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
Kindel Furniture Empire Carved Mahogany and Gold Gilt Console Tables, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding pair of Empire, Neoclassical, or Regency style console tables, sofa tables, or entry tables
By Kindel Furniture, "National Trust" Collection
USA, Circa 1980s
Carved...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany, Giltwood, Lacquer
Swedish Porphyry candlesticks, early 19th c. Rare Rännås porphyry
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of SwedishEmpire candlesticks made of porphyry and gilt bronze. A rare model of great quality. Small and exquisite.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porphyry, Bronze
A Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
A French Empire style bronze chandelier.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Magnificent French Dining Room table End 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Magnificent French Dining Room table End 19/20th Century
French, carved and golden wood, marble top on two swan columns.
Signs of use.
Dim.: 80 x 170 x 110 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
19th Century Table Centrepiece (Surtout De Table) Paris 1825–1830 Fire-Gilded
Located in Epfach, DE
Table centrepiece (surtout de table), Paris, c. 1825–1830
This extraordinary centrepiece was created in Paris around 1825/1830, at a time when French table culture was experiencing ...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Corinthian Column Brass Floor Lamp with Fringed Lampshade, England, 1890
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Antique corinthian column brass telescopic floorlamp, Hinks pattern, with wonderful handmade fringed lampshade. Made in England, in the style of James Hinks & Son in 1890.
The lamp ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
19th Century French Empire Commode
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century French Empire Commode in book matched flame mahogany and Black Marble Top
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century Baltic Mahogany Long Bench - Antique Empire Silk Sofa, Canapé
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique Baltic long bench with two pillows made of hand carved Mahogany, in good condition. The three seater sofa, settee is stand...
Category
Mid-19th Century Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
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
Antique Empire Mahogany Sleigh Bed, Cabinet Makers Example, as Dog Bed
Located in Huntington, NY
This rare cabinet makers example of an antique Empire mahogany sleigh bed,
As Dog bed. With new poly foam bed covered in black & white ticking.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair White Neoclassical Campagna Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair White Neoclassical Campagna Vases. Pair of Paris Porcelain all white glazed porcelain two part vases with double mask handles. France 1810.
Dimensions: 9.5" diameter x 13.5" ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$7,600 / set
Side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum, maple, rosewood
Located in Münster, DE
Rare side table with secret compartments, Westphalia, c. 1800, plum wood, maple and rosewood veneered on softwood, table top with floral banding and vase motif, ingenious mechanism w...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Rosewood
$4,271 Sale Price
20% Off
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950
s.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Estate French Empire Gold Bronze and Steel Chandelier, Circa 1950's.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
French Empire Style Two Tier Console Table by John Widdicomb with Brass Mounts
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 in W: 44 in D: 20 1/2 in
Elevate your interior with this exceptional 20th-century French Empire style two-tier console table or server by the renowned American ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent high quality flame mahogany adorned with bronze doré mounts and its original gray mar...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire style Brass Column Lamp with an Eagle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly decorative French empire style lamp likely made in the early 20thC. The polished brass column was likely the stem of a candelabra which was later embellished with an eagle ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Gilt Bronze French Empire Style Chandelier
Located in London, GB
A large very well cast and gilt bronze chandelier or plafonnier from the late 19th to early 20th century. The large acanthus leafed ceiling rose suspending five rope twist bars, whic...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Center/Entry Table in Brass and Wood by La Barge
By La Barge
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful center or entry table designed and manufactured in the Philippines by La Barge.
The table has beautiful carved frame and solid brass accents with a glass top that allows t...
Category
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of French 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire style brass candlesticks from the 1800’s with a beautiful silhouette and nice heft in the patinated metal to add intrigue to a mantel or dining table. Subtle,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Sixteen-Light Chandelier, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large Empire-style alabaster and bronze chandelier, Germany, ca. 1920.
An impressive sixteen-light alabaster and bronze chandelier. The extra large, exceptional, and masterfully carv...
Category
1920s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Set of Empire Armchairs / Chairs, Maple Wood, Paris, 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Seat group made of maple wood with rosewood intarsia, France, presumably G. Alphonse Jacob, the last of the famous Eben family, probably second quarter of the 19th century. Semi-circ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Maple
$6,540 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire Mahogany Draw Leaf Dining Table with Bronze Mounts exudes elegance, and is extraordinarily versatile with two leaves that are always there when you need them, t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Pair of French Empire Porcelain Vases Dagoty Paris
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful, important pair of hand-painted Parisian porcelain Medici vases.
They feature elegant neoclassical motifs on the bodies: swans with outstretched wings and panoplies.
The to...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
ebonized 19th Century Mahogany Round Center Empire Table with Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1840s mahogany empire center table has a new, professionally applied ebonised finish. Gray and white streaked round marble top with a brass trimmed trefoi...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Large Empire-Style Ormolu and Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
Large Empire-style ormolu and malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 85cm, width 165.5cm, depth 85.5cm
This superb centre table pairs vibrant malachite with classical o...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu
Vintage Crystal Brass Basket Chandelier Ceiling Light With Tassels France, 1960s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage Ceiling Light for 1 light point. Brass frame and crystal pendants.
Manufactured in France.
This beautiful chandelier has a classic style and is made of high quality materia...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Empire Style Verde Antico Marble and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in San Francisco, CA
If you have a puppy or puppy-like children who customarily race through the house, move on. These slender marble and gilt bronze pedestals were typically crafted for more peaceful se...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Antique Side Tables Plant Tables Marble Empire Style
Located in Poperinge, BE
A beautiful pair of French antique side tables in classic Empire style, not entirely identical, high-quality plant tables or pedestals, made from a hand-carved wooden base gilded wit...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
$2,610 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Napoleon III Clock Empire French 19th Century
50cm x 26cm x 15cm
good condition
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 4 French 19th Century White Opaline Candy Dishes Leaf Shaped
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of four French 19th Century white opaline candy dishes in the shape of leaves. The trays or dishes feature an applied gilt decoration. They are very functional pieces an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
Italian Pair of 19th Century Giltwood Appliqués
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stunning pair of Italian 19th century giltwood wall appliqués–decorative elements to enhance the architectural program–likely obtained from a church or cathedral as they are flat a...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
$8,400 / set
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of 19th Century French Empire Chairs.
Offered is a lovely pair of early 19th century French period Empire chairs, fauteuils or side chairs. This pair of chairs are adorned with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$11,850 / set
Beautiful Early 19th Century Portrait
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Beautiful early 19th century portrait dated and signed at the back.
Portrait attributed to Berthon, student of David "The young girl and the c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
$5,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Empire Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble on top
France, 1810
Walnut
Antique Chest of drawers with black marble on top. Beautiful grain of walnut on front and both sid...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,094 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of furniture, crafted from flame mahogany. The abattant (drop...
Category
1890s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tartan Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage French Empire Table Lamps with tartan lampshades
Style: Vintage Antique, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque,
Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in th...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Italian Empire Style Gilt Metal and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning 19th century Italian Empire style gilt metal and crystal chandelier with 6 lights. Beautiful basket shape with gorgeous crystals. Creates an elegant image!
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
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
19th Century Italian Empire Period Flamed Walnut Two Sleigh Beds or Daybeds
Located in Firenze, IT
These two exceptional Italian 19th century Empire period sleigh beds dating back to 1790-1830 were sourced in Lucca, Tuscany. The beds, that can serve also as a daybeds or settee, sh...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Artillery Plate First Empire Imperial Eagle And Crossed Cannons, 1804–1815
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Rare Artillery Plate – First Empire – Imperial Eagle And Crossed Cannons, 1804–1815"
Rare French Napoleonic Artillery Brass Plaque – Imperial Guard Style – 31 x 34 cm – ca. 1804–181...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid 19th Century French Empire Style Portrait of Lady with Coral Jewelry
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Mid 19th Century French Empire Style Portrait of a Lady with Coral Jewelry. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, please see detailed photos or message us with q...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
20th Century Italian Empire Style Wooden Guéridon with Bronze and Marble Top
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
20th Century Italian Empire Style Wooden Guéridon with Bronze and Marble Top. We present this splendid gueridon table, made in Italy in the second half of the 20th century. Made of s...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$2,012 Sale Price
32% Off
Antique 19th century warm brown oak Dutch Lectern or portable desk writing box
Located in Casteren, NL
This exquisite antique writing box was meticulously handcrafted using traditional joinery techniques, with beautifully visible dovetail joints at the corners. Made in the Southern Ne...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel
$2,259 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
17th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow - 20'' X 14'', Needlework and Handmade, Brussels.
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century French Mahogany Empire Console Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A nice quality early 19th Century French flame mahogany Empire console table.
With original brass ormolu mounts and original marble top.
Large single drawer at the front. Circa 181...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Picture frame Green 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 emerald green enamel on guilloche, with late 19th century Russian Empire style ornaments. Blue alcant...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Divination Orb, France 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb divination orb, 19th century France. Crystal ball, glass decorations and bronze frame.
Good condition, minor damage to crystal and glass parts.
Dimensions in cm ( H x D ) : ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Form Eight-Light Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire chandelier, its circular frame of gilt metal, holding the opera basket bottom, finished by a ball drop, having eight S-scroll arms, each decorated with a leaf, ending i...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Antique Empire Bed Maple Burl
Brass Ancient Grece Theme French 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique Empire maple and brass bed.
This bed, which has already survived almost two centuries, is in excellent condition: solid and sound, the inlaid illustrations are of exceptiona...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,845 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Tobey Furniture Monumental Antique French Empire Mahogany and Brass Dining Table
By Tobey
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding palatial antique French Empire style monumental extension dining table
By Tobey Furniture
USA, Circa 1900
Gorgeous mahogany, with brass accents.
Measures: 66"W x 5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, 1810-1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, circa 1810–1820
Charming and finely proportioned miniature chest of drawers in mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni), dati...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Jules Verne Book - First Part, 7th Edition, Ed. Hetzel - 2Y80
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A classic Jules Verne book titled "Un Capitaine de Quinze Ans" (A Captain at Fifteen), first part, 7th edition published by Ed. Hetzel. This vintage b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$160 Sale Price
75% Off
Pair of Swedish Empire Armchairs in Black w/Gold Accents from the Mid-19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Empire armchairs from the mid-19th century by furniture maker F. Pettersson. These antique chairs from Sweden have an elegan...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Italian 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Sienna marble console
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stately Italian early 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, Ormolu, and Sienna marble console. This handsome demi lune shaped freestanding console is raised by four square tapered Maho...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, 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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