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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Style: Empire
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish birch chest of drawers circa 1860.
Good quality Swedish commode, fitted with 3 near equally sized drawers that open on the key.
Rectangular top with moulde...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
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
Antique Carrara Marble Bathtub from the Early 19th Century
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Antique handcarved Carrara marble bath in Empire style. This beatiful sculpted white-grey marble bath with rings is made in the early 19th century....
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
Empire Table with Palmettes, possibly Berlin / Gotha, circa 1820/25
Located in Greding, DE
This oval Empire salon table is supported by two columnar legs in the form of stylized palms, partly gilt and partly ebonized. The plinth and the oval top are veneered in mahogany an...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Chest of Drawers with White Marble Top, France Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire chest of drawers veneered in mahogany, with four drawers and white marble top. The corpus is flanked by columns with fire-gilded bases and capitals, which merge into th...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Located in Cantù, IT
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Elegant Empire Table Lamps in bronze, early 19th Century France, originally candlesticks.
Includes new black lacquer lampshade with gold details, giving the lamp a warm and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Magnificent, Classical Swedish Ceiling Crown, Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent, classical Swedish ceiling crown, chandelier
Polished brass. Curved, star shaped body with teardrop-shaped, faceted glass hangings, starti...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century Empire Mahogany Arm Chairs
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of antique Empire style armchairs. The armrest and legs are made of solid mahogany, the backrest is made of veneered mahogany. An elegant design with curved armrests and taper...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
$2,610 / set
Egg style Faberge Aquamarine Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on tripod engraved in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché, Russian Empire style inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Set of 2 early Empire solid mahogany wood and sheepskin armchairs, France 1820s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1820 / 2 armchairs / mahogany, sheep skin / Romantic / Antique / Empire
Set of two early Empire armchairs constructed of solid mahogany wood and with sheepskin upholstery. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sheepskin, Mahogany
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
Pair Marble Cassolette Urns French Empire Decorative Vases 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
These are based in the US where we will ship from
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of French marble cassolettes urns
This highly decorative pair of antiques are circa 1890
Ormolu fixt...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Gilt Bronze Table Top Perfume Burner
Located in Paris, FR
An ormolu table top perfume burner "potpourri" decorated with antique masks flanked by griffons resting on a foot chiselled with crosspieces, above a rectangular base decorated on th...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1940s Italian Completely Beaded Basket Lavender Purple Chandelier, circa 1920
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning rare lavender purple crystal prisms throughout and huge smooth lavend...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Cast Iron Sphinx Paperweight, Early 19th Century
A charming cast iron paperweight in the shape of a reclining sphinx, dating fr...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Imperial Crest Antique Shield Coat of Arm Wall Plaque Armorial LA Antique Dealer , Beautiful Early 19th century Heavy Bronze Imperial Armorial Armoirie Coat...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$9,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Revival Alabaster
Bronze Chandelier, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Monumental French Empire Revival Chandelier with Alabaster Bowl, Patinated and Gilt Bronze, Early 20th Century
An impressive Empire style chandelier, dating from the early 20th cent...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze, Copper
Important and Very Rare Pair of Micromosaic, Malachite and Walnut Console Tables
By Antonio Deangelis
Located in London, GB
Important and very rare pair of micromosaic, malachite and walnut console tables
Italian & Russian, early 19th century
Measures: Height 89cm, width 106.5cm, depth 62cm
These exceptionally beautiful antique console...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Mahogany Bedside Table or Somno
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A classically inspired French Empire marble topped mahogany bedside table which the french call sono. fThe round column shaped table has a black marble top with a recently applied ge...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Breccia Marble
Large French Empire Style Gilt-Bronze and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
A large French Empire style gilt-bronze and malachite centre table.
French, 20th century.
Height: 85cm, width: 160cm, depth: 79cm
This superb table, a grand and highly impressiv...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
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
Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Figural Clock By Jouquet a paris
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite antique French Empire neoclassical gilt bronze figural clock signed by Jouquet a Paris.. This unusual clock is surmounted by a s...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Enamel
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
Antique Brass Trivet with Bird Sculptures, English, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique late 19th Century brass English trivet. Certainly an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent in a kitchen or next to ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Armchairs from the Empire Period
Located in NICE, FR
These splendid Empire period armchairs symbolize the opulence, refinement and luxury characteristic of the Napoleonic era. Beautifully carved and adorned with sophisticated details, ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is origina...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$2,468 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Dutch Empire Burl Wood veneered desk or sofa table
By Chapuis
Located in Den Haag, NL
Superb Dutch Empire Burl Wood -veneered sofa table ,On Iron casters
On four shaped scroll feet joined by a baluster turned beech stretcher, the top ...
Category
1820s Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Burl
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
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
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps, originally candlesticks from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful pair of Empire Table Lamps in Bronze. Originally a pair of Empire candlesticks from the 1820s, converted to table lamps in the early 20th Century.
Newly rewired electrici...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconce
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A precious gilt bronze two-light wall sconce in the Empire style, France, 1920-1929. Finely elaborate with hand chiseled details. Typical design of French Empire period due to its rich ornamentation with faces and acanthus leaf motifs. The bottom is characterized by a man head supporting a pedestal with the lamp-arms. Two scroll light...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,784 Sale Price
39% Off
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Danish mid 19th century flame mahogany chest of drawers circa 1850.
Stunning mid 19th century 4 drawer commode from Denmark.
Rectangular top with sloped moulded edge. Below the to...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal”
The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The cloc...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Gold Gilt Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire gold gilt mantel mirror from the 1800’s. The carved frame has its original gold gilt finish revealing the reddish bole beneath with decorat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood
Ebonized Empire Recamiere , Austria Ca. 1800
s
Located in New York, NY
Fine ebonized Austrian Empire recamiere. Ebonized wood featuring elegantly curved sides and four highly detailed carved lions paw feet with giltwood accents.This fully restored large...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Empire Period Mahogany Sofa-Bed, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Sofa-bed of the Empire period in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer with rich decoration of finely chased and gilded bronzes. This sofa is decorated in front of a lyre in the center,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilded Tea Set by August Bauscher Weiden, Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in CANNES, FR
A rare and exquisite 6-piece porcelain tea set by August Bauscher Weiden, Germany, dating to the late 19th century. The set includes:
• One teapot with lid
• Two teacups
• Two mat...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Dagoty Manufacture of Empress Joséphine Wife of Napoleon 1st Swan Cup
By Dagoty
Located in Paris, FR
This very rare set of 12 delicate cups swan shape with their saucers is signed by Dagoty, one of the favorite manufacturers of Empress Joséphine's first Napoleon wife well known for ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A superb antique French Empire-style gilt and Patinated Bronze Chandelier. This chandelier is designed in the French Empire style, executed in gilt and patinated bronze. The structur...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Extremely Fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
An extremely fine Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Mahogany center table, circa 1820-1830.
Very finely mounted with crisp ormolu throughout, with bronze female figures, foliate scrolling, lions head...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Amethyst, Quartz, Marble, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Period Fauteuils with Vintage Upholstery, Early 19th C.
Located in Morristown, NJ
A fine matched pair of French Empire period fauteuils, each with a rectangular padded back, removable cushioned seat, and elegantly reeded and carved arms. The mahogany frames displa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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 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
Regency Empire Two Tier Flame Walnut Gueridon Table With Elegant Reeded Legs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Beautiful Regency Empire Two Tier Flame Walnut Gueridon Table With Elegant Reeded Legs Finished With Brass Detailing.
The veneer top is a real eye catching centrepiece.
Height bet...
Category
19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble Top
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Buffet with Original Fossilized Marble. The buffet or credenza features three cabinet doors enclosed by bronze mounted columns and stands prou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Oval Late Empire Pedestal Cabinet in Walnut with Bookmatched Burl
Located in Kastrup, DK
Oval pedestal cabinet from the Late Empire period, crafted in Copenhagen around 1820–30.
This elegant piece is veneered in walnut and adorned with bookmatched walnut burl on the door...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and patinated iron pendant with three candles resting on Eagle heads. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th century Swedish empire birch chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish empire birch chest of drawers circa 1870.
Good quality Scandinavian chest of drawers very much in the empire taste.
Rectangular top surface with stepped edge, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Mid 19th century French empire mahogany and leather reclining chair
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality mid 19th century French mahogany and leather reclining chair circa 1860.
We are pleased to be able to offer this stunning french flame mahogany reclining chair for sale...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
French Empire Style Cast Brass Dual Arm Wall Sconces, pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of French Empire Style casted brass wall sconces, each sconce features 2 arms each powered by 25w E12 chandelier bulb. These classic-styled scones work well in Victorian-styled ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$510 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Picture frame Red Empire style ornaments Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular photo frame in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent ruby red enamel on guilloche, with late 19th century Russian Empire style ornaments. Blue alcantara p...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Napoleon III Crystal Vase, Empire, France 19th Century with Video
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III Crystal Vase - Empire - France 19th century
with gilt bronze and diamond padding on the bases.
Classic proportions and design.
H-35cm. Width: 20cm, Height: 35cm, Depth: ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
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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