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 French Empire Bronze Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Empire bronze candelabra, sleek and sophisticated in design, each one fitted with three lights, fire gilt details, raised on an...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,360 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
French Empire Mahogany Mantel Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An architectural, Empire-style mantel mirror from France with some light foxing throughout the original mercury mirror plate. The carved mahogany has gained a fine patina, composed o...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Ice Bucket with Lion Head Design
Located in New York, NY
A copper and brass ice bucket with lion head design, in the Empire style, circa mid-20th century. This copper ice bucket with lid has brass lion head and loop design on sides (or fro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
An Italian Gold Gilt Empire Pier Mirror
Located in London, GB
A giltwood and hand painted pier mirror from the Italian Empire period. Decorated with lion masks on the corners and foliate inner and outer edging. The frame hand painted, with wond...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Antique Spelter Table Lamp In Empire Style. French C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful spelter table lamp
Amazing old bronze patina
The lamp has been re-wired.
Shade included
The measurement relates to the lamp base not including shade
Free UK shipping
...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Spelter
Pair of Italian Carved and Gilded Frames Rome 18th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Pair Roman Gilded Frames 1700, rare pair of antique carved and gilded wooden frames, Rome 18th century. Rectangular in shape, with three orders of carving, this pendant of ancient Ro...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Birch
Antique French Empire Mahogany Commode with Lion Paw Feet, French Polished
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique French Commode with wonderful lion paw feet, in the Empire style, although we have seen this style referred to as restoration as well. Old plank has a history of purchasing anything with animal related feet and especially the lion paw style. Just take a peek at our lion paw sofa...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Corgi Daily Planet Miniature Helicopter - 1:43 Scale - 2Y220
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a piece of nostalgia to your collection with this vintage Corgi Daily Planet miniature helicopter. Crafted with attention to detail, this 1:43 scale non-military helicopter is a ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$133 Sale Price
60% Off
Baltic Mahogany and Brass Mounted Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A Northern European Empire games table. Flamed mahogany top opens to reveal felt lined game surface. Brass mounts embellish a neoclassic sensibility.
Category
1840s Baltic Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
IMPORTANT PAiR OF ANTIQUE FRENCH EMPIRE BRASS BRONZE
MARBLE GUERIDON TABLES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Stunning pair of Circa 1890-1910 Gilt Brass, Bronze and Marble Gueridon tables
A very rare pair, the tops are desirable being a light salmon colour heavily grained marble. The frame...
Category
1890s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
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
Pair of Empire Candlestick, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of candlesticks made of burnished and fire-gilt bronze. The spouts are surrounded by three satyr masks crowned by flames. The pyramidal shaft is decorated with torchbearers in r...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,325 / set
Antique Silver and Crystal Serving Bowl - Empire Style
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique silver serving dish, with crystal liner.
Very nice design, in classic Empire style.
Estimated origin and age: Germany, circa 1900.
The bowl is in good condition. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Small Late 19th Century Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English Mahogany Table or Wall Mirror, circa 1860-1900. This small rectangular veneered mirror can either stand on a table or hang on a wall.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
French 19th Century Paris Porcelain Wash Jug and Bowls
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An elegant, three-piece set of old Paris porcelain in the style of Lebon-Halley with a pitcher, bowl, and deep plate in creamy porcelain accented by luxurious gold trim. The undersid...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Nast Manufacture - Empire Paris porcelain dish enhanced with gold - Circa 1805
By Nast
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Empire 8-sided serving dish, Paris porcelain signed Nast underneath (Nast Manufacture, Parisian porcelain manufacture active between 1784 and 1830). Beautiful yet sober model ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1930’s French Empire Style Bronze Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930’s French empire style sconces with swan atop and on arms
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1900s Antique Indian Rug - 16
2
X 12
0
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Agra Rugs Agra has been a major center of area rug and carpet production since the great period of Mughal art in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. When the carpet indu...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Antique Vintage Lamp Base in Alabaster and Brass with Lampshade - 2Y231
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Good
Comments: The lamp is in working condition, though the electrical wiring does not meet modern standards. The alabaster and brass lamp base is in good condition, with ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Alabaster, Brass
$332 Sale Price
65% Off
Elegant Pair of Empire Benches, Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Empire benches crafted in mahogany.
The high, architecturally designed sides feature string inlay in satinwood, topped with an ebonized panel and mounted with gilt bronze orn...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Beautiful pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
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
Charming Reproduction of a Painting by Maurice Vlaminck - Fauvism - 2Y83
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming reproduction captures the vibrant and expressive style of Maurice Vlaminck, a prominent figure in the Fauvism movement. The piece depicts a stranded boat in bold colors...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
$481 Sale Price
55% Off
19th Century Desk, Antique Bonheur du Jour, Gamichon a Paris
By Jean-Baptiste Gamichon
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a French antique bonheur du jour by Jean-Baptiste Gamichon dating to circa 1810.
A piece for the connoisseur, rare and sought after,...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century French Signed Hingre Bronze Sparrow on Gold Marble Base
Located in Pearland, TX
19th century antique bird paperweight/hunting trophy in chased and patinated bronze on a gold marble base. Signed HINGRE (Louis Théophile Hingre...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Set of 2 Swedish Brass Chamber Candle Holders with Tray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on these candleholders from the early 1800's. We see these chamber candlesticks on a coffee table with antique books. Wonderful addition to any collection of these s...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
19th Century French Neoclassical Gilt Bronze and Crystal Eleven Light Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Fine antique French 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze and cut crystal eleven light chandelier
19th Century
Height: 34 inches
Diameter: 22.5 inches
Superbly detailed gilded bronze...
Category
19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Danish Empire Style Chest of Drawers Solid Pine with Cream Colored Paint 1930s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish empire style corrugated three drawer chest on high legs made of solid pine wood. Handmade by Danish master carpenter in the 1930s.
The chest is decorated with cream colored p...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Grape Harvest 7.8X4.11
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Style Bronze Chandelier with 3 Lights Topped with Eagles Heads
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and decorative Empire style chandelier is made of bronze with 3 lights topped with eagles heads. This is a French work, finely chiseled. Circa 1900
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Oil Painting by Y. Maffei - Small Town by a Riverside Scene - 2Y90
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This beautiful oil painting by Y. Maffei captures a serene scene of a small town nestled by a tranquil river. The artwork is executed on canvas and showcases Maffei's skillful use of...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Canvas
$220 Sale Price
65% Off
Pair Neoclassical Paris Porcelain Gilt Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair neoclassical Paris Porcelain gilt vases. Exceptional pair of large white and gilt painted campana form urns with strigilated patterning on body dow...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
$32,000 / set
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire Mahogany Gilt-Wood Marble Top Table
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
$3,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 19th Century Franch Empire armchair , in Carved Solid Mahogany
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century Franch Empire chair with armrests in carved solid mahogany , wax polished
Measure cm: H 92/42 x W 56 x D 50.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Cut Crystal Glass Urn
Brushed Brass Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
High Quality Contemporary French Empire Style Cut Crystal Glass Urn & Brushed Brass Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 33" H (to finial) x 24" H...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
X-Small Egg style Faberge Enamel hand painted wreaths Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
X-Small egg in 925/1000 gilded silver with translucent enamel on fire on guilloché and hand-painted miniature of garlands in Russian Art Nouveau style, inspired by the eggs of Carl F...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
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
Large 19th century French empire bronze ormolu table lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Tall 19th century french empire bronze ormolu lamp, circa 1860.
Here we have a lamp of the finest quality, previously would have been a gas lamp but converted to electricity in the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of French Antique Walnut Empire Tulip Fauteuils or Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This set of two elegant Empire arm chairs stand out for their classic simple design and the beautifully shaped front legs. These comfortable and stylish chairs feature a wealth of fi...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2 part construction, beautiful tapered capitol, brass hardware, mother of pearl keyh...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
The Gilded Ruby Garden: A Persian Sarouk Masterpiece of Eternal Bloom
Located in Dallas, TX
79263 Antique Persian Mohajeran Sarouk Rug, 08'10 x 10'07. Radiating an aura of timeless prestige, this hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug embodies the artistic height of e...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
$7,728 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Paris porcelain vases - early 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine antique pair of Paris porcelain vases, early 19th century high-end French production circa 1830 (Empire style, Restauration period).
Fully decorated model : polychromatic hand...
Category
1830s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Framed Print "The Naval Review Spithead" by John Wilson (1800-1868) - 2Y199
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your space with this beautifully framed reproduction print titled "The Naval Review Spithead" by John Wilson. Capturing a historic naval scene, th...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$270 Sale Price
70% Off
Elegant pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
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
Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
The history of Aubusson textiles dates back to the 14th century. The town of Aubusson is located in the La Marche area of France, which is located at the base of the Creuse River. It...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Soliders of War 5.10X6.9
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
18th Century Antique Silk Metalic Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
18th Century Antique Silk Metalic Pillow
Category
18th Century Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Silk
Large and elegant Table Lamp in Empire style - Early 20th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Large, beautiful table lamp of gilded and dark patinated bronze, in classic Empire style from the early 20th century. The lamp with a black lacquer shade with gold on the inside give...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Open Bookstand with Lyre Sides
Located in Budapest, HU
Empire Walnut and Giltwood Open Bookcase, Austria, circa 1810–1830
This finely crafted Austrian Empire open bookcase, dating from around 1810–1830, is an exceptional example of earl...
Category
1810s Austrian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
French Porcelain and Brass Table Lamp with Gold Lion Horse Design, Small
By Luc Lanel
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
19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century victorian burr walnut desk top writing slope circa 1870.
Fine quality english made victorian writing slope. Exterior of rich burr walnut with tunbridge ware inlay deco...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
French Gilt Bronze Pedestal Plant Stand Empire Style
Located in New York, NY
A substantial French gold gilt bronze pedestal column plant stand, in the Empire design style, circa 20th century, France. Round top is a copper gilt bronze, pillar and tripod hoof b...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Canon Prima Zoom 76 Camera with 38-76mm 1:3.8-7.2 Lens - 2Y212
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the charm of film photography with this vintage Canon Prima Zoom 76 camera, featuring a versatile 38-76mm 1:3.8-7.2 lens. This classic point-and-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$138 Sale Price
55% Off
Vintage Miniature Anti-Tank Cannon - The Crescent Toys Militaria - 2Y34
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of historical charm to your collection with this vintage miniature anti-tank cannon by The Crescent Toys. Part of their militaria range, this collectible features detaile...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$114 Sale Price
78% Off
Vintage French Empire Double Wooden Corinthian Column Black
Gold Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Double Wooden Corinthian Column Black & Gold Table Lamp. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 38" H (to finial) x 30" H (to light socket) x 10" W ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
1860 Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Brussels Tapestry Pillow 17th Century - 24'' X 12''.
Category
1860s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$3,037 / item
19th Century Pewter Plate with Handle – "Les étains de la tour" - 2Y225
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Condition: Pre-owned
Comments: Good condition for its age. Shows signs of use with scratches throughout and some oxidation. Needs polishing. Please refer to the photos for more detai...
Category
1820s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Pewter
$272 Sale Price
55% Off
French Empire Silver Plate Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style (20th Century) silver plate 3 arm bouillotte table lamp with horn motif and green tole shade.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Tôle
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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