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 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
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
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
French Hexagonal Empire Gilt Bronze
Etched Glass 3-Light Lantern or Chandelier
Located in Coimbra, PT
Antique French Empire cast bronze lantern. Gilt bronze and etched glass shade with 3-light.
Measures:
Diameter 12 in/ 30 cm
Height 20.5 in (10 in, chain)/ 75 cm (25 cm, chain)
Weight...
Category
Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1920s French Empire Silver Swan one light Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A pair of circa 1920’s French empire style one light silver plated sconces with swan head. Available in bronze
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Bronze
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
Circa 1930 Suzani Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
Ca. 1930 Antique Suzani Pillow
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
$1,080
Photograph Frame Large Imperial Style White Enamel on Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Large gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver shaped photograph frame with translucent fired enamel on guillochè and rich friezes in Louis XVI French Empire style. External measurements...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1930’s Swedish Empire 6 lights Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1920’s Swedish empire style crystal chandelier with 6 lights
Category
1930s European Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique Oversize Indian Rug - 18
0
X 12
7
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Indian Rugs – Not all the rugs that were woven in India are easy to categorize. That is why we created this antique Indian rugs section. Here you will find Indian rugs of whi...
Category
1920s Indian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
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
Vintage French Empire Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
By Sedgefield
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sedgefield by Adams French Empire Style Brass Candlestick Tole Metal Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H (to finial) x 14" H (to light so...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large French Empire Ebony Black and Gold Carved Giltwood and Gesso Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirror is a large statement piece. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina. The neoclassical embo...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Mirror
1930
s French Empire Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930,s French Empire style wall sconces with bend glass inset from Mr..Icahn's Penthouse in NYC
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,800 / set
Mid-Century French Empire Style Chaise With Mahogany And Bronze Frame
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome mid-century French Empire style mahogany chaise lounge. Th frame is mahogany with heavy ormolu adorning it. It is unmarked. A striking piece for a variety of setti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx" Ormolu - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Side Chairs with Bronze "Sphinx/Lion" Ormolu - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H x 18" W x 20" D x 19.5" Seat height.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
A Massive Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Urns, C.1950
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Massive Pair of French Empire Style Gilt Bronze-Mounted Malachite Urns, C.1950.
Each with Berainesque gilt bronze tracery cast everted rim above a ves...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Cut Crystal / Gilt Cold Liquor Cave
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-20th century French cut crystal champagne cave in a dome shape form with hand painted gilt gold design finial top and stem base. The cave features a...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Gold Leaf
20th Century Antique Araffia Velvet Textile Pillow
Located in Los Angeles, US
20th Century Antique Araffia Velvet Textile Pillow
Category
20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wool
Gilded Classical Wooden Black Lacquer Column / Pedestal, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
This exquisite hand-carved wooden Black Lacquer column, exudes timeless elegance and grandeur. Standing at an impressive 43.9 inches (111.5 cm) tall, the column features a refined s...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,577 Sale Price
29% Off
Antique Botanical Indian Amritsar Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Amritsar Rugs – The spectacular rugs of Amritsar capture the exotic style of India while incorporating a subtle colonial influence. This convergence of eastern and western styles results in an exceptionally alluring appearance that has been beloved by western consumers historically and today. The outstanding old Amritsar carpets were created by influential exporters to fuel the demand for exotic rugs...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
French Painted Antique Gueridon
Located in Austin, TX
Side table or gueridon from France made of solid wood construction that features the original paint in an antique cream tone. Hand carving can be found throughout and adds a neoclass...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Mid 20th Century Italian Tole Lamp
Located in Doylestown, PA
Mid 20th century Italian tole lamp with original shade.
Fine Italian tole column form table lamp in a warm ochre hue. It is intricately painted with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Tôle, Brass
Vintage Wooden Bed Italian Manufacture, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage wooden bed entirely hand made and realized in Italy in he early 20th Century.
Can be also used as a sofa.
Good condition.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
$3,686 Sale Price
30% Off
Table Box miniature fire-enameled Aleksej Nikolaevic Romanov Salimbeni.
Located in Firenze, FI
Rectangular table box with inward corners in gold-plated 925/1000 sterling silver with translucent enamel fired on guilloche and a fine round miniature in the centre, diameter cm. 4....
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
c1910 French Empire Gilt Metal Framed Cut Cascading Crystal Form Basket Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1910 Pair of French Empire style Gilt Metal Wall Sconces. In the cascading crystal to form tent bottom - that is this style. Bronzse framed Rair pair.
Category
1910s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$1,072 Sale Price / set
46% Off
Vintage French Empire Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Brass Gallery Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Mahogany Pedestal Base Round Center Table with Brass Gallery. Item features a pierced brass gallery, pedestal base, gold gilt details, beautiful wood grai...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Swans Green Tole Metal Shade Bouillotte Table Desk Lamp. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 26" H (to finial) x 12" H (to light socket) x 13" W x 9....
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Egg 4 Picture frames in Dark Red enamel with tripod Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Egg 4 Picture frames is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Egg 4 Picture frames has fired enamels on guilloché has fired enamels on guilloché and design engraved by hand.
Egg 4 Picture fr...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
A Pair Of Gilt Brass French Bouliotte Style Candle Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of Mid 20th century Gilt Brass Bouliotte style table lamps with new grey fabric shades. The circular plinth base with reeded stem supporting two tall candle style arms. Circul...
Category
1950s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Bronze Green Candlestick Column Bouillotte Desk Table Lamp
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Bronze Wreath Ormolu Dark Green Bouillotte Table Lamp with Dark Green Paper Shade (Not metal). Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 22.5" H (to finial). Base...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage mahogany and leather Empire style martini table after Maitland Smith
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome vintage mahogany and tooled black leather martini side table. This empire style side table features a black leather top with tooled gold decoration around the edge...
Category
1990s Philippine Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
1930
s Empire Opaline Glass Table Lamps - Pair
Located in New York, NY
pair of circa 1930's French Opaline glass table lamps with gilt bronze fittings
Category
1930s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$5,800 / set
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Tall three light electrified wall sconces with various decorative motifs top to bottom in a French inspired design. The eagle crest is perched atop clouds with an inscribed shield (t...
Category
Early 20th Century European Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Duncan Phyfe Style Love Seat Settee with Scrolling Arms
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Duncan Phyfe style loveseat settee with scrolling arms and featuring a floral print upholstery and matching side pillows. Infuse your home with timeless sophistication with Hollywood...
Category
1950s American Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,828 Sale Price
30% Off
Green Marble Top Fluted Wood Corinthian Column Pedestal Base Round Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
42" round green marble-top fluted Corinthian column coffee table. Item features a substantial green marble top with very attractive "wave" pattern veins. The marble top rests on a ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair Of Empire Style Niermann Weeks Crystal Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of wall sconces in the Empire style with embossed gilt metal having a floral-like design, three electrified lights with beeswax candle covers...
Category
20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair 1960s Austrian Empire style 24K Framed w/ Glass Bag/ Tent Form Wall Sconces
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair Austrian Empire style 24K Gold Framed "Bag and Tent" form Wall sconces. Manufactured by Palwa. Labelled.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Glass
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece
Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Gorgeous Pair of Empire Style Black
Gold Wall Mirrors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of Empire gold gilt and ebony black mirrors which are elegant statement pieces. The giltwood finish is complemented by a lovely ebony black washed gesso patina, and t...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Mirror
A pair of 1920s brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design
Located in London, GB
A pair of 1920s solid brass wall sconces in the empire style with feather design, each with two fittings, rewired with new fittings and PAT tested
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Box engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Shaped table box in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with fine fire-enameled engraving on the lid and hand-painted floral miniature in 18th century French Empire style. Dimension...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair Empire Style Mahogany Two-Tier Single Drawer Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Empire Style Mahogany Two-Tier single drawer Side Tables
Dimensions: 23.5" in width, 16.5" in depth and 24 inches in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Empire Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$1,121 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Table Cigar Box two-tone stripes enamel Sterling Silver Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
This divine Table Box is in 925/1000 sterling silver.
Table Box hand-painted miniature has a Rectangular shape with rounded corners.
On the cover there is a beautiful hand-engraved...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
French Empire Style Mahogany Writing Desk W/ Red Leather Top
Located in Astoria, NY
Handsome mid-20th century French writing desk, made in French Empire style and sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from rich mahogany, the desk features a rectangular...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
Monumental "Sac à Perles" Crystal Chandelier with Neoclassical Brass Frieze
Located in Mortsel, BE
Empire-style crystal chandelier dates from the mid-20th century and evokes the grandeur of French Neoclassical design. Often referred to as a "Sac à Perles" (bag of pearls) or basket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Mahogany French Empire Style Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
Attributed to Nordiska, this mahogany sideboard features bronze mounting on marble in a French Empire style.
Category
1940s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$7,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage French Empire Patinated Bronze Brass Column Table Lamps by Wildwood Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Empire Style Patinated Bronze/Brass Heavy Column Table Lamps by Wildwood - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H (to finial) x 25" H (to light socket) x...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of French gilt bronze and patinated bronze candelabra
French, 20th Century
Height 108cm, width 37cm, depth 32cm
A magnificent pair of 20th-century Empire-style candelabra, the...
Category
20th Century French Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Marbro French Empire Porcelain Bouillotte Candlestick Table Lamps Pair with Original Shades. Item features very rare cast ceramic porcelain forms in a gold and smoky charcoal...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1940s French Empire / Neo-Classical Style Tole Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are beautiful! These hand painted tole lamps are French. They are in very good condition and are signed. The base and body display many elements of the French Empire period. T...
Category
1940s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Metal
60s Monumental Empire 24K Gold Plated Bronze Amethyst Crystal Chandelier Palwa
By Palwa
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1960's Monumental Empire style 24K Gold Plated Bronze with Amethyst Cut Crystal Waterfall Semi Flush Mount Chandelier by Palme
Walter Palwa. This is a very high quality Chandel...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Italy 1970 Post-Modern Brass Porcelain Wall Lights
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant and glamorous two lights wall light in Pink Lilac color, it is part of the latest pieces manufactured by a well known Italian factory during the 1970’ and then left in ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,723 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Splendid Bronze French Empire Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Absolutely sublime top drawer bronze electried antique wall sconces having 2 lights each, and marvelous decoration including urn at the top, tassel at the bottom, acanthus leaves and...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Style Ebonized and Painted Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
French Empire style ebonized and painted mirror.
Antique French Empire style or Neoclassical style ebonized and painted vertical mirror from the 1920s.
This versatile mirror has a Cl...
Category
1920s French Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair Empire Malachite Gilt Torcheres Floor Lamps 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing an incredible pair of large Empire style floor lamps or torchieres
Hand crafted from gilt and faux malachite
The faux malachite is painted porcelain which looks very...
Category
1980s Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Paint
Armchair, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Armchair, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery.
dimensions :
height 82 cm seat height 47 cm width 56 cm de...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Table Box “The Great Odalisque” Fired Enamel on Guilloche Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
table box in sterling silver 925/1000 gold plated with edges with fire - enamelled stripes and upper frame with insertion of paillons in pure gold and beautRectangular iful fire-enam...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Empire Furniture
Materials
Gold Plate, Enamel, Sterling Silver
Empire Style Ebonized
Giltwood Pedestals, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Empire Style Ebonized and Gilt Painted Wood Pedestals, 20th century, each with a circular molded top above scrolled swan neck supports, on splayed legs joined by an undertier...
Category
Early 20th Century Empire Furniture
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
$1,150 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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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