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
Rare French Napoleonic Empire Sienna Marble Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
A very important 19th century (circa 1820) French Empire Sienna marble fireplace with elaborate ormolu enrichments to frieze and jambs. The flu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large French 18th century Brass Chenets
This is a VeryAttractive pair of French Chenets, the ultimate in Chateau Chic
They are sculptured on brass in the shape of classi...
Category
18th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Continental Walnut Armchair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality continental carved walnut armchair, remaining in very good condition.
Width: 73cm Depth: 102cm Height: 100cm.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a fine quality, 18th century Louis XV Escritoire. The Escritoire has a drawer at the top with ornate mounts, above a fall front opening...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Ormolu and Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu and bronze chandelier
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 100cm, diameter 64cm
This chandelier is a beauti...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau Plat by Maison Forest, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style gilt-bronze mounted bureau plat by Maison Forest.
Paris, circa 1900.
Bearing two labels to the underside: 'FOREST/TAPISSERIE/EBENISTERIE/31 RUE CAMBACERES.PARIS...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Michelez
Located in London, GB
French Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Michelez
French, circa 1815
Measures: Height 47cm, width 20cm, depth 15cm
This beautifully formed and crafted mantel clock, dating to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
An Outstanding 1950
s Italian Cross Sword and Gilt Rope Tassel Wall Light
Located in Hastings, GB
An extremely rare and incredibly ornate Italian wall light, dating to the 1950's, in the empire style and modeled as a pair of crossed swords, in gilt and silver gilt, decorated with...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Outstanding Large Pair Large Gilt Girondoles
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A superb pair of continental bevelled mirror gilded girondole wall mirrors, in outstanding condition each having three cut glass shelves with brass brackets, six candle holders on e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$4,103 / set
Pair of French Armchairs Fauteuil White Carved Back 1800s 1900s Antique Empire
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual Late 1800s early 1900s French antique pair of armchairs in original white paint with carved backs and beautiful curved arms and legs. They hark back to Napoleon's favorite Em...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
$3,836 Sale Price
43% Off
Antique French Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style chest of drawers
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 86cm, width 127cm, depth 57cm
This beautiful ches...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Inlaid Commode
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
French 19th century Marquetry two-drawer commode with a wonderful marble top.
Featuring wonderful inlaid decoration, this commode conveys typical Empire styles.
A great storage pi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Ormolu French Empire clock, drumhead case with applied frieze decoration to the base, standing on turned and engraved feet.
Superb engine turned dial centre, the gilded dial with Roman numerals, original hands and floral cast bezel surround.
Convex glass to the rear supporting the eight day movement with outside countwheel striking and silk suspension.
The whole surmounted by a gilded winged...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Style Oval Centre Table An amazing piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Oval Centre Table
An amazing piece, the table is made in walnut it is a large Oval, the table top is made with Rosso Levanto Marble and set with a pierced brass g...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Marble
Gilded Brass Candelabras circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite pair of antique French candelabras are masterfully crafted from white marble and ornate gilded brass. Each candelabra features three gracefully arched arms adorned wit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
$1,139 Sale Price / set
41% Off
Antique French Empire Style Glass and Gilt Bronze Chandelier
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style glass and gilt bronze chandelier
French, Late 19th Century
Height 32, diameter 42cm
This French 19th century chandelier is crafted in the Empire style. ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Fine and Rare French Empire Clock of Cupid as Magician Uncovering Flaming Hearts
Located in London, GB
Fine and rare French Empire ormolu clock of Cupid as magician, uncovering flaming hearts with the 3 cup trick. The shaped base with four tal...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique early 19th century French bronze and Sienna marble mantle clock
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive early 19th Century French bronze & Sienna marble Clock surmounted with well-cast bust of Jupiter. The Clock, having 8-day s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire revival inlaid satinwood magazine rack
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Empire revival inlaid satinwood canterbury rack circa 1980.
1980’s reproduction of an empire style canterbury. 3 compartments for magazine and newspaper storage, with a single draw...
Category
Late 20th Century English Empire Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Paint
Large Pair of Sevres Style Napoleonic Painted Porcelain Chargers
Located in London, GB
A large pair of Sevres style Napoleonic painted porcelain chargers
French, 19th century
Measures: 2cm high x 45cm in diameter, frames 51cm diameter
Excellently painted and finely crafted, these unusually grand Sevres style painted porcelain chargers are adorned with scenes of French military victories. The first charger, marked 'Bataille de Wagram, 7 Juillet 1809' is after a painting by Horace Vernet of Napoleon at the Battle of Wagram, a decisive yet costly victory for the French allied forced over the Austrian army, and the second, after a painting by Francois Bouchot, depicts the Battle of Zurich (the charger is marked 'Bataille de Zurich 25 Septembre 1799') an earlier battle in which the Republican French army led by André Masséna triumphed over an Austrian and Russian force in Switzerland in 1799.
The works are each clasped with a gilt tooled border, and larger pink rose pompadour...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Ibach Model 2 Grand Piano Mahogany Case Ormolu Mounts
Located in Leeds, GB
Empire style, 1901, Ibach model 2 grand piano with a mahogany case and gate legs. Entire cabinet decorated with ormolu mounts depicting classical scenes of gods, goddesses and wreaths. This piano is one of 12 unique instruments made as exhibition models...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Period Ormolu Mantel Clock by Le Roy et fils
By Le Roy
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mantel clock by Le Roy et fils
French, c. 1810
Height 36cm, width 37cm, depth 14cm
This refined mantel clock was created during the Empire period by the esteem...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
Pair of Empire Bronze Ewers in The Manner of Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine pair of empire gilt and patinated bronze ewers in the manner of Claude Galle.
French, Circa 1820.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Mantel Clock by Denière
Located in London, GB
An Empire style ormolu and malachite mantel clock by Denière
French, c.1820
Measures: Height 50cm, width 33cm, depth 14cm
Made in the early nineteenth ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Pair French Empire Chairs
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Wonderful pair French Empire chairs, ebony legs and recently upholstered in linen, very good overall condition,
32" high
29" wide
30" overall depth
20" seat depth
14" seat height
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ebony
An Antique French Empire Statuary White Marble and Ormolu Fireplace Mantel
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Empire period Statuary white marble with ormolu mounted fireplace. Very fine quality marble and ormolu, with demi lune shaped shelf, frieze and jambs. The friez...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble, Ormolu
Set of Antique Glazed Ceramic Tiles Depicting Napoleon
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Eight 6-inch antique glazed ceramic tiles depicting Napoleon, 18th century French Emperor and military figure. Likely the central part of what was once a larger panel, these tiles are hand-painted in vibrant colours and detail, illustrating an adaption of Napoleon and his armies during the French Revolution.
The frontmost figure depicts the famed Napoleon Bonaparte, wearing his signature side to side bicorne hat, leading a procession of horses and an army of French foot soldiers.
Dating from the late 19th / early 20th century, it is a stunning antique tile panel...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large 19th Century French Empire Dressing Mirror
Located in Martlesham, GB
A very impressive large 19th century mahogany and ormolu French Empire dressing mirror with an Egyptian influence, the pyramid shaped top with an ormolu face flanked by ormolu urns, ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique French Walnut Marble Top Bedside Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique French walnut marble top bedside cabinet, dating from around the 1880-1900 period.
It is of superb quality and it is a very use...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique early 19th century French red marble and ormolu clock garniture
Located in London, GB
An impressive early 19th Century French bronze & ormolu Clock Garniture comprising a pair of campana shaped Urns with satyr mask carrying handles supported on red marble plinths with...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century French mahogany marble topped Gueridon, having three circular tapering column supports, each with gilded ormolu capitals and classical ormolu motifs to th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$5,260 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Early 19th Century Darte Brothers Porcelain Plates
By Darte Frères
Located in Basildon, GB
Pair of antique Darte Brothers cobalt blue porcelain plates magnificently painted with the French countryside, featuring cows, goats and sheep, decorated with gold rims. Each with th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$3,356 Sale Price / set
45% Off
C19th pair of Swedish armchairs with decorative fretwork detailing
Located in London, GB
A pair of pretty but not overly fussy late C19th upholstered later painted Swedish open armchairs.
The backs have a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers.
Reuphols...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Empire Style Window Seats
Located in Lymington, GB
A smart pair of Empire-style window seats of superb quality, and in excellent condition.
Supported on stained-oak tapering square legs with gilt-brass mounts and hairy paw feet.
Upholstered and buttoned in faded vellum-green hide...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$4,082 / set
French Empire Style Bergère Kidney Shaped Stool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire style Bergère kidney shaped stool.
This is a charming French empire style walnut stool, the stool has a charming golden colour an...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A Pair Of French Empire Patinated Bronze And Marble Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A Large Pair of Empire Patinated Bronze and Marble Candelabra
Each candelabra features a classical winged Victory figure holding stylised oil lamp candleholder with gadrooned nozzles. The winged figure wears a flowing dress with finely detailed, crisp lines and stands atop a gilt bronze orb...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$11,795 Sale Price / set
25% Off
French Empire Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Vase Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu vase clock. Of unusual design set as it is on a spread ormolu base of eight sides, the front and back being long sides. The base sits upon f...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock with Classical Figures
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze mantel clock with Classical figures
French, 19th century
Measures: Height 45cm, width 39cm, depth 17cm
This mantel clock feat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Couch
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire style mahogany and gilt bronze couch
French, late 19th century
Dimensions: Height 107cm, width 192cm, depth 72cm
This beautiful canapé style couch...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair Empire Gilt Arm Chairs Fauteuil
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of French Empire Revival armchairs in gilt
Frames have been hand carved and are very intricate
Very comfortable to sit in - solid and sturdy
Seats, ar...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
French early 19th Century twelve light gilded chandelier attributed to Thomire
Located in Southall, GB
An impressive gilt and patinated bronze French Empire chandelier with twelve lights, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843). Winged Victory figures wearing classical robes stand...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Mahogany Gueridon Table
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century French mahogany gueridon table having circular moulded grey marble top raised on reeded turned tapering column and scrolled leaf-carved tripod base ending on bo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze Candlesticks, circa 1830
Located in Central England, GB
A superb pair of early 19th C French empire bronze candlesticks.
This very fine pair of early 19th century French candlesticks are...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Carved Oak Fire Mantel by Guéret Frères
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautiful antique carved oak fireplace by Guéret Frères. This elegant fire surround features deep, bold neoclassical style carving and intricate mouldings throughout. The corbels s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
A Pair Of Empire Style Swan-Neck Circular Fruitwood Planter Jardinières
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Empire Style Swan-Neck Circular Fruitwood Planter Jardinières
These circular fruitwood planters feature an elegant lipped edge and come with inset metal liners.
Each is s...
Category
1930s English Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Empire Period Ormolu and Enamel Ceres Mantel Clock After Thomire
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu and enamel Ceres mantel clock after Thomire.
French, c.1810
Measures: height 46cm, width 38cm, depth 13cm.
This superb mantel clock was made in the First Fr...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
Pair of Empire Period Antique Parisian Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of antique porcelain vases, dating from the early 19th century in the period of Napoleonic rule known as the Empire period, ar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Style Centre Table with Marble Top after Jacob-Desmalter, French
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine Empire style gilt-bronze mounted mahogany centre table with a Vert de Mer marble top, in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter.
The rectangular Verde Antico marble top sits above ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Mahogany, Gilt and Marble Topped Dressing Table
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
Constructed using a fine Honduras mahogany with gilt highlights, Bleu Tarquin marble and richly dressed with fire gilt ormolu mounts of the highest quality. The table of lyre end sup...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Bronze Figure of Napoleon
Located in London, GB
An early 19th Century well-cast bronze statue of Napoleon in full uniform, standing on square socle with applied ormolu laurel leaf wreath, ending o...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Period Gilt Ground Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
These excellent gilt ground vases are high quality antique pieces, dating from the Empire period in France at the start of the 19th century. Each vase is set on a square base, is mounted with twin scrolling handles inset with neoclassical masks, and has a flared gilt ground neck. Both vases are also decorated to the front with depictions of winged putti on gilt ground; one vase shows the putti playing musical instruments, while the other shows them holding writing tablets and laurel wreaths. The reverse of each vase is Neo-Gothic in character, showing medieval church arches...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Arm Chairs Gilt Seats Empire Hand Carved
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French gilt arm chairs in the Empire manner
Very comfortable with wide arms and cushioned seats, backs and arms
Chairs have just been reupholstered hence odour and s...
Category
1920s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$1,746 / set
French Desk Empire Bureau Plat Kingwood
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Cool French bureau plat or desk in the Empire manner
Elegant piece with cabriole legs and crafted from kingwood
Original ormolu fittings and top is finished in tooled leather
Bought ...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Kingwood
Empire Side Table French Inlay Cocktail Tables
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an elegant single French Empire style side table Top intricately inlaid with floral motifs
Gilt fixtures are original to piece
Bought from a dealer on Marche Biron at...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Empire Influenced Gueridon
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century burr walnut French Empire influenced gueridon / centre table. Having classical gilded ormolu mounts to the frieze and ca...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figurative Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt bronze figurative mantel clock
French, early 19th century
Measures: Height 33cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm
This superb mantel clock is a wonderful example of the...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Late 19th Century French Empire Style Picture Frames
Located in London, GB
Pair of late 19th century French Empire style picture frames
French, Late 19th century
Height 16cm, width 11.5cm, depth 2/ 7 cm
Circular in shape and mounted in an easel style, this...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock Signed Vaillaint a Paris
Located in London, GB
Superb quality French Empire ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock in a beautifully restrained case. The casting and gilding of the finest quality. A classically dressed maiden st...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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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