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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
Availability: In Stock Within 6 weeks
Rare Set of Twelve 19th Century Empire Chairs in Mahogany, Brass and Velvet
Located in Meer, VAN
Rare Set of Twelve Early 19th Century Empire Dining Chairs in Mahogany, Inlaid Brass and Velvet This is a very large and rare set of twelve elegant dining chairs from the (late) ‘em...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French 1st Empire Armchair with Carved Dolphins Heads
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A fine Empire armchair with four elegant saber legs, upholstered in vertical cream and crimson stripes, and featuring ornately carved dolphins' heads at the base of each shaped arm r...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gardener’s Delight, Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Beehive Model Encrier
Located in New York, NY
Great fun for a gardening afficionado - a delightful desk accessory wether you're planning a beautiful garden, tending a beehive, ordering new seeds for the season or wish for a an uplifting reminder at your work space of the bounty and beauty of nature... France, 19th century This fabulous antique French gilt bronze inkstand has a beehive central well with a hay stack cover, several bees on the surface, flanked by two bronze baskets with covers laden with fruit, flowers and wheat sheaves, at the base of one sits a bird leaning over a large basket with a container for sand in the shape of a large bunch of wheat tied with a rope and a bird perched on top as a cover. The back of this fantasy is composed of a group of garden implements which include a sickle, a spade, a trowel, a scythe, ring pliers and a pitch fork tied with an attractive bow and hung with garlands of flowers, masses of grapes, wheat forming a support for a quill. The base designed as naturalistic wood logs topped with rustic wood...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in gilded and dark patinated bronze. Originally an Empire Candelabra from the 1820s converted into a table lamp in the early 20th Century. The lampshade in black ...
Category

1820s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair 19th Century Ebonized Empire Style Black Hair Hide Armchairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century ebonized mahogany Empire style fauteuil with winged caryatids, newly upholstered in a deep espresso hairhide.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Vintage French Empire Brass Italian Black Marble Column Table Lamps (B), Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Italian Black Marble & Polished Brass Column Table Lamps With Black Textured Shades - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Baker Furniture French Empire Green Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Empire style nightstands or end tables By Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Green lacquered cherry wood, with original brass hardware and accents. Each m...
Category

1960s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Italian Empire-Style Chandelier in Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1950s Empire-style chandelier crafted in gilt brass and richly adorned with hand-cut Bohemian crystal beads. The piece features a classic basket form with a tapered upper sec...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

20th Century Black Ebonized Empire Style Swan Bench
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century Empire style bench featuring Neoclassical style carved swan frame newly padded and upholstered in a Chanel style chuncky tweed.
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

French Empire Mahogany Bureau Plat, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Mahogany Bureau Plat, 19th century, with gilt-tooled tan leather top with central frieze drawer flanked by two short drawers on each side with faux partners desk back o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Vintage Dinky Toys Autocar Chausson Méccano – 15 cm Long - 2Y02
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore a piece of history with this vintage Dinky Toys model, featuring the classic Autocar Chausson by Méccano. Perfect for collectors and vintage toy enthusiasts, this model car showcases the timeless design and craftsmanship that Dinky Toys is renowned for. Details: Type: Vintage Model Car...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Regency Ebony Inlaid Cross-Banded Crotch Mahogany Fold Top Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Regency Empire Ebony Inlaid Crotch Cross-Banded Mahogany Fold Top Table. Measures 36" in width, 17.75" in depth and 25.75" in height. Closed. Open, it is 35" in. Depth.
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Ebony

Leopard Fur Pillow, Springbok Skin 16x16" 40x40cm
Located in Dural, AU
It's the season of wild and exotic leopard prints, so set your interiors free with this glamorous leopard fur pillow. A beautifully designed print, ...
Category

2010s Australian Empire Furniture

Materials

Fur

Vintage West Kéramik Grand Vase with Knight Decoration – W. Germany - 2Y195
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your collection with this grand vase from West Kéramik, featuring a charming knight decoration. Made in West Germany, this piece showcases a classi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Russian Antique Veneered Mahogany Secretary by Heinrich Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed and produced by Heinrich G...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Empire Sofa Schumacher Sabi Tiger Velvet
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century Empire sofa. This handsome burl veneer sofa features ebonized and gilt columns, urn finials, with two hidden drawers, all newly upholstered in Schumacher abstract ...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Burl

Antique French Empire Solid Mahogany Ball Foot Curule Bench Seat Low Stool
Located in West Chester, PA
Wonderful antique bench with curved seat and solid mahogany curule frame on ball feet.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

BVIZ Pair of Antique Ottoman Empire Gold Embroidery Pillows
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Recently made toss pillow pair from antique, Ottoman Empire raised gold metallic embroidery depicting scrolling vines in linear orientation, on mint green velvet. Hand trimmed with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Feathers

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

Empire Style Gilded Tole Toleware Mirror Vintage, Italy, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning Empire style toleware mirror. The gilded resin or plastic frame surrounds a glass mirror. Made in Italy, circa 1950s. Beautiful mirror for any room or your hall entry. Nice ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Resin

Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very nice cut crystal table lamps with bronze fittings, French Empire style. newly UL rewired
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
Located in London, GB
A Very Fine Empire Style ormolu Mounted Box Lovely Quality and very fine Ormolu mounted This Box Stands at 40cm in Height and is truly Magnificent
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite

C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
C 20th Empire Style Malachite Box
$16,866 Sale Price
35% Off
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Table Lamp in bronze. Originally an Empire candlestick from France made during the 1820s. The middle part in the form of a column. Richly decorated with leaf and period Empir...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Late 19th Century French Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Elegant French photo frame in Empire style, dating from the late 19th century. The frame is decorated with finely detailed gilt copper ornaments that give it a refined and timeless c...
Category

1880s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Copper

Dinky Toys Peugeot 403 - Vintage Toy Car - 2Y40
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of classic automotive history to your collection with this vintage Dinky Toys Peugeot 403. This small but charming toy car is a classic example ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century empire revival Swedish birch bookcase circa 1900. Superb quality piece of Swedish made furniture with influences from Biedermeier and empire periods. Stepped top...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

Christofle "Malmaison" Silver Plated Flatware in New Box, Set of 49
Located in Ross, CA
Forty nine piece flatware set made by Christofle in France, in the Malmaison pattern. The service for twelve was made around 2000. All the pieces are hallmarked and come in a new box...
Category

Early 2000s French Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Montgolfièr Empire Chandelier Crystal Classic traditional Brass Glass NEW
Located in Berlin, DE
A Piece of History Recreated – Timeless Beauty, Faithfully Reborn Every now and then, you come across a piece that leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was this chandelier a stu...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted Plain. Antique gravy boat in porcelain.
Located in København, Copenhagen
PRE-OWNED GOODS ARE EXEMPT FROM IMPORT TARIFFS FOR U.S., UK, AUSTRALIAN & CANADIAN CUSTOMERS. THEREFORE, NO IMPORT TARIFFS WILL BE APPLICABLE TO YOUR PURCHASE. Royal Copenhagen ...
Category

1820s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Robert Abbey Templeton Bronze Trophy Urn Table Lamp Empire Shade Light
Located in Dayton, OH
Templeton 7102G urn table lamp, way buddha bronze with golden beige cast metal empire shade with matching soutache - Robert Abbey Measures: 10.5” x 24...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Empire Karl Johan Wood Sofa 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire Karl Johan style sofa dating c. 1830
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Birch

Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Ormolu Commode Chest of Drawers 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality early 19th century antique French Empire mahogany marble top commode, with Neo-Classical ormolu mounts, circa 1810. The commode is of the finest quality, the top is ma...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
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, Iron, Wire

French Limoges Porcelain Gilded Baluster Vase
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A large pedestal baluster-shaped vase in hand-painted Limoges porcelain, and dating from the mid-20th century. Featuring an exquisite decoration of spring flowers in vibrant polychro...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Tapestry With Birds 7X5
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

Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections. The upper section has three doors: a l...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood

Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Gilt Bronze Sphinx Paperweight on Marble Base, France, Early 19th Century A charming Empire-period paperweight featuring a finely cast gilt bronze sphinx resting on a rectan...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Empire Period Hand Carved Walnut Armchairs, Bergeres
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of early 19th century French Empire period walnut armchairs features hand carved details of laurels on the seat back and shells at the top of the armrests. The seat backs a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century French Hand Painted Room Divider 4 Panel Leather Screen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic leather four panel room divider hand painted and hand crafted screen from the latter part of the 19th century France. Hand painted cherubs with floral accents in outstandin...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Black French Empire Polished Ebony Secretary, Antique Birch Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Ebony, in good condition. The b...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

French Empire 19th Century Mahogany Console Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century mahogany console in the Empire style with dark stone top. The dense, marbleized stone of charcoal-hue is more recent in age but its faux leather finish has impa...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock, signed Ferey au Havre, Ormolu
Located in Greven, DE
Small mantel clock with bas-relief France Bronze, enamel early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 33 x 19 x 9 cm Description: Antique, fire-gilt portal clock with figurative, Gre...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood and Parcel Ebonized Sideboard Credenza
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, an...
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th century French Empire Period Burl Elm Console Table with Marble Top
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This small scale early nineteenth century French Empire period console table is constructed of solid burl elm and features a black marble top. A single drawer of dovetail constructio...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French 19th Century Painted Empire Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire commode from the 19th century, updated more recently with paint in layered & scraped faux finish that wouldn’t look out of place with Gustavian style furnishings. The...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

119-Piece Silver Plated Flatware for 12 Persons by SFAM Model Sans-Gêne Empire
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful set of silver plated tableware from the French brand SFAM (Société Française d'Alliage de Métaux). The cutlery is beautifully decorated in Empire style. SFAM ceased to exis...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique 18th Century French Tapestry Aubusson Pillow 18 X 18
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique 18th century French tapestry aubusson pillow. 18'' x 18''
Category

18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

French 19th Century Empire Console with Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial French 19th century Empire mahogany console. The thick Carrara marble top is in wonderful antique condition, showing exciting gray veining that forms a nice contrast to...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An early 19th century painted and parcel-gilt Empire trumeau mirror with horse and chariot scene.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique early 20th century small oval gold leaf and paint gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a beautiful small oval mirror that was crafted in France in the early 20th century, around 1910. The mirror features a frame made of lime wood and is adorned with plaster mol...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century French Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century Louis XV-style Bouillotte table lamp, with original, green, gilt- decorated tole lampshade, above a base of three upturned decorative brass candle arms supported ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Circa 1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique French Billiard, Snooker or Kitchen Island Brass Chandelier, 1850s
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
A huge and impressive French Empire brass chandelier for billiard/snooker or kitchen island. Lamp socket: 2 x E27 or E26 ( US) for standard screw bulbs. France, circa 1840 - 1860s....
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire Sofa, America circa 1880
Located in Culver City, CA
America, 1880 Mahogany and veneer with inlay of two birds on a branch. Rolled arms with carved plumes and inlaid rosettes, straight seat rail, rolled and carved legs. Newly upholster...
Category

1880s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Mahogany

19th Century Gilt Paris Porcelain Jug and Basin
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A superb early 19th century Empire period wash basin (with saucer) and tall pitcher, beautifully crafted from Old Paris Porcelain and featuring a very striking hand-painted polychrom...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Large Estate Christofle Empire Style Four Piece Caviar Serving Set
Located in New York, NY
Fine large and impressive estate Christofle Empire style caviar serving set Pattern: 4224590 Classic French elegance, this superb scarce four piece caviar set epitomizes luxury and refinement. Composed of an outer two handled presentation dish for ice, a crystal bowl for caviar, a cross bar stand for the caviar bowl and a lid. The handles with attractive stylized sea shell motifs, ideal for serving caviar. This fine Christofle caviar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Silver Plate

Classic Pair of Bouillotte Vintage Finely Cast Brass Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning bouillotte style brass table lamps having 3 arms finely cast from the 1940s with painted green and gold tole shades. Base 9” round Adjustable shade
Category

1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 8 Kindel Empire...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Wood

Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
Kindel Empire Dining Chairs Set of 8
$2,956 Sale Price / set
20% Off

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.