Skip to main content

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.

to
740
2,709
2,062
4,755
104
93
199,005
115,045
44,386
33,523
16,595
12,338
10,907
10,840
10,035
8,892
7,386
6,725
6,587
6,457
6,287
6,145
4,952
3,747
247
3,071
1,437
197
490
349
220
106
15
84
50
46
48
75
52
53
23
2,702
2,027
1,481
1,009
828
4,058
2,792
410
286
241
4,952
4,908
4,930
45
33
19
18
13
Style: Empire
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu And Marble Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and most unique French 19th century Empire st. Mahogany, ormolu, and Vert de Patricia marble side table. The table is raised by handsome ormolu paw feet below a fine r...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
French Bronze Sculptural Side Table by Jules Moigniez - 1 of 2 Available.
Category

1980s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique French Gilt Bronze Empire Neoclassical Statue Clock by Rabiat Paris 1810
Located in Portland, OR
Incredible investment quality antique French gilded bronze Empire eight day clock, "Allegory of Poetry" Claude François Rabiat circa 1810, in excellent condition. The clock depicts a handsome tall winged angel holding a stylus and leaning on a column with two volumes on philosophy. The column with four portrait plaques including "Caesar" and the writer/philosopher "Xenophon", there are two further portrait plaques to the side of the column, the clock is raised on a malachite marble plinth with gilt bronze bun feet. The clock having an eight day time and strike mechanism, striking the hours on a mellow sounding bell, the white potrcelain dial with black Roman numerals and signed "a' Paris". The clock works perfectly and has recently been professionally overhauled and cleaned by a clocksmith, the clock keeps very good time, the original key and pendulum is present. This clock was purchased in the late 1990s for $26,000. Remarkable condition, this very beautiful antique clock...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Enamel

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style gilt bronze sconces French, 20th Century Measures: Height 88cm, width 38cm, depth 35cm This elegant pair of sconces is wrought from gilt bronze in th...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Chartol In Louis Seize Style Made In Oak Brass From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique Louis Seize style chatol from around 1840. Oak with brass fittings. H: 190 cm, W: 117 cm, D: 55 cm. Classic 19th century furniture craftsmanship. — Origin: Europe (presumabl...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich mahogany and stately lines define this handsome Empire drop front secretary. Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning color and pattern of the mahogany veneer. Multip...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage 20th Century Book "Céleste Prudhomat" by Gustave Guiches - Paris - 2Y240
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage 20th-century book, titled "Céleste Prudhomat" by Gustave Guiches, is part of the Paris Modern-Bibliothèque collection, published by Arthème Fayard. The book is in good c...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique Blue Floral Faience Funeral Urn - Macabo Design, 20th Century - 2Y20
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This elegant funeral urn crafted from faience features a delicate blue floral design, exemplifying classic 20th-century French artistry. The urn, marked with "Macabo" and "Melchia Ma...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Faience

Antique French Empire Gilt Bronze Marble Statue Clock of Homer by Ravrio 1810
Located in Portland, OR
A very Fine antique French Empire gilt bronze statue clock, depicting Homer in the Ruins of Troy, by André-Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814), circa 1810. This e...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

American Empire Mahogany Drop Leaf Two Drawer Bedside / End Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Empire mahogany bedside / end table with hinged drop leaves on either side, 2 pullout drawers with rounded wooden drawer pulls, the top drawer divided into 4 compartments wi...
Category

19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Felt

Carl Thieme, Dresden Floral Painted Gilded Porcelain Urn, Germany, 20th C
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

Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very architectural pair of French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu mirrors. The pair of mirrors display mirror plates flanked by two Mahogany columns. The columns have a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Marble Gueridon Table With Turned Wood Column Brass Paw Feet
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful French 19th Century Marble Mahogany Gueridon Pedestal Table With Turned Wood Column Over a Tripod Base Terminating With Brass Paw Feet. Would make for an excellent...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of Ormolu and Turquin Grey Marble Wall Mahogany Framed Armorial Plaques
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of armorial Ormolu mounts and Turquin grey marble wall plaques presented in mahogany frames with gilded bronze mounts and banding.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Black and White Marble Mantel Clock by Thiéry, Paris
By Thiéry Paris 1
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Louis XVI ormolu-mounted black and white marble mantel clock by Thiéry, Paris. Thiery Paris, late 18th century. The drumcase con...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Bronze

Elegant Pair of Empire Fire-Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant Pair of Empire Fire-Gilt Bronze Candlesticks, France, 1820s A magnificent pair of Empire candlesticks in finely chiseled and fire-gilded bronze, France, circa 1820. These e...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

20th Century antique Empire Style Lion canapé Sofa beech bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Imperial stylish lion Kanapee in Empire style. Finely detailed carving work on solid ebonized beechwood. Gilded. Winged, protruding lions heads in bronze.
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Black Marble Coffee Table with metal and Brass Base Handmade in Italy Cupioli
Located in Rimini, IT
Coffee Table, Black Marble Top, Metal Base, Handmade in Italy Cupioli Black Slate coffee table top with scagliola art inlays , whrought metal ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Slate, Wrought Iron

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Mahogany Nightstand End Table
Located in Forney, TX
A period French Empire (1804-1815) mahogany chest of drawers nightstand with beautifully aged patina. Born in France in the early 19th century, hand-crafted of warm rich solid mahog...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Antique Meissen Empire Coffee Pot with Gold Decoration, 19th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique Meissen Empire coffee pot with gold decoration. 19th century. Measures: 27 x 20 cm. 1st factory quality. In good condition with wear in the ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Tall 5 Drawer Scottish Mahogany Chest
Located in Oakwood, GA
Antique Tall 5 Drawer Scottish Chest, Mahogany, 69"H Beautiful monumental chest Solid Mahogany Flaming Mahogany front Removable crown 5 Dovetailed drawers Solid wood knobs Plinth bas...
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ash, Burl

Original Engraved Print by Pierre Joseph Redouté, 1802, Les Liliaceés
Located in New York, NY
A stunning original engraving from The Lilies (Les Liliaceés) by P.J. Redouté, considered the greatest botanical artist of all time. Produced between 1802 and 1816 under the patron...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Viennese Portal Clock, 1st Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Viennese portal clock resting on a rectangular mahogany base. The ebonized case is richly adorned with fire-gilded bronze appliqués. Flanking the clock are carved decorati...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Early 19th Century Vase-Shaped Porcelain Clock
By Normant
Located in Paris, FR
Vase-shaped mantel clock in gilded porcelain. Breguet hands track the hours and minutes on white, enamel dial with hours marked in Roman numerals. The porcelain is interspaced with g...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19th Century Empire Black Opera Chairs with Tiger Upholstery, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of antique Empire hand carved walnut hall chairs, painted black, with gorgeous tiger velvet upholstery USA, Circa Mid-19th Century Measures: 17"W x 13.5"D x 33.18"H...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery, Paint

French Empire Period Paris Porcelain Basin and Pitcher with Napoleonic Emblems
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An extremely elegant Paris Porcelain wash basin and pitcher dating from the First Empire Period, around 1815, and featuring as its decoration th...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

French 19th Century Empire Style Ormolu and Marble Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning French early 19th century Empire st. highly chased ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble, three arm candelabra, mounted into a lamp. The square Rouge Griotte marble base with or...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Vintage Porcelain Bonbonnière with Floral Decoration Gold Trim - 2Y46
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite porcelain bonbonnière features elegant floral decoration and gold trim, adding a touch of sophistication to any collection. The signature is present but unfortunately ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Empire Style Walnut Buffet
Located in Astoria, NY
Empire Style Walnut Buffet, the rectangular top on two frieze drawers with four brass ring handles above two door cabinet with four interior shelves flanked by gilt trim columns and ...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Empire Russian Malachite and Ormolu Paperweight Spaniel Dog
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered paperweight dating from the early to mid-19th century. The plinth of rectangular form surmounted by a fully sculpted giltbro...
Category

Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze

Neoclassical Empire Round Silver Hand Carved Wooden Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
Neoclassical Regency Empire style handcrafted mirror. Round hand carved wooden structure with silver foiled finish. Spain, 1970.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th C. Hand Carved Wood Round Table Marble, Top Center Entrance Hall Gueridon
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Hand Carved Wood Round Table Marble, Top Center Entrance Hall Gueridon Elegant French Circa 1830-1848 King Louis Philippe with Hand Sculpted Saint Anne marble-top cente...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century German Empire Antique Cherrywood Freestanding Floor Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique German floor mirror made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Cherrywood in good condition. The tall freestanding mirror is consisting its origina...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

French Empire Bookcase - Walnut Open Front Cabinet
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Sumptuous French Empire style bookcase and cabinet in walnut Hope the photos do this stunning piece some justice certainly more impressiv...
Category

1980s Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Swedish 19th century inlaid birch games table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian 19th century inlaid birch games table circa 1880. Fine quality games table ideal for chess. Scalloped shaped top with inlaid playing area in walnut and birch. Playing a...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch

Four Italian Empire Vases 1700 Gilded and Carved Wood Lamp Bases
Located in Milano, MI
Gilded Empire Lamp Bases 1700 Set of Four Palm Vases with square base and circular turned and carved body made of pine wood, water-gilded in fine gold leaf on red bole preparation. T...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Candleholders, Berlin, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Executed as stylized palms on rectangular landscape bases. The girandoles, each with four nozzles, are crafted in gilt-patinated wood with stucco elements. In unrestored original con...
Category

1810s German Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Set of Two Vintage Régule Wall Sconces - 1970s Design - 2Y08
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your space with these elegant vintage régule wall sconces. Perfect for adding a retro touch to your interior, these sconces feature a distinctive 1970s design that brings uni...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Empire, Impressive Pendant Light, Dore Bronze, Crystal, France, 19th c.
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Empire, Dore Bronze, Crystal, Impressive Chandelier or Pendant Light, France, 19th c. An exceptional early 19th century French chandelier crafted in 22kt dore bronze and ador...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Very Fine Gilt Bronze Empire Style Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very Elegant gilt bronze empire style chandelier. Exquisite detail. 4 lights. France, circa 1920. Measures: Height 27 1/2" Diameter 16" CW5101.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Style Mahogany Gueridon with Sainte Anne Marble Top
Located in Birmingham, AL
Bold, refined, and unmistakably Parisian, this late 19th century French Empire style guéridon, circa 1890s, embodies the refinement that defined Parisian furniture-making during the ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

French Empire Period Bronze Gilt Candelabrum, 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
This bronze candelabrum is a striking example of the Empire style, popular in the early 19th century. It features a tall, elegant column decorated with detailed leaf patterns and cro...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of Empire style lamps
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Empire-style lamps Good condition Thank you
Category

1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Empire French Mahogany Console Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Second Empire French Mahogany and parcel gilt console table with varigated marble top and single drawer.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Neoclassical Style Marble and Porcelain Pedestal
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style marble and porcelain pedestal French, late 19th century Measures: Height 108cm, width 30cm, depth 30cm This Fine column-form pedestal is crafted in the Neocla...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Quality French Empire Style Mahogany Bow Front Large Chest Dresser w/ Bronze Paw Feet...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Egg Navy Blue enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg Navy Blue enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver. Egg Navy Blue enamel has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand. Egg Navy Blue en...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

French Empire Style Double Dresser in Painted Gray Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Empire style double dresser with gilt metal hardware. We have a matching tall chest in our listing. Great classic French empire style to add some French architecture to your h...
Category

1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Low Flushmount Crystal Chandelier Empire Big Palace Lamp Chateau Lustre
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing the New Montgolfière Style Chandelier: A Masterpiece of Empire Elegance Experience the epitome of opulence and craftsmanship with our exquisite Montgolfière style chande...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Wire

19th Century French Empire Style Trumeau Wall Mirror with Matching Console Table
Located in Madrid, ES
19th century French Empire style trumeau mirror with matching console table, featuring a decorative mythological "Verre Églomisé" reverse paint...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Danish Wingback Chair and Ottoman, Fabric and Walnut, 1950s Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
White; Fabric; Wingback Chair; Ottoman; Danish Design; 1950s; Walnut; Wood; Scandinavia; Scandinavian Design; Empire; Pouf; Lounge Chair; Upholstery; Stylish 1950s high back lounge...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Italian Yellow Tole Obelisk Urn With Paw Feet
Located in Stamford, CT
A charming neoclassical yellow tole water or tea urn in the form of an obelisk balanced on a square plinth by fours balls supported by brass paw feet. Decorated on four sides with ma...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Early 19th Century Danish Giltwood Armchair by Gustav Friederich Hetsch
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative and large giltwood armchair after a design by the famous Danish Architect Gustav Friedrich Hetsch, (1788-1964). The German bo...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

French 19th Century Empire Console
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French mahogany Empire console with its original marble top. A single drawer is housed in the apron over a pair of column form front legs with neoclassical style brass capit...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Empire 19th Century Ormolu and Painted Bronze Mantel Clock with Young Sailor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Empire ormolu and painted bronze mantel clock attributed to Jean-Simon Deverberie. Fitted in an ormolu case shaped as a cotton bale, the round enamel dial features Roman numeral hours and Arabic fifteen-minute graduations, indicated by two pierced gilt bronze hands. Shirtless and barefoot, a young black sailor...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Elegant brass table lamp in the form of an amphora urn, late 19th century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant brass table lamp in the form of an amphora urn, from the late 19th century Striking and elegant table lamp in polished brass, shaped as a classical amphora urn with sweepin...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Foot Tall Dressing Cheval Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith French Empire Style Mahogany Paw Foot Tall Beveled Glass Dressing Cheval Mirror. Item features metal urn finials, metal trim to frame, gold gilt painted details, "anti...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

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.