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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: Germany
Style: Empire
Braunschweig Castle watchmaker Antoine Nicolas Delolme, 1752-1836
Located in Berlin, DE
Antoine Nicolas Delolme, 1752–1836, active in Brunswick from 1780 to 1810, became court clockmaker in 1786. The pendulum is signed on both the front and back. The hands are openwor...
Category

1810s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Empire-style portal clock, France, early 19th century, black
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire-style portal clock, France, early 19th century. Open portal case made of black stone with gilt bronze appliqués, enamel dial with Roman numerals, movement with hook escapement...
Category

1820s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Spectacular Temple Guardian Antique Empire Style Table Birdseye Maple Veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Spectacular Temple Guardian Empire style table Root on solid beechwood. A classical table with three monumental, fully ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple

20th Century Empire Style French Garniture Living Room Sets
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial garniture in French Empire style. Solid, ebonized beechwood. Fine engraved and silver plated Empire mountings and caryatides. Measures: Kanapee/sofa: Width 108 cm, heigh...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Beech

19th Century Empire Style French Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Majestic basket chandelier in French. Empire style in 1900. Bronze, gilded. Basket-shaped, profile-shaped body made of hand-cut French ball prism strings. In the course, con...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Bureau Plat, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant Empire writing desk (Bureau Plat) in mahogany. The desk stands on tapered, smooth legs with ball feet and brass sabots, and features three drawers and two pull-out side exten...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Empire Style Sconces Wall Lights, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming pair of sconces. Perfect to enhance any chic or eclectic home. We'd love to see it hanging in an entryway as a charming welcom...
Category

1960s German Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

20th Century antique Empire style Chandelier with 8 Silver Swans brass
Located in Berlin, DE
Galvanized bronze and partly red patinated. Bowl-shaped body with pine finish. Starting from this, eight candlestick arms designed as swans with cylindrical spouts over a round eaves...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Unusual Early 19th Century Swedish Carved Giltwood Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and unusual Swedish giltwood and ebonized console table with a white marble top supported by two sculptural griffins (part eagle, part sea creature).
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

20th Century Candelabra after Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Princely splendid candelabra after Pierre Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) exceptionally fine engraved and moulded bronze. Fully moulded designed f...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Gilt Bronze Chandelier with Eagle Heads and Arrows, 1930s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A large French empire style six-light gilt and patinated bronze chandelier with eagle heads and arrows, circa 1930s. Socket: 6 x E14 for standard screw bulb.  
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Empire Style Bronze and Crystal Chandelier, Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Austrian crystal chandelier with a solid bronze frame and faceted crystal, circa 1930s or older. This chandelier is perfect for large spaces, entryways, and hallways. A unique waterf...
Category

1930s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate

20th Century Antique Classizim Style Empire Swan Chaise Lounge Birdseye Maple
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid beechwood, partially ebonized and gilded. Finely carved swans, feet carved with paws. Very high quality fabric.
Category

20th Century English Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Chandelier Crystal Montgolfièr Empire Sac a Pearl Lustre Lighting Set
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category

2010s European Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Antique WMF Art Nouveau Empire Pattern Cookie Jar Barrel or Ice Cube Bucket
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Antique Art Nouveau Empire pattern biscuit barrel by WMF. High quality crafted from silverplated brass with a cut glass liner this piece can also perfectly be used as a ice cube to...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Original antique Empire Sofa / canapé circa 1860-1870 Empire Room mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Original Empire sofa circa 1860-1870 from an Empire room. Massive mahogany cast with Empire caryadites bronze. Top condition. Measurments: width:140cm Height: 100cm Depht: 80cm.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Mahogany Bergère Armchair, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century Elegant bergère armchair crafted from solid mahogany, representing fine European cabinetmaking of the early 1...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 19th-Century French Marble Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Neoclass
Located in Berlin, DE
Elevate your interior with this exceptional antique French figural mantel clock, beautifully crafted in the 19th century in a refined Neoclassical / Empire style. Featuring a strikin...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Original Antique Empire Library / Shelve / Vitrine, circa 1860-1880 Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Empire Biblithek, circa 1860s-1880s from an Empire room Mahogany with beautiful empire figures, cast bronze. Very rare to get today. 3 glass doors, interior with glass shelves, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century antique Empire Style Lion canapé Sofa beech bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style. Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Early 19th Century Pair of Empire / Biedermeier Solid Plum Wood Swan Armchairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A pair of Empire / Biedermeier plum wood from circa 1815, newly upholstered with new fabric in classicist style. The armrests, backrest and seat are upholste...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German bo...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Swedish Empire Ceiling Chandelier in antique Classicist Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Swedish Empire ceiling crown in the style of classicism Polished brass and facetted prismatic trimmings. Starting from narrow, ornamented brass hoops, eight curved candlesticks for cylindrical spouts above a round gutter bowl. Baluster-shaped body made of hand-wired pearl strings...
Category

20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Wire

Rare Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Bronze Vases, French or German
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare and decorative pair of early 19th century Empire gilt and patinated bronze vases of campana form on a stepped square marble base. The everted egg-and-dart rim above a finely chased frieze depicting putti playing music. This or a similar pair of vases belonged to the collection of the Queen Louise of Prussia...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Empire Jardinière With Fine Lyra Bronzes 1820–1825
Located in Epfach, DE
French Empire mahogany jardinière with fine bronzes, c. 1820–1825. Mahogany veneer on softwood with an original metal liner and bronze mounts. Original casters. This is a particularly elegant French Empire jardinière...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany, Spain, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Empire mahogany-veneered chest of drawers raised on an exceptionally crafted base supported by chimera figures with swan necks, finished in green and silver patina. The piece c...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Early 19th Century Vase Pendule, Pendulum-Clock, Tardy à Lyon, Empire circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique vase clock France Fire gilded bronze Empire around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 41 x 13 x 12 Description: Beautiful all gilt French mantel clock. The basic form is in the shape of an urn vase with lid...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Viennese Portal Clock, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Viennese portal clock resting on a rectangular mahogany base. The ebonized case is richly adorned with fire-gilded bronze appliqués. Flanking the clock are carved decorati...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire Restauration Period Armchair Bergère, France, 1825
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Empire restauration period armchair bergère, France, circa 1815-1830. solid mahogani wood with gold leaf details. fully restored, new upholstery with lace up padding. very com...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Chest of Drawers, Polished Walnut, Cherry, Brass, Austria circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Extraordinary, Empire / early Biedermeier Chest, Commode or Half-cabinet from Austria around 1815. Beautiful book-matched dark walnut veneer on softwood. Two doors at the bottom, cou...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass

Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Art Deco Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
New Art Deco Crystal Style Chandelier: Custom Empire Elegance Introducing our latest addition, the Art Deco crystal style chandelier, a captivating fusion of Empire opulence and the...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Empire Sofa Berlin Brandenburg Mahogany Carved Gilded Lions
Located in Epfach, DE
Provenance: noble Family "von Puttkamer" from Berlin Brandenburg; on the back original marked with pencil "Henriette von Puttkamer" and a transport sticker, made of paper, from the railway "Waren (Müritz)" (Henriette v. P. lived from 1799 until 1878) This piece of furniture from the time of the German Empire has a tasteful lightness that is underlined by the extraordinary design. Both ends of the backrest are crowned by a reclining, hand-carved and gilded lion...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century French Empire Large Neoclassical Walnut Console Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century French Empire Large Neoclassical Walnut Console Table An elegant Empire period console table with a with marble top above a frieze d...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Pair of Empire Candlestick, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of candlesticks made of burnished and fire-gilt bronze. The spouts are surrounded by three satyr masks crowned by flames. The pyramidal shaft is decorated with torchbearers in r...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Rare Empire-style half-door cabinet
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Empire Cabinet This exquisite Empire Cabinet dates from around 1800 and is a testament to the high craftsmanship and elegant design that prevailed in French furniture production duri...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Atelier Musee Du Louvre after Pilon Germain, King Henri II Bust, 1850s, France
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A French Grand Tour 19th century plaster, bust of French King Henri II made by Atelier de moulage du Louvre between 1854-1865 after Pilon Germain...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Plaster

21st Century Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Baroque Empire brass chandelier, an exquisite piece with fascinating embellishments reminiscent of the classic style of the Empire era. This is a new reproduct...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Mirror, stamped Jean-Joseph Chapuis, Brussels c. 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table - stamped Chapuis Brussels Mahogany Empire around 1810 Dimensions: H x W x D: 178 x 91 x 56 cm, height without mirror: 82 cm Description: Elaborately crafted early 19th century dressing table...
Category

Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Deco Crystal Chandelier - Empire Elegance in Customizable Sizes Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering m...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a captivating blend of Art Deco charm and Empire sophistication, our lead crystal chandelier is a testament to opulence and craftsmanship. Crafted in-house, we offer the ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Figural Three-Light Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of gilt bronze three-light candelabra with kneeling putto holding the candleholders raised on richly elaborate base, France, late 19th century. Measures: Height 12.50 in / 3...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair (2) of Unique French Sconces, Gilt Bronze, Paris, 20th
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair (2) of Unique French Sconces, Gilt Bronze, Paris, 20th Century Wall sconces looking at each other. Solid bronze/brass, finely chased and gilded. Extremely decorative wall sconce...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century, Empire Cherrywood Seating Group, 2 Armchairs and 6 Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful unique seating group consisting of 2 armchairs and 6 chairs. The group dates back to the Empire period of the early 19th century, circa 1800-1810. All chairs are made of so...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Empire Psyche, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large standing mirror with rotating mirror in an arched frame. The mirror is held by lateral columns which end in fire-gilded bronze urns. The bases are also fire-gilt. The psyche st...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Corner Étagère, Berlin circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
An exceptional corner étagère made of mahogany, resting on three gold-patinated paw feet. The segment-shaped structure is supported by three stylized palm-form columns, featuring gol...
Category

Early 1800s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Giltwood

A French Empire Sèvres Porcelain Centerpiece around 1820, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
A French Empire Sèvres Porcelain Centerpiece around 1820, Paris A French porcelain centerpiece. Mint green metal top. Base: Navette-sha...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Empire Style Bronze-Colored Pewter and Frosted Cut Glass Table Lamp 1900s
Located in Barntrup, DE
The beautifully shaped French Empire-style table lamp, which is an electrified petroleum lamp, features a bronze-colored pewter body adorned with three ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Antique 1810 Paris Empire Milieu De Table Paws Gilt Bronze Mirror Centrepiece
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant and rare so called Milieu de Table made in Paris in 1810 ca. This fine Empire table centre piece in original condition consists of a mirror mou...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Grey-Painted Empire Style Sofa Frame, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-seater Empire-style sofa with a tall, straight backrest and straight armrests terminating in Egyptian-style caryatid figures. The sofa stands on seven tapering legs and has bee...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-19th Century Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze candlesticks raised on three lions paws, France, mid-19th century.  
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Candlestick Lightshade Vienna by Balthasar Wigand Mother of Pearl
Located in Epfach, DE
Mother of pearl light shade or candlestick by Balthasar Wigand Vienna about 1810-1820 with very fine painting from the Galitzerberg in Vienna. B...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Sèvres Style Bronze-Mounted Cobalt Blue Hand Painted Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large French Sèvres style gilt bronze ormolu-mounted cobalt blue hand painted porcelain urn table lamp, first half of the 20th century. Bronze figurine handles, front side with han...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique 1810 France Cast Iron Bookcase Shelves Flowers
Located in Munich, DE
Charming and elegant shelves made out of cast iron. The front of this slim piece of furniture and the struts are decorated with flowers.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

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.