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
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
Miniature Antique Empire chest of drawers
Located in Ballard, CA
exquisite exemple of a miniature sample of an empire chest made by a "Compagnon" most likely this was for the mentor to judge the ability of his pupi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Baccarat Set of 12 Cordial Glasses by St. Anne Factory, Voneche, 1810.
By Voneche
Located in Trieste, IT
Important 12Cordial glasses set of 1st Empire Cut-Glass from Sainte Anne crystal factory in Voneche, 1800 - 1830 cca.
These Glasses are very rare. Museum pieces.
The set provenance:...
Category
1810s Belgian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Elegant French Empire Bronze Patinated and Crystal Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Elegant French Empire doré bronze and patinated crystal neoclassical two-tone fixture with four eagle head arms. This chandelier has a beautiful cut crystal ...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$3,950 Sale Price
31% Off
20th Century Italian Solid Silver Inkstans Empyre Style
By Arno Fassi
Located in VALENZA, IT
Empire style 800 silver inkstand
The base of the inkstand, completely handmade, is shaped like a "cathedral". The classic "palmettes" of the Empire style have been chiseled around i...
Category
1990s Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
$4,596 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Pair French Blue Opaline Glass Lamps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Pair French Blue Opaline Glass Lamps
Beautiful Lamps purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Opaline Glass
Empire-style Salon in Mahogany and gilded bronzes
Located in Paris, FR
An imposing Empire-style salon comprising a mahogany sofa and eight chairs. They are richly adorned with gilded bronzes, with a rectangular pedimented back decorated with laurel leaf...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$32,316 / set
French Empire Neoclassical Brass Candlestick Student Oil Style Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Patinated Brass Candlestick Student "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to light socket) x 9.5" W x 6....
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Mahogany Bedside Table with Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870 and built of mahogany wood, the elegant antique cabinet stands on front rounded columnar supports embellished with decorative bronze mounted rings at the...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Cockpit Chair in Wood Upholstered Velvet Dedar France
By Dedar
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.
Elegant and refined mahogany cockpit chair...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch
Located in Annville, PA
The Round Table with Empire Bases 60-115 inch is a high quality 60 inch round table when closed. The field of the table top being produced from the...
Category
2010s Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$8,500 / item
Empire Armoire, Walnut Veneer, Full Columns, Brass, Austria circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine, large Empire Armoire or wardrobe from Vienna, Austria about 1810-15.
The armoire has a beautiful book-matched walnut veneer and with excellent shellac hand-polished finish. (French Polish). The doors inside are counter veneered in blonde cherry wood with gig iron box lock and locking bars.
Two ebonized full-columns with corinthian brass...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$10,875 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century French Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful 19th Century French Empire ebonized black and Boulle Sewing Scent Necessaire Box with bronze appliquès and paw feet. Top features red, bronze and white colored floral motif with a monogram plate of what probably was the original owner's initials. Interior has cream colored toile lining and compartments for sewing implements, many of which are included. Inner top is mirrored with ornamental gilt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Satinwood Buffet Cabinet.
The attractive and original Verde Antico marble top above three freize drawers. The central door with a burr-amboyna l...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Empire small giltwood and gesso decorated mirror, 19th C.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Pair of French Empire Style Carved Fruitwood Open Armchairs
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of 19th century fruitwood armchairs feature carved acanthus leaves and reeded arms.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Salon empire
Located in PARIS, FR
Mobilier de salon en acajou et bois doré, comprenant quatre chaises, quatre fauteuils, deux bergères et un canapé.
4 Chaises : Hauteur : 91 cm – Largeur : 49 cm – Profondeur : 38 cm
4 Fauteuils : Hauteur : 97,5 cm – Largeur : 63,5 cm – Profondeur : 51 cm
2 Bergères : Hauteur : 99 cm – Largeur : 70 cm – Profondeur : 54 cm
1 Canapé : Hauteur : 106 cm – Largeur : 181 cm – Profondeur : 62 cm
Provenance : Vente Palais GALLIERA...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
$14,363 / item
Fine Antique French Empire Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique French Empire neoclassical gilt and patina bronze chandelier. The chandelier is suspended from a circular corona decorated with a continuous band of gilt laurel leaves...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany Marble Top Buffet with Bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Empire mahogany marble top buffet with bronze is an exquisite example of fine French cabinetry, with the emphasis on the finest mater...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Very Large French 19th Century Gilded Bronze Sconces
By Pierre Bureaux
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of very large French 19th Century gilded bronze sconces. Last picture in situ. Empire style, three-branch wall-lights, after a model by Edme Jean Gallien (1720-1797) and Pierre ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$26,811 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Nightstands, Walnut, Full Columns, Gold-Leaf, Brass, Italy, circa 1810
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, neoclassical and greatly restored Pair of Venetian Empire Nightstands, bedside tables or pillar cabinets from northern Italy, circa 1810.
Walnut, veneered on softwood and ...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
Grand French Empire Mahogany Gilt Bronze Mounted Console Table
Located in Benington, Herts
A Very Fine and Extremely Large Mahogany Empire Period Console Dessert With Finely Cast Gilt Bronze Mounts
French Paris Circa 1815-25
The present piece of furniture is rather ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Large Antique French Giltwood Mirror, Empire Style Inspiration, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Large antique French mirror, Empire style inspiration, circa 1950. Large antique frame in carved natural wood, grooves and crosses decorati...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 43cm
Ref.: 54676504
67 - 68
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
French 19th century Empire st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and high quality French 19th century Empire st. Baccarat Crystal and Ormolu centerpiece. This most elegant centerpiece is raised by an oval Ormolu base with intricately sc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
French Empire Neoclassical Small Thin Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamp a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Small Thin Brass Candlestick Column Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 20.5" H (to light socke...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century French tall chest of drawers with a black marble top, made from walnut. The case is lovely and has paneled sides and a single uppe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
The Astronomy Lesson French Empire Mantel Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent French Empire ormolu mantel clock features the iconic Neoclassical genre scene often referred to as "The Astronomy Lesson." A popular motif during this period, Emper...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Bohemian Cut Crystal Tiered Basket Chandelier Circa 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
A truly breathtaking and sumptuous antique basket chandelier, resplendent in hand cut, multi-faceted Bohemian lead crystal, with 8 lamp holders in bronze with embossed decorative flo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Empire Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock , France 1810
Located in New York, NY
Resting on four very elegant feet the clock features a rectangular base decorated on three sides with classical motifs. The face features a pair of Sphinx flanking a wreath with lau...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Bronze Wall Sconces Double Armed Lighting Lamp In Candelabra Style
Located in Bastogne, BE
Pair of empire style wall lights manufactured in the 20th century.
Bronze construction.
Original gilding. The sconces are decorated with ac...
Category
1970s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Mid-19th Century Fruitwood Side Table with Doric Column Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite French Empire style fruitwood side table from the Mid-Century features a rectangular top supported by four Doric style wooden columns, with a characteristic entasis bu...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
British Silver Plated Tea Urn Samovar 19th century Egg Shaped with Lion Heads
Located in Sweden, SE
Neoclassical shape coffee and tea urn decorated with lion heads and solid silver plating and hand chased. Tea Urn Samovar is made in the so-called “Egoist” size for very few persons ...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Stainless Steel
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Lamp Base
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This fine quality lamp base features a gilt classical frieze, and a patinated bronze figure of a classical maiden.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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
Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The circular lidded box depicting a woman reclining on a Recamier playing the harp. The underside with a star surrounded by banding with stippling decoration.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$720 Sale Price
40% Off
French Empire Style Brass Bouillotte Lamp with Black and Gilt Tole Shade
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful quality brass bouillotte lamp with gilt decorated metal shade. Fine details throughout, swan heads holding the tole painted shade and corbel style candle arms. Recently re-...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine and Beautiful 19th C Empire Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Library Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and beautiful Empire mahogany and gilt bronze decorated Empire library viewing cabinet. All original with fine gilt bronze pawed feet. Adjustable shelves, hand pegged.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
French Style extension dining table with carved pedestal, inset fold-out leaves, scrolled tri-base, and carved claw feet, with radiating veneer top. The table seats up to nine people...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$7,155 / item
Pair Of French Empire Bronze and Faux Marble Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Empire bronze and faux marble paint on wood bases. Each have two light. Base paint probably later enhanced.
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Period French Empire Neoclassical Wallpaper Screen by Zuber of Dufour
By Jean Zuber
Located in Essex, MA
Period Empire neoclassical wallpaper screen.
Either by Zuber of Dufour.
Was always intended as a screen.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of French Empire Style Porcelain Urns
Located in Montreal, QC
Now fitted as lamps, these two handled Paris urns are painted with floral bouquets on one side and a courtship scene on the other. The gilding is rubbed but the painting is well exec...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,800 / set
Restoration Period Turkish Sofa With Swan Neck
Located in Charmes, FR
Turkish or billiard sofa, restoration period, swan neck decoration, discolored and stained fabric on the cushion as well as a small, unusual and decorative acro model
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Atrium Form Dutch Fruitwood Gilt Metal Mantel Clock
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The top tier with the clock works decorated with a pair of gilt putti above a gilt garland, and outer enamel dial. The corners with gilt herons and leaves. ...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi, with its marble base, resume the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Bronze Hunting Dog Marble Base Desk Pen Holder. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 3.5" H x 6.5" W x 3.25" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
19th century beech gueridon with 3 legs on wheels. Legs are detailed with black lacquer at the top and at the base of each column.
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
French Empire Mahogany Winged Griffins End Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) mahogany end/center table with bronze trim and winged griffins on legs with a green rectangular marble top.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Empire Miniature Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine early 19th century French Empire miniature sample commode with four dovetailed drawers. Made of burl of walnut veneer with oak and pine as secondary woods. Working locks with ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Patinated Bronze Chandelier with Figure of Mercury and Three Arms
Located in San Francisco, CA
This beautifully crafted chandelier of patinated bronze is truly magnificent. With it's detailed figure of Mercury, bronze garlands, cherubs and gazelles, the three arms each hold f...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
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
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
$6,822 Sale Price
40% Off
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra or Carcel Lamp from the Estate of Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This very nice carcel lamp now converted to electricity comes from the estate and Paul and Bunny Mellon and formed part of the decorations of their home Oa...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Tin
HAND CARVED
PAINTED ViNTAGE FRENCH EMPIRE STYLE EAGLE SOFA AND ARMCHAIR SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this lovely vintage circa 50 year old suite of French Empire style carved seating depicting large Eagles
Please...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Austrian Empire Center Table Cherry
Lime Stone
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Austrian Empire center table with a single drawer. Cherry veneer with ebony trim and inlayed limestone top on elegantly tapered legs with ebony feet....
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Limestone
vintage resin sunburst mirror, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass.
The golden mirror is in a good condition.
1960s - made in Belgium.
Dimensions:
Diameter: 40cm
Ref.: 54676506
71
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Resin
$538 / item
Empire Tole Water Heater
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted and gilded tole water heater.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Tin
$3,600
Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier Crystal Lustre Lamp Antique Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a stunning Brass Basket Empire Sac a Pearl Chandelier, an exquisite piece adorned with captivating crystals, reminiscent of the classical style of the Empire era. This is...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Pair of Early 1800s Empire Baccarat Crystal and Bronze Tazza Centerpieces
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This pair of Empire-style tazza centerpieces showcases a sophisticated blend of finely cast bronze and Baccarat crystal in a striking three-tier structure. Each tazza is grounded by a solid bronze base, supporting tiers of Baccarat crystal bowls...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Large Vieux Paris Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Old vieux Paris porcelain from the Napoleonic period decorated with farm animals and barn. With swan handles. Beautifully painted and fire gilded. Now mounted as lamps.
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,800 / set
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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