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Empire Ceramics

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 Sevres Style Swan Cream Cups
Located in Copenhagen, K
A beautiful pair of Sevres Style cream cups, in the form of gilded Swans.
Category

18th Century and Earlier European Antique Empire Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

French Empire Style Porcelain Cartographic Cabinet Plate
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A beautiful French Empire style porcelain cartographic cabinet plate made circa 1825 featuring a map of North America highlighted with an apple-green an...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

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Tan Dots Porcelain Tall Cup by Lana Kova
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Ceramic drinking cup. Hand-cast in porcelain and once bisque fired, each dot is hand-painted with a tan glaze. An unconventional layered glazing technique, developed by the artist, is used in these cast porcelain pieces. The straight walls and sleek cylindrical form of this cup adds a modern touch to any dining table. There are more iterations of this cylindrical form in the form of vase, that when paired with these cups can make for lively and fun table...
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Sevres Hand Painted Matched Porcelain Cabinet Cup and Saucer
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Pair of 19th Century Sevres Porcelain Vases
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A good quality pair of 19th century 'Sevres' porcelain hand-painted classical vases, depicting romantic scenes to the panels, set in a dark blue background with gilded decoration and...
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Pair of Sevres Louis Phillippe plates
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Pair of Antique Sèvres Vases
Located in Brighton, Sussex
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Pair of Antique Sèvres Vases
Pair of Antique Sèvres Vases
H 26 in W 12.5 in D 10 in
Georgian John Ridgway Plate Porcelain Hand Painted botanical, Circa 1820
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This is a beautiful, decorative, Porcelain Botanical Plate by John Ridgway, of Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire Potteries, England, dating to the Late Georgian period of the early 19th...
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Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning French sevres soft paste hand decorated Rich Celeste Blue Porcelain lidded Chocolate Cup of museum quality, complete with its original undertray and dome cover with a leafy ...
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Chamberlains Worcester Plate Porcelain Dragon in Compartments Ptn. 75, Ca 1800
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality porcelain Plate or Dish, all hand painted in the Dragon in Compartments pattern, Number 75, by Chamberlains Worcester, dating to the George 111rd years, circa ...
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A set of three 19th Century French Sèvres fine gilded porcelain cups and saucers with tall scrolled handles. Hand-painted floral decoration. Sèvres mark to underside with red Château...
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19th Century French Antique Empire Ceramics

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Porcelain Plate from Meissen, Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
Blue onion plate from Meissen Germany Signature from late 19th century Very good condition, small chip shown at the picture.
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Late 19th Century German Antique Empire Ceramics

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Porcelain

Porcelain Chinoiserie Plates with the Boy and Buffalo Pattern, Miles Mason
Located in Downingtown, PA
English porcelain pair of Chinoiserie plates with the boy and buffalo pattern, Probably Miles Mason, circa 1805 The beautiful English porcelain Bone China plates depict a pattern found on Chinese Export porcelain and were most likely made as replacements. The pattern depicts a boy on a buffalo in a Chinese landscape with polychrome colors particularly green. A band of orange ribbon is painted around the rim. See the attached photos of a Chinese famille rose prototype with the same design from circa 1760. Diameter: 8 3/4 inches x 1 1/4 inches high Reference: Silk Roads, China Ships...
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Previously Available Items
Adda Bonfils for Ipsens, Terracotta Sculpture of Mother and Child
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Adda Bonfils (1883-1943) for Ipsens Copenhagen. Large terracotta sculpture of mother with child. Dated 1911. Measures: 38 x 26 cm. Stamped. In very good condition.    
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1910s Danish Vintage Empire Ceramics

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Sèvres Ceramic Gilded Bronze Box Paul Milet, France
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Pretty ceramic box by Sèvres finished with elegant decorations in Empire style in gilded bronze, on the lid is applied a medallion also in gilded bronze which represents a graceful cupid in flight, smiling for having hurled his arrow of love,(Cupid or Amor are named in Latin of Eros, the God of love and desire, son of Venus); the medallion, excellently executed, bears the signature of Julien Prosper Joseph Marie Edmond Legastelois, known as Julien Prosper Legastelois, a renowned French sculptor and famous medalist, born in Paris on 24 May 1855 and died in the same city in 1931. On the bottom of the box is the brand "MP Sèvres" which identifies the author of this “jewel”, it is Paul Millet. Paul Milet...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Ceramics

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19th Century French Faience Masonic Cachepot
Located in Winter Park, FL
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Selection of Modernist Ceramic Plaques
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of modernist ceramic plaques, circa 1950s. They are: 1) Mischievous boy ceramic plaque, in the manner of Pablo Picasso, French, circa 1950s. It is pictured at the top and ...
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Vienna Porcelain Plaque Abundianta Amongst the Arts, Dated 1822
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
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20th Century French Empire Style Hand Painted Red Ceramic Amphora Vase, 1920s
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1920s French Vintage Empire Ceramics

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Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vase by Christian Dior.  
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Vase by Christian Dior
Vase by Christian Dior
H 11.03 in W 6.7 in D 5.12 in
Set of Six Creil Montereau Plates, circa 1810
Located in Doylestown, PA
A rare set of six Creil octagonal plates with blue trim, circa 1810, in great condition, stamped "Creil" on bottoms.
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Pair of Old Paris Campagna Form Urns
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Empire ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire ceramics 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 ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire ceramics 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,350 and tops out at $2,200 while the average work can sell for $1,775.

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