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Empire Mirrors

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
French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and unique French 19th century Empire st. mahogany and ormolu mirror. The mirror is raised by a straight base with a fine mottled design. The original central mirror pl...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

Impressive Royal Early 19th Century German Empire Mirror
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A rare early 19th century German Empire giltwood trumeau mirror. The large rectangular plate surmounted by a scrolled pediment enriched with wines leaves and a central medallion encl...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Empire Psyche, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Large standing mirror with rotating mirror in an arched frame. The mirror is held by lateral columns which end in fire-gilded bronze urns. The bases are also fire-gilt. The psyche st...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

19thC Gilded Wood Framed Beveled Mirror
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple rectangular beveled mirror with a bright beaded water-gilt frame.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique 19th century large oval gold and silver leaf gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a large antique oval mirror that was made in France in the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860. The mirror is decorated with beautiful ornaments with rich sy...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

Late 19th C. French Overmantel Mirror
Located in Houston, US
This is an impressive classically styled yet restrained overmantel mirror and frame, painted with gilded decorative elements. Fluted pilasters are topped with a classical urn with pe...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Restored Empire Wall Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquered, Austria, 1820s
Located in Horomerice, CZ
It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the original process. Our professional refurbishing team in Cze...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Pearwood, Lacquer

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 Mirrors

Materials

Metal

Antique Empire style mirror, 19th Century
Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32
Antique Empire style mirror from the end of the 19th century. The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that was made in Denmark during the lat...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Vintage golden sunburst mirror
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. The golden mirror is in a good condition. 1960s - made in Belgium. Dimensions: Diameter: 35cm Ref.: 87456414 Ref.: 1
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

Empire Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Empire mirror, stuccoed and painted wood, scratched on the mirror
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century English Mahogany Empire Gentlemans Dressing Shaving Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive antique 19th century (circa 1880s) English Empire gentleman's dressing mirror. Made from mahogany with a beveled wooden frame supported by exceptional barley twist upright...
Category

1880s Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt Brass Pier Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This timeless piece features a swing open cabinet and pull out drawer. The drawer and lower cabinet door are keyed for secure locking, complemented by one barreled skeleton key. This...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Fireplace Empire Lombardy First Quarter 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Lombard fireplace set in walnut, with ebonized and gilded parts. In the lower part, a broken plinth base with ebonized reserves bounded by successional leaf-carved and gilded battens...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Nutwood

A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A crotch mahogany Empire wall mirror circa 1830.
Category

1830s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Italian Empire Period Walnut and Ebonized Demilune Console Tables with Mirrors
Located in Firenze, IT
These beautiful antique Italian Empire demilune console tables with mirrors date back to early 19th Century. We can assume they were made in Florence, Italy and they come from a vill...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Giltwood

Large French Empire Style Mirror with Gold Gilt Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large scale French Empire style mirror with beautiful neoclassical embossed motif in classic French form. Will add elegance to any room! #5862
Category

Early 20th Century Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

A square French Empire gilt wood mirror circa 1860.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A square French Empire gilt wood mirror circa 1860.
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

19th Antique Marquetry Inlaid Mahogany Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
About This is a beautiful antique Spanish flame mahogany and marquetry wall mirror, circa 1840. The mahogany frame is beautifully inlaid with a continuous marquetry border. The qua...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

19th Century Gold Green Painted Giltwood Empire Trumeau Mirror
Located in Madrid, ES
An old French Directory period, hand-carved trumeau mirror in gilded wood and painted in green, and its base in off-white. The mirror glass is original and just as it was done at the...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Italian Carved Giltwood Balloon Form French Empire Inspired Wall Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
It is an Italian carved giltwood balloon form mirror with French Empire styling. It has mirrored frame and Greek key and tassel appointments. It is marked and in very good condition....
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Empire Frame, Italy, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Wood stuccoed and gilded. Rectangular frame with cymatium frieze and pearl strip, alternating shell and dolphin decorations in relief.
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

French Painted Faux Marble Wood Empire Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful French painted faux marble wood empire mirror. amazing hand painted details. Very old and original details. Add some French style to your home.
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Antique early 20th century small oval gold leaf and paint gilt French mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This is a beautiful small oval mirror that was crafted in France in the early 20th century, around 1910. The mirror features a frame made of lime wood and is adorned with plaster mol...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Psyche Mirror in Mahogany, France, early 19th century
By P. Marcion
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Psyche mirror in solid and veneered mahogany with antique triangular pediment and feet carved in the shape of animal claws/paws (sphinx, lion). The bronze parts are on the theme of n...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Bronze

Italian Walnut Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Italian walnut mirror. Antique provincial bleached walnut mirror with later antiqued plate with clean modern classic lines. Italy, circa 1820. ...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Antique Mirror in Mahogany from the Late Empire perid from about 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique mirror in mahogany wood from the late Empire period from around the 1840s. Light in colour, due to sunlight over the years. Dimensions in cm: H:1...
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Italian American Federal-Style Oval Mirror with Eagle Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the sophistication of our vintage Italian American Federal-style oval wall mirror. This exquisite piece is hand-crafted from premi...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Giltwood, Mirror

Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Empire Walnut Leaf Carved Pier Wall Console Mirror. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 38" H x 22" W x 4.5" D
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

19th Century Blue-Grey French Antique Pair of Tall Allegorical Glass Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare pair of tall, antique French trumeau mirrors, in good condition. These antique slender mirrors are consisting partial gilded finish and the frames are patinated in the traditi...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Gilded Wood Trumeau, Floor Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A typical 19th century French carved and partial gilded Trumeau mirror, in good condition. The antique Floor mirror is consisting its original mir...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Antique Empire Pier Mirror Full Length Mahogany and Gold France Late 19th Centur
Located in Bjuråker, SE
A mahogany and gilded pier mirror from the French Empire, late 19th century. There is a gold-plated pearl rim around the rectangular mirror and a gold-plated flower on the corners. A...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

French 19th Century Empire Mahogany Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A courtly, Empire mirror from France with its original mirror plate. The frame is made of beveled mahogany decorated with gilt bronze stars, a motif commonly found throughout the Emp...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass

Circa 1820s Swedish Stripped Wood Empire Classical Style Wall Mirror
Located in London, GB
Wonderfully pale, this Swedish Empire style mirror circa 1820 has been stripped of its gilt, down to its pale soft tones beneath. The mirrored glass has been replaced and some of its...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood, Glass, Mirror

Large Golden Oval Frame
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6480 - Large golden oval frame, perfect for a mirror: it's better to mount the mirror Yourself, due to transport problems from Italy. On request i can do, however. It's very import...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair Of French 19th Century Empire St. Mahogany And Ormolu Mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very architectural pair of French 19th century Empire St. Mahogany and Ormolu mirrors. The pair of mirrors display mirror plates flanked by two Mahogany columns. The columns have a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

1970s Gilt Carved Resin Sculptural Wall Mirrors, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning wall mirrors you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Resin

Antique French gold leaf gilded mirror cabinet Empire era 1820s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Antique French gilded gold-leaf mirror 1820s Empire period,characteristics of the period are the four palmette decorations adorning the corners of the frame,original mercury mirror o...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mirror, Hand Polished Mahogany, Denmark, 1890s
Located in Lejre, DK
The Mirror of hand-polished mahogany is a beautifully crafted piece of art from the late Empire period. It is made in Denmark, dating back to the 1890s. The mahogany wood is carefull...
Category

1890s Danish Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Mirror, Frame, wonderful swan decor, Empire, 1815, Vienna Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful wall mirror from the Empire period, around 1820, made in Vienna, Austria, Europe. The mirror is in impressive good condition, only the mirror plate has been renewed to en...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Spruce

Midcentury Convex Eagle Mirror, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Resin convex mirror with an eagle - sometimes referred to as 'butler' mirror or 'witch eye' mirror. The mirror is in a very good condition. Beautiful eye catching mirror, ideal...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Resin

White Painted French Mirror
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French neoclassic style white painted and rubbed mirror with a molded cornice, paneled uprights each with flowerhead reliefs and with a beveled mirror. Dimensions: 52" W x 4.5" D...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Charming vanity mirror, table swivel mirror, bronze marble, Empire, 1820, France
Located in Wien, AT
Charming table mirror, a high quality work, made around the 1820s in France. The stand is out of bronze with a red marble base. The bronze stand is very delicately worked, with man...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Empire Style Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror by ‘Alix A Paris’, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Empire style mahogany and Parcel gilt overmantel Mirror by ‘Alix A Paris’. French, circa 1880. Stamped 'ALIX A PARIS'. The mirror has an arched bevelled plate within a moulded and ribbon-tied, berried laurel surround, it is surmounted by a military trophy cresting. 'Georges-François Alix...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Antique Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French rectangular wall mirror made of hand carved gilded Pinewood with its original mirror glass, in good condition. The arched mirror is particularized by detailed flowe...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood, Pine

Huge Mirror, Frame, mahogany, faceted, console available, ~1810, Empire, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Beautiful floor or full length mirror, from the Empire period, made around 1810 in Austria. This huge mirror is still in its original condition - about 20 years ago the surface was...
Category

1810s Austrian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Spruce

Antique Original Stand Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special LARGE standing mirror in empire style. Folding mirror on two sides. Dimensions:  Height: 180 ( 205 ) cm for mirr...
Category

Early 20th Century European Empire Mirrors

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Gilded Pinewood Wall Glass Mirror - Antique Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black-gold, antique French wall mirror made of hand crafted gilded Pinewood with its original mirrored glass, in good condition. The particularized carved Parisian mirror...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Pine

A pair of French early 19th century Empire period giltwood mirrors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive pair of French early 19th century Empire period Patinated and giltwood mirrors. The original mirrors plates are framed within an off white and gilt frame with bott...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Giltwood

Luxurious Vintage Mirror in Wooden Carved Frame, Belgium Large Wall Mirror
Located in Bastogne, BE
Empire Style vintage wall mirror in a beautiful wooden frame. Belgium. A mirror is an important accessory for any room. This model has a luxurious design that will add individuali...
Category

20th Century Belgian Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Elegant Table/Wall Mirror in Plated Silver. Empire Style, 19th Century
Located in Knivsta, SE
Elegant table/wall Mirror in plated silver. The mirror can be used both as a table mirror and for a wall ( see photos ). Beautifully decorated in Empire style and made in France duri...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Silver Plate

DIA Neoclassical Bronze, Brass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury neoclassical influenced mirror surrounded by brass trim and a bronze frame, made by Design Institute of America.
Category

20th Century American Empire Mirrors

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Baker Furniture Company Empire Mahogany & Gilt-Wood Mirror, 1990s
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Empire mahogany & gilt-wood mirror by Baker Furniture Company Additional information: Materials: mahogany, mirror Please note that this item contains materials that are legally...
Category

20th Century Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

FRENCH GILDED MIRROR 19th CENTURY
Located in Madrid, ES
FRENCH GILDED MIRROR 19th CENTURY VERY DECORATIVE FRENCH GILDED WOOD MIRROR FROM THE XIX CENTURY. IT IS IN GOOD GENERAL CONDITION WITH ITS OLD PATINA. THE MIRROR IS ALL ORIGINAL. ME...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror

Italian 19th Century Empire St. Cherrywood and Ormolu Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and large scaled Italian 19th century Empire st. Cherrywood and ormolu mirror. The rectangular mirror is flanked by two circular columns with bottom block feet decorated b...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Ormolu

Early 20th C Empire Bronze & Gilt Mounted Mahogany Console / Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Empire Neoclassical Brass Mounted and Mahogany Wall Mirror in good condition. Solid Mahogany frame. Measures 18" in width and 36" tall. Mirror glass is 15"W x 2...
Category

Early 20th Century American Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Empire Pair of Metal Wall Glass Mirrors, Parisian Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of wall mirrors with an arched top, made of hand crafted metal in good condition. The large mirror is consisting its original mirrored, leaded glass particular...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Mirrors

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Golden Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Gilded resin sunburst mirror with convex mirror glass. Rare example with a very unusual shape. Beautiful eye catching design. The golden mirror is in a very good condition. ...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Empire Mirrors

Materials

Mirror, Resin

Empire mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire mirrors 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 mirrors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include mirrors, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire mirrors 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 mirrors, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, C. Werné, Chelini Firenze, and Design Institute America. 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 mirrors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $321 and tops out at $161,044 while the average work can sell for $3,200.

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