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 French Empire Green Marble Top Carved Mahogany Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant antique console in an entry or hallway. Crafted in France, circa 1880, and built of mahogany wood, the console stands on scrolled front legs ending in paw feet, wi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Swedish Late Empire Black-polished Birch Bookcase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish late empire bookcase / display cabinet in black-polished birch.
In 2 parts, upper case having mullioned glass front with cathedral arch cornice.
Lower part with a pair of pa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rare Gilt-bronze French Empire Charles X Sunflower Mantel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Gilt and patinated bronze. The original movement has been cleaned and revised and is in perfect working condition (runs for around one week). Overall authentic condition with its ori...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 4 natural rustic style chairs en wood and leather from the 1930s
Located in Cantù, IT
Set of 4 natural rustic style chairs en wood and leather from the 1930s - dark solid wood frame, oval back with carved details with brown leather seat with studded finish and underst...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood
Large French Carved Gilt Wood Mirror
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century French Carved Painted and Giltwood Mirror. This Impressive mirror features a rectangular frame adorned with finely carved trailing floral and foliage garlands, a h...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Square Coffee Table Scagliola Art Top wooden base Handmade in Italy by Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Handmade coffee table with artistical decoration on the square top and carved edge made precious by gold leaf finishing. Hand painted wooden central base formed by 4curved elements, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Scagliola, Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier
19th Century
Height: 34 inches
Diameter: 22.5 inches
Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Chandelier with Figural Decoration, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Magnificent twelve-light chandelier with four tiers, surmounted by a crown of stylized sunflowers. Crafted in bronze and cut glass prisms, the widest ring is adorned with a continuou...
Category
1830s German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Trumpet Arm Tole Metal Shade Nickel Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Trumpet Arm Tole Metal Shade Nickel Bouillotte Desk Lamp. Item features 3 lights/arms, trumpet arms, very rare nickel plated finish, red tole metal shade,...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze statues
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze statues. Each wonderfully decorative statue of a dancing maiden is raised on a square p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Antique Wall Mirror
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian mirror dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined mirror.
Made of fine walnut wood and characterized by an el...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,542 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 25
x 10"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century Dutch Solid Oak Empire or Louis Seize Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful Empire style or Louis seize cabinet that was made in the Netherlands, circa 1820s.
This high quality piece is completely made in the finest European oak. There are three stepped drawers in the lower section. The drawers are fitted with authentic Dutch cast brass drawer pulls and key plates. All drawers are equipped with a working lock and key. The upper part of the cabinet has two doors with raised panels, chamfered corners and original cast brass key plate with working lock and key. The interior of the upper cabinet houses three drawers below, all with original brass drawer pulls. Above a fixed shelf with two cutlery drawers underneath. Above the mid shelf is a half shelf...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$5,600 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock of a Seated Roman Emperor
By Claude Galle
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late French Empire period mantel (fireplace) clock showing a seated Roman emperor in finely chased patinated bronze holding a sword in one hand and a Roman banner in the other. He ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,640 Sale Price
20% Off
French Mahogany Desk, circa 1850
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The rectangular top inset with a beige tooled leather writing surface and slide outs on both ends. Above five drawers, the reverse side with dummy drawers raised on columnar legs wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$8,640 Sale Price
20% Off
Elegant Empire Style Gilt
Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamp
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ornate and elegant Empire style table lamp having patinated bronze figural goddess form with marblized base.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Italian Empire Dining Chairs From Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of Italian early 19th Century Empire dining chairs in solid walnut.
This Tuscan pair of chairs, with swan decoration on the back, was likely crafted in the city of Lucca. This...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mahogany Empire Bow Front Corner Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish empire bow fronted corner cabinet in flame mahogany.
Bow front with a single door, dressed with brass lock in the middle, flanked by f...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Aubusson Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Early 19th Century Empire Neoclassical Style Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular French early 19th century Empire style mahogany, ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The most impressive circular center table is raised by three stunning ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Empire Library Bookcase
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine gilt bronze mounted mahogany Empire library bookcase.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Armoire Wardrobe ca. 1820-40
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FRENCH EMPIRE MAHOGANY AND ORMOLU ARMOIRE
France, circa 1820–1840
85" H x 21 1/2" D x 47" W
Of architectural form, the projecting cornice above a single mirrored door framed by eng...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
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
Vintage Woven Still Life Tapestry 7.0X5.65
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
Hand-carved Napoleon Bonaparte in nut-wood
Located in
S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Hand-carved Napoleon Bonaparte in walnut on a colorful marble base.
You often see sculptures of Napoleon Bonaparte in bronze, rarely in wood.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Napoleonic Silverplated Tray by Christofle circa 1850
By Christofle
Located in New York, US
Our Christofle silverplated tray features fine engraved designs including the French coat-of-arms, and Napoleonic cipher and imperial bees. Reverse has the maker's mark in oval carto...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
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
Fine Pair Of French Empire Style Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of burl walnut Empire style armchairs with upholstered seats and backs featuring fine craftsmanship with a square top rail and stylized carved accent on front of each arm suppor...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Burl
18th Century Snuff Box With Secret Erotic Motive
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very funny little snuff box with a text about Etimologie; the true learning or real learning, on the lids outside and a hidden erotic motive on the inside of the lid.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Pair Of Bronze French Empire Style Candelabra Lamps/ Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of cast bronze French Empire column form candelabras with 6 lights, now mounted as double socket lamps. The lamps with gilded columns and foliate and anthemion capitals, fluted ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Circa 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1640 Antique Flemish Tapestry Pillow
Category
1640s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of Empire Style Armchairs with Versacesque Decoration
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of maximalist empire revival style armchairs featuring Versace inspired motifs. The chairs have a classic gondola shaped frame with faux leather naugahyde upholstery. The faux l...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt
Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960.
In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Danish Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 19th Century Children’s Portraits Oil on Canvas, A Pair
Charming pair of Danish Early 19th Century paintings oil on canvas. Thes...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
$1,440 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Empire Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque, Ormolu, France, Paris, circa 1820
By Le Roi
Located in Greven, DE
Mantel Clock - La Bibliotheque - In the study room
Paris
fire-gilt bronze, enamel
Empire around 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 38 x 28 x 19 cm
Description:
Scenery mounted on an oval...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze / Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Pair Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with the enchanting charm of our Late 20th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Table Lamps. This exquisite pair of lamps seamles...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Iron Faux Leather Side Table in the style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful console table made from iron and glass.
Unique and well thought out faux leather iron base.
You could not tell it isn't real leather until you touch it.
Good condition
...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
$462 Sale Price
30% Off
French Empire Mahogany Table with Gold Gilt Ormolu Mounts and Black Granite Top
Located in Savannah, GA
"The French Empire style which impacted furniture design and other arts was popular from about 1804 to 1815, lasting longer in some areas. It developed in France under the reign of e...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Granite, Brass
$2,795 Sale Price
27% Off
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
Large Pair Of Covered Vases In Damm Porcelain From Aschaffenburg
Located in BARSAC, FR
Exceptional pair of porcelain vases from the Damm factory in Aschaffenburg, featuring a rich purple monochrome decoration of gallant scenes and landscapes, the handles gilded with fi...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Empire Venetian Sofa Attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel
By Valentino Besarel
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious mid-19th century Venetian sofa attributable to Valentino Panciera Besarel in hand-carved walnut, restored and finished to wax. Coated with precious original Venetian brocade...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style 20th century bronze doré 2 swan arm round base bouillotte table lamp with oval green tole shade.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Gold Upholstered 5-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 7 French Empire style (19th Cent) mahogany living room / salon set with gilt swan head arms and gold upholstery (settee: 66¬Ω"w 24¬Ω"d 36¬Ω"h, 2 bergeres: 24¬Ω"w 23¬Ω"d 38"h, ...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair Antique Russian Empire Chairs, Circa 1820-1830
Located in Rochester, NY
A great looking pair of antique Russian Empire circassian walnut chairs in beautifully aged original finish / finely detailed ormolu mounts / gilded paw like front feet / newly con...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Mirror, stamped Jean-Joseph Chapuis, Brussels c. 1810
Located in Greven, DE
Antique dressing table - stamped Chapuis
Brussels
Mahogany
Empire around 1810
Dimensions: H x W x D: 178 x 91 x 56 cm, height without mirror: 82 cm
Description:
Elaborately crafted early 19th century dressing table...
Category
Early 19th Century Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Gilt Brass and Green Fabric Photo Frame, Napoleon III Period, Empire Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large gilt brass and green fabric photo frame, Napoleon III period, Empire style, 19th century.
19th century gilt brass and green fabric photo frame, large size for 3 photos, Empire...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Empire Bedside Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome mahogany French Empire bedside table from the 19th century. This stunning bedside has a beautiful top, made of St. Anne marble, ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table. Item features beveled glass, inset top, 6 saber legs, 2 tier band...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
French 19th century Empire Period Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and most decorative French 19th century Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu chandelier, circa 1805. This wonderful eight light oval shaped chandelier is centered...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-Century French Empire Style Chaise With Mahogany And Bronze Frame
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome mid-century French Empire style mahogany chaise lounge. Th frame is mahogany with heavy ormolu adorning it. It is unmarked. A striking piece for a variety of setti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Danish Late Empire Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire secretary bureau in mahogany veneered oak with beautiful grain.
In 2 parts.
Desk top offers three bowed doors. A concave door in the mid...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Mahogany
$1,701 Sale Price
60% Off
A fine 19th c French mahogany and gilt bronze marble top sideboard by Krieger
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French mahogany and gilt bronze mounted marble top sideboard signed Antoine Krieger. Flame mahogany with fine gilt bronze mounts .
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of 3 Italian Empire style Painted and Giltwood Stools, C. 1890.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A refined trio of stools, each featuring a white-painted and giltwood frames with classical carved details and turned tapering legs. The combination of painted surfaces, gilded acce...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair Antique Paris Porcelain Golden Mantle Vases Made in France Circa 1830
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this pair of golden Paris Porcelain mantle vases made in the Empire style, circa 1840. The gilding on these vases is dazzling. The delicate band of flowers an...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each stunning candlestick mounted into a lamp is raised on four Ormolu lion paws below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
Circa 1850 Antique French Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1850 Antique French Pillow
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Italian Pietra Dura Empire Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pietra Dura Empire table. Malachite, amethyst, lapis lazuli, citrine and sienna marble inlaid in white marble. Wood is Tineo. Made in Italy early 20th Century.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Throw Pillow Made from 16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
16th Century Flemish Tapestry Pillow 20" x 20", Authentic 16th Century piece handmade
Category
16th Century Turkish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Drexel Heritage Empire Style Sideboard or Bar Cabinet With Carved Lions
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Empire or Egyptian Revival style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Drexel Heritage, "Pavilion" Collection
USA, Late 20th Century
Walnut and birch, with e...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch, Walnut, 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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