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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
19th century empire revival Swedish birch desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century empire revival Swedish birch desk circa 1895. We are pleased to offer this stunning desk which has been fully restored in our workshop...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch, Walnut

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

Early 19th Century French Charles X Period Aubusson Carpet (15 8"x16 3"-478x495)
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Aubusson Carpet - 1st Empire Period French 19th century rooms must often have been square since so many carpets of the c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Film with Box "ECPA" – "Combat de Rue" (Program No. 1126) - 2Y204
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This rare piece of militaria features a vintage film titled "Combat de Rue" from the "Établissement Cinématographique et Photographique des Armées" (ECPA). Complete with its original...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Bronze Twin Size Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French 19th Century Empire mahogany twin size daybed with applied bronze decorations. Structurally sound with repair done on legs, see photos. Nice finish, bolt together construction...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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

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

Dagoty Manufacture of Empress Joséphine Wife of Napoleon 1st Swan Cup
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

Pair of French Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite and gilt bronze pedestals French, 20th Century Height 115cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm This pair of 20th century French pedestals is crafted fro...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Vintage Coat Rack Bronze Clothes Hook, France, 1970s
Located in Bastogne, BE
A great vintage wall hanging coat rack with red velvet and brass hooks from France, 1970s. The set includes a coat rack and 5 hooks. A coat rack in the hallway is a convenient and...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Empire Backgammon Games Box in Mahogany with Pieces, early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
An Elegant Empire Backgammon Game Box in Mahogany (Swietenia Mahogani) with details in Hallmark Silver. Made in the early 19th Century. This Games Box for Backgammon is the perfect decorative piece that is also complete with pieces for playing the game! A refined Empire outside which lets the expensive materials of the piece convey the object's elegance. The interior of the box's lid forms one of the playing fields, the other being the bottom part. The backgammon board on the inside of the box is made out of intarsia wood...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver, Brass

19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Table Mirror Dated, 1870
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique rustic vanity mirror / table mirror dated 1870. The Mirror has nice carved details on the top This orginal painted mirror...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Pine

French Empire Style Table or Desk Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Unusual petite size neoclassical style table or desk lamp, dark green reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over circular marble base. Later converted ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Empire Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire burl walnut chest of drawers with marble top, circa 1820. With a rectangular marble top, a small burl walnut top drawer with dolphin escutcheon (no lock), 3 lower burl walnut ...
Category

1820s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mid Century Cut Crystal Metal Delphin Dolphin Centerpiece Compote Bowls 10"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of rare mid 20th century French Empire / Neoclassical compote bowls featuring cast metal pedestal bases in the shape of delphins / dolphins / fish, painted in off white, balanci...
Category

Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H x 10.5" W x 16" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

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

European Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage impressive wooden frame in silver gilt, with great patina, that would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. Wond...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf

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

Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Estate Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase
Located in New York, NY
Impressive signed Baccarat Empire style bronze and crystal vase. Beautifully complements the Classic 1841 Harcourt and Empire patterns, similar to the ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Vintage Napoleonic Column Table Lamps French Rosewood Gold Gilded Bronze, a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage Napoleonic gold gilded brass and faux rosewood column table lamps With gold/bronze matching lampshades ( new condition ) Style: Empire, Regency, Neo classical, Napoleonic, Vintage, Antique Design: In the manner of Caldwell, Chapman manufacturng company, Stiffel Origin: France, 1980s Description: Vintage Napoleonic style tabl lamps. Made faux rosewood ( patinated metal) and brass Tuscan capitals. The lampshades are handmade and in ew condition. Condition: The lamps are in a good condition,one lamp have minor wear on the back ( see pics) socket E27, 230 volt and max 60w, black wired with switch. The lamps are US compatible but a adapter for plug is required Create the right ambience, good well positioned lighting can make a room! All our lamps are fully working condition, however, we are shipping from Europe...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel – 1848 Exceptional Russian silver goblet (Goblet), crafted in solid silver and fine ename...
Category

1840s Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Vintage French Empire Style Painted Console Table Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful vintage French Empire style painted gilded and ormolu mounted console table, Mid 20th century in date. The rectangular faux marble top with an ormolu plaque to t...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century French Oil Painting Portrait of a Woman and Child Holding a Torch
Located in Queens, NY
French (18th-19th century) large oil painting portrait of a woman holding flowers and a child bearing a torch in an ornate carved rectangular gilt...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

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

Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 6.8X5.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Pair of Gilded Wrought Iron Empire Coffee Tables
Located in Miami, FL
This rare 1920's French Empire swan coffee tables are made of wrought iron with gilded accents. Very heavy and sturdy with two tier glass tops. Good vintage condition with normal cos...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

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

Early 20th Century French Empire Style Beaded Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chicago, IL
This French Empire-style chandelier from circa 1930 is crafted from brass and crystal. Featuring the traditional ‘tent and basket’ design, it has a domed lower body adorned with casc...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Frederick Cooper Figural Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Toledo, OH
Pair of Empire style Frederick Cooper lamps featuring a striking figural bronze female sculpture on top of an intricately carved base. Includes original silk shades with corded edgin...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Empire Style Large 30" Cast Iron Urn Form Garden Planters - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Empire Style Large 30" Cast Iron Urn Form Garden Planters - a Pair. We...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Iron

Set of Ten White and Gilt French Empire Plates
Located in New York, NY
Set of ten white and gilt French Empire plates. Empire white and gilt plates with under-glaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 1800....
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Small French Floral Painted Toleware Metal Vanity Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small French decorated butterfly shaped tray featuring hand colored flowers. We see this versatile piece on a cocktail table or used on a vanity holding you're favorite jewelry or tr...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Brown-Black German Small Empire Iron Coffer, Antique Table Decor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, black antique German coffer made of hand crafted iron, particularized with griffins, torchères and tendril motifs on the wall and pinecone mode on the lid, in good condition. The small detailed decor piece represents the Empire time period...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Porcelaine de Paris - Empire Centerpiece Reticulated Coupe
Located in DELFT, NL
Gilt Porcelaine de Paris Openwork Coupe Centerpiece to be placed centrally on the table, for fruit or flowers. Empire Style. French, 19th century center basket, rond form with reticu...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Candlesticks Empire Pattern by WMF Art Nouveau Silverplated
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Beautiful pair of antique candlesticks by WMF are stunning examples of silverplated pewter craftsmanship, made during the Art Nouveau period around 1900. They are part of the "Empire...
Category

1890s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate, Pewter

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

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

Sage Green French Empire Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Empire style table lamp in sage green. A round central column is topped with an acanthus pressed brass capital beneath a matching sage green lampshade. The column sits above...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Empire Commode with Gilt Caryatids, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable early 19th century mahogany commode/ half cabinet from the late famous Empire period in Germany around 1815/20. The clean straight, timeless shape combined with exceptional mirror matched mahogany veneer makes this 19th century so-called "trumeau" an absolute dreamlike piece. This perfect sized commode/ half cabinet offers two doors and a drawer. Artfully hand carved caryatids depicting women busts covered in fine gold leaf. The door panels are additionally framed by ebonized wooden bars and the fully functional locks are adorned by lovely crafted brass fittings. Delicate, pointed legs complete the outstanding look and confer this gorgeous piece of a late Empire trumeau commode a certain kind of lightness. A real precious, perfectly restored masterpiece of antique empire furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This truly stunning French mantel clock was crafted during the Empire period, and reflects the Neoclassical interests of the Emperor Napoleon I, whose influence over the decorative arts contributed toward a profound revival of beauties of the ancient empires. The mantel clock is crafted entirely in gilt bronze, and features a stepped base on four block feet. The base depicts a Classical relief panel to the front, showing female dancing figures and putti, as well as musical instruments. Surmounting the base is an arch featuring a central mask fountain and basin...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

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

Empire-Style Wrought Iron and Marble Table Lamp by Maitland-Smith, 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
A sculptural Empire Revival table lamp by Maitland-Smith, crafted during the 1980s with the brand’s signature attention to materiality and classical detail. The design draws direct...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Wrought Iron

Gilt-Bronze and Malachite Empire-Style Aux Caryatides Table After Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in London, GB
A gilt-bronze and malachite Empire-style 'Aux Caryatides' centre table after Desmalter French, 20th Century Height: 82cm, diameter: 109cm This ma...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

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 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

Antique French Carved Giltwood Pedestal or Plant Stand in Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
Wooden plant stand or pedestal in the French Empire style, exquisitely carved and gilt, with fine details including neoclassical masks, wreaths, scrolling vines and raised on four an...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
19th Century French Tapestry Pillow 19" X 13", it also has it's pair as well for whom that is interested, … more
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

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

Swedish Backgammon in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Empire 1820/30s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Swedish Backgammom Box in Curly Karelian Birch with Playing Pieces, Swedish Empire (Karl Johan) 1820/30s. Complete with two Die made in bone and Playing Pieces for two players. This beautifully crafted backgammon box...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Bouillotte Lamp, Hand-Painted Toleware, 1930s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Sheet Metal

Aubusson French 1800 - 15" x 15"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Aubusson French 1800 - 15" x 15"
Aubusson French 1800 - 15" x 15"
$1,680 Sale Price
20% Off
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes Empire style Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and stripes with two-tone translucent fired enamels on guilloché and hand-engraved motifs in...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

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.