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
French Empire Bronze and Marble "Knight" Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Bronze and Siena Marble "Knight" Clock, circa 1830, the standing figure in armor above a circular gilded dial, the movement with strike on bell, on a graduated Sienna m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
French Consulate-Inspired Fireside Chair in H&S Tweeds – Tent by Darren Henault
Located in New York, NY
The Fireside Chair, inspired by the classic French consulate chair, is designed with both historical significance and modern versatility. Its low seat,...
Category
2010s American Empire Furniture
Materials
Beech
Fine Bronze and Crystal Period Empire Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite Empire chandelier, having a frame of finely chased gilt bronze, basket shape, draped in beaded crystals; floral swags connect the four external candlearms, four additional ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Pair of French Empire Period Candelabra, Attributed to Claude Galle
By Claude Galle
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent large pair of five-light doré bronze and patinated bronze Empire period candelabra, attributed to Claude Galle made in the early 1800s. This pair of candelabra are set ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Antique Mirror in Mahogany from the Late Empire perid from about 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror in mahogany wood from the late Empire period from around the 1840s. Light in colour, due to sunlight over the years.
Dimensions in cm: H:1...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire Style Console Table
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very sophisticated Empire style console table, the ebonized plank top, over an ebonized wall centered with a carved parcel gilt la...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
1930
s Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
19th C. French Empire Mahogany Desk Armchair with Scroll Arms and Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant 19th-century French Empire desk chair, carved circa 1870, features a sculptural mahogany frame with a rich, warm patina and classic neoclassical lines. The barrel-form b...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Empire Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Center Table
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Attributed to Chapuis. The later circular black marble top above a frieze mounted with stylized laurel branches centered by flowerheads, raised on three square tapering legs surmount...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$12,500 Sale Price
50% Off
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Campaign Urns
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a stately pair of French Empire campaign urns with a central painting of a naturalistic setting on one side and a gilt medallion on the other on ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,450 / set
Duncan Phyfe Style Love Seat Settee with Scrolling Arms
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Duncan Phyfe style loveseat settee with scrolling arms and featuring a floral print upholstery and matching side pillows. Infuse your home with timeless sophistication with Hollywood...
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,828 Sale Price
30% Off
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Mahogany fram mirror with the original glass with gilt decoration.
Category
Early 1800s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$590 Sale Price
24% Off
Green Marble Top Fluted Wood Corinthian Column Pedestal Base Round Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
42" round green marble-top fluted Corinthian column coffee table. Item features a substantial green marble top with very attractive "wave" pattern veins. The marble top rests on a ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Urn Form Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This detailed bronze urn form lamp features gilt bronze highlights including lepard head handles, and acanthus leaves.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Of Empire Style Niermann Weeks Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of wall sconces in the Empire style with embossed gilt metal having a floral-like design, three electrified lights with beeswax candle covers...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Late Empire French Walnut Chest of Drawers with Bronze Handles
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects.
Frenc...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Ferdinand Barbedienne Set of Gilt Bronze-Mounted Champleve Onyx Garniture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Ferdinand Barbedienne set of gilt bronze-mounted champleve onyx garniture. It consist of two urns and one large oval vase/jardiniere. The vase...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
$24,000 Sale Price / set
52% Off
Pair Russian Dog Head Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, Marble 3 Arm Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Pair of 18th-Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted, Rock Crystal, and Marble Three-Arm Candelabra with Dog’s Heads. Each candelabrum is set on a circular white marble base ...
Category
1790s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Marble, Ormolu
Gorgeous Pair of Empire Style Black
Gold Wall Mirrors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirrors which are elegant statement pieces. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina, and t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Fine Quality French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in New York, NY
A very fine French empire style patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock with neoclassical scene.
Stock number: CC59.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of 19th Century Italian Console Tables
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A fine pair of early 19th Century Italian Empire walnut console tables, Lombardy. With very good Breche d'Alep moulded rectangular tops above a single drawer with brass moulding supp...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
$11,201 / set
French Empire Large Self Standing Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Foyer French Empire mirror in original condition. Brass around the top and the bottom part of the column. Two small side drawers as well as middle glass shelf with the storage. Top p...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,250 Sale Price
35% Off
A pair of 1920s brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1920s solid brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design, each with two fittings, rewired with new fittings and PAT tested
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
c1810 Pair Antique Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair c1810 French Empire Dore Bronze Candlesticks/ Candle Holders. Highly detailed. When I saw these I was thinking that they are stunning.
Category
1810s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$832 Sale Price / set
46% Off
19th century French Empire Marble Top Enfilade
Located in Richmond, VA
Great quality 19th century French empire marble top enfilade with bronze mounts and white marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This divine Table Box is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Table Box hand-painted miniature has a Rectangular shape with rounded corners.
On the cover there is a beautiful hand-engraved...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Empire Mahogany Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A mahogany veneered console table with two drawers. Fine geometric herringbone inlays throughout and raised on tapering square legs and a Y-frame stretcher.
Dimensions: 54" W x14" D...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$5,314 / item
Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Modelled as a potted flower, the pot decorated with gilt bronze classical figures. With an 18th century English movement.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Sofa Bench Settee
Located in New York, NY
French Empire settee late 19th century 1870- 1890. Ebonized mahogany frame, French polished (Black) with captivating carved female heads under armrest, legs terminating into animal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$6,000 Sale Price
38% Off
19th Century Pair of Engravings of "Description of Egypt"
Located in Madrid, ES
Two engravings from the book "The Description of Egypt", a major publication by the scholars who accompanied Napoleon, which included descriptions and engravings made by these schola...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top
Located in Astoria, NY
Handsome mid-20th century French writing desk, made in French Empire style and sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from rich mahogany, the desk features a rectangular...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19thc Antique French "Empire" Bronze Fish/ Dolphin/ Sea Creature/ Koi Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare 19thc French Antique Empire Bronze Fish/ Sea Creature/ Dolphin Chandelier. 3 fish with curled tails. Floral Art Glass shades. Parisian Estate a...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,080 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Silver Backed Crackle Foxed Giltwood Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Sometimes mirrors are all about the frames, this stunning French mirror is all about the almost other Worldly foxed mirror plate, it is truly spectacular, over more than 150 years the silver backed...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique Russian Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and superbly detailed gilt bronze and crystal chandelier for candles, can be electrified.
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$34,700
Italian Empire Pedestal Marble Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century Round Marble Top Italian Pedestal. Top sits over three ebonized column supports with carved gilt wood accents at top and bottom. The ebonized columns are a key fea...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Style Nine Light Chandelier
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire style chandeliers tend to be quite hefty and large, This bronze example is unusually delicate. The dished circular pan is hung from three flat pierced suspension chains, and s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Acajou Mouchete Mahogany Mounted Commode, Attributed to Bernard Molitor
By Bernard Molitor
Located in Berlin, DE
A fine Empire acajou mouchete mahogany commode in the manner of Bernard Molitor (1755-1833). A rectangular oak corpus veneered with acajou mouchete mah...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Chandelier
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful large Empire chandelier with original candleholders, restored and cleaned.
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$6,702 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair Empire Style Mahogany Two-Tier Single Drawer Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Empire Style Mahogany Two-Tier single drawer Side Tables
Dimensions: 23.5" in width, 16.5" in depth and 24 inches in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,121 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Vintage French Empire Patinated Bronze Brass Column Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Patinated Bronze/Brass Heavy Column Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Adjustable Table Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century French Empire mahogany adjustable height tabletop desk, made for writing or reading in bed. Beautifully crafted desktop has a green leather writing surface, wit...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Elegant 19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Commode
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Empire style mahogany commode, 19th c., having marble top, hidden frieze drawer, over three additional drawers, flanked by turned columnar supports, rising on block feet. All ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Early 19th C French Empire Walnut Center Table, Grey Marble Top
Ormolu Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Gueridon / Center Table with Grey Marble Top & Ormolu Detail
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Continental (possibly French) 19th Century Empire Desk
Located in Troy, NY
Elegant Continental (possibly French) Empire bureau-plat or partners desk. The pearwood top, inlaid with a center-star-motive and small decorations on each corner, made of a light co...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pearwood
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair with Original Shades. Item features very rare cast ceramic porcelain forms in a gold and smoky charcoal...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt bronze and patinated bronze candelabra
French, 20th Century
Height 108cm, width 37cm, depth 32cm
A magnificent pair of 20th-century Empire-style candelabra, the...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Wonderful Pair of French Empire Gilt Patinated Bronze Figural Regency
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful large pair of French Empire gilt and patinated bronze figural Regency candelabra raised on paw feet, each figure holding a 6-branch cand...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Baroque Brass Empire Chandelier Rock Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold Swan
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Baroque Empire Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is a new repr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Brass, Wire
Buffet Empire Style Bronzed Decorations Solid Lime Wood Hand Made Marble Top
By sicis
Located in London, GB
Buffet cabinet designed following some distinctive elements of the Empire
style such as the applications of bronzes on the column legs, zoomorphic feet
and friezes that frame the s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Gilt Bronze Table Clock « the Gardener Angel » French Work, Circa 1805
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
"L''Amour jardinier" is a gilt bronze table clocks with a garden angel and garden decors.
The garden angel is on a scale and catches a butterfly. The m...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1810/15
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Empire secretary featuring a two-door lower cabinet, a smooth writing flap, and a top drawer. The piece is adorned with fine inlays depicting stars, lyres, and palmettes, ...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Monumental "Sac à Perles" Crystal Chandelier with Neoclassical Brass Frieze
Located in Mortsel, BE
Empire-style crystal chandelier dates from the mid-20th century and evokes the grandeur of French Neoclassical design. Often referred to as a "Sac à Perles" (bag of pearls) or basket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Sublime French Empire Walnut Curvy Sofa with Gilded Swans and New Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A super elegant romantic French Empire walnut sofa having sexy curves, ebonized base and details with two gilded swans handles on each end. The new upholstery is neutral cream and includes two glamorous cylindrical pillows...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
Pair of French Empire Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome pair of urns feature neoclassical motifs, including acanthus leaves, egg and dart borders, and Bacchus mask handles. The Verde antico marble plinth bases are mounted wi...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$4,800 / set
Impressively Detailed Flower Empire Period Style Antique French Aubusson Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet ( 13 6'' x 16'3'' - 410 x 495 )
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Large Empire Style Mahogany Bookcase from French Chateau
Located in Marseille, FR
Elegant 19th-century wall-mounted library crafted from solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, beautifully executed in the Neoclassical style. This high-quality piece consists of multipl...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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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