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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: England
Style: Empire
Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose. These...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Giltwood

French Empire Duchesse Brisée Armchair in Parcel Gilt
Located in London, GB
A fine early nineteenth-century French Empire period duchesse brisée armchair with accompanying footstool. This set is in the original paint with applied gilded highlights. The restr...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of mid 19th century Scandinavian stools
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of mid 19th century Scandinavian stools circa 1840. At the time of listing we have 2 pairs of identical stools, very much in the empire taste. Curule like shaped scrolled legs...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Four French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This magnificent set of four antique candelabra come as a pair of pairs: one slightly larger pair and one smaller pair. They date from roughly 1805, during the period of the Napoleon...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A pair of 1920s brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1920s solid brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design, each with two fittings, rewired with new fittings and PAT tested
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Six-Light Bowl Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful bowl chandelier is designed in the Empire style, which flourished in France in the period 1804-14, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The style is defined as a phase...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

HAND CARVED PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles Please...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Mid 19th century Swedish ebonised dressing table with classical detail
Located in London, GB
A decorative and functional ebonised Swedish dressing table in a Empire style with angular cornice and applied gilt rosette detail to the support columns of the mirror. The dressing ...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Settee 3-Seat Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Upholstered in Horsehair
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This handsome settee is in rare original condition retaining all the original timber and horsehair stuffings. The form is bold and fluid and the carved ornament very well executed. T...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

A Fine Ormolu And Bronze Empire Chandelier
Located in Steyning, West sussex
The patented bronze frame mounted with finely chased ormolu, issuing six eagle heads supporting candle nozzles and save-alls, suspended on three chains from a foliated corona.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th Century Walnut Two Door Glazed Cabinet C.1850 A walnut cabinet, mid-19th century, in the French style, with applied gilt brass mounts, on a shaped plinth base. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique Early 19th Century Empire Gold Brown Gilt Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique Early 19th Century Empire Gold Brown Gilt Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock French, Early 19th Century Height 54cm, width 52cm, depth 20cm Dating to the early 1800s and desi...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

French Empire Gilt Bronze and Mahogany Console Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze and mahogany console table French, early 19th Century Height 92cm, width 120cm, depth 51cm This elegant console table is a superb example of French Emp...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Category

Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Rug Ivory Tree Of Life Organic Handwoven Oriental Area Rug
Located in Wembley, GB
An extraordinary early 20th-century Ivory rug with an incredible densely woven multi-coloured tree-of-life design with two sinuous trees on each side of the central field, each with ...
Category

1890s Caucasian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

French Empire Mahogany Settee, Early 19th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Settee An Empire finely carved dark figured mahogany three seat settee, the back is surmounted by facing scrolls with strigilated flutes be...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Edwardian Brass Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere
Located in Dereham, GB
Edwardian Brass & Mahogany inlaid 3 tier Etagere 3 Mahogany & Satinwood banded inlaid shelves, Supported by brass Column frame with Finials at top, ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Two Early 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These magnificent candelabra were cast entirely of gilt bronze in the French Empire period of the early 19th century. Each candelabrum is formed as a cornucopia of scrolled branches holding four lights with drip pans, set on a single torch-form stem, held aloft by a Classical style figure. The figures, one male and one female, are shown draped in swathed clothing, with the male figure depicted holding a quill in his other hand, whilst the female figure clutches a delicate bouquet of flowers. The figures stand upon circular bases, set onto ovoid vases which featured fluted details and central bands of laurel leaf motifs. The vases themselves stand on undulating roundels formed of acanthus leaves, which are further set atop square-form plinths. Classically influenced works were popular during the French Empire period, when the Emperor Napoleon I sought to create a place in history for France alongside the ancient dynasties...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Original Antique Framed Print of Napoleon Bonaparte After David. French C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of Napoleon Bonaparte after Jacques Louis David Aquatint. Published C.1800 On paper applied to card Old Hogarth frame Slight restoration above the hair. Shown in ...
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair French Empire candelabra, circa 1800
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of French Empire bronze and gilded ormolu candelabra, each having Caryatid supports to the scrolling foliate four branch candle sconces. Raised on classical gilde...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Bohemian Cut Crystal Tiered Basket Chandelier Circa 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
A truly breathtaking and sumptuous antique basket chandelier, resplendent in hand cut, multi-faceted Bohemian lead crystal, with 8 lamp holders in bronze with embossed decorative flo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Early 19th Century French Iron Consoles
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A pair of superb quality early 19th Century French wrought iron console tables. With brass foliage decoration supporting later marble tops. Circa 1810.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Wrought Iron

An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet. The attractive and original Verde Antico marble top above three freize drawers. The central door with a burr-amboyna l...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Pair French Empire Tub Chairs Arm Chair Fauteil Gilt Frame
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning pair of French Empire style gilt tub arm chairs These really are every interior designers dream, elegant and cool Hand carved gilt frame very intrivcate with acanthus leaf m...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

French Gilt Bronze and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and malachite centre table French, 20th Century Height 79cm, diameter 69cm This very elegant 20th century French...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Pair Empire Malachite Gilt Torcheres Floor Lamps 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an incredible pair of large Empire style floor lamps or torchieres Hand crafted from gilt and faux malachite The faux malachite is painted porcelain which looks very...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Paint

French Empire Style Enfilade
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th Century French Empire style bleached walnut enfilade with a marble top. 1920 Reference: 8331 Dimensions 87 inches (221 cms) Wide 22.5 inches (57 cms) Deep 36.5 inches (9...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases French, 20th Century Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu

19th Century Swedish Provincial Buffet
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Unusual late 19th Century / Empire period Swedish provincial buffet with vernacular detailing. Two frieze drawers over a pair of cupboard doors each flanked by turned columns. Repain...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Empire Period Mahogany, Marble and Gilt Bronze Cabinet
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mahogany cabinet was crafted in France in the early 19th century, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor (1804-1814,15). The cabinet features a wide rectangular body, top...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century French Empire Style Roll-Top Desk
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century French Empire style roll-top desk French, Early 20th Century Height 113cm, width 84cm, depth 62cm This charming roll-top desk is crafted from ormolu mounted hardw...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Empire Style Chandelier This is a lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Chandelier This is a lovely piece especially where a very large chandelier is not suitable, it has a bright brass crown hung with chains of cut crystal beads, co...
Category

1930s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Escritoire Desk Mahogany Antique Chest
Located in Potters Bar, GB
This rather imposing escritoire stands upon turned feet. The bottom panelled doors open to reveal an inner oak lined drawer. The writing section having a drop down fall with a leat...
Category

1860s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Two Reclaimed Tall Outdoor Braziers or Torchieres
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Each standing at 165cm (64.96 inches) tall, these spectacular reclaimed 20th century outdoor braziers or vintage garden torchieres bring grandeur and prestige to any property. Imagine the pair placed either side of an entrance to a lavish mansion or framing the steps at the bottom of the courtyard to a countryside estate. They are of a huge and prominent scale and deserve to be in equally impressive surroundings. Sourced from a property in London, these reclaimed outdoor braziers date from the early 20th century. Each features a domed steel dish...
Category

Early 20th Century English Empire Furniture

Materials

Limestone, Steel, Iron

French 19th Century Painted Chest Of Drawers With Bronzes Handles
Located in London, Park Royal
An antique French, Empire period, chest of drawers, circa 1820's. The solid wood body is painted in a French grey/blue which has an interesting, textured, age distressed patina show...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

German Empire Period Seven-Piece Silver Candelabra Set
Located in London, GB
German empire period seven-piece silver candelabra set German, circa 1810 Meaures: Largest: Height 66.5cm, diameter 30cm Smallest: Height 51cm, width ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Side Chair
Located in London, GB
Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze side chair French, late 19th century Measures: Height 94cm, width 52cm, depth 52cm Crafted from mahogany, this unusual side chair...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Empire Cheval Mirror
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A very impressive and good quality early 19th Century French Empire period cheval mirror. This stylish piece stands elegantly on its original guilded ram's feet. The mirror is suppor...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra. Each with a winged Victorian female figure carrying a torchère on their hea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Siena Marble, Bronze

Pair French Empire Style Gilt and Cut Glass Candlestick Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair French Empire Style Giltand and cut glass candlestick lamps A pair of Empire style gilt brass mounted candlestick lamps, 20th century, with cut glass columns. size shade/b...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century French Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon I
Located in London, GB
A Musical Automaton Clock Depicting Napoleon at Fontainebleau Based on the original work of Horace Vernet "Goodbyes at Fontainebleau," the pai...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Empire Pedestal Stands - Gilt Side Tables
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style gilt pedestal stands Perfect for displaying decorative pieces such as vases and urns Round marble tops are smooth and chip free Bought from a dea...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Lovely Pair Of Black Lacquered And Gilt Upholstered Open Armchairs
Located in Crawley, GB
delight to offer for sale this stunning pair of black lacquered and gilt antique style upholstered open armchair with carved swans and raised upon sabre front legs with carved scroll...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Oak

French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire period gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50cm, width 36cm, depth 12cm This mantel clock, wrought from gilt bronze during the French Empire period, features a rectangular base, set above four bun feet, the front of the base adorned with a gilt bronze relief panel...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace French, 20th century Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Pair of Large Empire Style Mirrors, by Maison Krieger
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and impressive pair of Empire style gilt-bronze and burr, Amboyna Mirrors, By Maison Krieger. Each mirror is over 328 cm high (129 inches) and ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Swedish Empire Giltwood Settee
Located in London, GB
An incredibly beautiful antique Swedish Empire gilt wood settee. This was recently imported from Sweden, we would date it to around the 1880-1900 period. The quality is outstanding,...
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

Matched Pair of French Empire Armchairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality near pair of French Mahogany Empire influenced armchairs. Each being upholstered in a classical damask patterned burgundy fabric, polished back rail, Dolphins carved t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Italian Giltwood and Marble Top Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A good centre table in the Italian impero manner Constructed in carved gold leaf giltwood, and having a St Jean brecciated marble top; of circular form, the tripartite base of canin...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in London, GB
Designed to mimic the appearance of a star-studded celestial globe, theses Empire style chandeliers are simultaneously charming and outstandingly beautiful. Each chandelier is design...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Metal, Bronze

Pair French Gilt Candelabras Female Maiden Figural Candles
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching pair of gilt Empire candelabras Of figural form, the candelabras are held aloft by the toga clad female maidens A perfect left and right Stand on the ...
Category

1890s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of Four Empire Style Wall lights Laudarte Grifone
Located in London, GB
Magnificent set of four empire style wall Sconces 24 crt gilt finish Malachite inset Designed by Giovanni Maria Ma These wall lights are fully Restored and Rewired
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Other

French Empire Bookcase - Walnut Open Front Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sumptuous French Empire style bookcase and cabinet in walnut Hope the photos do this stunning piece some justice certainly more impressiv...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Large Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Empire Style Vases
Located in London, GB
These splendid malachite and ormolu mounted vases are executed in the French Empire style, and are emblazoned with gilt decoration that has an unmistakable air of confidence, pride, ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

19th Century Second Empire Painted Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant, 19th-century, French Empire cheval mirror made in wood with hand carved giltwood mouldings and ormolu fittings. Fitted with neat drawer at the mirror. Painted in a deep ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French Mahogany Centre Table in the Empire Style
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century French mahogany centre table in the Empire style, having a wonderful decorative segmented top with engraved brass moulding, the ...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Large Antique Empire Period Gilt-Bronze Mantel Clock by Deverberie
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt-bronze mantel clock by Deverberie French, c.1805 Measures: Height 67cm, width 54cm, depth 19cm This exceptional timepiece was made in Empire period Fr...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Antique Black Marble and Ormolu Borne Clock by Maniere
Located in London, GB
Fine black marble and ormolu mantel clock of borne (antique milestone) form. Superb proportions and Fine ormolu mounts, well finished with matte and burnished fire gilding. The primary mount represents d'Etude, below this a pair of Lions pawing an Anthemion. To each side a Fine mount of crossed winged torches of ever lasting love purporting to represent Anacreon inspired by Love. Fine white enamel dial and gilt bronze hands, signed Maniere a Paris for Charles-Guillaume working at the Rue Christine...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

1870 French Empire Marquetry Inlaid Suite Berger Armchairs Settee Canape, Pair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French marquetry inlaid circa 1870 Empire style three piece suite with neoclassical detailing A very rare and good looking set, th...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silk, Hardwood

An Empire Style Table de Salon, with Tiger s Eye Gemstone Top
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Table de Salon, with Tiger's Eye Gemstone Top. The rectangular top is veneered in Tiger's Eye gemstone in radiating geometric patterns. ...
Category

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.