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
Collection of French Opaline Apothecary Jars
Located in Copenhagen, K
Collection of 20 opaline apothecary jars from the 19th century.
Collection consists of 14 larger jars and 6 smaller jars.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
$135 / item
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass
Porcelain Table Lamps (B) - Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (B) - Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Very Large French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly, Paris, Circa 1810s, with original pendulum.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Guatemalan Hand-Carved Wooden Mask Sculpture with Original Label - 2Y147
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming antique Guatemalan sculpture features a hand-carved wooden mask, complete with its original label on the back. The craftsmanship highlights the cultural heritage of Gua...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$202 Sale Price
75% Off
Circa 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
Located in IT
19th Century, French Wood Travel Desk
Measures: cm H 103 x W 52 x closed D 9. Open D 59 cm
This particular travel desk was made in France, in the earl...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Jules Verne
s "Hector Servadac" - Second Part, 9th Edition by Ed. Hetzel - 2Y76
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is the second part of Jules Verne's captivating novel "Hector Servadac," 9th edition, published by Ed. Hetzel. The book is in good condition, with a slightly worn cover and spin...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$160 Sale Price
75% Off
French Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany bookcase cabinet with bronze trim and 2 glass doors.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mini Turkish Mat Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mini size Turkish rug from the third quarter of the 20th century
Measures: 1'6” x 2'8".
Category
20th Century Turkish Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid-Century Modern Empire Style Campaign Armchair with Red Wood Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome antique empire style campaign armchair, walnut, with green and white striped fabric cushions for seat and back. Brass lion paw feet....
Category
17th Century North American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s.
If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Executive Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An extremely handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu executive desk. At the frieze is a central wider drawer flanked by smaller drawers at each sid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
19th century Swedish birch root shaped occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish burr birch shaped occasional table circa 1870.
Fine quality table which is ideal for multiple uses around the home. Scalloped shaped top which has been beautif...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
19th Century French Faux Bamboo Burl White Marble Chest Drawer Sideboard
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A good antique 19th century French Empire faux bamboo & white marble pine small sideboard /chest of drawer. The chest having the original veined white marble top above four drawers, ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Paris Porcelain Toiletry Bottle with Stopper
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This pretty little 'flacon' bottle, complete with its original stopper, is made from delicate white 'Porcelaine de Paris' and dates from the early 19th century. Both bottle and stop...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Silk Tapestry Pillow 1850
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s.
Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Flame Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Commode with Rouge Griotte By Molitor
By Molitor
Located in Stamford, CT
A superbly crafted French Empire commode with Rouge Griotte marble top by Molitor. A pair of these commodes were acquired by King Jerome between 1809 and 1812 and listed in the i...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 22" H x 27.5" W x 17" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo After Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié
By Marius Jean Antonin Mercié
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine and Large French Early 20th Century Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo Cast after a model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (French, 1845-1916). The impressive bronze sculptu...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th century French empire revival mahogany cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century French empire influenced mahogany cabinet circa 1890.
This cupboard was constructed using a flat pack technique, with panels held in place by bolts.
Central door with ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
Located in Barntrup, DE
A splendid Empire-style sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s. Gilt brass frame adorned with crystal glass beads and prisms, three interior lights for E14 size light bulbs.
Dimensions:
Hei...
Category
1960s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans
Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Empire Settee, France 1810, Manner of Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841)
Located in Leimen, DE
Empire Settee, France 1810
Step back in time to the opulent era of 19th-century France with the exquisite Elegant Empire Settee, crafted in 1810. This resplendent sofa is a testament...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,757 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 19th Century French Gilt Bronze Bouillotte Candelabras
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare Pair of 19th Century French Bouillotte Candelabras in Gilt Bronze with Adjustable Green Tole Shades – Wabi-Sabi Elegance
An exceptionally rare and completely original pair of 1...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Picture Frame large size Red Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped photograph frame in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guillochè with borders and laurel frieze in Louis XVI French Empire style. Exte...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
English Needlework Pillow 1850 - 21" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$2,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose.
These...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Giltwood
Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Six-Light Bowl Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful bowl chandelier is designed in the Empire style, which flourished in France in the period 1804-14, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The style is defined as a phase...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
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
Antique Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Drop Leaf Sewing Work/Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Empire Carved Flame Mahogany 2 Drawer Drop-Leaf Sewing Work/Side Table
This gorgeous 19th century balanced and proportioned drop-leaf sewing work/side table is crafted from ...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Empire Allegorical Clock Garniture of "Psyche Crowning Amor"
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large scale French Empire figurative allegorical clock showing “Psyche Crowning Amor”. Psyche stands to the right of the domed clock plinth, holding her ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Empire-Style Dressing Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This exceptional mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass pivoting mirror and white marble top. The mirror has foxing and is framed with beautiful mahogany...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage French Empire Marquetry Burl Wood Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent vintage French Empire marquetry burl wood chest is a true embodiment of classical grandeur and exceptional craftsmanship. The piece showcases stunning burl wood vene...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Burl
French Mahogany Empire Style Gueridon
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pierced brass gallery surrounds the round, white marble top on this terrific 19th Century French Empire style gueridon. The top is lifted by three column-form legs that are joined ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Empire Style Mahogany Library Tub Fauteuil de Bureau or Desk Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Of generous proportions and presence . The front mounted with well cast bronze mounts (of some size and weight ). The top with French interpretations of the Greek Caryatids (very att...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Empire Style "Cupid" Bronze Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style "Cupid" Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabrum Mounted as a Table Lamp, late 19th century, the figure of Cupid holding a feather and upholding a twin branch light,...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Empire Brass, Ebonized
Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of French Empire Brass, Ebonized and Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamps
Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 33" in height to the top of the finial and 26" to the top of the li...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Girandoles, Candle sticks, Candelabras, bronze, ~ 1810 Empire, France
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning pair of so called Girandoles, made in France around 1810, in the famous Empire period.
The stepped pedestals are beautifully designed with masks and garland décor. On each...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Set of Four Empire Ormolu Three-Light Wall Sconces, Attributed to Ravrio
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Each backplate topped with a mask of Athena surmounted by an owl and ending in a stylized bellflower and anthemion, issuing three leaf-wrapped scrolling arms. Electrified.
André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814) was a French sculptor in bronze and was made a master founder in 1777 setting up in business 1790. Although Ravrio enjoyed success during Louis XVI’s reign, he achieved far greater fame under Napoleon. He took part in the first Exposition de l’Industrie, Paris, 1803 and then won a silver medal there in 1806. The same year he supplied a number of bronze furnishings for the Empress Joséphine’s apartments in the Tuileries and in 1810 was appointed as the Emperor’s chief bronzier. In this capicity he supplied some of the finest Empire bronze pieces, girandoles, candelabras and lamps as well as ornate furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Italian antique wooden chest of drawers or dresser with bronze friezes, 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique wooden chest of drawers or dresser with bronze friezes, 1800s.
Antique wooden chest of drawers with drawers decorated with bronze friezes.
Dating back to the Empire p...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Especially beautiful Side Table, Pillar Commode Trumeau, Empire, ~1810-15, Italy
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful pillar commode, trumeau - an original of the Empire era, made around 1810-15, in Italy.
This piece of furniture has a wonderfully classic shape, with a base, a round body...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Empire Walnut Commode
Located in Madrid, ES
A rare French Empire period chest of drawers, in walnut wood with keyholes and gilded brass handles, the chest of drawers has two drawers and a top secret at the top, the sides are f...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,233 Sale Price
20% Off
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece
Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Mercury Gilt Candelabra
Located in Newark, England
FRENCH BRONZE EMPIRE CANDELABRA FROM THE REIGN OF NAPOLEON I
From our Decorative collection, we are pleased to present this fine pair of French Empire Bronze Candelabra dating to ci...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Russian Imperial Cut Crystal and Doré Bronze Centerpieces W/ Masks
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of hand diamond cut Russian crystal and doré bronze mounted oval shaped centerpieces in the Louis XVI style, attributed to the Imperial Russian Glass Manufactory, early 1800s. Each beautiful hand diamond cut crystal bowl...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Lot of 3 Classical Vinyl Records - Beethoven, Luis Mariano, Strauss - 2Y18
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your classical music collection with this lot of 3 vinyl records featuring renowned composers and performers. This set includes works by Beethoven, Luis Mariano, and Strauss,...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
$104 Sale Price
89% Off
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
Antique Sevres Style Porcelain Hand-Painted
Gilt Mounted Urn Table Lamp
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The colorful antique hand-painted porcelain twin handled urn vase, circa 1850-1880, was later converted into a lamp and mounted onto custom round bronze and enamel metal base with ro...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Bronze
Midcentury Decorative Pair of Pedestals Walnut with Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Midcentury decorative pair of pedestals walnut with brass.
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Bronze Crystal Chandeliers
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing and price are for a pair of chandeliers. Bronze and crystal chandeliers originally from France and made around the 19th century.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
$26,500 / set
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
Vintage 1915 Book "L
Évangéliste" - Paris Modern-Bibliothèque - 2Y238
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is a vintage 1915 edition of "L'Évangéliste," published by Arthème Fayard in the Paris Modern-Bibliothèque collection. The book is in good condition for its age, with some signs...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$124 Sale Price
65% 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.
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