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
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Empire Style Tessellated Stone Marble Pedestal Stand Planter with Lions. Item feature bulbous open planter form, paw feet,...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Stone
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Brass and Onyx Base Floor Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
A striking example of early 20th-century neoclassical design, this elegant floor lamp showcases the perfect fusion of timeless style and exquisite craftsmanship. The lamp features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Brass
Elegant Barometer and Thermometer with Copper Bas-Relief of a Woman - 2Y64
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your décor with this stunning barometer and thermometer featuring a detailed copper bas-relief of a woman. Combining functionality with art, ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Copper
$242 Sale Price
75% Off
Antique Book on Wool Fabrication - 1926 Edition by C. Thomas
P. Araud, 2Y122
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Discover the craftsmanship of wool fabric production with this antique book titled "La Fabrication du Drap," authored by Charles Thomas and Pierre Araud. Published by Léon Eyrolles i...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$154 Sale Price
70% Off
Pair French Empire Style Arrow Horn Wall Sconces
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Antique French Empire style brass horn and arrow motif wall sconces. Each with 2 candelabra size lights with black and gold clip on shades. Newly wired, added are 5" round ba...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,695 / set
A Pair of Empire Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Ebonized Column Supports
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Pair Of Matching French Empire Style Marble Gueridon Side Tables Raised On Column Supports United By A Triform Base and Side Drawer.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Palatial Bronze and Steel French Empire Style Torchieres Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of palatial vintage torchiere floor lamps in the French empire style, finely crafted from gilt and patinated bronze and steel. Each with a circular shallow dish-form basin fitt...
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Rare French Blue Opaline Glass Lamp Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of rare French Opaline Glass lamps. Each lam features an elegant urn shaped silhouette with a smooth, high gloss finish that beautifully reflects light. The bases and...
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Circa 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1900 Antique Ikat Tapestry Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Urn and Rams Head White
Gold Porcelain Table Lamp Empire Style, German, Large
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous large white and gold porcelain table lamp in urn form with detailed ram's head design, in the Empire style, attributed to Furstenberg Porcelain, Germany, circa 20th centur...
Category
Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Nidervillier "Ecume" Hand-Decorated Plate or Trinket Tray, Made in France, 2Y109
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This magnificent piece from Nidervillier, known for its intricate craftsmanship, serves as both a plate and a trinket tray. The "Ecume" design showcases a hand-decorated bicolore pat...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
$248 Sale Price
75% Off
Mini Turkish Mat Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mini size Turkish rug from the third quarter of the 20th century
Measures: 1'6” x 2'8".
Category
20th Century Turkish Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Neoclassical Style Empire Armchairs with Gilt Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant pair of neoclassical-style armchairs in the French Empire tradition, crafted with refined mahogany frames and adorned with intricate gilt accents. These striking chairs featu...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass
Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (C) - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5"...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French Empire style bouillotte table lamp with decorative three-light cast brass candleholders and adjustable height red tôle shade. New candle covers. Wired and in working order. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Tôle
1920 European Antique Empire style Cut/ Beaded Cascading Crystal Chandelier
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1920's Euro Antique Cut and Beaded Cascading Flow of Crystal Chandelier/ Pendant. This piece is lovely!
Category
1920s Czech Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Mint Condition Empire Sofa Sette Loveseat Couch Fine Carved Details Lions Feet
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Note: Full price include new upholstery service, buyer to provide fabric.
Mint condition empire sofa sette loveseat couch fine carved details lions feet.
The frame is stunning vint...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
French Empire Style Chair by Frederick Victoria
Located in Stamford, CT
A French Empire style chair made by Frederick Victoria with ostrich leather seat.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage French Empire Napoleon Style Ebonized Oak
Cane Magazine Rack Stand
Located in Dayton, OH
French Empire Napoleon III style ebonized magazine rack. Made from oak with flared caned magazine or newspaper supports. The top is supported by turned columns over scrolled feet co...
Category
Late 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Cane, Oak
$525 Sale Price
25% Off
1950s Tole Dressing Mirror
Located in Charlottesville, VA
We love tole and dressing mirrors. This is an Empire period dressing mirror. It has one drawer.
Category
1950s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage French Empire Red Painted Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp w/ Shade
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Red Painted Tole Metal Bouillotte Table Desk Lamp with Gold Gilt Painted Details. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H (to finial) x 11" H (to light sock...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Louis Vuitton Trunks Suitcases Monogram Art Print Framed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage wooden black painted frame. The artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically stacked. Similar piece can...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper
Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Table lamp, Koi fish, hand carved and painted wood, mid-1900s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare early 1900s hand carved and painted table lamp in the shape of koi fish. Sweden, empire-style. A beautiful, decorative interior gem.
Shade not included. Re-wired. Smaller sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s.
If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Empire Style Crystal Glass and Brass Sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s
By Palwa
Located in Barntrup, DE
A splendid Empire-style sconce by Palwa, Germany, 1960s. Gilt brass frame adorned with crystal glass beads and prisms, three interior lights for E14 size light bulbs.
Dimensions:
Hei...
Category
1960s German Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Theodore Alexander Patinated Bronze Figural Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34 1/4 in W: 36 1/4 in D: 36 1/4 in
This Empire Style Figural Center Table by Theodore Alexander is a commanding statement piece that reflects the grandeur and arti...
Category
Late 20th Century Vietnamese Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Mid Century French Empire Style Red
Gold Tole Metal Student Floor Lamp 57"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa mid 20th century metal tole ware student floor lamp - painted red with gold accents and floral / foliate border on the shade. Metal shade rests on a waffle textured milk glass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$525 Sale Price
25% Off
20th Century Italian Empire Style Crystal and Black Iron Chandelier
Located in Milano, MI
Italian crystal chandelier with Empire style drop-shaped iron structure, eight curved arms ending with eight crystal bobeches. The upper part of the iron structure is originally deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Iron
Empire-Style Dining Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming set of six carved and inlaid mahogany dining chairs in the French Empire style. The chairs date to the second half of the 20th century and are in very good conditi...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$2,950 / set
French Empire Style Mahogany Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Mahogany Parcel Gilt Console Table, with green marble top on two maiden supports and brass mounts on four bun feet. 33" H x 48.5" W x 19.25" D. Provenance: From a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique Guatemalan Hand-Carved Wooden Mask Sculpture with Original Label - 2Y147
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This charming antique Guatemalan sculpture features a hand-carved wooden mask, complete with its original label on the back. The craftsmanship highlights the cultural heritage of Gua...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$203 Sale Price
75% Off
Louis Vuitton Eiffel Tower Trunks Monogram Art Print in Gold Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France framed in a vintage European gold leaf frame. Artwork features the iconic Louis Vuitton suitcases artistically formed in the shape of the Eiffe...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paper
19th C. French Empire Onyx
Bronze Ormolu Revolving Statue Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. French Empire Onyx & Bronze Ormolu Revolving Statue Column Pedestal. Item features a revolving top, bronze ormolu, beautiful green and beige onyx stone, and timeless classica...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze
Brass Candlesticks
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt, Patinated, and Burnished Bronze & Brass Candlesticks, circa 1920
Elegant pair of French Empire style candlesticks, crafted from a harmonious combin...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Jules Verne
s "Hector Servadac" - Second Part, 9th Edition by Ed. Hetzel - 2Y76
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is the second part of Jules Verne's captivating novel "Hector Servadac," 9th edition, published by Ed. Hetzel. The book is in good condition, with a slightly worn cover and spin...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$161 Sale Price
75% Off
Pair French Empire Brass, Ebonized
Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of French Empire Brass, Ebonized and Giltwood Wood Table / Buffet Lamps
Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 33" in height to the top of the finial and 26" to the top of the li...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,271 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Empire Style Rectangular Mirror in Beige and Giltwood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Empire Style mirror, France, 1930s.
Beautiful Empire style rectangular mirror in beige patina with neoclassical relief foliage and floral ornament...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
$2,288 Sale Price
20% Off
Empire Style Hot Air Balloon Chandelier In Gilt Bronze And Crystal
Located in BARSAC, FR
Hot air balloon chandelier in gilded bronze decorated with crystal garlands, Empire style decorated with palmettes and pine cones.
Illuminated by six lights.
Beautiful and very ele...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Lot of 3 Classical Vinyl Records - Beethoven, Luis Mariano, Strauss - 2Y18
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Enhance your classical music collection with this lot of 3 vinyl records featuring renowned composers and performers. This set includes works by Beethoven, Luis Mariano, and Strauss,...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Plastic
$105 Sale Price
89% Off
Empire Style Steel
Brass Gueridon with Red Marble Top
Hoof Feet
Located in Milford, NH
A nice quality Empire style steel and brass round gueridon with three ram’s head decorations, a red marble top, and outswept tripod legs terminating with hoof feet. Dates to the earl...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass, Steel
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black
Gold Tall Column Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Style Figural Black & Gold Tall Column Form Table Lamps with Figural Ormolu on all Sides of the Bases (Harps, Maidens, and Soldiers) - a Pair. Circa Early 20th ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
1900
s Persian Sarouk Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79155 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug, 11'02 x 18'05. This magnificent hand-knotted wool antique Persian Sarouk rug exudes timeless elegance, evoking the golden age of Persian rug weaving...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Wall Sconces Bronze Empire Style, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Solid brass or brass wall lamp Empire style with two arms.
This wall sconces Empire style white rigid appearance, solid and basic geometric shapes. Decorated with acanthus leaves ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,101 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Chic French Empire Style Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large French Empire style mahogany armchairs reupholstered in Ralph Lauren silk/linen fabric.
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Mahogany
Italian Completely Beaded Basket Crystal Prisms Silver Chandelier, c 1940
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing four lights in beaded cups. Completely beaded with a beaded lace bottom. Adorning crystal prisms on top and in bottom. This chandelier has two width...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Early 20th Century Italian Pietra Dura Empire Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pietra Dura Empire table. Malachite, amethyst, lapis lazuli, citrine and sienna marble inlaid in white marble. Wood is Tineo. Made in Italy early 20th Century.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
French Empire Style Beige Painted Trumeau Mirror with Carved Gilt Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Empire style beige painted trumeau mirror from the 20th century with gilded décor. This exquisite French Empire style trumeau mirror from the 20th century is a testament to ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
French Empire Figural Bronzed Metal
Glass Center Table with Ram
s Heads 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Empire figural center table offers glass top over cast and bronzed base in triangular form having reeded legs with rams head capitals and hoof feet, stretchers with crossed ...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This superb Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
it has a rectangular shape with rounded sides Table Cigar Box has hand engraving, with orange and ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Book by Ch. Deslys - "Les Récits de la Grève" 5th Edition, 2Y123
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Explore the compelling narratives of historical struggles with this antique book by Ch. Deslys, titled "Les Récits de la Grève." Published by Librairie Ch. Delagrave, this 5th editio...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$150 Sale Price
65% Off
French Napoleonic Table Lamps Tartan Tripod Base Lion Paws Empire Lamps a Pair
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Vintage French Empire Table Lamps with tartan lampshades
Style: Vintage Antique, Empire, Napoleonic, Traditional, Classic, Baroque,
Design: Traditional Napoleonic Column lamps in th...
Category
1970s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1915 Book "L
Évangéliste" - Paris Modern-Bibliothèque - 2Y238
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is a vintage 1915 edition of "L'Évangéliste," published by Arthème Fayard in the Paris Modern-Bibliothèque collection. The book is in good condition for its age, with some signs...
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$125 Sale Price
65% Off
Jules Verne
s "Hector Servadac" - First Part, 9th Edition by Ed. Hetzel - 2Y74
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This is the first part of Jules Verne's adventure novel "Hector Servadac," 9th edition, published by Ed. Hetzel. The book is in fair condition, with a slightly worn cover and spine. ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Paper
$161 Sale Price
75% Off
1990s Savonnerie Area Rug-10
0" X 8
0"
Located in Los Angeles, US
21th Century Authentic Savonnerie Area Rug 10'0" X 8'0", handmade and hand-knotted, wool on cotton foundation, reproduction
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Romantic Italian Empire Style Iron and Frosted Glass Chandelier
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Romantic Empire style iron and frosted glass chandelier having delicate draping necklaces of glass and 6 arms.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Iron
NYC Waldorf Astoria Hotel Empire Pendant Light
Located in New York, NY
Cleaned and restored. Small quantity available at time of posting. Please inquire. Priced each. Please note, this item is located in our Scranton, PA location.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Pair of Empire Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu
Patinated Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Empire-Style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patinated Candelabra, France, 20th Century
A pair of exquisite Empire-style Egyptian Caryatid Two-Light Ormolu and Patin...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
French Empire Style Ormolu Mounted Malachite Centre Table
Located in London, GB
French Empire style ormolu mounted malachite centre table
French, 20th Century
Height 77cm, diameter 100cm
Wonderfully crafted from a selection of high quality materials, this Fren...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Bronze, Ormolu
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French ebonized Empire style marble top coffee table with bronze mounts circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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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