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Empire Western European Rugs

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
Fine Continental Savonnerie Carpet
Located in London, GB
Savonnerie pieces are undoubtedly the most prestigious of all European knotted pile carpets; the Savonnerie manufactory was first established in 1615, by Pierre DuPont, in a disused ...
Category

Late 20th Century European Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

1920 Floral Yellow Needlepoint Rug
Located in Los Angeles, US
Needlepoint rugs were created using the traditional needlework weaving technique that is used to make everyday items from furniture to carpets and artwork. However, it has a fascinat...
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

1920s Antique European Portuguese Arriolos Rug 15'7'' X 12'1''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Arraiolos rugs represent the epitome of the Portuguese textile industry, but their origin dates back to a place far from their namesake. To understand what makes these sought-after r...
Category

1920s Vintage Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Textile

1900s Antique European Rug 13′ × 16′3″
Located in Los Angeles, US
Savonnerie Carpets – During the early seventeenth century, a weaver named Pierre DuPont traveled to the Levant. Upon his return, he claimed to have discovered the technique of creati...
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century French empire period Aubusson carpet (8' 8" x 12' 6"- 264 x 381).
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Empire Style Needlework Rug in Green and Pink
By Savonnerie
Located in London, GB
A fine French Empire style needlework carpet, in deep green with pink and beige tones. Wonderfully decorative bold pattern and colours will certainly make a room. Possibly Portugu...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson ( 13 6'' x 16'3'' - 410 x 495 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Empire Period Aubusson Carpet ( 13 6'' x 16'3'' - 410 x 495 )
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mini Turkish Mat Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mini size Turkish rug from the third quarter of the 20th century Measures: 1'6” x 2'8".
Category

20th Century Turkish Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 19th Century French Charles X Period Aubusson Carpet (15'8"x16'3"-478x495)
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Aubusson Carpet - 1st Empire Period French 19th century rooms must often have been square since so many carpets of the c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 19th Century French Empire Period Savonnerie Carpet ( 8'x13'6" - 243x412 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century French Savonnerie Carpet from Empire Period (8' x 13' 6" - 243 x 412 cm)
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Very Fine French Aubusson Carpet of the 19th Century
Located in Rome, IT
A very fine French Aubusson carpet of the 19th century. Measures: cm 530 x 480.
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Related Items
Fine Handwoven Savonnerie Style Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
High quality rug made in Romania. This magnificent work of art features a French Savonnerie inspired design with a masterful coloration. 100% natural wool pile. Brand new.
Category

2010s Romanian Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rug & Kilim's Traditional European Style Rug Green and Gold Pictorial Pattern
Located in Long Island City, NY
This 4 x 6 rug joins the European collection by Rug & Kilim, drawing inspiration from a western interpretation of traditional dragon and phoenix imagery alte...
Category

1980s Nepalese Vintage Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Silk, Wool

Modern Needlepoint Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Modern Portuguese Needlepoint rug with an all over floral design. This piece has fine details, great colors, and a beautiful design. It would be the pe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modern Needlepoint Rug
Modern Needlepoint Rug
W 107 in L 142 in
Beige Aubusson Rug Botanical Carpet Handwoven Wool Needlepoint Floral Rug
Located in Hampshire, GB
This fantastic area rug has been handwoven with a beautiful symmetrical floral design woven on an ivory beige background with cream green and ivory accents. Both the color and design...
Category

1990s French Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Organic Material, Wool, Cotton

Blush Pink Carpet Aubusson Rug Vase Floral Area Rug Handwoven Home Needlepoint
Located in Hampshire, GB
This fantastic area rug has been handwoven with a beautiful symmetrical floral design woven on an ivory background, cream green, and Rust red Blush Pink border. This elegant piece's ...
Category

1990s British Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Organic Material, Cotton

Antique European Needlepoint Rug
Located in New York, NY
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modern Handwoven Jute Carpet Rug in Black Pink Green White Geometric
Located in Madrid, ES
This jute rug has been ethically hand stitched in the finest jute yarns by artisans in India, using a traditional weaving technique of this area. As its handwoven in natural fibre ya...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Jute

French Aubusson Floral Medallion Needlepoint Area Rug Carpet Mat 4' x 6'
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century hand embroidered French Aubusson needlepoint tapestry rug / carpet featuring a floral design of pink and blue flowers on concentric frames of peach / pink, beige, and cr...
Category

20th Century Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Textile

Antique Victorian English Needlework Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A fine English needlework worked in both petit and gros point distinguished by a floral spray on a black background, contained within a reserve defined by ribbon-like, stylised acant...
Category

1890s English Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Early 19th Century Antique French Aubusson
Located in New York, NY
A rare size early 19th century French Aubusson rug. 6'8'' x 7'11''
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Beige Floral Aubusson Rug Handwoven Wool Needlepoint, Traditional Botanical Rug
Located in Hampshire, GB
This fantastic area rug has been handwoven with a beautiful, symmetrical floral design woven on an ivory background with cream green and ivory accents. This elegant piece's colour an...
Category

1990s Chinese Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Organic Material

Outstanding 19th Century French Aubusson Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
Outstanding late 19th century French Aubusson rug with a classical pattern containing scrolling acanthus leaves and floral bouquets around a central floral medallion surrounded by a ...
Category

1870s French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Previously Available Items
16th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Category

16th Century Belgian Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

16th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry
16th Century Antique Brussels Tapestry
Free Shipping
W 26 in L 43 in
Funky Orange Pop Turkish 20th Century Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish Yastik rug mat with a saturated colors on a navy field. Measures: 1'4” x 3'2".
Category

20th Century Turkish Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

French Savonnerie Style Wool Carpet
By Savonnerie
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A colourful woven pile carpet in the Louis XV/XVI Savonnarie style; flowers, scrolls, cartouches surround a central medallion.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Empire western european rugs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire western european rugs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage western european rugs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire western european rugs made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Unknown 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 western european rugs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $52,500 while the average work can sell for $14,100.

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