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
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Candlesticks in Gilt Bronze, France c. 1820s
A refined pair of French candlesticks from the 1820s, crafted in gilt bronze and richly decorated in the classic ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage 1965 Jean Ferrat Barclay Vinyl Record - 33 RPM - French Chanson - 2Y145
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover a classic piece of French chanson with this vintage 1965 Jean Ferrat vinyl record by Barclay, spinning at 33 RPM. This record captures the timeless voice of Jean Ferrat, a c...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
$147 Sale Price
60% Off
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Cobalt Blue Accents Chandelier, C 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 5 lights in beaded cups. This elegant chandelier is completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare cobalt blue crystal prisms and cobalt blue beads...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French 19th Century Empire St. Three Piece Porcelain from Limoges, France
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome 19th century French Empire st. three piece Limoges porcelain set, from Limoges, France. The three pieces, one bowl and two vases, are hand painted with wonderful scen...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Style Pedestal Desk in Mahogany with Gilt Bronze Mounts, France ca. 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century French Empire mahogany pedestal desk with gilt bronze mounts, black leather top, two (2) slides, and eight (8) drawers.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage Corgi Daily Planet Miniature Helicopter - 1:43 Scale - 2Y220
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a piece of nostalgia to your collection with this vintage Corgi Daily Planet miniature helicopter. Crafted with attention to detail, this 1:43 scale non-military helicopter is a ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$132 Sale Price
60% Off
19th Century French Empire Vitrine Cabinet Ca. 1820-1840 for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A vitrine cabinet with an arched quadruple pediment above a single glazed door with one long drawer centered by bronze and ebonized mounted 3/4 classical figural columns. The whole i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Located in Cesena, FC
Gaming table from 1810 with exquisite inlays - Italy
Exquisite inlays and edges, with brass decorations on legs and borders.
An object of the highest quality.
Inside compartments a...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy in the early 1900s using walnut. The chest has typical empire lines, with an overhanging top drawer and column...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Candelabra Pair
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of 19th century French Empire five-light cast brass candelabra, each with black marble base inlaid with Lapis Lazuli. Fine casting with urn shaped form, scrolled arms with flo...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Grey/Black Marble Bilboquet with Gilded Bees, Empire Classic Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This elegant bilboquet in grey and black marble is inspired by classical designs from the previous century. It is finely adorned with small gilded bee motifs, popular during the Empi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Late 19th Century French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of late 19th century French Empire gilt bronze small sconces. Unusual design with woman holding balls
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,400 / set
Stunning Empire 19th Century Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Scandinavian brass and cut-glass crystal chandelier from the end of the 19th century. It is wired and in excellent condition. Chain not included but if requested we will add chain ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Black French Pair of Large Marble, Gilded Bronze Table Lights
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, vintage French pair of large table lamps made of hand crafted marble with a new round shade, in good condition. They are composed with its original switch, particularized by...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Bronze
Antique Vintage Lamp Base in Alabaster and Brass with Lampshade - 2Y231
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Good
Comments: The lamp is in working condition, though the electrical wiring does not meet modern standards. The alabaster and brass lamp base is in good condition, with ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
$332 Sale Price
65% Off
Pair of Italian Carved and Gilded Frames Rome 18th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Pair Roman Gilded Frames 1700, rare pair of antique carved and gilded wooden frames, Rome 18th century. Rectangular in shape, with three orders of carving, this pendant of ancient Ro...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Charming Reproduction of a Painting by Maurice Vlaminck - Fauvism - 2Y83
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming reproduction captures the vibrant and expressive style of Maurice Vlaminck, a prominent figure in the Fauvism movement. The piece depicts a stranded boat in bold colors...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
$480 Sale Price
55% Off
Ice Bucket with Lion Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A copper and brass ice bucket with lion head design, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century. This copper ice bucket with lid has brass lion head and loop design on sides (or fro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
19th Century Authentic Samarkand Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Samarkand Rugs: The desert oasis of Khotan was an important stop on the Silk Road. The people of Khotan were expert carpet weavers who produced high quality antique rugs and ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Empire Sofa Berlin Brandenburg Mahogany Carved Gilded Lions
Located in Epfach, DE
Provenance: noble Family "von Puttkamer" from Berlin Brandenburg; on the back original marked with pencil "Henriette von Puttkamer" and a transport sticker, made of paper, from the railway "Waren (Müritz)" (Henriette v. P. lived from 1799 until 1878)
This piece of furniture from the time of the German Empire has a tasteful lightness that is underlined by the extraordinary design. Both ends of the backrest are crowned by a reclining, hand-carved and gilded lion...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance
Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$4,223 Sale Price / item
20% Off
19th Century Jewelry Box in Leather with Diamond Pattern
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Rectangular Leather Jewelry Box on small brass balls with diamond pattern.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$360 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mahogany Pedestal
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted Mahogany Pedestal, early 20th century, the circular top on a tapering column on a quadripartite plinth and ball feet.
35.5" H x 15.25" D...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Oil Painting by Y. Maffei - Small Town by a Riverside Scene - 2Y90
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This beautiful oil painting by Y. Maffei captures a serene scene of a small town nestled by a tranquil river. The artwork is executed on canvas and showcases Maffei's skillful use of...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
$220 Sale Price
65% Off
French Empire Mahogany Mantel Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An architectural, Empire-style mantel mirror from France with some light foxing throughout the original mercury mirror plate. The carved mahogany has gained a fine patina, composed o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
1920
s Persian Sarouk Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79018 Antique Red Persian Sarouk Rug, 04'02 x 06'06. This hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug is a testament to the opulent artistry and enduring legacy of Persian weaving....
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$3,640 Sale Price
20% Off
Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Northern European Empire games table. Flamed mahogany top opens to reveal felt lined game surface. Brass mounts embellish a neoclassic sensibility.
Category
1840s Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Superb Quality Bronze Ebonized French Empire Ormulu Mounted Figural Clock
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Empire figural mantel clock represents the pinnacle of 19th-century artistry and craftsmanship. Featuring a be...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,680 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Paris Porcelain Wash Jug and Bowls
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An elegant, three-piece set of old Paris porcelain in the style of Lebon-Halley with a pitcher, bowl, and deep plate in creamy porcelain accented by luxurious gold trim. The undersid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Antique Silver and Crystal Serving Bowl - Empire Style
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique silver serving dish, with crystal liner.
Very nice design, in classic Empire style.
Estimated origin and age: Germany, circa 1900.
The bowl is in good condition. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Nast Manufacture - Empire Paris porcelain dish enhanced with gold - Circa 1805
By Nast
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Empire 8-sided serving dish, Paris porcelain signed Nast underneath (Nast Manufacture, Parisian porcelain manufacture active between 1784 and 1830). Beautiful yet sober model ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Indian Agra Rug - 11
4
X 9
0
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Style Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Ultra elegant classical Empire style dark green tôle with oil reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over incurved base. Once an oil lamp later converte...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,600
19th Century French Empire Ormolu Bronze and White Marble Portico Clock
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique (19th century) French portico form mantel clock in white marble with finely cast ormolu bronze mounts, distinguished by its large size and Cupid with bow among clou...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Framed Print "The Naval Review Spithead" by John Wilson (1800-1868) - 2Y199
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your space with this beautifully framed reproduction print titled "The Naval Review Spithead" by John Wilson. Capturing a historic naval scene, th...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$270 Sale Price
70% Off
Pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra, sleek and sophisticated in design, each one fitted with three lights, fire gilt details, raised on an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$3,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 2 Swedish Brass Chamber Candle Holders with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on these candleholders from the early 1800's. We see these chamber candlesticks on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these s...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
19th Century French Signed Hingre Bronze Sparrow on Gold Marble Base
Located in Pearland, TX
19th century antique bird paperweight/hunting trophy in chased and patinated bronze on a gold marble base. Signed HINGRE (Louis Théophile Hingre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Cabinet Buffet Server Mahogany 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous French Empire cabinet we date to 1880
Lovely patina to the flame mahogany
Green marble top is smooth and chip free
Good size to this piece
Ormolu fixtures ...
Category
1880s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble - 19th cent.
Located in Fidenza, IT
Pair of decorative small shelves made of bronze and Green Alps marble from the first half of the 19th century. The corbels feature the face of a female figure, probably a goddess or ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Small Late 19th Century Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror, circa 1860-1900. This small rectangular veneered mirror can either stand on a table or hang on a wall.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Danish Empire Style Chest of Drawers Solid Pine with Cream Colored Paint 1930s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish empire style corrugated three drawer chest on high legs made of solid pine wood. Handmade by Danish master carpenter in the 1930s.
The chest is decorated with cream colored p...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Bronze Chandelier with 3 Lights Topped with Eagles Heads
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and decorative Empire style chandelier is made of bronze with 3 lights topped with eagles heads. This is a French work, finely chiseled. Circa 1900
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Canon Prima Zoom 76 Camera with 38-76mm 1:3.8-7.2 Lens - 2Y212
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the charm of film photography with this vintage Canon Prima Zoom 76 camera, featuring a versatile 38-76mm 1:3.8-7.2 lens. This classic point-and-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$138 Sale Price
55% Off
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp
Amazing old bronze patina
The lamp has been re-wired.
Shade included
The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade
Free UK shipping
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Spelter
19th Century Pewter Plate with Handle – "Les étains de la tour" - 2Y225
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Pre-owned
Comments: Good condition for its age. Shows signs of use with scratches throughout and some oxidation. Needs polishing. Please refer to the photos for more detai...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
$272 Sale Price
55% Off
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 16
2
X 12
0
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Warren Kessler French Empire Bronze Candlestick Small Table Lamps a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Warren Kessler French Empire Style Bronze Candlestick Black Column Bouillotte Small Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 17" H (to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
The Gilded Ruby Garden: A Persian Sarouk Masterpiece of Eternal Bloom
Located in Dallas, TX
79263 Antique Persian Mohajeran Sarouk Rug, 08'10 x 10'07. Radiating an aura of timeless prestige, this hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug embodies the artistic height of e...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$7,728 Sale Price
20% Off
1930’s French Empire Style Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930’s French empire style sconces with swan atop and on arms
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Desk, Antique Bonheur du Jour, Gamichon a Paris
By Jean-Baptiste Gamichon
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to circa 1810.
A piece for the connoisseur, rare and sought after,...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Large and elegant Table Lamp in Empire style - Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Large, beautiful table lamp of gilded and dark patinated bronze, in classic Empire style from the early 20th century. The lamp with a black lacquer shade with gold on the inside give...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Gilt Bronze Pedestal Plant Stand Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
A substantial French gold gilt bronze pedestal column plant stand, in the Empire design style, circa 20th century, France. Round top is a copper gilt bronze, pillar and tripod hoof b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large 19th century French empire bronze ormolu table lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Tall 19th century french empire bronze ormolu lamp, circa 1860.
Here we have a lamp of the finest quality, previously would have been a gas lamp but converted to electricity in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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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