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Empire Furniture

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
Color:  Blue
Chinese Peking Dragon Runner
Located in New York, NY
Very rare antique Chinese Peking runner with a pictorial dragon motif found in field and border in two shades of predominant blues. The size on this piece is original which makes an ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of Large Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Empire Style Vases
Located in London, GB
These splendid malachite and ormolu mounted vases are executed in the French Empire style, and are emblazoned with gilt decoration that has an unmistakable air of confidence, pride, ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Late 18th Century Dagoty French Porcelain Plate Cobalt Blue Children Playing
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this extraordinary Dagoty porcelain plate showing children playing. The happy children are joined by their dog in a scene painted in grisaille. On this plate, the border of deep cobalt blue is lavishly gilded in a dramatic geometric pattern. As we see here, burnished gilt was another hallmark of Dagoty porcelains. The formal border juxtaposes the informal scene of the children at play with the geometric design. This type of contrast is typically French, and only the French made porcelains with this particular type of sophisticated contrast. Romanticism had a strong influence on the Dagoty porcelains of the last decade of the 18th century. Anecdotal scenes, indoor scenes, and scenes showing children's games replaced neoclassical subjects. The new themes were more human and had a much less rigid atmosphere. Condition: Excellent Diameter: 8 inches Price: $420 Background: The Paris retail shop was on the Boulevard Montmartre. The Dagoty factory made hard paste porcelain. The factory was in the Rue de Chevreuse, Paris, leased for nine years in 1800 by brothers Pierre-Louis (1771-1840) and Etienne-Jean-Baptiste Dagoty (1772-1800). Pierre-Louis became sole owner in 1804, and in 1807 the lease was renewed for a further nine years. The factory was under the protection of the Empress Josephine and supplied porcelain for Versailles. In 1816, Dagoty went into partnership with Edouard Honoré...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Schumacher Toile De La Prairie Pillow in Blue
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Toile De La Prairie with a self welt finish. A meadow’s worth of songbirds, butterflies, blooming branches, and seed pods intermingle...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Empire Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Chinese Runner
Located in New York, NY
Rare short and narrow antique soft blue Chinese runner.
Category

20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of Continental Faux Painted Malachite Wooden Pyramids
Located in Southampton, NY
Pair of continental faux painted malachite wooden pyramids.
Category

1920s European Vintage Empire Furniture

French Baccarat blue Opaline Crystal Vase, Empire style, Signed
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Rare Baccarat opaline crystal vase - single flower vase, beautiful light blue opaline enhanced with a fine gold gilt Empire style pattern. Baccarat signature is stamped on the base ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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Bois De Chene Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Amp up your space with our fresh mix of plush throw pillows, ready to ship in 3-5 days! While each one looks fabulous on its own, we ascribe to the ‘more is more’ philosophy when it ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Empire Furniture

Materials

Polyester

Bois De Chene Pillow
H 22 in W 22 in D 1 in
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Antique Chinese Art Deco Beijing Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite mid-century Chinese Beijing rug, featuring a captivating design and vibrant colors. Hand-knotted with meticulous craftsmanship, this rug boasts a blue field adorned with st...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Bobyrug’s Wonderful Fine Large Vintage Chinese Peking Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Very beautiful large mid century Chinese rug, entirely and very finely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation with pretty Chinese Art Deco design and beautiful colors, wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Chinese Pictorial Rug with Deer and Crane Figures
Located in Atlanta, GA
Measures: 5' x 7'7. This enchanting east Chinese rug incorporates five symbols of longevity: the deer, the crane, a tree, rocks and water. Originally of Chinese origin, the symbols took on a secular presence within Tibetan art. The four corners contain objects that are artistic and scholarly in nature. The rug was probably intended to bring the owner the good fortune of a long life matched with great intelligence and artistic ability. Antique Chinese pictorial rug with deer...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Schumacher Daydream Pillow
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Beautiful pillow crafted in our Saint Louis studio. Schumacher Daydream is a beautiful floral print fabric. Down feather insert included.   
Category

2010s American Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Schumacher Daydream Pillow
Schumacher Daydream Pillow
H 20 in W 20 in D 7 in
19th Century French Toile De Jouy Red and White Textile, Monuments of Paris
Located in Stamford, CT
Pretty amazing large piece of French Toile. 19th century, possibly dating from the Empire period. With Napoleon Bonaparte on top of the bronze column in the Place Vendome. Also showi...
Category

1820s French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Textile

Accent Ball Pillow in Blue Fabric
Located in Utrecht, NL
One might not realize it, but decorative, or accent pillows are among the most important home accessories. Pillows are the easiest and fastest way to transform an entire home decor. They can add pops of colour, texture, and luxury despite their relatively small size. Furthermore, they can be changed easily according to seasons and trends. This geometric accent pillow...
Category

2010s European Empire Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Boho Malachite Pyramids- a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
A striking pair of vintage Pyramids. A chic Malachite malachite over wood construction. Perfect to add a flash of glamour to any space. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Late 20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite

Meissen Porcelain Deep Cabinet Plate with Handles
Located in Vilnius, LT
Meissen Porcelain deep cabinet plate with handles. This piece is hand painted in cobalt blue with floral motive in the center and richly decorated gold ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Hand Painted Porcelain Plate
Located in Vilnius, LT
Meissen porcelain plate in relief decor and hand painted in gold.
Category

Mid-20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Russian Neoclassical Style Malachite Obelisks
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Russian neoclassical style obelisks of malachite. Square, tapered shafts on a raised panel stepped base. Great color to malachite. One obelisk has a slight 'lean' to the up...
Category

20th Century Russian Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Stone

German Continental Hand-Carved Wooden Chess Set
Located in New York, NY
German Continental (1sts quarter 20th Century) hand-carved wooden chess set with 32 pieces. (two pawns are not original). (Marked on base: "Valentine ...
Category

20th Century German Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
French Baccarat blue Opaline Crystal Vase, Empire style, Signed
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Rare Baccarat opaline crystal vase - single flower vase, beautiful light blue opaline enhanced with a fine gold gilt Empire style pattern. Baccarat signature is stamped on the base ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Sterling Silver Lady's Cigar Case for Purse Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
French Empire style for this Lady's cigar case for purse rectangular convex "olive" shaped, in 925/1000 sterling silver gold plated with two-tone stripes fire enameled on guilloché a...
Category

1990s Italian Empire Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Sterling Silver Lady's Cigar Case for Purse Salimbeni
Sterling Silver Lady's Cigar Case for Purse Salimbeni
Free Shipping
H 0.67 in W 1.38 in D 4.34 in
Rare Russian Collection Baccarat Tsarina Cobalt Blue Overlay Tall Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Baccarat Tsarina limited edition Russian series cobalt glass overlay, hand cut crystal tall decanter. Only ninety pieces were produced, this ...
Category

20th Century French Empire Furniture

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass

Four Empire Style Cerulean-Glazed Porcelain Vases with Chinoiserie Motifs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Each tall ovoid Paris Porcelain vase flanked by upright handles; the front of each depicting figures in a landscape setting; the reverse with a garden scene; adorned with gilt accent...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Empire Style Cerulean-Glazed Porcelain Vases with Chinoiserie Motifs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Each tall ovoid Paris Porcelain vase flanked by upright handles; the front of each depicting figures in a landscape setting; the reverse with a garden scene; adorned with gilt accent...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Empire Style Malachite Obelisks with Ormolu Mounts, 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A grand pair of neoclassical style ormolu-mounted malachite obelisk, American, 20th century. The impressive pair of obelisks crafted of a highly figured malachite veneered onto a ...
Category

20th Century American Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Pair of Empire Style Candlesticks in Gilt Metal, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Empire style candlesticks in gilt metal mounted in lamp. Fluted baluster shape shaft adorned with a Greek frieze, an interlacing frieze and a câbles frieze. Bretté edge bobec...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Teal Green Silk Satin French Empire Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of early 19th century French Empire painted and gilded side chairs newly upholstered in a luxurious teal heavy silk satin. These chairs feature detailed gilt ornamentation of he...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Pair of French Empire Style Blue Painted Camapana Form Urns, Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Retaining much of the blue painted patina.
Category

Early 20th Century French Empire Furniture

Chinese Peking Long Runner
Located in New York, NY
Rare long and narrow antique Chinese runner in predominant deep blues.
Category

20th Century Chinese Empire Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Peking Long Runner
Chinese Peking Long Runner
Free Shipping
W 32 in L 250 in
Large Porcelain Planter Malachite Decorated
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this large porcelain planter with malachite decoration. The overall green color makes it ideal for holding flowering pl...
Category

20th Century European Empire Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Ormolu Mounted Malachite Box Casket
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Russian giltbronze mounted malachite veneered box from the first quarter of the 19th century. Of rectangular form with hinged lid, supported on four paw feet decorated wi...
Category

1820s Russian Antique Empire Furniture

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Empire furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Empire furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Empire furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Modenese Gastone, Europa Antiques, Baker Furniture Company, and Gherardo Degli Albizzi. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $56 and tops out at $955,603 while the average work can sell for $4,296.

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