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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
19th Century Russian Empire Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A finely cast and gilded Russian Empire style candelabra that was transformed into a lamp; featuring a classical maiden holding aloft three winged sea horses terminating in candle no...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Warren Kessler Empire-style Cut crystal and Brass Duck Mounts Table lamps with adjustable height harpers. Measures: 9.5" in width, 6" ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal

Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Late 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Style Spinx Bronze Mounted Stool Bench Dimensions : 19.75" Wide X 19.75" Deep X 19.75" Tall This bench was made in France in the late 19th ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

French Blue Painted Bedside Nightstand End Table with Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This classically styled side table features three drawers with original brass hardware. The table has been hand painted in a Gustavian shade of blue and has been constructed from sol...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Danish Rectangular Empire Burl Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish burl wood 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

Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Burl

Pair of French 1st Empire Dore Bronze Mtd. 5-Arm Mirrored Sconces, Att. Thomire
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Pair of French 1st Empire Period Dore bronze mounted five-arm sconces/mirrors, Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Each mirrored sconce is of octagonal form with a b...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu and Marble Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and impressive French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble center table. The rectangular two drawer table is raised by curved statement making legs with an exceptional deer leg...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Signed Bronze Pierre-Philippe Thomire of Paris Clock Putti Cherub Clock Set
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Presenting a spectacular early 19th-century French three-piece bronze doré clock set signed by Thomire of Paris, a breathtaking ensemble that epitomizes the luxury, craftsmanship, an...
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Plaster House with "April 214 S.G.D.G" and "Bremail Inscription - 2Y35
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a charming and unique piece to your collection with this beautiful plaster house, inscribed with "April 214 S.G.D.G" and "Bremail." This detailed model is perfect for collectors ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Plaster

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 Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery.
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Pair of Empire Style Carved Giltwood Tub Chairs with Green Velvet Upholstery. The Lion Monopedia side supports feature finely carved detail and a realistic pose. These...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Giltwood

19th Century Second Empire Painted Cheval Mirror
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant, 19th-century, French Empire cheval mirror made in wood with hand carved giltwood mouldings and ormolu fittings. Fitted with neat drawer at the mirror. Painted in a deep ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Empire Bronze Sconces
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of gilt and patinated bronze sconces from embellished with winged Victories. Each sconce features four candlestick branches that terminate in lions heads and are intricately scu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench - Settee - Recamier
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Elegant 19th-Century Brazilian Empire Bench with Cane Seat and Rare Provenance A refined and architectural 19th-century Brazilian bench, exquisitely crafted in solid tropical hardwoo...
Category

1850s Brazilian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Ormolu Bureau Plat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu Bureau Plat. The desk is raised on straight tapered legs with ormolu sabots and pierce...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Chest Commode
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Empire Style Marquetry Inlay Commode Chest of Drawers Gorgeous French Empire style commode/chest of drawers featuring intricate inlaid marquetry with a finely detaile...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Large Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux 1872 bronze "Le genie de la Danse" france.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible rare and large bronze for JEAN-Baptiste CARPEAUX 1872 representing "Le GENIE de la Danse".
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Brass Trivet, English, 19th Century Floral Design
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique early 19th-century brass English trivet. Certainly an elegant nod to days gone by and would be a great decorative accent in a kitchen or next to...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Vintage French Empire Style Bronze and Marble Gueridon Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
This product is a pair of vintage French Empire style gueridon tables, featuring a tabletop made of marble with a bronze base. The elegant design and luxurious materials used in thes...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Elegant Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of French Empire Bronze Table Lamps, 1820s A refined pair of table lamps crafted from original early 19th-century French Empire candlesticks in bronze, now elegantly converted ...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant and high quality pair of French 19th century Empire st. patinated Bronze and Ormolu sconces. Each two arm sconce is centered by a beautiful foliate bottom finial where the...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Italian Empire Walnut Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century Italian Empire style walnut side table with brass gallery. A quality piece with a beautiful finish. Perfect for the...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Warren Kessler French Empire Bronze Candlestick Small Table Lamps a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Warren Kessler French Empire Style Bronze Candlestick Black Column Bouillotte Small Table Lamps - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H (to finial) x 17" H (to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Very Fine Neoclassical Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine and decorative gilt bronze chandelier in the Empire style featuring central frosted and cut crystal globe. 4-light, France, circa 1900 Dimension...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Gilded 19th Century Italian Empire Lamps in Carved Wood
Located in Milano, MI
Pair of Antique 19th-Century Italian Empire Gilded Lamps in Carved Wood, centerpiece, made with early-1800s finials, vases on hexagonal plinth with vegetable pastille carving frames,...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Empire Style Parcel Gilt Stools
Located in El Monte, CA
A magnificent pair of Empire-style parcel-gilt stools that exude timeless elegance. Each stool features a carved wooden frame with a cream and gilt finish showcasing the luxuriousnes...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Dutch Fireplace Scuttle Bucket Delft Handle
Located in New York, NY
A small Dutch copper and brass fireplace scuttle bucket with lion head design and blue and white Delft dandle, circa early, 20th century, Holland. Handle is adjustable up/down/side t...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

French Empire Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cheval Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A centrally pivoted cheval mirror with gilded bronze mounts; the arched beveled mirror framed in mahogany with gilded bronze rosettes; the mirror...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Extendable Table, Made in France, Fully Restored Mahogany, Empire
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Unique Empire folding table. The table's legs feature bronze lion paws, with spherical glass wheels on which the table moves. The table is designed for ...
Category

Early 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Cut Crystal and Brass Chandelier
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Cut Crystal and Brass Three Light Chandelier, with waterfall drop crystals. 36" H x 17.5" Diameter. Provenance: From an Upper West Side, New York City Estate.
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Fine and Rare Pair of French Gilt Bronze , Porcelain and Marble Pedestals
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of French gilt bronze, porcelain & marble pedestals 19th/20th century Each with portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma Measures: 44 x 14...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Marbro *Original* Italian Porcelain Table Lamp! Only 1. Cobalt Blue 1960s Empire
Located in Peoria, AZ
***MARBRO ORIGINAL** GILDED EMPIRE STYLE PORCELAIN LAMP! The Only One in The World! CIRCA 1960 Incredible Midnight Color! A Cobalt Blue so Deep its almost Black! DI...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold

Late 18th Century Golden Painted Eagle Statue
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 18th century gold painted papier mache eagle with wings spread and on a rectangular wooden base. Originally from Birr Castle, Ireland.An impressive late 18th century gold pain...
Category

Late 18th Century Irish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Small Restored Empire Era Table, Made in 1810s Austria, Ash
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Austrian Empire small table Period: 1810-1819 Material: Ash.
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer

Vintage Boho Empire Bronze Wall Light Sconce
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Empire-style wall sconce is a masterful display of Neoclassical grandeur. Cast in heavy bronze with a rich, weathered finish, the fixture is adorned with tradi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Painted Swedish Bench
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A 19th Century Swedish bench from the Empire period, the back panel decorated with a classical scene of a pair of griffon. New seat cushion in plain linen.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Italian Empire Perspective Marquetry Commode, Circle of Giuseppe Maffezzoli
By Giovanni Battista Maffezzoli
Located in Troy, NY
The Commode of Rare Classical Neoclassical Form, with a beautiful warm color is a wonderful example of perspective marquetry, in the tradition of Giuseppe Maggiolini and his pupil Giovanni Maffezzoli; most likely made by Tommaso Pezzoni (who learned his trade in the workshop of Maffezzoli) in the early 19th century. Inlaid top with a center-roundel showing a youth reclining on a chaise in front of a classical temple, above four drawers, the fronts forming an architectural, perspective scene showing buildings and ruins, fountains, sculptures and a boy resting on a toppled column accompanied by a playing dog, flanked by caryatids topped with gilt bronze classical heads and ending in gilt bronze feet. The sides featuring medallions with urns. Intricate inlaid borders framing each scene. Square inlaid block feet. Constructed of solid walnut and inlaid with various exotic woods (including olive wood, boxwood, amaranth, palm wood). For a very similar commode see: Enrico Colle, "Italian Empire Furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Danish Empire Set of 4 Small Chairs, Elm Wood with Hand Embroidered Seats 1850s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Set of four antique danish empire or Biedermeier style dining chairs handmade by a skilled danish master carpenter in Denmark the middel of the 19th. The frame is made of elm wood, ...
Category

1850s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Wood, Elm

American Empire Mahogany Scroll Form Sleigh Bed
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany sleigh bed in flattened scroll form with a molded decorative border on the sides. Includes headboard, footboard, and rails. Require a custom-sized mattress ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze and Green Marble Military Urns
Located in New York, NY
A significant pair of antique French Empire style gilt bronze and green marble military urns. Each urn in this magnificent and unique pair showcases a tall, baluster-shaped body craf...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Cabinet on Stands 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous French Empire side cabinet on stand This Pretty Cabinet Stands Upon Typical Shaped French Legs. Circa 1870 The Single Door Features...
Category

1870s Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Gilded Wall Clock with Dolphins, Signed Ericsson Stockholm
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Fine and decorative Swedish Cartel clock. Very elaborately carved wooden case flanked by two sculptural dolphins. The dial signed P. Ericsson Stoc...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Bouillotte French Lamp Gild Bronze 4 lights Flora Motive Empire Style
Located in Sweden, SE
Stylish antique Bouillotte lamp. Square foot with a four candleholders in flora motive candleholders and adjustable fabric shade with fixation bolt in form of an arrow feather. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Bronze Sphinx
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Cent) bronze reclining winged sphinx figure mounted on a tripartite black marble base
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of 3 Armand Auguste Caqué French Empire Framed Commemorative Coins
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 3 Armand Auguste Caqué French Empire Commemorative Coins in square black and gold frames floating in a black mat (PRICED EACH)
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold

Empire Style Silvered Bronze Fire Fender, Late 19th Century French
Located in El Monte, CA
This fire fender is a quintessential example of the opulent yet authoritative style of the Empire period. A patinated bronze frame in geometric form is adorned with ormolu bronze mou...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant and useful Wall Shelf in brass in Empire style from the 19th Century. Perfect in the kitchen for vinegar and oil or in the hallway for gloves or keys. Wear consistent with a...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Empire Antique Clock, Ormolu, Patinated Bronze and Marble
By L. Ravrio 1
Located in London, GB
French Empire clock of stunning quality of borne shape constructed of rouge marble, original fire gilt ormolu and patinated bronze. The dial of the clock is signed "L Ravrio" below 1...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

19th Century Marble-Top French Side Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Toronto, CA
This 19th century French walnut side table with a lovely patina developed with age. The off white marble top is framed on three side with a brass gallery. The table has one drawer an...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

French Empire Style Table Lamps by Stiffel, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of French Empire style table lamps made by Stiffel. Brass columns are turned with large ceramic fonts in white trimmed in gold. Bases are decorated with dentils on a square ba...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

A Very Fine Pair of Empire Parcel Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabra / Lamps
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome pair of Empire Period parcel gilt bronze 3 light candelabra of exceptional quality & fine proportions, having been converted to table lamps decades ago. Both showing ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chandelier, Late 20th Century, Empire, 10 Branch, Wilkinson Plc
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The polished brass acanthus leaf corona supports six rectangular split link chains holding a black painted bowl with an ormolu pendant. The five polished brass double candle...
Category

1990s European Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pr. 19th Century Russian Cobalt Blue Gold Ground Swan Handle Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality pair of Russian Empire cobalt blue and gold ground swan handle porcelain vases. Each piece is of Amphora form with a gorgeous 24K gold matted, burnished, and shiny front and backside decoration. The front panels consist of a young girl and a young boy, where the young girl is seen holding food on her head with a water pale in her hand walking through the town, while the boy is seen holding a basket of fruit up and walking it back home. The reverse of each of the vases is also elaborately decorated with one of the scenes being a comfy home with a beautiful woody landscape with a deer running through the backyard, while the other vase has a gorgeous landscape scene with a man riding a horse in the background. On either side of the vases are two-tone matte and burnished 24K gold swan form handles. Underneath the handles are 24K gold hand-painted decorations over a cobalt blue ground. The body runs down a waisted gold neck onto a rounded base which sits on a square gold plinth...
Category

1810s Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The mirror is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. The original central mirror pl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Tavolino veneto a tre gambe in noce, piano intarsiato a spicchi – Inizio XIX sec
Located in Vicenza, IT
Elegante tavolino da centro di area veneta, probabilmente vicentina, databile ai primissimi anni dell’Ottocento.Il mobile presenta un raffinato piano rotondo in noce con intarsio rad...
Category

Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Fir

French Mid 19th Century Empire St. Ormolu Mirrored Surtout De Table Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French Mid-19th Century Empire st. ormolu mirrored surtout de table centerpiece. The impressive cent...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Spanish Regency / Mallorquín Dresser, Chest of Drawers, Floral Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
Often referred to as "Mallorquín" or "Catalana" style, this type of commode or dresser evolved in the early to mid 19th century in the Spanish province of Catalonia, taking design influences from various European...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique Victorian Carved Oak Console Table
Located in London, GB
A large and very impressive antique Victorian carved oak console table. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1840-1860 period. It is of extremely fine quality, with a ...
Category

1840s British Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Oak

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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