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Empire Chairs

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 19th Century French Empire Style Chairs With Red Silk Upholstered Seat
Located in Sheridan, CO
Extraordinary pair of French Empire style mahogany chairs featuring a tub or gondola form frame. Minimally decorated having a curved back,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Silk, Mahogany

Set of Four Late Empire Klismos Chairs . Denmark 1840's
Located in Kastrup, DK
A set of four elegant Late Empire Klismos chairs in a classic design. Crafted with quality, featuring frames made of mahogany and polished beech, tastefully refinished with French po...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Mahogany

Antique chair, Northern Europe, circa 1890. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from the end of the 19th century, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest are covered with new f...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Walnut

19th Italian Empire Walnut 8 Chairs 1800
Located in Roma, RM
Group of Eight Italian walnut chairs, inlaid with fruit wood, Campania region , likely from the city of Naples. Circular shape with an arched back that makes back support comfortable...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

14 French Empire Dining Chairs. Circa 1820
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very smart set of fourteen solid and elegant dining room chairs dating from 1820' s between the Empire and the Restauration period. Although very similar...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Antique chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. The seat and backrest are covered with new fabric. Dimensio...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Chair, Northern Europe, late 19th century. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chair from around 1890, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 96 cm / seat height. 45 cm / width 47 cm...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Baker Klismos Chairs with leather Strapping, set of four
Located in Wichita, KS
These beautiful and hard to find Baker Klismos chairs are in a class of their own. Vintage and in great condition with a curved back, leather stra...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

MID 19th CENTURY SET OF EIGHT EMPIRE CHAIRS
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant set of eight Empire style chairs, made of solid carved mahogany, with pure gold finishes. The front legs are shapely and straight, while the rear ones are flared, creating a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Gold

Antique chairs, Northern Europe, around 1870. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A set of chairs from the 19th centuries. Furniture in very good condition, professionally renovated. The seats have been covered with new fabric. Dimensions: height 87 cm / seat h...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Empire Style Six French Chairs " Gondola" Model
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. Six sophisticated and beautiful French chairs " a gondola" model made of fine walnut wood and with seat upholstery in sturdy purple cotton; very refined are the rounded carvings made by hand where the backrest joins the front legs; the six chairs, due to their practical and comfortable shape, are optimal to be placed around a table as dining chairs; they are a typical and classic example of the empire style in the so-called " a gondola" shape. "Empire style gondola chairs...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Walnut

Coastal Ebony Pencil Reed Pod Chairs - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Fantastic pair of Coastal ebony pencil reed pod chairs. Beautiful organic shape in a deep rich brown- almost black. Flashes of the natural still ...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Empire Chairs

Materials

Reed, Ebony

Italian Empire Style Bergere or Tub Chair
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Style bergère or tub chair, gray-painted with barrel-back molded crest rail above upholstered back, arms, and seat with drop in cushion upholstered in a white linen weave...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Giltwood

Set of Four Baltic Empire Karelian Flame Birch Dining Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Set of two Baltic empire karelian flame birch dining chairs from circa 1810-1820. Very elegant and architectural craftsmanship. Upholstered with fabric from Manuel canvas.
Category

1810s Baltic Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

19th Century Mahogany Pair of Library Armchairs
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very fine quality pair of 19th century mahogany French Empire library armchairs having well figured Top rails over enclosed swept arms with c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the exclusivity of Italian handcraftsmanship is wrapped up in this chair with armrests by the producer Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat, bac...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Chairs

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

21st Century Empire-Style White Lacquered Chair by Modenese Gastone
Located in PADOVA, Italy
All the preciousness of Italian craftsmanship is wrapped up in this empire-style chair from Modenese Gastone Interiors. The frame is in solid wood, while the seat and the back are pa...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Chairs

Materials

Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf

19th Century Empire Revival Side Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Period Empire side chair: This highly stylized chair has brass inlay and ormolu features to include reclining goddesses, feathers and detailed Roman feet all newly upholstered in a b...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Antique Bergere Barley Twist Library Armchair with Brown Leather Seat
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Antique Bergere library armchair with barley twist form & brown leather upholstered seat, 1800s One popular furniture technique is a type of wood turning that first appeared in England and France in the 1600s. Furniture with spiral-turned legs or trim was known as "barley twist" or "barley sugar...
Category

19th Century British Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Leather, Cane, Beech

French Empire Burlwood Chair
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th Century French Empire burl wood chair featuring stylized ormolu to include swans, lyre, acanthus and ribbons with lion's paw sabots. Seat newly upholstered in a dark chocolate...
Category

19th Century European Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Ormolu

Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Pair of Early 19th Century Italian Hall Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Step into the elegance and grandeur of the Napoleonic period with this exceptional pair of early 19th century Italian mahogany hall chairs. During the Napoleonic period, hall chairs ...
Category

1820s Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone 2 small gaps at the top of the armrests, which does not interfere with the stability of the chair
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Empire Period Armchair in Walnut, Upholstery Redone
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Empire period armchair in walnut, upholstery redone.
Category

1860s French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Tapestry, Walnut

Antique Set of Two Armchairs in Mahogany Empire Style, 1920
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Danish Empire style hand-polished mahogany armchairs with striped fabric from around the 1920s. Measurements in cm: H:84 W:52 D:47 SH:50 This product will be inspected ...
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire Chairs from Around 1810-1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Empire chairs from around 1900 Solid wood mahogany. Seat upholstered and covered with black fabric. Very stable and robust built. Hind...
Category

19th Century German Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Rider Gold Velvet and Brass Dining Chair
Located in New York, NY
Parisian Flair. Our modern homage to an Empire style dining chair. Our rider dining chair is petite and glamorous, but ultra-comfy. Great as a dinin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Chairs

Materials

Nickel

17th Century Italian Black Lacquered Herringbone Cane Seat Chiavari Chair
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration is a solitary black lacquered Chiavari chair in beautiful vintage condition. Featuring turned legs and hand carved purple willow frame and backrest in a restrained 17th century Empire style and painted in a black lacquer with a herringbone woven cane seat. Chiavari chairs originated in the city of Chiavari, Italy and are the creation of early 17th century Italian cabinet...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Cane

Set Four Klismos Chairs COM
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage blond Klismos chairs with newly upholstered seats. Send your fabric and we can upholster at no extra charge and quick turnaround.
Category

Late 20th Century Empire Chairs

Materials

Wood

French Empire Bergère Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
The beautiful design of this pair of French upholstered bergère chairs exemplifies the artistry and elegance of the Empire period. Exhibiting perfect proportions, the chairs are enha...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

French Pair 19th C. Empire Style Fauteuils, Newly Upholstered in Belgian Linen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French pair of Empire style armchairs, with their original painted finish, from the 19th century. These antique fauteuils from France each fea...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Armchairs with Fretwork Detailing to Their Back S
Located in London, GB
A pair of charming late 19th century upholstered painted Swedish open armchairs with a decorative fretwork border detail and turned stretchers to their backs. Recently reupholstered in a light vintage French linen...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique 19th C Empire Star & Shield Coat of Arms Dining Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19th C Empire star & shield coat of arms dining chairs Priced each. Additional information: Materials: Mahogany Color: Olive Period: 19th Century Styles: Empire Numb...
Category

19th Century Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Style Padded Chair
Located in Premariacco, IT
Single chair from the 1950s in wood with backrest and seat in the original fabric of the time. Shows normal signs of wear, note how little it has been used. The seat is still prot...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Empire Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Pair of Empire Style Armchairs with Versacesque Decoration
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of maximalist empire revival style armchairs featuring Versace inspired motifs. The chairs have a classic gondola shaped frame with faux leather naugahyde upholstery. The faux l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Chairs

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Empire Side Chairs, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of two Empire Side Chairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant chairs stand out for their plain design and the beautifully designed front legs. The side chairs have a cher...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Cherry

19th Century French Empire Library Armchair
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Fine Quality Early 19th Century Mahogany French Empire Period Library Armchair, Of Bold Proportions, With Fine Ormolu Mounted Decoration Throughout, Having Upholstered Back Ov...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

French Empire Fauteuil
Located in Sharon, CT
Impressive black armchair of typical French Empire form, beautifully upholstered. Subtly incised palmettes where the arm rails meet the seat. Original b...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Wood

French Empire Style Mahogany & Leather Saber Legs Dining Chair, A Set of 8
Located in Plainview, NY
A stunning French Empire Style set of 8 dinning chairs. The chairs are made of quality Mahogany wood. The frame is exquisitely hand carved and shows a...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Around 1800 Baltic States 4 Dining Chairs Mohagony Brasswire Decor
Located in Epfach, DE
4 chairs for a dining room, around 1800, provenance probably from a noble household in the Baltic States Mahogany, backrests and seat frames decorated with brass wire, designed in s...
Category

1810s Baltic Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Set of 6 Empire Barrel Chairs, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique and original set of 6 early 19th century Empire barrel chairs stands out for its elegant design. The chairs feature a beautiful walnut...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Set of Four Empire Barrel Chairs
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of 4 Empire Barrel chairs dates back to around 1810-20. They come from France. The chairs have a very pretty walnut veneer. They have a v...
Category

1810s French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Impressive 12 Chairs First Empire Napoleon III Early 19th Cent Sold at Sotheby's
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive 12 chairs first Empire Napoleon III early 19th century. Sold at Sotheby's for €25,000 golden wood and silk 80cm x 48cm provenance: Roman family. perfect condition for...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Empire Armchairs / Chairs, Maple Wood, Paris, 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Seat group made of maple wood with rosewood intarsia, France, presumably G. Alphonse Jacob, the last of the famous Eben family, probably second quarter of the 19th century. Semi-circ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Maple

17th Century Gilded Italian Chiavari Chairs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Offered for your consideration are a pair of antique Italian 17th century gilded Empire Chiavari chairs. Gilded willow hardwood with woven...
Category

Early 17th Century Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Set of Three Painted Pine Children's Chairs
Located in Baltimore, MD
These delightful plank seat children’s chairs are in a rustic Empire style, with a scroll at the top of the back rail and turned legs at the front. In old worn buttermilk paint. Seat...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Empire Chairs

Materials

Pine

CENTURY Empire Style Carved Dolphin Head Occasional Chair
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Empire style occassional chair by Century. Fruitwood with carved gold painted dolphin heads, ebony painted arms, carved acanthus leaves to knees and st...
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood, Fabric

Late 19th Century Set of Six Italian Neoclassical Klismos Empire Dining Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Very elegant late 19th century set of six Italian Neoclassical Klismos shaped Empire side or dining chairs: standing on four tapering and partially fluted legs topped by paterae ca...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Empire Chairs French 20th Century Green Leather
Located in Labrit, Landes
French Empire Revival Side Chairs Early 20th century The green leather seat can easily be changed to suit your interior Good vintage condition with nice patina Frames are sound and...
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Set of Six Late 19 Century Empire Style Gondola Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very nice set of dining/occasional gondola chairs; two open armchairs and four side chairs. The chair frames are of mahogany and are richly decorated with gilded bronze mounts feat...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Rare Set of Jacob Frères Empire Chairs and Armchairs
Located in Paris, FR
Rare set of 6 chairs and 6 armchairs, painted and partial gilt. The underside of each backseat is stamped JACOB FRÈRES RUE MESLEE. This stamp was used between 1796 and 1803. Empir...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Wood

Set of Ten French Empire Mahogany Caned Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Glorious set of ten mahogany dining chairs made in the neoclassical French empire taste. The chairs feature decorative bronze mounts ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Empire mahogany armchair makes an ideal style statement for the tailored, more formal decor. Handcrafted from exot...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Carved Chair with Armrests by Modenese
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Come have a seat at this wonderfully upholstered chair with armrests by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium flo...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Empire Style Parcel Gilt and Ebonized Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique piece Empire style parcel gilt and Ebonized armchair.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Giltwood, Ebony

Empire Walnut and Gold Leaf Hand-Made Sitting Chair by Modenese Gastone Interior
Located in PADOVA, Italy
Have a seat on this wonderfully upholstered empire side chair by Modenese Gastone Interiors featuring a wood frame gold leaf applied in details, upholstered with a premium floreal sa...
Category

2010s Italian Empire Chairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair of Late Empire Armchairs in Birch, 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
A pair of Late Empire armchairs in birch and upholstered with red fabric from around the 1840s. The chairs are in great antique condition.
Category

1840s Danish Antique Empire Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Empire chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire chairs 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 chairs, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Century Furniture, Dedar, and Europa Antiques. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $325 and tops out at $73,317 while the average work can sell for $3,878.

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