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
19th Century Original Empire Style Large Console Mirror in Walnut Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 19th century Empire style console wall mirror in walnut . Column with marbled walnut wood with gold leaf on the end, three mirrors and top molded frame.
This important mirro...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded.
Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Period Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted trumeau with gilded bas relief figures on pale blue field. All paint appears to be original. The mirror is not original.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
$12,500
French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Psyche Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most detailed French 19th century Empire period ormolu mounted mahogany Psyche mirror. The mirror is raised by an impressive ormolu support below a thick mahogany b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Large Golden Oval Perfect Frame
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6480 - Large golden oval frame, perfect for a mirror or an important painting. For the mirror it's better to mount Yourself, due to transport problems from Italy. On request I can ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Fruitwood
$2,185 Sale Price
23% Off
Danish 18th Century Empire Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Elegant Empire mirror with hand-painted flowers and statue in the upper glass part.
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Wood
Empire Psyche Mirror in Mahogany, France, early 19th century
By P. Marcion
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Psyche mirror in solid and veneered mahogany with antique triangular pediment and feet carved in the shape of animal claws/paws (sphinx, lion).
The bronze parts are on the theme of n...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
$1,710 Sale Price
20% Off
Table Mirror With Frame Made In Walnut From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This small table mirror, crafted from walnut wood and dating back to around the 1880s, is a charming and elegant example of late 19th-century design...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Walnut
Neoclassical Empire Gilt Wood Rectangular Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This rectangular mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Empire style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been carefully hand carved, with an emphas...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
French Empire Gilded Wall Mirror c1840s H32"
Located in High Peak, GB
P0150 Fine XIXth century gilded wall mirror which can be positioned horizontally or vertically, having foxed glass in carved gilt frame decorated with intricate floral designs includ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century North Italy Neoclassical Walnut Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th Century North Italy Neoclassical Empire period Walnut and Giltwood Overmantel Mirror
A very rare and elegant North-Italian walnut veneered and giltwood overmantel mirror...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood, Walnut
An Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany and Giltwood mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately northern Italian early 19th century Empire st. patinated Mahogany and Giltwood mirror. This stunning Mahogany mirror is decorated with a Giltwood string of laurels at the b...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Empire Wall Mirror, Mahogany, Ebonized Carved Decor, South Germany, circa 1810
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful large Empire Wall Mirror, bright mahogany, carved black decor, South Germany, circa 1810.
The wood is mahogany veneer and solid wood, which has been bleached and stained fo...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
Large Psyche Mirror in Walnut and Bronze Empire Style, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
large psyche mirror in walnut and bronze Empire style, circa 1900.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
WOODEN WINDOW French 19th Century in Painted Wood.
Located in Madrid, ES
WOODEN WINDOW French 19th Century in painted wood.
Small defects.
Dim.: 175 x 90 cm.
good conditions
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Vintage Empire Style Gilt Wall Mirror w/ Beveled Glass Edges
Cobalt Blue Trim
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Empire Federal Style Gilt Wall Mirror with Beveled Glass Edges and Cobalt Blue Trim
This vintage Empire Federal style gilt wall mirror features intricate carvings and a stu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Mirror
Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror in Mahogany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This large Swedish Empire mirror features a mahogany frame, characterized by its clean, classic lines and a deep honey-toned hue. The design exudes timeless elegance and architectura...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process.
Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer
Unusual Empire Mahogany Chest with Dressing Mirror, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Unusual Empire Mahogany Chest with Dressing Mirror, dating from the first quarter of the 19th century and French in origin.
The piece ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Empire Style Giltwood Looking Glass
Located in Vista, CA
Empire-style giltwood looking glass, the frame with projecting floral block-carved corners surrounding a carved frieze panel depicting griffins flanking an urn issuing a putti figure...
Category
20th Century European Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Neoclassical Empire Gilt Wood Rectangular Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This rectangular mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Empire style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been carefully hand carved, emphasizing sy...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Antique French Empire Style Gold Bronze Mounted Mahogany Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire style gold bronze mounted carved mahogany mirror.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This French Empire style mirror, features elegant Ionic ebonized columns and a honey-toned burled wood frame. Its design embodies a restrained architectural elegance with a proto...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Neoclassical Empire Rectangular Gold Hand Carved Wooden Mirror, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Empire style handcrafted mirror, featuring a rectangular hand-carved wooden frame with a gold foil finish. Fully handcrafted, the piece highlights the detailed carving a...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mounted Mahogany Cheval Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Empire gilt and patinated bronze mounted mahogany cheval mirror or 'Psyché'.
French, circa 1820.
This fine Empire style mahogany cheval mirror or 'Psyché' is of e...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Unique Empire Wall Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany with gilded bronze fittings. Solid softwood, Cuba mahogany veneer. Original glass, finely chased bronze fittings.
(M-32).
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Bronze Empire Period Adjustable Pedestal Mirror, circa 1820
Located in Central England, GB
A superb French bronze empire period mirror, circa 1820.
This fine quality superbly detailed French bronze empire period adjustable pedestal mirror is intended for use on a dressing table or chest of drawers. It dates to circa 1820 and has a circular adjustable mirror in an ornate bronze frame with panelled mahogany back. This is supported in the raised arms of an elegant Grecian lady...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Gilt Wood Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This round mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Empire style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been carefully hand carved, emphasizing symmetry...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Gilt Wood Mirror, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
This round mirror was handcrafted in Spain in 1970 in the Neoclassical Empire style. The piece features a solid wooden frame that has been hand carved, with careful attention to symm...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Gold Leaf
Impressive Royal Early 19th Century German Empire Mirror
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare early 19th century German Empire giltwood trumeau mirror. The large rectangular plate surmounted by a scrolled pediment enriched with wines leaves and a central medallion encl...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Giltwood
Neoclassical Empire Oval Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Oval hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Mirrors
Materials
Wood
Italian Early 19th Century Neo-Classical Empire St. Giltwood Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and large scale Italian early 19th century neo-classical Empire st. giltwood mirror. The mirror plate is framed within a lovely foliate band surrounded by a mottled bor...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The original mirror plate is flanked by two most impressive architectural columns with rounded feet, elegan...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Empire St. Cherrywood and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scaled Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood and ormolu mirror. The rectangular mirror is flanked by two circular columns with bottom block feet decorated b...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Ormolu
Genovese Mirror With Walnut Inlays
Small Parts in Brass
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Genoese walnut mirror with brass inlays and hardware. Excellent construction, on the back it still bears eighteenth century butterfly nailing confirming the Direttorio style...
Category
1890s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Brass
$1,009 Sale Price
43% Off
1820s Italian Inlaid Accent Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small wooden accent mirror from Italy in the Empire style, featuring exceptionally refined painted trompe-l'oeil and inlay decoration, architectural schema, and delicate ebonized acc...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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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