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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
Availability: In Stock Within 6 weeks
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Located in Trenton, NJ
nfuse your home with timeless sophistication with this Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa. Its ebonized wood frame features exquisite carvings that highlight the skill and craftsmanship...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
Antique Duncan Phyfe Style Sofa
$900 Sale Price
50% Off
Picture Frame with enamel on a sunburst guilloché Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Embrace a timeless treasure that echoes grandeur: an exquisite oval-shaped photo frame, sculpted from 925/1000 gold-plated sterling silver. Its translucent enamel adorns a sunburst g...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate

Swedish Late Empire Black-polished Birch Bookcase
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish late empire bookcase / display cabinet in black-polished birch. In 2 parts, upper case having mullioned glass front with cathedral arch cornice. Lower part with a pair of ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Majestic Huge Schonbek "Camelot" 2643 Crystal Gem Cut 84 Light Chandelier
Located in Tustin, CA
Very elegant, finest quality, estate Schonbek Swarovski Gemcut crystal chandelier features classic Napoleonic Empire style. This stately and magnificent chandelier has two tiers and approximately 84 incandescent lights. It measures 65" long and 41.5" in diameter. The hardware is finished in gold. This chandelier is lavishly draped in crystals. The retail price of a new, made to order chandelier of this size is over $22,000.00. Reference page 104 of the Schonbek Beyond Lighting catalogue shown in the photos. Schonbek Worldwide Lighting, a Swarovski company, has 149 years of experience crafting superior crystal...
Category

Early 2000s Austrian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Metal

19th-Century Empire French Solid Silver Coffee Pot or Ewer
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This refined French Empire period coffee pot, or ewer, dates from the early years of the 19th-century and is crafted in solid silver. The elegant silhouette, balanced proportions and...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Victorian Oak Wood Bowed Glass China Cabinet Curio. Item features three curved glass panels, mirrored back, four shap...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Oak

Plafonnier Crystal Chandelier Brass Lustre Ceiling Antique Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Exquisite Antique Chandelier: A restored masterpiece from the past Discover the charm of a bygone era with our carefully restored antique chandelier, a true labor of love from Berli...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Brass Candlesticks
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt, Patinated, and Burnished Bronze & Brass Candlesticks, circa 1920 Elegant pair of French Empire style candlesticks, crafted from a harmonious combin...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Pair of French Empire Period Brass Candle Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Candle holder sconces from France from the Empire period. This finely cast pair of sconces features a solid brass structure with a swan holding two chained candle...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of Six Napoleonic Empire Style Bronze Mounted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of six mahogany dining chairs made in the grand Napoleonic Empire taste. The chairs feature beautifully crafted mahogany frames with rich, deep woodgrains on the fi...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Egg style Faberge Blue Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large egg on smooth tripod with 8-day mechanical skeletal Swiss movement with alarm, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with translucent fired enamel on guilloché with Russian E...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Big Large Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Montgolfière Style Chandelier - Empire Elegance with Customizability Introducing a new Montgolfière style chandelier that exudes the charm of the Empire era, reimagined with modern ...
Category

2010s German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French Empire Style Mahogany Commode with Marble Top
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very mellow, stylish mahogany French Empire chest of drawers with a light gray marble top with straight edge over frieze drawer and three long, graduated drawers flanked by...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Petit Danish Late Empire Antique Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small 19th century Danish Late Empire chest of drawers in flamed birch. French polished. The façade showcases an arrangement of four drawers (a smaller drawer over 3 larger drawers)...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Somno or Drum Table with Marble
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early nineteenth century French Empire period mahogany somno or drum table features a black marble top and a hinged curved door with bronze pull. Its cylindrical form and clean ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Antique Bronze Bouillotte Table Lamp in with Tole Lampshade
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 19th century three-light 'Bouillotte' table lamp in gilded bronze and brass, with unusual duck's head styled arms and a typical green lacquered metal (tole) shade. Designed in...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Bronze Candelabras
Located in Skanninge, SE
A pair of European Mid-19th Century bronze-gilt candelabras. For two candles each. Very nice original condition.
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Chest of Drawers - Commode
Located in Greenwich, CT
A French Empire Period Fruitwwod commode or chest of drawers of rectangular shape, the three drawers raised on gilt wood paw feet, with Empire bronze escutcheons and pulls , having ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Empire Revival Gondola Dining Chair Finished With An Ebonised Frame, Grey Damask Upholstery & Red Velour Piping. Quality and luxurious designed chairs, elegant but robust with rich ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Empire Furniture

Materials

Damask, Silk, Velvet

Pair of Neoclassical Marble and Glass Swan Vases
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of neoclassical marble and glass swan vases.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Turkish Sofa From The Empire Period
Located in Charmes, FR
Elegant Empire period sofa, early 19th century, with a solid mahogany frame. It features a straight backrest framed by flat uprights topped with turned pommels, typical of the Empire...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Directoire Bronze Skeleton Clock
Located in Rome, IT
Extremely fine quality Directoire/Empire gilt bronze mounted gilt brass skeleton clock with enameled chapter ring and openwork movement. Roman numerals for the hours and outer half...
Category

1790s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Queen-Size Carved Four-Poster American Empire Bed, Philadelphia, c 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An extraordinary American empire four-poster bed in cherry wood from the Philadelphia area that appears in the book, Philadelphia Empire Furniture ...
Category

1820s American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry, Poplar

Antique Swan Neck Bed c1900 France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Handsome and rare antique swan neck bed c1900 France. Rich warm brown cherry frame with gorgeously carved naive swan detailing at each of the four corners. A wonderfully naive take ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Antique Signed 19th Century Figural Russian 84 Silver Pear Shaped Tea Strainer
By Feodor Rückert, Pavel Ovchinnikov, Karl Fabergé
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine mid-19th century Russian tea strainer. In 84 Zolotnik silver. By Carl Gustav Ekqvist of St. Petersburg. The figural bowl in the form of a pear supported by an intertwined '...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver

French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, Desmalter / Thomire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Empire Bronze Mount of an Eagle Subduing a Serpent, circa 1800–1820 School or Workshop Jacob-Desmalter/Thomire A finely cast French Empire bronze mount depicting Napoleon’s ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Exquisite French Empire Ormolu and Cut-Crystal Clock, c. 1815
Located in Queens, NY
An exquisite French Empire ormolu and cut-crystal clock, c. 1815, attributed to Baccarat. Made from the finest quality mercury gilding ormolu, this c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

French 19th Century Empire Painted Commode
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French Empire three-drawer commode from the 19th century with its original marble top. A more recent artistic update with a Caribbean-blue painted finish compliments the gilt bronz...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Desk Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 12" H (to light socket) x 13" W x 9....
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Gueridon with Black Marble Top
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome classical Empire-style round center table with a dark gray/black marble top, raised on a hand turned ebonized black center pedestal. The table lends itself to be use...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Italian Green Marble Lidded Bonbonnière with Brass Mounts, Early 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
This exquisite lidded bonbonnière was crafted in Italy during the first half of the 20th century and showcases the elegance of fine materials and skilled craftsmanship. Made from a f...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

French Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Three-Tired Chandelier, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Empire style crystal glass and brass three-tired chandelier, the 1930s. Charming and compact French Empire-style crystal glass and brass chandelier from the 1930s. This lovely...
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Bronze

Fine quality early 19th century flame mahogany bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine example of a regency period bookcase circa 1820. Very much in the manor of Thomas hope.  Matching flame mahogany veneers from top to bottom.  Comprising of 3 sections, lower ca...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Pine

Large French Empire Style Balloon Chandelier A Fine Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Empire Style Balloon Chandelier A Fine Piece, with an age darkened Brass metal frame and set with crystal pendants, it has 6 bulbs giving a very attractive atmospheric ...
Category

1920s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

French 19th Century Empire Center-Dining Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This oblong, French Empire style mahogany table from the 19th century would be perfect for dinning or a center table interchangeably. When closed, this stunning table is supported by...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Console W/ Dark Gray Granite Top
Located in Astoria, NY
An early 19th century French Empire console table, sourced in Provence. The piece is constructed in solid mahogany with a rectangular dark grey granite top resting above a single apr...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Granite

French Empire Console Table of Flame Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French Empire console table of fine proportions, featuring a rectangular figured marble top, set upon a frieze of flame mahogany with one long hidden drawer over a base with t...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk, C 1890
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire style leather top mahogany writing desk having bronze mounts, claw feet and resting on slabs of green marble (optional) C 1890.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Italian Empire Style Chandelier with Bohemian Crystal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This refined 1950s Italian Empire-style chandelier features a beautifully tapered basket design crafted in gilded brass and adorned with high-quality Bohemian crystal. The upper sect...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of 19th Century Empire Candelabra Italian Gilt Bronze Three-Arm Flambeaux
Located in Milano, MI
Coppia di Candelabri a Tre Fiamme Impero in Bronzo Dorato della prima metà del XIX secolo, di origine italiana, si presentano in buono stato di conservazione con segni di usura nell...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Empire Style Bronze Mounted Demilune Mahogany Console Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 40 1/2in W: 50 1/2in D: 14 1/2in This is an EXCEPTIONAL Pair of French Empire Style Consoles! They are made of the highest quality! Made out of the Finest Mahogany ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Richard Ginori Pittoria Italy "Pincio Green" 103 Piece Dinner Set, Circa 1980
Located in CH
Richard Ginori “Pincio Green” Dinner Set This exquisite Pincio Green dinner set by Richard Ginori is distinguished by an imperial green band enriched with gold flowers and leaves, bordered by a green ribbon and a delicate pattern of small gold arches, all set against a pristine white porcelain background. Each piece in the set bears the Richard Ginori green...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Rolled Arm Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Classical Carved Mahogany Paw Foot Rolled Arm Sofa. Item features carved paw feet with cornucopia carvings, spiral carved top rail, great antique sofa to reup...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Square French Empire Brass Swans and Wrought Iron Coffee Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Square French Empire brass swans and wrought iron coffee table is a striking example of neoclassical design, blending refined craftsmanship with timeless elegance. The table fea...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Ebonized Italian Empire Style Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Ebonized Italian Empire style side chair featuring brass ormolu, claw feet, and a lattice-work back. This piece has a newly upholstered feather down seat cushion. 20" Seat height inc...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Empire Style Ebonized Cocktail Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
Early 20th Century rectangular cocktail table executed in the Empire style. The ebonized wood base is fitted with applied bronze ormolu mounts with shaped supports joined by a lower ...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

AN EMPIRE AUBUSSON CARPET FRANCE, CIRCA 1810 16 ft. 11 in. x 13 ft. 9
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
The green field woven with sylized flowerheads and bouquets to the corners, the central medallion woven with flowers, within a flower-filled border 16 ft. 11 in. (515 cm.) x 13 ft. 9...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

1930 Swedish Empire Chandelier with Crystals and Etched Glass
Located in New York, NY
1930 Swedish Empire bronze chandelier with etched glass inset and crystals around
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century empire revival mahogany pier mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century empire revival mahogany pier mirror circa 1870. Excellent quality pier mirror using the finest mahogany.  Architectural cornice top with cresent shape which showcases t...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

17th Century Flemish Pillow - 24" x 8"
Located in Los Angeles, US
Good Condition, Original Design Modified.
Category

17th Century Albanian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Feathers

Italian Black Gold Tole Cachepot Jardiniere Lion Head Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Italian black and gold metal tole cachepot jardiniere planters in the Empire style, circa late-20th century, Italy. Pair are oval in shape with gold trimmed scalloped edge, black ground and gold star design, finish with gold lion head and loop detail on sides. Marked "Made in Italy" on bottom as shown. Dimensions: 4" D x 5.63" W x 4.25" Height. Larger Italian cachepot...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Marvelous MARBRO Mid Century Polished Brass Table Lamp! Huge Showpiece Lighting
Located in Peoria, AZ
SENSATIONAL! MID CENTURY MONUMENTAL BRASS MARBRO LAMP! MID CENTURY DECORATION ICON! DUAL PULL STRING SOCKETS! POLISHED BRASS ORIGINAL SHADE & BRASS FINIAL DIMENSIONS: 40" x 21" In the forties and fifties, decorators would choose the most impressive lamp they could obtain and place it in a home's "picture window" so that all passerby and visitors could glimpse just how well the occupants lived! Picture windows started disappearing in the late sixties, but demand for monumental lighting...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold

French Empire style walnut Armchair - blue green yellow - France 19th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty Empire-style walnut armchair with carved palmettes and acanthus leaves. The armrests are fluted. The legs are saber-shaped. The armchair is upholstered with floral tapest...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Pair of Brass Empire Style Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century brass candlesticks, Empire in taste, like miniature columns to add instant glamor to a mantel or table. Typical of the French Empire period, inspiration from anci...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Painted Zinc Bathtub from 1800
Located in Vienna, Austria
This French zinc bathtub is in original condition: without a drainage hole, with a wood subframe, two handles and beautiful blue painting and decoration on both sides. Seems to be wa...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Zinc

French Pair of Petite 19th Century Empire Period Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire period Old Paris Porcelain vases, circa 1810, with painted landscapes and figural scenes on each side. The Classical amphora profile features a gold-banded mo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard
Located in Bishop s Stortford, GB
One of a Set of Four different scenes available. The image provided is a lithographic print depicting soldiers of the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Cha...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass

Dutch 20th Century Mahogany Empire Style Tallboy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Early 20th century Dutch Empire-style mahogany tall chest of six drawers featuring Neoclassical elements with Art Deco geometry. A pierced brass gallery wraps the sides and partially...
Category

20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, 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.