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
Pair of Girandoles, Probably Italy, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of Italian girandoles on triangular marble bases with pyramidal Rouge Griotte marble plinths, resting on gilded bronze paw feet. Each features three black-patinated caryatids su...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$8,313 / set
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantle Clock by André Antoine Ravrio
Located in New Orleans, LA
Odysseus and Theseus French Empire Mantel Clock
André Antoine Ravrio
Circa 1800
This monumental Empire mantel clock by André Antoine Ravrio, whose case is crafted entirely of gilded...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Empire-style sideboard bookcase made of solid walnut wood. Early 19th century
Located in Torino, IT
Large bookstore
empire style sideboard
solid walnut wood.
PERIOD
First half of the nineteenth century
MATERIALS
Walnut wood,
decorative elements
metal
DIMENSIONS
Total height: 282...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Celestial Garden: Late 19th Century Persian Sarouk Rug of Timeless Refinement
Located in Dallas, TX
79266 Late 19th Century Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 04'07 x 07'03. In the twilight of the 19th century, when Persian weaving ateliers were at the height of their artistry, this hand-...
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,856 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Antique Pewter Cup Vase, Denmark circa 1810
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found in Europe, a charming charming round shaped cup. We see this elegant pewter vessel filled with writing utensils, art supplies or petite floral bouquets.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
French 19th Century Empire Three-Piece Seating Group
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece group of empire seating
includes canape and two bergeres
canape - H 36 in; bergere - H 35-1/4.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
$26,000 / set
Impressive Italian Gilt Brass Frame Sixteen Light Cut Crystal Chandelier
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your space with the grandeur of this Impressive Early 20th Century Italian Gilt Brass Frame Sixteen-Light Cut Crystal Chandelier. This chandelier is a magnificent example of ...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Lot of 3 Vintage Books: "La Joie de Vivre, "La Journée du Chrétien, - 2Y39
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This lot includes three vintage books: "La Joie de Vivre," "La Journée du Chrétien," and "Soliman." Each book offers a unique glimpse into past literature, with varying conditions th...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$123 Sale Price / set
88% Off
Empire Chest of Drawers in Mahogany, Spain, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Empire mahogany-veneered chest of drawers raised on an exceptionally crafted base supported by chimera figures with swan necks, finished in green and silver patina. The piece c...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Rare Pair of Early 19th Century Empire Bronze Vases, French or German
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare and decorative pair of early 19th century Empire gilt and patinated bronze vases of campana form on a stepped square marble base. The everted egg-and-dart rim above a finely chased frieze depicting putti playing music.
This or a similar pair of vases belonged to the collection of the Queen Louise of Prussia...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Late 19th Century Barometer
By Selon Torricelli
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French late 19th century barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Ormolu-Mounted Cut-Crystal Baccarat Style Vase, 19th Century
By Baccarat
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant small-scale French Empire potpourri vase, finely mounted in fire-gilded bronze (ormolu) and richly cut crystal. The vessel is arranged in two stages: above, a cup-shaped c...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Empire Style Table, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Auxiliary table Empire style, with structure in wood in its color, ornamental applications in bronze and onyx bronze. Of circular plan, it rises on four legs in the form of a column,...
Category
19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Marble-Top Mahogany Fall Front Desk Abbatant, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
French Empire style marble-top mahogany fall front desk, late 19th c., projecting frieze drawer, fall front panel, interior gallery with small drawers, inset writing surface, over do...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Art Deco Style Crystal Chandelier Empire Sac a Pearl Palace Lamp Chrome
Located in Berlin, DE
Introducing a new Art Deco crystal style chandelier that captures the grandeur of the Empire era while offering modern sophistication. Crafted with exquisite lead crystal, this chand...
Category
2010s German Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$6,649 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Onyx Marble Gold Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful onyx and gold gilt bronze inkwell [ink well] box in the Empire style, circa 19th century, Europe. In addition to its intended use, piece makes a gorgeous standalone decor...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
French Napoleonic 2nd Empire Style Polychrome and Giltwood Armchair Throne
Located in New York, NY
Monumental Napoleonic throne armchair, finely carved with polychrome and gilt surfaces throughout with large coat of arms of the Napoleonic Second Empire (1852-70) on the crest rail,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late Empire Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant oval late empire pedestal cabinet in beautiful walnut veneered oak.
Door veneered with mirror-cut walnut, behind which there are removable shelves.
Very fine quality
Made in ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Oak, Walnut, Burl
Pair Tall Antique Danish Empire Candelabra of Gilded Metal + Bronze 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Pair of large Empire style 3-armed candelabras made of a combination of gilded and brown-patinated metal and bronze.
Made in Denmark by skilled metalworkers circa 1880s.
Very nice c...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Carved Italian Giltwood Three-Arm Sconce by Randy Esada Designs
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Carved Italian giltwood three-arm sconce by Randy Esada Designs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Small Marbled Onyx and Pewter Jug Vase – Elegant Decorative Piece - 2Y66
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your home décor with this small marbled onyx and pewter jug vase. This unique piece showcases the natural beauty of onyx with its captivating marbled pattern, complemented by...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Pewter
$127 Sale Price
75% Off
Antique French Empire Converted Cobalt Blue Glass Brass Oil Lamp Urn 29"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Empire Sevres style oil lamp converted to electric - deep cobalt blue glass vase / trophy / mantel urn shaped with brass base, pierced top, and handles decorated with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$560 Sale Price
20% Off
X-Small Egg style Faberge Ruby Red Enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl Fabergé late 19th century, early 20th c...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Fine Napoleonic Antique French Empire Cabinet Bronze Officer Twisting Mustache
Located in New York, NY
A debonair French Napoleonic era patinated bronze high ranking officer in full regalia leans against a gnarled tree trunk while twisting his handsome mustache in this delightful and ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Oil Opaline and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Converted French oil white opaline and brass table lamp.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Empire Clock Cabinet Sideboard, Antique Northern Swedish Country Gustavian
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique clock cabinet from Sweden made during the transitional time between the gustavian and empire period. The cabinet is from Northern Sw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine
Empire Pedestal Mahogany Cabinet with Faux Tortoise Columns, Denmark, circa 1810
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome and unusual form, this Empire pedestal cabinet in mahogany with line inlays has carved acanthus capitals on tapered torch-like columns that are in rich birch wood and have...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany
Antique 20th-Century Large Lamp Base and Lampshade with Decoration - 2Y181
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite lamp, from the mid-20th century, is a striking piece that combines a richly detailed ceramic base with a beautifully crafted lampshade. Adorned with a floral and manda...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
$489 Sale Price
60% Off
19th Century French Bouillotte Lamp with Green Tole Shade
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century French Empire etched brass bouillotte lamp, originally and oil lamp that has been electrified. With three arms below a green painted adjustable tole shade, the body an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Darte Freres (?) - Cup and saucer, chinoiserie decoration, early 19th century
By Darte Frères
Located in DELFT, NL
Marvelous cup and saucer, elaborately decorated with geometrical forms in red, blue and gold. Beautifully worked gilding, little details of Chinese figures and Chinese characters.
...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A beautiful Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilded and darkpatinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Richly decorated with leaves and other period ornaments as well as a dar...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Small Gilded Frames with Greek Scened Porcelain Plaques
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Small Gilded Frames with Greek Scened Porcelain Plaques in Ormolu Gilded Bronze Frames. Great pieces to add to an existing collection.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French 19th Century Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Fabulous Empire trumeau mirror with Greco-Roman deity occupying the central frame. Bathed in gold gilt, she is carved with great reverence for beauty and projects off the frame in ¾ ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Mid 19th Century French Empire Commode With Marble Top
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique French Empire three-drawer mahogany commode, circa 1840, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and balanced proportions characteristic of the Empire period.
The c...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Revival Upholstered Mahogany and Ormolu 7-Piece Salon Set
Located in Queens, NY
7-Piece French Empire Revival (3rd quarter 19th Century) salon set comprised of a settee, 2 armchairs, and 4 side chairs with mahogany frames mounted with ormolu embellishments, upho...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric
19th Century French Empire Vitrine Cabinet Ca. 1820-1840 for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A vitrine cabinet with an arched quadruple pediment above a single glazed door with one long drawer centered by bronze and ebonized mounted 3/4 classical figural columns. The whole i...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Vintage 20th Century Ceramic Lampshade Base with Bird and Flower Design - 2Y132
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your home with this beautifully crafted ceramic lampshade base from the 1970s. Featuring charming bird and flower decorations, this piece is perfec...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
$224 Sale Price
70% Off
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 central round pla...
Category
2010s Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Brass Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) brass 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green shade.
Arrow finial is missing
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
1850 Antique Uzbek Pillow - 20
X 14
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1850 antique Uzbek pillow. 20'' X 14''
Category
18th Century Uzbek Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Antique 1929 Book "Mésaventures de Kato" by Yvonne Lelong - 2Y235
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Fair
Comments: The book is in good condition with some yellowing of the pages and slight wear on the spine. Please refer to the photos for more details.
Author: Yvonne Lelong
Publication Year: 1929
Language: French...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$133 Sale Price
55% Off
French Empire Style Ebonized Mahogany Writing Table
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (19th Century) ebonized mahogany writing table desk with a leather top & claw feet resting on a platform base. (after JACOB DESMALTER at Fonteainbleau Palace).
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Leather
Wonderful French Empire Regency Dore Bronze Neoclassical Candlestick Pair Lamps
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze neoclassical candlestick pair of lamp, rewired and ready to enjoy.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Silverware drawing : crystal and vermeil ewer - Boulenger catalog
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine silverware drawing enhanced with gouache showing a crystal and vermeil ewer / bottle. The item pictured is a silverware project meant to be listed in famous French silver make...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Pair of Empire Coffers Lucca First Quarter Nineteenth Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of walnut-paneled Empire chests of drawers, Lucca first quarter 19th century. Contoured Green Alps marble tops, ebonized under-top band, three drawers on the front, hermetic upr...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Style Wall Mirror With Faux Marble Att. To Maitland-Smith
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French Empire style wall mirror attributed to Maitland-Smith. It has a brass eagle crest and faux marble columns. The mirror itself is cased in mahogany. It is unmarked and...
Category
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Empire Commode / Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmine, TX
Empire chest of drawers hand-made in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy in the early 1900s using walnut. The chest has typical empire lines, with an overhanging top drawer and column...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1928 First Communion Souvenir Portrait of Marcelle Girard - Framed - 2Y71
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This framed souvenir portrait commemorates the first communion of Marcelle Girard, which took place at the church of Bonnétable on June 10, 1928. The piece is in its original conditi...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$204 Sale Price
75% Off
Early 19th Century Gilt Bronze Cut-Glass Centerpiece
Located in New York, NY
Cut-glass centerpiece with gilt bronze mounts. Hair line crack in bowl.
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Old-Paris Porcelain Saucer with
En Grisaille
Decoration, French Ca 1810
By Paris Studio
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful porcelain saucer made by a French Old Paris maker, dating to the early 19th century, circa 1810.
The saucer is very well painted "en grisaille" with a deer ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Side Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Empire Style Mahogany and Gilt Side Chair is a luxurious and elegant piece of furniture perfect for adults in a mid-century modern home decor setting. Made of high-q...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Stunning Empire 19th Century Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A Scandinavian brass and cut-glass crystal chandelier from the end of the 19th century. It is wired and in excellent condition. Chain not included but if requested we will add chain ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
French 1870s Empire Style Walnut Table with Vitrine Top and Corinthian Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style walnut gueridon table from the late 19th century, with vitrine top, corinthian columns, ebonized and gilt accents. Born in France dur...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood, Glass, Wood
Book: Le Livre et les Arts qui s
y Rattachent (1887) by M.P. Louisy- 2Y96
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This classic book, "Le Livre et les Arts qui s'y Rattachent", authored by M.P. Louisy, explores the relationship between books and the arts, providing valuable insights into the subj...
Category
1880s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$356 Sale Price
75% Off
19th Century Swedish inlaid burr birch oval occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid burr birch oval occasional table circa 1870.
Good quality swedish burr birch center table that could be used for multiple purposes around the home. Oval shape w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
French Empire Style Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Ultra elegant classical Empire style dark green tôle with oil reservoir encircled by bronze band raised on cloven hoof tripod feet over incurved base. Once an oil lamp later converte...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,600
Antique 20th Century Book by Paul Bourget "André Cornélis" - Paris - 2Y237
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Fair
Comments: The book is in good condition. Please see the photos for more details.
Author: Paul Bourget
Title: "André Cornélis"
Publisher: Arthème Fayard, Paris Modern-...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$147 Sale Price
60% Off
Antique Empire Period Bronze Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant French Empire bronze and marble table lamp, circa 1820 in date.
The candlestick later converted into a lamp features an ancanthus capital, a fluted tapering column on c...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Empire Style Heraldic Coat of Arms Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 20th Century Empire Style Heraldic coat of arms Intricately Carved Mahogany Double Eagle Bench with loose seat cushion. Measures 36.5" in width, 25" in depth and stands 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
A large pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
A large and beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Very period design.
Wear consistent with age and use
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
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.
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