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Empire Bottles

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
Art Nouveau Crystal and Gilt Brass Bottle with Stopper 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A pretty crystal, stoppered bottle, intricately clad in an openwork gilt-brass motif of entwined poppies and mistletoe. This square-sided Art Nouveau period bottle features a simple,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pair of 19th Century Bronze-Mounted Decanters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French or possibly Russian. Finely chased bronze details. Handcut crystal. Rare.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

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19th Century Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Cornucopia Vases on Marble Bases, Pair
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This pair of neoclassical rython form garnitures are well detailed and finely cut.
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Grand Tour Mounted Urns, a Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
These urns are extremely high quality in decoration and casting. True Neoclassical gilt bronze grand tour objects and what makes it better? A PAIR!.
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Late 19th Century Bronze Pots
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A couple of small decorative pots. Circa Late 19th Century. Large: 4"T 3.5"D Small 3"Т 3ªD
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French 19th Century Baccarat Crystal Perfume Bottles with Cutaway Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Baccarat Crystal perfume bottles from the 19th century with stoppers and cutaway motifs. A pair of French Baccarat Crystal perfume bottles from the 19th century, exuding opulence and timeless elegance with their exquisite cutaway motifs and meticulously crafted stoppers. Born from the mastery of Baccarat, the world-renowned French crystal house...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Wood and Bronze Planters, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood and bronze planters. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Bronze

Gallé, Vase With Pine Cones, Art Nouveau, Late 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Gallé vase decorated with pine cones, on a background in brown-beige tones Signed, good condition Height 20cm Diameter approx 8 cm
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Art Glass

Five Art Nouveau Perfume Bottles circa 1900 Silver Overlay on Glass 19th Century
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This collection of five late 19th century/early 20th century (circa 1890-1910) perfume bottles with lids/stoppers (note stoppers are interchangeable). Of European make possibly Engl...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Silver

Pair of 19TH Century Bronze Mounted Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine petite pair with " ox blood " porcelain overlaid and appointed with rich bronze mounts and raised upon bronze and marble bases. Beautiful quality.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19TH Century Bronze Mounted Urns
Pair of 19TH Century Bronze Mounted Urns
H 10.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Japanese bronze vases depicting scenes with different birds. These would make a wonderful pair of lamps.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Empire Bottles

19th Century Ships in a Bottle
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
Price per bottle. A fabulous selection of four 19th century ships in a bottle. Demonstrating hand-painted scenes, with the charming addition of mode...
Category

19th Century British Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Glass

19th Century Ships in a Bottle
19th Century Ships in a Bottle
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
19th Century Russian Dore Bronze Mounted Amethyst Crystal Scalloped Rim Tazza
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic quality 19th century Russian Empire period Dore bronze mounted amethyst crystal scalloped rim tazza/cache-pot. The crystal is of a beautiful rich amethyst purple color. The crystal is beautifully hand-cut and shaped with a scalloped rim. The crystal is mounted on an incredible dore bronze base with the finest quality. The base is all hand-burnished and matted with an acanthus leaf design and is resting on a square plinth with an acanthus leaf border. The Crystal is easily attributable to the Imperial Russian Glass...
Category

19th Century Russian Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

19th Century Dutch Boxed Crystal and Gold scent- or perfume bottle
Located in Delft, NL
19th century Dutch boxed crystal and gold scent- or perfume bottle A Dutch boxed golden perfume bottle. A perfume bottle of crystal with a golden cap. The c...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Gold

Previously Available Items
Set of Early 19th Century French Empire Period Crystal Perfume Bottles, Bronze
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This set of four early 19th century French Empire period crystal perfume bottles features cut crystal stoppers and a bronze case. The rim of the bottles are surrounded by bronze band...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask
Located in Paris, FR
Pink opaline flask with white enamel decorations featuring palmettes, small dots, and floral motifs. Gold bands accent the base and the neck. The opaline imitates porcelain and is em...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Opaline Glass

Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask
Mid-19th Century Opaline Flask
H 7.49 in Dm 3.75 in L 7.49 in
19th Century French Opaline Glass "Service De Nuit"
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A 19th century French Opaline glass "Service de Nuit" three gradual sized bottles with stoppers, one lidded sugar bowl and one cup, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Opaline Glass

Set of 19th Century Baccarat "Empire" Vanity Decanter and Lidded Jar
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A French Second Empire period crystal decanter and a crystal lidded jar from Baccarat Paris embossed in gold with the "Empire" design. Stamped on the bottom of the jar.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Empire bottles for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire bottles for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bottles created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, crystal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire bottles made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 bottles differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,950 and tops out at $3,950 while the average work can sell for $3,950.

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