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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
Period: 20th Century
Pair of Bouillotte Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of bouillotte lamps in toleware and bronze, in the French Empire manner.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Cherry wood base, with mo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Henkel Harris French Empire Louis Philippe Flame Mahogany Marble Top Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Empire of Louis Philippe style dresser or chest of drawers By Henkel Harris USA, 1990s Stunning book-matched flame mahogany, with beveled marble top, and ori...
Category

1990s American Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Chandelier. Empire style chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite and rare Empire style chandelier with elaborate gilt bronze frame and crystal pyramids and pendalogues. France, circa 1900. Dimensions: Height 58" Diameter 34"
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Ormolu

Louis Vuitton Large LV Suitcase Artwork Print in Gilt Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features iconic Louis Vuitton words and letters artistically arranged. Similar piece ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper, Giltwood

20th Century French Oil Painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor by S. Chapin
By Chapin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French oil on canvas painting of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor in a hand carved original gilded wooden frame, painted by S. Chapin in good condition. The wall décor art pie...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Maison Jansen Style Polished Steel Brass Galleried Glass Top Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A magnificent of French Maison Jansen style Empire Revival brass and polished steel side tables with brass gallery and inset glass tops, each with three legs joined by X-form stretch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Neoclassical Empire Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Empire style Mahogany Pedestal Plant Stand. Measures 15" in diameter at the base, 12" in diameter at the top and stands 55.75" tall.
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Painted Empire Demilune Pier Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Demilune console, with top of Carrara marble, on painted base, having two round columns supporting its ormolu embellished apron and conforming platform, with a back of distressed mir...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Pair of French Midcentury Steel and Clear Glass Side Tables, Empire Design
Located in London, GB
A good pair of steel and glass side tables, made in France in the 1960s. Made with an empire design, with pine cone finials and flower details. This pair of minimalist side tables ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Steel

French Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo After Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié
By Marius Jean Antonin Mercié
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine and Large French Early 20th Century Bronze of Napoleon Marching in Waterloo Cast after a model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (French, 1845-1916). The impressive bronze sculptu...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

European Rectangular Silver Leaf Gilt Wood Art Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage impressive wooden frame in silver gilt, with great patina, that would be suitable for most style artwork including prints, watercolors as well as oil on board paintings. Wond...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf

French Empire Style Seven-Light Bronze, Brass and Glass Chandelier, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful French Empire-style chandelier features six bronze swan arms. Dark green painted body with decorative bronze mounts and richly ornate pine finial, on top centered with...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Robert Abbey Templeton Bronze Trophy Urn Table Lamp Empire Shade Light
Located in Dayton, OH
Templeton 7102G urn table lamp, way buddha bronze with golden beige cast metal empire shade with matching soutache - Robert Abbey Measures: 10.5” x 24...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company Additional information: Materials: mahogany, mirror Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Category

20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Putti Empire Chandelier Crystal Gold Basket Antique Brass Classic
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant Vintage Chandelier with Charming Putti – Lovingly Restored in Berlin This stunning chandelier is a true masterpiece, combining timeless elegance with delightful details. Fea...
Category

1940s European Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Brass, Wire

Mid-Century Empire Style Pacel Gilt and Mahogany Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An impressive mid-century Empire Style parcel gilt and carved Mahogany coffee / cocktail Table. Measures 46" in width, 27.75" in depth and standing 17.5" tall.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

French Turn of the Century Empire St. Flamed Mahogany and Ormolu Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and very elegant French turn of the century Empire st. flamed Mahogany and ormolu dining table. The table is raised by six elegant and impressive lightly tapered circular ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

American Classical Empire Style Over Mantel Mahogany Trident Pediment Mirror 49"
Located in Dayton, OH
American Classical Empire style Pediment Mirror, circa last quarter 20th century. Features a mahogany frame with an arched pediment over acanthus carved spandrels set around a triden...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Mid-20th Century Italian Pair of Cast Metal 2-Light Wall Sconces by Palladio
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century pair of cast metal 2-light wall sconces, Italian by Palladio. Never electrified. Empire style. Bird head scrolled arms to fluted candleholder, while arrows in a quiv...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage French Empire Brass Crystal Glass Column "Oil Lamp" Table Lamps, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Brass & Crystal Glass Column "Oil Lamp Style" Table Lamps by Wilmar - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H (to finial) x 30" H (to light so...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Sconces, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
A pair of French Empire-style gilt bronze sconces. These beautiful wall lights are richly decorated with bronze details like flowers, leaves, swans, and griffin heads. Each sconce ha...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with stripes two-tone Enamel Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cylindrical handbag perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver gold-plated with screw cap and stripes with translucent two-tone fired enamels on guilloché and hand-engraved motifs in...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century burr yew desktop box with clock circa 1920. Empire revival burr yew cigar box with clock.  Strung and inlaid to outer edges, decorated with an ormolu mount to the...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

12 Limoges Raised Gilt Enameled Napoleonic Plates, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
12 Limoges raised gilt enameled Napoleonic plates, circa 1900, each one decorated with gilt laurel surround, filled with golden bees, the center with Napoleonic crest of laurel wreath and monogrammed 'N'. The porcelain is made by Charles Ahrenfeldt Limoges...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden Gold Leaf frame. The artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically stacked. Similar piece can be ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper, Paint

Four Italian Dining Chairs Empire Style Red Gold Upholstery 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
A set of four solid walnut chairs in the fabulous Empire style with ormolu decorations, made in Italy in the 20th century, in good condition. The walnut frame is beautiful in color ...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

French Empire Brass Art Deco Shell Desk Table Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, NL
1920s Empire French brass table desk lamp Nickel Art Deco shell shade with heavy brass base Brass base. Black cotton wire and plug. Also, available with US/UK plug Weight: 1.00 kg...
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Antique Empire Style Console Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Empire style mahogany console table with a marble top, circa 1900. With a rectangular grey and white marble top with slightly rounded front corners, a frieze drawer with a we...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
Located in New York, NY
A small French porcelain table lamp with brass base, in the Empire style, circa early-20th century, France. This small French porcelain lamp, ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Brass

Box handpainted miniature on guilloche and musical movement by Reuge S.A. inside
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated with translucent fired enamels and featuring a handpainted monochrome miniature on guilloche of a sailing ship on the lid, depi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel

French Antique Etched and Faceted Crystal Lidded Boxes with Bronze Ormolu, Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of French antique etched and faceted cut crystal lidded boxes with ormolu mounts, c. early 20th century. Gorgeous gilt bronze mounted boxes with intricately etched crystal of f...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

Hand-Painted Miniature House from Mallorca - Plaster Figurine - 2Y19
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a charming touch to your decor with this hand-painted miniature house from Mallorca. Crafted from plaster, this colorful figurine captures the essence of traditional architecture...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Jules Verne Book - First Part, 7th Edition, Ed. Hetzel - 2Y80
Located in Bordeaux, FR
A classic Jules Verne book titled "Un Capitaine de Quinze Ans" (A Captain at Fifteen), first part, 7th edition published by Ed. Hetzel. This vintage b...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage Century Royal Bavarian Hutschenreuther Hand Painted Floral Plates Selb
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Set of 10 early 20th century Royal Bavarian dinner plates. Finely decorated with hand painted floral design and raised gold accent. Stamped Royal Bavarian Hutschenreuther on the ba...
Category

Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Italian Empire Style Beech Wood Round Pedestal Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare and fine quality Italian empire style round pedestal table in beech wood. The top is supported by three pairs of refined columns. In the lower part the columns end with a deligh...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Beech

Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Brass Paw Foot Column Cast Iron Andirons - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H x 10.5" W x 16" D.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century French Vitrine or Dry Bar with Ebonized Finish and Brass Trim
Located in Troy, MI
French vitrine cabinet or dry bar with new black finish and original brass trim, circa 1920s. Top has sliding glass doors. Bottom has brass figural ornaments, locking door and single...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Egg style Faberge folding photo holder Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg on engraved tripod with octagonal folding photo holder for 6 photos inside, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated, with translucent fired enamels on guilloché and pure gold “pa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Gold

Midcentury Decorative Pair of Pedestals Walnut with Brass
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Midcentury decorative pair of pedestals walnut with brass.
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Empire Bronze Figural Swans Paw Foot Pedestal Base Low Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Figural Swans Paw Foot Pedestal Base Low Side Table. Item features an ornate bronze pedestal base with swans and paw feet, beautiful wood grain, very nic...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Belgian Empire Gilt Metal Three-Piece Garniture Clock Candelabras Set
Located in Germantown, MD
Belle Epoque Belgian Empire style Gilt Metal Three-Piece candelabras and Clock Garniture set with Asian inspiration. They measures 11" in width,...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Hand-carved Napoleon Bonaparte in nut-wood
Located in S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Hand-carved Napoleon Bonaparte in walnut on a colorful marble base. You often see sculptures of Napoleon Bonaparte in bronze, rarely in wood.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique 1950 Book - Mérimée s Colomba, Illustrated by Pierre Rousseau - 2Y129
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover the classic tale of Colomba by Prosper Mérimée, beautifully illustrated by Pierre Rousseau in this 1950 edition published by Librairie Delagrave. This antique book is a piece of literary history, offering both captivating content and artistic visuals. The book shows signs of its age, with yellowed pages...
Category

1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique French Empire Trumpet Arm Tole Metal Shade Nickel Bouillotte Desk Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Trumpet Arm Tole Metal Shade Nickel Bouillotte Desk Lamp. Item features 3 lights/arms, trumpet arms, very rare nickel plated finish, red tole metal shade,...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Elegant Empire Style Gilt Patinated Bronze Figural Table Lamp
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Ornate and elegant Empire style table lamp having patinated bronze figural goddess form with marblized base.
Category

1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Set of 4 natural rustic style chairs en wood and leather from the 1930s
Located in Cantù, IT
Set of 4 natural rustic style chairs en wood and leather from the 1930s - dark solid wood frame, oval back with carved details with brown leather seat with studded finish and underst...
Category

20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin, Wood

Vintage 20th Century Bronze Trinket Dish Signed "Clenget" - 2Y213
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of vintage elegance to your space with this 20th-century bronze trinket dish, signed "Clenget." This beautifully crafted piece serves a...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith Empire Style Large Banded Inlay Mahogany Glass Top Coffee Table. Item features beveled glass, inset top, 6 saber legs, 2 tier band...
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Iron Faux Leather Side Table in the style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful console table made from iron and glass. Unique and well thought out faux leather iron base. You could not tell it isn't real leather until you touch it. Good condition ...
Category

1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Empire-Style Marble Top Gold Gilt Painted Pedestals
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of Italian Empire-style gilt and painted pedestals topped with Kastoria Red Marble from Greece, circa 1960. In very good vintage condition having polished marble and solid frame...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble

Gilt Bronze / Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Pair Table Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Illuminate your space with the enchanting charm of our Late 20th Century Italian Gilt Bronze and Black Marble Seven-Light Candelabra Table Lamps. This exquisite pair of lamps seamles...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Empire Style Two Tier Console Table by John Widdicomb with Brass Mounts
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 in W: 44 in D: 20 1/2 in Elevate your interior with this exceptional 20th-century French Empire style two-tier console table or server by the renowned American ...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique French Bouillotte Lamp, Hand-Painted Toleware, 1930s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bronze Bouillotte Lamp
Category

1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Sheet Metal

Pair of French Empire Style Malachite and Gilt Bronze Pedestals
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Empire style malachite and gilt bronze pedestals French, 20th Century Height 115cm, width 35cm, depth 35cm This pair of 20th century French pedestals is crafted fro...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Drexel Heritage Empire Style Sideboard or Bar Cabinet With Carved Lions
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Empire or Egyptian Revival style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Drexel Heritage, "Pavilion" Collection USA, Late 20th Century Walnut and birch, with e...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Birch, Walnut, Giltwood

Vintage Waterford Kinsale Crystal Glass Column Brass Empire Style Floor Lamps -
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S shipping quote. Vintage Waterford Kinsale Crystal Glass Column Brass Empire Style Floor Lamps - a Pair...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass

Maitland-Smith Empire-Style Pedestal Jardinière Planter, circa 1980
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very handsome vintage jardinière in the Empire style manufactured by Maitland Smith in the 1980s with cylindrical polished-chrome planter trimmed with brass over a cast and fabrica...
Category

1980s Asian Vintage Empire Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

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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