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Empire Furniture

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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Item Ships From: Florida
Style: Empire
19th Century French Retour d Egpyte Antique Veneered Mahogany Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Retour d'Egpyte freestanding console table made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The rectangular table is composed with one small drawer, consisting a grey Belgian marble top, standing on four legs, resting on a thick wooden base. The front part of side table is particularized by star-shaped brass décor, the front legs are enhanced by black carved large caryatids. The décor piece represents the First French Empire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendule
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Cabinet Two Door, One Drawer Circa 1830
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Antique 19th Century Empire Style Walnut Cabinet Two Door, One Drawer Circa 1830 Used, Good condition, View all photos for the most accurate details on condition and appearance. Di...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 8 Kindel Empire...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Wood

Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
$2,956 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1830s French Empire Walnut Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire walnut chest with four drawers and gilded edges Beautiful wooden root.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Russian Antique Veneered Mahogany Secretary by Heinrich Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed and produced by Heinrich G...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Wood Nightstands, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful pair of 1930s empire style mahogany nightstands. They are shaped like a half moon and two legs give elegance and typical style of their time. They also have a central dra...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire Period commode from Normandy made of solid cherry wood. Three dovetailed drawers with brass knobs and one hidden top drawer. Large brass mounted turned c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Console with Carrara Marble Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Empire console table having a rectangular Carrara marble top, on mahogany table base with single frieze drawer, raised on square-section, tapering legs capped and...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

First French Empire Style Chandelier, Six Lights
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and heavy first French Empire style chandelier in Bronze made in France in the 1940. Takes six lights 60 watts max per bulb. Original patin...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Black French Empire Ebonized Wood Center Table - Antique Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French Empire sofa table made of hand crafted ebonized wood, in good condition. The round Parisian side table is composed with a shellac polished clear glass top to protect the surface, supported by a detailed carved gold-patinated octagonal column...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Ebony

Empire Style Silver Crystal Swing-Handle Basket /Sphinx Decoration, C. 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Empire Style Silver & Crystal Swing-Handle Basket with Sphinx Decoration, Continental, circa 1820–1850 Measurements: 7" high x 6" wide x 4.75" deep Interior Measurements of Crystal ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Austrian Empire Console Table with back mirror and Swan Pedestals
Located in Miami, FL
Austrian console table from the Karl Johan Period in walnut and ebonized wood. Drawer in frieze. The table is decorated with Swans that are painted in a gold color to imitate oxidize...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair 19th Century French Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candelabra Lamps. Pair of elegant antique French Empire bronze four light candelabras converted to table lamps. The outstandi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Three Light Table Lamp. Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three dolphin decorated scrolled arms. A finely chiselled stem...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Black French Empire Polished Ebony Secretary, Antique Birch Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Ebony, in good condition. The b...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, Desmalter / Thomire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, circa 1800–1820 School or Workshop Jacob-Desmalter/Thomire A finely cast French Empire bronze mount depicting Napoleon’s ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Pair of Bronze Egyptian Candle Holders - Marble Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of Egyptian women figure candle holders made of hand crafted marble and patinated bronze, in good condition. The candle sticks are resting on an urn-shaped base. The particularized Parisian décor...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Polished Ebony Nightstand - Single Antique Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Empire nightstand, bed side table made of hand crafted shellac polished Ebony, in good condition. The si...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Sage Green French Empire Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style table lamp in sage green. A round central column is topped with an acanthus pressed brass capital beneath a matching sage green lampshade. The column sits above...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French 19th century Empire Period Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most decorative French 19th century Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805. This wonderful eight light oval shaped chandelier is centered...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Hexagonal Center Table with Marquetry Inlay Surface
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century hexagonal shaped center table with Marquetry surface. Marquetry inlay features a knight on horseback with spear, fighting off a medieval animal. Table sits on a turned s...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Pair of Bronze Girandoles Attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeld
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold-black, antique French pair of girandoles made of hand crafted gilded bronze attributed to Friedrich Bergenfeldt, in good condition. Eac...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

French Empire Style Tall Dresser in Painted Gray Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Empire style bedroom tall chest with gilt metal ring handles painted white. We have a matching double dresser in our listing. Made for John Stuart.
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th - 19th Century French Pair of Antique Empire Gilded Bronze Candle Holders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French pair of candle holders made of hand crafted matted and polished burnt gilded bronze, in good condition. Each of the detailed sticks is composed with a face mascarons, a crowned man and woman, carrying a mug with flowers, loose cuffs supported by a round plinth, standing on square base. The Parisian décor...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Walnut Upholstered Settee
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely tailored walnut Empire settee. The top rail is flanked by two graceful sloping arms, joining two brass classical female heads crowing two front straight tapering le...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare French Blue Opaline Glass Lamp Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of rare French Opaline Glass lamps. Each lam features an elegant urn shaped silhouette with a smooth, high gloss finish that beautifully reflects light. The bases and...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

French Empire Style Bronze Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large bronze French Empire style lantern.
Category

20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Period patinated Wood and Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most decorative pair of French early 19th century Empire Period patinated Wood and Giltwood armchairs. Each wonderful armchair are raised by two front circular tapered...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. Bronze and Ormolu lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most impressive French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble lamp. The stunning candelabra mounted into a l...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Flame Mahogany Cabinet
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately French Empire flame mahogany cabinet. The top has a straight edge above a frieze with a pyramidal architectural feature. The c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19thc French Empire Gold Bordered Crystal Candle Holder /Candlestick by Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Antique Cut Crystal/ Gold Bordered Deluxe Candle Holder. This piece is stunning! The detail is amazing.
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Empire Recamier Mahogany Painted Daybed 18Th. C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Recamier Mahogany Painted Daybed, late 18Th C. This Recamier can float in a room as the back is also upholstered or be against the wall. This fabulous large dayb...
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19thc Antique French Empire style Bronze Cut Crystal Cascading Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
19thc French Empire style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier. Cascading crystal form. Bronze frame. Purchased in France.
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble consoles. Each freestanding one drawer two tiered console is raise...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

1940s Carved Gilt Wood Swan Barrel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, carved wood swan club chairs on castors set you could hope to find. In the style of George S...
Category

1940s English Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century French Gilt Bronze And Marble Gueridon Table. This striking table features bronze decorative trim as well as gilt bronze legs decorated with eagles ring handles an...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, 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 Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock. The foliate and fruit engraved gilt-brass dial with enamel painted roman numerals. Inside with eight day movement w...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel

19th Century French Empire Antique Mahogany, Marble Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique French single chest of drawers made of hand crafted shellac polished Mahogany, veneered on Oakwood in good condition. The rectangular cupboard is composed with a grey-white marble top, the inside is consisting one shelf, enhanced by its original brass hardware and keys, standing on two wooden feet and two lion feet. The detailed carved cupboard represents the First French Empire time...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Category

1920s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and most decorative French early 19th century Empire period Mahogany and Ormolu chaise, Circa 1805. This exquisite chaise is raised by six elegant Mahogany legs with Ormo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

12 Limoges Raised Gilt Enameled Napoleonic Plates, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
12 Limoges raised gilt enameled Napoleonic plates, circa 1900, each one decorated with gilt laurel surround, filled with golden bees, the center with Napoleonic crest of laurel wreath and monogrammed 'N'. The porcelain is made by Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Gold French Empire Gilded Bronze Table Clock, Antique Pendulum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, antique French table clock, pendulum made of hand crafted fire-gilded bronze, in good condition. The circular enamel dial of the Pa...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19thc British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Lantern style Pendant/ Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1890 British Empire Bronze with Cut Crystal Bag and Tent style Chandelier/ Pendant Ceiling Fixture. I purchased this fixture along with some other beautiful British fixtures from a ...
Category

1890s English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most decorative French 19th century Empire St. mahogany and ormolu center table. The circular table is raised by fine bun feet below elegant scrolled legs with hand...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Bronze Twin Size Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 19th Century Empire mahogany twin size daybed with applied bronze decorations. Structurally sound with repair done on legs, see photos. Nice finish, bolt together construction...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Painted Commode With Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Empire Painted Commode with Marble Top. Commode features the elegance of fine woodwork with the luxurious touch of a marble top. Commode contains five drawers, on...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

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 Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

19th Century Baltic Mahogany Long Bench - Antique Empire Silk Sofa, Canapé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique Baltic long bench with two pillows made of hand carved Mahogany, in good condition. The three seater sofa, settee is stand...
Category

Mid-19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany

Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.

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