Empire Furniture
From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
1930s Swedish Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass
1990s American Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Steel
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Silver Leaf
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Empire Furniture
Mahogany
1940s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Wood, Paper, Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Ormolu
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Nickel
Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Gold, Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Plaster
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Brass, Iron
20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Metal
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Animal Skin, Wood
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Sheet Metal
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu
Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Birch, Walnut, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Brass
1980s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture
Brass, Chrome





