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
Side Chair by Friedrich Rambach, master carpenter, Stockholm active 1834-1861.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A unique Empire lounge chair with brass detail on neckrest. By master carpenter Friedrich Rambach, active in Stockholm, Sweden between 1834-1861. Beautiful "Emma" chair like style wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of 19th Century Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Casteren, NL
Pair of 19th century Empire wall sconces made of bronze.
This wall scones were originally gas lamps later transferred to electric lamps.
Originates France, circa 1870.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,137 Sale Price / set
28% Off
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
Antique 19th Century French Empire Gold Bronze
Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French Empire Gold Bronze & Mahogany "Lit de Repos" Daybed.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Restored Empire Seating Set, Spruce, Cherry Wood, Polish, Austria, 1850s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Sofa dimensions
Height: 70 cm (27.6 in)
Width: 130 cm (51.2 in)
Depth: 53 cm (20.9 in)
Seat height: 48 cm (18.9 in)
Armchair dimensions
Height: 70 cm (27.6 in)
Width: 65 cm (27.6 in...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Spruce, Lacquer, Fabric, Cherry
19th Century French Empire Style Bronze Mantel Clock, circa 1870
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century French Empire style gilt bronze mantle clock. The foliate and fruit engraved gilt-brass dial with enamel painted roman numerals. Inside with eight day movement w...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
19th C. French Empire Crotch Mahogany Bronze Ormolu 1 Drawer Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Crotch Mahogany Bronze Ormolu One Drawer Console Hall Table. Item features beautiful wood grain with attractive mounts including human form feet, rear back spla...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps with Paw Feet and Lion Heads - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 17.5" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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
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
19th c, French Empire Table Clock
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century French, Charles X bronze, brass and sienna marble table clock from the Empire period. Signed Ravrio Bronzier, ca 1820 France.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Brass, 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
Pair Italian, Lombardia, Walnut, Ebonized,
Giltwood Bedside Commodes, ca. 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
each commode having a rectangular top on a conforming case housing one drawer and one door, the doors flanked by ebonized columns and carved giltwood capitals, raised on tapering cab...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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
Circa 1850 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair of French Napoleonic Tin Wall Mounted Candle Sconces Ca. 1820s
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of 19th century French Napoleonic tinned steel wall mounted candle sconces in the Empire style.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
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
19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Roll-Top Desk with Gilt Bronze-Mounted
Located in Cypress, CA
This impressive 19th century, French Empire style gilt bronze-mounted Fine mahogany roll-top desk,
The blackstone top over three short gilt-bronze mounted drawers, issuing a barrel top desk...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage French Empire Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
By Sedgefield
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sedgefield by Adams French Empire Style Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to finial) x 14" H (to light so...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
French Silk Tapestry Pillow 1850
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
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
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Paperweight in dark patinated bronze and marble. Empire, made during 1820s-1830s in Europe. Classic Laurel Wreath from the Empire Era.
Wear c...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Empire Style Alabaster and Bronze Sixteen-Light Chandelier, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
Magnificent and impressive Empire-style bronze and alabaster sixteen-light chandelier from the late 19th century; later has been electrified. The circular ring with four large majest...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Bronze
Antique Book by Ch. Deslys - "Les Récits de la Grève" 5th Edition, 2Y123
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the compelling narratives of historical struggles with this antique book by Ch. Deslys, titled "Les Récits de la Grève." Published by Librairie Ch. Delagrave, this 5th editio...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$149 Sale Price
65% Off
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
Empire Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Green Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Empire style parallelogram shaped emerald green glass heavy inkwell. It’s guilt bronze mounted with a scene of sphinxes statues, bell shaped vases, and maidens moving and ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
$720 Sale Price
20% Off
Exceptional 19th Century French Bronze Frame w/ Portrait Painting of Josephine
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite miniature portrait is attributed to Empress Josephine, capturing her regal presence with remarkable detail and sophistication. She is dressed in a sumptuous white gown...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Jules Verne
s "Hector Servadac" - First Part, 9th Edition by Ed. Hetzel - 2Y74
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is the first part of Jules Verne's adventure novel "Hector Servadac," 9th edition, published by Ed. Hetzel. The book is in fair condition, with a slightly worn cover and spine. ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$160 Sale Price
75% Off
Suite Of 2 Engravings, Camposanto De Pisa, Lasinio And Molini Landi
Cie, Empir
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Suite of 2 large engravings from the Empire period, after the frescoes of the Camposanto in Pisa, the city's famous monumental cemetery, frescoes dating from the 14th century
The th...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Empire Figural Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
First quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751–1843), gilt bronze and marble, figural basket, possibly Nike, holding aloft a flared, reticulated b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Empire Console Writing Side Table, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful small antique English Empire Gonçalo Alves console with integral writing slide and pen drawer, circa 1820 in date.
This dual purpose table has a drawer above a p...
Category
1820s English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
19th Century Italian Iron Safe / Side Table / Nightstand
Located in Viterbo, VT
Hand-wrought iron safe hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s. The safe is made of thin sheets of iron folded and nailed together over a wooden case. Thicker bands of iron were then u...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tartan Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage French Empire Table Lamps with tartan lampshades
Style: Vintage Antique, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque,
Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in th...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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
Fine Paris Porcelain Empire Coffee Service, Gilt-Decorated, Circa 1830
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Paris Porcelain Empire Gilt-Decorated and Floral Painted Coffee Service.
Comprising a coffee pot, hot-water pot, milk jug, sugar bowl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Traditional Style Brass Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
Pair of traditional style brass chandeliers. Three arms each. Nice cast details. Very good quality, heavy for size. Nice petite size, 14" diameter x 22" long overall, including chain...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,495 / set
Table Game Table Swedish Karl Johan, 19th Century, Light Mahogany Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Game table made during the Karl Johan period 1810-1830 in Sweden. Made from light mahogany and decorated with brass hardware. Tapered legs. Felt interior with backgammon and chess ga...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$4,000 Sale Price
38% Off
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet,...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
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
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Finely Carved Mahogany Settee Loveseat Empire Claw Feet Tall Back CLEAN
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Empire Gold Gilt Cherub Vitrine Curio Cabinet w/ Onyx Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Winged Cherub Gold Gilt Vitrine Curio Cabinet. Item features onyx stone top, angel/cherub legs with wings, paw feet, distressed gold gilt finish, glass on all s...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
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
17th Century Flemish Pillow - 20" x 12"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category
17th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Sèvres Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fabulous Empire porcelain centerpiece.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Mahogany Dressing Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This exceptional French 19th century Empire mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass mirror and charcoal and white marble top. The arched mirror displays s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of French Empire Gilt Bronze Two-Arm Bouillotte Lamps or Table Lamps, 1815
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant Empire gilded bronze finely chiseled Bouillotte lamps with dark green painted tole adjustable shade.
Two E 14 light bulbs.
We can deliver wired for US standard.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Empire Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu
Patinated Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Empire-Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patinated Candelabra, France, 20th Century
A pair of exquisite Empire-style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patin...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
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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