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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
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Glass Ormolu Wood Fire Screen
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Glass Ormolu Wood Fire Screen French, Early 20th Century Height 104cm, width 61cm, depth 39cm This early 20th century fire screen, created in ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts
Located in London, GB
Empire Style Mahogany Bibliothèque (Display Cabinet) with Brass Mounts, a captivating piece that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted from luxurious mahogany and ador...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Swedish Empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish empire revival mahogany 3 piece lounge suite circa 1900. We are pleased to offer this empire revival suite from Sweden. Set consists of 2 armchairs with matching table.  Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt and patinated bronze wall lights French, 20th Century Height 103cm, width 50cm, depth 44cm Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated Empire style, these wall li...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair French Empire Cabinets - Painted Vernis Martin Commodes
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style cabinets with painted fronts Hand painted doors and side are in the style of Vernis Martin In French interior design, vernis Martin is a type (or...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Neoclassical Empire Style Ormolu and Lapis Lazuli Table
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical Empire style ormolu and lapis lazuli table with patinated bronze mounts, French, 20th century Dimensions: Height 74cm, diameter 100cm Finely wrought in the French N...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu

Fine 19th century French ormolu mantel clock (pendule) by Leroy a Paris, c. 1825
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A most beautiful French ornolu mantel clock by Leroy à Paris A lovely French late Empire/early Charles X mantel clock with an ormolu case, c. 1825. The ormolu brass case depicts a celebration of Science and Learning. It is dominated by a rectangular superstructure containing the movement, flanked by an engine-turned column with a celestial globe on top on the left and an elegant lady reading a book on the right. The superstructure is surmounted by a bookcase and a bust of Socrates...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Cast Iron Gilded Antique Urn or Jardiniere
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking antique cast iron urn, planter or jardiniere dating from the late 19th century. Originating from France, this 150-year-old, gilded urn is a showstopping piece with its bold black paint and gold colour contrasts. The design brings a sense of grandeur to any setting, detailed with masks among foliage and scrolls to both the front and the back and a pair of handles with stylised winged lion heads. This French urn makes an impressive display piece, the vibrant colours certain to draw any eye. Additional Information Base 8.66 x 8.66 inch (22 x 22 cm) Blue plinth...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

C1920s Empire Style Armchair
Located in London, GB
Horseshoe Shaped Back Empire Style Armchair Early C20th Upholstered seat in Antique Brown Leather Above Cabriole Legs Headed Wing Griffins
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Birch and Morocco Leather Pedestal Desk in the French Empire Manner
Located in London, GB
A pedestal desk in the French Empire manner of freestanding breakfront form with everted angles, constructed in birchwood, and burr birchwood, having bronze accents drawn from the...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table
Located in London, GB
French Empire-style gilt bronze mounted malachite coffee table French, Early 20th Century Height 52cm, width 123cm, depth 63cm Exemplifying all that is grand and regal about the fan...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Bronze Garden Urns, French Architectural Empire Vases, 20th Century
Located in Southall, GB
A stunning pair of French Empire style garden urns in bronze, 20th century. Amazing architectural pair, can you imagine these in your garden overflowing with flowers. Stand in at nea...
Category

20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Printing Block Wallpaper Complete Repeat Empire Acanthus Leaf Roundel
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare woodblock with complete repeat. Of interest to wallpaper collectors or as a conversation piece in the home as a decorative carved wallhanging. A rare, large 19th Century French wallpaper...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Oak

Large French Empire Style Tent Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Tent chandelier This is a lovely piece, quite a large chandelier, it has an aged brass frame hung with large crystals, com...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Antique Gilt Bronze and Patinated Metal 19th Century French Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt bronze and patinated metal 19th Century French chandelier French, late 19th Century Dimensions: Height 83cm, diameter 60cm Designed in the elegant French Empire sty...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

French Empire Rosewood Two Tier Occasional Table With Parquetry Accents
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique 19th Century French Empire Rosewood Two Tier Occasional Table With Parquetry Accents With Turned Supports & Porcelain Castors. Central Roundel Motif Mirrored Across Both T...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Antique Clock, Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble
By L. Ravrio 1
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality of borne shape constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. The dial of the clock is signed "L Ravrio" below 1...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Cabinet on Stands 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire side cabinet on stand This Pretty Cabinet Stands Upon Typical Shaped French Legs. Circa 1870 The Single Door Features...
Category

1870s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases Also great for the garden The bronze statue showed not includ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Painted Toleware and Brass Desk Lamp A lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Painted Toleware and Brass Desk Lamp A lovely piece, adapted from an original oil lamp, the lamp has a single brass sconce and opposite we can see the secretary bird both set...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique French Ormolu Mounted Marble Fireplaces with Cast Iron Insets
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique French ormolu mounted marble fireplaces with cast iron insets French, Late 19th Century Fireplaces: Height 112cm, width 152cm, depth 33cm Iron inserts: Height 89cm,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Statuary Marble, Iron, Ormolu

19th century Swedish gilt and eglomise ornate wall clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish gilt and églomisé ornate wall clock circa 1840. Fine quality Swedish wall clock of the empire period circa 1840. Beautifully carved, surmounted with doves. 2 si...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Military illustration titled Garde Impériale by the 19th-century French artis Al
Located in Bishop s Stortford, GB
One of a Set of Four different scenes available. This print is a reproduction of a military illustration titled "Garde Impériale" by the 19th-century French artist Alf...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass

French Empire Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Griotte Marble Vase
Located in London, GB
A magnificent quality French Empire/Directoire urn in superb original condition. Constructed of lovely patinated bronze, fire gilded Ormolu and griotte marble. In the gout d'Egypt or...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Porcelain Brass Mounted Shepherd Sheep Bonbonniere
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful antique French figural shepherd with sheep metal mounted porcelain bonbonniere dating from the early 19th century. The bonbonniere is of oval shape and has a brass hinge...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Style Planters
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt and patinated bronze Empire style planters French, 20th Century Height 50cm, width 62cm, depth 31cm The planters, crafted in France, showcase the Egyptian-inspir...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire
Located in London, GB
Antique Empire period gilt bronze clock by Pierre-Philippe Thomire French, Early 19th Century Height 45cm, width 29cm, depth 19cm This superb gilt bronze clock, created by the renow...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Michel-François Piolaine
By Michel-François Piolaine
Located in London, GB
This large and impressive gilt bronze mantel clock is by the French Michel-François Piolaine. The clock body is raised by an architecturally formed, plinth-shaped base, set to the fr...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Empire Glass Ewer Jug Vase Ormolu French Urn
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching green cut glass jug in the Empire manner Good size at almost four feet tall - 112 CM The body is crafted from richly colored, translucent green glass,...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th century French Empire Period Elm Barometer signed Gabriel
Located in London, GB
Empire Cistern Barometer by Gabriel Of rectangular form, with the case waisted, veneered in burr elm with mounts in the manner of Percier and Fontaine, of cistern type, with bronze ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Can Saucer Duo hand painted, French circa 1800
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain coffee can and saucer duo made by a French Old-Paris maker, dating to the very early 19th century, circa 1800. The fine quality and very good / ex...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Period French Gilt Bronze Six Light Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Empire period French gilt bronze six light chandelier French, c. 1810 Height 80cm, diameter 45cm Made in France around 1810, at the time when the Empire style was in vogue, the chan...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Ormolu Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A fine French Empire ormolu desk standish. Set upon a circular base with top and bottom mouldings cast with leaf and dart decoration. The space be...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French Neoclassical Style Red Tôle and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Neoclassical style red tôle and gilt bronze vases French, late 19th Century Height 53cm, width 24cm, depth 17cm Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mounted red...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Ormolu

Pair of Antique French Empire Period Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
These fine and large French candelabra date from the Empire period of the 19th century and beautifully contrast the different finishes of gilt ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mahogany Five-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
French Empire style gilt-bronze and mahogany five-piece salon suite French, Late 19th Century Sofa: Height 107cm, width 162cm, depth 65cm Armchair: Height 101cm, width 68cm, depth 6...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Unusual Pair of Empire Two Branch Candelabra in Gout d Egypt or Egyptian Style
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual pair of French Empire or possibly Russian two branch candelabra in the gout d'Egypt or Egyptian style which was extremely popular, circa turn of the 18th century. Set on square patinated bronze bases each female figure stands upon a finely cast ormolu...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Two Branch Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu figural two branch candelabra. Set on square ormolu socle with cylinder ormolu stem wit...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Large 19th Century French Empire Style Clock Set
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and fine quality 19th century French Empire influenced clock set. Having a pair of winged female figures supporting five branch candelabra with scrolling foliate decoration, raised on gilded globes and green marble plinths with ormolu mask mounts. The clock having winged lovers standing over the green marble clock...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Chandelier, Late 20th Century, Empire, 10 Branch, Wilkinson Plc
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The polished brass acanthus leaf corona supports six rectangular split link chains holding a black painted bowl with an ormolu pendant. The five polished brass double candle...
Category

1990s European Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Empire Style Cut-Crystal Tent and Basket Chandelier
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Swedish Empire style gilt-bronze and cut-crystal tent and basket chandelier. Swedish, Circa 1825.  
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

An Empire Style Table Mirror, With a Portrait of Empress Joséphine
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Mother of Pearl Table Mirror, With a Portrait of Empress Joséphine. The arched frame with anthemion ornament and fronted by a circular Portrait Mini...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Two Neoclassical Empire Style Bronze and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical Empire style bronze and marble pedestals French, 20th century Dimensions: Height 100cm, width 48cm, depth 48cm This pa...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Gilt Bronze and Opaline Glass Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful, tall chandelier is ideal for a grand entrance hall or room where it can be seen and admired. It is an exceptional piece of Empire style design, perfectly combining gl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Old Paris Porcelain Coffee Can Saucer Lemon Engrisaille, French Ca 1800
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain coffee can and saucer, made by a French "Old Paris" maker, dating to the very early 19th century, circa 1800. The coffee can is carefully hand pai...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French Empire Chest of Marble Topped Drawers Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning French Empire, circa 1860 solid mahogany chest of drawers with marble top and gold leaf painted lion hairy paw feet A very good lo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Empire Style Vitrine Cabinet with Integral Clock by Eugene Brunet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A very fine Amboyna wood and gilt-bronze empire style vitrine cabinet with a glazed front and sides. The cabinet is mounted all over with superb quality well chiselled gilt-bronze mounts and surmounted by a clock with an enamel dial face surrounded by Zodiac motifs. The cabinet is crowned with a bronze bust of Napoleon. Signed E. Brunet. French, circa 1880. Eugene Brunet was one of the most successful ébénistes of high-quality Parisian furniture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He produced items for wealthy patrons and exhibited at many of the international exhibitions of the period. In 1889, he joined brothers Frederic and Alexandre Roux, establishing themselves at 20 rue de la Perle under the name of Roux Et Brunet...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th century Swedish serpentine mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish serpentine mahogany chest of drawers circa 1880. Fine quality elegant Swedish 19th century commode fitted with 4 graduating drawers which open on the key, whic...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century bronze and gilded ormolu French Empire influenced chandelier. Having a classical ceiling rose with three foliate linked chains...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Style Burr Walnut and Ormolu Games Table, Chess and Backgammon
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Burr Walnut and Ormolu Games Table, Chess and Backgammon This is a charming piece, the table stands on bombe style cabriole legs and has ormolu decoration in the...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Desk Empire Centre Table Marquetry Inlay
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant antique French desk or centre table Lovely shaped top with elegant top on cabriole legs Original ormolu mounts Circa 1880 Inlay work very intricate showing floral motifs Bo...
Category

1880s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

An Italian Gold Gilt Empire Pier Mirror
Located in London, GB
A giltwood and hand painted pier mirror from the Italian Empire period. Decorated with lion masks on the corners and foliate inner and outer edging. The frame hand painted, with wond...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

IMPORTANT PAiR OF ANTIQUE FRENCH EMPIRE BRASS BRONZE MARBLE GUERIDON TABLES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Stunning pair of Circa 1890-1910 Gilt Brass, Bronze and Marble Gueridon tables A very rare pair, the tops are desirable being a light salmon colour heavily grained marble. The frame...
Category

1890s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Empire period bronze and ormolu Grecian style pair of classical urns, circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
This superb quality pair of French Empire classical twin handled urns is very stylish and cast in very heavy solid bronze with alternate sections highlighted with original ormolu whi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Italian Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant and imposing, 19th century, Italian cheval mirror made in solid mahogany. Belonged to a well known Italian actress of the golden age o...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 4 mid 19th century Danish mahogany armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Beautiful set of 4 Danish empire armchairs circa 1860. Comprising of 2 armchairs and 2 open frame armchairs.  Main feature being the scrolling arm and scrolling front leg.  Carved b...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Antique Monumental French Empire Bureau Plat Desk Writing Table 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique French Empire ormolu mounted mahogany bureau plat, circa 1870 in date. The rectangular top has an inset gold-tooled green leather writing surface with a very...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century Empire Console Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A large pair of 19th Century Empire console tables with green marble tops and large scale ormolu mounts. With symmetrical eagle motifs on the legs and in the bottom centre, the style...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Victorian Carved Oak Console Table
Located in London, GB
A large and very impressive antique Victorian carved oak console table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1840-1860 period. It is of extremely fine quality, with a ...
Category

1840s British Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Oak

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.