted of iron with gold gilded paint.
Fabulous foyer piece.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
$2,190 Sale Price / set
40% Off
19th Century Pair of Mahogany Mirrors, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of mahogany mirrors from Denmark, circa 1840-1860, with a carved and scrolled pediment and turned side columns.
This pair is solid and ready to hang securely.
There is expecte...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$1,850 / set
Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror. Rectangular hand carved wooden structure with gold foiled finished.
Category
1870s Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Large Antique French Giltwood Mirror, Empire Style Inspiration, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Large antique French mirror, Empire style inspiration, circa 1950. Large antique frame in carved natural wood, grooves and crosses decorati...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very impressive and good quality early 19th Century French Empire period cheval mirror. This stylish piece stands elegantly on its original guilded ram's feet. The mirror is suppor...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Pair Of Italian Neoclassical Painted And Giltwood Mirrors
Located in Essex, MA
Small mirrors nice to flank a painting or other artwork. Arched scrolled crest over a mirror plate surrounded by a white painted border.
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
French Empire Gilt Swan Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire gilt oval horizontal wall mirror with swan-shaped sides and urn top with floral decoration.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early Mid-Century Empire Style Black and Gild Greek Key Mirror
Located in Wichita, KS
Large and impressive mirror from mid-century with black paint and gilded Greek key. The mirror has a large and deep frame molding.
To view all of our listings at Tiffany Farha De...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
French Empire Gilt
Mother-of-Pearl Mirrors, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of French Empire Gilt Metal and Mother-of-Pearl Mirrors, late 19th century, each rectangular frame with bellflower borders and interlaced mother of pearl roundels, enclosing mir...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Metal
$950 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Small Empire Giltwood Trumeau Mirror with Painting
Located in Doylestown, PA
Unique 19th century Empire giltwood trumeau wall mirror with an original painted landscape on top, circa 1850. The tranquil scene in the manner of Hungarian landscape painter, Karoly...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Late Empire Antique Mirror Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from rich mahogany wood, dates back to the late Empire period around the 1840s. It is a stunning example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristi...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Mirror with Brass Elements
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century Empire Mirror With Brass Elements
A mirror in a wooden frame, dated to the first quarter of the 19th century. The wooden frame...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
$1,047 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C. Empire Mahogany Frame Mirror W. an Inset Print after J.B. Camille Carot
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Empire Style Mahogany Frame Trumeau Mirror with an Inset Print Signed after Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Mirror glass appears to be original. Original Hardwood backing.
Measur...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany
Late Empire Antique Mirror Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
This antique mirror, crafted from rich mahogany wood, dates back to the late Empire period around the 1840s. It is a stunning example of the elegance and craftsmanship characteristic...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Swedish Empire Gilt Wood Mirror, Early 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Giltwood Mirror, the deep triangular pediment with acanthine carving above a scrolling foliate and fruit urn frieze, the rectangular plate within a ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Pair of Large Empire Style Mirrors, by Maison Krieger
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and impressive pair of Empire style gilt-bronze and burr, Amboyna Mirrors, By Maison Krieger.
Each mirror is over 328 cm high (129 inches) and ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Mirror With Frame Made In Mahogany With Marquetry From 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
This pair of mahogany mirrors with marquetry from the 1890s is a splendid example of late 19th-century craftsmanship and design. Each mirror features a beautifully crafted mahogany f...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Pair of Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirrors
By C. Werné 1
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine pair of 19th century Swedish Empire mirrors signed by master mirror maker C. Werne´, circa 1820, Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
$10,000 / set
Fine Antique Gilt Framed Three Panel Mantle Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and large Gilt wood Mantle Mirror with Empire and Regency styling, designed with three divided rectangular mirror plates in a carved and gilt frame with a straight moulded ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire Mirror In Stuccoed And Gilded Wood, Early 19th Century
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Giltwood
Mirror Made In Mahogany, Marquetry From 1910s
Located in Lejre, DK
This small mirror, crafted from mahogany wood and featuring intricate intarsia, dates back to around the 1910s. It is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship and desi...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Second Empire Painted Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant, 19th-century, French Empire cheval mirror made in wood with hand carved giltwood mouldings and ormolu fittings. Fitted with neat drawer at the mirror.
Painted in a deep ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany and Ormolu Mounted Cheval Mirror
Located in Essex, MA
With an arched mirror set in a conforming frame and able to swing and adjust, flanked by a pair of columns with Corinthian capitals and urn finials, square plinth base. Casters.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Federal Flame Mahogany Reverse Painted Trumeau Wall Mirror 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Federal / Empire style flame mahogany trumeau / wall mirror - rectangular frame with carved pillars and stepped pediment holding a mirror and reverse painted coa...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Paint
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th Century French Empire Giltwood Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large French Empire carved and original water gilded Empire picture frame inset with a modern mirror, the corners of the deeply scooped sides set with palmettes.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
The mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the late Empire period, around the 1840s. The mirror is made from hig...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
Mirror With Sculpted Coper And Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant ebony and embossed copper pareclose mirror from the beginning of the 19th century
Very beautiful mirror which has a beautiful proportion decorated with embossed and fire-gil...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Copper
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A courtly, Empire mirror from France with its original mirror plate. The frame is made of beveled mahogany decorated with gilt bronze stars, a motif commonly found throughout the Emp...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
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
German Wooden Biedermeier/ Empire Trumeau Mirror with Brass a Appliques
Located in Hamburg, DE
The pillar mirror, also called trumeau is from the German Biedermeier period. The frame is made of mahogany and root wood veneer. On the frame above the mirror is a mythological scen...
Category
Early 18th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and architectural pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors. Each palatially scaled mirror with it's original mirror plates is raised on a s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Louis XVI Style Blue Grey Carved Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Discover the timeless beauty of our exquisite blue-grey Louis XVI style 19th-century mirror from France. This stunning piece features a hand-carved frame that showcases the intricate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Fine Antique French Gilded Mahogany Ormolu Napoleonic Empire Cheval Mirror 1815
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique French 1st Empire/Napoleonic period mahogany and ormolu monted cheval mirror, circa 1815.
The mirror with a stepped top and removeable wooden gilded gesso cornice...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mantel mirror (c. 1800) exhibits calculated restraint in the surface decoration, the gold gilt molding is largely plain and smooth, with feather and foliate carvin...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent early 19th-century French Empire trumeau mirror, elegantly patinated in a deep forest green and delicately accented with soft grey and gilded detailing. This exceptiona...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Pine, Giltwood
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.
More Ways To Browse
Luke Lightfoot
Saloon Mirror
Tin Ceiling Tiles
Vintage Fun House
Alhambra Mirror
Antique Chinese Jade Mirror
Antique Glass Witches Balls
Antique Witch Ball
Antique Witch Balls
Convex Mirror Dragon
Depose Mirror
Dressing Table With Sconces
Federal Mirror With Giltwood Eagle Ball And Chain
Karges Mirror
Large Convex Bronze Mirror
Small French Convex Mirrors
Swing Arm Mirror
Turner Eagle