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
Pair of Empire Style Patinated and Gilded Bronze Candelabra
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive pair of candelabra made in the era of Napoleon III in France circa 1870 are very powerful and impressive. Heavily cast with references to the classical past and profu...
Category
1870s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Empire Marble Topped Drawer Chest Commode
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A Swedish Empire three-drawer commode chest veneered in burled bird's-eye elm emblematic of Baltic furniture in the 18th-19th centuries, the rectangular side columns mounted with brass Egyptian...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Elm
$6,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Mirror Made In Mahogany With Carvings From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
The mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the late Empire period, around the 1840s. The mirror is made from hig...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Candelabra
Located in Allerum, SE
Pair of fine 19th century Swedish Empire gilt and patinated bronze candelabra,
circa 1830, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$7,700 / set
French 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu and Baccarat Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely elegant French 19th century Empire st. ormolu and Baccarat crystal chandelier. The eight arm chandelier is centered by a striking solid crystal ball below a ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century French Empire Blue Urn Vase with Gold Decoration, Jaget
Pinon
Located in Sofia, BG
Amphora-shaped vase and in the Empire style, circa 1920, France made of earthenware with a marine-blue background with gold decorations in the spirit of Sèvres. Round neck surrounded...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
19th Century French Empire Bronze 8 Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century French Empire style bronze chandelier with 8 lights. Beautiful decorative detail on the base and arms. A classic fixture that is sure to impress!!
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair French Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Trumpet Vases, Late 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This pair of French trumpet-form vases dates from the late 19th century and blends two luxurious materials: engraved clear glass and richly decorated gilt bronze mounts with champlev...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
$2,301 Sale Price
37% Off
Pair Of Antique Empire Silver Candle Holders, by Josef Stelzer, Vienna, 1802
Located in Vienna, AT
Two elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, foot profiled at the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre, constriction in the lower third by a profiled bead, shaft wide...
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
French Empire Early 19th Century Walnut Console Tables with Grey Marble Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Empire period walnut veneered console tables from the early 19th century, with dark grey marble tops, bronze mounts and tw...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Large Scale Bronze Empire Style Chandelier with 16 Lights
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th Century large scale French Empire style chandelier is crafted from Bronze featuring a striking Black and gold color. It boasts an impressive design with 16 lights, making i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Italian Empire Crystal Chandelier with 18 Lights 18th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Large Late 1700s 18-Light Empire Chandelier in Crystal and Gilt Brass, in perfect condition. A rare and antique Italian salon chandelier with a light balloon-like structure made of i...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Leather Armchairs Empire Style Midcentury
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page.
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A
Pair of Mid Century ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
$3,996 Sale Price
20% Off
Danish Rectangular Empire Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish gilt gold art frame found in a market in Denmark. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has wonderful patina throughout and would loo...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
19th Century Empire Style a Russian Armchair
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid mahogany. Straight frame on saber-shaped legs with laid sheet. Strongly curved supports for slightly rising armrests. High-profile, contoured backrest frame with a wide finish....
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair Of Large Empire-Style Silver Candle Holders, Hermann Südfeld, Vienna, c1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Two large, elegant, simple silver candlesticks on a round base, round foot grooved on the sides, smooth shaft raised in the centre with a profiled constriction, shaft widening conica...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver
Northern Italian Neoclassic Walnut
Ebonized Stenciled Leather Writing Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with 3/4 gallery edge and a stenciled leather writing surface, with two side drawers, the top supported by four Ebonized columns atop a base with a concave f...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Urns
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Empire Urns. Beautiful pair purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,500 / set
Italian Late Empire Carved and Gilded Chandelier with Cut Glass Prisms
Located in Kastrup, DK
Italian Late Empire chandelier, carved in wood, richly decorated and water-gilded, adorned with cut glass prisms.
The central section features classical Empire motifs, including aca...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French fire-gilded candleholders in the Empire style. They feature acanthus leaf decorations. The candle sleeves are removable.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,500 / set
Fontainebleau Empire Chandelier
Located in Westwood, NJ
Fontainebleau Empire chandelier, based on a 19th-century French design, the arrangement of the chains and the elaborate cast brass details make this design distinctive. A gilt finish...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$19,700 / item
Antique Late Empire Corner Cabinet With Shelves Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The antique Late Empire corner cabinet with mahogany shelves from the 1840s is an impressive piece of furniture history that exudes elegance and timeless beauty. The corner cabinet i...
Category
1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,527 Sale Price
24% Off
French Empire Mantel Clock in Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble, Signed Picnot
By Picnot
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. Set upon four ormolu paw feet to the rouge marble base, rising to...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Danish Rectangular Empire Wood Gilt Gold Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish gilt gold art frame found in a market in Denmark. Perfect piece for that special oil painting or watercolor. The frame has wonderful patina throughout and would loo...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890
s.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Empire Style Tole Chandelier, Circa 1890's.
We have 2 of these chandeliers available, and they are sold individually.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Unique
Rare Collection, Straw Marquetry Bottles, 18Th. C. Set of 7
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this rare and exceptional collection of seven French 18Th C. Straw Marquetry Bottles.
These were made by convicts in the 18Th century.
This is a very rare collection, you ...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Straw, Blown Glass
Empire Marble Pedestal Stand Column Table
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Wonderful French Empire style marble pedestal stand column
Great for displaying decorative pieces such as busts or vases
Also great for the garden
The bronze statue showed not includ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Candelabras Pair 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
A pair of candelabras made of gilt bronze. Made in France In Late Empie Style during the 19th century. Top candle holder decorated with a loose torch.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
One Empire Style Silvered and Black Engraved Metal Table Lamp, France, 1930s
Located in IT
Empire style silvered and black engraved metal table lamp, France, early 20th century, 1930s
In the pictures you see two lamps but only one le...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Capriccio Jeremias August Urlaub Clock Picture Germany
Located in Epfach, DE
Capriccio from Jeremias August Urlaub, born 1784 in Hanau, death 1837 in St.Petersburg belongs to an important franconian painter family.
Original magnificent and special frame, o...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
Impressive and Large Antique French Empire Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A large French Empire gilt and patina bronze chandelier of circular form, suspended from six elongated chains composed of alternating openwork and solid links. The corona is cast wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian Secretaire dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined Secretaire.
Made of fine solid mahogany wood (accompani...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$3,332 Sale Price
44% Off
Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded.
Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Empire Style Portico Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century French Empire style portico clock.
This e Empire style clock features Carrara marble, bevelled glass, bronze accents and a crystal r...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
$3,995 Sale Price
20% Off
French Empire Style Solid Walnut Bronze Ormolu Mantel Buffet Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Empire style solid walnut mirror is a striking statement of classical design and refined craftsmanship. Designed for placement above a mantel, buffet, or console, this wa...
Category
1990s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique French Empire Gold Bronze Candelabra, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Ormolu Doré Gilt Bronze Etageres Bases by Thomire
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique French bases for etageres.
By Pierre-Phillippe Thomire.
In doré gilt bronze.
Each with a central column with a mounting thread to the top surrounded by a la...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Venetian lacquered and gilded gold leaf drawing room, late 18th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Refined Venetian drawing room dating from the latter part of the 18th century, consisting of a sofa, two armchairs, two chairs, and an elegant coffee table with a green marble top. T...
Category
18th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool, Wood
Pair of 3-light torches in chased and gilded bronze, signed Barbedienne
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of three-light candelabra in chased and gilded bronze, signed F. Barbedienne, Paris. Barbedienne, Paris.
Elegant pair of Empire-style three-light candelabra in finely chased an...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Style Canapé
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An elegant carved wood upholstered canapé.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Grey/Black Marble Urn with Gilded Bees, Empire Classic Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This elegant grey/black marble urn is inspired by classical designs from the 19th century. It is adorned with small gilded bee motifs, popular during the Empire period, symbolizing i...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French 1870 Third Empire Napoleon III Pair of Urns in Marble with Gilded Ormolu
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of mythological Urns from the French third Empire period.
Fabulous decorative pieces, created in Paris, France during the period of the Third French Empire under Napoleon III...
Category
1870s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Siena Marble, Bronze
$3,489 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Sofa Bench French Empire Mahogany Brass Brown France
Located in New York, NY
A rare sofa made in France during the Empire period, circa 1790-1810. Mahogany frame with gilded brass decor shaped as palm leaves. Tapered legs en...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan
s Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymme...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$2,633 Sale Price
50% Off
1900s Empire Style Urn Vase Pot, Rudolf Wächter, Germany
Located in Skien, NO
Elegant Vintage Empire-Style Urn Vase by Rudolf Wächter, 1960s
A stunning Empire-style urn vase or jardinière pot in glazed porcelain, adorned with exquisite rose decorations encirc...
Category
20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$288 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Empire style console table features golden claw feet, criss-cross back, and inlay top trim. Great for entry way or behind a sofa.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,800
Timothy Outlton, Empire Style, Wall Sconces, Steel, Crystal, 1990s
Located in Manhasset, NY
A pair of Niermann Weeks style three light crystal and metal wall lights by Timothy Oulton. Each in the Empire style with aged metal and crystal design. Part of a large collection of...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Metal
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exceptional Russian Silver Goblet with Cloisonné Enamel – 1848
Exceptional Russian silver goblet (Goblet), crafted in solid silver and fine ename...
Category
1840s Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Pair of Empire Mahogany Armchairs in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Empire mahogany fauteuils or armchair 'a la Reine' in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter/ François-Honoré-Georges Jacob Desmalter (1770-1841, son of Jacob Desmalter), newly upho...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and architectural pair of French 19th century Empire st. Patinated and Giltwood mirrors. Each palatially scaled mirror with it's original mirror plates is raised on a s...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Set of 4 Danish Empire Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 lovely Danish chairs with light birch inlays in back and front frieze. Newly upholstered.
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
$12,000 / set
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Empire St. three door armoire in satinwood and mahogany with beveled mirrors. All highly decorated with fire-gilded ormolu mounts. Inside lays fift...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
1800
s Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany, Desk, Bureau
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous 800's Antique French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leather Slides, Mahogany. Desk, Bureau!!
Antique Bureau Desk, French Empire, Bronze MTD, Leathe...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mirror With Sculpted Coper And Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant ebony and embossed copper pareclose mirror from the beginning of the 19th century
Very beautiful mirror which has a beautiful proportion decorated with embossed and fire-gil...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Copper
Empire Bronze Crystal Chandelier, with Fire-Gilded Swans, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely decorative, heavy and high quality Empire chandelier,
19th century.
No replica. Staffed with five magnificent, fire-gilded bronze swans.
This chandelier impresses with its uniqueness.
The swan is the symbol animal of the Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais...
Category
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$143,630 Sale Price
33% Off
Empire Style Walnut Tub Chair in the Manner of Jacob Desmalter
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire Style Walnut Bergere Chair in the manner of Jacob Desmelter with nicely carved rams head resting on articulated hoof feet.
Category
1850s American Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Empire Style Side Table
Located in Austin, TX
Gueridon, French, in the Empire style. This piece has three swan legs on a triangular base supporting the top covered with a veined black marble top (professionally repaired).
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$1,500
Elegant pair of French Empire style sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of 1940's French empire style sconces, the patina is much nicer in person
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,850 / set
French 19th Century Tole Sinumbra Lamp from the Estate of Paul and Bunny Mellon
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine classical carcel lamp would originally have had a burner and glass shade but now is fitted for electricity and will require a tole or cloth shade...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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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