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
Small Rectangular 19th Century Wooden Mirror and Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Danish or Swedish 19th Century Empire Mirror. This classic rectangular mirror features the original mirror. Wonderful mirror that can be displayed on a vanity or hung verticall...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
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
An empire mantel clock "AU PORTEFAIX" after Jean andre reiche
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
MANTEL CLOCK "Au bon sauvage" or "PORTEFAIX",
late Empire, after a design by J.A. REICHE (Jean-Andre Reiche, 1752-1817), Paris, 19th century. Gilt ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$9,000 Sale Price
40% Off
Pair French Empire Ormolu
Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, 1830s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair French Empire Ormolu & Patinated Bronze Fluted Column Lamps, Signed, Dombrowski Fabricant Rue St. Honoré 343 a Paris, Circa 1830s
A magnificent pair of French Empire Ormolu and...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$2,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Table
Located in Chicago, IL
In the French Empire (1804-1815) period, grandeur was often measured in gilt bronze—sphinxes, swags, laurel wreaths gilded to catch the light. But every so often, a piece turns up th...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Antique North German Pine Sun Armoire with Gesso Appliqué
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
This exceptional one-of-a-kind armoire from the area of Bremen has the original pink gesso appliqués, circa 1790. Fabricated from a beautiful knot-less dense pine, the carved ribbed...
Category
1790s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Pine
$7,500 Sale Price
40% Off
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 Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Grey and Gilt Montieth Jardiniere Cachepot
Located in New York, NY
Grey and Gilt Montieth Jardiniere Cachepot. Antique grey metal tole verrier cachepot with gold painted banding. Continental, mid 19th century.
Dimensions: 12” W handle to handle; 1...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian Carved Giltwood
Whitewashed French Empire Style Balloon Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood and whitewashed balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has tassel appointments. It is in very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Poplar
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Abattant with Figural Ormolu 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Empire abattant secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper drawer over drop front desk opening to interior with p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$2,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique French Aubusson Pillow 19" X 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Dutch Marquetry Empire Settee, circa 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Offers mahogany frame with inlays in satinwood of flowers and foliage along back crest, "S" scroll arms and slipper feet. Features upholstered seat, back and inside and outside arms....
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Twill, Upholstery, Satinwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
French Empire Style Tall Dresser in Painted Gray Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Empire style bedroom tall chest with gilt metal ring handles painted white. We have a matching double dresser in our listing. Made for John Stuart.
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Brass Empire Sconce
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A single petite Empire brass sconce of classic French design. Perfect for a small space that needs some extra light and still looks sophisticated w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian Neoclassical giltwood mirror. Antique gilt carved mirror with scrolled acanthus surround, leaf-tipped outer edge with cor...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19TH C Empire Bronze Mounted Marble Top Round Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless sophistication to your home with this 19th Century Empire Bronze Mounted Marble Top Round Table, a stunning example of classic French Empire style. Featuring a ric...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most decorative French 19th century Empire St. mahogany and ormolu center table. The circular table is raised by fine bun feet below elegant scrolled legs with hand...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Style Tub Chair In Original Patina
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century French Empire Style Tub Chair in Original Patina. This striking chair embodies the grandeur and sculptural refinement of the Empire aesthetic. Crafted in richly toned wo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Florentine Velvet Metallique Pillow
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$3,360 Sale Price
36% Off
French Empire Neoclassical Bronze Three Candelabras Bouillotte Lamp Tole Shade
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical bronze three candelabras Bouillotte lamp with two Edison sockets and dark forest green tole shade.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Polished Ebony Nightstand - Single Antique Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique French Empire nightstand, bed side table made of hand crafted shellac polished Ebony, in good condition. The si...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
A fine 19th c French mahogany and gilt bronze marble top sideboard by Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French mahogany and gilt bronze mounted marble top sideboard signed Antoine Krieger. Flame mahogany with fine gilt bronze mounts .
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Troubadour Mantel Clock
By Le Roy
Located in New Orleans, LA
This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a wi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vintage Tapestry Depicting A Secret Garden 6.5X6.1
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
Tiffany
Co. Style Antique Empire Marble Rocker Blotter With Brass Handle
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Empire or Neoclassical marble rocker ink blotter with brass laurel wreath handle
In the manner of Tiffany & Co.
USA, Late 19th Century
Measures: 5.13"W x 3"...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25
x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of French Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frames
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Europe, a pair of impressive rectangular antique wooden frames in silver gilt leaf with great patina. This set would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
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
French Empire Demi Lune Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Empire style bowfront flame okum veneered and oval pollard oak burl panel inlaid side cabinet or buffet, the brass bound top above three frieze drawers above four cabinet do...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$10,485 / item
Magnificent Pair of Russian Imperial Ruby Glass Vases w/ Gilded Bronze Mounts
Located in New York, NY
While Napoleon's armies never conquered Russian, French taste did, and in a big way. This pair made at the Imperial Glass Workshop, under the Sponsorship of the Imperial Family would have been at home in a Paris drawing room as easily as in St. Petersburg.
The Intense Ruby Red color of the Crystal is created by adding large quantities of gold to the molten glass before the object is created. The resulting color is dense yet full of light just like its namesake the precious jewel. The Dore bronze mounts use motifs taken from antiquity. Likewise, the shape of the handles is inspired by Greco-Roman amphora...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Estate Baccarat Crystal Empire Style Jonzac Decanter
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
Fine estate Baccarat decanter in the rare Jonzac pattern which pairs beautifully with Empire and Harcourt patterns- the stopper is identical to Harcourt an...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Mahogany Winged Griffins End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany end/center table with bronze trim and winged griffins on legs with a green rectangular marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
1950 Empire Crystal Chandelier 18 Lights Two Tiers
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1950’s French Empire style 18 lights crystals and bronze chandelier. Two tiers. With faces on the bronze rings. Original gilding and patina.
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Large 19th Century Black Tole Metal Oval Serving Tray with Handles
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Unbeatable age and patina on this black painted and gilt on oval tray. The tray features leaves in an oval pattern. As found in Sweden, we see this metal tray functioning on a coffee...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Russian Empire Ormolu Bronze Candlesticks
Located in New York, US
Our pair of ormolu bronze candlesticks feature acanthus leaf nozzles emanating from Roman style military helmets with plumage, with reeded acanthus stems...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$9,000 / set
20th Century French Oil Painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor by S. Chapin
By Chapin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French oil on canvas painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in a hand carved original gilded wooden frame, painted by S. Chapin in good condition. The wall décor art pie...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of New Linen Upholstery French Empire Style Ball Finials Benches MINT!
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
1930
s French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Traditional Style Brass Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of traditional style brass chandeliers. Three arms each. Nice cast details. Very good quality, heavy for size. Nice petite size, 14" diameter x 22" long overall, including chain...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,495 / set
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burl Wood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chest
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dresser or chest of drawers
By Thomasville
USA, Late 20th Century
Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled marble top, ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair Italian Neoclassical Eagle Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Italian neoclassical eagle armchairs in yellow silk taffeta. Italian Empire painted and parcel-gilt carved armchairs with finely carved eagle arm t...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$13,600 / set
Painted Empire Demilune Pier Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Demilune console, with top of Carrara marble, on painted base, having two round columns supporting its ormolu embellished apron and conforming platform, with a back of distressed mir...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
$3,750 / set
18th Century Fruitwood Continental Style Sideboard / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Crafted in the mid-18th century in the United States, this fruitwood continental style sideboard/cabinet exemplifies exceptional American craftsmanship. The cabinet features exterior...
Category
1760s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Drop Leaf Mahogany Table, Dining Table
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Empire Drop Leaf Table, Mahogany, Circa 1890's
Antique
Drop Leaf
Solid Mahogany
Smooth top folds down on both sides
Entire table rest o...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
French Empire Painted Commode With Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century French Empire Painted Commode with Marble Top. Commode features the elegance of fine woodwork with the luxurious touch of a marble top. Commode contains five drawers, on...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Of Antique Empire Style Figural Dore Bronze Table Lamps With Shades
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine twin light candelabra form table lamps. A black figure of winged Victory supports twin dore double horn form arms with fine details and sockets with gray wood faux candles. She...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gold Giltwood Wall Mirror Neoclassical Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood wall mirror in the Neoclassical-Empire design, circa 19th century, Europe. The Empire period was another or second phase to Neoclassism. Mirror has beautiful, detaile...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Brussels Botanical Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
19th Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble consoles. Each freestanding one drawer two tiered console is raise...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels and Royal Figures 8.2X7.0
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
19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About
This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840.
The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border.
The qua...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Antique Empire Style Console Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany console table with a marble top, circa 1900. With a rectangular grey and white marble top with slightly rounded front corners, a frieze drawer with a we...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French Empire Period Walnut and Brass Mounted Lit en Gondole, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
the frame surmounted with brass mounted columns with perfectly turned ball finials, the head and footboards equal, the front rail with corner arches, the back finished
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maitland-Smith Empire-Style Pedestal Jardinière Planter, circa 1980
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very handsome vintage jardinière in the Empire style manufactured by Maitland Smith in the 1980s with cylindrical polished-chrome planter trimmed with brass over a cast and fabrica...
Category
1980s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Antique Chandelier. Empire style chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and rare Empire style chandelier with elaborate gilt bronze frame and crystal pyramids and pendalogues. France, circa 1900.
Dimensions: Height 58" Diameter 34"
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.
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