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
1940s French Empire / Neo-Classical Style Tole Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are beautiful! These hand painted tole lamps are French. They are in very good condition and are signed. The base and body display many elements of the French Empire period. T...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century
Provenance:
Private Melbourne Collection.
Description:
In full military dress, his sword sheathed and arms folded over his chest, his ri...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Empire Style Gilt Metal Sconces with Sunburst Motif
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique gilt metal sconces in the French Empire style with sunburst motif, candelabra size sockets and white candle covers, modern wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, Empire style, France, early 19th century
Magnificent mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, made in France around 1810-1820, at the height of the Empire ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Russian Empire Gilt Bronze and Cut-Glass Twelve-Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
An Empire Cut-Glass Mounted Ormolu Twelve-Light Chandelier
Russian
Early 19th century
Consisting of a palmette and anthemeon-cast corona top suspending four chains and a circular ...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,723 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Period Gilt and Painted Wood Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in London, GB
Empire period gilt and painted wood three-piece salon suite
French, c. 1820
Sofa: Height 101cm, width 213cm, depth 72cm
Chairs: Height 101cm, width 61cm, depth 56cm
This exquisite t...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
60s Monumental Empire 24K Gold Plated Bronze Amethyst Crystal Chandelier Palwa
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1960's Monumental Empire style 24K Gold Plated Bronze with Amethyst Cut Crystal Waterfall Semi Flush Mount Chandelier by Palme
Walter Palwa. This is a very high quality Chandel...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk.
In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Period Armchairs and Bergere by P.BELLANGÉ
By Pierre-Antoine Bellangé
Located in Paris, FR
EXCEPTIONAL seats by Pierre Bellangé
PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS, circa 1805
Mahogany with mahogany veneer. Powerful tapered front legs with three scalloped rings, and sabre back legs.
Slight...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$43,089 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Splendid Bronze French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Absolutely sublime top drawer bronze electried antique wall sconces having 2 lights each, and marvelous decoration including urn at the top, tassel at the bottom, acanthus leaves and...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Empire Malachite Gilt Torcheres Floor Lamps 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an incredible pair of large Empire style floor lamps or torchieres
Hand crafted from gilt and faux malachite
The faux malachite is painted porcelain which looks very...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror.
Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s.
This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Table Box “The Great Odalisque” Fired Enamel on Guilloche Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
table box in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with edges with fire - enamelled stripes and upper frame with insertion of paillons in pure gold and beautRectangular iful fire-enam...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Armchair, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Armchair, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
dimensions :
height 82 cm seat height 47 cm width 56 cm de...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Wonderful 19th century gilded wall mirror , empire style
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Very good quality 19th century gilded wall mirror in the empire style
French circa 1840’s with original backboards and mirror plate Height
It can hang landscape or portrait
Heig...
Category
1840s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
$2,081 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Gilt Bronze Bust Of Napoleon Signed Canova
Located in Charmes, FR
gilded bronze mounted on a green marble base, very good condition, 19th century, signed Canova
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
EARLY 19th CENTURY EMPIRE BLOND WALNUT SIDEBOARD
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant sideboard in solid blond walnut, finely carved. The linear design of the sideboard is enriched by two half lateral columns, ending with gilded bronze capitals that give a tou...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
18th Century French Neoclassical Mahogany High Back Armchairs, Silk Upholster
Located in Firenze, IT
These French Neoclassical mahogany armchairs, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century are a legacy of craftsmanship, a touch of Parisian elegance for your home, potentially a...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood, Mahogany
$6,702 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Fine and Exceptional Empire Pier Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A 19th century classical Empire pier console table having a beveled rectangular marble top above an Ogee mahogany veneered apron raised on carved and gilt white Alabaster Ionic colum...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster
19th Century Empire Column Cabinet from the North of Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Empire column cabinet from Northern Sweden.
A useful piece of furniture for one of those difficult to fill spaces.
With good storage and scraped to original paint.
Late...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Empire Style Ebonized
Giltwood Pedestals, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt Painted Wood Pedestals, 20th century, each with a circular molded top above scrolled swan neck supports, on splayed legs joined by an undertier...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
$1,150 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Swedish Black
Gilt Bronze Eagle Empire Chandelier, Early 1800
s
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Empire-style, black and gold chandelier made in Sweden circa 1830. In a bowl-form with 5 candle-style lights with finely cast, eagle head...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,904 Sale Price
60% Off
Pair of Fine Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Four-Light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of fine and elegant antique French Empire gilt and patinated bronze four-light sconces. Each sconce is composed of a vertical backplate surm...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of Ten Empire Floral Decorated Gilt Banded Plates
Located in New York, NY
Antique set of ten Empire white and gilt plates with center floral bouquets; with underglaze red markings for L. Ernie 61 Rue du Bac., France, early 180...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Wonderful French Empire Dore and Patinated Bronze Cherub Putti Wreath Clock
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré and patinated bronze Cherub Putti wreath clock, not currently in working order, back cover is missing as is bel...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Pillow in Blue
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Toile De La Prairie with a self welt finish. A meadow’s worth of songbirds, butterflies, blooming branches, and seed pods intermingle...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton
French Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
French bronze Empire style chandelier with the goddess Demeter as the center finial.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Gilt-Bronze
Variegated Green Marble Desk Set, c.1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
The base is composed of variegated green marble with a pen tray, ormolu trim and patarae motif. The ormolu well with lid is beautifully decorated with laurel wreath garland surround...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Of 19th Century Doré Bronze Portrait Medallions Mounted on Carrara Marble
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 19th Century round French Royalty Doré bronze portrait medallions mounted on Carrara marble. Portraits are gold in color and trim and framed in 1.5" dark wood frame. Round br...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk
Black Leather Drop Leaf Top Hrh
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk
Black Leather Drop Leaf Top HRH . Very Rare Early 19th century secretary " Secrétaire a'...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Bronze NIKE Figural Candelabra
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This stately patinated and fire gilt bronze candelabrum is of the finest quality, and retains its original finish.
The figure of Nike (Winged Victory) standing on a gilt globe holds...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
2 Kreiss Luxury Modern Empire Style Mahogany
Wicker Back Arm Chairs Suede Seat
By Kreiss
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful pair of Kreiss Luxury Empire style arm chairs. Made from mahogany with a wicker inset backing and swooping arms with bulbous fluted...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Ultrasuede, Wicker, Mahogany
$1,275 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
19th c Rare Crystal Beaded Empire Chandelier French Hand Tied Oval Prisms, c1850
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing 4 lights, sitting on metal posts that slide into a small pocket on chandelier. This chandelier was made for candles, but we will rewire with certified UL US sockets for the ...
Category
1850s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Fine French Empire Design Oak Twin Pedestal Desk
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful French Empire design gilt metal mounted oak twin pedestal desk, rectangular top with inset tooled writing surface above three frieze, thre...
Category
Early 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$5,326 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of French Empire Demilune Flip-Top Consoles by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of 19th century French empire demi-lune console tables or round dining tables with a flip top that has been faux-marble lacquered on top by artist Ira Yeager (American 1...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$9,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Coppia di gueridon in mogano, di gusto Impero, inizio XX secolo
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di gueridon in mogano, di gusto Impero, inizio XX secolo, piano circolare in marmo bianco con ciglio dorato a palmette su cintura diritta; montanti quadrangolari con attacco a...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Silk Bergère Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire mahogany bergère (armchairs) upholstered in red silk with scrolled back above winged caryatid arm uprights & a loose seat cushion, (early 19th century).
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silk, Mahogany
$54,000 / set
Late 20th C. Empire Style Black and Silver Fluted Column Floor Lamp with Shade
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20thc., an elegant floor lamp that features a classic design with a black fluted column base and silver accents. The pyramid-shaped base is intricately detailed with stepped lay...
Category
1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Mid-18th Century French Part Metallic Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Mid-18th Century French Part Metallic Tapestry Pillow - 23" x 9"
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Feathers
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire-style Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Empire style gilt bronze light candelabras, which have been patinated. Gold-finish bronze, gilt bronze, also known as ormolu, is a term describing a decorative art object f...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Coat Rack Bronze Clothes Hook, France, 1970s
Located in Bastogne, BE
A great vintage wall hanging coat rack with red velvet and brass hooks from France, 1970s.
The set includes a coat rack and 5 hooks.
A coat rack in the hallway is a convenient and...
Category
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Regency Rams Head Small Bronze Column Table Lamps with Adjustable Height Finials - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 25.5"- 27.5" H (to finial) x...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Coffee Table Lacquer Speckled by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical French empire style coffee cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The oval table features a two-tier design with dramatic eagle's head l...
Category
20th Century Mexican Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
20th Century Empire Style Lion Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Empire style lion armchair
Imperial stylish lion armchair in Empire style.
Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood....
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beech
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
Pair of French Empire Bronze Dore and Marble Console Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze and dore trim bracket console tables with half round marble top supported on a single leg ending in a square marble base. (PRICED AS...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Console Table, France, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Original Empire console table, France, 1820, mahogany veneer with original brass fittings. The elegant columns with their brass capitals and bases stand on a rectangular base. The ba...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Victorian Opal Glass Biscuit Jar Box Hand Painted Floral Motif Gnome Lid
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Victorian Satin / Opaline Glass Biscuit Jar with Hand-Painted Floral Décor and Silverplate Lid, Late 19th Century
A charming and finely crafted Victorian satin or opaline gl...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
Museum Court Empire Armchair circa 1830, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum court Empire armchair circa 1830, mahogany
Solid mahogany body. Empire beginning of the 19th century. Armrests, curved volute-shaped, ending in carved dolphins. Rectangular b...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$7,133 Sale Price
20% Off
Swedish Cast Iron Urn Norrahammar No 5
Located in Karlstad, SE
Very rare garden urn marked Norrahammar No 5 in cast iron, 19th century.
Condition: Good original condition with heavy patina.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
Narrow chest of drawers, early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
Narrow chest of drawers on straight legs with three drawers and a gray stone top. The key plates are in the form of flower bouquets in gilt bronze. The chest of drawers is mahogany v...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Bronze Ormolu Burl Wood Large Trumeau Pier Mirror. Item features burl wood, beveled glass, stately bronze mounts including human figured feet, maiden face...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century French Bronze and Crystal Chandelier
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century French Crystal Chandelier. Empire style bronze and crystal chandelier with new wiring. 4 lights
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$6,650 / item
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Slate Candlesticks, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This regal pair of bronze and slate candlesticks originated in 19th-century France and are beautifully detailed with molded and gilt embellishments. Crafted in the style of Empire furniture, each candlestick rests on a triform bronze base of claw feet and petal scrollwork, topped by a gilt acanthus leaf throne supporting a simple black slate stem. The sleek stone posts in turn support an urn-form bronze capital with floral and gilt elements. A gorgeous example of French opulence...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Antique Empire Table with Flaps and Marquetry in Birch Wood from 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Empire dining table, an antique piece featuring intricate intarsia work, crafted from birch wood and originating from Denmark in 1840, is a remarkable testament to the craftsmans...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Vintage French Empire Alabaster Column Brass Metal Candelabra Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Alabaster Column Brass Metal Candelabra Table Lamps - Pair. Item features carved alabaster columns, 4 candelabras each with one central light. Fixture with mult...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
Ancient Empire Period Bed, Large and Completely Original
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Empire Bed, Large and Original
This large and original antique Empire bed dates back to the early 1800s. It is an important Empire bed that has never been restored and is com...
Category
1810s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
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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