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
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Green Tole Three Light Table Lamp.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Early 19th Century French Empire Bouillotte Green Tole Three Light Table Lamp.
Beautiful French Empire brass Bouillotte lamp with three swan decorated scrolled arms. A finely chise...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Mantel Clock 19th Century Styl Empire by Leroy à Paris
Located in Warsaw, PL
A magnificent 19th-century Empire-style mantel clock, signed by the esteemed clockmaker Leroy à Paris. This timepiece exudes classical elegance, featuring a finely detailed gilt bron...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Two Branch Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of French Empire patinated bronze and ormolu figural two branch candelabra. Set on square ormolu socle with cylinder ormolu stem wit...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
French Empire Walnut Wood Rounded Coffee Table White Marble from Carrara Top
Located in IT
Empire Wood Rounded Coffee Table with White Marble from Carrara Top
19th century Italian Empire rounded coffee table in wood.
Original Bronze details such as the stars and the neck...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This French Empire style gilt bronze wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi features the best quality hand-chiselled details.
The backplate of this sconce features a lacquered round ...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Splendid French Saloon Table, Bronze Gilt
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely chased and gilded bronze in wax casting. Three curly legs connected with gutter. Medium with garland-shaped decoration. The legs are in the form of three winged, fully plastic...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze and Griffon Bouillotte Lamp with Tole Shade, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
French Empire gilt bronze bouillotte lamp with three scrolled arms, interior griffon heads, telescopic tole shade with pineapple and feather finial, and resting on the original circu...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Tôle, Tin, Wire
Two Neoclassical Empire Style Bronze and Marble Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical Empire style bronze and marble pedestals
French, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 100cm, width 48cm, depth 48cm
This pa...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Burl Walnut Chest of Drawers with Marble Top
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Empire burl walnut chest of drawers with marble top, circa 1820. With a rectangular marble top, a small burl walnut top drawer with dolphin escutcheon (no lock), 3 lower burl walnut ...
Category
1820s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Armchairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome French mid-19th century Empire style mahogany and ormolu mounted pair of armchairs. The pair are raised by front square tapered legs that have pawed ormolu feet and e...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
pair of 19th century Empire Period Giltwood and Marble consoles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and most impressive pair of Continental 19th century Empire/Restauration Period Giltwood and Fleur de Pêcher marble consoles. This stunning pair of consoles is raised o...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
pair oval off white "craquelee" night stands with golden elements Emipre stile
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
pair oval off white "craquelee" night stands with golden elements Emipre stile
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Unusual Pair of Empire Two Branch Candelabra in Gout d
Egypt or Egyptian Style
Located in London, GB
A fine and unusual pair of French Empire or possibly Russian two branch candelabra in the gout d'Egypt or Egyptian style which was extremely popular, circa turn of the 18th century. Set on square patinated bronze bases each female figure stands upon a finely cast ormolu...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair French Empire Cabinets - Painted Vernis Martin Commodes
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of French Empire style cabinets with painted fronts
Hand painted doors and side are in the style of Vernis Martin
In French interior design, vernis Martin is a type (or...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Surtout De Plateau Three Piece Mirror and Bronze Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19/20th Century) three-piece coffee table (Surtout De Plateau) with a mirrored surface supported on a bronze base with a stretcher having gilt bronze trim and ga...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Fruit Vase Napoleon III, Empire 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Large fruit vase Napoleon III - Empire 19th Century
made of crystal and bronze.
A bright crystal flowerpot is mounted on a spiral rod formed by two swimming fish. French tan.
Width:...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Very Fine Pair of Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabra, Circa 1830
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine pair of early 19th century Empire Period patinated & parcel gilt bronze three branch candelabra. Both showing a trio of finely cast scrolled & foliate shaped branches fit...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Empire Sconces
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Pair of gilt bronze three-arm Empire sconces with leaf detail.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,800 / set
A pair of Empire candlesticks, silvered bronze
Located in Stockholm, SE
This exquisite pair of Empire-period candlesticks, likely of English origin, showcases a striking neoclassical design. Crafted with an intricate attention to detail, each candlestick...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,854 / set
Princely Pomp Candlestick After Pierre Philippe Thomire
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely finely chased and cast bronze. Fully sculpted figures (Viktoria). Carrying on the head and supporting with the hands torch-shaped shaft with 12 cornucopia, curved lighthous...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$8,377 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century
Located in Cesena, FC
Antique Italian Empire cabinet from the early 19th century
Small empire cabinet, particular cabinet from the empire era (circa 1840).
Italian, with entire column, ebonized and brass...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Carl Thieme, Dresden Floral Painted
Gilded Porcelain Urn, Germany, 20th C
By Carl Thieme
Located in Chatham, ON
CARL THIEME (Factory / Manufacturer) - Potschappel (Village / Location) - Empire style Dresden floral decorated and gilded porcelain urn with cover - ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Gold Leaf
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Located in Cantù, IT
1960s Italian empire style brass fireplace tools
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Unusual Pair Of Russian Empire Figural Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
An important pair of Russian Empire Figural patinated and Dore Bronze six-light candelabras with maidens and putties with verde antico marble bases. Eac...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Column
Located in Ljungby, SE
A decorative Empire column made of plaster. It was likely produced in Sweden during the early 19th century. The color is the original, restored finish. The column features decoration...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Large Empire Appliqués / Sconces circa 1800, Gilded Linden Wood
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of large Empire appliqués / sconces circa 1800, gilded linden wood
Solid linden wood, gilded two-flame. Carved, gilded. Ribbon, each with a central, fully sculpted eagle sculpt...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$5,007 Sale Price
20% Off
Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder Vinyl "We Are the World" - 2Y07
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Own a piece of musical history with this vintage 45 RPM vinyl record of USA for Africa's iconic single "We Are the World." Featuring legendary artists M...
Category
1980s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
$143 Sale Price
86% Off
Pair of Empire Candelabra of Ormolu and Patinated Bronze and Marble
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of late 19th century Empire bronze and ormolu candelabra.
- Caryatid herm female figures on marble block plinths.
- Three ormolu candle arms/cups
- Well modeled.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Giltwood Eagle Sculpture
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare French, 19th century, Empire. Large size carved wood and gesso gilt eagle, with its full body, swept back wings, pronounced talons, perched on a ball. Important size.
Conditi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Wood
19th Century French Empire Jardinière With Fine Lyra Bronzes 1820–1825
Located in Epfach, DE
French Empire mahogany jardinière with fine bronzes, c. 1820–1825.
Mahogany veneer on softwood with an original metal liner and bronze mounts. Original casters.
This is a particularly elegant French Empire jardinière...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19 Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent pair of early 19 century French empire gilt bronze neoclassical candlesticks.
A tapering stem with rich and finely chased ...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Secrétaire Bottega Maggiolini Walnut Italy 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Secrétaire consisting of drawer under the plan, tilting door, with cabinet and two drawers at the bottom. Veneered in pedulle walnut and inlaid in various woods. The secrétaire is bi...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
An Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Desk, By Kahn, Paris
By Kahn
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Mahogany Pedestal Desk, By Kahn, Paris.
The rectangular top with a inset tan-leather writing surface. The frieze fronted by three drawers above ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Empire Glass Ewer Jug Vase Ormolu French Urn
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an eye catching green cut glass jug in the Empire manner
Good size at almost four feet tall - 112 CM
The body is crafted from richly colored, translucent green glass,...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Empire Style Planters
Located in London, GB
Pair of large gilt and patinated bronze Empire style planters
French, 20th Century
Height 50cm, width 62cm, depth 31cm
The planters, crafted in France, showcase the Egyptian-inspir...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Antique French Bronze D
ore Carrara Marble Candelabra
Located in New Orleans, LA
These beautiful candelabra have the grace and form sought after by our collectors.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Pair of Candlesticks in Silvered Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of candlesticks in silvered bronze. Fluted shaft. Base adorned with a frieze of palmettes. Circular molded feet.
English work realized under the French Empire (1804-1815).
!Th...
Category
Early 1800s European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Wall Consoles with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate two small corners or entry spaces with this elegant pair of wall-mounted consoles, crafted in France circa 1820. Each petite table is composed of a triangular body with a bo...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Italian Empire-Style Chandelier in Gilt Brass and Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant 1950s Empire-style chandelier crafted in gilt brass and adorned with finely cut Bohemian crystal. The tapering silhouette features a decorative crown at the top, from which s...
Category
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Italian Sorrento Inlaid Side Table
Located in Carmine, TX
Sorrento round side table hand-made in Italy in the early 1800s using walnut. The table follows the canons of the style with intricate geometrical radially symmetrical inlay on the ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Poplar, Satinwood, Walnut
1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks, circa 1805
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and high quality pair of French early 19th century 1st Empire Period patinated Bronze and Ormolu candlesticks, circa 1805. This wonderful pair of ewer designed candlest...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Mahogany Sofa, Restored, Original Upholstery, France, 1860s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire Mahogany Sofa
Origin: France
1860s
This item features classic Empire elements. This style, originating in 19th century France, was made to...
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Lacquer, Mahogany
Rare Empire-style half-door cabinet
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Empire Cabinet
This exquisite Empire Cabinet dates from around 1800 and is a testament to the high craftsmanship and elegant design that prevailed in French furniture production duri...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Pair of French 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Swan Handle Vases, Marked
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of French 19th century Empire Period Old Paris Porcelain swan handle vases. Each is beautifully hand-painted with a light blue colored ground and further adorned with 24K...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Empire Style Gilt and Burnished Bronze Candelabra By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This Empire style gilt and burnished bronze figural candelabra by Gherardo Degli Albizzi resumes the great taste of Napoleon period decoration. Base is characterized by gilt satin br...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Empire Candlesticks
Located in Ljungby, SE
A pair of French Empire candleholders from around 1820. They are made of fire-gilded bronze. Decorative acanthus leaves adorn the candleholders, along with fluting. Removable candle ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,000 / set
Thomasville French Louis Philippe Burlwood Marble Top Four-Drawer Dresser Chests
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of French Empire or Louis Philippe style four-drawer dressers or chests of drawers
By Thomasville
USA, Late 20th Century
Gorgeous burl wood, with thick beveled ma...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair Antique French Empire Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Classical Empire gilt and patinated bronze lamps depicting beautiful maidens in flowing Grecian garb, balancing fine gilt bronze candle holders on their heads and standing on dark gr...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Brass And Cut Frosted Glass Pendant Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Brass and frosted glass cut to clear pendant, rewired and ready to hang. New single socket and wire. Original ceiling cap and hardware to hang included. Good overall condition, ready...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Print of a 19th-century military illustration titled "Garde Impériale
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, GB
One of a Set of Four different scenes available.
This framed print is a 20th-century reproduction of a 19th-century military illustration titled "Garde Impériale, Artillerie à ...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Early 19th Century Empire French Hand Painted Wall Canvas Signed Louis A. David
Located in Dallas, TX
This monumental antique painted canvas titled "Le Cercle de Jeux" was created in France, circa 1810; the art work depicts a gambling scene in a very cozy game room. The scene features eighteen men dressed in authentic Empire clothing and playing cards game around three different tables. The canvas is signed on the bottom right Louis Alphonse David. The large wall decoration...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style
Located in Delft, NL
19th Century Dressing table mirror in Empire style
A dressing table mirror with tiltable mirror, which is fixed to the side with 19th cent...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer...
Category
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$6,605 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze and Rock Crystal Table Lamps by Thomire à Paris
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous and highly important pair of empire gilt bronze and rock crystal table lamps. Both are signed on the base Thomire à Paris. Each is meticulou...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Pair of French Neoclassical Style Red Tôle and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Neoclassical style red tôle and gilt bronze vases
French, late 19th Century
Height 53cm, width 24cm, depth 17cm
Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mounted red...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Ormolu
IMPORTANT PAIR OF EMPIRE SHELVES Napoleon III 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT PAIR OF EMPIRE SHELVES Napoleon III 19th century
French, 19th century 19th century,
clad in rosewood wood,
with three shelves,
gilded carvings.
Small defects.
Dim.: 1...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Scandinavian Brass Push Up Chamber Candle Holder with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this candleholder from the early 1800's. We see this chamber candlestick on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these sough...
Category
1810s Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Gilt Bronze Mounted Empire Style Mahogany Jardinière
Located in Stamford, CT
Gilt bronze mounted Empire style mahogany jardinière with metal liner, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Empire 19th Century Round Pedestal Table France
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Here is an original round tripod center table from the early 1800's about when Napoleon roamed Europe. This table has been given a professional complete but "soft" restoration to sav...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Fine Quality Pair of Early Empire Ormolu Mounted Cut Crystal Lamps
Located in New York, NY
The fine diamond cut crystal column-form table lamps supported by gilt bronze paw feet.
Date: Early 19th century
Origin: French
Dimension: 36 in x 10 in.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
$7,600 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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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