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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: USA
Style: Empire
Antique 18th Century French Tapestry Aubusson Pillow 18 X 18
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th century French tapestry aubusson pillow. 18'' x 18''
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
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. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 8 Kindel Empire...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Wood

Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
$2,956 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French 19th Century Empire Painted Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire three-drawer commode from the 19th century with its original marble top. A more recent artistic update with a Caribbean-blue painted finish compliments the gilt bronz...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Classic Pair of Bouillotte Vintage Finely Cast Brass Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning bouillotte style brass table lamps having 3 arms finely cast from the 1940s with painted green and gold tole shades. Base 9” round Adjustable shade
Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Early 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An early 19th century painted and parcel-gilt Empire trumeau mirror with horse and chariot scene.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century French Empire Style Chaise With Mahogany And Bronze Frame
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome mid-century French Empire style mahogany chaise lounge. Th frame is mahogany with heavy ormolu adorning it. It is unmarked. A striking piece for a variety of setti...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid 18th Century French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson Pillow 20'' X 14'', handmade french piece in great condition
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Dutch 20th Century Mahogany Empire Style Tallboy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially...
Category

20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1980s Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, an...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Early 20th Century Empire Brass and Bronze Table Lamp and Shade
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An early 20th-century French Empire-style brazier, which was used as a portable heater burning hot coals or other fuel for interior warmth. This example was converted to a table lamp...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

19th Century Black French Antique Empire Ebonized Mahogany Sofa Bench, Recamier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French sofa bench-recamier made of hand crafted ebonized Mahogany, in good condition. The canapé is particularized by two side backrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Ebony, Mahogany

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royal Commanders 7.1X6.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage French Empire Brass Tole Metal Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass Tole Metal Twin Candlestick Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp with White Painted Metal Adjustable Oval Shade. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

A Pair of custom Empire style crotch mahogany console tables.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant and finely crafted, this pair of custom console or pier tables showcases the bold symmetry and classical influence of the Empire style. Each table features richly figured cr...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Early 20th Century Large Russian Imperial Brass Samovar Set
Located in Germantown, MD
A gorgeous, early 20th century large Russian imperial brass samovar set. Tray and bowl included. Measures 16" in width, 16" in depth and stands 22.5" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Bronze Metal and Crystal Urn, Pair, attributed to Baccarat
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century French artisans knew how to design lasting classical beauty. This extraordinary pair of French urns is proof of the mastery put forth in design and construction. Fro...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Empire Sofa Schumacher Sabi Tiger Velvet
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century Empire sofa. This handsome burl veneer sofa features ebonized and gilt columns, urn finials, with two hidden drawers, all newly upholstered in Schumacher abstract ...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Burl

Italian Black Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late-20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height. Larger Italian cachepot...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Empire Style Gueridon with Black Marble Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome classical Empire-style round center table with a dark gray/black marble top, raised on a hand turned ebonized black center pedestal. The table lends itself to be use...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Rich Mahogany Antique American Empire Round Pedestal Center Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rich looking round mahogany American Empire antique center table with ebonized pedestal and gilded details. Structurally sound having turned feet and castors. A 48” round piece of ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Giltwood

Empire Style Ebonized Cocktail Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century rectangular cocktail table executed in the Empire style. The ebonized wood base is fitted with applied bronze ormolu mounts with shaped supports joined by a lower ...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry and Burl Wood Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style nightstands or end tables By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Cherry wood, with burl wo...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Impressive Pair of Empire Black Leather Gilded Club Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive pair of Empire style black and gilded wood club chairs having black leather upholstery, curved backs and arms in the form of swans resting on saber shaped legs. The backs...
Category

1990s American Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Gilt French Empire Table Clock, Early 1800s
Located in New York, NY
A French Empire table clock, first half of the 19th century. Measures: Width 30, depth 11, height 38 cm. Key included. Later added hatch at back. F...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Empire Style Mahogany Wood Nightstands, 1930s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful pair of 1930s empire style mahogany nightstands. They are shaped like a half moon and two legs give elegance and typical style of their time. They also have a central dra...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Side Table W/ Marble Top
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century French Empire-style guéridon side table, sourced directly from Provence and meticulously restored. Handcrafted from solid mahogany, the table features ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Empire Walnut Upholstered Settee
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely tailored walnut Empire settee. The top rail is flanked by two graceful sloping arms, joining two brass classical female heads crowing two front straight tapering le...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers. This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Category

Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Enfilade or Sideboard Console of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French Empire enfilade or sideboard console server of flame mahogany with original marble top, from the 19th century, featuring a frieze showing four drawers with reflecti...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

English Silver Plate Biscuit Box or Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
An English sterling silver plate covered biscuit box or tea caddy with hinged finial lid top, attached claw footed gallery tray, and exterior repou...
Category

20th Century English Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century. Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

Elegant vintage classical Empire inspired marble top table by Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is an elegant empire inspired marble topped side table by Maitland Smith. This Empire inspired table has a hand forged wrought iron base with three decorative brass wings. This ...
Category

1990s Philippine Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Signed 19th Century Figural Russian 84 Silver Pear Shaped Tea Strainer
By Karl Fabergé, Feodor Rückert, Pavel Ovchinnikov
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine mid-19th century Russian tea strainer. In 84 Zolotnik silver. By Carl Gustav Ekqvist of St. Petersburg. The figural bowl in the form of a pear supported by an intertwined '...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

19th Century Painted Wood and Marble Pedestal Stand Gustavian Style
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive vintage column pedestal painted in a Gustavian color called Gustav. Certainly a very neutral color that bl...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL! MID CENTURY MONUMENTAL BRASS MARBRO LAMP! MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON! DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS! POLISHED BRASS ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21" In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived! Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold

Majestic Huge Schonbek "Camelot" 2643 Crystal Gem Cut 84 Light Chandelier
Located in Tustin, CA
Very elegant, finest quality, estate Schonbek Swarovski Gemcut crystal chandelier features classic Napoleonic Empire style. This stately and magnificent chandelier has two tiers and approximately 84 incandescent lights. It measures 65" long and 41.5" in diameter. The hardware is finished in gold. This chandelier is lavishly draped in crystals. The retail price of a new, made to order chandelier of this size is over $22,000.00. Reference page 104 of the Schonbek Beyond Lighting catalogue shown in the photos. Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, a Swarovski company, has 149 years of experience crafting superior crystal...
Category

Early 2000s Austrian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Sherle Wagner Empire Gold Bathroom Faucet Set Mounted on Travertine Stone Top
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Sherle Wagner International is still manufactured in their Massachusetts factory staffed by highly skilled artisans dedicated to preserving old world craftsmanship. Sherle Wagner has been producing the highest quality bathroom sinks and lever sets for 80-years. We are offering another example of one of their classic designs, the Empire Onyx Lever set complimented by a Gold Glazed Scalloped Ceramic Over Edge Sink, mounted on a Stone travertine Vanity top. Vitreous China, Integral overflow drain, 1-3/4˝ discharge drain, 6˝ water depth. Onyx Bathroom Sink Handles with Ribbon and Reed Spout model number 818. Nothing makes a statement quite like a powder room adorned with a Sherle Wagner Sink...
Category

1970s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Gold, Gold Plate

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Located in Trenton, NJ
nfuse your home with timeless sophistication with this Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa. Its ebonized wood frame features exquisite carvings that highlight the skill and craftsmanship...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
$900 Sale Price
50% Off
Italian Empire Style Commode
Located in Houston, TX
1900s Italian Empire mahogany chest of drawers with gilt bronze ormolu, keys and black marble top.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Cornucopia Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with leafy cornucopia carvings, carved top rail, great antique sofa. Cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Napoleonic Porcelain Soup Plates Set of 10 by Nast w/ French Imperial Decoration
By Nast
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of ten beautiful French porcelain soup plates was made by Nast, the Parisian factory renowned for producing porcelain for Napoleon and his imperial court. During the Napole...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Six Napoleonic Empire Style Bronze Mounted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of six mahogany dining chairs made in the grand Napoleonic Empire taste. The chairs feature beautifully crafted mahogany frames with rich, deep woodgrains on the fi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Empire Commode or Chest of Drawers
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French Empire Period commode from Normandy made of solid cherry wood. Three dovetailed drawers with brass knobs and one hidden top drawer. Large brass mounted turned c...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th-C. French Monkey Engravings By Nicolas Henri Jacob - Jacob’s Monkeys - S/6
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of 19th century nicely framed and matted monkey engraves by the highly regarded naturalist and artist Nicolas Henri Jacob. There are thirteen total to this study. These...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak

Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Tôle

French Pair of Petite 19th Century Empire Period Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire period Old Paris Porcelain vases, circa 1810, with painted landscapes and figural scenes on each side. The Classical amphora profile features a gold-banded mo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Set of three Neoclassical Italian Porcelain Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of three Neoclassical Italian Porcelain Plates. Three Real Fabbrica hand painted and gilded Naples Neoclassical Empire soup plates with central roundels depicting jewel toned my...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Baker Furniture French Empire Green Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style nightstands or end tables By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Green lacquered cherry wood, with original brass hardware and accents. Each m...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Rectangular Ribbed Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming ribbed gilt gold art frame found in a Paris market. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has fantastic patina throughout. Inside measure...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Square French Empire Brass Swans and Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Square French Empire brass swans and wrought iron coffee table is a striking example of neoclassical design, blending refined craftsmanship with timeless elegance. The table fea...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Grand French Empire Style Bronze Mahogany Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent French mahogany bibliotheque style bookcase cabinet crafted in the Napoleonic French empire taste. Constructed on a grand scale the cabinet features three pairs of storage do...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare French Empire partially Gilt Mahogany Corner Console or Encoignure
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Fine and Rare French Empire Mahogany Corner Console or 'Encoignure', late 19th cent. with a triangular top of ebonized molded edge, raised on a finely sculpted giltwood winged car...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Demilune Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Regency Style Ebonized Chair W/ Gilt Neo-Classical Swans Tiger Velvet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a killer chair! It is a regency style ebonized arm chair with neo-classical giltwood swan arms and paws. The tiger velvet is new. The chair is unmarked and is possibly by Pat...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Fruitwood, Giltwood

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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