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
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
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
Rare 19th Century Russian Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
An Extremely Rare 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu, Hand-Diamond Cut Crystal and Jeweled Inkwell. The inkwell features a circular base with a faceted crystal insert, framed by an ...
Category
1820s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
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
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
20th Century Mirrored Top
Mahogany Wood Sideboard/Credenza By Dessin Fournir
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exquisite sideboard, crafted by the renowned Dessin Fournir company in the mid-20th century, exemplifies superb craftsmanship and elegant design. Constructed from beautifully gr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Exceptional American Classical Pier Table, Ca. 1800-1820
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique pier table with classic Regency elegance in rich red-brown veneers, showcasing a rectangular black stone top and a shapely long drawer flush along the apron, raised over i...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Early 19th Century French Charles X Period Aubusson Carpet (15
8"x16
3"-478x495)
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Aubusson Carpet - 1st Empire Period
French 19th century rooms must often have been square since so many carpets of the c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Note: Full price include new upholstery service, buyer to provide fabric.
Mint condition empire sofa sette loveseat couch fine carved details lions feet.
The frame is stunning vint...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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
Antique French Carved Giltwood Pedestal or Plant Stand in Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
Wooden plant stand or pedestal in the French Empire style, exquisitely carved and gilt, with fine details including neoclassical masks, wreaths, scrolling vines and raised on four an...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Style Ormolu and Malachite Center Table
Located in Tarzana, CA
A large and impressive Empire style Gilt Bronze & Malachite center table. The table features a circular top, which has been beautifully inlaid with malachite and edged with gilt bron...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
$33,250 Sale Price
30% Off
European Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage impressive wooden frame in silver gilt, with great patina, that would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. Wond...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Small French Floral Painted Toleware Metal Vanity Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small French decorated butterfly shaped tray featuring hand colored flowers. We see this versatile piece on a cocktail table or used on a vanity holding you're favorite jewelry or tr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
This impressive pair of gilt and patinated bronze candelabra is a quintessential example of the French empire style. Drawing from Greco-Roman influence, each candelabra features a ce...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow 24" x 12" Inch
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Empire Style Mahogany and Ebonized Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful and restored Empire-style Mahogany side table. Round Mahogany top and base with new polish, three ebonized legs with dual ring gilt-wood accent det...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood, Wood
French 19th Century Cobalt Blue Glass with Bronze Rim
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Denmark, a very versatile glass with a bronze rim. We see this piece being used for display, a cocktail glass as well as a penholder. We are very impressed with the unbea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
English Crown Derby Porcelain Potpourri Vessel, early 19th century
Located in New York, NY
An English porcelain potpourri vessel with gold gilt god-like heads and lion paw feet, Empire design, by Crown Derby, circa early-19th century, England. Red makers' mark date range c...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 6.8X5.10
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
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Marble Top Console ~ Pier Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Marble Top Console ~ Pier Table is an amazing example of the style that launched a revolution felt around the Western World. Highly talented ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
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
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
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
Fine 19th Century Marquetry-Inlaid Satinwood and Gilt-Bronze Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century marquetry-inlaid satinwood and gilt-bronze portico clock, circa 1840s, features a floral-and-foliate-inlaid frieze over f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
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
Mid Century Empire Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Empire Style full grain Leather Upholstered and Nailhead Studded Mahogany Arm Chair. Measures 22" in width, 24" in depth and 34" in height. Seat height is 19" and arm h...
Category
1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th C. Kirk
Son "Repoussé" 117-Piece Sterling Silver Flat Service, 111.8 Oz
By Kirk
Son
Located in Germantown, MD
A S. Kirk & Son, Sterling Silver Repousse set of flatware. 117 gorgeous pieces. Hand chased and hand decorated by prominent American silversmith Samuel Kirk who introduced the Repou...
Category
19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Empire Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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
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
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This chandelier is a French Empire eight-light fixture made in 19th century from patinated and gilt bronze. The design features classical elements from the Empire period, including ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Mahogany
Bronze Twin Size Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 19th Century Empire mahogany twin size daybed with applied bronze decorations. Structurally sound with repair done on legs, see photos. Nice finish, bolt together construction...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Mortar with Pestle Apothecary Set
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An antique bronze mortar with original pestle which has two side handles and incised detail. This set, found in Denmark, would be a great addition to an existing collection of these ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
$78,500
French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. Bronze and Ormolu lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most impressive French 19th century Belle Epoque Period Empire st. patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble lamp. The stunning candelabra mounted into a l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A French Empire gold mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fine and Large Antique hand carved giltwood frame with beautiful floral, scroll and rosette decorations. A statement piece for your entryway...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Austrian Empire Console Table with back mirror and Swan Pedestals
Located in Miami, FL
Austrian console table from the Karl Johan Period in walnut and ebonized wood. Drawer in frieze. The table is decorated with Swans that are painted in a gold color to imitate oxidize...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Superb Gilt Bronze Center Table with Lapis Lazuli Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt bronze table featuring a lapis lazuli top. The striking contrast between the fire gilding with its mustard yellow and the deep blue of the lapis is something to see. Th...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
Milling Road for Baker French Empire Settee designed by Darryl Carter
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a French empire style settee designed by Darryl Carter for milling Road by Baker. This settee has a white lacquer finish to the frame with new upholstery el tiger gray Chenil...
Category
2010s Indonesian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Mantel Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Exquisite Period Empire Clock, featuring Cupid (in patinated bronze) with his bow & arrow, next to him a quiver & torch. The body of the clock with bas relier decoration and anthe...
Category
Early 1800s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$6,250
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Bedside Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A French Empire style marble-top mahogany bedside cabinet (nightstand - end table) with elegant beautifully aged warm rustic patina. circa 1870
Hand-crafted in France in the secon...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Buffet in Recent Paint
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A very unique French Empire 19th century buffet, or desserte server, in demilune profile and more recent painted finish of uncertain age. The top surface is a handpainted faux marble that is nearly all black except for delicate wisps of smoky gray veining. In the frieze are three drawers: one in each corner that swings outward at an angle, and one wide drawer in the center, all using lion-motif ring pulls. The case is washed in an ethereal tone of French gray with matte texture and mottled variation blending streaks of white, gray, and blue pigment that may just as easily blend with Directoire and Gustavian tastes than the opulence of Empire. Carved wood caryatids in ebonized (painted) effect flank the pair of doors at center, which open in tandem by working lock and key. Inside the case are two shelves at different depths which could be perfect as a dry bar or dining room storage...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Two Drawer Worktable or Stand in Flame Mahogany
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique 19th century Empire stand with two drawers in flame mahogany. It features dovetailed drawers with original wood knobs, a finished back and boldly carved legs with acanthus le...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
Mahogany Chest of Three Drawers with Marble Top, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
A fine mahogany empire chest of drawers with canted fluted sides, tapered feet and marble top.
This elegant chest of drawers has been restored and is ready to be placed and enjoyed. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Large Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of circa 1900 French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces showcases the mythological figure Acantha, a nymph beloved by the god Apollo. According to legend, Apollo transformed ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Lamps
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of columnar form neoclassical lamps feature gilt bronze wreaths and Corinthian capitals.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th C. French Empire Mahogany Desk Armchair with Scroll Arms and Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant 19th-century French Empire desk chair, carved circa 1870, features a sculptural mahogany frame with a rich, warm patina and classic neoclassical lines. The barrel-form b...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Meissen Group of Calvary General Mikhail Kutuzov with Aide de Camp
Located in New York, NY
A Very Large 19th century Meissen porcelain Group of Russian Calvary General, believed to be Mikhail Kutuzov, the hero of Borodino, with aide de camp, marked with the Meissen underglaze blue crossed swords, and incised and impressed with numbers. While Russia endured great hardships during Napoleon's invasion, it was the skill of her general's and a terrible Russian winter...
Category
1880s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$18,800 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Mahogany Bibliothéque Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire flame mahogany 2 door bibliothèque cabinet with with wire mesh and tapered square column sides having gilt bronze trim with classical heads.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Solid Tiger Oak Curved Glass China Cabinet Carved Claw Feet Lion Heads MINT!
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Tiger Oak Curved Glass China Cabinet Carved Claw Feet Lion Heads MINT!
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
Corinthian Column Marble Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style Corinthian column table lamp in marble. A decorative carved spiral, twists around the marble column, which is topped and tailed with a brass capital...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Door Knockers
Located in Queens, NY
2 French Empire style (20th Century) bronze dore door knockers with swan head (PRICED EACH).
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,200 / item
French Empire Style Bronze Dore Egyptian Compote
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore compote with 3 Egyptian ebonized figures and crystal bowl.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Round Empire Style Gold Mirror by Randy Esada Designs, 2010s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round Empire style gold mirror by Randy Esada Designs. Beautiful gold gilding and beveled mirror.
Additional information:
Materials: Giltwood, Gold, Mirror
Color: Gold
Brand: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Furniture
Materials
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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