Empire Furniture
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.
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 2000s Austrian Empire Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Oak
1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze, Brass
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s German Empire Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Beech
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century British Empire Furniture
Damask, Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Wood
1790s French Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
1820s American Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry, Poplar
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Cherry
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture
Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Glass, Mahogany, Pine
1920s Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Granite
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
1810s French Antique Empire Furniture
Wool
1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Ormolu
17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Furniture
Wool, Feathers
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Metal, Gold
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture
Zinc
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Gold
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Glass
20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture
Brass, Bronze





