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 Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed
Located in Huntington, NY
This rare cabinet makers example of an antique Empire mahogany sleigh bed,
As Dog bed. With new poly foam bed covered in black & white ticking.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Style Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Astoria, NY
A handsome mid-19th-century French Empire chest of drawers, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid walnut, it features a naturally aged dark patina with ri...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
An Ebonized Dining Table, Attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in New York, NY
This elegant ebonized mahogany dining table, attributed to Maison Jansen, features intricate rosettes and classic and contemporary elements, making it a versatile addition to various...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Louis Marie Moris French bronze Napoleon on horseback . (1818-1883)
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large French bronze of Napoleon on horseback . Crossing the Alps on Marengo.
Fine detail on a marble base . Large and impressive scale
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Four-Drawer Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room or den with this elegant antique chest of drawers. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the traditional commode sits on carved columnar supports over a straight bott...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Bronze and Bronze Dore Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style patinated and gilded bronze chandelier, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italian Pair of 19th Century Giltwood Appliqués
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning pair of Italian 19th century giltwood wall appliqués–decorative elements to enhance the architectural program–likely obtained from a church or cathedral as they are flat a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
$8,400 / set
Set of Ten French Empire Mahogany Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of ten mahogany dining chairs made in the neoclassical French empire taste. The chairs feature decorative bronze mounts ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Marble-Top Commode
Located in Houston, TX
The rectangular gray and white marble top above a conforming case
Having three recessed long drawers, flanked to either side by an ormolu-
Mounted pilaster, raised on turreted fee...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Semainier
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century French Empire mahogany semainier featuring artful neoclassical hardware. Hand-crafted in France circa 1810, this semainier is fitted with seven drawers to provide a dr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage French Tole Empire Style 6 Light Chandelier
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Gorgeous Vintage French Tole Painted 6-light Empire Style Chandelier with bright Gilt details. A style popular for almost 200 years, this Empire Chandelier is simply gorgeous. Our ow...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Danish Rectangular Empire Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish gilt gold art frame found in a market in Denmark. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has wonderful patina throughout and would loo...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
A large French Empire wood and gesso mirror, C 1840.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The two-tone painted, rectangular frame with ornate gilt highlights throughout. Perfect in an entryway, to elongate a hall way or above a mantel horizontally. The neutral mirror may...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Pair of French 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire style brass candlesticks from the 1800’s with a beautiful silhouette and nice heft in the patinated metal to add intrigue to a mantel or dining table. Subtle,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Figural Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the form of a putto with a wheel barrow carrying a keg mounted with a clock face topped by a crane, on a rectangular chased plinth ending in bun feet.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$8,000 Sale Price
20% Off
American Empire Long Ottoman with Upholstered Burgundy Velvet and Tapestry Top
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire long rectangular ottoman with supple upholstered burgundy velvet top bordered by a dense earth-toned floral tapestry fabric, resting on a mahogany veneer base having ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H x 10.5" W x 16" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Ottoman Silver-Inlaid "Jambiya" Dagger with Sheath
Located in Middleburg, VA
An elegant 19th-century Ottoman Jambiya, richly decorated with intricate silver inlay and highlighted with the deep black sheen of traditional niello work. Both the sheath and the fo...
Category
Mid-17th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver, Metal
19th Century French Empire Style Bleached Commode with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century French Empire style commode exudes elegance and sophistication, featuring bleached mahogany and a marble top The bleached finish gives it a timeless and classic loo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This French style side table features a single drawer with two door cabinet above. The table has been hand painted in Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from solid wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th c. French Empire Style Napoleon Bust by F.B. Launay
By F.B. Launay, Chaudet
Located in Queens, NY
Nineteenth century French Empire patinated bronze bust depicting Napoleon. The work is labeled "Napoleon" and signed by F.B. Launay after the 1804 model by Antoine-Denise Chaudet.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of Ten White and Gilt French Empire Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of ten white and gilt French Empire plates. Empire white and gilt plates with under-glaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 1800....
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,200 / set
Empire Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire burl walnut chest of drawers with marble top, circa 1820. With a rectangular marble top, a small burl walnut top drawer with dolphin escutcheon (no lock), 3 lower burl walnut ...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Napoleon III Style Mahogany
Bronze Figural Pier Console Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite French Empire / Napoleon III style mirrored Pier Table, circa 1980s. Made from mahogany and bronze ormolu with a green marble top. The table showcases two figural swan...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$3,150 Sale Price
30% Off
Early 20th Century French Empire Style Beaded Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This French Empire-style chandelier from circa 1930 is crafted from brass and crystal. Featuring the traditional ‘tent and basket’ design, it has a domed lower body adorned with casc...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
$382 Sale Price
49% Off
Empire Stellar Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Empire style round dining table with beech and quartered walnut veneer and a stellar parquetry inlaid top with a molded edge on a tapered octagonal column base and quatrefoil concave...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$5,577 / item
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts exudes elegance, and is extraordinarily versatile with two leaves that are always there when you need them, t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Green Glass Inkwell with Gilt Mounts
Located in Nashville, TN
Second Empire green glass inkwell circa 1870 .rare color .Encased in gilt metal Empire styled mounts ,swans drinking from a fountain. The lid shows a woman with bust . The ovoid gree...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Mid 19th Century French Empire Style Portrait of Lady with Coral Jewelry
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mid 19th Century French Empire Style Portrait of a Lady with Coral Jewelry. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, please see detailed photos or message us with q...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
Neoclassical Empire Marble Top Ormolu Mounted Gray and Gilt Console Tables, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of Neoclassical or Empire style console tables featuring winged sphinx and Egyptian ormolu figures
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Painted wood in a lovely gray color,...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Queen Bed
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19/20th Century) mahogany queen size bed with gilt bronze trim and upholstered panel on headboard (includes: headboard, fo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Bronze
Frederick Cooper Figural Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Empire style Frederick Cooper lamps featuring a striking figural bronze female sculpture on top of an intricately carved base. Includes original silk shades with corded edgin...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,450 / set
Green Tole Wastebasket With Lion Ring Handles
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Empire Style navette shape litter basket with gold lion mask ring handles and neoclassical decorations. United States, c. 1930's
Dimensions: 14.5" W x 11.5" D x 9" H
Category
1930s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique French Bouillotte Lamp, Hand-Painted Toleware, 1930s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
$462 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Carved Giltwood Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive late 19th Century Empire carved giltwood Mahogany wall Mirror, Circa 1890s. Measures 49.5" in width, 4" in depth and stands 33" in height.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
Vintage French Empire Style Large 30" Cast Iron Urn Form Garden Planters - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote.
Vintage French Empire Style Large 30" Cast Iron Urn Form Garden Planters - a Pair. We...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs in Black w/Gold Accents from the Mid-19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegan...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Empire Neoclassical Gilt Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Empire Neoclassical gilt mirror. Antique Italian gilt Neoclassical mirror frame with interior leaf and dart holding with large ogee band and o...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
French 19th Century Empire Mantel Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Empire mantle mirror (c. 1800) exhibits restrained surface decoration concentrated to intermittent, low-relief floral motifs that leave ample space for the gilt molding t...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Three-Light Candelabra ca. 1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE THREE-LIGHT CANDELABRA
Paris, France ca. 1815-35 raised on antico verde marble plinths
25 1/2" H x 9" W x 4 1/2" D
A very finely chiseled ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Fine Bronze Mounted Empire Beds
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding pair of period Empire bronze-mounted beds in overall very good condition. The figural end column forms feature well cast busts and feet, and there are wreaths, Angels,...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,400 / set
19th Century Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning 19th century Italian Empire style gilt metal and crystal chandelier with 6 lights. Beautiful basket shape with gorgeous crystals. Creates an elegant image!
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Large Estate Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase.
Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Regency Bronze Crystal Basket Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical / Regency bronze and graduating crystal basket form chandelier with medusa heads and six candelabra sockets around the outer frame and a beau...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Brass Gallery Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Center Table with Brass Gallery. Item features a pierced brass gallery, pedestal base, gold gilt details, beautiful wood grai...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Aubusson French 1800 - 15" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Sofa Bench Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire settee late 19th century 1870- 1890. Ebonized mahogany frame, French polished (Black) with captivating carved female heads under armrest, legs terminating into animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$6,000 Sale Price
38% Off
19th Century Italian Walnut Bedside Tables Pair
Located in Carmine, TX
Pair of empire bedside tables / nightstands hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s and decorated with walnut book-matched veneer. The tables are small in size and, therefore, perfect ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair 19th Century French Empire Style Chairs With Red Silk Upholstered Seat
Located in Sheridan, CO
Extraordinary pair of French Empire style mahogany chairs featuring a tub or gondola form frame. Minimally decorated having a curved back,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
French 19th Century Mahogany Empire-Style Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An outstanding French Empire-style mahogany accent table with a unique basket wrapped around the pedestal. A circular wood top with raised trim rests on an apron housing two small dr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Cherry wood base, with mo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 19" X 13", it also has it's pair as well for whom that is interested, … more
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid Century Cut Crystal
Metal Delphin Dolphin Centerpiece Compote Bowls 10"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of rare mid 20th century French Empire / Neoclassical compote bowls featuring cast metal pedestal bases in the shape of delphins / dolphins / fish, painted in off white, balanci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
$696 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt
Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960.
In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique French Empire Fruitwood Console Table with drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Antique French Empire- Biedermeier fruitwood console table with drawer and bronze details
In good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beaut...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
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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