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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Style: Empire
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Antique 18th Century French Tapestry Aubusson Pillow 18
X 18
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th century French tapestry aubusson pillow. 18'' x 18''
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Pillow 20'' X 14'', handmade french piece in great condition
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1700 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1700 Antique Brussels Baroque Tapestry Pillow
Category
Early 1700s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Circa 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1640s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 20'' X 14'', Needlework and Handmade, Brussels.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
18th Century Porcelain Snuff Tobacco Box with Ormulu Gilt Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-18th Century porcelain snuff tobacco box with Ormulu gilt embossed relief and with empire classical motives. The inside of the lid is decorated with colorful flowers.
Wonderful a...
Category
Mid-18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$1,760 Sale Price
44% Off
Ottoman Silver-Inlaid "Jambiya" Dagger with Sheath
Located in Middleburg, VA
An elegant 19th-century Ottoman Jambiya, richly decorated with intricate silver inlay and highlighted with the deep black sheen of traditional niello work. Both the sheath and the fo...
Category
Mid-17th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver, Metal
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian Genovese Empire Chandelier 1780 in Gilded Wood and Crystal Twelve Lights
Located in Milano, MI
Extraordinary Genovese Chandelier circa 1780 with Twelve Lights with transparent and blue crystals. Large Empire chandelier in Sculpted and Gilded Wood from the late 18th century, li...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Pair French Miniature Portraits Of Commander Jean-baptiste Raymond De Lacrosse
Located in Bilzen, BE
A Pair of Napoleonic Portrait Miniatures Commander of Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse
Jean-Baptiste Raymond de Lacrosse (1760-1829)
Career
Joined the French Navy in the 1780sPartic...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century French Oil Painting Portrait of a Woman and Child Holding a Torch
Located in Queens, NY
French (18th-19th century) large oil painting portrait of a woman holding flowers and a child bearing a torch in an ornate carved rectangular gilt...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
Russian (18th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase with brass gallery pediment and trim with 2 front doors revealing 3 drawers and shelves ...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Pair of 1st Empire Benches from Parma, 18th Century Italian Settees
Located in New Orleans, LA
A rare and important pair of 18th-century neoclassical -1st Empire benches from Parma, retaining their original gilded and polychrome finish. Each with finely carved lion-head arm te...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
18th Century French Giltwood Framed Oil Painting Portrait of a Woman
Located in Queens, NY
French (18th century) oil painting portrait of a woman holding grapes sitting next to a dog in a rectangular carved giltwood frame.
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
18th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular mirror inscribed in a Pinewwood frame, gilded, the pediment formed by an openwork flower basket spilling sinuous gar...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Pine
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1700 Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 21'' X 19'', Handmade and Needlework, Extremely Fine and Unique
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Pair French Retour D
egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare Pair French Retour D'egypt Terracotta Lions Sculptures Statues Los Angeles , Exceptional fine pair of Large French Retour D'egypt period terra...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
$112,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique French Aubusson Pillow 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 18th century Large French Empire Ceramic Glazed Vase
Located in Doha, QA
This is an absolutely magnificent one of a kind French Empire hand crafted Vase with dragons and angles. It’s a perfect example of the Parisian craftsmanship of the French empire per...
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$3,360 Sale Price
36% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25
x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% 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 Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790. Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbed...
Category
1790s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Pine
$7,500 Sale Price
40% Off
Late 18th Century Golden Painted Eagle Statue
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 18th century gold painted papier mache eagle with wings spread and on a rectangular wooden base. Originally from Birr Castle, Ireland.An impressive late 18th century gold pain...
Category
Late 18th Century Irish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
18th Century Fruitwood Continental Style Sideboard / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Crafted in the mid-18th century in the United States, this fruitwood continental style sideboard/cabinet exemplifies exceptional American craftsmanship. The cabinet features exterior...
Category
1760s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very funny little snuff box with a text about Etimologie; the true learning or real learning, on the lids outside and a hidden erotic motive on the inside of the lid.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Pair Russian Dog Head Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, Marble 3 Arm Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Pair of 18th-Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, and Marble Three-Arm Candelabra with Dog’s Heads. Each candelabrum is set on a circular white marble base ...
Category
1790s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 28" X 13", Circa 1850s
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large Solid Mahogany Boat Bed from the Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Large boat bed in solid mahogany flamed, mahogany veneer, with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes, Empire period. Four baluster uprights, dec...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Settee Made in France, Circa 1780
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Settee has a mahogany frame with tapered hand front legs with hand-carved decorative flowers on each leg and the seat back. The cushion is upholstered in a modern striped fabric.
Category
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Set of Six Bird Coffee Cup Trios
Located in New York, NY
Set of six bird coffee cup trios. Strikingly modern looking antique set of six FB&B Worcester trios of six teacups and six coffee can with six saucers ...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$3,850 / set
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow 23'' x 23'', Empire and Traditional.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
18th Century Russian Empire Desk
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century Russian Empire freestanding brass striped mahogany writing table / desk with an black leather insert top above three drawers. Russia, circa 1790 - 1810.
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
18th Century Bleached Mahogany French Empire Commode with Black Marble Top
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in France in the early 1800s using oak and decorated with mahogany veneer. The chest of drawers has been bleached and shows gorgeous striations of g...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Side Table From Brede Main Building, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This amazing table comes from Brede main building outside Copenhagen, Denmark.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,088 Sale Price
60% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,760 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Category
17th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Small Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany with Marble Columns, Sweden, c. 1790
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A beautiful Empire commode in Cuban mahogany with marble columns flanking two drawers and resting on tapered square feet. Brass key plates and pulls were added in the late 1800s. Fre...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Brussels 16th Century - 19" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 18th Century French Tapestry Pillow - 23
X 10
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th century French tapestry pillow. 23'' x 10'' x 6''.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Tapestry Pillow 28" X 13" - Circa 1850s
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Russian Crystal, Cobalt Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier Attributed to Zekh
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare and important Russian late 18th Century twelve candle crystal chandelier attributed to the renowned firm of Johann Zekh. Crafted in Sa...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 18" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 19" X 12", handmade piece , from mid-16th century
Category
16th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Continental Marble and Gilt Eagle Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Empire late 18th Century / early 19th Century console table with a variegated marble slab and gilt caved acanthus leaves wooden top supported on a gilt carved base depicting ...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 17" X 13"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 30" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 22" X 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 18th Century Walnut Empire Chest of Drawers, South Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant walnut chest of drawers from southern Germany dates from around 1790 and belongs to the late 18th century, showing the clear transition from the Louis XVI to the early E...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$8,354 Sale Price
20% Off
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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