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.
to
301
2,712
2,060
2,595
87
30
88,302
56,278
19,179
10,182
8,670
7,223
6,724
6,454
4,676
3,984
3,654
3,643
3,328
3,100
3,027
2,785
2,712
2,076
182
1,646
767
117
321
186
117
77
12
56
30
26
15
20
7
19
15
1,468
1,142
806
572
547
1,969
1,516
229
163
150
2,712
2,696
2,698
19
12
7
6
4
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Empire
French Empire Revival Green Leather Top Bronze Griffin Mahogany Desk
Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Revival Style Green Leather Top Mahogany Bureau Plat Executive Writing Desk & Chair with Bronze Griffin Ormolu by Global N.Y. Listing includes a very impressive...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pr of French Old Paris or Vieux Paris Urns Now Converted into Table Lamps, C1810
By Old Paris
Located in valatie, NY
Pr of French Old Paris or Vieux Paris urns now converted into table lamps c1810. Old Paris porcelain or Vieux Paris is very broadly defined as porcelain made by artisans in and aroun...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Henkel Harris French Empire Louis Philippe Flame Mahogany Marble Top Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire of Louis Philippe style dresser or chest of drawers
By Henkel Harris
USA, 1990s
Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with beveled marble top, and ori...
Category
1990s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Baker Empire Chest of Drawers
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 ...
Category
1960s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
Large French Carved Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century French Carved Painted and Giltwood Mirror. This Impressive mirror features a rectangular frame adorned with finely carved trailing floral and foliage garlands, a h...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Empire Clock, "Cupid
Psyche"
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt and patinated bronze Empire clock. Rouge griotte marble.
Signed bled a Paris. Silk thread suspension. France, circa 1804
Dimensions: Height 32" x width 21" x depth 11...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$26,500
Dutch Brass Umbrella Stand with Lion Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A Dutch brass umbrella stand with lion paw feet and blue and white Delft pottery handles, circa mid-20th century, Holland. Dimensions: 8.25" Depth x 11" Width (handle to handle) x 16...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century French Vitrine or Dry Bar with Ebonized Finish and Brass Trim
Located in Troy, MI
French vitrine cabinet or dry bar with new black finish and original brass trim, circa 1920s. Top has sliding glass doors. Bottom has brass figural ornaments, locking door and single...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A French Empire Style Commode with Marble Top and Gilt Mounts, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon…
Dating to circa 1900, the motifs on this marble top commode with gilt mounts are definitely in the style of Empire. French Empire-style furniture was ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal
Fine Pair French Empire Period Gilt Bronze Figural Three Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Superb pair of antique French Empire period gilt bronze figural three light sconces
Circa 1830
Striking figural sconces originally created for use with oil, now electified. This beau...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 20th Century Empire Style Fruitwood Pedestal Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 20th Century Empire Style Fruitwood Pedestal Side Table in great vintage condition. Very sturdy. Quality made in USA. Measures 16" in diameter
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Empire Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire fruit wood chest of drawers with gilt bronze hardware and ebonized columns, 19th century. No keys.
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,500 Sale Price
27% Off
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Veneer Elm Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique chest of drawers was crafted in France, circa 1870. With small proportions, and built of elm, the traditional commode sits on round feet over a straight bottom p...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French 19th century Empire Period Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most decorative French 19th century Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805. This wonderful eight light oval shaped chandelier is centered...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Consulat - Empire Style French Tole Bouillotte Lamp
Beautiful lamp purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with photos.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
17th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Dorè Patinated And Bronze Candelabra Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century bronze and patinated candelabra mounted as a lamp. Lamp features a lovely patinated Diana the Huntress statue with wings and arc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Gilt-Brass and Glass Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features an Empire style Gilt-brass and cut-glass chandelier that houses five candlestick lights and is approximately 18" in diameter and 29" tall. This chandelier is ac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Miniature Antique Empire chest of drawers
Located in Ballard, CA
exquisite exemple of a miniature sample of an empire chest made by a "Compagnon" most likely this was for the mentor to judge the ability of his pupi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Louis Vuitton Eiffel Tower Trunks Monogram Art Print in Gold Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage European gold leaf frame. Artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically formed in the shape of the Eiffe...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Patinated and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A pair of spectacular and prominent antique French Empire-style figural patinated and gilt bronze candelabra. Each candelabrum takes the form of a fully modeled winged female figure,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Reverse Painted Profile Silhouettes Art
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This charming set features framed silhouettes of a young woman and young man from the 19th Century on reversed glass. Wonderful addition to add to an existing collection on a wall or...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Fine Empire Four Drawer Chest In Flame Mahogany With Gris Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine diminutive Empire Chest dating to the 1st half of the 19th Century in original condition. The Chest with book matched flame mahogany drawer fronts with great color, refined ro...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Baker Furniture Italian Empire Carved Mahogany Pedestal Breakfast Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Empire or Neoclassical style round pedestal dining breakfast table, game table, or center table.
By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection.
Italy, circa ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas-Early 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Period French Empire Bronze Doré and Patinated Clock Depicting Atlas with original gilt edged and velvet lined case. Atlas son of Titan, from Greek mythology is holding the clock on ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
$16,000 Sale Price
20% Off
1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Category
1920s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage French Empire Style Birch Upholstered Library Accent Arm Chair Green
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century French Empire Style Upholstered Arm Chair. Made from birch with a high back featuring a scalloped crest rail, green velvet upholstery and downswept scrolled acant...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Birch
$700 Sale Price
30% Off
Empire Satinwood Figural Gilt Bronze Mounted Fauteuil de Bureau, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Luxurious 19th century French Empire, Napoleon III period, 1852-1870, satinwood gilt bronze mounted desk chair. Fine hand chased figural bronze mounts depicting classical maidens at the arm rests, rosettes, laurel leaf garlands...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features iconic Louis Vuitton words and letters artistically arranged. Similar piece ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood
French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scale French 19th century Empire st. patinated wood and Giltwood settee. This exceptional settee is raised by seven supports, with four being circular front legs...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Giltwood
George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
George Jacob Desmalter Empire Gueridon Round center Table Estampille 19th C. LA . Rare Exquisite Early 19th century Empire Gueridon with classic...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
$46,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire 19th Century "Somno" Column Bedside Table, England
Located in Southampton, NJ
An English Empire 19th Century column bedside table with distinctive cylindrical form of "Somno" (Latin for sleep) styling from 19th century. The table features a curved steam bent f...
Category
19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Dutch Fireplace Scuttle Bucket Delft Handle
Located in New York, NY
A small Dutch copper and brass fireplace scuttle bucket with lion head design and blue and white Delft dandle, circa early, 20th century, Holland. Handle is adjustable up/down/side t...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
Continental Austrian Ebonized Egyptian Figural Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian Empire-style (circa 1800) ebonized & gilt trimmed console table with 4 gilt carved classical Egyptian figural front supports on a ...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Brule-Parfums in Manner of Thomire 19th Century
Located in Essex, MA
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze Brule-Parfums in manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire, 19th century
each openwork cover with an acorn finial above the body having a rim cast to show...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères Faux Tortoise and Gilt Partial Coffee Service. Antique Empire Paris porcelain by Darte Frères 1795-1825 in a rich mocha faux tortoise pattern with neoclassical decorativ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rectangular top inset with a beige tooled leather writing surface and slide outs on both ends. Above five drawers, the reverse side with dummy drawers raised on columnar legs wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$8,640 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Architectural Gilt Wood Wall Shelves Brackets, Mid-19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Pair of French Gold Gilt Wall Shelves. Could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful classic addition to any living room,...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Empire Revival, Bronze, Mahogany, Tapestry, Armchairs, France, 19th c.
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Empire Revival, Bronze, Mahogany, Tapestry, Armchairs, France, 19th c.
A finely cast pair of Napoleon lll Arm Chairs. Each mahogany chair decorated with exceptional dore bron...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Side Table From Brede Main Building, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This amazing table comes from Brede main building outside Copenhagen, Denmark.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,088 Sale Price
60% Off
Charles Pollock for William Switzer Giltwood Center /Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunningly beautiful center or dining table designed by Charles Pollock for William Switzer.
The table has a combination of solid woods and veneers such as burlwood on the base al...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire-Style Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming set of six carved and inlaid mahogany dining chairs in the French Empire style. The chairs date to the second half of the 20th century and are in very good conditi...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,950 / set
Pair of Antique Empire Black
Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Empire Black & Gold Chairs W Red Clarence House Seats. Each has been freshly upholstered in red Clarence House fabric with gold stars. This listing is from one pair ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,760 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique American Empire Crotch Mahogany Chest Drawers Step Back Dresser Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Crotch Mahogany Chest Drawers Step Back Dresser with Paw Feet. Item features column supports, lift off upper small 3 drawer sect...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century French Giltwood Framed Oil Painting Portrait of a Woman
Located in Queens, NY
French (18th century) oil painting portrait of a woman holding grapes sitting next to a dog in a rectangular carved giltwood frame.
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Empire Commode, Denmark 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Elegant Empire commode, Denmark 1810-20, mahogany veneer. In very good refinished condition, French polished. The commode will be shipped from Germany, shipping costs to Boston are i...
Category
1810s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Steel and Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome empire-style steel and bronze floor lamp with a custom navy blue enamel shade. Possibly by J.E. Caldwell. Newly rewired.
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel, Bronze
19th Century Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
By Old Paris
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of Paris Two Handled Vases in Gold and Cobalt Blue.
Pair of early 19th century Paris baluster shaped porcelain vases. Elaborately painted on each side with the most intricate p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Elegant Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Wall Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fine period French antique, good sized Gilt Empire mirror with applied decorative motif gilt work on a rectangular frame. From near Paris, France!
#8435
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
North German Empire Sun Armoire in Original Faux Bois and Stenciled Finish, 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A stately and rare armoire in the original faux bois and gold stenciled finish with carved pediment top, sunburst motif and carved ionic capitals, Bremen, Germany, circa 1815.
Dimen...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
French 19th century 1st Empire Period Leather and Ormolu side table, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare and most unique French early 19th century 1st Empire Period Leather and Ormolu side table, circa 1805. This charming table is raised on a tripod base with scrolled leather wra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
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
Maison Jansen Style Polished Steel
Brass Galleried Glass Top Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent of French Maison Jansen style Empire Revival brass and polished steel side tables with brass gallery and inset glass tops, each with three legs joined by X-form stretch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Empire Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th century Empire lacquered walnut dolphin center table.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Pair of French 1920s Empire Style Bronze and Opaline Glass Table Lamps, Wired
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire style bronze and opaline glass candelabra table lamps from the early 20th century, with scrolling arms and volutes. Created in France during the first quarter of the 20th century, each of this pair of table lamps attracts our attention with its bronze scrolling arms resting upon a white opaline glass pedestal. Raised on a tripartite base accented with delicate volutes, the candelabras have been rewired for the US. With their Empire silhouette...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Walnut Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
The classic form features book-matched panels framed by gold trim, while square tapered legs with brass sabots ground the piece in Empire period authenticity. Each door front showcas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$8,715 / item
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 23" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Brass
1900
s Persian Sarouk Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79155 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 11'02 x 18'05. This magnificent hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug exudes timeless elegance, evoking the golden age of Persian rug weaving...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
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.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Burled Walnut Desk
Burnished Bamboo
Butter Table
Cabinet Dowel
Cabinets With Metal Inlay
Cameo Glass Bowl
Campaign Chest 1970
Campaign Chest Camphor
Canopic Jars
Canton Chinese Bowl
Cardinal Sculpture
Carrera Marble Dining Table
Carved Boar
Cast Grape Vine
Ceramic Cheetah
Ceramic Giraffe
Ceramic Pagoda
Ceramic Spanish Jug