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
1930s White Opaline Huge Murano Flowers Drops Green Beads Empire Chandelier
Located in Firenze, Toscana
ONE OF A KIND!! Housing 4 lights, will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the Unites States and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. One of a kind...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Canadian Nautical Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted on Mahogany Rope Base, 20th Cent.
Located in Charleston, SC
Canadian Nautical brass yacht binnacle mounted on a mahogany rope base with an oval glass viewing port, gimballed compass, central carrying handle, and the original brass side light ...
Category
20th Century Canadian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
A Palatial 19th Century French Second Empire Ormolu Mounted Bronze Garniture Set
Located in Tarzana, CA
An Palatial 19th Century French Second Empire Ormolu Mounted Bronze and Green Marble Three Piece Garniture Set
circa 1820.
Origin: France
Measures: Clock
Height 32"
Width 21"
Dept...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French Empire Style Malachite, Lapis Lazuli and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite, lapis lazuli and ormolu vases
French, 20th Century
Height 78cm, width 47cm, depth 30cm
Skilfully crafted by French craftsmen, the unusual mixt...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ormolu
French Empire Demi Lune Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Empire style bowfront flame okum veneered and oval pollard oak burl panel inlaid side cabinet or buffet, the brass bound top above three frieze drawers above four cabinet do...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$10,485 / item
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Royalty 5X4.10
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
Large Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn, Amphora Table Lamp
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Large, heavy Empire style gilt and patinated bronze Amphora table lamp decorated with fine ornaments and garlands on a square base supported by four feet covered with leaves. Five-li...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Superb Gilt Bronze Center Table with Lapis Lazuli Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb gilt bronze table featuring a lapis lazuli top. The striking contrast between the fire gilding with its mustard yellow and the deep blue of the lapis is something to see. Th...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Brass Candlesticks, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of antique French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks from ca. 1890.
A beautiful and compact-sized pair of French Empire-style gilt brass candlesticks with removable bobeches (...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italian Neoclassical Garden Fountain in White Marble
Located in Sacile, PN
White marble fountain, neoclassical , dated beginning of 19th Century
This fountain comes from Palazzo Tadini, an old art gallery which owner loved to collect Canova's works. Palazz...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th-C. Black Lacquer Pedestal Table w Fossil Stone Top and Gilt-Bronze Elements
Located in New York, NY
A 19th-century black lacquer pedestal table featuring a circular fossil-stone tabletop and gilt-bronze (ormolu) decorative elements.
The tabletop is composed of black limestone with ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Montgolfiè Antique Lok Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Lamp Chateau New
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability
Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$9,080 Sale Price / item
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century finely chased and cast dore bronze mantle clock. Porcelain dial in excellent condition. Signed "Millet." Original pendulum. Don't have original key, but can have one made.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
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
$2,200 / set
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
Mid 19th Century Swedish center table with writing slope
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century center table with writing slope circa 1860.
Fine quality empire period swedish flame mahogany center table. Oval top with the unusual feature of having a fitted wr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Empire or Neoclassical style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Baker Furniture
USA, Circa 1980s
Carved cherry wood, with ebonized columns and feet, and orig...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
$1,121 Sale Price
25% Off
Empire Mahogany Bench with Blue Upholstery, Satinwood and Gilt Bronze Inlay
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Empire bench crafted in mahogany with gently curved legs.
The end panels are adorned with satinwood line inlay and gilt bronze mounts set in ebonized fields.
The seat has be...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire-Style Curule Stool with Upholstered Seat
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant 19th-century Empire-style curule stool standing on veneered, curved X legs linked by a turned baluster-shaped stretcher and terminating in lion's paws. The padde...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Pair of Empire Style Gilt Bronze Arrow Wall Sconces Lamp Featuring Goddess Ceres
Located in Toronto, CA
This exquisite pair of Empire style gilt bronze wall sconces effortlessly blends classical grandeur with subtle Art Deco influences, making them a rare and elegant addition to any in...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid 19th Century Empire Style Bronze Patinated Candleholders
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of fine French Empire style brown patinated bronze candlesticks from the Napoleon III period. A fluted column beautifully decorated with ivy, rises on a tripod with claw-shape...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique 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
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
$45,000 Sale Price
22% Off
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table
By Baker Furniture
USA, Late 20th Century
Cherry wood base, with mo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Pendant
Located in Allerum, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Empire gilded bronze and iron pendant with six candle arms. ca 1810 - 1820, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Iron
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
Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 19" X 12", handmade piece , from mid-16th century
Category
16th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Besancenot Wine Beaune Second Empire Fireplace Mantel Signed H. Duplain 1857
Located in Beervelde, BE
This extraordinary original antique fireplace mantel, carved in 1857 in Beaune, Burgundy, is a rare and historically anchored artefact from France’s Second Empire under Napoleon III....
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Limestone
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
1930 Swedish Empire Chandelier with Crystals and Etched Glass
Located in New York, NY
1930 Swedish Empire bronze chandelier with etched glass inset and crystals around
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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
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
French Empire Mahogany Bibliothéque Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire flame mahogany 2 door bibliothèque cabinet with with wire mesh and tapered square column sides having gilt bronze trim with classical heads.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Figural Swan Chandelier in Bronze
Located in Barcelona, ES
Very Fine Empire Style Neoclassical Six-Arm Bronze Swan Chandelier, France, 1930s
Gorgeous six lights bronze chandelier with foliage and figural motifs.
Rare French Empire style bronze tole chandelier...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Walnut, Bronze, and Marble Table and Chairs Living Room Set
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire-style walnut and marble eight-piece salon set with golden and light yellow fabric and bronze mounts.
Impressive French Empire style eight-piece salon suite made of waln...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Brussels 16th Century - 19" x 9"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
French 19th Century Empire Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Six-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century Empire st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a richly chased ormolu bottom finial amidst decorative foliate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Antique Rustic Swedish Original Painted Empire Table Mirror
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique Empire rustic vanity mirror / table mirror.
The Mirror has original paint in colorful color.
This orginal painted mirror ha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
French 19th Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful French 19th century Empire st. flamed Mahogany desk armchair. The armchair is raised by stout elegantly scrolled legs with fine carved ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Empire Style Mahogany Headboard with Silk Embroidery
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
French Crystal Rare Oval Prisms Bronze Empire Sconces, circa 1850
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing two lights each, will be newly rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and certified socket for other countries and ready to hang. Bronze with great detail and patina...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most decorative French 19th century Empire St. mahogany and ormolu center table. The circular table is raised by fine bun feet below elegant scrolled legs with hand...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French Midcentury Steel and Clear Glass Side Tables, Empire Design
Located in London, GB
A good pair of steel and glass side tables, made in France in the 1960s.
Made with an empire design, with pine cone finials and flower details.
This pair of minimalist side tables ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Steel
Empire Style Crystal Box with Classical Gilt Ormulo Mounts
Located in London, GB
A French late 19th century Empire style crystal box with classical gilt bronze mounts.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Painted Empire Demilune Pier Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Demilune console, with top of Carrara marble, on painted base, having two round columns supporting its ormolu embellished apron and conforming platform, with a back of distressed mir...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
$3,750 / set
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-16th Century Brussels Tapestry Pillow
Category
16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Mid 19th century Scandinavian inlaid elm chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Scandinavian inlaid elm chest of drawers circa 1868.
We are pleased to offer this stunning chest of drawers from Sweden.
Beautifully made in elm with cross-banded ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Tavolino Quadrato Intarsio Scagliola, Base Marmo Giallo, Fatto a Mano in Italia
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Royal Yellow marble base.
T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
$3,728 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Empire Period Daybed
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Elegant 19th Century French mahogany Period Empire meridienne or day bed of lovely proportions. With bronze escutcheons and floral roundels to both sides. Two bolster cushions. A bea...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Antique Hand-Painted Longwy Plates - "Vacance" Design, France, 2Y116
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your collection with this charming pair of antique Longwy plates, each featuring the delightful "Vacance" motif. Crafted in France, these plates b...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$216 Sale Price / set
75% Off
French Early 19th Century Empire Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Claude Galle, (1759–1815, master in 1786) is one of the most renowned bronziers active during the Napoleonic period, such as Pierre-Philippe Thomire, André-Antoine Ravrio and Louis-S...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
French Empire Troubadour Mantel Clock
By Le Roy
Located in New Orleans, LA
This resplendent French Empire gilt bronze mantel clock features an extraordinarily detailed scene of a singing troubadour with his lyre along a rocky river bank. Accompanied by a wi...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Pair of 19th Century French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of circa 1900 French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces showcases the mythological figure Acantha, a nymph beloved by the god Apollo. According to legend, Apollo transformed ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Vintage French Tole Empire Style 6 Light Chandelier
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Gorgeous Vintage French Tole Painted 6-light Empire Style Chandelier with bright Gilt details. A style popular for almost 200 years, this Empire Chandelier is simply gorgeous. Our ow...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Empire Style Black Stone and Ormolu Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each candleholder of columnar form surmounted with ormolu stiff-leaf capitals and with acanthus-wrapped base, on pedestal bases with outswept scrolling feet. Fitted with two brass bulb sockets. Adjustable. Later mounded as a lamps. With duck blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass, 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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