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 Cast Brass Dual Arm Wall Sconces, pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of French Empire Style casted brass wall sconces, each sconce features 2 arms each powered by 25w E12 chandelier bulb. These classic-styled scones work well in Victorian-styled ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$471 Sale Price / set
40% Off
French Empire Style Commode w/Figural Columns
Pink Marble
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable petite commode with wonderful grained veneer and blackened flat columns on the sides which have a bronze woman's head on the top and bronze feet on the bottom. It...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Camille Le Tallec Gilded Porcelain Signed Cups Empire-Style Set
Located in Roma, IT
Camille Le Tallec Gilded Porcelain Cups Empire-Style Set
Spectacular set of ornately gilt service cups hand-painted by Le Tallec of France
Important and magnificent Empire-style gi...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Casa Nova Italian Empire Style Burl Wood 2 Tier Nightstands - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 22" H x 27.5" W x 17" D.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Large Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Malachite Fireplace
Located in London, GB
Large Neoclassical style gilt bronze and malachite fireplace
French, 20th century
Measures: Height 124cm, width 218cm, depth 58cm
Crafted from the timeless combination of malachite ...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Burnished Brass
Porcelain Table Lamps (B) - Pair
By Stiffel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Stiffel Empire Style Lacquered Burnished Brass & Porcelain Table Lamps (B) - Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 37" H (to finial) x 27" H (to light socket) x 6.5" W...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Empire Style Polished Brown Marble Urn Form Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Polished Brown Marble Urn Form Table Lamps with Beautiful Veins - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 29" H (to finial) x 22" H (to light socke...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
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
Empire Style Demi Lune Marble Topped Two Door Commode with Two Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 empire style demi lune commode is made of mahogany with a marble top. Commode has two locking drawers flanked by wedge-shaped, locking side cabinets....
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Wood Sconces with Eagles, Circa 1900
Located in Fayetteville, AR
At almost 18 inches in height, this pair of French Empire style gilt wood sconces from the turn of the twentieth century features opposing Napoleonic eagles holding laurels in their ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Fine Large Antique Empire Revival Mahogany and Marble Top Circular Center Table
Located in New York, NY
This extraordinary antique Empire Revival mahogany center table measures an impressive 70.5" across and 32" tall (179 cm by 81 cm) and features four pairs of gilt Greek caryatid figu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Zuppiera Centrotavola in Porcellana di Herend Rothschild Anni 70
By Herend
Located in Milano, MI
Zuppiera centrotavola in porcellana di Herend, decoro Rothschild, realizzata negli anni '70
Ø cm 30 Ø cm 26 h cm 13
Le porcellane Herend sono tra le più prestigiose e ricercate al ...
Category
1970s Hungarian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Stately Antique French Empire Style Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of high quality gorgeous vintage French Empire style club chairs from Bloomingdale's with handsome carved dolphin armrests. Probably walnut, faux painted a greige color.
#4271
...
Category
1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,400 Sale Price / set
36% Off
Circa 1900 Antique Embroidery Indian Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca.1900 Antique Embroidery Indian Pillow
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pair Of Empire Style Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Lampshade diameter 17 inches. Relatively modern nice quality in the French empire style.
Category
Late 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,500 / set
Empire Set of Four French Sterling Silver
.950
Footed Open Salt Cellars-Venner
By Isabelle Venner
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Empire, sterling silver (.950), footed open salt cellars with matching spoons and liners, Paris, circa 1900, Isabelle Venner, maker. Each ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver, Gold
Photo Frame Large Imperial Style White and Green enamel on Sterling Silver Salim
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped frame for photographs in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent two-tone fired enamels on guillochè and rich friezes in the French Empire Louis XVI style ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Mid 20th century frame Italian bisque Taglio
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century Italian frame bisque Taglio. This Greco Roman style bisque porcelain medallion is framed in a gold leaf shadowbox frame with pink interior and gold details...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Wonderful Bronze Dolphin
Swan Green Tole Large Bouillotte Empire Regency Lamp
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French Bronze Dolphin & Swan 4 Candelabra Light Painted Green Tole Metal Shade Large Bouillotte Empire / Regency Style Lamp
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Metal
Empire Malachite Centre Table Gilt Pharaoh Legs
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Stunning French Empire table in gilt with malachite base and top
Such a great look to this piece which reeks of style and elegance
The look is very high Empire with all the classical...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood
Vintage French Empire Marquetry Burl Wood Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent vintage French Empire marquetry burl wood chest is a true embodiment of classical grandeur and exceptional craftsmanship. The piece showcases stunning burl wood vene...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Burl
Vintage French Empire Style Partners Desk by Maitland Smith
Located in Westfield, MA
This remarkable vintage partners desk by Maitland Smith showcases the grandeur of the French Empire style, reinterpreted for modern sophistication. Crafted from richly grained mahoga...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Empire Style Vases in Blue and Gold Porcelain
Located in Prato, IT
Germany, mid-20th century
Empire style
Blue and gold painted porcelain and white background band with floral decoration
Dimensions cm W28 x D20...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
French Empire Style Cocktail Table Speckled by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical round coffee or cocktail table lacquer speckled by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The table is made in the French Napoleonic empire style featuring bronze mounted ...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,040 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Empire Table Lamp Cut Crystal Diamond Pattern Gilded Bronze
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large and rare Empire style table lamp, made of cut crystal and gilded bronze and brass, dating from around the beginning of the 20th century, France.
This very high quality table l...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Neo Classical Style Burl Walnut Mirrored Back Console Table / Credenzas
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance your living space with this Mid-20th Century Neo-Classical Style Burled Walnut Mirrored Credenza/Console Table, a versatile and beautifully designed piece of furniture that r...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Brown Painted Column Small Metal Table Lamps with Paw Feet and Lion Heads - a Pair. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 17.5" H (to light socket) x 7" W x 7...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
1930
s French Empire Silver Plated Chandelier with 6 lights
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French silver plated finish empire style chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1920
s French Empire Single Light Swan Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light sconces with Swan’s head
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$2,800 / set
Pair of Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Chandeliers
Located in London, GB
Designed to mimic the appearance of a star-studded celestial globe, theses Empire style chandeliers are simultaneously charming and outstandingly beautiful. Each chandelier is design...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Metal, Bronze
$24,805 / set
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
Dore
Bronze Mounted French Empire Verdi Marble Cassolettes with Serpents
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of Dore' bronze mounted French Empire verdi marble cassolettes, dating to the early 19th century, represents the pinnacle of French Empire style and craftsmanship. The luxu...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Vintage French Empire Mahogany 25" Round Coffee Table with Brass Gallery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Mahogany 25" Round Coffee Table with Ornate Brass Gallery and Carved Tapered Legs. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21.5" H (to gallery) x 25" W x 25" D. 2...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Circa 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1920 Antique American Hook Pillow
Category
1920s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Empire Style Mahogany Dog’s Bed
Located in Spencertown, NY
The diminutive mahogany sleigh bed with green and white upholstery.
Category
Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$3,200 Sale Price
20% Off
1930
s French Empire Lion and Swans Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1930's French Empire bronze sconces with swans and lions head backplate.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
French Empire Neoclassical Style Figural Maiden Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Neoclassical Style Figural Maiden Candelabra Table Lamps - a Pair. Lamps feature flame finials, 6 candle arms, black patinated metal female figures with water j...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Picture Frame large size Red Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large shaped photograph frame in gold plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent fired enamel on guillochè with borders and laurel frieze in Louis XVI French Empire style. Exte...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Table Box blue and gold with handpainted miniature fire-enameled on guilloche Sa
Located in Firenze, FI
Octagonal table box in 800/1000 silver gold plated with translucent enamel on guilloché and beautiful enamel miniature hand painted by the painter Renato Dainelli in early 1900s Engl...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Danish Midcentury Birthday Table Flagpole with Dannebrog And Lion On The Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish birthday table flag, "Dannebrog", name of the Danish flag. It is placed on a green marble base, with a posed lion.
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Silver Plate
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
Pair of Antique French Empire Style Figural Gilt
Patina Bronze Chandeliers
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Antique French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Multi-Light Figural Chandeliers.
Each circular chandelier features an ebonized bronze body surmounted by candle-form lights held aloft by gilt bronze winged female figures modeled in the neoclassical manner. The figures kneel gracefully with outstretched arms. Between them, scrolling mounts extend from the circular frame, their terminals finished with acanthus and foliate motifs.
The gilt bronze elements are finely cast and chased, showing the characteristic Empire emphasis on mythological and classical ornamentation. Each chandelier is suspended from a circular crown...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Grand Prospect Hall Empire Crystal Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This Empire style chandelier was repurposed from a larger light in the main ballroom in Brooklyn, New York's Grand Prospect Hall. Grand Prospect Hall was built in 1892 and has witnes...
Category
Early 20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
1930
s French Empire Chandelier with Eagles
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930's French Empire style black painted chandelier with eagle's heads.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
20th Century Wood with Marble Top Italian Empire Style Dresser, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian chest of drawers from the mid-20th century. Cantù production furniture carved and veneered in walnut, burl, beech, mahogany and fruitwood in Empire style. Commode with four l...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Empire Swedish Salon Group with Gilt Caryatids and Laurel wreath Decorations
Located in New York, NY
Empire style grouping from the early 20th Century beautifully made in mahogany in Stockholm, Includes sofa, table, two armchairs and two side chairs.
Length of sofa 50...
Category
20th Century Swedish Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Picture Frame Holder pocket Sterling Silver Enamel 3 Photographs
Located in Firenze, FI
Pocket photos holder in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with two-tone translucent fired enamels on guillochè, with hand-engraved edges. Empire style Napoleon III. Octagonal hing...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair Empire Style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of very fine quality Empire style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps. 16 inch height to top of sockets.
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Romweber Empire Mahogany, Burl Wood, and Brass Nightstands, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Empire or Neoclassical style nightstands
By Romweber
USA, circa 1940s
Mahogany cases, with gorgeous book...
Category
1940s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Plaster Bust of Napoleon
Located in New York, NY
Large plaster bust of napoleon.
Stained.
Category
20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Plaster
French Empire Bronze Swan Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire style bronze doré 2 arm bouillotte table lamp with swan form arms beneath a red tole adjustable shade 20th century.
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1930s French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier w/ Drapery Swag Attrib Maison Bagues
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Spectacular 1930's French Empire Dore Bronze Chandelier. Bronze drapery swag detail. With Neoclassical elements. Attributed to Maison Bagues.
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$3,460 Sale Price
20% Off
French Pair of Empire Patina Dore Bronze Winged Lady Victory Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful pair French Napoleon III Empire style gilt doré and patinated bronze neoclassic three-arm candelabra with finely cast detail, each featuring a classical winged lady victory...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Maslow Freen French Empire Style Breakfront Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maslow Freen French Empire style breakfront bookcase China cabinet with brass grill. Item includes 2 part construction, 8 swing doors, worki...
Category
20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Marble Lidded Box with Brass Accents and Dolphin Handle
Located in Hamburg, DE
This cylindrical marble box with a lid is a sophisticated decorative piece that blends vintage charm with historical design influences. Crafted in the 1970s, it features a lightly pa...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Early 20th C Ebonised Mahogany Empire Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
Found in France, this circa 1910 Empire style mahogany chest of four drawers has a new ebonised finish and black marble top. Decorative columns on the front sides have brass trim and...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
French Empire Style Chandelier This is a lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Empire Style Chandelier
This is a lovely piece especially where a very large chandelier is not suitable, it has a bright brass crown hung with chains of cut crystal beads, co...
Category
1930s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Empire Style French Antique Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
Lamp, French, “Bouillote”, made of finely cast bronze. The piece mimics a traditional oil lamp and is topped with a gold leaf painted adjustable lamp shade. It has been newly wired t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Gold Leaf
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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