Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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
Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$1,871 Sale Price
25% Off
French Empire Revival Green Leather Top Bronze Griffin Mahogany Desk
Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Revival Style Green Leather Top Mahogany Bureau Plat Executive Writing Desk & Chair with Bronze Griffin Ormolu by Global N.Y. Listing includes a very impressive...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Wood
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Empire mahogany desk chair or fauteuil de bureau.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
$7,200 Sale Price
28% Off
The Last King
s Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare and important carved mahogany Empire Period armchair attributed to Jacob Desmalter, France circa 1800, of neoclassical form inspired by the design of Percier et Fontaine, architects to the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the armrests beautifully carved with leopards heads and torso, the front legs ending in carved paw feet. Attributed to Jacob Desmalter. France, circa 1800.
Provenance: The front under railing stencilled “Raincy” period paper labels hand written: Mrs Duque Orlean, Grand Salon, Palais Royal. This chair was part of a large salon suite (this one is number belonging to King Louis Philippe - Duke of Orléans - the last king of France.
An almost identical model was known to be part of the collection of Molly de Balkany who had an important collection of Empire furniture. Sister of Robert De Balkany...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
$24,500
19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 19th century Danish revolving desk armchair in mahogany with marquetry and brass casters, from the Empire period. Ca 1850, Denmark.
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
19th C. French Empire Mahogany Desk Armchair with Scroll Arms and Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant 19th-century French Empire desk chair, carved circa 1870, features a sculptural mahogany frame with a rich, warm patina and classic neoclassical lines. The barrel-form b...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
An Empire Style Mahogany Desk Chair, By Kahn, Paris
By Kahn
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Desk Chair, By Kahn, Paris.
Incised ‘L. KAHN’ to the back of the mounts.
The bow-shaped top rail applied with a gilt-bronze anthemion m...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Mahogany Fauteuil de Bureau, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The early 19th century desk chair with ram's head arms and turned legs, is attributable to Jacob Desmalter and dates to circa 1805.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Period Mahogany Desk Chair, Circa 1810-1820.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
French Empire Black Leather Swivel Chair
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ormolu mounted mahogany open swivel base arm chair with black leather seat and back.
Antique condition.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Mahogany Desk Armchair with Bronze Mounts
Leather
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man’s office or study with this elegant Empire armchair. Hand-carved in France circa 1890 and built of solid mahogany, the desk chair stands on tapered legs ending with gi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Russian Empire Period Desk Chair
Located in Pembroke, MA
Lovely burled birch wood ("loupe de bouleau de Carélie") desk chair from the Russian Empire, and recently reupholstered in French damask fabric wi...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Damask, Upholstery, Burl, Birch
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Jeanneret Easy Chair
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Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Black Leather Desk Chair with Carved Frame and Nailhead Trim
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This richly detailed desk chair features a sculptural silhouette and handsome materials, blending comfort with classic decorative appeal. The frame is crafted in a dark-stained hardw...
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pair of chairs by J. RISOM
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located in france
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20th Century Danish Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Polished Leather Executive Button Back Chesterfield Revolving Desk Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Polished Executive Burgundy Button Back Chesterfield Revolving Desk Chair Leather Upholstery With Tilt Action
Adjustable Seat Height
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Late 20th Century American Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Brass
$2,064
H 40.16 in W 28.35 in D 28.35 in
Quality Antique 19th Century Regency Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique regency mahogany desk chair having a quality shaped figured mahogany back with a rope twist turned centre rail, lovely s...
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19th Century English Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Classic Hans Wegner Round Chair
Located in New York, NY
Sleek, sophisticated and architectural, wraparound armchair in solid rosewood, designed by Hans Wegner made by Johannes Hansen The chair has a solid rosewood frame, drop in upholstered seat, and wrapped cane backrest. The frame looks like it has a later, but not new, clear lacquered overcoat, the fabric seat shows cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age.
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Mid-20th Century Danish Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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19th Century Victorian Oak Bankers Desk Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Victorian patinated Oak bankers desk Chair on wheels.
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Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Antique European Leather Armchair with Brass Nailhead Detail, 48" Tall
Located in Malibu, CA
A gentleman's occasional European leather armchair with leather seat
back adorned with oversized antique brass studs/nailheads.Perfect for th...
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Early 20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
$4,546 Sale Price
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H 48 in W 30 in D 26 in
Montgomery Modern Oak and Leather Arm Chair / Office Chair by Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Montgomery arm chair by Crump and Kwash
Hand shaped white oak frame / commercial finish / handwoven hickory brown leather seat and back / nylon glides
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2010s American Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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$1,950 / item
H 34 in W 22 in D 21 in
Previously Available Items
French Empire Antique Desk Chair
Located in Austin, TX
Armchair from France in the Empire style made of solid wood construction, primarily walnut. The wood frame has been finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. Hand car...
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1880s French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Empire style cabinet set, France, circa 1820.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Empire style study set, France, ca. 1820.
Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: mahogany
The set includes:
-bookcase height 203 cm width 197 cm d...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Baker Furniture Empire Style Scroll Arm Accent Desk Dining Chair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A
Lovely Baker Furniture Empire Style Solid Wood Accent Dining Chai...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Cotton, Wood
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Armchair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
The mahogany frame of this Empire chair has gained a fine patina and is embellished with fantastic ormolu throughout the design. A combination of rosette and palm motifs soften the s...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
French 19th Century Upholstered Vanity Chair
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
We love this charming vanity chair from France, hand built during the 1800s. The carved mahogany frame has gained a fine patia over the decades and continues to be sturdy and level. ...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Textile, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Cherry Wood Desk Barrel Armchair with Gilt Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1870 and built of cherry, the armchair stands on tapered front legs ending with paw sabot feet, over a bombe apron decorated with a brass laurel leaf motif mount. The rounded rail back over shaped slat, is embellished with gilt metal mounts, ending scrolled armrests decorated with elegant gilt bronze Egyptian female figure supports. The seat is dressed with black vinyl leather like upholstery, and embellished with decorative brass nail head trim. The comfortable barrel desk chair...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
H 27.5 in W 23.5 in D 18.75 in
Antique Empire Tub Arm Desk Chair 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful antique French mahogany Empire "fauteuil du bureau", desk chair, Circa 1850 in date.
It has a curved back and an upholstered leather seat. The mahogany is bea...
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1850s French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Solid Birch Russian Style Dual Eagle Back Barrel Shaped Armchair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic solid birch style dual eagle barrel chair. The chair can be used for an office desk or as an accent chair or even in a bedroom for a vanity. The chair dates to th...
Category
Early 2000s European Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Birch
Swivel Desk Chair, Northern Europe, 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Empire-style swivel desk chair with brass slats and fluted gold patinated legs and armrests and high rounded back, veneered in mahogany.
Category
Late 19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Mahogany, Bronze and Leather Desk Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or study with this elegant antique armchair. Hand carved in France circa 1890 and built of mahogany, the armchair stands on tapered legs decorated with gilt b...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Bronze
Russian or Baltic Empire Desk or Corner Chairs With Stenciled Leather Seats
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Russian or Baltic Empire desk chairs or corner chairs with curved backs in partly ebonized wood with metal inlay elements, the upholstered seat raised on square legs tapering to turned legs at the front, with ebonized sabots. Upholstered in old stenciled leather...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
H 30 in W 25.5 in D 24 in
Italian Empire Period Mahogany Leather Upholstered Desk Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having an open concave back with shaped undercurled handles, the maroon leather upholstered fitted seat resting on turned and tapering front legs and splayed rear legs, first quarter...
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1810s Italian Antique Empire Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
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Mahogany
Empire office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage office chairs and desk chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire office chairs and desk chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 office chairs and desk chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,057 and tops out at $24,500 while the average work can sell for $3,650.
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