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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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Style: Empire
Empire Portal Clock, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Portal clock on a rectangular, stepped base in mahogany veneered with small bun feet. The stepped architrave is supported by four smooth columns, the capi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Ormolu Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Antique (early 19th century) French ormolu bronze mantel clock in the Empire style depicting neoclassical maiden with child.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Basket Chandelier Crystal Empire Brass Sac a Pearl Lustre Ceiling Antique
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing two exquisite basket chandeliers, available as a pair! Both have been lovingly and professionally restored in Berlin, with electrical wiring compatible with the US. They ...
Category

1840s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

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

French Empire Armchair with Red Floral Striped Damask Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
French Restoration mahogany armchair having a rectangular headrest topped by a tapering gadrooned crest, upturned scroll arms with acanthus embellishments, upholstered back and seat ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Upholstery

Kindel Furniture Empire Carved Mahogany Console Table With Mirrored Back
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Empire, Neoclassical, or Regency style console table, sofa table, or entry table By Kindel Furniture, "National Trust" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Carved mahogany, ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer

Set of 4 French 19th Century White Opaline Candy Dishes Leaf Shaped
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of four French 19th Century white opaline candy dishes in the shape of leaves. The trays or dishes feature an applied gilt decoration. They are very functional pieces an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Opaline Glass

Set of 6 French Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 6 French Empire dining chairs in mahogany with bronze mounts are a stylish expression of the genre, with exotic imported ma...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style bronze chandelier.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Period Marble and Ormolu Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Early 19th century French Empire period marble and ormolu clock. French Carrara marble Portico clock with extensive ormolu fretwork mounted on two finely decorated marble columns ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Baker Furniture Regency Paw Foot Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Empire, Regency, or Neoclassical style pedestal extension dining table By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Beautiful book-matched cherry wood, with rosewood banding and...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Empire Writing Desk With Roll Top, Nutwood, Austria ca. 1800
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute extraordinary crafted, rare early 19th century roll top writing desk from the turn of the century around 1800 in Austria. This remarkable, elegantly designed nutwood writing desk was artfully made in the transition period from the so-called "Josephinism" (1780-1790) to the renowed Empire era (1800 - 1810). The extravagant executed mirrored veneer work as well as the superb shape, reflects perfectly the form language of this famous, long past period. According to the previous owner´s story who owned the castle where we found this outstanding looking, valuable Empire roll top desk...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu-Mounted Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock. The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

Lamp - Cassolette - Oil lamp - Empire style - Bronze - 19th France
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent late 19th century mantelpiece set, mounted as a lamp. This beautiful Athenian-style cassolette is made of chased and gilded bronze and brass with a brown patina. The cent...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

19th Century Impressionist Oil Painting, Original Frame, Eugene Delacroix, 1830s
By Eugène Delacroix
Located in Berlin, DE
Oil painting (framed) Artist: Unknown (style of Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863). Date: 19th century Title: French lieutenant on horseback leading a Bedouin cavalry. Medium: Oil on...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Late Empire Bench in Mahogany, Denmark c. 1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Late Empire bench crafted in beautiful mahogany with profiled round legs in the classic Empire style. The bench has been newly upholstered in a soft dove-blue fabric, creatin...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Large Early 19th Century Empire Chest Of Drawers, Mahogany, Ormolu, Paris, 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Large Empire chest of drawers Paris Mahogany Early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 97 x 136 x 68 cm Description: The architecturally designed front of the chest of drawers is divided into three zones. A plinth connected to the floor forms the lower section, on which two sturdy columns rest, supporting the upper section, which houses a large drawer. Three further drawers are housed in the centre section of the chest of drawers, which recedes behind the columns. A black granite top forms the upper end. The drawers, the back panel and the body are made of oak, except for the panels in the side walls. The top section with the ledge drawer is connected to the body with wooden wedges and can be removed for transport. This detail can be clearly seen in one of the photos. Exquisitely beautiful mahogany veneer, horizontally mirrored on the drawers at the height of the key entrances, enlivens the smooth surfaces on which the lavishly gilded bronzes unfold their effect. Some of the very finely crafted fittings can also be found on Empire furniture by Jacob...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Console Table of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French Empire console table of fine proportions, featuring a rectangular figured marble top, set upon a frieze of flame mahogany with one long drawer, the drawer with bras...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant fruitwood chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1860. The traditional commode sits on round columnar feet over a straight bottom plinth, and is embellished on both sides by carved round columns with decorative bronze rings at the neck and base. The cabinet features three drawers across the front with the original bronze pulls and key holes escutcheons, and a fourth additional drawer under the marble top. The surface is dressed with the original black marble top. This chest is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, and adorns a rich walnut patina. The Empire style cabinet...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Gilt Antique Friezes from France
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pair of antique golden friezes with olive branches. They are from the French Empire period and are perfect. ref. O/7147.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Gilt Antique Friezes from France
Gilt Antique Friezes from France
$1,424 Sale Price / set
20% Off
20th Century Italian Silver Standard Floor Lamps Baroque Revival.
Located in VALENZA, IT
Finely hand-chiselled and embossed by hand. The cast shade-supports bear delicately chiselled decorative elements. The main support is refined, chiselled and embossed with swirls and...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Armoire
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French Empire period armoire. With stunning book matched walnut veneer to the two long doors flanked by two columns. Original restra...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Antique Bronze Statue Of Napoleon Bonaparte
Located in Bilzen, BE
Old bronze statue from the beginning of the 19th century of Napoleon Bonaparte of fine quality. Original aged patina Total height 22 cm, base 8.8 x 8.8 cm, heigth figure 9 cm
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk. With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Kindel Furniture Empire Carved Mahogany and Gold Gilt Console Tables, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Empire, Neoclassical, or Regency style console tables, sofa tables, or entry tables By Kindel Furniture, "National Trust" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Carved...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer

Superb Bronze Mounted Eagle French Empire Mahogany Empire Daybed Chaise
By Charles-Honoré Lannuier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This superb French Empire mahogany daybed chaise is a striking example of early 19th-century neoclassical elegance, richly adorned with gilded bronze mounts. Crafted in the Empire st...
Category

1850s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Wall Sconces Bronze Empire Style, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Solid brass or brass wall lamp Empire style with two arms. This wall sconces Empire style white rigid appearance, solid and basic geometric shapes. Decorated with acanthus leaves ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Wonderful Pair French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Column Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Empire Dore Bronze Neoclassical Bouillotte Column Form Lamps With Black Paper Shades
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian Column Six Light Chandelier
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire Style Black Neoclassical Corinthian column six light chandelier Priced each Additional information: Materials: Lights Color: Black Pe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Sienna marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately Italian early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Sienna marble console. This handsome demi lune shaped freestanding console is raised by four square tapered Maho...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

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

French 19th Century Empire Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century Empire style cast bronze table lamp with new linen shade, converted from gas to electric. This substantial Neoclassical fixture has a Greco-Roman female figure fo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950 s.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Center/Entry Table in Brass and Wood by La Barge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful center or entry table designed and manufactured in the Philippines by La Barge. The table has beautiful carved frame and solid brass accents with a glass top that allows t...
Category

1990s Philippine Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Putti Face Empire Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Restored Crystal Chandelier – Handcrafted Elegance We are offering a unique, fully restored chandelier in excellent condition: Completely restored, including fully renewed wiring Ha...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

19th Century Pair of French Empire Porcelain Vases Dagoty Paris
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, important pair of hand-painted Parisian porcelain Medici vases. They feature elegant neoclassical motifs on the bodies: swans with outstretched wings and panoplies. The to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Pair of French Patinated Bronze Sculptures Candelabra Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of heavy patinated bronze sculpture candelabra, France, mid-19th century. Two female sculptures holding a candleholder raised on a b...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Period Century Giltwood Italian Empire Style Frame
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Italian Empire original giltwood frame with two rows of carving Early 19th century Internal measurements cm 58.5 x 47 Every item of our Gallery, upon request, is accompan...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Empire Mahogany Arm Chairs
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique Empire style armchairs. The armrest and legs are made of solid mahogany, the backrest is made of veneered mahogany. An elegant design with curved armrests and taper...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Empire Period Portrait of the Comte Gustave de Galard (1779–1841)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century, Empire Period Portrait of the Comte Gustave de Galard (1779–1841), French School, c. 1805, Oil on canvas Canvas: 15.75" W × 21.5" H Framed: 19" W × 24.5" H A refined ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

19th Century American Empire Mahogany Gentleman s Shaving or Dressing Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century American Empire gentleman's tilt-top shaving mirror of mahogany. The original mirror glass is in a beveled frame with a dome top and is supported by beautifully crafter ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Neoclassical Marble Top Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent 19th century French empire gilt wood console table featuring a marbleized limestone top with partial shell fossil remnants. The marble specimen is...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Style Burlwood Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Mid 20th century Empire style leather top desk constructed with hardwood and burl wood veneers featuring ormolu, three drawers and stretcher.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Large Empire period boat bed and canopy
Located in Paris, FR
Large boat bed in solid flamed mahogany, mahogany veneer, richly decorated with finely chased and gilded bronzes, from the Empire period. Four baluster jambs, adorned with fleurons, ...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Early 19th Century French Boulle Cabinets
By Etienne Levasseur
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An important pair of early 19th century French cabinets, made by Pierre-Étienne Levasseur. gilt bronze mounted ebony and ebonised, cut-brass, pewter and faux tortoiseshell marquetry cabinets in the Boulle style. The rectangular top with brass-mounted rim over decorated ormolu frieze above four reeded brass inlaid pillars with brass capitals, the exceptional centre door profusely decorated with ormolu scrolls and head mounts, flanked by two glazed doors decorated in red boulle and silver inlay, the interiors fitted with shelves, the base with four Bacchic masks terminating on turned tapering toupie ormolu-mounted feet. Provenance: Kilkenny Castle, Ireland. Purchased new by either, Walter Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormond, (2nd creation in the Irish Peerage, 1770-1820) or James Butler...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Empire Crystal Regulator Clock
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful brass clock with gold dore finish. Beveled glass panels with a porcelain dial and time and strike. French works. Running condition. Corner crack in one glass panel.
Category

20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Gilt Bronze Table Top Perfume Burner
Located in Paris, FR
An ormolu table top perfume burner "potpourri" decorated with antique masks flanked by griffons resting on a foot chiselled with crosspieces, above a rectangular base decorated on th...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

STUNNING PAIR FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE GOLD DETAILED BURR WALNUT BEDSIDES NiGHTSTANDS
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Stunning Pair Of French Empire-style bedside Nightstands. They exude opulence and sophistication. Crafted from beautif...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Empire Dark Green Four-Arm Chandelier Made of Leather and Brass, France 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
This lovely French chandelier was found in a villa built in the late 1950s. The beautiful, high-quality craftsmanship is impressive. The lampshades are made of metal and then covered...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Empire Commode in book matched flame mahogany and Black Marble Top
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Large Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Sixteen-Light Chandelier, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large Empire-style alabaster and bronze chandelier, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive sixteen-light alabaster and bronze chandelier. The extra large, exceptional, and masterfully carv...
Category

1920s German Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps – Originally Empire Candlesticks, France c. 1820 A beautiful and elegant pair of bronze table lamps, originally crafted as Empire candlesticks in France ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Marble Top Mahogany Pier Table, 19th C. For Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fabulous antique Empire style marble top, mahogany veneered pier table, features a single drawer. The whole is raised on four cushion form feet with trestle style support. Fabulou...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Style Brass and Crystal Glass Three-Light Basket Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1950s. This lovely piece has a brass and metal frame hung with chains of crystal glass beads forming a basket...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French Empire style (19th Cent) gilt bronze urns with finial top and handles with claw feet on square base (matching clock: Inv. #032441) (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Italian Neoclassical French Empire Green Gold Painted Wooden Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Neoclassical / French Empire Style Green & Gold Painted Carved Wood Column Pedestal. Circa 1900, (painted finish appears to...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

French 19th Century Mahogany Empire-Style Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An outstanding French Empire-style mahogany accent table with a unique basket wrapped around the pedestal. A circular wood top with raised trim rests on an apron housing two small dr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

Empire 19th Century "Somno" Column Bedside Table, England
Located in Southampton, NJ
An English Empire 19th Century column bedside table with distinctive cylindrical form of "Somno" (Latin for sleep) styling from 19th century. The table features a curved steam bent f...
Category

19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire Table with Palmettes, possibly Berlin / Gotha, circa 1820/25
Located in Greding, DE
This oval Empire salon table is supported by two columnar legs in the form of stylized palms, partly gilt and partly ebonized. The plinth and the oval top are veneered in mahogany an...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

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.