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: Florida
Style: Empire
French Empire Painted Commode With Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Empire Painted Commode with Marble Top. Commode features the elegance of fine woodwork with the luxurious touch of a marble top. Commode contains five drawers, on...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scale French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee. This exceptional settee is raised by seven supports, with four being circular front legs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Late 19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Four Shelves Etagere
Located in Miami, FL
This tall late nineteenth century French Empire style walnut console table features columns at the front corners and four shelves.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style bouillotte table lamp with decorative three-light cast brass candleholders and adjustable height red tôle shade. New candle covers. Wired and in working order. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Tôle
Pair of Late Empire Ormolu and Patented Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamps, C. 1815
By Louis Isidore Choiselat 1
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of period Empire figural candelabrum. Each modeled as a winged figure of Victory, of patented bronze, with both arms supporting a floral wreath, and three horns-of-plenty, of or...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each stunning candlestick mounted into a lamp is raised on four Ormolu lion paws below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Large French Carved Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century French Carved Painted and Giltwood Mirror. This Impressive mirror features a rectangular frame adorned with finely carved trailing floral and foliage garlands, a h...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
French Empire Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Heavy 19th century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Two Candelabra Lamp with Black Tole Shade. Shade is decorated with gilt wreaths that add contrast nicely with the black shade. Gilt f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Mahogany 3-Fold Screen with Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
French Empire style (19th century) mahogany 3 fold screen with bronze trim.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Burl White Marble Chest Drawer Sideboard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A good antique 19th century French Empire faux bamboo & white marble pine small sideboard /chest of drawer. The chest having the original veined white marble top above four drawers, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair French Empire Ormolu
Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s
A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Empire Dorè Patinated And Bronze Candelabra Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century bronze and patinated candelabra mounted as a lamp. Lamp features a lovely patinated Diana the Huntress statue with wings and arc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas-Early 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas with original gilt edged and velvet lined case. Atlas son of Titan, from Greek mythology is holding the clock on ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
$16,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair 19thc French Empire Carved and Gilt Wood Wall Sconces - Unelectrified
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Empire Carved Wood Wall Sconces. Highly detailed, beautifully carved. French estate.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th C. French Silver Commemorative Three-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century French Silver Commemorative 3-Dimensional Napoleon Portrait Spoon
Unmarked, France, 19th Century
A remarkable 19th-century French si...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
$956 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Console Table
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very sophisticated Empire style console table, the ebonized plank top, over an ebonized wall centered with a carved parcel gilt la...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
20th Century French Oil Painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor by S. Chapin
By Chapin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French oil on canvas painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in a hand carved original gilded wooden frame, painted by S. Chapin in good condition. The wall décor art pie...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu And Marble Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and most impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, giltwood, ormolu, and Alabastro marble center table. The circular table is raised by elegant ball feet below t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Campaign Urns
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately pair of French Empire campaign urns with a central painting of a naturalistic setting on one side and a gilt medallion on the other on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,450 / set
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat
Greatcoat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry Portrait of Napoleon Bicorne Hat and Greatcoat
France, circa 1920s
Capture a piece of French history with this exquisite Grisaille (Grey) Tapestry ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$592 Sale Price
33% Off
Fine Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Miami, FL
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire candlesticks.
We are pleased to present you a gorgeous pair of French Empire period, original gilt bronze candlesticks, finely chiseled of ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,750 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French 19th century Empire st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece. This most elegant centerpiece is raised by an oval Ormolu base with intricately sc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
1930s French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier w/ Drapery Swag Attrib Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Spectacular 1930's French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier. Bronze drapery swag detail. With Neoclassical elements. Attributed to Maison Bagues.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,460 Sale Price
20% Off
French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and finely detailed French Turn of the Century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal centerpiece. The stunning cut Crystal bowl is raised on four straight legs displaying clawed f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Geometrical Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror with Carved Crest
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840, 19th century.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
$2,880 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany adjustable height tabletop desk, made for writing or reading in bed. Beautifully crafted desktop has a green leather writing surface, wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th century 1st Empire Period Leather and Ormolu side table, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare and most unique French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Leather and Ormolu side table, circa 1805. This charming table is raised on a tripod base with scrolled leather wra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Baker Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell.
This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,430 Sale Price
35% Off
Empire Form Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire chandelier, its circular frame of gilt metal, holding the opera basket bottom, finished by a ball drop, having eight S-scroll arms, each decorated with a leaf, ending i...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$1,072 Sale Price / set
46% Off
A 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu and Leather armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately and most handsome Continental 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Giltwood, Ormolu and Leather armchair. This wonderful chair is raised by curved Mahogany legs leading to a c...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair Of 19th Century Doré Bronze Portrait Medallions Mounted on Carrara Marble
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 19th Century round French Royalty Doré bronze portrait medallions mounted on Carrara marble. Portraits are gold in color and trim and framed in 1.5" dark wood frame. Round br...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1830s French Empire Mahogany Chest with Four Drawers and Gilded Edges, Commode
Located in Miami, FL
1830s French Empire mahogany chest with four drawers and gilded edges
Beautiful wooden root.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most elegant French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal centerpiece. This stunning centerpiece is raised by a circular Ormolu band with an intricate s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century Bronze Ormolu Swan Koi Fish Empire Wood Marble Round Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning table you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being a most spectacular and beautifully presented bronze ormolu swans...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Desk by Francois Linke
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and extremely high quality Continental 19th century Biedermeier Empire/Neo-Classical st. Burl Walnut, Ebonized Fruitwood, Giltwood and Ormolu Bureau Plat by Francois Li...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Early 19th Century Empire Neoclassical Style Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French early 19th century Empire style mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The most impressive circular center table is raised by three stunning ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Fine Bronze and Crystal Period Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite Empire chandelier, having a frame of finely chased gilt bronze, basket shape, draped in beaded crystals; floral swags connect the four external candlearms, four additional ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Giltwood armchairs. This statement making pair of throne armchairs are raised by patinated Brass casters the scr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most attractive and very high quality French mid 19th century Empire st. Mahogany and Ormolu side/center table. This handsome table is raised by a triangular base with concave side...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Italian Empire Pedestal Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century Round Marble Top Italian Pedestal. Top sits over three ebonized column supports with carved gilt wood accents at top and bottom. The ebonized columns are a key fea...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
c1810 Pair Antique Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks/ Candle Holders. Highly detailed. When I saw these I was thinking that they are stunning.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$832 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk.
In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Wood
Marble Pedestal, C.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century French ormolu mounted Empire-style pedestal, cast and figurine depicting a Greek goddess along with sculpted heads overlaid with flora. The middle design de...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Vintage French Empire Marquetry Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Commanding attention with its exquisite craftsmanship and timeless design, this vintage French Empire commode is a magnificent addition to any sophisticated interior. Constructed fro...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent early 19th-century French Empire trumeau mirror, elegantly patinated in a deep forest green and delicately accented with soft grey and gilded detailing. This exceptiona...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Giltwood
19thc Antique French "Empire" Bronze Fish/ Dolphin/ Sea Creature/ Koi Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 19thc French Antique Empire Bronze Fish/ Sea Creature/ Dolphin Chandelier. 3 fish with curled tails. Floral Art Glass shades. Parisian Estate a...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Meyer Gunther Martini French Empire Swan Armchairs Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below.
Shipping Quote Information
The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of 1970s Meyer Gunther Martini French Empire Swan Armchairs...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood
$3,196 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
set of six French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu dining chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome set of six French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu dining chairs. This wonderful set are raised by four circular tapered front legs while the back legs display ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Antique Irish Chiffoniers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare pair of traditional Irish chiffoniers or sideboards crafted with mahogany and celebrating several early 19th century styles, including empire and regency. Featuring high quality...
Category
19th Century Northern Irish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$12,500 Sale Price / set
32% Off
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely elegant French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The eight arm chandelier is centered by a striking solid crystal ball below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Side Table
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century French Empire period side table or nightstand made of solid walnut and veneer of walnut and finished on all four sides. Book matched veneers with beautiful swirli...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu, Crystal and Breccia marble inkwell. This wonderful rectangular inkwell is raised on circular toupie shaped Ormolu f...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French mid-19th century Empire style mahogany and ormolu mounted pair of armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet and e...
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.
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